Chapter 138: The Transformation of Mu Baiyun

Failing to get a direct verbal answer from Ji Yao, the other person did not make a sound, but instead shifted their gaze back to Ji Yao, as if insisting on hearing her speak.

To spare Mu Baiyun from embarrassment, Ji Yao frowned and shoved the jade box in her hand straight into Mu Baiyun’s embrace.

"My senior brother’s will is my will. Please lead the way, Senior."

The person saw nothing wrong with their own behavior, maintaining the exact same expression and tone, though this time addressing only Ji Yao.

"The City Lord has given his orders, and I am merely fulfilling my duty. The two of you, please follow me."

Having said that, the man turned and walked away, completely unconcerned about whether the two behind him were keeping up.

Mu Baiyun remained indifferent. After all, the other party was a Nascent Soul cultivator, yet had been dispatched to act as a messenger and guide for low-level cultivators like them. To maintain a completely neutral demeanor throughout showed considerable restraint and breeding, and there was nothing in it to displease him.

Furthermore, from the moment they stepped into the City Lord's Mansion, he knew that the person they wanted was Ji Yao, and he was merely an incidental and somewhat useful tag-along.

All of this stemmed largely from the disparity in their cultivation levels. Judging by the demeanor of the Master of Wujie City, even if he knew the identities of Ji Yao and himself, he likely wouldn't hold the Lingyun Sect in any high regard, and might even view them as a source of amusement to be mocked.

The two of them stepped forward to follow. As they descended the steps, the courtyard gates closed behind them, and it was precisely at that moment that Mu Baiyun received a voice transmission.

*‘Kid, your abilities are not bad. Judging by your appearance, you are not just all show and no substance; you are barely pleasing to the eye.’*

The hand Mu Baiyun had concealed at his side instantly clenched. This was the voice of the True Lord Wujie.

The voice echoed clearly in his ears, yet he could neither reply nor afford to respond.

The voice transmission continued, *‘Remember to protect that lass well. She has already agreed to this old man's conditions, so don't let her throw away her little life prematurely.’*

Did Junior Sister really agree to that man's terms? Mu Baiyun’s eyelashes drooped halfway, trembling slightly from time to time. She was his junior sister, and he would naturally do everything in his power to safeguard her safety; what need was there for anyone else to instruct him?

The two of them walked in silence behind the guiding cultivator into the guest courtyard. While Ji Yao observed the surrounding environment, Mu Baiyun remained lost in thought, pondering the final words of the Wujie City Lord's transmission.

*‘What is youth without a hint of romance? Young man, have you ever questioned your heart?’*

Questioning his heart? Mu Baiyun silently chewed on these words. The other party certainly did not mean merely the intent to seek the Dao; there had to be other implications.

Within the Lingyun Sect, there was also a trial ground known as the Heart-Questioning Realm. Every disciple who advanced to the Golden Core stage was required to pass through it, and Mu Baiyun was no exception.

Disciples who successfully passed through the Heart-Questioning Realm were the ones truly nurtured by the sect with all its resources. As for the reasons behind this, Mu Baiyun knew some, though not all, but he had to admit that those who passed the Heart-Questioning Realm were invariably individuals with a firm and unwavering Dao heart.

Previously, Mu Baiyun had always assumed that the so-called heart-questioning was simply about how far one's resolve in pursuing the Dao could reach. Now, prompted by the other's question, he suddenly felt that his previous understanding had been narrow and simple-minded.

Perhaps he could return and consult his martial uncle about this question, or perhaps, given the opportunity, the Ancestral Master could offer him some guidance as well!

The two spent a day and a night resting in the guest courtyard. During this time, Ji Yao unhesitatingly helped Mu Baiyun apply medicinal ointment before returning to her own quarters to recover.

The next day, as the very first trace of light broke across the sky, Ji Yao and Mu Baiyun, brimming with energy, bid farewell to the City Lord's Mansion. After the events that had transpired, they had lost all appetite for wandering about and headed straight for the western city gate.

Wujie City had no curfew, and guards were stationed at the city gates day and night, so their departure at this hour did not appear abrupt.

With their backs to the rising light, the two headed towards the Western Ridge. Initially, they traveled on flying spiritual artifacts, but as the number of demonic cultivators detected through their spiritual sense gradually increased, they switched to walking or boarding spiritual boats in certain towns.

After all, they were here to gather intelligence, and their identities as orthodox spiritual cultivators were still somewhat conspicuous in the Western Ridge. It was better to keep a low profile and avoid exposing themselves prematurely.

In front of the small courtyard of True Lord Wujie in Wujie City, the Nascent Soul cultivator who had guided Ji Yao and her companion was currently standing respectfully outside the gate.

"City Lord, the two of them left the city at the hour of Mao and headed west."

"Understood." A jade-white stone was tossed from within the courtyard, landing precisely in the man's palm.

"When this stone changes color and guides you to the corresponding person, bring that person back here!"

The Nascent Soul cultivator bowed and saluted, asking, "Forgive this subordinate for being so bold, but does this mean the next visitors will not be them?"

"Hoh! That is precisely the purpose of giving you this stone. When they stop by Wujie City again next time, they shouldn't disappoint this old man anymore, should they? By then, they should also have the confidence to appear in their true faces."

"You mean they disguised themselves this time, City Lord?" The Nascent Soul cultivator instantly grasped the implication.

"As long as you know, there is no need to tell others. This old man is returning to seclusion; you are dismissed."

Upon hearing this, the Nascent Soul cultivator hurriedly bowed. "This subordinate understands! This subordinate takes his leave!"

The route taken by Ji Yao and Mu Baiyun did not lead directly to the Demonic-Forbidden Land. Instead, under Mu Baiyun's planning, they made a detour through several major towns in the Western Ridge before winding their way toward the vicinity of the forbidden land.

Along the way, no matter how much Ji Yao and her companion tried to mind their own business, they could not avoid the numerous unruly demonic cultivators of the Western Ridge, who epitomized the greed and desires of the cultivation world to the fullest.

Therefore, throughout the journey, there were always oblivious demonic cultivators attempting to stir up trouble or blocking their path to rob them. Every single one of them was swiftly dispatched by Mu Baiyun with a single sword strike, leaving no future troubles behind.

Even cultivators from the Joyful Sect openly used seductive incenses, attempting to abduct Mu Baiyun to engage in dual cultivation. It was baffling where they found the audacity for mere Foundation Establishment cultivators to make a move against a Golden Core cultivator.

However, this was also because, after leaving the Wujie City Lord's Mansion, although Ji Yao still maintained her illusion, Mu Baiyun had ceased disguising his appearance.

Mainly, he had noticed that ever since leaving True Lord Wujie's domain, Mu Baiyun had been acting somewhat strangely. He hoped the other would not remain influenced by the Wujie City Lord and would regain his self-confidence, which was why he hadn't asked him to continue masking his identity.

It was precisely because of this that they had attracted the attention of certain Joyful Sect cultivators.

Ji Yao longed to tell them that the Lingyun宗 Senior Brother's sword was exceptionally fast. Without exception, these demonic cultivators harboring malicious intentions were swiftly eliminated by Mu Baiyun early on.

This was also the first time Ji Yao witnessed the decisive and resolute side of the usually gentle-tempered Mu Baiyun. A true sword cultivator, after all, would rather snap than bend.

It was also thanks to the death-seeking antics of the Joyful Sect cultivators that Ji Yao discovered his expressionless face had actually improved somewhat.

Though still lacking in facial expressions, she could clearly see his darkened countenance, his condensed brows, and his tightly pursed lips.

"Senior Brother Yun, aren't your conditions improving?" Ji Yao asked with lingering worry when Mu Baiyun once again neutralized a demonic cultivator with a paralyzed facial expression.

She was afraid that the moment she caught a glimpse of her wish for the handsome man's complete recovery—just a tiny hint of it—she would be ruthlessly told it was all an illusion. That certainly wouldn't be a good thing.

Mu Baiyun turned his expressionless face toward Ji Yao, his exquisitely carved lips parting.

"Does Junior Sister think I should have a particular expression toward the likes of them?"

Ji Yao tilted her head, tapping the edge of her brow. For the sake of her own wish and the eye-pleasing perk throughout the journey, she decided to adopt the rhetoric of a pure-love female protagonist.

"However, Junior Sister is still quite worried. I feel that if Senior Brother Yun could fully recover and one day smile at Junior Sister, I would be more than satisfied."

The moment those words left her mouth, Ji Yao pulled her arms back and covered her cheeks with both hands.