The two chatted for a while, their conversation straying far from the topic at hand, before finally admitting with resignation that they would consider the matter for two days first. After all, this matter wasn't urgent.
Afterwards, the two began dividing the spoils. Although the Carefree Valley expedition itself hadn't yielded any particularly good items, at the final moment, after Tian Zhiqian and Ling Yunfei had turned traitor and been killed, Ling Yunhe had tossed their Qiankun Bags to them as a gesture of gratitude.
These two individuals were both disciples of major sects, their possessions quite substantial, which truly benefited Mo Tiange and Nie Wushang. After discussing it, they decided to split items like spirit stones and spirit pills equally, while their various magic treasures and cultivation manuals would be taken according to each one's needs.
Mo Tiange naturally chose Tian Zhiqian's belongings. Regardless of his character, Tian Zhiqian's attainments in formations were indeed extraordinary. If he hadn't been lacking in all other areas besides formations, he would have been a very troublesome opponent. Unfortunately, perhaps he had grown accustomed to standing behind Ling Yunhe, and he himself possessed no impressive combat techniques to speak of.
After dividing the spoils, the two each went to study their new techniques and meditate on their cultivation, which need not be detailed here. Two days later, just as they had recovered their spirits and hadn't yet had time to discuss further, someone came seeking an audience outside the courtyard.
Initially thinking it was City Lord Mei with some matter, upon inquiry, they found it was other cultivators who had also been invited to the mansion by City Lord Mei.
Regarding City Lord Mei's request, Nie Wushang leaned towards agreeing, while Mo Tiange was somewhat indifferent, but both felt it was best not to reach a conclusion lightly. After all, they had only heard City Lord Mei's side of the story and knew very little. Now that other cultivators had come to their door, it was just the right opportunity.
"Fellow Daoists, a pleasure to meet you!"
Seeing the man and woman who entered the Wind-Lotus Courtyard, Mo Tiange blinked, surprised. "Fellow Daoist Yong, Fellow Daoist Qiu, it's actually you two?"
These two were precisely the senior brother and junior sister Yong Ruyu and Qiu Chengruo, whom she had met once in Tianxue City.
Only then did Yong Ruyu and Qiu Chengruo recognize her, also showing surprise on their faces. "You are... Fellow Daoist Qin?"
Mo Tiange nodded to them with a smile. "I never thought that not long after parting in Tianxue City, we would reunite far away in Xingluo City. Fellow Daoists and I truly share a fateful connection."
"Isn't that so?" Qiu Chengruo answered first, then looked curiously at Nie Wushang. "Fellow Daoist Qin, this is..."
"This is my friend, known as Tian Can," Mo Tiange introduced.
Nie Wushang's attitude was indifferent as she nodded to them. "A pleasure."
"So it's Fellow Daoist Tian Can." Hearing Mo Tiange's introduction, Qiu Chengruo seemed vaguely disappointed, though she hid it well and immediately greeted them warmly.
Yong Ruyu's attitude was much more normal, smiling as he nodded to Nie Wushang in greeting, neither discourteous nor overly enthusiastic.
Mo Tiange felt both helpless and amused inwardly. This Qiu Chengruo hadn't changed a bit, treating other women like thieves to be guarded against. Fortunately, Nie Wushang was currently dressed as a man; otherwise, Qiu Chengruo would surely have dragged Yong Ruyu away immediately.
"Fellow Daoist Tian Can, these two Fellow Daoists once had a brief encounter with me in Tianxue City. This is Fellow Daoist Yong, and this is Fellow Daoist Qiu. They are cultivators of the Danxia Sect, one of the five major sects of the Dongtang Kingdom."
After they had finished exchanging greetings, Mo Tiange politely invited Yong Ruyu and Qiu Chengruo into the main hall.
"Fellow Daoist Qin, what a coincidence that you've also come to Xingluo City?" Qiu Chengruo asked as soon as they were seated.
Mo Tiange smiled and replied, "After parting with everyone that day, I happened to meet Fellow Daoist Tian Can in Tianxue City. Reuniting in a foreign land brought us great joy, so we simply decided to travel together. Originally, we came to this area on some business, but as soon as we entered Xingluo City, we were invited by the city lord. I wonder what circumstances brought you two here?"
"Our situation is similar," Yong Ruyu said. "My junior sister and I embarked on this journey for the purpose of travel and experience, without a specific destination in mind. We came all the way from Tianxue City without giving it much thought, and upon entering Xingluo City, we were invited by City Lord Mei to the city lord's mansion."
Mo Tiange's gaze shifted. "So, the reason we've come to the city lord's mansion is the same."
"That should be correct."
After saying this, the two pairs exchanged glances. Then, Mo Tiange spoke with a smile, "Fellow Daoists, after parting in Tianxue City, we meet again in Xingluo City, and moreover, we've gathered together because of the same matter. That can be considered a fateful connection. Furthermore, as fellow Dao cultivators, we are closer to each other than to others. So, I'll speak frankly."
She paused, seeing that Yong Ruyu and Qiu Chengruo both wore smiles and showed no objection, then asked directly, "Regarding City Lord Mei's invitation, I wonder what impressions you two have? Have you already agreed?"
After Mo Tiange finished speaking, Qiu Chengruo immediately turned to look at Yong Ruyu. Although she managed everything, when it came to serious matters, she always deferred to Yong Ruyu's judgment.
Yong Ruyu pondered for a moment, his gaze shifting between Mo Tiange and Nie Wushang, before saying, "Since Fellow Daoist Qin is so forthright, I shouldn't hide the truth. Indeed, my junior sister and I have already agreed to City Lord Mei's request."
Nie Wushang frowned. "Aren't you two afraid there might be hidden circumstances?"
Hearing this question, Qiu Chengruo covered her mouth with a laugh. "Fellow Daoist Tian Can, you and Fellow Daoist Qin truly share a deep connection. This cautious and prudent nature of yours is remarkably similar."
The teasing tone in her words was quite evident. Mo Tiange felt helpless but maintained a serious expression. "Fellow Daoist Qiu, actually, I already have a Dao Companion. Although you may only be jesting, I must ask that you refrain from saying such things in the future."
Qiu Chengruo looked surprised upon hearing this, then her expression turned serious as she bowed respectfully. "My apologies for the previous offense. Please do not take offense, Fellow Daoist Qin."
Mo Tiange waved her hand with a smile, indicating she didn't mind. It was better to clear the air like this, lest this woman always regard her as a rival, going to great lengths to remind her senior brother whenever she exchanged a few extra words with him. Normally, it might be tolerable, but during serious discussions, such behavior was truly rather grating.
"Fellow Daoists, aren't you afraid City Lord Mei's words might conceal other intentions?" Nie Wushang asked again.
Yong Ruyu smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Tian Can, my junior sister and I are, after all, disciples of a major sect, and both are Core Formation cultivators. We are not those Foundation Establishment disciples whose disappearance their sect wouldn't inquire much about. Although this City Lord Mei is a city lord, he cannot afford to offend our Danxia Sect. Given that, what is there to fear?"
Mo Tiange wasn't surprised by this answer. Over these past days, she had discovered that cultivators in Yunzhong were much bolder. The reason, perhaps, was that practitioners of various paths had coexisted here peacefully for tens of thousands of years.
After speaking, Yong Ruyu glanced at the expressions of Mo Tiange and Nie Wushang, then continued, "Have you two Fellow Daoists not yet made up your minds? Actually, in this matter, as long as what City Lord Mei says is true, it is beneficial and harmless to us. Leaving aside what we might obtain, Ancient Secret Lands are truly difficult to find in this day and age. Being able to enter and undergo their trials is greatly beneficial to our own strength. We might even comprehend some Ancient Era Supernatural Abilities, achieving sudden enlightenment. If our cultivation were to advance by leaps and bounds then, that would be a tremendous boon."
Both Mo Tiange and Nie Wushang were taken aback upon hearing this. Yes, Yong Ruyu was absolutely right. This was the greatest benefit. Who would have thought that cultivators in Yunzhong possessed such breadth of vision, seeing the essence at a glance? The significance of such an Ancient Secret Land lay not in obtaining tangible benefits, but in witnessing Ancient Era Supernatural Abilities and comprehending the profound mysteries that connected heaven and earth.
"What? Don't you two Fellow Daoists think so?" Yong Ruyu asked again, seeing that neither of them spoke.
Mo Tiange let out a long sigh, looking at Yong Ruyu with a serious expression. "No, what Fellow Daoist Yong says is very reasonable. For us cultivators, this is indeed the greatest benefit."
Yong Ruyu's expression relaxed into a smile. "Since that's the case, what are you two Fellow Daoists still hesitating about?"
Mo Tiange didn't answer immediately. She looked at Yong Ruyu, then at Qiu Chengruo, and instead asked a question in return. "Why are you two Fellow Daoists so eager for Fellow Daoist Tian Can and me to agree? Could this matter have some connection to you two?"
Qiu Chengruo laughed upon hearing this. "Fellow Daoist Qin, please don't misunderstand. It's just that Xingluo City is part of the Demonic Domain, and those who come and go are mostly Demonic Cultivators; Dao cultivators are truly few. You two Fellow Daoists must have heard, this secret land is a trial ground. It itself won't endanger lives, but if someone attacks from behind, one must be on guard."
"So that's how it is," Mo Tiange nodded. "So, you two are seeking us as companions?"
Yong Ruyu nodded with a smile. "Correct. My junior sister and I came to visit with this very idea in mind. After meeting you two Fellow Daoists, we both felt there was no need to consider further. Although we only met Fellow Daoist Qin once, comparatively speaking, Fellow Daoist Qin is much more trustworthy than others."
"Then I must thank you two Fellow Daoists for your trust," Mo Tiange said with a smile. "However, regarding this matter, Fellow Daoist Tian Can and I know very little. We cannot give you an answer immediately."
"That's simple," Qiu Chengruo said quite enthusiastically. "My senior brother and I have been here for several days now and have learned quite a bit about this matter. We can explain it to you two Fellow Daoists in detail."
"Really?" This was good news. Mo Tiange said, "Then I'll trouble Fellow Daoist Qiu."
Subsequently, Yong Ruyu and Qiu Chengruo explained everything one by one. It turned out that such secret lands were not very secretive in Yunzhong. Although not numerous, most major sects knew of one or two, some even held in their possession to train disciples. Therefore, the Core Formation cultivators invited by City Lord Mei, upon hearing this, stayed without much suspicion.
They all knew such secret lands were hard to come by. In a few days, the major sects would learn of it. By then, entering the secret land would require considerable effort. It was better to help City Lord Mei with this matter now, enter earlier, and obtain more benefits.
As for the secret land, they had also inquired with Core Formation cultivators in Xingluo City. Although passing the trials was difficult, the profound mysteries of the Supernatural Abilities within were evident. There were even some demonic path secret techniques inside. This held extraordinary appeal for Demonic Cultivators. Because in the Ancient Era, there were many Immortal Cultivators and few Demonic Cultivators, so whenever an Ancient Secret Land was discovered, Immortal Cultivators benefited more. Yet this Ancient Secret Land actually contained demonic path secret techniques, which was truly rare.
After spending most of the day explaining the general situation, Yong Ruyu asked again, "Fellow Daoists, this is what we've learned. How do you feel about it?"
Mo Tiange and Nie Wushang exchanged a glance. Mo Tiange said, "Fellow Daoist Tian Can and I now understand the matter. Thank you, Fellow Daoists. However, I still need to discuss this with Fellow Daoist Tian Can. We will give you an answer after some time. Is that acceptable?"
Yong Ruyu smiled upon hearing this. "Naturally. In that case, my junior sister and I will take our leave now. Time is limited. If you two Fellow Daoists reach a decision, please reply as soon as possible."