The aura drew closer. The visitor didn't seem to be concealing their presence at all, walking slowly toward their cave abode.
Core Formation mid-stage, and alone.
"Yang Chengji?" Mo Tiange and Nie Wushang exchanged a glance, both guessing the same thing.
The answer was soon revealed as Yang Chengji's voice rang out from outside: "Fellow Daoists, old friends reunited. You don't mind meeting, do you?"
His voice, matching his youthful appearance, was clear and pleasant with a slight sharpness to it. However, his attitude was always so arrogant; even a voice that should have been rather pleasing always carried a hint of impatience, making it unpleasant to hear.
Nie Wushang looked at Mo Tiange questioningly.
Mo Tiange pondered briefly, then nodded. The fact that Yang Chengji had come alone spoke volumes; he probably wasn't here to cause trouble. While they had no particular friendship with Yang Chengji, they also bore him no grudge.
After Mo Tiange withdrew the restrictions, Nie Wushang opened the cave abode. Yang Chengji stood outside, dressed in black robes, his face uncovered, and holding no magical treasure in his hands.
Seeing the two of them, he first nodded to Mo Tiange. "Fellow Daoist Qin."
Mo Tiange smiled. Since he was being so casual, she didn't bother with formalities either. "Fellow Daoist Yang, it's been a long time."
Then, Yang Chengji's gaze shifted to Nie Wushang. His eyes were cold, staring for a long moment before he finally spoke. "This must be Fellow Daoist Tian Can, I presume? I didn't realize Fellow Daoist Tian Can was a woman disguised as a man."
Nie Wushang wasn't wearing a mask or any disguise at the moment; her gender was obvious at a glance. She had no intention of hiding it anymore. Back during the Carefree Valley trip, she had merely disguised herself by chance to evade the Tianyan Sect's pursuit, not as a deliberate act.
"Fellow Daoist Yang has sharp eyes," Nie Wushang said flatly, with no intention of confronting him. Years ago in Carefree Valley, she had only mocked him a few times because she found his behavior rather disagreeable. Such a minor matter wasn't worth holding onto until today.
Unfortunately, while she thought this way, Yang Chengji clearly did not.
He lifted the corner of his mouth, appearing to smile, but his eyes were gloomy, and his voice dripped with sarcasm. "Truly unexpected. Fellow Daoist Tian Can not only has a fake appearance and fake gender, but even her cultivation is fake. Clearly a demonic cultivator, yet she managed to disguise herself without the slightest flaw. I wonder if her name and identity are fake as well?"
Hearing such provocative words, Nie Wushang merely gave him a cool glance and said, "Whether it's real or fake, what does it matter to you, Fellow Daoist Yang? If you have so much free time, perhaps you should think about how to reclaim the Sacred Relic instead. That would be more practical."
"You—" Yang Chengji was so infuriated by her attitude he felt smoke rising from his seven orifices. This was clearly mocking him for not focusing on serious matters, for being childish and ridiculous.
Mo Tiange sighed inwardly. After decades apart, why was this Fellow Daoist Yang still so hot-tempered? Apart from mocking him a few times, Nie Wushang hadn't actually offended him.
"Fellow Daoist Yang," she interjected at the right moment, "it's been many years. Might I ask if you have important business for this visit?"
Hearing her voice, Yang Chengji regained some composure and said indifferently, "The two of you have been in Guifang City for years, yet I was unaware. Today I came specifically to pay a visit. Fellow Daoist Qin has no objections, I hope?"
Mo Tiange paused briefly before replying, "Of course not." She thought to herself, why did Yang Chengji have to speak so unpleasantly? It was just a visit; would it kill him to say something polite?
"Please come in, Fellow Daoist Yang. The cave abode is humble; please forgive the poor hospitality."
Hearing Mo Tiange say this, Yang Chengji swaggered into the cave abode, sat down, and still didn't utter a single polite word.
However, no matter how impolite he was, Mo Tiange didn't mind. As long as he wasn't here for the Fusheng Sword matter, it was fine.
The three of them sat down. Yang Chengji looked around the simple cave abode with a critical eye, Nie Wushang seemed bored, and Mo Tiange was full of doubts.
After a while, Yang Chengji finally finished his inspection, picked up a teacup, took a sip, and said, "Since the two of you came to Guifang City, why didn't you come say hello? If not for this coincidence, I wouldn't have known you were here."
Mo Tiange smiled and said, "I presume your master has already verified this. Back when Fellow Daoist Tian Can and I arrived here, we were both injured and sought a place to recuperate. Later, when chaos broke out in Yunzhong, it wasn't convenient to disturb you."
Hearing her mention the word "verify," Yang Chengji's expression became somewhat uncomfortable. While he said he was paying a visit, he was actually here on his master's orders to see if these two were acting suspiciously. After all, something like a Buddhist Sacred Object had been obtained from them; one couldn't help but be cautious.
While lowering his head to drink tea, he stole a glance at Mo Tiange and Nie Wushang. Finding their expressions normal, as if such things were commonplace and they didn't mind at all, he finally felt relieved.
This, however, was him overthinking. Not only did they have no friendship, but even if they did, coming to probe a little when encountering such a major event wasn't a big deal. Both Mo Tiange and Nie Wushang were used to such things; why would they care? This also showed that although Yang Chengji came from a complex sect background, he himself was not well-versed in worldly affairs.
"Fellow Daoist Yang," Mo Tiange finally broke the silence after Yang Chengji remained quiet for a good while, "it's been forty years since we parted in Carefree Valley. I didn't expect you to have smoothly advanced to the mid-stage. Congratulations."
Yang Chengji said awkwardly, "Why is Fellow Daoist Qin being so polite? If we're talking congratulations, both of you have advanced to the late-stage; that's truly worthy of congratulations. My meager achievement is not worth mentioning."
Mo Tiange smiled. "How is it the same? Fellow Daoist Tian Can and I have been secluded in Guifang City all these years, never going out to gain experience. In contrast, you, Fellow Daoist Yang, not only emerged unscathed from the Heavenly Demon Tower upheaval but also advanced. That's much more impressive than our secluded cultivation."
Although it was flattery, Mo Tiange wasn't talking nonsense. Over these decades, they hadn't witnessed firsthand what Yunzhong was like, but from the news they heard, they knew how brutal it had been. For Yang Chengji to survive such turmoil and even succeed in advancing was no easy feat.
Hearing this, Yang Chengji's expression improved considerably, revealing a slight smile. "Since the two of you are busy, I won't waste time. Actually, the purpose of this visit is twofold: first, to visit old friends reunited; second, I was deeply curious about how Fellow Daoist Qin came to possess a Buddhist Sacred Object, so..."
"So that's it," Mo Tiange said calmly, with a smile. "To tell the truth, I also find it quite unbelievable. If the Huayan Temple monks hadn't sought me out, I wouldn't even have known I possessed such a treasure. Ah, to carry a treasure without knowing it, and when you finally learn of it, you have to hand it over... It shows this thing truly didn't belong to me. Seeking more would be useless."
As she spoke, Mo Tiange wore a look of regret, deeply lamenting the loss. Seeing she didn't seem to be pretending, Yang Chengji felt a twinge of sympathy. "Fellow Daoist Qin, don't be too regretful. Just the Heavenly Demon Tower alone plunged Yunzhong into decades of chaos, with countless cultivators perishing. It shows that sometimes possessing a great treasure isn't necessarily a good thing. For cultivators like us, without sufficient strength to hold onto such a magical treasure, it's better to hand it over. Otherwise, losing our lives over it wouldn't be worth it."
"Fellow Daoist Yang speaks wisely," Mo Tiange readily agreed. "If I hadn't thought that way, I wouldn't have been willing to give up this treasure either. But what can we do? Our cultivation is low. Some things, we just have to endure."
"It's good that Fellow Daoist Qin can see it that way." Yang Chengji sounded a bit awkward as he said this. Then, he eagerly asked, "But I wonder, how exactly did Fellow Daoist Qin obtain this Buddhist Sacred Object?"
Mo Tiange had known she would have to explain the matter again. Without delay, she recounted the events from forty years ago, concluding, "To think, not long after that, I met you, Fellow Daoist Yang. I wonder if you were in Tianxue City at the time."
"So that's how it was..." Yang Chengji lamented. It seemed he had been rushing to Tianxue City around that time. What a pity; he had missed the Sacred Relic by a hair's breadth. But even if he had encountered it, it would have been useless. Back then, he had no idea it was one of the five Sacred Relics.
Feeling there was nothing more to ask about this, Yang Chengji changed the subject. "I wonder what plans the two of you have next?"
Seeing Yang Chengji ask no further, Mo Tiange breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. "What else can we do? As you know, Fellow Daoist Yang, I'm not originally from Yunzhong. If not for the decades of turmoil here, I would have left long ago to return home. Now that the chaos is gradually subsiding, once I settle my own affairs, I'll depart."
"Ah, I momentarily forgot. Come to think of it, Fellow Daoist Qin has been in Yunzhong for quite some time. Being away for so long, your family must miss you dearly?"
"Yes," Mo Tiange said, a look of longing appearing in her eyes. "Who knows, they might even come looking for me in Yunzhong..."
"What about Fellow Daoist Tian Can?" Yang Chengji turned his gaze to Nie Wushang. "Why have you been silent all this time?"
Nie Wushang seemed lost in thought. Hearing his voice, she glanced at him and said flatly, "I've never been one for much talking. What do you wish to ask, Fellow Daoist Yang?"
Yang Chengji frowned slightly and repeated his question. "I wonder what plans Fellow Daoist Tian Can has next? Do you intend to leave Guifang City?"
Nie Wushang fell silent for a moment before answering, "I cannot answer that for now, Fellow Daoist Yang. I've always acted on a whim. I might leave tomorrow, or I might stay here for several more years." She truly was somewhat indecisive. Although the matter of the Buddhist Sacred Object was no longer related to them, it was hard to say what consequences it might still bring. But leaving in her current state wasn't suitable either.
"..."
Seeing the atmosphere grow somewhat strange, Mo Tiange spoke up with a smile. "Fellow Daoist Yang only asks about us, but what about your own plans? During our years in Guifang City, we heard you are now the disciple most likely to form a Nascent Soul under your master, highly favored. Once you form your Nascent Soul, you might even inherit the city lord position. Truly worthy of congratulations."
Mentioning this, however, brought no trace of joy to Yang Chengji's face. He said indifferently, "Fellow Daoist Qin is thoughtful. Unfortunately, that is not something I seek."
"..." Hearing his words and tone, Mo Tiange really felt like stomping on Yang Chengji's face. Even if he looked like a youth, he was already a Core Formation cultivator; no matter how young, he had lived over a hundred years. Couldn't he understand what polite conversation was? Now she couldn't be bothered to engage further.
The three of them sat in silence for a while. Finally, Yang Chengji belatedly realized the atmosphere was off. He looked at Mo Tiange, then at Nie Wushang, wanting to say something but swallowing his words in the end. Glumly, he said, "The two of you seem busy. I shall take my leave now. I'll visit again when there's an opportunity."
Hearing this, Mo Tiange and Nie Wushang finally both smiled and stood up to see him out. "Please, Fellow Daoist Yang. Until we meet again."
Seeing the rare smile on Nie Wushang's face, Yang Chengji felt even more frustrated. He gave a casual cupped-hand salute, stood up, and left.