C17 Do You Want to Escape?

It wasn't just lip service; his heart was filled with a bitter smile. How could he possibly explain that the person he had been before wasn't truly him? It was all the doing of that female demon.

"Haha, don't sell yourself short, Junior Brother Zhou. Surely you're not going to leave me standing outside, are you?" Bai Qianhe gestured to the surroundings.

"Oh, what was I thinking? Please, Senior Brother Bai, come in," Zhou Mu said, slapping his forehead and quickly gesturing for Bai Qianhe to enter.

"Junior Brother Zhou, your place is so peaceful and secluded; it's an excellent spot for secluded cultivation. The only downside is the scant amount of Heaven Earth Spirit Energy," Bai Qianhe remarked, taking a seat and looking around.

"It's okay. I prefer the quiet. A little less Spirit Energy doesn't bother me, as long as I'm left undisturbed," Zhou Mu replied, a touch of embarrassment in his voice. He didn't want to go where the Spirit Energy was thick, did he? Damn it, if it weren't for the false accusation of stealing Pills hanging over his head, he would have requested a transfer long ago. But he was scared, terrified that someone would recognize his face.

This thought made him harbor some resentment towards the female demon. If you're going to steal Pills, at least be careful about it. Why not cover your face? Do you think I'm you?

In the Spirit Realm, at the Purple Heaven Sect, Xia Xuanji, fresh from her return, unleashed a violent outburst, bringing a semblance of calm to the previously unstable and turbulent sect.

Of course, this was merely a facade, with the undercurrents now running even deeper.

After her outburst, Xia Xuanji's expression was dark as thunder. It was bad enough for a pure and ethereal fairy like her to be possessed by a foul man, but to have him change her clothes and bathe without her consent was utterly unforgivable.

She had made up her mind; the next time she found herself in that man's body, she would leave a lasting impression. The question was, should she castrate him or not?

Meanwhile, Zhou Mu, who was exchanging pleasantries with Bai Qianhe, suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

"Damn, who's plotting against me now? Could it be Bai Qianhe?"

Zhou Mu regarded Bai Qianhe with a puzzled look, but the genuine warmth of his smile seemed to trigger a sense of unease in Zhou Mu, as if Bai Qianhe was wearing a mask.

'Is Bai Qianhe a wolf in sheep's clothing? Are his reputation and amiability just for show?'

With this thought, Zhou Mu's guard went up. His responses in the ensuing conversation were less forthcoming, often circling around a point with excessive laughter and pleasantries.

Having been branded as useless and subjected to various forms of bullying, Zhou Mu had experienced the full spectrum of human emotions before beginning his cultivation journey.

Such experiences had taught him to navigate the world with extra caution. Although he was initially taken aback upon meeting Bai Qianhe, he quickly snapped back to reality.

"Junior Brother Zhou, I am here on behalf of our master," Bai Qianhe began.

He then revealed the Jade Sun Sect's plan to gather Elite Disciples and escape during the impending battle with the Bright Moon Sect, under the protection of an elder.

"Junior Brother Zhou, the Mountain Protecting Great Formation will only hold for three more days. Once it collapses, the Bright Moon Sect will mount a full-scale assault."

Bai Qianhe let out a sigh. "Our Old Ancestor's injuries have not healed, and in the face of Hao Yue's audacity, our sect faces a Great Tribulation. To ensure the Jade Sun Sect's legacy endures, the sect has initiated this plan."

"What? Senior Brother Bai, has the situation become so severe?"

Zhou Mu was startled. He had only just returned, and now he was being told that the sect was on the brink of collapse? But a wave of relief washed over him as he realized he was included in the plan, which meant his life was at least secure.

His only concern was whether the chosen disciples and the escorting elder would recognize him, given that the accusation of stealing Pills still hung over his head.

After a bit more conversation, Bai Qianhe rose to leave, advising Zhou Mu to make his preparations soon.

Zhou Mu escorted Bai Qianhe to the edge of the small valley, their warm exchange giving any onlookers the impression of a long-standing friendship.

"I need to go back and think things through," Zhou Mu decided.

As Bai Qianhe walked away, Zhou Mu's smile vanished instantly.

Back in his room, Zhou Mu's demeanor turned grave as he pulled out the Storage Jade Talisman. Bai Qianhe had mentioned that the Mountain Protecting Great Formation would last only three days. By his calculations, the day after tomorrow marked the time of his own transmigration. Once he crossed over, he'd be powerless to affect anything here.

"No, I must document this and leave a note for the woman who will transmigrate here. I'll advise her not to be so foolhardy."

Zhou Mu meticulously recorded every detail into the Storage Jade Talisman. After finishing, he paused, then added a cautionary note about Bai Qianhe, warning the future transmigrator that he might be a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Next, Zhou Mu opened his Storage Bag, placed the Storage Jade Talisman inside, and retrieved a bottle of Pills.

"Each increment of strength gives me a greater chance of survival."

He tilted his head back and swallowed a Pill, harnessing its power to commence the Azure Lotus Sword Qi Spell with closed eyes.

The medicinal power coursed through him, drawing the Heaven Earth Spirit Energy from the valley into the wooden house, where it was steadily absorbed into his being.

"The Azure Lotus is profoundly enigmatic."

Upon opening his eyes, a delicate azure lotus shimmered within them. He examined the spiritual force in his meridians, a gentle azure hue winding its way through. Extending a finger, he channeled the force outward, and an azure lotus, aglow with Azure Light, materialized at his fingertip.

A gentle flick sent the lotus drifting to the ground where it silently burrowed in, leaving a deep impression.

Zhou Mu stretched, his body crackling satisfyingly.

His senses swept over the darkness outside, where stars twinkled faintly, dotting the night with specks of light.

In the realm of cultivation, time was elusive. Zhou Mu simply sensed that his period of intense practice had brought nightfall.

"The Pills deplete too quickly, yet they are essential for my cultivation."

After using up the countless Pills he had previously stolen through relentless cultivation, he awoke to find only three bottles remaining. He sighed, unable to hide his disappointment.

For the first time, he felt a sense of frustration with his own talents. While others cultivated, even those with average aptitude could absorb a strand of Spiritual Force in a second, but he could only manage a mere fraction of that. His progress was painstakingly slow, several times slower than theirs. And compared to those with exceptional talents, whose cultivation speed was more than tenfold his own, he felt even more disheartened.

Despite the assistance of Pills, his cultivation speed could, at best, match that of an average person. He yearned to quicken his pace, but his aspirations exceeded his capabilities.