Chapter 5: New Adventure
Taking a deep breath to organize his thoughts, Bai Yuexian drew on the analytical skills he had developed in his previous life as a programmer. In that career, he had been trained to look for patterns, to identify connections between seemingly disparate events, and to think algorithmically about problem-solving.
"I think these two incidents are not mere coincidence," he began, his voice steady despite the scrutiny of everyone in the room. "Either someone is taking advantage of the strange occurrences at Devil Mountain Valley as a distraction while they target our mining operations, or the two events are directly connected perhaps what's happening in the valley is causing the disappearances."
As he finished speaking, he became aware of the surprised silence that had fallen over the room. His father was looking at him with an expression of astonishment mingled with approval. Xueyin's eyebrows had raised slightly the most expression he had seen on her face since their meeting in the courtyard. Even the Fifth Elder seemed taken aback by his response.
The two visitors exchanged glances, clearly reassessing their impression of the young master they had heard was foolish and naive.
After a moment, Bai Hongxuan's expression shifted to one of satisfaction. "Very good, Yue'er," he said, using the affectionate form of address. "Your assessment aligns with my own thoughts on the matter."
He turned to address the entire group. "Based on this analysis, I believe we need to investigate both situations simultaneously. Yuexian, you and Xueyin will go to the southern region to check on these problems."
Bai Yuexian blinked in surprise. He was being sent on a mission? He had expected his father might ask for his opinion as a test, but not that he would actually be tasked with addressing the situation personally.
"Fifth Elder Bai Junze will accompany you," Hongxuan continued, nodding toward the elder. "He will observe and only intervene if you find yourselves in a truly dangerous or impossible situation."
Now Bai Yuexian understood. This wasn't just a mission it was a test, an opportunity for him to gain real-world experience and prove his worth to the family. His father was giving him a chance to demonstrate that he was more than the naive young master everyone believed him to be.
"I understand, Father," he said, bowing his head respectfully. "When do we depart?"
"Make your preparations," Hongxuan replied. "You will leave at dawn tomorrow. The journey to the southern branch territory will take approximately five days at a normal pace."
As the meeting concluded and the participants began to disperse, Bai Xueyin fell into step beside him as they left the hall.
"Interesting," she murmured, her voice low enough that only he could hear. "My little brother is thinking like a strategist now. Perhaps that bear did more than damage your meridians."
There was no accusation in her tone if anything, she sounded pleased. But the comment reminded Bai Yuexian that he needed to be careful. His sister was perceptive, and if she noticed too much change too quickly, she might become suspicious about what had really happened to her brother during that near-death experience.
"Near death gives one a new perspective," he replied simply. "I've realized I need to be more than I was before."
She studied him for a moment longer, then nodded. "Good. The southern territory can be dangerous. Be ready for anything."
With that cryptic warning, she increased her pace, leaving him alone with his thoughts and the daunting prospect of his first mission in this new world. As he headed back to his quarters to prepare, Bai Yuexian couldn't help but feel a mixture of anxiety and excitement.
This journey would be his first true test in this world of cultivation a chance to prove himself not just to his family, but to himself as well. And perhaps, if he was fortunate, he might discover something on this mission that could help accelerate his cultivation and prepare him for the academy evaluation that loomed just five months away.
One thing was certain the comfortable period of recovery was over. Now, the real challenges would begin.
The eastern horizon was just beginning to glow with ribbons of golden light as Bai Yuexian stood in the main courtyard of the Bai family compound. He adjusted the spirit spear secured to his back, its weight both comforting and unfamiliar against his still-recovering body. Despite his lingering soreness from the previous day's training session with his sister, there was a sense of anticipation coursing through him. This would be his first venture outside the family compound since his transmigration into this world.
Bai Xueyin stood nearby, her posture perfect and her expression serene as always. She wore a light combat robe of pristine white with intricate silver and blue embroidery depicting frost patterns along the edges. Her hair was pulled back in a practical yet elegant style, secured with hairpins that Bai Yuexian recognized as storage artifacts capable of concealing weapons. The frost python, Fang, remained coiled around her shoulders, its scales shimmering with an ethereal glow even in the dim pre-dawn light.
"Elder Bai Junze will meet us in the south directly," Xueyin informed him, her voice carrying despite its softness. "He can fly."
The casual mention of flight reminded Bai Yuexian of the vast power gap between them and the elder. From his inherited memories, he recalled the hierarchy of cultivation realms in this world:
First came the Vital Essence Tempering Realm, where he currently stood at the sixth level the realm of beginners and those of limited talent. This was followed by the Essence Purification and Crystallization Realm, where cultivators refined their spiritual essence to a crystalline state.
Next was the Boundless Ocean Realm, where his sister currently resided. At this level, a cultivator's spiritual energy became vast and deep like an ocean, and they gained significant power and influence. Bai Yuexian made a mental note of this change in his fragmented memories, this had been called the Spirit Gathering Realm, but perhaps that was outdated terminology.
Beyond that was the Spirit Blossom Realm, the threshold that Elder Bai Junze had crossed, granting him the ability to fly freely through the skies without aid. Bai Yuexian could scarcely imagine such freedom.
Higher still were realms that seemed almost mythical in their power: Sky Mountain Realm, Ethereal Summit Realm, Sky Falling Realm, Nirvana Realm, and Void Neither Realm. And according to his memories, even these were not the end of the cultivation path.
Bai Yuexian couldn't recall his parents' exact cultivation levels, but he suspected they were around the Sky Mountain Realm. That would explain the respect and fear their family commanded in the region.
His contemplation was interrupted by the arrival of three elegant women approaching from the inner compound. Even from a distance, Bai Yuexian recognized them as the three mothers of the Bai family's main branch.
Leading them was Lin Qingyue, his birth mother. Her silver hair showed a striking resemblance to Xueyin's, though hers was accented with gentle waves cascading down her back. Her deep blue eyes the same shade as his own conveyed both affection and concern as she approached. The resemblance between them was unmistakable, particularly in the curve of their jawlines and the shape of their eyes.
Behind her walked Xu Rouyuan, Xueyin's mother, her posture dignified and her gaze sharp yet loving as it settled upon her daughter. Her dark hair was styled in an intricate arrangement adorned with jade ornaments that tinkled softly with each step.
The third woman was Zhao Meiling, the mother of his second elder sister who was currently away on her own cultivation journey. From his inherited memories, Bai Yuexian recalled that his second sister had often played pranks on him a form of bullying, but in a way that had always remained within the bounds of sibling rivalry, never truly malicious.
"Mother," both Bai Yuexian and Xueyin greeted in unison, bowing respectfully to the approaching women.
Lin Qingyue approached Bai Yuexian first, her eyes scanning him with motherly concern. "Yue'er," she said softly, the nickname warming something in his heart despite the fact that these weren't truly his memories. She reached into her sleeve and produced a storage ring, its surface embedded with protective runes that glowed with a subtle blue light.
"Take this," she said, pressing it into his palm. "Inside are healing pills and other items you might need on your journey. But most importantly " Her voice dropped to a near whisper, " there is a jade containing my essence spirit energy. If you find yourself in mortal danger, use it to protect yourself."
The gravity in her voice made it clear that this was no ordinary protective measure. For a cultivator to extract and store their own essence energy was a significant sacrifice, one that would temporarily weaken their own cultivation.
Bai Yuexian nodded solemnly, slipping the ring onto his finger beside his own spatial storage ring. "Thank you, Mother. I will use it wisely."
"Mother Lin," Xueyin interjected, stepping forward with unusual warmth in her typically cold demeanor, "don't worry too much. I will be there to protect my brother."
Lin Qingyue turned to embrace Xueyin, an expression of gratitude softening her features. "I know you will, Xueyin. You've always looked after him."
Zhao Meiling approached next, her expression a curious mix of concern and amusement. Despite her daughter's absence, she clearly held affection for both Yuexian and Xueyin. "Both of you, protect each other," she said firmly. "The reports from the south are troubling, and strange activities have been noted even beyond what was mentioned in the meeting."
"Don't worry, Mother Zhao," Xueyin replied with quiet confidence. "There aren't many in the southern region who could match my level. We will be cautious."
Zhao Meiling nodded, apparently satisfied with this assurance.
Finally, Xu Rouyuan stepped forward. Unlike the others, she carried something in her hands a small jade box that emanated a subtle spiritual energy even through its sealed container. When she opened it, Bai Yuexian's breath caught in his throat.
Inside lay four Spirit Fruits, identical to the ones he had gone with Ye Chen to collect the very mission that had ended with his death and subsequent transmigration. Their translucent flesh glowed with inner spiritual light, and the sweet fragrance they emitted made his cultivation base stir with anticipation.
"Here, take these," Xu Rouyuan said, offering the box to Bai Yuexian rather than her own daughter. "They will help with your cultivation."
Bai Yuexian accepted the gift with a broad smile, genuinely grateful for such a valuable cultivation resource. "Thank you, Mother Xu!"
As he took the box, Xu Rouyuan produced another item as if to offer it to him as well. This prompted an almost comedic reaction from Xueyin.
"Ma-ma!" she protested with an exaggerated pout that seemed utterly at odds with her usual icy demeanor. "Have you forgotten you have a daughter as well?"
Xu Rouyuan laughed lightly. "I know, I know. But you're big enough to take care of yourself, while your little brother is still very—" She stopped abruptly, her expression freezing as if she suddenly realized what she was saying.
"Still very what, Mother?" Xueyin pressed, her eyes narrowing.
"I'm just joking," Xu Rouyuan recovered quickly. "You are all equal to me."
Bai Yuexian, seeking to defuse the momentary tension, asked the question that had been puzzling him since seeing the Spirit Fruits. "Mother Xu, how did you get these? The Spirit Fruits are rare and..."
He trailed off, remembering that they were primarily cultivated by the Ye Clan the very family responsible for his death.
Xu Rouyuan's expression turned slightly embarrassed. "I just... let someone pick the Spirit Fruits from the Ye Clan."
Bai Yuexian's eyes widened. "Pick them? You mean you purchased them?"
Xu Rouyuan's embarrassment deepened. "Well, no... alright, if you must know, I had someone... acquire them through alternative means."
"You had them stolen?" Bai Yuexian blurted out, unable to contain his surprise.
"Acquired through strategic resource reallocation," Xu Rouyuan corrected primly, though the twinkle in her eye betrayed her amusement.
The absurdity of it a high-level cultivator from one of the region's most powerful families resorting to theft like a common bandit struck both Bai Yuexian and Xueyin at the same moment. They burst into laughter simultaneously.
"Hahahahaha!" Their combined laughter echoed in the courtyard, drawing smiles even from the attending servants.
With the mood lightened, the final farewells were exchanged. Bai Yuexian secured his weapon and checked that his spirit stones were safely stored in his spatial ring. Then he and Xueyin, along with Bai Zhenhai and Bai Chenrui who had been waiting respectfully at a distance, made their way to the waiting flying chariot of the Bai family.
The chariot was an impressive sight a large, boat-like structure crafted from a rare silver-blue wood and reinforced with spirit metal. Along its hull, formations were carved and inlaid with spirit stones that pulsed with energy. The canopy was of a material that resembled silk but was clearly much stronger, embroidered with the Bai family crest of intertwined ice phoenix wings.
Once they were all seated comfortably within the chariot's spacious interior, the driver a cultivator at the peak of the Essence Purification and Crystallization Realm activated the formation array. With a gentle lurch, the chariot rose into the early morning sky.