Chapter 4: Qiu Ci Contemplates Running Away

Autumn Farewell looked once again at the piece of paper inscribed with Chinese characters. Could it be that before this, some other predecessor who had crossed over had come to this world and brought Chinese along? What on earth had he done to provoke both gods and men, causing Chinese to be turned into forbidden script?

“They’re coming! The immortal masters escorting the evil cultivators are here,” the porridge stall owner exclaimed, hastily pointing toward the city gate.

In an instant, not only Autumn Farewell but everyone in the shop turned to look. Even those sitting in the street-facing stalls craned their necks. From afar, several streaks of white light hurtled swiftly, arriving at the city gate in moments. Then a group of people appeared, walking along the street. Leading them were four cultivators clad in white robes, their appearance somewhat similar to Fu Haoyu of the Spirit Testing Hall, only more refined, radiating an imposing aura that made it impossible to look directly at them. These were undoubtedly the immortal masters the porridge stall owner had mentioned.

Behind them followed several prison carts, each containing prisoners whose bodies were battered and bloodied. Though no shackles bound them, talismans were affixed to their bodies, rendering them utterly motionless.

It seemed the immortal sect intended to intimidate, as the procession moved slowly through the main street, heading deeper into the city. Their grim and murderous aura quieted even the bustling thoroughfare considerably.

After the group passed, the village chief spoke with confusion, “I thought there was only one evil cultivator?”

“The one who practiced forbidden arts is indeed just one,” the porridge stall owner whispered knowingly, shaking slightly as if he knew more. “But many have seen that banned book. Anyone who’s seen it must be executed, and even their families are implicated.”

“That serious?” the village chief gasped.

Nearby, Autumn Farewell’s heart pounded fiercely, her hands trembling. This world was far more dangerous than she had imagined. She suddenly felt grateful that when she saw those drifting characters in the Spirit Testing Hall earlier, she hadn’t instinctively read them aloud—otherwise, she might have ended up as part of the public disgrace parade.

She quickly reviewed her behavior since arriving, relieved that she hadn’t revealed any slip-ups. Fortunately, she was neither a flashy person nor one who drew attention, so she hadn’t exposed her knowledge of Chinese.

Autumn Farewell wanted to follow the group to observe, but the village chief insisted they return, citing that children shouldn’t witness such gruesome scenes.

For the next two days, Autumn Farewell pondered whether to pursue cultivation. This world clearly harbored extraordinary dangers, especially aimed at her. Chinese was like a ticking time bomb hanging over her head; exposure at any time could trigger disaster.

Moreover, her spiritual root and bloodline posed additional problems. Just because she had gotten through this time didn’t mean she would always be so lucky.

There was still an exit strategy. She could lay low for now, gather intelligence about the cultivators of this world, and then decide.

Overall, though, the village was no place to stay. The trip to Huiyang City presented an opportunity—escaping to an unfamiliar place would be easier.

——

Three days passed in a flash. As one of the only two people with spiritual roots, Autumn Farewell and Feng Ting set out for Huiyang City, where the immortal sects recruited disciples.

Within Yanlin City, there was a teleportation array that led directly to Huiyang, accessible only with the jade token issued during the spirit test, allowing free passage.

The array was located at the city’s center, adjacent to the execution grounds. From a distance, the still-fresh bloodstains at the center of the execution platform were visible—a dark red so vivid it pricked the eyes.

Autumn Farewell’s heart trembled as she hastily pulled Feng Ting into the array.

In the next moment, a white light flared, and she felt as if the world had spun wildly, her surroundings warping, even the ground beneath her swaying.

“Sister Xi, I feel so dizzy...” Feng Ting clutched her hand tightly, pale and clearly unwell.

Autumn Farewell herself felt waves of nausea rising. She was no stranger to carsickness or seasickness, but hadn’t expected to be queasy from a teleportation array!

Fortunately, the sensation didn’t last long. After a few minutes, the dizziness faded, the white light receded, and the scene before them changed. Noises of bustling commotion filled the air, and a variety of figures appeared around them.

They had arrived within a larger formation, where white flashes appeared intermittently at the side. Each flash brought forth a new person who then descended the steps below.

They had reached their destination.

“Let’s go!” Autumn Farewell pulled Feng Ting forward. Upon leaving the array, they immediately saw several pale-faced people leaning on trees, vomiting.

Well, at least she wasn’t the only one feeling queasy.

Autumn Farewell intended to first accompany Feng Ting to register with the immortal sect and then separate under the pretext of enrolling in different sects—her conscience would not allow her to abandon the young girl.

But plans were soon disrupted. Before they could inquire about the registration site, a boy’s voice called from behind.

“Hey, you two! Wait up for me!”

They instinctively turned to see a boy with cat-like hair panting as he hurried toward them.

“I’ve finally caught up,” he said.

“Who are you?” Autumn Farewell sized him up, certain she didn’t recognize this cat-like youth.

“My name’s Zhen Yi, and I’m here from Yanlin City for the immortal sect recruitment too,” the boy said, taking a deep breath before explaining hurriedly, “I called out to you when you entered the array, but you walked too fast to hear.”

“You’re from Qingniu Village, right? My family used to live there too but moved to the city five years ago,” Zhen Yi grinned and continued warmly, “Yesterday, Village Chief Ma came to my house and told me to look after you two since it’s your first time traveling far from home.”

“...” Autumn Farewell’s expression instantly fell. So this cat boy was the overseer the village chief had sent.

“Oh, so you’re the one the village chief sent,” Feng Ting remarked curiously, eyeing the boy.

“That’s right!” The cat boy patted his chest, acting very familiar. “Don’t worry, with my connection to the village chief, I’ll take good care of you. It’s not my first time here in Huiyang City—I know the place well. If there’s anything you don’t understand, just ask me.”

“No...” Autumn Farewell began to decline.

But the boy was already grabbing both of them by the hands, pulling them forward. “Come on, come on! I’ll take you to the immortal sect registration place.”

“No...” she wanted to run away!

“I’m telling you, if you want an immortal sect, you should join Xuantian Sect,” Zhen Yi enthused as they walked, eager to educate them. “There are only three top immortal sects: Xuantian, Luoxia, and Chiling. These are the only three first-class sects on the Linyuan Continent. Huiyang City falls under Xuantian Sect’s jurisdiction, so naturally, it’s the best choice.”

“...”

“Of course, above the immortal sects is the Immortal Alliance, but they don’t take disciples,” Zhen Yi continued. “The Alliance oversees all the sects and cultivators. Only those with extraordinary talent or profound cultivation are admitted.”