“Muzhi… Do you know why we did not let you go outside the village until now?”

  Chen Niu and Chen Muzhi were walking among the woods. Muzhi was on high alert, since venturing here is a first for him. He has to go to the sect entry competition now, and his father, strongest in the village, wanted to bring him there. Muzhi already said farewells to his mother. His sister is still a toddler, but he remembered her in his heart.

  “Father… I don’t know. Isn’t it you who said knowing it before is useless?”

  “Right. But you are smart, so you must have known. You already know the city lord can call us for labor any time. But actually, we are not directly under his control. The city lord is a Foundation Establishment cultivator, far above us mortals. Under him is the supervisor, a Qi Refining level expert. But even he is far more powerful then our elder at Mortal Shredding realm.”

  “You mean… He may have ill intentions?”

  “Yes. There are ten villages under the control of the supervisor, and each is a vital source of income for him. If you rashly go outside, who knows what his underlings from other villages would do to you. That is why, keeping you inside the village is a necessity. Even supervisor wouldn’t dare to do anything there, since the elder has a help talisman has recording and summoning functions.”

  “So it is like that. I really didn’t thank the grandpa elder enough…”

  Muzhi sighed, and so did his father. But then Muzhi got a doubt.

  “Father, doesn’t it mean supervisor’s men might obstruct us from going to the sect competition?”

  “True. That is why we are going so secretively, using these side paths of the forest. Fortunately, in these mortal lands, forests are not spiritual and there is almost no chance of demon beasts emerging. We will be there near the sect by tomorrow.”

  “Father, I have a doubt. Why not keep the sect near the city? Why should it be on the other side of this forest, at the edge of those dangerous mountains?”

  “Those mountains are dangerous for you, not for sect disciples with cultivation. And don’t you know cultivators need Qi? Even the city is nothing extraordinary. I heard the city lord needs all sorts of materials to have enough Qi for his cultivation. Perhaps there is a spirit vein near those mountains. Only then would Qi be enough for so many.”

  But then, Chen Niu’s expression suddenly turned anxious.

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  “Quickly! Hide!”

  He hurriedly pushed Chen Muzhi to climb up a particularly large tree, and he too climbed. Muzhi was confused, but he trusted his father. They both climbed the tree, and hugged the branches tightly until they are no longer visible from below. But soon, Muzhi heard voices from down below.

  “Indeed, he said they went to forest two hours before. These Ox village people are really cunning. Fortunately, Clean Village people noticed them going into the forest. If they are so cunning, they may go into side paths too, so supervisor asked us to check all the paths.”

  “I see, I see. Master Wang, you are truly capable. Even supervisor can only give you direct orders…”

  “Humph. One day, our Wang family would surely gain control of these villages. What supervisor? He is just an idiot, he doesn’t even understand that we are a side branch from a sect family, ordering us like donkeys!”

  “Yes, sir. The supervisor is indeed a hateful man...”

  He heard these two male voices, presumably belonging to two young men. They fortunately didn’t appear to be experienced in tracking, not bothering to check foot prints. That is acceptable, since with the firm ground here, that is a skill only hunters have. They walked away, perhaps to find another path.

  “So it is that Clean Village. They really played us this time. I will remember this!”

  Chen Niu burst in anger. But Chen Muzhi is more indifferent. He knew he would probably pass the test, given he could even give glow during birth. That is a trait only triple roots and above could possess. He would remember this enmity.

  After waiting for one more hour, they resumed their journey. When it is night, they slept for a few hours, and again resumed their journey. Fortunately, just as it is morning, they emerged from the other side.

  Ahead is a crowded jumble of many houses, small gaps in between. Chen Muzhi couldn't help but show an expression of surprise. Chen Niu saw this, and explained.

  “Muzhi, this is a slum. You may think city people are better than us villagers, but this is why we would rather stay in the village. These people want to live near the sect, getting left over spiritual energy. But without proper techniques, their cultivation is only so-so. Even I could beat up most of them…”

  Muzhi was surprised even more. As they walked along the tight alleys, he asked Chen Niu.

  “Father, you seem to know a lot about these people?”

  “It is nothing. Your father is friends with a cultivator in his young days, is all…”

  “Oh, where is he now?”

  Chen Niu sighed.

  “This is why I don’t know if taking you to a sect is blessing or a curse. My friend is not really talented among the students here, and I got to know him when he needed a kind of herb only I knew where to find. Unfortunately, he died when he went on a sect mission.”

  “A sect mission?”

  “Hmm… You will know when you get there.”

  Soon, they arrived at a majestic gate. Behind it, mountains are vaguely visible, but they are obscured by a think fog. Hundreds of children formed a line, but for Chen Muzhi to join in, Chen Niu paid a silver.

  Do not underestimate this silver, as this is savings of village in an year. Many people couldn’t even afford it. Without it, one is not even qualified to enter the sect line.

  “Muzhi, I will wait for the good news. If you are selected, I will see your name on the roaster. If not, come to the slum from where we came.”

  “Okay, father!”

  Chen Muzhi said as Chen Niu left.