Chapter 37: An Unexpected Move
One's self is what matters most.
In most situations, taking care of oneself is enough.
Helping someone very close to you, provided it doesn't jeopardize your safety, isn't out of the question.
But trying to play the savior at the expense of your own safety? Such cultivators rarely live long.
"Fate is unpredictable. If not for our caution this time, I might have perished in this disaster," He Song said solemnly, echoing Wei Fan's sigh.
If not for his own vigilance, coupled with Wei Fan's willingness to lend a hand, He Song likely would have been forced to leave the Immortal Market and become a wandering cultivator in the mundane world.
Had he stayed, he would have faced the same fate as the wandering cultivators on the outskirts of the market.
Having survived this ordeal, He Song felt a growing sense of caution in his heart.
Moving forward, he resolved to be even more vigilant.
Carelessness, even for a moment, could mean death in the ruthless world of cultivation.
"Brother Wei, after today, I'll return to my home on the outskirts of the market. This time, it was only with your generous help that I managed to escape. I will not forget your kindness and support," He Song said as they approached the market's outskirts.
From afar, He Song saw that his home had remained untouched by the destruction, prompting him to clasp his hands in thanks to Wei Fan.
Even though he had planned for contingencies, gratitude was still owed. Wei Fan's assistance left a lasting impression on He Song.
All of He Song's belongings had already been packed when he left Wei Fan's courtyard.
Now that True Master Chengshan had returned and the market's crisis was over, He Song naturally chose not to remain in Wei Fan's home any longer.
It simply wasn't convenient.
Moreover, staying in someone else's home made He Song feel like he was living under someone else's roof, which unsettled him.
Although Wei Fan was a close friend and their time living together had been harmonious, once the crisis had passed, He Song was eager to return to his own place.
Not for any other reason—just for the sense of freedom.
"There's no need for formalities between us. Stay here for now. On the first day of next month, I'll officially transfer the lease to your name. Rent payments can start then," Wei Fan said, shaking his head, making no effort to persuade He Song to stay.
Instead, he used his position to save He Song a few spirit stones.
As a late-stage Qi Refinement cultivator and a steward of the Spirit Builder Pavilion, Wei Fan carried significant weight within the organization. A single word from him could waive almost a month's rent for He Song.
This gesture was possible because the market had suffered such a major calamity. Many of the rental homes built by the Spirit Builder Pavilion were destroyed, and reconstruction would take time.
Under normal circumstances, even as a steward, Wei Fan wouldn't have had the authority to make such a decision.
It was a small favor for He Song, a friend.
After escorting He Song back home, Wei Fan excused himself and left.
As a steward of the Spirit Builder Pavilion, Wei Fan had much work to do in the aftermath of the disaster. Most of the rental homes on the outskirts of the market had been damaged, and reconstruction would keep him busy for the foreseeable future.
He only made this trip to ensure He Song's safety.
Had that not been the case, Wei Fan would have returned to the Spirit Builder Pavilion the moment True Master Chengshan arrived.
Returning home, He Song opened his door.
Upon entering, he saw that his once tidy house was now in complete disarray.
Before leaving, He Song had cleaned and organized everything, but now it was a mess.
Clearly, evil cultivators or others had "visited" during his absence.
The disarray was likely caused by people rummaging through his belongings.
However, He Song had taken all his valuable items with him before leaving, leaving behind only worthless things.
Thus, despite the mess, there was no real loss.
Although there was no actual loss, the mess before him made He Song frown.
Helpless, he could only begin tidying up.
As a cultivator, his physical strength far surpassed that of an ordinary person.
Coupled with the aid of spiritual energy, cleaning was a breeze. Before long, He Song's home was restored to its former state of immaculate order.
Soon, the once-cluttered room became tidy once more. He Song sat down at the desk he had used for over five years and brewed himself a pot of tea.
As he sipped, his mind wandered through the events of the past months.
Three months ago, out of caution, He Song had gone to stay at Wei Fan's home.
In the blink of an eye, three months had passed.
It wasn't until today that he finally moved out and returned to his own home.
Reflecting on everything that had happened during this time, He Song initially felt that there was nothing out of the ordinary.
But as he recalled the scene earlier that day, when True Master Chengshan had decimated the enemy outside the market, vivid images surfaced in his mind, and the more he thought about it, the stranger it seemed.
True Master Chengshan.
From his title alone, one could guess that his signature weapon was likely the Green Mountain Seal.
Yet, upon witnessing it today, the massive Green Mountain Seal in True Master Chengshan's hand seemed to underperform.
Instead, True Master Chengshan used a nearly imperceptible golden thread to annihilate the evil cultivators in one fell swoop.
By comparison, He Song was more inclined to believe that the Green Mountain Seal might be a diversion.
A deliberate decoy to draw attention.
It even extended to his chosen title, which seemed to serve as part of the misdirection.
Anyone unfamiliar with him would naturally focus on the Green Mountain Seal.
However, the nearly invisible golden thread in True Master Chengshan's possession appeared to be his true trump card.
From the start, everyone—He Song, other cultivators, and even the evil cultivators—had their attention fixed on the Green Mountain Seal.
It wasn't until the golden thread showcased its devastating power that they marveled at True Master Chengshan's strength in confusion.
Yet, aside from He Song's faint realization, no one seemed to know what had actually killed the evil cultivators.
The golden thread-like artifact went entirely unnoticed.
"Using a title and a related artifact as a smokescreen, while reserving a concealed weapon as a trump card to catch opponents off guard…"
After pondering for a moment, He Song suddenly understood True Master Chengshan's strategy.
Because he had noticed the faint golden thread, he was able to deduce this much.
Had he not seen it, He Song would have been left utterly baffled, unable to comprehend how True Master Chengshan had executed the evil cultivators.
"It's true—never underestimate anyone. If even a Foundation Establishment cultivator can plan so meticulously, laying traps at every step, what of those at higher cultivation levels?"
Having pieced everything together, He Song's wariness toward cultivators in this ruthless world reached new heights.
In the harsh realm of cultivation, hiding one's trump cards and creating illusions seemed to be standard practice.
It wasn't just a way to increase survival chances—it also provided more options and made defeating enemies easier.
As images of recent events continued to flash through his mind, He Song's expression gradually calmed.
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