Chapter 349.1 (1/2)
Wedding Festivities
Wang Si1 who was a Mid Nascent Soul Realm cultivator was usually known as Uncle Wang or The Fourth Uncle. He was quite well known in Gusu City.
After giving an order to the other boatmen, he steered his boat by himself, carrying Ning Fan and Xu Qiuling and sailed through layers upon layers of dense sea fog towards an island which was located far away. As for the other boatmen, they followed his order and stayed behind.
The boat was sailing at an extremely slow speed and it made Ning Fan recall his past where he was taking a boat in Wu Country.
Xu Qiuling stood beside him, gently raising herself by tiptoeing and took a deep breath of the salty sea breeze. Even though the hair on her temple was blown apart by the wind, her face was filled with happiness.
After hoisting the sail, Uncle Wang took the helm and started singing a fisherman's song. His simple singing evoked bits of Ning Fan's memories.
Originally, his state of mind had already reached the Half-Step Void Refinement Realm in front of the ‘Bell of Samsara’. At this moment, however, the limiter of his state of mind became loose and the level of his state of mind was showing signs of improvement.
”Young Master Zhou, remember that you can't use any magic power when you reach 'Gusu'. All of us are just ordinary people…” Xu Qiuling reminded him again.
”You’ve said it many times.”
”Promise me not to fight with others in Gusu!”
Xu Qiuling's eyes seemed to have some kind of charm which made Ning Fan unable to resist her request.
Ning Fan nodded his head. As long as Xu Qiuling’s life was not threatened, he wouldn’t bother to be calculative with others over some trivial matters.
The sky darkened, then dawn broke and the sun rose up, hanging in the middle of the sky signaling the arrival of noon. When dusk fell, a quiet and serene island which was basked in red sunset glow became visible in the distance.
It was not only Wang Si’s boat that had returned from the sea, but also many other boats sailing towards the island from other directions. Some of them returned from fishing while some carried several cultivators on them like Wang Si’s boat. Apparently, they came to Gusu to temper their hearts and become no different than a mortal.
To Nascent Soul Realm old monsters, tempering one’s heart and becoming just like a mortal was to let one restrain themselves and comprehend a mortal’s life before going through Mortal Severance. Whether they could succeed in ‘Being Mortal’ and ‘Mortal Severance’ significantly determined whether they would be able to attain the Divine Transformation Realm in their lifetime. Thus, most of the cultivators who came here were Nascent Soul Realm old monsters.
There were also some Gold Core Realm cultivators like Xu Qiuling.
However, it was very rare to find a Divine Transformation Realm expert here.
On the shore of the island, a group of armored men dressed like officers were running a check on the cultivators landing on the island one by one. With their relation with Wang Si, Ning Fan was permitted to enter the island with barely any inspections. He was only asked to hide his magical treasures and storage pouch.
Other than Ning Fan and Xu Qiuling, the other cultivators who landed on the island were all requested to go through a body search without any exception.
After Wang Si handed a heavy money pouch to Ning Fan and Xu Qiuling, he steered the boat in reverse and left the island.
Xu Qiuling then pulled Ning Fan to rent a horse-drawn carriage and went into Gusu City.
Ridges and furrows surrounded with bamboo fences, flowing river connected with a small bridge and swallow returning in the evening after sunset.
As night fell, a spectacular fireworks display was set off at the top of Ruiyun Tower, lighting up the sky.
“It's so beautiful… it's the rainbow-colored fireworks of the Treasure Jade Pavilion…” Xu Qiuling lifted the curtain of the window and looked at the fireworks from within the carriage. She was totally mesmerized by that beautiful scene.
Ning Fan immersed himself even deeply into the recollection of his past. He began to have a misconception that the endless killings and bloodshed in his path of devil cultivation was just a dream. When the dream ends and he wakes up, he will still be living a plain life amidst the green mountains and clear water of Wu Country.
However, he had no other choice most of the time.
Ever since that day he embarked on his journey on the path of cultivation, there was no way he could return.
Within his eyes, the evidence of an internal struggle gradually emerged. He was internally conflicted about becoming an immortal or remaining as a mortal.
Scenes after scenes of memories flooded into his mind as if they were questioning his heart. They turned into a deep voice that kept resounding inside his heart.
“The path of cultivation has no limit. Turning back is the only salvation…”
Upon hearing Xu Qiuling reveal the origin of the fireworks display, the coachman was rather surprised.
“Miss, you have a sharp eyesight. Apparently, this is not your first time visiting Gusu. Today is the ‘Qi Xi Festival”. Miss is really blessed with luck that you were able to catch up to this festival with your lover…”
The coachman began to explain about the events happening around the city in detail. He was quite a talkative mortal, but Xu Qiuling didn't have the intention to talk to him at all.
When Xu Qiuling noticed the confused look on Ning Fan’s face, she felt a little bit concerned and gently held his hand.
When she met Ning Fan for the first time, he also had this kind of expression. Then, he cleared off his confusion in front of the bell orchid and improved his state of mind.
Today, Ning Fan was once again feeling lost. Without a doubt, he was using the ambience of this mortal city to improve his state of mind.
Xu Qiuling could not help but feel pity for him. She just wanted Ning Fan to rest as she knew that he was too tired and he pushed himself too hard.
However, it was only at this moment that Xu Qiuling realized that Ning Fan could not stop at all. He had no time to play.