Chương 223: Time To Return

After thoroughly cleaning myself, I moved to the communal soaking pool at the back of the bathhouse. The large circular basin was built into the floor, filled with steaming water infused with minerals that helped replenish spiritual energy. I slipped in with a contented sigh, feeling the warm water ease the remaining tension from my body. The two other cultivators had finished their washing and were now soaking as well, positioned on the opposite side of the pool.

They spoke in low tones, paying me little attention. I closed my eyes, focusing on the soothing sensation of the mineral water while keeping my senses alert. Their conversation gradually became more animated, their voices rising just enough for me to catch fragments.

"... said they lost contact with the advance scout..." one was saying.

"Spatial fluctuations are getting worse," the other replied.

"Elder Feng is considering postponing our entry until—" They suddenly fell silent, and I sensed eyes on me. Without opening my eyes, I knew they'd become aware of my eavesdropping, intentional or not.

"We should continue this elsewhere," the first voice said flatly. I heard the soft splash of water as they exited the pool, followed by receding footsteps. Only when they had left the bathing area completely did I open my eyes again.

"It seems some factions are having second thoughts about entering the valley," I murmured to Azure.

"Information worth remembering," he replied.

"If the spatial fluctuations are indeed worsening, it could affect our own mission timeline." I nodded, making a mental note to share this intelligence with Liu Chang when I returned to our quarters. After another few minutes of soaking, I decided I'd spent enough time away from our suite. I rose from the pool, dried myself with a fresh towel, and retrieved my clean clothes from my storage ring. The simple gray robes felt refreshing after a day spent in dusty, sweat-stained attire.

I ran a hand through my damp hair, decided it was presentable enough, and made my way out of the bathhouse. The night air felt cool against my clean skin as I crossed the small courtyard back toward the inn. The moon hung low in the sky. I estimated it to be about an hour or so past midnight, still plenty of time to get some rest before morning. As I approached the door leading back into the inn, it suddenly swung open. I reacted instinctively, sidestepping to avoid collision with whoever was emerging.

My evasion brought me face to face with a young woman who had clearly been hurrying. She pulled up short, a small sound of surprise escaping her lips as she nearly bumped into me. The moonlight illuminated delicate features framed by long, dark hair elegantly styled with a simple jade hairpin. She wore pale lilac robes. Her eyes widened slightly as they met mine, and a faint blush colored her cheeks.

"I…I apologize," she said.

"I wasn't looking where I was going."

"No harm done," I replied easily, offering a polite nod.

"The fault was equally mine." She smiled, the expression transforming her already attractive features into something truly striking.

"How gracious. Most would simply blame the careless woman rushing about at this hour." There was something compelling about her presence. A subtle charisma that seemed to demand attention. My instincts hummed with warning. Beauty was often weaponized in the cultivation world, and unexpected encounters rarely happened by pure chance, especially not with someone who carried herself with such obvious cultivation breeding.

"Perhaps they would," I said carefully.

"But I find assigning blame rarely improves a situation." Her smile widened, seemingly appreciative of my response.

"A philosopher as well as a gentleman. Rare qualities indeed." She studied me with open curiosity.

"I don't believe I've seen you before. Are you new to Wuqi City?"

"Just passing through," I replied, keeping my answer deliberately vague.

"Here on business that will likely conclude soon."

"A pity," she said, and the sincerity in her voice seemed genuine.

"The city could use more cultivators with your... perspective." I sensed no immediate danger from her, but something about the encounter still felt orchestrated. Was she simply being friendly, or fishing for information? Impossible to tell without more interaction, which I wasn't eager to pursue.

"You're too kind," I said, offering another polite nod as I stepped aside to clear her path.

"But I shouldn't keep you from your destination." Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. She inclined her head gracefully, accepting my subtle dismissal without apparent offense.

"Of course. Perhaps our paths will cross again before you depart."

"Perhaps," I agreed noncommittally, all the while praying I never see her again. As she moved past me, the faint scent of plum blossoms lingered in the air. I watched her go, noting the confident grace of her movement that spoke of extensive combat training despite her delicate appearance.

"Curious," Azure commented.

"Her qi signature was masked quite thoroughly. A technique requiring considerable skill for one so apparently young."

"Indeed," I murmured.

"And an interesting coincidence that she happened to be exiting precisely as we were entering."

"You suspect she was waiting for you?"

"I suspect nothing and everything," I replied, pushing open the door to re-enter the inn.

"In a city full of cultivators competing for the same prize, caution seems safer." I made my way back to our suite, my senses alert for any sign of pursuit or observation. Finding none, I slipped inside quietly as my ears caught the faint sound of hushed voices and movement. Liu Chang emerged from Su Yue's room, quietly pulling the privacy shutter closed behind him. When he turned and saw me standing there, he froze momentarily, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.

"Junior Brother," he said, recovering quickly.

"I thought you'd retired for the night." I offered a casual shrug.

"Just returning from the bathhouse." An awkward silence fell between us. Liu Chang's hair was slightly disheveled, his outer robe hastily straightened.

"We were... finalizing some details for tomorrow's expedition," he explained, the justification unnecessary and telling in itself.

"Your business is your own, Senior Brother," I smiled faintly.

"We all find comfort where we can in this profession." Relief softened his expression.

"You're very understanding."

"Life is too short and dangerous to judge how others seek connection," I replied simply. He nodded, a new respect visible in his eyes.

"Indeed. Well, I should get some rest. Tomorrow will be demanding."

"Goodnight, then," I said, moving towards my own alcove.

"That was... diplomatically handled," Azure commented once we were alone.

"Their relationship isn't my concern," I replied, settling onto the bed.

"And they're professionals, it won't affect the mission." My thoughts returned to the encounter with the young woman.

"What do you make of that encounter, Azure?" I asked.

"We don't have enough data to draw firm conclusions," he replied.

"She displayed interest without being overtly threatening. Her cultivation level was deliberately concealed. And there were no identifying sect markings visible on her robes."

"All true," I agreed.

"And yet something about it felt... prepared. As if she'd been waiting for an opportunity."

"For what purpose?"

"That's the question, isn't it?" I leaned back against the wall, considering possibilities.

"Information gathering? Testing our alertness? Or perhaps completely innocent, a lonely cultivator seeking conversation."

"The last seems least likely," Azure observed dryly. I chuckled.

"Agreed." The strange encounter had brought my mind fully back to the present mission. Tomorrow would be critical for our preparations to enter the valley. We needed to gather final intelligence, review our plan, and ensure we were properly equipped for whatever challenges awaited. And yet, my thoughts kept returning to the Two Suns world and what I'd witnessed there. The apocalyptic battle at the Red Sun Academy had revealed much about that reality's power structures and conflicts.

Kal's abilities, the strange time loop he was in, the breach he spoke of, all pieces of a puzzle I couldn't yet assemble.

"I think I should go back," I said after a moment of contemplation.

"To the Two Suns world?" Azure sounded surprised.

"So soon?"

"Not right now, but I'll wake up just before dawn," I explained.

"With the time ratio, I could spend considerable time there while only being gone briefly here." I stretched out on the bed, making myself comfortable.

"Besides, after what we witnessed with Kal and the academy battle, I need to understand more. Is the loop still active? Will I appear in the academy again, or back in the village?"

"And if it's the village?" Azure asked.

"Then my original plan stands," I replied.

"Find a way to reach the Blue Sun Academy, maintain a low profile, and learn to use blue sun energy without drawing attention." I stared up at the ceiling, considering the implications.

"If I can master both sun energies, it could significantly enhance my capabilities in both worlds. But I need to be careful, revealing such abilities might make me a target, especially with the conflict between the Skybound and Lightweavers."

"What about Kal and the breach he mentioned?" Azure asked. I frowned.

"For now, observation is our safest approach. He's operating at a level far beyond our current capabilities. Better to gather information from the periphery than risk direct involvement."

"And if you manifest at the Red Sun Academy again?"

"Immediate evacuation," I said firmly.

"That battle was beyond my ability to influence or survive. If I find myself there during the attack, my only priority will be escaping with my life."

"And if you die again?" Azure asked bluntly.

"Always a possibility," I grimaced.

"But I'm getting better at avoiding it, aren't I?"

"Your survival rate has improved," he conceded with what sounded suspiciously like a suppressed chuckle. With my decision made, I closed my eyes and allowed myself to drift into sleep. The events of the day had left me more tired than I'd realized, and I slipped quickly into dreamless slumber.

A few hours before dawn, I sat cross-legged on the meditation mat as I guided the two suns in my inner world to hide beneath the canopy of the Genesis Seed. The baby star joined its larger counterparts in hiding. While not as powerful as the main suns, it too could betray my unusual cultivation if noticed by the wrong individuals. With the celestial bodies concealed, I returned my attention to the connection between worlds.

I reached out with my awareness, and I felt that familiar sensation of my soul preparing to leave my body. Then I let go and began my journey through the void. The next thing I know, my body was twisting to the side as an arrow passed by my cheek. The projectile thudded into the wooden post behind me, exactly where my head had been a moment before. Maya stared at me, her hand still extended where she'd meant to pull me to safety.

"Has fear addled your wits, To…" Her words cut off abruptly as she registered my movement.

"How did you..." I turned to face her with a smile on my face. I was back. In the village, as it happened, right in the middle of the raid I'd experienced multiple times before. This was familiar territory now, a challenge I'd overcome before and could overcome again. It was time to make my way to the Blue Sun Academy.