Chapter Six: Clues for Returning and the Test of Spiritual Roots

At this moment, Black Cat was not thinking about the glass bead, but rather preoccupied with whether Qi had seen something he shouldn’t have just as she was pulling up her underwear. “He probably didn’t. By the time he arrived, I’d already put them on. At most, he saw my thighs… Ugh, even that’s embarrassing enough.” Whispering to herself, Black Cat couldn’t help but cover her face in shyness.

Meanwhile, Qi’s mind was likewise haunted by that fleeting glimpse of silken white. Again and again, the image replayed itself. In all his five years of wandering, he’d never experienced anything quite like this—outside the brothels, women of this era were all remarkably conservative, covering themselves tightly except for their faces and hands.

Back when he was a general, the king had even offered his most beloved daughter to him, hoping to tie him to their country’s service. Unable to refuse, he’d ultimately chosen to run away alone. It wasn’t that the princess lacked beauty, but he simply could not let his footsteps halt here—he had his own aspirations and dreams, and would not let romance make him forget his original resolve.

He coughed awkwardly, trying hard to bury that white image deep within, though he could have erased it if he truly wished. But, as was a man’s weakness, he cherished the memory instead.

Ahead, the little monkey was still fleeing in panic. Regaining his composure, Qi surged forward and caught up in a flash. Before the monkey could react, he snatched back the glass bead and, with a swift motion, grabbed the monkey by its tail and hurried back.

The little monkey screeched in fury, scratching, biting, and flailing about, but it was all in vain—Qi was tougher than steel.

When Qi returned, Black Cat was still standing there, blushing and covering her face. Just as he was about to speak, he noticed a puddle nearby and, flustered, coughed again. “Ahem, ahem! I’ve recovered the glass bead. Let’s discuss things by the cave.” Without waiting to see if she understood, he strode back to the fire, tied up the monkey like a dumpling, and turned his attention to the beautiful glass bead in his hand.

He’d visited palaces many times, but had never seen a bead as exquisite as this. And more than that, it could translate two languages—a truly wondrous artifact. Unable to hold back his curiosity, Qi infused a wisp of power into the bead. Instantly, it shone with radiant light, and a red arrow appeared, pointing westward.

Just then, Black Cat emerged from the dense forest, her face still flushed as she remained tangled in her earlier embarrassment. But the gentle glow and the indicator immediately drew her gaze. The next moment, her pupils contracted and her expression shifted from surprise to wild joy—she rushed not at Qi, but at the glowing bead.

Qi did not move; instead, he extended his arm so she could see more clearly. On the indicator, a line of text appeared: “Clue to Returning to Japan,” written in Japanese.

Qi did not attempt to read the words, but from Black Cat’s expression, he could guess most of it. “Congratulations,” he said quietly, his voice drifting into her excited ears.

“Heh heh heh… The foolish angel has placed the signpost to my return right beside me—did he take me too lightly? Hmph! Since I’ve come to this otherworldly continent, I’m not about to return so easily without savoring the unique sights so different from the Demon Realm. Such a pity I came in a rush and forgot to bring my crystal ball for recording scenes. Truly regrettable.” With her right hand splayed elegantly across her lovely cheek, Black Cat’s queenly laughter echoed in Qi’s ears, leaving his expression rather bemused.

Though it was merely a clue, it confirmed that a way home did exist. If it existed, it could be found, and with the indicator so clearly pointing the direction, it was practically a foolproof task. “By the way, why did the glass bead glow and display an indicator in your hand?” Black Cat asked, curiosity piqued.

“I just infused a bit of inner power into it, and then it was as you saw,” Qi replied with a shrug.

“Inner power? I’ve read descriptions about Chinese martial artists with inner power in games—it’s a kind of energy. So the bead reacts to energy input to reveal clues?” Black Cat mused aloud.

“From the look on your face, you’ve found the way home. When do you plan to leave?” Qi asked calmly, as if her departure was of no concern to him.

“No, for now it’s just a clue. The route itself is still unknown. I’ll have to trouble you for a while longer, Qi. Finish your own affairs first, and then help me afterward. I only hope I won’t become a burden. I can take care of cooking and laundry from now on—I can’t just laze about and do nothing. Even I would come to dislike myself.” With hope of returning, Black Cat’s spirits were high and her energy rejuvenated.

“Well, I’ll count on you then, Black Cat. I’d thought you were some noble lady who’d never cooked or laundered before, but it seems you’re quite capable.” Qi smiled, pleased to see her revived spirits.

The next day at noon, Qi carried Black Cat as they chatted about their respective countries and customs, helping her understand the local world so she wouldn’t be lost upon reaching a town. In turn, Qi learned much from Black Cat—new knowledge and novel ways of thinking that broadened his horizons and strengthened his resolve to explore the world.

At Qi’s request, Black Cat began teaching him Japanese the previous night. She was left dumbfounded as Qi memorized pronunciations and meanings after a single hearing, and before long, they could converse, albeit haltingly, in Japanese. By midday the next day, he was already speaking fluently, correcting mistakes as they chatted over lunch.

“Qi, you are the most gifted person I’ve ever met. To master a language in less than a day—it’s simply unheard of,” Black Cat couldn’t help but praise.

“It’s only that my memory is a bit better than most. Compared to your broad knowledge and quick wit, I still fall short,” Qi replied, admiring her for the many things she knew that he had never even thought about. He began to respect her as he would a great scholar.

Black Cat simply shook her head and turned to preparing lunch. Limited by their meager ingredients and tools, her cooking was not as refined as Qi’s, but had a charm of its own. Qi found it delicious and novel, unlike anything he’d tasted before.

After lunch, he hoisted Black Cat onto his back and pressed forward. An hour later, they finally glimpsed the legendary Celestial Mountain, its peaks wreathed in mist, immortal cranes drifting gracefully through the sky—a picture-perfect paradise. Even Qi, with his unflappable nature, was moved, and Black Cat, too, was entranced, lamenting that she hadn’t brought her phone to capture the ethereal beauty.

“Who dares trespass upon the Branch of the Qi Qi Sect? Hm? Mere mortals?” At that moment, a lofty voice reached their ears, and an elderly man with snow-white hair and beard soared out on his sword, stopping in midair to gaze down at them.

“It’s really an immortal!” Qi and Black Cat exclaimed in unison. Qi set Black Cat down, bowed slightly, and said, “Greetings, immortal. I am Qi. I come seeking your wisdom and hope you might divine my origins. Please accept this token of respect.” He presented his gift directly, making his request clear without preamble.

“Oh? It’s rare for a mere mortal warrior to obtain a mid-grade demon core from a Grade One beast. However, I am not truly an immortal, merely a novice cultivator, and I cannot divine your fate. You’ll have to be disappointed. Divination is a rare art among the hundred crafts of cultivation, and true mastery requires one to reach the Core Formation stage. Those at that level are beings even we must revere. You’d best give up and return,” the old man advised kindly.

“Sigh, not even an immortal knows? It seems I’ll have to search as I wander,” Qi thought inwardly, though outwardly he remained respectful. “Thank you for enlightening me, immortal. Please accept this demon core to repay your kindness.” Since he had the answer, the demon core was of no further use, and could serve as a gesture of goodwill.

“I’ve lingered at the peak of Qi Refining for most of my life—this core is of little use to me, but it’s better than nothing. On people like you, it would only bring disaster, so I’ll take it.” The old man flicked his sleeve and the core flew into his hand. “Hm, this seems freshly harvested, and the energy signature… could it be from a Mountain Bear?” His expression shifted between delight and worry.

Qi answered honestly, “Yes, just yesterday at noon, I encountered a giant bear over three meters tall that could use stone spikes and other demonic arts. I only managed to slay it after exhausting all my strength and taking advantage of the terrain.”

“Alas, that core contains the essence of the mountains and rivers—consuming it would extend one’s life by ten years. While it’s of some use to me, the only Mountain Bear in these parts was raised by a disgraced disciple of the Qi Qi Sect. Because he has a Core Formation uncle, he was allowed to live near the sect. Now that you’ve slain his beast, you may have made a powerful enemy,” the old man sighed.

“Please, immortal, advise us,” Qi frowned slightly, not expecting the great brown bear to have been the property of an immortal. Things were getting complicated.

“Since I’ve accepted this demon core, I cannot stand idly by. Here, come and let me test your aptitude for cultivation. If it’s good, you may join the Qi Qi Sect, and that rogue will not dare trouble you. If not, you’d best flee this range by another route tonight.” The old man descended and produced a crystal orb the size of a fist, motioning for Qi to try.

The result was disappointing—there was no reaction at all.

The old man sighed, “Such is fate. You two should leave quickly, before disaster strikes.” With a flick of his sleeve, he drifted away, leaving Qi and the still-silent Black Cat staring at each other in dismay.