Volume One: First Steps into the Dao Chapter Forty-Two: Investigation

The two of them walked all the way back to the archway where they had first arrived. Under the arch, Lin Xin gradually slowed her steps, prompting Ye Junze to stop as well.

Lin Xin said, “Alright, let’s head back now.”

“Okay,” Ye Junze replied gently.

Just as Ye Junze was about to ask what they should do next, Lin Xin produced the pass token once again before he could even speak.

Holding it in her hand, Lin Xin explained, “Watch closely, junior. You just need to infuse spiritual energy like this. Next time you come here by yourself, just do it this way.”

“Got it,” Ye Junze answered, carefully observing Lin Xin’s every movement. True to her words, she simply poured spiritual energy into the token, which immediately emitted a familiar glow. In no time, the vortex that had brought them here reappeared.

As the vortex swirled into existence, Lin Xin turned to Ye Junze. “Alright, let’s go, junior.”

“Thank you for your trouble, senior,” he said, and together they stepped into the vortex.

Not long after they disappeared, the vortex slowly faded away.

The moment the vortex vanished, Ye Junze and Lin Xin found themselves once more at the entrance to the familiar street. Recognizing their surroundings, Ye Junze relaxed. Lin Xin, after a day of rushing about, looked utterly exhausted. She stood still, stretched her arms behind her back, and arched her body in a languid yawn, her graceful curves highlighted in the process.

Revived a little by the stretch, Lin Xin finally seemed to regain some spirit. “At last, we’re back. Let’s return to campus, junior. I feel like I could fall asleep any second.”

Seeing Lin Xin all but wear the word “fatigue” on her face, Ye Junze agreed without hesitation, “Alright, let’s go back. You should get a good rest, senior.”

Lin Xin smiled at his words. “Will do.”

And so, chatting and laughing along the way, the two of them headed back towards the dormitory building, just as they had come.

...

As time passed, night fell completely, and at last the two of them arrived at the base of the dormitory.

Once there, Lin Xin finally allowed herself to relax. “We’re finally back. I’m so tired.”

“Then hurry and get some rest, senior. It’s late,” Ye Junze replied at once.

“Okay,” Lin Xin answered sweetly, then continued, “Even though I’m tired, I had a lot of fun today. Thank you for treating me to dinner and keeping me company all day.”

“No need to thank me, senior. You’ve helped me so much—it’s only right I do these things. I really enjoyed spending the day with you too,” Ye Junze said with a smile.

“Haha, as long as you’re happy.” Lin Xin laughed. “I’ll go in now and get some rest. You should turn in early too. Good night.” With that, she waved goodbye.

“Good night,” Ye Junze replied, waving as well.

With farewells exchanged, they each returned to their rooms.

Back in his own room, Ye Junze felt a pang of hunger. He quickly ordered a meal, tidied himself up, and washed away the fatigue of the day. By the time he emerged, his dinner had just arrived. After swiftly satisfying his hunger, he shifted into cultivation mode once more. It was then that he suddenly remembered the small cauldron. Retrieving it from his spatial artifact, he entered the Grand Illusory Realm as usual.

The moment he stepped into the illusion, Ye Junze couldn’t contain his excitement. “Meng Yuan, Meng Yuan! I brought the item—come take a look! Did I stumble upon another treasure?”

Indeed, ever since Meng Yuan had first spoken to him, Ye Junze had secretly hoped he’d picked up some relic from the ancient world, just like that little sword Tu Shanyue had given him before. The thought filled him with anticipation.

Meng Yuan’s voice, as emotionless as ever, responded, “Please wait a moment. Set the cauldron aside.”

At Meng Yuan’s instruction, Ye Junze placed the cauldron carefully on the ground, as though terrified it might suffer the slightest scratch. After all, who knew if this was another priceless artifact? His hopes rose ever higher.

Once it was set, Ye Junze asked, “Alright, what now?”

“Just watch from the side,” Meng Yuan answered coldly.

Hearing this, Ye Junze had no choice but to retreat silently to the side and wait for Meng Yuan to begin his examination.

Meng Yuan seemed to be preparing something and didn’t start immediately. After a brief pause, he finally announced, “Initiating scan.”

At the exact moment Meng Yuan spoke, the cauldron on the ground responded. It began to rise, floating steadily upward. Ye Junze’s gaze followed its ascent until it hovered in midair.

Just as Ye Junze thought the process was complete, he saw beams of light shoot out from the four cardinal directions, converging on the cauldron as though it were the source. It was impossible to tell where the beams originated; all that could be seen was their meeting at the cauldron, making it seem as if the artifact itself radiated the light.

Once the four beams were fully merged, the entire space grew calm again.

With the quiet restored, Ye Junze couldn’t help but ask, “Meng Yuan, what’s happening?”

But Meng Yuan didn’t answer, all his focus seemingly absorbed by the cauldron’s inspection.

After waiting for a while with no response, Ye Junze could only wait quietly. Not wanting to waste time idly, he decided to sit cross-legged as usual and began his cultivation once more.