Chapter 47: Chapter 46: Take a Gamble

Shen Luo, returning to his room about an hour earlier, had already tried talking to the empty wall next to his bed regarding the jade pillow. However, the moment he tried to speak, a fierce and sharp buzzing noise resonated in his mind, rendering him incapable of uttering a single word.

After only two attempts, Shen Luo already felt as if his head was going to split apart, and dared not to try again.

At this point, he had a clearer understanding of the peculiarities of this jade pillow and genuinely believed from the bottom of his heart that it was a “treasure” imbued with substantial power.

However, this treasure not only induced terrifying “nightmares” twice but also significantly impaired his vitality and affected his lifespan. This made his heart increasingly filled with worry.

“I can leave the jade pillow for now. The most important thing is to extend my life,” said Shen Luo as he stood up to walk around his room, pondering the matter.

Let alone Master Luo, even Shen Luo himself didn’t believe that he could perfect his Small Transformation Yang Skill within two years from its minor completion hence not qualifying to cultivate the Pure Yang Sword Technique as per the Spring and Autumn Pavilion’s rules.

‘Asking for help is not as reliable as helping oneself. It seems I have to take a gamble,’ thought Shen Luo decisively as he abruptly halted his pacing.

Several days later.

On the mountain path of the Spring and Autumn Pavilion, Shen Luo was descending the stone steps with a slightly frowned expression implying a sense of anxiety and distress.

He didn’t engage in conversation with any brothers he met on the way. He offered a slight salute and hurried past. As he approached the vicinity of the dining hall, he finally halted upon sighting a familiar figure.

“Senior Brother Tian…” Shen Luo called out.

Hearing the voice, Tian Tiesheng turned around quickly. Seeing Shen Luo, he flashed a big smile, and quickly walked towards him.

“Junior Brother Shen, were you looking for Master Luo…”

Before he could finish speaking, Shen Luo grabbed his arm and pulled him aside towards a less crowded and quieter area.

“Senior Brother, I was intending to find you. To my surprise, I ran into you here,” Shen Luo began talking.

“Looking for me? Is there something?” Tian Tiesheng scratched the back of his head in confusion at Shen Luo’s words.

“Nothing in particular, I am going back home to visit my family for a few days. I came to bid you farewell,” replied Shen Luo with a smile.

“You can go down and visit home? Has Master Luo approved it? Throughout my years here, Master Luo has never permitted me to go home,” said Tian Tiesheng, his voice laced with surprise and a tinge of envy.

“This morning I asked Master Luo, and he gave his permission,” said Shen Luo, his heart unconsciously filled with a bitter feeling.

Indeed, the Spring and Autumn Pavilion had held its mountain sealing for many years. As per the sect’s rules, disciples couldn’t leave at will without achieving in cultivation.

The reason Master Luo agreed was probably that he felt Shen Luo’s remaining days were few and that he wanted to reunite with his family. Therefore, he made an exception and agreed.

Looking at Tian Tiesheng’s past behavior, he probably won’t think of this, and Shen Luo also didn’t want to explain himself.

“Have you told Junior Bai about your home visit?” asked Tian Tiesheng.

“I looked for Brother Bai at his small courtyard after leaving Master Luo’s place, but he wasn’t there. I also went to his usual practice location on my way back, but still couldn’t find him. It seems that he has sneaked down the mountain again to drink wine. If you come across him afterward, could you please tell him for me?” youBy Shen Luo asked, shaking his head.

“Sure, you can go back with ease. I’ll tell him,” assured Tian Tiesheng by slapping his chest.

Shen Luo slightly nodded, bid his farewell, and left.

Tian Tiesheng watched Shen Luo’s receding figure and for some reason, felt an inexplicable feeling.

Only then did he suddenly realize that he was distracted while talking to Shen Luo and forgot to ask about Shen Luo’s health and what Master Luo had said.

Shen Luo returned to his room, took off the Spring and Autumn Pavilion’s disciple uniform, replaced it with his own clothes from before, packed his belongings, and tied up a bundle.

Afterward, he glanced at the jade pillow on the bed, thought for a moment, wrapped it in a cloth, and hid it in a concealed corner under the bed. Only then did he walk over to the desk.

The stack of ancient books was still there, but on the cleared space next to the stack, there were three brand new yellow paper talismans. The patterns on them were that of the ‘Small Thunder Talisman.’

Although he successfully drew the “Small Thunder Talisman” in the “Dreamland” with Yu Yan’s instructions, but after returning to the Pavilion, he had to miserably fail two to three dozens of times before he could barely produce four correct ones, one of which was used up during testing.

He folded the three talisman one by one, tucked them in a book titled ‘Zhang Heavenly Master’s Demon-subduing Chronicle’, and put them all in the bundle along with his remaining silver money.

Shen Luo put on the bundle, locked his room, took a deep breath, and headed towards the mountain gate.

Along the way, many siblings at the Pavilion looked surprisingly at his attire. None of them cared to ask, not even the usual greetings; most simply whispered a few words after he had walked a bit far.

Shen Luo ignored them all and arrived at the mountain gate a short while later.

From a distance, he saw three to four people eagerly talking to Senior Brother Niu, who was guarding the mountain gate. The flattering smile on their faces was glaring.

Niu, the senior brother, was around forty years old, sharing a resemblance to a piece of charcoal. A circular birthmark on the center of his brows made him look like Judge Bao of the mortal world. But in reality, he was an extremely greedy man. Since he always lived at the Pavilion since a young age, although his capability was average, his seniority was older than many other disciples. As a result, he got the job of guarding the mountain gate.

Often, anyone who wanted to sneak down the mountain and have some fun was inevitably extorted by him. Even Bai Xiaotian, an inner sect disciple, had suffered many losses, let alone others.

Those who couldn’t resist had no choice but to please him, and this is exactly what these people were doing.

Seeing Shen Luo approaching, everyone quickly straightened themselves and showed a posture of seeking advice from Senior Brother Niu.

“Greetings Senior Brothers,” greeted Shen Luo, aware that the must deal with Niu, the senior brother, to exit the mountain.

“What do you want?” Senior Brother Niu gave Shen Luo a once-over.

“Following Master Luo’s instruction, I am returning home to visit my family,” answered Shen Luo, maintaining his straight body posture.

“Our Spring and Autumn Pavilion has been sealing the mountains for so many years. When have we ever heard of going home to visit family?” Senior Brother Niu crinkled his black face in question.

The others also looked surprised to hear this.

At this, Shen Luo calmly took out a letter from his sleeve bearing Master Luo’s personal seal and handed it to Senior Brother Niu.

The latter’s eyebrows furrowed slightly as he accepted the letter.

“Really going to visit family…with no time limit?” After looking at the letter several times, he shifted his gaze back to Shen Luo, his eyes filled with nothing but doubt.

“Senior Brother Niu, can I go now?” asked Shen Luo, with a nonchalant smile.