Immortality: Grinding Experience Starting as a Paper Craftsman

Chapter 73 Farewell to Yunshan, Listening to the Wind in the Old Alley

The mission documents from the Flowing Cloud Sect were issued very quickly.

As if in order to get rid of this good-for-nothing who had taken up a spot in the Dragon Transformation Pool but accomplished nothing, the stewards of the General Affairs Hall displayed an undisguised perfunctory attitude when handing over the token and appointment letter.

Gu Yan didn't care. He took the heavy bronze plaque engraved with the words "Suppress Demons" with both hands, his face still bearing that humble and gentle smile.

After returning to his cave dwelling on Green Bamboo Peak, Gu Yan began packing his bags.

"You're leaving already?"

A clear, cold voice came from outside the cave.

Gu Yan turned around and saw Shen Youwei standing at the end of the bamboo path.

She was dressed in white, carrying a long sword, and looked like a fairy from a painting.

The mountain breeze lifted her clothes, and a few withered bamboo leaves fell on her shoulders, adding a touch of desolation to her appearance.

"Senior sister."

Gu Yan quickly stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Junior brother was just about to bid farewell to senior sister. The situation in Changning County is urgent, and the sect is urging us to set off immediately."

Looking at her loyal and honest junior brother, Shen Youwei felt a complex mix of emotions welling up inside her.

In her view, Gu Yan's dispatch this time was entirely due to his poor performance at the Dragon Transformation Pool, which led to his marginalization by the sect.

The so-called commander is nothing more than a nice-sounding title of exile. In such a mortal place, spiritual energy is scarce, and going there means the end of one's path to immortality.

"Although Changning County is your hometown, it is now a place where demonic cultivators have first appeared, and it is by no means a good place."

Shen Youwei sighed, took out a warm jade talisman from her sleeve, and handed it to Gu Yan. "This is the Flowing Cloud Protective Talisman that I asked my master to bestow upon me. It contains the power of a Golden Core cultivator's attack. It can save your life in a critical moment."

Gu Yan felt the warmth emanating from the jade talisman and a thought struck him.

Can he unleash a Golden Core strike?

Even within the inner sect, this item is a priceless and invaluable life-saving trump card. Shen Youwei's ability to bring it out clearly shows she was genuinely interested, and she may even owe Qingyunzi a considerable favor.

"Senior sister, this is too precious, I can't..."

"Take it."

Shen Youwei's tone left no room for argument, "You called me 'Senior Sister,' so I can't just watch you die in vain. When you get there, if you encounter something impossible, remember to prioritize your survival and don't be reckless."

Gu Yan looked into her clear yet worried eyes, remained silent for a moment, then solemnly accepted the jade talisman and bowed deeply.

"I will forever remember your great kindness, Senior Sister. I will be extremely careful on my journey and will never bring shame to the Flowing Cloud Sect."

This wasn't all acting.

In this treacherous world of cultivation, Shen Youwei's pure care truly brought a long-lost warmth to his heart, which was accustomed to scheming.

Looking at his pathetic appearance, Shen Youwei felt both annoyed and amused, and finally let out a helpless sigh.

"That's enough, as long as you're safe and sound. Go on your journey, the mountains are high and the road is long, take care on your way."

"Take care, senior sister."

Shen Youwei said no more, gave Gu Yan a deep look, and then rode a flying sword, merging with the green bamboo covering the mountain.

Watching Shen Youwei leave, Gu Yan turned around and stepped onto the winding stone steps at the foot of the mountain that led to the mortal world.

When Gu Yan arrived at the gate of the Liuyun Sect, it was already dusk. The setting sun, like blood, dyed the majestic gate a golden-red.

He glanced back at the cloud-shrouded main peak, where the Dragon Transformation Pool, the Green Bamboo Peak, and the little foundation he had just established were located.

"Senior Brother Gu, have a safe journey!"

The disciples guarding the mountain recognized him, and although they didn't know the details, they politely bowed and saw him off.

Gu Yan smiled and returned the greeting, then took out a light boat magic artifact borrowed from the sect.

This magical artifact is not of high grade and does not fly very fast, but it is stable.

He stepped onto the light boat, made a hand seal, and the boat transformed into a streak of light, carrying him through the clouds and speeding towards Changning County in the southeast.

The wind whistled in my ears as the flying boat cut through the sky, passing through layers of clouds. The scenery beneath my feet changed from a blessed land of immortals filled with spiritual energy to a crisscrossing city of mortals.

Gu Yan stood with his hands behind his back at the bow of the boat, watching the mountains and rivers rushing past below. His state of mind underwent a subtle change, and the humility and honesty in his eyes had long since vanished.

Within the sect, he was the cautious and timid lucky one, always walking on thin ice.

But once he left that mountain and stepped into the bustling world, he became the paper craftsman who held the power of life and death in his hands.

……

Three days later.

Outside Changning County.

A fine drizzle was falling from the sky, and the chill seeped into your bones through your clothes. The air was filled with the smell of damp earth and the smoky aroma of burning coal.

Gu Yan put away the light boat and, like an ordinary traveler, held up an oil-paper umbrella and walked through the mottled city gate.

The bluestone slabs on both sides of the street were polished to a shine by the rain.

Under the eaves of the street corner, the old man selling roasted sweet potatoes was still there, breathing out white steam as he turned the sweet potatoes in the oven with tongs. The sweet aroma wafted far away in the cold rain.

"Freshly baked sweet potatoes! Still warm!"

Several young children, holding candied hawthorns, chased and played on the slippery street, splashing mud and water, which drew laughter and scolding from passing women.

From a distant restaurant, the aroma of warm Shaoxing wine wafted out, accompanied by the boisterous sounds of drinking games.

Gu Yan closed his oil-paper umbrella and paused for a moment in front of a tavern called "Spring Breeze Pavilion," a place he used to frequent for listening to storytelling.

"I heard that Mr. Gu, the owner of that paper-making shop, has been missing for half a year, and there have been fewer funerals in the city since then."

"Who says otherwise? Without Boss Gu's skills, any family holding a funeral would feel it's not dignified enough. Last time at the Wang family's funeral, the paper horse looked like a dog, and the new paper craftsman refused to admit it, insisting it was a horse. It was hilarious."

Hearing the casual conversations of passersby, Gu Yan smiled, adjusted the brim of his straw hat, and continued walking.

This vibrant, lively atmosphere is completely different from the cold and lonely cultivation atmosphere of the Flowing Cloud Sect.

After passing through the bustling long street, Gu Yan finally stopped in front of a solemn and imposing black mansion.

Two stone lions, soaked by the rain, sat majestically at the gate, their stone eyes seeming to scrutinize every passerby, inspiring a sense of awe.

Above the gate, a large black banner embroidered with the words "Suppress Demons" fluttered in the wind and rain, exuding an aura of inviolable ruthlessness.

Gu Yan stood at the bottom of the steps, straightened his clothes, shook the rain off his umbrella, and put on that harmless smile again.

The two guards at the entrance, clad in black armor, stood with their hands on their sword hilts, their eyes fixed warily on the suddenly appearing Taoist priest in a green robe.

Gu Yan took out the document, which had already been warmed by his body heat, from his pocket and handed it over.

"Please inform him that Gu Changsheng, an inner disciple of the Liuyun Sect, has been ordered to take up his post."

The guard took the document and glanced at it. His expression changed drastically. He dared not delay, bowed respectfully, and rushed inside to report.

A moment later, a captain, soaked to the bone, rushed out, wiped the rain off his face, and greeted Gu Yan with a big smile.

Gu Yan stepped across the threshold, looked at the familiar furnishings in the main hall, and listened to the faint conversation coming from the back hall. A playful smile appeared on his lips.

Xiao Chen, Song Hong.

haven't seen you for a long time.

I hope my acting will satisfy you this time.