Heaven’s Shadow

In the darkness, a shadow silently moved away from its original position and headed toward its destination. The guards outside the house ahead remained oblivious.

To the east of the hut was a vast forest, extending to the nearest mountain peak. In the night, the forest appeared exceptionally quiet and deep.

Lu Chen’s figure entered the forest, blending with the darkness. He silently observed his surroundings and began to walk deeper into the woods.

His lips moved slightly, as if he were mentally repeating something. Occasionally, he would glance back at the direction of the house, seemingly adjusting his direction based on its location.

“East… Birth Gate… Divine Lord… Position…” His eyes were bright and sharp, as he meticulously deciphered the peculiar and obscure incantations, trying to pinpoint something.

The night was deep, and the forest was dim and shadowy, but Lu Chen seemed to adapt well to this environment. He moved steadily and, after walking several dozen yards into the forest, he suddenly stopped.

He raised his hand slightly, his fingers moving as if calculating something in the air. Soon, his eyes lit up, and his fingers pointed to a specific direction, where he came to a halt.

It was a certain place deep within the forest.

It looked no different from the surroundings, except it was densely packed with trees.

That area was shrouded in darkness, perhaps even darker than the rest.

As if it harbored some secret, quietly waiting in the dead of night.

Lu Chen took a step forward but suddenly halted in mid-air, then slowly retracted his foot. Standing in the darkness, he gazed intently at the deep shadow, as if suddenly lost in thought.

There was no murderous intent, no danger, no signs or signals that might provoke caution.

The place ahead seemed to be the same as the surroundings, except it concealed a secret awaiting his discovery.

Yet, Lu Chen remained still.

He stared at the place for a long, long time.

If… he was trying to lure out a snake from its hole, would someone, upon seeing the demonic formation in that house, also want to know who he was and seek him out?

The most elite and mysterious methods of the demonic sect were known by few, but those who knew them were certainly not ordinary people. Could such individuals have set up unpredictable traps?

Like a shadow, Lu Chen stood quietly in the darkness. After an indeterminate amount of time, he suddenly turned and silently walked away, not casting another glance at the darkened area.

The night was deep, and no one knew what had transpired in the boundless darkness. Only the swaying and silent shadows, drifting under the sky, added a touch of desolation to the night.

※※※

As the first rays of morning sunlight fell from the sky, the Flying Goose Platform on Ziyun Peak brightened up. Lu Chen yawned, stretched, and then lazily got up, opening the door and stepping outside.

The unoccupied days felt indeed comfortable.

On the vast, fairy-tale-like Flying Goose Platform, only he remained. Although the most crucial stone door of the mountain wall was tightly shut, which was a minor flaw, at least in the morning, it felt like this place was solely his.

The fresh morning breeze from the cloud sea over the cliff blew gently, carrying a moist and tender aroma that felt pleasant on his face. The lush green trees on the mountain swayed with the wind, as if smiling. The chirping of birds was like an elegant, ancient melody, captivating and soothing.

Lu Chen strolled from one end of the platform to the other, freely exploring the Flying Goose Platform he hadn’t had a chance to thoroughly inspect yesterday. He memorized the terrain and pathways before returning to the spirit field to examine the Eagle Fruit trees.

It seemed that there was no significant change. No Eagle Fruit had suddenly matured overnight, contrary to Su Qingjun’s expectations.

Of course, after a day of spiritual nourishment and growth, the Eagle Fruits had grown a bit larger compared to yesterday, their greenish tint slightly fading to reveal a hint of redness.

They might not mature and fall today, but perhaps tomorrow.

Regardless, the work needed to be done. Su Qingjun wasn’t on the mountain, so the Eagle Fruit trees couldn’t be neglected. Even though it seemed a bit out of place to be planting and tending trees in a cultivation paradise, rather than practicing cultivation.

Lu Chen sighed, looking at the beautiful surroundings, and shrugged, “What can you do? You’re just a handyman.”

The mountain forest was quiet and picturesque. Time passed quickly, and after finishing his tasks in the spirit field, Lu Chen emerged with his hands covered in black dirt. Glancing at the sky, he saw that the sun had risen significantly, and it seemed that in another hour, the morning would be over.

“It’s still pretty quiet; no one came looking.”

Lu Chen felt a bit pleased and sincerely hoped Su Qingjun would return soon, so the two thousand spirit stones would be a very comfortable profit.

As Lu Chen was feeling pleased, he suddenly saw a figure emerging from the mountain path below the Flying Goose Platform, walking quickly towards him.

“Damn it!”

Lu Chen’s expression darkened immediately. He glared at the approaching figure, thinking, “Why does this person have to ruin the good mood? Couldn’t they have waited a bit longer?”

※※※

“Please stop!”

Just as the young man on the mountain path was about to reach the Flying Goose Platform, someone jumped out in front of him and blocked the path, shouting loudly.

The young man was startled and took a step back. He looked at Lu Chen standing in the middle of the road with a puzzled expression and asked, “Who are you?”

Lu Chen’s gaze fell on the young man’s face. His eyes narrowed as he recognized him as one of the Su family members from the previous dispute in the garden. This was Su Wen, one of the Su family’s three brothers, aside from Su Mo and Su Qian.

Lu Chen raised his eyebrows slightly, remembering that yesterday, Su Mo and Su Qian had come here to see Su Qingjun, but Su Wen was notably absent. Seeing Su Wen alone arriving at the Flying Goose Platform today, it seemed there was some unknown secret behind this…

These thoughts flitted through his mind, but Lu Chen remained calm and composed, greeting Su Wen, “I am Lu Chen. Greetings, Young Master Su.”

Su Wen was surprised again, “You know me?”

Lu Chen smiled, “I used to work in the Liuxiang Garden and have seen Young Master Su before. With your talent, it’s not surprising that I recognize you.”

Su Wen responded with an “Oh,” looking somewhat pleased, and then waved his hand, saying, “We are now on Kunlun Mountain, within the sect. Let’s address each other as fellow disciples rather than by common titles.”

Lu Chen nodded, “Understood. Greetings, Senior Brother Su.”

Su Wen nodded and was about to walk forward when he suddenly paused, as if he finally realized something. He looked at Lu Chen in astonishment and said, “Wait a minute. The Flying Goose Platform is where my sister Jun resides. She always lives here in solitude. How come you’re here?”

Lu Chen pointed towards the spirit field and explained, “I’m here to tend to the trees.” He then mentioned Su Qingjun’s need for Eagle Fruits and his efforts to help her.

Su Wen listened, nodding frequently. Noting the black mud on Lu Chen’s clothes, which indicated he had indeed been working in the spirit field, he believed Lu Chen’s explanation and smiled, “I see. Well, you should work diligently. Don’t slack off and delay my sister Jun’s cultivation plans, or you’ll be in trouble! Of course, if you do a good job, I’ll be sure to reward you.”

Lu Chen smiled at him and cupped his hands, “Thank you, Senior Brother Su.”

Su Wen nodded and prepared to walk around Lu Chen to head towards the cave dwelling at the mountain wall. Unexpectedly, Lu Chen shifted his position and blocked his way again.

Su Wen’s expression darkened slightly as he said sharply, “Lu Chen, what are you doing? Why are you stopping me?”

Lu Chen’s demeanor remained gentle, not showing any anger even when reprimanded. He calmly said, “Senior Brother Su, you can’t go through right now.”

“Nonsense!” Su Wen appeared angry, pointing at Lu Chen and saying, “I need to see Sister Jun. How dare you stop me? I’ll tell Sister Jun if you keep being unreasonable, and she’ll have you kicked off the mountain!”

“Hmm…” Lu Chen looked up helplessly, then said to Su Wen, “Senior Brother Su, to be honest, Su Qingjun asked me to block everyone from passing.”

Su Wen was shocked, “What? Impossible!” His face turned pale, as if this revelation had deeply shocked him. His reaction suddenly became intense, and he shouted towards the distant cave, “Sister Jun! Sister Jun! Are you really annoyed with me? I can’t believe it…”

His shouting carried a hint of tears, leaving Lu Chen stunned.

Even someone as composed and perceptive as Lu Chen was momentarily taken aback. He quickly grabbed Su Wen, forcing a smile and saying, “It’s a misunderstanding. Senior Brother Su, you’ve misunderstood!”

“Ah?” Su Wen looked at him with trembling voice.

“Senior Sister Jun’s intention is that she is preparing for perfecting her Golden Elixir realm and does not wish to be disturbed by anyone during this period. That’s why she asked me to block everyone.” He emphasized, repeating the last three words, “block everyone.”

“Everyone?” Su Wen’s spirit brightened up.

“Yes, everyone,” Lu Chen said with a half-smile, “Senior Brother Su, you and your sister really have a close relationship.”

“Of course!” Realizing he wasn’t being rejected, Su Wen immediately regained his composure, even a bit arrogantly saying, “It’s just that Su Mo and Su Qian are too foolish to come. Once I get the benefits, they’ll be so envious!”

Lu Chen looked at Su Wen’s smug face and smiled slightly.