The next few days were peaceful.
Besides spending two hours a day calculating accounts with Xia Honghua, Duan Rong was crazily cultivating, not slackening for a moment.
This midday, just as Duan Rong returned from Xia Honghua’s place and was about to start cultivation, he suddenly heard Pan Yong calling him from outside the cave.
As soon as Duan Rong stepped out of the cave, Pan Yong said solemnly, "Brother, Master Shang is looking for us. Let’s go."
After speaking, Pan Yong turned and proceeded along the cliff wall.
Duan Rong frowned slightly. What kind of scheme is Shang Xiangyu up to now?
But, as the saying goes, when you’re under someone’s roof, you have to lower your head.
Although he knew that Shang Xiangyu calling them probably meant nothing good, he still had to follow behind Pan Yong and walk step by step.
The two crossed the stone fence on Shang Xiangyu’s side one behind the other and arrived at the large platform.
Shang Xiangyu was standing at the edge of the large platform, facing away from them, gazing at the misty fog in the Endless Mountains.
Duan Rong’s eyelids twitched slightly. Shang Xiangyu was wearing a brand-new plain silk robe, and even his hair was neatly tied up.
Since Duan Rong arrived, Shang Xiangyu had always worn that wrinkled, ragged Daoist robe, never once changing it.
Has his temperament changed?
Duan Rong was surprised, feeling that something significant was about to happen.
Pan Yong stopped not far behind Shang Xiangyu, bowed his head, and called out.
"Master Shang."
Standing beside Pan Yong, Duan Rong also called out softly.
Both stood with fists clasped, but Shang Xiangyu didn’t turn around for a long time. He looked at the mountains, the white mist, and dark clouds before him, his gaze deep and distant.
As Pan Yong hesitated to call him again, Shang Xiangyu suddenly sighed long and turned to face them.
Duan Rong glanced at Shang Xiangyu, his gaze slightly shifting. Shang Xiangyu appeared calm, with his complexion showing a faint blush, contrasting his initially pale and somewhat frightening visage.
Shang Xiangyu suddenly said, "I need to travel far. It will likely take over half a year to return to the mountains. During this time, cultivate diligently and guard the door carefully."
Upon hearing this, Pan Yong and Duan Rong were both taken aback. Neither had expected Shang Xiangyu to announce that he was leaving, seemingly alone without taking either of them.
After a brief contemplation, Pan Yong asked, "Master Shang, if you’re going away for so long, are there any tasks for us to handle?"
Shang Xiangyu replied, "No tasks. You’ve followed me for many years, just carry on with the usual duties, and I’ll deal with the rest upon return."
"Understood," Pan Yong said.
"That’s it. A cultivator needs not to be overly courteous. I’m leaving," Shang Xiangyu said.
After speaking, he turned swiftly and went along the cliff wall...
The two stood there, somewhat stunned, watching Shang Xiangyu’s figure disappear into the vast white mist, not yet recovering from the surprise.
They hadn’t expected Shang Xiangyu would simply leave without hesitation.
Duan Rong tentatively asked, "Brother, where did Master Shang go?"
Duan Rong thought that since Pan Yong had been with Shang Xiangyu for the longest time, he might have a clue about Shang Xiangyu’s sudden departure, which seemed unusual for lasting half a year.
Pan Yong replied, "Master Shang didn’t say, how would I know? Brother, as long as we heed Master Shang’s instructions, cultivate diligently, and guard carefully, that’s sufficient."
After speaking, Pan Yong turned and walked away.
Duan Rong stood there, his gaze flickering, thoughts turbulent.
With Shang Xiangyu gone, it felt as if a great burden on his heart had been lifted.
According to Shang Xiangyu’s own words, he would be gone for more than half a year, providing ample time for maneuvering.
He needed to consider carefully whether to stay in the Taiyi Sect or seize this opportunity to break free from Shang Xiangyu’s control. Shang Xiangyu would eventually return after all.
However, there was no rush. He could take advantage of this time to investigate how registered disciples depart from the mountain and how to obtain the permit for the Lower Courtyard.
Moreover, if he intended to leave, he must bid farewell to Xiao Yu and Ximen Kankan and explain some matters before leaving.
Otherwise, Xiao Yu and Ximen Kankan might search everywhere for him.
And before departing, he should exhaust the available resources.
For instance, the auxiliary medicine for the Fetal Concealment Scripture. Duan Rong had studied; the auxiliary medicine beyond the Fourth Layer seemed to originate from the space-distorted world’s anomalies.
This meant that once he left the sect, it would almost be impossible to find the auxiliary medicine for the Fetal Concealment Scripture again, as it’s not circulated in the mortal world.
So, should he accomplish the Fifth Layer of the Fetal Concealment before leaving?
Deep inside the cave, two Black Blood Vines were still bearing a Black Blood Fruit, which was the auxiliary medicine for the Fifth Layer of the Fetal Concealment Scripture and was near maturity.
This place was secluded, with Shang Xiangyu living alone on a mountain top. Once all preparations were in place, he could kill Pan Yong, seize all resources here, and then leave.
Even if Shang Xiangyu returned in anger, how could he find him in this vast world?
Thinking about this, Duan Rong prepared to cultivate even more crazily in the coming days to enhance his strength.
After all, the biggest obstacle to his plans was Pan Yong.
He had already used his Divine Sense to examine Pan Yong’s Dantian, whose True Qi seemed slightly superior to his own. To avert unforeseen complications from insufficient strength when taking action, he must shore up this shortfall beforehand.