I Can Devour Spirits

A group of people walked out of the valley where smoke was rising.

As soon as they exited the valley, several people from the Internal History Department were waiting there for them.

Seeing that they had all obtained the Taiyi Order, the people from the Internal History Department guided them into one of a row of thatched huts nearby.

In that thatched hut, they were immediately announced to have been promoted to Outer Disciples. A middle-aged man with a square face and slight mustache then stepped forward and passionately read out the rules for Outer Disciples, so intensely that spittle flew as he spoke about loyalty to the sect, and so on.

Duan Rong and his companions found themselves quite bewildered by it all.

Advancing to Outer Disciple was considered a rather significant and honorable event, yet they were dismissed in such a simple thatched hut.

They had originally thought there might be a ceremony of some sort.

After the man’s rambling speech, several experienced Attendants in the hut skillfully handed over new Sect Cloud Scrolls to them.

Along with the Sect Cloud Scrolls, they were also given an envelope.

After leaving the thatched hut, from that day on, they were free to leave the sect, with a three-month home leave.

Three months later, they would need to report to the Ministry of Communication in their place of residence, and from that point, the sect would assign them various tasks based on actual situations.

The local Ministries of Communication are not public government offices, and the secret contact points for Outer Disciples are even more concealed.

The envelope that was handed to them along with the Sect Cloud Scroll contained the location of the secret liaison point of the Ministry of Communication in their place of residence.

Once all the formalities were completed, they were somewhat dazed as they were escorted out of the thatched hut.

Standing not far from the thatched hut, they saw others trickling out of the valley in a steady stream... Those fellow disciples, as soon as they emerged from the valley, were enthusiastically stopped by the people from the Internal History Department waiting there...

This sect really knows how to handle things, eh?!

By this time, it was getting late. Duan Rong and his companions, after a brief discussion, decided to each pack their belongings and then gather at Duan Rong’s place, rest for a night, and then head out early the next morning!

The thought of going home brought excitement to their faces, their eyes lighting up.

These past three years spent within Changling Mountain felt like an exiled hard labor. Having endured until today, their situation was akin to prisoners being released after serving their sentence, how could they not rejoice?

Liu Shushan, having become familiar with Duan Rong and his companions, and since his hometown was also in Ruyang Prefecture, decided to join them on their journey back.

After discussing, they each went their separate ways.

Duan Rong, however, pulled Xiao Yu aside for a few whispered words.

After those words were spoken, a blush spread across Xiao Yu’s face, her heart filled with a mix of joy and sweetness.

Duan Rong told Xiao Yu that once they returned to Xianggu County, he would propose to Old Master Xiao Zongting and then pick an auspicious date to marry Xiao Yu during the three-month home leave.

Xiao Yu simply kept her head down, silently. Duan Rong understood that this silence from Xiao Yu signified her consent.

Afterwards, the two parted ways. Xiao Yu still had to return to the Stone Workshop to pack her belongings and then head to Duan Rong’s place to meet up with the others.

Duan Rong also needed to return to the mountain top to sort out which items to take and which to discard.

Once they each finished packing, it was already night by the time they arrived at Duan Rong’s mountain top.

They then hurriedly prepared dinner and some dry food, only going to sleep in the latter half of the night.

Early the next morning, they washed up, then set out with their luggage and dry food, leaving the mountain gate!

That day, quite a number of people were leaving the mountain gate, in such a grand procession that the guards verifying their Sect Cloud Scrolls were quite busy.

For the past few days, the heavy mist inside Changling Mountain had not yet formed, and there was still unmelted snow in some mountain depressions.

Taking advantage of the clear air, they traveled swiftly, exiting the Endless Mountains in less than two days.

After leaving Changling Mountain, Duan Rong and his group found a few thin horses in a nearby small town. Riding on horseback, they reached Divine Cloud Prefecture in just a day.

Divine Cloud Prefecture, being the capital of Qingzhou, was the wealthiest and most prosperous place.

During their last journey, due to various reasons, their progress was repeatedly delayed, and upon reaching Divine Cloud Prefecture, they were detained by the Ministry of Justice for three days.

Because they were rushing to report to the sect and feared delaying things, they didn’t have a chance to properly enjoy Divine Cloud Prefecture.

This time, after entering Divine Cloud Prefecture, they first found a place to have a good meal.

Enjoying the delicious food, Ximen Kankan was so moved he almost cried. He suggested that they spend a few days here in Divine Cloud Prefecture to have some fun before continuing their journey.

However, only Shen Mizi supported Ximen Kankan’s suggestion.

Liu Shushan, having already spent two days touring Divine Cloud Prefecture last time, felt that although it was indeed bustling and prosperous, it was just a bit more lively. He was eager to return home, unwilling to linger.

Duan Rong and Xiao Yu, being preoccupied with their marital matters, naturally had no intention to stay longer here.

So, naturally, the minority complied with the majority. They only spent one night resting in Divine Cloud Prefecture, and the next day, they specifically chose some sturdy, fast horses at a high price and started their return journey from Divine Cloud Prefecture.

The journey was filled with dust and fatigue, but they hardly stopped. They even changed horses two or three times.

That day, they finally reached the Prefecture City of Yuan Yang Prefecture!

Upon reaching Yuan Yang Prefecture’s city, they were not too far from Xianggu County.

However, here is where they parted ways!