The I Ching Modified: A Diviner Who Emerged from Sanctuary City!

Chapter 27: A Choice for the Future

"Old Ghost's Soul Jade is completely shattered, his soul fire extinguished, and his remaining will is filled with despair and fear. The plan... has failed."

The hidden cave is deep in the heart of the wild mountains. Its entrance is concealed by vines and illusion arrays, and the interior is cold and damp.

Only a few lamps, made from some kind of pale animal bone, burned with eerie green flames.

The figures sitting around the rough stone table were projected onto the uneven rock wall, elongated and twisted, like a chaotic dance of demons.

The air was filled with a faint, lingering smell of blood, along with a stale, pungent odor reminiscent of temple incense, yet mixed with a strange, sweet, and nauseating scent.

In the direction of the main position on the stone table, there is not a solid object, but a blurry projection composed of dense shadows and eerie green light particles.

The projected outline was vaguely discernible as a tall, thin human figure, but the face was indistinct, with only a pair of narrow, sharp, eerie vertical pupils appearing as shadowy images.

The eerie green firelight flickered with a cold, venomous light, overlooking the several black-robed figures standing respectfully beside the stone table.

On the stone table, a dark red jade pendant was emitting a faint but ominous light.

A deep crack ran through the center of the jade pendant, and the faint wisp of soul fire that should have been there had been completely extinguished.

Only a faint wisp of gray smoke remained, like a dying worm that twitched slightly before completely dissipating.

"Squeak—"

A phantom of a hand wearing a metal finger cot, slightly withered, seemed to emerge from the projection, gently brushing against the shattered soul jade in mid-air.

The cold, vertical pupils shifted slightly, sweeping over the few black-robed figures below who were trembling with fear.

A brief, suffocating silence fell over the cave, broken only by the crackling of the eerie green bone lamp flames and the suppressed breathing of several black-robed figures.

"waste."

A calm, even voice, yet seemingly carrying immense pressure and bone-chilling cold, came from the projection.

It didn't echo throughout the cave, but rather resounded directly in the minds of every man in black robes.

"The Shadow Rat Old Weasel of the Star Sea Realm cultivates the Soul-Devouring Rat Demon Art, and excels at stealth, ambush, and assassination..."

Yet they couldn't even defeat a defeated army with its remnants and families, and couldn't even bring back a single intact soul tablet?

The vertical pupils in the projection seemed to fall on the leader, a thin, cold-looking man in a black robe with faint rat-shaped patterns on his sleeves.

The man in black robes trembled slightly, immediately kneeling on one knee, his head bowed deeply, his voice dry and hoarse, filled with fear:

"Your subordinate... Your subordinate failed in his duty! He failed in his command! The Shadow Rat operation failed, damaging the Holy Church's strength and alerting the target. This is all my fault! Please punish me, Holy Envoy!"

He is the head of the local Rat Spirit branch, and Shadow Rat is his capable subordinate.

"Punishment?"

The voice projected on the screen was devoid of emotion.

"After nearly half a year of planning in Linhai Town, the batch of blood crystals that Fang Ningcheng had prepared failed to be delivered to the main altar on schedule, which has already delayed the important matter."

Now, the plan to seize the blood crystals and replenish blood supplies has gone awry, alerting the enemy...

"Steward Zhang, your lineage has been quite disappointing to me lately."

The projection, known as the "Grey Rat Saint," remained calm in its tone.

But that invisible pressure almost made the kneeling man in black robes collapse.

"Holy Envoy, please calm your anger!"

Another slightly overweight man in black robes next to him immediately bowed, his voice filled with flattery and urgency.

"The most urgent task is to make amends for our mistakes and retrieve the Blood Crystal! Although the Shadow Rat is dead, the remnants of its Blood Soul Jade have not yet dissipated, and it may be possible to track it down."

Your subordinate is willing to fully cooperate and will definitely make amends for any mistakes!

Another figure in black robes, his face hidden in the shadow of his hood, and his voice aged, spoke slowly:

"Holy Envoy, the Shadow Rat has failed; the enemy must be on guard. A surprise attack may be impossible now."

Should we...gather our forces and launch a swift and decisive attack? We must ensure the Blood Crystals are not lost, and...replenish the losses incurred.

The last sentence, with its implied meaning, is filled with a strong sense of bloodshed.

The projection of the Gray Rat Saint remained silent for a moment, its cold, vertical pupils slowly moving across the figures in black robes.

"The Blood Crystal must not be lost."

Finally, the telepathic communication sounded again, carrying an undeniable determination.

"Deacon Zhang."

"Your subordinate is here!"

The gaunt, black-robed man kneeling on the ground quickly responded.

"Your poor management led to this defeat, and you should have been severely punished. However, I am now giving you a chance to atone for your crimes."

The phantom finger of the Gray Rat Saint seemed to tap the shattered Soul Jade.

"Using the remnants of the Blood Soul Jade as a guide, and supplemented by the Thousand-Mile Soul-Chasing Incense, we will quickly pinpoint the exact location and movements of that team."

"Mobilize all available forces under your command in this area. In addition, I will order the nearby Bat Shadow and Venom Fang divisions to send personnel to assist you as appropriate."

The instructions from the Grey Rat Envoy were clearly received.

"Find them, wipe them out completely, and bring back the Blood Crystal! As for those refugees..."

"It's perfect for a blood sacrifice, to replenish the losses, and to give those ants who have gradually forgotten the pain a wake-up call."

"remember,"

The cold light intensified suddenly within the illusory vertical pupils, and the killing intent, like a tangible ice spike, pierced the minds of every black-robed person.

"What I want is a clean and decisive operation, leaving no one behind. If there are any more mistakes..."

"Then you yourselves should go to the Pool of Blood and explain to the Holy Lord."

"Your subordinate obeys! I will not fail the Holy Envoy's trust, and will certainly atone for my sins by bringing the target's head and blood crystal to see you!"

Deacon Zhang touched the ground with his head, his voice trembling slightly with excitement and fear.

"Go."

The projection of the Grey Rat Envoy uttered two words indifferently. Immediately afterward, the phantom composed of shadows and light particles began to slowly ripple and dissipate.

In the end, along with those chilling vertical pupils, they vanished into the eerie green light, as if they had never existed.

Only the completely dim and shattered soul jade on the stone table proved that everything just now was not an illusion.

Only after the terrifying sense of oppression completely disappeared did the men in black robes seem to have been relieved of a heavy burden, and they slowly straightened up.

As they looked at each other, they could see the lingering fear in each other's eyes.

"Did you hear everything?"

Deacon Zhang Ping stood up, his face now showing its sinister and ruthless side, and swept his gaze over the others.

"The Holy Envoy gave us a chance to make amends, but also gave us an ultimatum."

If we don't handle this well, we'll all be doomed!

"Don't worry, Steward. With the Soul-Chasing Incense, as long as there's even a trace of their presence, we can find them even if we dig three feet into the ground."

The black-robed man spoke softly, his voice gentle and feminine.

"My sons from the Rat Spirit branch here are already starving and thirsty."

A fierce glint flashed in Deacon Zhang's eyes.

"This time, I'll lead the team myself! I'll make those guys, and those ants who killed the Shadow Rat, regret ever being born!"

"Without further ado, I'll go prepare the Soul-Chasing Incense and analyze the remaining energy."

The black-robed man spoke in a soft, feminine voice.

"I'll go and gather manpower and allocate resources."

The fat, black-robed man said.

"I will contact Bat Shadow and Venom Fang immediately and request their assistance."

The elderly man in the black robe added.

A murderous intent permeated the cave.

A more ferocious and direct manhunt has already begun.

……..........

Far from that dangerous mountain area, in another relatively sheltered mountain valley,

A campfire crackled and burned in the deepening night, trying to dispel the chill and the stench of blood and tension that permeated the air.

The flames flickered, illuminating the three faces seated around them—

Xuan Tianyi, Yan Jun, and Liu Ruyan, whose injuries had stabilized considerably but whose face was still somewhat pale.

After a series of fierce battles, life-or-death struggles, and a long escape, this brief respite and peace are all the more precious.

Yan Jun took out a warm jade bottle and a simple silver watch with a cold metallic sheen from his bosom and handed them to Xuan Tianyi.

His resolute face displayed undisguised admiration, gratitude, and a complex mix of emotions:

"Tianyi, if it weren't for your insightful foresight and ability to turn the tide in dire situations, our team would probably have been wiped out long ago."

"I've remembered your contributions. These few Rejuvenation Pills are just what you need; please accept them."

As he spoke, he pointed to the silver watch again:

"This is a standard military satellite communication device. Since you don't have a personal terminal, you can use this for communication purposes. Also…"

He paused, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes:

"I see that your marksmanship is quite skillful... but the foundation seems a bit unstable."

In this book, I also stored a set of "Thirteen Basic Spear Techniques," which is an introductory method for soldiers to hone their skills and solidify their spear technique foundation. Although it is not profound, its value lies in its solid system.

You have suffered great losses this time, so take this opportunity to rest and learn a thing or two, lay a solid foundation, and if you have the opportunity to learn more advanced marksmanship in the future, you will be able to achieve twice the result with half the effort.

Consider this a small token of gratitude for your heroic efforts in turning the tide; please do not refuse.

Xuan Tianyi could sense the sincerity and importance in Yan Jun's words. He was indeed in dire need of resources to improve his strength, so he didn't stand on ceremony and readily offered his hands in greeting.

"Thank you, Uncle Yan! Then I won't be polite."

Having said that, he accepted the jade bottle and wristwatch with both hands.

The jade bottle has a warm and smooth feel to the touch, clearly indicating that it is not an ordinary item; the watch feels slightly heavy in the hand, with a simple yet sophisticated design.

He immediately put the watch on his left wrist, and the strap fit him perfectly and was quite comfortable.

"Qingling Powder can relieve the poison of common miasma and foul air; Detoxification Pills can suppress or alleviate most common insect and animal poisons."

In the wilderness, poisonous creatures are everywhere, so it's always better to be prepared.

Liu Ruyan nodded slightly, and with a flick of her wrist, several small jade bottles appeared in her palm. Her voice remained clear and cool.

But that sense of alienation has faded considerably, replaced by a faint, barely perceptible concern.

"This Crimson Sun Bone Forging Pill, along with these bottles of Body Tempering Pills and Qi and Blood Pills, are things I made for practice. They're of decent quality. Keep them for when you need them."

Xuan Tianyi thanked him again and accepted the gift.

Judging from the jade bottle and the faint medicinal fragrance emanating from it, Liu Ruyan's pills were no ordinary items, and their value was probably even greater than Yan Jun's Rejuvenation Pill.

He silently kept this favor in his heart.

After carefully putting away the pills, Xuan Tianyi turned his gaze to Yan Jun and asked the question that had been lingering in his mind for a long time:

"Brother Yan, to be honest, I know almost nothing about the situation in the city of Shelter."

Now that we've arrived at the Heavenly Xia Shelter City, how will we, refugees who have fled here, find a place to settle down and make a living?

This is also the source of confusion for many refugees.

Yan Jun nodded upon hearing this, picked up a tree branch, and began to make simple marks on the ground. The firelight illuminated his earnest face, casting flickering shadows.

"Since the Great Cataclysm, on the day the star fell, the world has been turned upside down, strange creatures roam freely, and natural disasters are constant. The old order has collapsed, and only one in a hundred survived."

Through a long struggle for survival, humanity gradually built sheltered cities by relying on surviving structures, natural treacherous terrain, or by pooling collective strength, gathering survivors and striving to perpetuate the flame of civilization.

His voice was deep and carried a sense of historical weight.

"In today's world, human power is generally centered around major protected cities, radiating to the surrounding areas."

The cities were often far apart, the roads were treacherous, and strange beasts, evil spirits, and even bizarre celestial phenomena were everywhere, making communication difficult.

Therefore, most areas are governed by their own systems, and mutual assistance is already a rare occurrence. The place we are in is under the jurisdiction of Tianxia Protectorate City.

He drew three roughly interlocking circles in the sand with a twig.

"The structure of Tianxia City is roughly divided into three layers."

He pointed to the outermost, largest circle.

"The outermost part is the outer city. It has the largest area, the largest population, and is also the most diverse, with all sorts of people from all walks of life."

The outer city is roughly divided into four major areas: east, south, west, and north, based on their location. Each area is further subdivided into five districts based on its construction time, function, and power distribution.

Our destination is the East Outer City.

Upon your arrival, you will first be registered and quarantined at the Resettlement Office under the jurisdiction of the East Outer City to confirm that you are free from disease and evil spirits.

The Household Registration Department then allocates temporary residences based on the circumstances, mostly in relatively remote and less desirable areas.

"Resources in the outer city are relatively scarce, and order is mainly maintained by the patrol teams organized by each area and the rules of the major powers within the city."

Survival is tough, and there's a lot of fighting, but opportunities are also plentiful. People from all walks of life are well-informed.

Move the branches to the center circle:

"The inner city is surrounded and protected by the twenty districts of the outer city."

The inner city has strict rules, higher walls, and stronger defenses; one needs considerable strength and a significant contribution to the sanctuary city to participate.

Those with a significant background or family members may be admitted only after review.

The inner city has a higher concentration of star energy than the outer city, and boasts more complete facilities such as cultivation towers, martial arts arenas, alchemy workshops, weapon-making pavilions, and academies.

There are more opportunities, but the competition is also much fiercer than in the outer city.

Only the inner city is one of the true essence and core areas of Tianxia City.

Finally, the branch is placed on the smallest, most central circle:

"At the very core is the central city, also known as the city lord's mansion area."

This is the true core of the entire Tianxia Protected City, where the military and political center, key strategic locations, the strongest military force, and core research institutes are all located.

Ordinary people are not allowed to enter without special permission.

After explaining the structure, Yan Jun's expression turned serious as he looked at Xuan Tianyi:

"As for settling down and making a living, living in the outer city is not easy. If you want to obtain resources, improve your strength, stand out from the crowd, and join a faction, it is almost an inevitable path."

The outer city's forces are deeply entrenched, with countless small gangs and factions, but the truly top-tier ones...

Besides the official system we represent, there are three giants: the Martial Academy, the Chamber of Commerce Alliance, and the Hunter's Guild—all with profound foundations and far-reaching influence.

He looked at Xuan Tianyi earnestly and extended an invitation:

"Tianyi, with your talent, temperament, and that... unfathomable divination skill, I naturally hope you can join the military."

If you can join my ranks, I will do my utmost to recommend and cultivate you.

Although there are rules and regulations in the military, the supply of resources is relatively stable, and the channels for meritorious service and promotion are clear.

Furthermore, you have loyal comrades-in-arms who can support you, making it a secure path to advancement for you.

Liu Ruyan raised her head at this moment, and her clear, cold eyes, illuminated by the firelight, lost some of their chill and gained a touch of luster.

She took over the conversation, her voice calm yet carrying a convincing power:

"What Captain Yan said is a prudent approach. However..."

"In terms of unlocking personal potential, solidifying martial arts foundations, and the breadth of future development, the Martial Arts Academy may be a better choice."

"The Martial Academy is independent of the military and political system. It was established with the support of the City Lord's Mansion and several major families in the inner city, and is dedicated to cultivating martial arts talents."

Its entry requirements are extremely high, with stringent conditions for accepting disciples, making the competition fierce, but once you can enter…

The resources, guidance, and platforms they can access are far superior to those of other forces in the outer city.

The martial arts academy emphasizes training over restraint. Fighting is not prohibited within the academy, but death and injury are strictly forbidden. Disciples are encouraged to grow through competition.

Furthermore, renowned teachers provide instruction, the library contains various martial arts manuals, and the training grounds hone practical skills.

For true geniuses, the martial arts academy is the best path to success.

She paused, then continued:

"More importantly, the four outer city martial arts academies have special recommendation channels that lead directly to the inner city and even the central city."

"The recruitment for the East Outer City Martial Academy will begin in a month. With your abilities, passing the assessment shouldn't be difficult."

Xuan Tianyi listened quietly, his mind racing with analysis.

The military is a safe haven with powerful backers, but it comes with many constraints and secrets, which may not be a good thing in a disciplined military.

The martial arts academy offers relative freedom, abundant resources, a broader platform, a greater emphasis on personal development, and opportunities to connect with higher levels of expertise…

This seems to better suit my current needs for both improving my skills and having more freedom.

Without much hesitation, he clasped his hands and said:

"Thank you for your guidance, Uncle Yan and Miss Liu! Tianyi is unruly and may find it difficult to adapt to the strict regulations of the military. Perhaps the Martial Academy could offer him a better chance."

"good!"

Yan Jun clapped his hands, laughed heartily, and showed no displeasure.

"Everyone has their own ambitions, and you can't force them. The Martial Academy is indeed a place where geniuses can soar! If we hurry on our journey within a month, we should be able to make it."

Remember, whatever choice you make, my solemn promise remains unchanged. If you ever tire of the martial arts academy and wish to gain experience in the military, my doors will always be open for you!

His smile vanished, and his expression turned serious.

"However, there is still one hurdle ahead. The final stretch of the road to Sanctuary City will likely not be peaceful."

The Seven Saints Sect will not let this loss of a leader and several key members go unpunished.

They act cunningly and ruthlessly; next time they come, it will be with overwhelming force.

Yan Jun stared intently at Xuan Tianyi:

"Tianyi, your divination skills are profound, your perception is keen, and you can always anticipate the enemy's moves."

I wish to formally appoint you as a temporary guest advisor to my team, specializing in predicting the future and providing early warnings of crises.

Of course, I understand the rules, and I certainly won't let you work for nothing. The divination fee will be settled per session.

Alternatively, we can offer you the resources you need as a discount; you definitely won't lose out.

This formally acknowledges and relies on the value of Xuan Tianyi's mysterious "divination techniques".

This ability is undoubtedly one of the greatest assets in the perilous wilderness.

Xuan Tianyi hesitated for a moment, then agreed:

"Thank you for your trust, Uncle Yan. I will do my best."

This not only allows you to earn much-needed Life Points and resources, but also enables you to legitimately participate in decision-making through the system, avoiding many unnecessary suspicions and troubles.

"good!"

Yan Jun's spirits lifted.

"So, in your opinion, what should we do next? Should we return to the main road and speed up to arrive as soon as possible? Or should we find another route to avoid any potential obstacles?"

Xuan Tianyi nodded without saying anything more, and directly took out the three warm bone coins from his pocket.

Find a flat spot near the fire, hold your breath and concentrate, sink your mind into your sea of ​​consciousness, and communicate with the "Eight Scenery Mystic Life Lamp". A faint, imperceptible glittering light is added to the bone coin.

With a slight flick of his wrist, the bone coins rose and fell with a mysterious rhythm, jingling in the firelight and revealing divination symbols.

Xuan Tianyi stared intently at the divination chart, his fingers unconsciously making twitching motions, as if he were performing a calculation. After a moment, he raised his head, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes:

"Captain Yan, the divination indicates that the general direction is southwest, but the road ahead is not smooth and there are hidden twists and turns. The Kan trigram is hidden within the Xun trigram, indicating danger and hidden opportunities."

This aligns with my previous premonition; the opportunity for that spiritual material might be somewhere in the southwest.

Continuing southwest may be fraught with difficulties, but glimmers of light appear in the darkness. If one can seize these opportunities, one may gain something to prepare for the unpredictable future.

He frowned slightly and continued:

"However, the hexagram also indicates a follower, like a shadow, which is not a good omen. There may be an unpleasant guest following closely behind, with a menacing presence and ill intentions."

Perhaps it was the remnants of the Seven Saints Sect who were unwilling to give up, or perhaps... other covetous individuals were drawn here by the previous commotion.

We must quicken our pace and find the spiritual material as soon as possible; perhaps this will increase our chances of dealing with our pursuers.

"A hostile guest? Stalking?"

Yan Jun frowned deeply and exchanged a glance with Liu Ruyan, both seeing the seriousness in each other's eyes.

They had no doubt about Xuan Tianyi's divination abilities.

"In that case, time waits for no one!"

He made a firm and resolute decision, his voice resolute and unwavering.

"As you say! We'll rest briefly tonight, and tomorrow morning, we'll break camp and set off. The whole team will speed up and head southwest!"

Ruyan, pass down the order: double the nighttime vigilance, double the number of both visible and hidden sentries, and maintain constant patrols within a ten-mile radius!

"yes!"

Liu Ruyan accepted the order, and in a flash, she disappeared into the darkness outside the campfire to make arrangements.

Only Xuan Tianyi and Yan Jun remained by the campfire.

Yan Jun whispered a few more details to Xuan Tianyi before getting up to inspect the camp and check the defenses.

Xuan Tianyi sat alone by the fire, the flickering flames illuminating his calm face. He gently stroked the cool watch on his wrist, his gaze fixed on the boundless darkness to the southwest.

The road ahead is unknown, the outcome uncertain, and hostile guests are close behind.

But there was no fear in his eyes, only a deep calm and a flickering flame called fighting spirit.

"Martial Academy... Seven Saints Sect... Blood Crystal... Coastal Town..."

As he muttered to himself, fragments of memories he had gleaned from the remnant soul of the old weasel flashed through his mind.

Although those memories are fragmented, they still contain a lot of amazing information.

"This pool seems to be deeper than I imagined! But... we'll deal with whatever comes our way."

He got up and walked towards the newly erected makeshift tent that had been assigned to him.

It's time to properly summarize what we've gained this time.

And they transformed these hard-earned Life Source Points into real strength!