Shi Yan, having lost his carriage, could only sit atop his horse day after day in deep contemplation, yet he relentlessly pursued a method to merge the Seal of Life and the Seal of Death.
Every night, whenever he found a spare moment, he would find an excuse to slip away briefly, putting the insights gained during the day into practice.
However, every attempt to fuse the Seals of Life and Death ended in failure.
The integration of the Life and Death Seals was clearly proving immensely difficult; the Seal of Life and the Seal of Death he manifested each time could not erupt simultaneously.
Either the Seal of Life shot forth first, or the Seal of Death violently burst out ahead of it.
To achieve the fusion of the Life and Death Seals, the very first step required both marks to explode from his palm at the exact same instant!
Only once this initial step was accomplished did the fusion of the Seals of Life and Death become a possibility.
This demanded an exquisitely delicate level of control, necessitating the rhythms of condensing his vital essence and negative power to be perfectly synchronized, allowing for not a sliver of error!
Shi Yan understood this principle, yet when he tried to execute it, he found it impossibly hard, resulting in failure every single time.
Seeing that the entrance to the Silent Swamp was drawing near, Shi Yan stopped practicing his daytime realizations at night. After all, deploying the Life and Death Seals required the simultaneous expenditure of both vital essence and negative power.
Every time he practiced, his body would be weakened for a period.
This was especially true for cultivating the Seal of Death.
That required an initial surge of frenzy, and the backlash from that frenzy was a constant threat. To ensure his body was in peak condition upon reaching the Silent Swamp, he reluctantly had to cancel any further practice sessions.
Deciding to stop burying himself in relentless labor, the tension in Shi Yan’s nerves finally eased. During the remainder of the journey, he stopped agonizing over calculations all day and instead dedicated his ample free time to conversing with Wu Yunlian and Zuo Shi.
Through this period of companionship, Shi Yan had come to understand Wu Yunlian and Zuo Shi somewhat. While their relationship wasn't exactly harmonious, neither had there been any overt conflict.
Yet, the startling remarks Shi Yan often let slip sparked increasing curiosity in both Wu Yunlian and Zuo Shi.
Shi Yan, hailing from a highly advanced society, held deep disdain for the monarchical system prevalent across the Divine Grace Continent, frequently making pronouncements that seemed utterly radical.
However, upon deeper reflection, these statements often carried a compelling logic.
Shi Yan championed absolute equality among people, expressing intense aversion toward the practice of one person dictating the destiny of an entire nation. He scoffed at the direct influence that so-called powerful families—private forces—wielded over state affairs.
These opinions struck both Zuo Shi and Wu Yunlian with tremendous impact, often leaving the two women utterly aghast yet incapable of formulating a rebuttal.
Even Han Feng, Ku Long, and Chu Ping occasionally couldn't help but press him for more details, intensely curious about the ideal system of governance Shi Yan described.
As a transmigrator, Shi Yan possessed an undeniable advantage in this regard; some of his soul-shaking words could instantly shatter these people's established perceptions of the world.
His discussions regarding gender equality were particularly captivating to Wu Yunlian and Zuo Shi.
On the Divine Grace Continent, the status of women was pitifully low. It was considered natural for capable men to maintain three wives and several concubines, and it was common for women lacking ability to be treated as mere chattel in exchanges.
Zuo Shi, born into a powerful clan with exceptional martial talent, and Wu Yunlian, who achieved the Nirvana Realm through her own arduous training, were significantly luckier than most women, seemingly exempt from this harsh reality.
However, they were still natives of the Divine Grace Continent, and they had witnessed the tragic fates of countless women around them. This made them deeply yearn for Shi Yan's vision of gender equality and the institution of monogamy.
Although Shi Yan possessed certain aspects of machismo, he harbored no prejudice in his treatment of women.
When conversing with Zuo Shi and Wu Yunlian, he never treated them as ignorant females. He dared to discuss any topic and was willing to engage.
Unlike most men who framed every interaction around winning their affection, focusing only on trivial matters to curry favor, Shi Yan approached them as intellectual equals.
Gradually, the attitudes of Wu Yunlian and Zuo Shi toward Shi Yan underwent a significant transformation.
While they still found the man somewhat eccentric, they slowly began to develop a measure of appreciation—appreciation for his boldness in speaking his mind, for his sheer uniqueness.
...
That day.
Shi Yan rode his horse alongside Zuo Shi’s carriage, discussing the division of labor between genders.
Zuo Shi and Wu Yunlian would occasionally lift the curtain of the carriage, glancing over at him with surprise, eagerly anticipating his next astonishing statement.
“The system where men handle external affairs while women remain home to raise children has existed since antiquity. However, as civilization advances, this situation will inevitably change. In many fields, women possess inherent advantages; many tasks that men struggle with, women can handle with ease and dexterity,” Shi Yan declared calmly from his saddle, holding forth on grand topics. “For instance, education, floral arrangement, accounting, and, well, running a brothel—a man truly cannot replace that role.”
“Pah!”
Zuo Shi snorted from inside the carriage, her face flushing crimson, shooting Shi Yan a fierce glare and muttering under her breath, “You start off talking sense and then derail every time! You scoundrel!”
Shi Yan merely smiled, unperturbed by Zuo Shi’s low curse. “I’ve always believed that women are superior to men in certain aspects. Of course, on the Divine Grace Continent, most men wouldn't agree. Unless she is a highly accomplished female warrior, ordinary women, in their eyes, are probably no different from pampered pets.”
“Alas,” Wu Yunlian sighed, nodding slowly. “That is precisely why I strive so hard to become a martial artist. Only by reaching a certain height of strength can one escape the tragic fate awaiting women! Rather than marrying a man, serving him for a lifetime, and being completely barred from all social interaction—it’s truly lamentable.”
“Young Master, we’ve arrived,” Han Feng said softly at that moment, pointing ahead. “The people from Misty Pavilion are already waiting.”
Shi Yan frowned, gazing into the distance. Indeed, he spotted three dark specks far ahead.
Wu Yunlian stopped her lament, pondered for a moment, and said quietly, “Everyone, be cautious. Misty Pavilion is an outsider faction to us. That woman has reached the Heaven Rank, so let’s all remain vigilant.”
At these words, everyone nodded in agreement.
Shi Yan, however, knitted his brow, wondering how Xia Xinyan would react upon seeing him.
That day, Xia Xinyan had clearly seen him just before she fainted. She must already know why she ended up at the Misty Rain Tower.
He wondered if Xia Xinyan would seek retribution when they met this time.
However, Shi Yan wasn't overly worried. The only time he had violated Xia Xinyan at the Misty Rain Tower was when she was already unconscious.
Xia Xinyan shouldn't know what he had done.
...
Xia Xinyan had not strayed far from Shi Yan’s group. Although she had unceremoniously tossed away that half of the treasure map, she remained secretly wary of the Zuo and Shi families, concerned they might try to move covertly without her.
Consequently, she had clearly overheard many of the conversations Shi Yan, Wu Yunlian, and Zuo Shi had during their journey.
Even before truly meeting Shi Yan, she had grown curious about him, wondering where he acquired such a wealth of strange and bizarre ideas.
As a woman herself, Xia Xinyan had witnessed too much male chauvinism. She secretly applauded some of Shi Yan’s pronouncements, feeling that he was somehow unusual, fundamentally different from everyone else.
However, when Shi Yan’s figure finally appeared within her line of sight, she recognized him instantly, and a wave of vexation surged through her heart.
The events of that day were etched vividly in her memory.
On several occasions at night, Xia Xinyan would wake up, momentarily feeling as if she were still at the Misty Rain Tower...
The thought of lying unconscious on the floor of that private room while some man was brazenly thrusting atop two courtesans right in front of her!
She couldn't help but feel furious.
Finally, Shi Yan stood before her.
Xia Xinyan merely swept him with a glance before pointing at him and stating coolly, “Come with me for a moment. I have some things to ask you.”
Wu Yunlian, Zuo Shi, Han Feng, and the others stared blankly, looking strangely at Xia Xinyan, unable to comprehend why she would single out Shi Yan for conversation instead of immediately asking about Chi Xiao’s whereabouts.
Shi Yan had anticipated this move. He nodded calmly and replied, “Alright.”
Shi Yan’s composure further deepened the confusion among Wu Yunlian and her companions.
Han Feng paused, a flicker of worry crossing his face. “Young Master…”
“It’s fine,” Shi Yan waved him off, following Xia Xinyan away with an air of casual grace.
Soon after, the two stopped beneath an ancient tree.
“Where do your peculiar theories originate?” To Shi Yan’s surprise, Xia Xinyan did not immediately bring up the matter of the Misty Rain Tower, but instead asked this question.
Shi Yan paused. “What theories?”
“The theories regarding the monarchical system and gender equality,” Xia Xinyan inquired, looking at him with curiosity.
A strange light flickered in Shi Yan’s eyes. From that single question, he instantly realized that Xia Xinyan had been trailing them all along.
A chain of thoughts flashed through his mind. After pondering for a moment, Shi Yan replied calmly, “I simply enjoy researching ancient history. These views are my own extrapolations; perhaps they might actually come to pass in the near future.”
“Your own extrapolation?”
Sparkles of light shone in Xia Xinyan’s beautiful eyes. She was silent for a long moment before saying, “As a woman, I hope your predictions come true. However, that doesn't change the fact that you are lecherous!”
Shi Yan let out a wry laugh, nodding frankly. “I admit that. It’s a man’s nature; there’s no need to conceal it. But I don't recall harming you, do I? On the contrary, I saved you! Had you not been at the pleasure house that night, the Bei Ming family might have found you. From that perspective, you should thank me.”
Xia Xinyan looked somewhat taken aback. She clearly hadn't expected Shi Yan to so openly confess his lecherous nature to her face.
She stood frozen, her expression shifting rapidly, as if she wanted to curse him but didn't know where to begin.
Should she curse him for being lustful? He had already admitted it; since he was being so shameless, would cursing him even matter?
Xia Xinyan suddenly felt irritable. After a long pause, she shook her head resignedly. “You did save my life, it’s true, but I am not grateful to you! I never want anyone to know about what happened that night, do you understand?”
Xia Xinyan’s beautiful eyes turned cold, the intent to threaten manifesting clearly.
“Rest assured, I’m not that bored,” Shi Yan replied with an indifferent expression.
“Then, that night, did you… did you do anything else to me?” Xia Xinyan’s eyes suddenly showed a flicker of panic.
“Anything else?” Shi Yan looked puzzled. “What else?”
A surge of anger abruptly rose from the bottom of her heart. Xia Xinyan secretly gritted her teeth, repeatedly repeating the word “Calm” in her mind. After several deep breaths, she spat out coldly, “I mean, did you act improperly toward me?”
Of course, I did!
Shi Yan inwardly breathed a sigh of relief, but on the surface, he maintained a serious expression and shook his head. “No, I am not promiscuous.”
“You are not promiscuous?!”
Xia Xinyan’s eyes widened. She suddenly realized how easily this man provoked her anger. Gritting her teeth, she sneered again, “At a critical moment when your clan is at war with the enemy, you have the leisure to frequent a pleasure house for carnal gratification, yet you claim you aren't promiscuous? What a colossal joke!”
“It was merely a normal physiological need,” Shi Yan stated calmly.
Xia Xinyan stared at him dumbfounded, her beautiful eyes reflecting contempt, disgust, and fury.
Waving her hand in defeat, Xia Xinyan seemed unwilling to say more. Finally, she concluded, “I hope you forget everything about that night! I will remember that you saved my life, and I will do my best to ensure your safety during this exploration of the Heavenly Gate. Afterward, we will be quits!”
With that, Xia Xinyan could not bear to stay another moment. She turned abruptly and headed back the way they came, still boiling with frustrated rage that had nowhere to vent.
“Then I thank you in advance,” Shi Yan called out to her retreating back, a faint smile lingering on his lips, acting as if he were completely oblivious to Xia Xinyan’s intense displeasure.
...
High in the heavens, amidst a dense mass of dark clouds.
A ten-meter-long, fifth-level demonic beast, a Gale Swift Eagle, hovered within the cloud cluster. Bei Ming Shang, Bei Ming Ce, Yin Kui, Jiu Shan, Mu Yudie, and Di Yalan—six figures in total—sat astride the beast.
Bei Ming Shang, positioned near the eagle's head, peered down at Shi Yan and the others below, who looked like ants. “They should be heading toward the Silent Swamp.”
“Grandfather, when do we reveal ourselves?”
“Wait until they reach their destination,” Bei Ming Shang frowned. “Chi Xiao should appear before long. Chi Xiao is the true Heaven Rank expert; he might detect us. Let’s leave first.”
Mu Yudie clenched her fists, her bright eyes filled with anticipation.
The fifth-level Gale Swift Eagle suddenly shot forward, shrinking into a black dot that rapidly vanished towards the Silent Swamp. (Seeking support with recommendation votes, I’m about to be squeezed out, I need everyone's firepower support.)