When Wu Guang sensed the presence of someone nearing the cabin, it was already past noon. He had not spent the time idly, deciding to continue his physical training. The person who was approaching was indeed someone he knew and could trust, at least currently. So he did not stop training until Deng Zian, the Head Treasurer, called to him.

"We meet again" Moving stiffly and speaking without opening his mouth Deng Zian greeted. This did not surprise Wu Guang, as he was privy to the fact that this was not an actual body, but more akin to a corpse-puppet. During their previous interactions, Wu Guang had not yet fused with his consciousness and so had no means to analyze him, but now the situation was different. So while greeting back and using the suppression of his cultivation lifting as a cover, Wu Guang quickly sensed the body in front.

As expected, it had absolutely no signs of life. Still, it had an active circulation and so had presence, qi, and as prooved before, could fight and release an aura. Wu Guang managed to pinpoint what he searched, a thread invisible by normal methods that started from the body and disappeared into the sky. Only thanks to his mindpower Wu Guang managed to actually see it, but when he did, everything was made clear. As he thought before, this was a real corpse puppet.

The original owner had died, but before his cultivation dissipated Deng Zian used a ritual to take possession of it. The stiffness and lack of emotions came from the lack of methods to enforce full control, a small price to pay in exchange for full battle power. As for the latter, it was equivalent to a peak Soul realm cultivator. This was surprising, as that meant that the original Deng Zian was at least a few levels stronger!

This provoked a new question, what was his real identity? After all, the Sect had only a single Sage realm cultivator, and it was the headmaster currently trapped inside the pocket realm.

"I am unsure of how you did it, but I have a feeling that you just somehow managed to see through me" This time Deng Zian used a qi transmission, and so his speech was fluent and even had a slight amount of surprise mixed into it. Considering that qi transmissions did not convey emotions, except the strongest ones, Wu Guang inwardly guessed that the real body was at least gasping for air.

"How could I do so? And even if I had the means, how could I show disrespect to the Head Treasurer of the Sect I am part of?"

"Hehehe, I see, let's consider it my mistake then. I see that you have reached the peak of the Spirit realm, that's very good. While I was approaching I also sensed that you were suppressing your cultivation as to train your mortal body, I do approve of that. Albeit that makes me want to ask, who gave you that idea? Normally all of the cultivators are simply too arrogant to even think of it"

"I came to it on my own. I considered that if cultivation and qi increase the original physique, then would it not be better to have a stronger one?" Wu Guang practically did not lie. It was indeed his own idea, and the fact that he was being battered by golems because of his mindset being too arrogant was something he simply omitted.

"Good. We can leave at any moment, but we have a few hours of leeway yet. Don't ask me anything yet, I will answer your questions as soon as we board the ship" Deng Zian knew that Wu Guang should have a lot of questions, and even if he had not, the decision to explain everything to him was already taken. But, it was not the time yet, so he informed of it right away.

"I have a matter that I would like to accomplish, but I have not been able to do it on myself. I wonder, does the Head Treasurer knows this part of the forest?"

"I do"

"In such case, could the Head Treasurer tell me if there is a groove of 'Lighting Attraction Trees' nearby?"

"There is, and it is not far from here. But why would you want to go there? As far as I know, the Sect has no Lighting techniques or skills, and so the trees aren't useful for you"

"I hope to find a treasure"

"Treasure? I thought you were already rich"

"I am, but this one is a bit special. I found the information as part of the spoils from a fight, and so would like to check it out. Plus, if it's indeed hidden inside this groove, the Sect will be also interested in some of the contents"

"Hoh? Pray tell why"

Wu Guang did not hide anything except how he obtained the information about the stash from the 'Black and White Evil'. He knew that even if he shared it openly with everyone from the Sect's council, they would not try to snatch it from him. Furthermore, if he found it, he intended to return the possessions of the Sect's disciples anyway. It could sound craven, but the truth was that Wu Guang indeed preferred to remain in the good graces and close to the Sect higher-ups.

Normally one would think that he simply hugged the tights of the elders for some bonuses, but that wasn't so. In fact, with enough preparation, Wu Guang did not fear the entire Sect. His reason was far stranger, albeit for his past life self it would be normal. There were so many mysteries around the sect, and he wanted to solve them. That's all. Why? Even when asking himself, he could not answer with anything except... curiosity.

Deng Zian knew that Wu Guang had fought the man nicknamed 'Black and White Evil', but the information that the latter had staked his stash versus liberty in their to-death fight was something new. Especially as judging from Wu Guang's words, the promise was honored.

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This made even him curious, and so Deng Zian led Wu Guang to the grove of purple, 'Lighting Attraction', trees. The groove itself was not very big, with only about a hundred trees. Considering the location it was no wonder that Wu Guang had not found it before. Indeed, the location was most unexpected. After all, who would search for trees somewhere else than on the ground? While they were on... the surrounding tree branches.

"Hmm, it is not here then" Wu Guang did not grow discouraged, but after seeing the trees instantly informed Deng Zian.

"Meaning?"

"The trees that I was described were growing on the ground, and the spoils were buried under a rock between two trees"

"I see, then most probably the place you are speaking off is the groove located near the Boundary Hills. We can not go there now, but when the chance arises, I will accompany you there"

"Thank you, Elder Deng Zian"

"In any case, as we are here already, you should try and attempt to get a few branches. The effect is not very useful for you now, but it may be so in the future"

"Understood"

"While you do so, let's go over a few things. First, as soon as we leave, forget about my position and status. We will be traveling as a pair of unaffiliated cultivators. I will suppress my cultivation to the first level of the Soul realm. Even though there are few cultivators of such level around, it will be enough to serve as both cover and dissuasion from trouble. I see that you were already told about changing your clothes, but don't forget to hide the badge as well"

Wu Guang was indeed dressed in common clothes, part of the cheap clothes that he had bought at the start of his journey. As for the reason, it was nothing else than because his rune-cloth personal disciple ones had been practically destroyed. Thankfully they contained a self-repair runeset, but it would take at least a week for them to mend enough. The robes were right now stored in a small sack that he carried, and Wu Guang was currently infusing a bit of qi to maintain the runes active.

After hearing the instructions, Wu Guang instantly hid the sect's badge he carried on his belt, before asking

"Could I ask about our actions before boarding a ship?"

"Mmm, that is allowed. The ship that we will board is already prepared, and at sunrise tomorrow it will moor at a fishing village called 'Tree Reefs' located about 70 miles from here. They are trusted people and know both our identities and destination. Why do we disguise ourselves then? To avoid generating rumors about a High Elder and a disciple that looks like a disappeared one boarding a ship and leaving the island. And also to avoid being targetted in the open sea"

"Targetted?"

"The Eagle Kingdom has already sent a few light ships to patrol the surrounding waters. They are letting all merchant ships pass freely and so there have been no incidents so far, but I know that something will happen if they see people from a power they are going to war with. Also, we can not be sure of not running into pirates. As we can not guarantee that we will be able to leave no witnesses, the best course of action is to never be there"

"Understood" Wu Guang considered that the Head Treasurer's line of thought was very correct. Still, the question of where they are going gnawed at him with renewed strength. He had been attempting to think of a possible destination, but could not really reach any conclusion. After all, he had simply too few pieces of the puzzle.

By the end of this talk, Wu Guang had already climbed a tree and broke off a pair of branches from the 'Lighting Attraction Tree' one growing on it. As he held them in his hands, he understood why they were considered something akin to a treasure. The branch itself had no special powers or anything, but it practically smelled of lighting. Holding such a branch during a storm would definitively make at least one bolt strike it.

Natural bolts of lighting were extremely destructive and could kill an unprepared Sage realm cultivator easily, but at the same time, they were an enormous natural energy mass. It was too berserk to be cultivated directly, but with the right methods, it could be used. Plus, Wu Guang remembered that common lighting bolts could be used to refine one's body and soul. Doing so required the use of an array, one that luckily he had knowledge of how to create.

The main problem with arrays was to feed them with qi, but this one would be powered by the same bolt, so it was very feasible even with Wu Guang's current methods. After giving the idea a few spins, Wu Guang made a note to attempt it when he had the chance. The fact that refining one body forcefully and using such berserk energy would be very painful did not cross Wu Guang's mind.

Now that this was finished and considering that Wu Guang carried everything on himself, there was no need for them to return to the cabin. With the distance being only 70 miles, just over an hour if using their speed, they reached the fishing village right before dinner time, part of the plan shared by Deng Zian.

They would be staying in the only inn of the town, and make sure that the locals remember them.

As for why? It was actually all part of the plan to mislead any investigations. Neither Deng Zian's name, visage, or other details were known to people outside the High Council and a few disciples, so he would be using his original ones. Still, he would try to stay back to avoid people noticing his lack of life signs.

As for Wu Guang, who was tasked to be the main talker, before arriving at the town he would have to select a fake name. Plus, he was given and told to apply a few dies on his hair and face daily until they finished their journey.