Chapter 2696 - Capital of Antiquitas Mortis
After accepting his payment, Tianming told them, "So, before helping you, I helped a pair of villagers in Silverfox Village. Nobody else in the Xenoabyss knows that xeno fatigue can be cured, and I’ll eventually leave Creektown. I shouldn't have to remind you of the consequences of two formerly sick people running around restored and healthy, right?"
Qi Huan nodded. "Understood! Even more powerful people will come to us for you and force us to tell them where you are. If we aren't able to give them an answer, we’ll meet with disaster. Benefactor, I know well what someone like you represents to the Xenoabyss. There’ll definitely be people that wish to use you to further their ill ends."
"That's right. That's why I have to ask the two of you to not let anyone see you in the next few years. Once more people who’ve been cured of the fatigue appear, you can come out to the public as well," Tianming said.
The matriarch hurriedly nodded. "Benefactor, don't worry. We’ve solved the most troublesome issue, so not being able to see anyone for a few years is a small price to pay. We’ll definitely obey your command."
"That's right! I need the time to go into seclusion and restore my cultivation anyway," Qi Xuan agreed. His eyes were filled with the glow of worship.
"Benefactor, rest assured that we’ll keep this secret well." They would have to keep the secret unless they thought that they would be able to make more money with him, though that option was risky as well. It would simply draw the attention of much more powerful and less civil people. Qi Huan wasn’t a fool who would make such a mistake.
Tianming nodded. He took out the Moonfang Marker and handed it to Qi Huan. "Family Leader, I have a relative that accidentally found her way into the Xenoabyss. This was all she left behind. Where will I be able to find her?"
"The Ancient Oldgod Domain?" Qi Huan held the marker with a look of shock.
"That's right. Is that a legend?"
"It is a legend, but it could also exist for real. I'm more inclined to believe that the legend is based on some truth, even though I haven't seen the place myself."
"Is it possible, then, that my relative is there?"
"If that was the message that was left behind, then yes. However, I’ve spent most of my life working for my family in Creektown and haven't traveled far from here. Benefactor, might I suggest you travel to the Antiquitas Mortis' capital? That's where the strongest cultivators of the nation gather. You’ll get much better resources and information there," Qi Huan said.
"Naturally, it's also the place with the highest concentration of fatigue-afflicted people," the matriarch added.
"Oh? You have a nation too?" Tianming asked in surprise.
"Of course," Qi Huan chuckled. "Benefactor, while we may be primitive, factions will still form if enough people gather. Antiquitas Mortis is the regional power here, and Creektown is located at its far borders. The capital is the holy land of the antiquiteans. Here's an interesting factoid: nine-tenths of all order fragments in this nation end up at the capital."
Tianming's eyes began glowing. "Are the people there strong?"
"Of course. I managed to activate my fifth cosmic chart, so I'm a fifth-level cosmic cartographer. Even then, I'm nothing but a side character compared to those in the capital," Qi Huan said.
That was quite the daunting thing to hear. They're definitely superior to Ebonia and Wondrium! Qi Xuan's cultivation level was almost comparable to Lin Lingxiao's, and he was just some bumpkin from a small town. Tianming was certain that there were many elites on the level of Shenxi Xingtian and Meng Ying here.
Looks like order fragments are quite effective. He had to go to the capital no matter what, whether it was to look for Qingyu or to get more order fragments for his cultivation. "Is there a map there?"
"There is, but the journey’s long. Benefactor, you must be adequately prepared. Not to mention, not anyone can just walk into the capital, especially not outworlders. There's even more restrictions on you," Qi Huan said.
"Then what do I do?"
"Don't worry. Our ancestors have a recommendation writ that’ll allow you to stay in the capital for three months. If you wish to lengthen your stay, use that time to reach out to someone influential that needs help. Someone like us," Qi Huan said.
"Got it."
"Here’s the writ. Please keep it well," Qi Huan said, casually handing it over.
"Thanks!"
"No, we should be the ones thanking you, Benefactor."
"That's right," the matriarch and Qi Xuan agreed.
Tianming put away the writ and paused for thought. "Family Leader, I need another favor from you."
"By all means!" Qi Huan said.
"When I was at Silverfox Village, a mother and daughter came to my aid. They offended some ruffians in the village and had no choice but to escape to Creektown. As an outworlder, it won’t be easy for me to protect them."
Before Tianming finished explaining it, Qi Huan nodded. "Leave this to me!"
"Alright. You only need to give them a safe place to live and protect them for a few years. I’ll also ask them to limit their excursions as best they can during this time."
"How about this, Benefactor," the matriarch began, "if the mother was the one that suffered from xeno fatigue and recovered, have her come to live with me. I just so happen to need someone to spend time with. As for the girl, she can cultivate with my grandson, and we'll take care of the resources she'll need. If she's still young, we can't afford to delay giving her the resources she needs to grow."
Tianming gave it some thought and agreed. They would almost certainly be safe. Qi Xuan and Beibei were his faithful believers, and he could tell that they wouldn't be mistreated by the Qi Family. "Alright, I'll bring them here."
"Let me come with you, Benefactor!" Qi Huan offered.
"Okay." Tianming had Yin Chen tell Beibei and Aunt Hua about the agreement before he arrived.
"The Blazetiger Qi Family have a rather good reputation in Creektown!" Aunt Hua was on the brink of tears. She knew that Tianming would eventually have to return to his own world as an outworlder, and had thought that, after leaving Silverfox Village, she wouldn't have a place to stay with her daughter. She definitely didn't expect him to go so far for their sake. Not to mention, Beibei could also keep cultivating! Three to five years were like mere months to them, so staying out of sight wasn't even a problem. Things couldn't have ended better!