Chapter Three: The Andromeda Galaxy

“Brother Yi, you’re just too cautious. As they say, fortune favors the bold—everything of value demands a price. High risk often brings high reward. I believe it’s worth a try. Besides, if we find something valuable, it’ll be easier to make our way in the Celestial Realm after ascension,” Qian Renzhen voiced his support for Shi Bushi’s proposal.

“That’s right, Brother Qian makes a good point. And we still have Kuafu’s diary jade slip. Brother Yi, ascension can happen anytime, but opportunities like this don’t come often. If we let this one slip by, we might never get another chance,” Bai Jiegan agreed.

“I think it’s doable. As I recall, Kuafu’s cultivation back then was only at the mid-stage Grand Ascension level. Whatever he encountered shouldn’t be too difficult for us now,” Wan Lilu, confident in his own abilities, also sided with their decision.

“Well, since you’re all so determined, I won’t object. But I’ll reserve my opinion,” Yi Mishui said after a long sigh, clearly uneasy. Deep down, he still couldn’t shake his worries. After all, whether Kuafu had died or ascended was still a mystery.

Two centuries prior, the five of them had ventured to Kuafu’s final retreat on Kuafu Star, exploring thoroughly but making no major discoveries. Shi Bushi, however, had picked up a dozen or so jade slips. At the time, he glanced at two, which contained material collections and classifications from the cultivation world, so he tossed the rest into a corner, considering them all of a kind. Only when the five planned their joint ascension did Shi Bushi finally go through his collection, categorizing them, and only then did he discover Kuafu’s diary slip—leading to their current endeavor.

“Wait a moment. Since we’re heading into an adventure, we should be fully prepared and consider all possible outcomes—good or bad. That’s the only way to avoid mishaps,” Yi Mishui quickly interjected, seeing the others ready to depart immediately.

“Haha, Brother Yi is as thoughtful as ever. Let’s return and make the necessary preparations. Tomorrow we’ll meet here and set out together for Horse Tail Star,” Qian Renzhen chuckled. The four transformed into streaks of colored light and departed. Yi Mishui watched them go and sighed. In truth, he didn’t want to go at all, but… for the sake of friendship, he would risk anything. He could only comfort himself with that thought.

Horse Tail Star was the most remote habitable planet in the Pegasus System. There grew a plant called horse tail grass, famed for its unique properties. A cultivator in seclusion could place a pot of horse tail grass in their chamber to accelerate their cultivation. Even keeping it near one’s bedside while sleeping would gradually and automatically improve one’s spiritual progress. For cultivators below the Nascent Soul stage, it was an invaluable aid to advancement. Thus, despite its remoteness, many cultivators used the transmission array left by Kuafu to come here, just for a pot of horse tail grass. Of course, acquiring it was no simple task.

“Greetings, honored seniors. I didn’t expect to see you all again so soon,” the cultivator guarding the transmission array to Horse Tail Star hurried forward to pay his respects upon seeing Yi Mishui and his companions arrive. The ancient array consumed vast resources; even receiving a transmission required one-twentieth the original cost in spirit stones to function properly. Without this, transmission could fail, which is why every ancient array had a permanent attendant.

“Oh, it’s Xiao Zhang! You’ve been stationed at Horse Tail Star all this time? It’s been two centuries now. Well done—few are willing to serve here for so long,” Yi Mishui said to the guard.

“Our visit this time is prompted by a major discovery. Zhang Junbao, please go notify everyone: the ancient array on Horse Tail Star will be closed for now. Let’s set the closure for ten days. Also, use the voice transmission array to inform the other transmission planets: Horse Tail Star is sealed for ten days,” Bai Jiegan instructed.

“Yes, I’ll notify everyone immediately!” Zhang Junbao clasped his fists and hurried off. Once he left, the five began to carefully study the ancient transmission array.

…After a long while—

“Haha, so that’s it! Kuafu was truly an eccentric—using such a method to conceal the destination of the transmission,” Wan Lilu laughed aloud, having solved the barrier Kuafu had set.

“It seems Brother Wan’s mastery of formations has reached new heights,” Shi Bushi praised.

“Haha, no need for flattery. What matters now is our journey to the Andromeda System,” Wan Lilu replied, clearly pleased by the compliment. At that moment, Zhang Junbao returned, and Wan Lilu gave him further instructions.

“Xiao Zhang, you must stand guard here without rest. Until the five of us return, do not let anyone use this array. I’ve also set the array to only receive transmissions from one location, so no one else can come through.”

“Rest assured, seniors. This is my duty—I guarantee nothing will go wrong!” Zhang Junbao promised, thumping his chest.

“Excellent. With your word, we’re reassured. I have high hopes for you,” Bai Jiegan nodded approvingly. With that, the five entered the array and activated the formation.

…Red Sleeve Star, Andromeda System—

The five were transported across the stars.

“So this is the Red Sleeve Star mentioned in the jade slip? The difference is too drastic!” Shi Bushi looked around skeptically.

“It must be the right place. Look—that must be the peculiar stone forest mentioned in the jade slip. From afar, it looks like a segmented stone dragon,” Wan Lilu pointed toward a strange forest made entirely of stone in the distance.

“But how did it end up like this? Wasn’t there supposed to be a vast red-leaf forest besides the stone forest? Now there’s nothing but rocks and dirt?” Yi Mishui frowned.

“Well, Kuafu wrote about what he saw ten thousand years ago. It’s been millennia since. Perhaps time is the cause,” Wan Lilu offered, though his explanation was unconvincing. Having come this far, they decided to search the entire Red Sleeve Star. Yet, aside from odd stones and dirt, they found nothing—not even animals or plants. The five furrowed their brows in concern.

Cautious by nature, Yi Mishui suggested, “Clearly, something terrible happened here. See how the planet looks as if it’s been plowed over? I think we ought to return.”

“No, we can’t give up halfway,” Shi Bushi objected at once. “This is only the first planet. The jade slip said Kuafu found eight resource-rich worlds in the Andromeda System, with over thirty more of lesser bounty. We can’t return empty-handed!” With Qian Renzhen and Wan Lilu’s support, the five set out for their next destination.