Volume 14, Chapter 917 – The Beginning of the Escape

Qi Huang was momentarily stunned, then her scalp tingled. If things were really as Fang Yuan had said, then Lu Hong was already lurking somewhere in one of her “vegetable gardens”. If she went on inspection as carelessly as before, she might not even know how she died.

“If that’s really the case, then he could easily follow the clues and track down Lishui Planet.”

Feng Jiu’an’s expression turned grave.

“That depends on which specific planet he’s on. Most ghost clans on the colonial planets have no idea that Lishui Planet even exists. Many don’t even know my true identity.”

Qi Huang steadied her mind and replied.

“Not ‘most of them’. I need a definitive answer. Of the planets you’ve visited, is there any ghost clan that knows your base?”

Feng Jiu’an confirmed carefully.

“No! And even if there was, it doesn’t matter. I’ll immediately relocate Lishui Planet. He won’t be able to follow any vines to find the melon.”

Qi Huang thought for a moment, then responded calmly.

“Good. That way we’ll have enough time to prepare. As long as you don’t walk right into his trap.”

Feng Jiu’an made a precise judgment.

“But if Lishui Planet keeps jumping around, the Heavenly Court will lock onto us through the Celestial Star Chart.”

An Xuan pointed out the downside.

“That’s true, but with Lu Hong’s current state, he won’t be able to contact the Heavenly Court again. And even if he could, the Heavenly Court won’t chase us directly… at least not for some time. We’re safe for now.”

Feng Jiu’an weighed the pros and cons.

Cheng Hongling thought for a moment, then reminded Qi Huang, “You still have several doppelgängers stationed outside. Just in case, I suggest you recall them immediately. If they fall into Lu Hong’s hands, we’ll be at a serious disadvantage.”

Qi Huang agreed with the logic, and immediately sent out mental transmissions, recalling all the doppelgängers she had stationed elsewhere.

“By the way, Young Mistress, how often do you usually inspect those colonial planets?”

An Xuan asked from the side.

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“About once every three months,” Qi Huang answered truthfully.

“Then the main body must finish refining the Fengxiang Bow within those three months and fuse it with the heart fragments. Otherwise, that old man will grow suspicious.”

An Xuan analyzed with meticulous care.

“You’re right. I’ll make sure to refine it as soon as possible.”

Cheng Hongling nodded repeatedly.

“As for where that old man is now, you don’t need to stress about it. Once we’re fully prepared, we’ll search the planets one by one. He’ll show himself eventually.”

Feng Jiu’an picked up the conversation, then turned to Fang Yuan and instructed, “As for you… if possible, try to have your ancestor gather intel in the Celestial Realm. If the Heavenly Court has any plans targeting us, report back immediately.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Fang Yuan accepted the order.

With that, everyone began to carry out the plan. Feng Jiu’an helped Cheng Hongling refine the imperial weapon. Fang Yuan kept tabs on the Celestial Realm through his ancestor. Meanwhile, Qi Huang took Lishui Planet and began fleeing.

Of course, Qi Huang didn’t just run with Lishui Planet—she brought Yin Planet No. 1 along as well, since many ghost clans had already migrated there from Lishui Planet. They were her “fellow villagers”, after all. She couldn’t just leave them behind.

In a secluded forest on Yin Planet No. 72, Lu Hong had been hiding for half a month. He initially hoped to wait for a rabbit by the stump, but his physical deterioration was progressing faster than expected. He began to waver—should he act first instead?

After much consideration, Lu Hong finally left Yin Planet No. 72. He released several doppelgängers and sent them toward other suspicious planets.

A few days later, a message suddenly came from his Heavenly Soul doppelgänger.

“Main body, I’ve found that ghost-haired woman’s lair.”

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The Heavenly Soul doppelgänger reported.

“Really? Quickly, tell me everything in detail.”

Lu Hong was overjoyed.

“I went to a suspicious planet and used Divine Sense to cover every corner, monitoring the place around the clock. After a few days, sure enough, I got something. One evil spirit there said the ghost-haired woman’s lair is on a planet named Lishui in the Feima Star System.”

The Heavenly Soul doppelgänger explained.

“True or false aside, where exactly is this Feima Star System? We don’t know the first thing about this cultivation world.”

Lu Hong frowned after a moment of thought.

“Fly southwest from your position. The second star system you’ll reach is Feima. As for Lishui Planet, once you’re there, a sweep with Divine Sense should reveal it.”

The doppelgänger explained.

“Perfect. I’ll check it out first. You stay there and keep digging.”

Without hesitation, Lu Hong’s figure vanished.

Not long after, a spatial teleportation gate appeared within the Feima Star System. Lu Hong stepped out and immediately unleashed his massive Divine Sense to search. Half a day later, however, he realized… not a single living being existed here.

“How is this possible?”

Lu Hong stood frozen, his pupils trembling violently. He knew he now faced two possible scenarios. First, the clue was false, which was manageable; he could keep investigating. Second, the other side had prepared and already fled. If it was the latter…

Then where could he even go looking?

Lu Hong’s sense of crisis intensified. His figure stooped even more, and the despair grew heavier. After thinking long and hard, he decided to return to Yin Planet No. 72 and continue lurking. Maybe his enemies would come to him instead.

“Grandson… grandson…”

Just then, a familiar voice echoed in Lu Hong’s mind.

“Great-grandfather? Great-grandfather? Is that you? I’m not hearing things, right? You can contact me now?”

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Lu Hong was overjoyed, as if clutching a lifeline.

“It’s me. The Heavenly Court was moved by your noble sacrifice, so they bestowed me a magical treasure that allows us to communicate at all times.”

Lu Wei explained.

“That’s wonderful. Hearing your voice in this situation… I’m truly happy.”

Lu Hong’s voice choked slightly.

“I’m happy too. The Heavenly Emperor has issued a sacred decree. If you can eliminate those evil spirits, he will make an exception and allow you to ascend to the Celestial Realm. Without the suppression of Heavenly Dao’s will, you can live forever, even as a soul without a body.”

Lu Wei relayed the uplifting news.

“Really? Great-grandfather… does that mean I won’t have to die?”

Lu Hong trembled with excitement. The gloom on his face was swept away. He never imagined that misfortune would turn to fortune, bringing him such an incredible opportunity.

“Of course it’s true. I wouldn’t dare to forge the Heavenly Emperor’s decree.”

Lu Wei confirmed.

“That’s amazing… truly amazing… I thought I was done for this time…”

Lu Hong muttered, his body shaking.

“Be glad you didn’t flinch at the thought of death. If you had clung to life, this good fortune wouldn’t have been yours. Always remember: be loyal to the Heavenly Dao and the Heavenly Court. That’s the only path to eternal life.”

Lu Wei advised.

“Yes, yes… I will remember it well.”

Lu Hong responded repeatedly.

“Where are you now? What’s the situation?”

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Lu Wei got to the point.

“I’m in the Feima Star System…”

Lu Hong then described everything that had happened. He ended in frustration, “I have no leads on those evil spirits, and my body is deteriorating rapidly. I’m not even sure I can complete the Heavenly Court’s mission…”

“Don’t lose hope. The Heavenly Court, to support your mission, has given me full-time access to monitor the Celestial Star Chart. I’ve discovered two planets that have left their original trajectories. If I’m right, the evil spirits are on those planets. They must have learned you’ve entered the cultivation world and escaped with their lair. Head there now.”

Lu Wei ordered.

“Really? Where? I’ll go immediately!”

Lu Hong asked, overwhelmed with excitement.

“Don’t rush. I’ll guide you. Make thorough preparations before you go. Don’t let a single evil spirit slip away. Whether you live or ascend to the Celestial Realm… everything depends on your ability.”

Lu Wei warned.

Qi Huang was fleeing with the two planets, stopping and starting, but her heart remained unsettled.

‘Running blindly won’t work. If that old man still has contact with the Heavenly Court, they’ll know my movements clearly. If he comes knocking… how will I deal with him?’

Qi Huang asked herself, her unease deepening.

“No. I need to find a protective talisman.”

She bit her lip lightly and began to think hard. After a moment, her mind flashed with an idea.

‘That old man sacrificed his cultivation just to enter the cultivation world. If I drag these two planets into a lower-tier world… then how would he follow?’