Spells Grinding: From Basic Sparks to Divine Arts

Chapter 285: The Time to Depart

RUMBLE—!

The gale roared like a pack of wolves, howling with the ferocity of a thousand lions. The violent winds tore at the earth, ripping boulders from the ground and hurling them into the sky. Invisible wind blades sliced through the air, pulverizing the surrounding rock walls into fine dust.

Wherever the storm passed, devastation followed. It was a scene of absolute chaos.

Qin Lu hovered in mid-air, gazing at the terrifying vortex he had unleashed. A satisfied smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

“The power of the [Wind Pillar Technique]… truly immense.”

He clenched his fist, feeling the hum of spiritual energy in his meridians.

“And the [Earth Fire Technique]… after the upgrade, it can generate flames out of thin air, completely breaking the limitation of needing solid ground to activate. It makes the attack impossible to predict.”

“With this level of strength, I should have enough self-preservation ability to travel safely.”

Qin Lu nodded to himself.

After two months of grueling, secluded cultivation, his strength had taken a massive leap forward. He finally had the confidence to venture into the dangerous frontier of the “Weitian Realm.”

After a quick cleanup of his secret training grounds, Qin Lu took to the skies, flying back toward the White Jade Market.

…

Upon returning to the market, Qin Lu went straight to the Gu residence to find Gu Yue.

Sensing she was in deep meditation within her secret chamber, he didn’t disturb her. Instead, he sat quietly at her desk, brewing a pot of tea and waiting patiently.

Before long, the door to the secret chamber opened. Gu Yue stepped out, her expression serene and elegant. Dressed in a simple white gown, her peerless beauty gave her an air of ethereal detachment, as if she remained untouched by the dust of the mortal world.

“You’re here?” Gu Yue walked gracefully to the desk and sat opposite him.

Qin Lu set down his teacup. He wasn’t in the mood for his usual playful banter. He straightened his posture and looked her in the eye.

“I’ve decided. I set off tomorrow.”

Gu Yue’s movements faltered. The tea in her cup rippled slightly. She knew exactly what “setting off” meant—he had told her about his quest to find a Spirit Land long ago.

“So soon?” she asked softly, a trace of reluctance in her voice.

“It’s time.” Qin Lu leaned back in his chair, clasping his hands behind his head. “These past few months have been productive. I’ve grown much stronger. I’m ready.”

“Ai…” Gu Yue sighed lightly, nodding with a helpless smile. “True. Knowing your personality, you wouldn’t leave unless you were absolutely certain…”

She paused, then looked at him earnestly.

“While I’m gone, I’ll have to trouble you to look after the sect.”

“Don’t worry about that.” Gu Yue fell silent for a moment before adding, “Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you? Or perhaps take Little Can or Little Lu? We are all Foundation Establishment cultivators now; we could be of some help.”

“No. Absolutely not.”

Qin Lu shook his head firmly, rejecting the suggestion without hesitation.

“This journey is unpredictable and fraught with danger. More people means larger targets and more complications. It is safer for me to move alone.”

If this were the past, he would have welcomed the backup. As Gu Yue said, there was safety in numbers.

But the calculus had changed.

He had become too strong.

In the past, fighting alongside a peer meant mutual support. Now, his strength far surpassed theirs. Whether it was Gu Can or Lu Anchen at the Early Stage, or even Gu Yue at the Mid Stage, they could offer little assistance in a fight that threatened Qin Lu.

To put it bluntly: if they encountered an enemy Qin Lu couldn’t handle easily, his companions would become liabilities. He would have to split his focus to protect them, drastically lowering his own chances of escape.

Solo, he was untethered.

If he met a foe he couldn’t defeat, he could simply activate the [Gold Escape Technique] and vanish. He didn’t need to worry about leaving anyone behind.

“Alright then…” Gu Yue accepted his refusal without argument. She understood the logic, even if she didn’t like it.

“My plan is to head to Qinghua City first,” Qin Lu continued, outlining his itinerary. “From there, I’ll take a heavy-transport spirit boat to Jishi Prefecture. Once I reach the border of the Nine Truths Region, I’ll cross over into the Weitian Realm.”

He had memorized the maps and routes from the ancient texts. His path was chosen carefully to avoid known danger zones. He had no interest in reckless exploration.

Gu Yue frowned, her concern evident. “I’ve heard the Weitian Realm is chaotic right now. Sects are springing up like mushrooms, and rogue cultivators from two regions are flooding in. It’s a lawless place. For you to go there…”

“Don’t worry. I am prepared. I have the ability to protect myself,” Qin Lu reassured her.

“No!”

Gu Yue suddenly extended her arm. With a gentle wave of her hand, a lush, emerald-green leaf materialized in the air between them.

“Take this. Keep it on you at all times. When you are out in the world, you must have a trump card!”

“This…” Qin Lu stared at the artifact, stunned. Then his expression turned serious. “Gu Yue, I can’t. I gave the [Shifting Green Leaf] to you. Taking it back now… besides, I have my own escape methods. You don’t need to worry.”

“Can your escape methods compare to a Third Grade spatial artifact?”

“Uh… no, they can’t,” Qin Lu admitted honestly.

Even with his [Gold Escape Technique] at Legendary proficiency, it paled in comparison to the [Shifting Green Leaf] in terms of sheer distance and instant activation. Professional escape tools were professional for a reason.

Gu Yue looked at him, her gaze intense and unyielding. “Then take it. I will be staying in the safety of the market; I won’t encounter any danger here. You are the one walking into the unknown. This artifact belongs with you.”

Seeing the sincere worry in her eyes, Qin Lu felt a warmth spread through his chest. He hesitated for a moment longer, then nodded. He reached out and stored the [Shifting Green Leaf] in his storage artifact.

She was right. It was safer this way.

“Alright. When I return, I’ll bring you a new gift to replace it,” Qin Lu said with a brilliant smile.

“Mhm!” Gu Yue’s expression softened into tenderness.

…

That night, Qin Lu gathered the entire Qin Sect for a farewell banquet at his manor.

When he announced his departure the next day, the mood was surprisingly festive. Everyone came forward to toast him, offering auspicious wishes for a smooth journey.

There was no fear on their faces.

After witnessing Qin Lu’s repeated victories and miraculous rise, his followers had developed a blind, unshakable faith in his strength. They believed their Sect Leader would return safe and sound, just as he always did.

Seeing their confidence, Qin Lu felt his spirits soar. He let go of his usual restraint, drinking bowl after bowl of wine, laughing and singing with his people.

After drinking, sing loud and be free; let the idle worries at the door be.

By the end of the night, Qin Lu was thoroughly, happily drunk. With Gu Yue’s help, he stumbled to bed and fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.