A Narrow Escape and New Identities

“There’s definitely a major problem with the Qingyuan Sect, and it must originate from the Qingyuan Ravine.”

Su Hanxing pushed the Voidbreaker Skiff to its absolute limit. After flying over a hundred thousand li without pause, he finally allowed himself a moment to breathe. He had poured nearly all his true qi into the Voidbreaker Skiff, leaving his spiritual orifices feeling hollow and his head spinning with dizziness.

“To think a Dharma Manifestation Realm cultivator was hidden within…” Chi Qiu wiped away the blood at the corner of her mouth. Suppressing the throbbing pain in her head, she took over piloting the Voidbreaker Skiff from Su Hanxing. “From tens of thousands of li away, the power of a single shout was this potent? That person is certainly no ordinary Dharma Manifestation Realm cultivator.”

“Little Chi, how are your injuries? We’ve already left the Qingyuan Ravine by over a hundred thousand li, so there’s no need to worry about them catching up.” Seeing Chi Qiu’s pale face, yet still resolutely piloting the skiff away from the Qingyuan Ravine, Su Hanxing couldn’t help but feel a pang of worry.

“I’m fine, just some minor injuries. A brief rest once we reach a safe place will heal them completely.” Chi Qiu waved a hand, indicating she was not seriously harmed.

While the mental attack accompanying that thunderous shout caused Chi Qiu’s head to throb, the true reason for her spitting blood was the sonic wave’s damage to her internal organs. Su Hanxing’s physical body, tempered by Yinglong’s essence blood, possessed a resilience that rivaled some Primordial Spirit Treasures. Thus, the sonic wave had no discernible effect on him. Chi Qiu’s body, however, was merely that of a regular cultivator. Though far stronger than a mortal’s, she was caught off guard, sustaining some injuries from the powerful shout.

“Take this first; it will alleviate your internal injuries. We’ll head north. There’s a city there where we can rest and recover,” Su Hanxing whispered softly, retrieving a pill and bringing it to Chi Qiu’s lips.

Chi Qiu’s vermillion lips parted slightly, accepting the pill he offered. She swallowed it whole with two quick gulps. Immediately, spiritual energy surged through her, and the throbbing in her head along with the tearing sensation in her internal organs vanished without a trace.

“You should recover your true qi first. I’m fine now.” A touch of color returned to Chi Qiu’s face. She channeled true qi into the Voidbreaker Skiff beneath her feet. The skiff hummed softly and surged forward once more.

“Good.” Seeing Chi Qiu’s complexion improve significantly, Su Hanxing nodded in relief. He then pulled out a handful of true qi recovery pills, popped them into his mouth, and closed his eyes to cultivate.

Su Hanxing remained in cultivation for several hours. During this time, Chi Qiu steadily piloted the Voidbreaker Skiff towards the large city marked “Hongshan” on their map.

“Depleting and replenishing true qi so frequently is quite beneficial for cultivating one’s realm.” Su Hanxing slowly opened his eyes.

It was already midnight, and darkness enveloped their surroundings. A crescent moon hung high in the sky, casting faint specks of light below. Under its dim glow, Su Hanxing discerned Chi Qiu nearby, leaning against the skiff’s cabin. She was also cultivating, seated on a worn meditation cushion. One hand rested on the cabin beside her, channeling true qi, while the other lay on her lap. She appeared serene and beautiful.

As if sensing Su Hanxing had awakened, Chi Qiu slowly opened her eyes. She saw him sitting cross-legged less than five chi in front of her, gazing at her intently.

“How is your recovery?” Chi Qiu felt a slight discomfort under Su Hanxing’s steady gaze. She rose from the cushion, taking a small step back as she inquired.

“I’ve fully recovered, and my strength has even improved slightly.” Su Hanxing paid no mind to Chi Qiu’s subtle movement. He also stood up and moved to the cabin’s edge, continuing, “Little Chi, focus on healing your injuries. Let me pilot the Voidbreaker Skiff now.”

“Alright.” Chi Qiu nodded, then pushed open the cabin door and stepped inside, leaving Su Hanxing alone to pilot the skiff.

“Little Chi, we’ve reached Hongshan City.”

Several more hours passed before Su Hanxing knocked on the cabin door, rousing Chi Qiu from her cultivation. She rose and exited the cabin. Dawn was just breaking, and the Voidbreaker Skiff rested on the ground below. Morning mist enveloped their surroundings, and not far from them stood a colossal, crimson city gate, as grand as a mountain peak.

“What is this city called?” Chi Qiu paused, startled, as she gazed at the red city gate. She recalled being a considerable distance from Hongshan City just last night, yet in a single night, it was now within arm’s reach.

“I was worried that Dharma Manifestation Realm cultivator might pursue us, so I pushed the skiff a little faster.” Su Hanxing showed no trace of fatigue. He pointed towards the crimson city gate in the distance, continuing, “Once we’re past the gates, we’ll be safe. Hongshan City is one of the largest cities in Cuiya Commandery; very few desperadoes dare to make trouble within its walls.”

Chi Qiu nodded, then gracefully leaped from the skiff. “A crimson city gate is quite a rare sight,” she mused, stretching her legs and admiring the imposing structure.

“This is the closest major city to the Qingyuan Ravine. There might be Heart God Sect cultivators hiding here, so it’s best we conceal our appearances before proceeding.” Su Hanxing moved to Chi Qiu’s side. He circulated true qi beneath his skin, swiftly altering his facial features.

Chi Qiu nodded. Following his example, she subtly adjusted her own features, shedding her youthful innocence and gaining a touch of heroic spirit. This art of changing one’s appearance was something Su Hanxing had taught Chi Qiu after their last encounter searching for a Heart God Sect elder, specifically for unforeseen circumstances. It had certainly proven useful now.

“All visitors, please register your names and receive a token before entering the city.”

Much like the Daqi Imperial City, Hongshan City’s gates and walls were imbued with restrictions, preventing flying artifacts from soaring over them into the city proper. At the city entrance, ten passages led inward, each guarded by dozens of soldiers clad in crimson armor standing on either side. The soldiers guarding one particular passage made no effort to conceal their spiritual energy fluctuations; all of them were Spirit Nourishing Realm cultivators. Chi Qiu and Su Hanxing understood immediately. This was clearly the designated passage for cultivators entering the city.

“Name?” The person registering names was a white-haired Spirit Nourishing Realm elder. Upon seeing Chi Qiu and Su Hanxing approach, he picked up his brush and began recording while asking questions.

“Chu Tianxing.” Su Hanxing stepped forward, casually inventing a pseudonym.

“Cultivation realm?” The white-haired elder took out a token, swiftly inscribed “Chu Tianxing” onto it, and then continued his inquiry.

“God Concealing stage.” Su Hanxing extended his hand, true qi and soul power coalescing into a sphere in his palm.

Upon hearing this, the elder instantly looked up. He stared at the sphere of true qi before him, momentarily stunned, then quickly rose and handed the token to Su Hanxing.

“Fellow Daoist Chu, this is your token. Please keep it safe.” Hearing that Su Hanxing was actually a God Concealing stage cultivator, the registering cultivator’s tone instantly shifted to one of profound respect.

“Thank you, Fellow Daoist.” Su Hanxing smiled faintly as he accepted the token.

“It’s merely my duty, merely my duty…” The elder offered a sheepish smile. He then returned to his seat and looked at Chi Qiu, who stood behind Su Hanxing, asking, “Fellow Daoist, your name?”

“Qiu Yue.”

“Cultivation realm?”

“God Concealing stage.”

Chi Qiu followed suit, mixing her true qi and soul power to form a golden-blue energy sphere, which she then presented to the elder.

“Fellow Daoist Qiu, please—” The elder’s face stiffened once more. He handed another token to Chi Qiu, then made a welcoming gesture with his hand.

“Thank you.” Chi Qiu took the token, expressed her gratitude, and entered Hongshan City alongside Su Hanxing.

“Two God Concealing stage experts entering the city first thing in the morning… my old bones can’t handle such a fright,” the white-haired elder murmured softly, patting his chest as he watched Chi Qiu and Su Hanxing disappear into the distance.