A Treacherous Journey

Returning to the Imperial Residence, Lin Tian resumed his meditative cultivation. Three days would not suffice for much, as uranium ore refinement was an exceedingly complex task—a thought that immediately brought a headache. He decided to postpone it until after his current mission.

While spirit stones were no longer scarce, he lacked cultivation pills. His only option was to await the immortal cultivation trade fair, half a year away.

He retrieved Zhang Yu’s storage bag and began to sift through its contents. Besides the invitation, it contained several magical artifacts. The flying sword, being a substandard artifact, was cast aside. However, a pair of shoes caught his eye. They appeared remarkably stylish and were likely extraordinary; Zhang Yu himself had worn them to achieve such incredible speed.

After a moment’s consideration, Lin Tian took them out and slipped them on. His feet were small, yet the shoes fit perfectly, without the slightest discomfort. It was fortunate that Zhang Yu had been short in stature, allowing the shoes to be just the right size for him.

He took a few steps inside the room, feeling remarkably light. An invisible propulsion emanated from his feet, as if he had springs attached. Attempting to channel a wisp of spiritual energy into the shoes, he took a single step and instantly leaped out of the house!

“What a treasure!” Lin Tian exclaimed, delighted. These unassuming shoes possessed such astonishing properties, second only to the protective jade pendant. Driven by curiosity, he sprinted lap after lap around the Imperial Residence. Patrolling soldiers merely glimpsed a dark blur, dismissing it as a stray cat or mouse.

The shoes granted an incredibly swift running speed, allowing him to cover two or three zhang with each stride. Should he also employ a Thousand-Mile Talisman and Cloud-Treading Steps, his speed would more than double! Combined with the Tendon Gate Art and his spiritual energy-strengthening techniques, he was confident that even a Foundation Establishment cultivator would struggle to catch him.

****

Back in his room, Lin Tian resumed his meditation. The three days passed in a blink, and Qin Jiu’s repeated visits were met with a closed door. Early that morning, Lin Tian pushed open his door, just as Qin Jiu was hurrying towards him.

“Miss Yingkong! I’ve finally found you. These three days have been unbearable without you.”

“I’m heading out for a while. Did you need something, Brother Qin?”

Qin Jiu paused, taken aback. “This is a gift for Miss Luo. I wonder when you will return from your journey?”

He offered a wooden box. Lin Tian’s spiritual sense probed within, revealing a Face-Setting Pill.

“I cannot accept a gift without earning it, especially given your exceptional care for me, Brother Qin.”

Qin Jiu seemed slightly embarrassed. Indeed, he had been growing too close to Lin Tian recently. After a moment of contemplation, he still pressed the Face-Setting Pill into Lin Tian’s hand, changing his tone. “A gift from this prince is never taken back.”

“Then… I shall accept it. There is a clear distinction between immortals and mortals, Prince Qin. Perhaps you should not be overly enthusiastic. This trip should not take too long.” Lin Tian tucked away the wooden box and walked towards the residence exit. His words were clear, quashing any notions the prince might have of pursuing him.

Qin Jiu stood rooted to the spot, watching Lin Tian’s retreating figure, his gaze turning cold.

****

Outside the capital city, the flow of people was considerable. Lin Tian’s spiritual sense swept through, quickly locating Qian Yuling. The other woman had also spotted him. Without a word, the two began walking towards the distance.

Jiaofeng had been in a deep slumber during this period. Ever since consuming that Spirit Cultivation Pill, it had not awakened.

“Fellow Daoist Luo?”

“What is it?”

“There’s no one else around. Isn’t it awkward to remain silent?”

Lin Tian nodded. “Then, Fellow Daoist Qian, could you tell me about the immortal world?”

“Of course,” Qian Yuling replied, continuing to walk. “I am a disciple of the Lingyun Sect, skilled in investigative techniques and gathering information from various places. You’ve certainly asked the right person. What would you like to know?”

Unexpectedly, this woman belonged to a sect. Lin Tian mused for a moment. “I am but a rogue cultivator, with limited knowledge. As you know, I previously acquired a piece of Purple Gold Iron, but I’m unsure how to forge it.”

“Oh? Fellow Daoist Luo, with such cultivation at such a young age, your aptitude must be excellent. You could try joining a cultivation sect to utilize their earth fire for refining. Alternatively, you could pay spirit stones to commission someone else to forge it,” Qian Yuling suggested.

“It’s not that I’m unwilling to join a sect, but the world is vast, and I know not where to seek one,” Lin Tian replied, shaking his head.

“That’s quite normal. To avoid disturbing the mortal world, the major sects collectively established an agreement: they are not to interfere with mortal life. Any violation will result in a full sect-wide manhunt. So, it’s perfectly normal that you haven’t found a sect’s location.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Tian suddenly recalled Zhang Yu’s rampage on Mount Mufu and his own act of killing. He asked, startled, “There’s such a rule?”

“Oh, it’s not that strict, really. As long as one doesn’t flaunt their malevolence, it’s usually fine,” Qian Yuling continued. “We are located on the Kunyuan Continent. The State of Wu is a small border country within the Kunnan Region. There are only four major sects nearby: Lin Yin Mountain, Lingyun Sect, Hantian Valley, and Huangsha Hill.”

Lin Tian listened in silence. He had never ventured beyond the State of Wu, which was quite expansive, yet he now learned it was merely a small border nation.

“There are also some cultivation families. While their power doesn’t rival the great sects, each possesses unique strengths and specialties. If Fellow Daoist Luo wishes to join a sect, you could try your luck at Autumn Leaf Valley in half a year.”

Autumn Leaf Valley? Wasn’t that the location of the gathering he intended to attend?

“Thank you for your guidance, Fellow Daoist Qian. May I ask how long it will take to reach Mount Luo?”

“What’s the hurry? We have plenty of time. We can walk slowly and arrive in about a week.”

Qian Yuling seemed nonchalant. Spotting a carriage approaching in the distance, she quickly jogged over to strike up a conversation. The coachman was an old man with a kind smile. After exchanging a few words, Qian Yuling hopped onto the carriage and waved to Lin Tian.

Sighing softly, Lin Tian followed suit.

“You two young ladies are truly beautiful. My daughter is also around your age.”

Having caught a ride, Qian Yuling chatted animatedly with the old man, while Lin Tian found himself with a growing headache. He disliked both old people and children; talking to them was always an effort.

The two continued their journey, chatting and walking, eventually bidding farewell to the old man. They traversed rivers and crossed mountains, finally catching sight of Mount Luo a few days later.

During this time, the two had grown closer, and Lin Tian’s understanding of this world deepened. He possessed a heart of exploration. Once he elevated his cultivation and attained eternal life, he could pursue whatever he desired. Perhaps his transmigration here was not a misfortune after all; many unknowns awaited him.

Moreover, there was nothing left to miss in his previous life.

****

The morning sun bathed the mountain forest. Two women stood on a hillside: one with black hair cascading to her waist, a faint smile gracing her features; the other with white hair draped over her shoulders, his expression somewhat blank but undeniably endearing.

Qian Yuling shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand, observing the forest below. In a place so rarely trodden by humans, there stood a pavilion!

“Fellow Daoist Luo, let us first go there for a cup of water. It wouldn’t be too late to depart afterward.”

“I brought water,” Lin Tian began, rummaging through his storage bag, but Qian Yuling grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the pavilion.

“Come on! It’s better to be well-rested before breaking through formations!”

****

They jogged to the pavilion, finding its main door tightly shut. Lin Tian’s spiritual sense probed within, detecting a faint ripple of spiritual energy, though he couldn’t discern it clearly.

“There’s something peculiar here. It might be better not to enter.” Lin Tian subtly stepped back half a pace.

“What are you afraid of? Let’s go! Let’s take a look inside.” Qian Yuling pulled him along and pushed the door open.

The moment they stepped inside, a putrid odor assailed them. A thick layer of dust covered the wooden table in the main hall, clearly indicating it had been untended for a very long time.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, an arrow shot forth from the mouth of a statue directly ahead! Lin Tian, already on high alert, reacted swiftly, pulling Qian Yuling behind him to dodge the projectile.

“I knew there was something strange! Let’s get out of here quickly!”

Thump, thump, thump! Qian Yuling condensed spiritual energy and fiercely tapped Lin Tian’s back several times.

“Fellow Daoist Qian, what is the meaning of this?” Lin Tian’s meridians were sealed, preventing him from gathering spiritual energy. His body was paralyzed, and any attempt to move brought excruciating pain. Forcing himself free might prove dangerous.

“Well done!”

A hoarse voice, belonging to an old woman, emanated from the statue’s location. It sounded tinged with surprise and delight, but in this situation, Lin Tian’s heart hammered within his chest.

“My apologies, Fellow Daoist Luo. I was forced into this…”

“Qian Yu, you may step down,” the old woman’s voice resonated once more.

“Yes!”