Chapter 45: A Warning from the Past

Lu Qingyun had long since become a legendary figure in Bixiao City, having fundamentally altered the local status quo and even completely shifted the balance of power among the various factions.

As their group emerged, they immediately drew the widespread attention of the crowd, who began to speak openly without the slightest bit of restraint.

"Look at that! That is Lu Qingyun. Achieving such extraordinary heights at his age is something only a chosen few could ever accomplish!"

"Even powerhouses as formidable as the Zhao and Chu families were no match for him. It is only a matter of time before he becomes a towering figure across the entire continent."

"Why wait for the future? I hear his reputation has already spread far and wide, making him the center of attention wherever he goes!"

Hearing these remarks, Lu Qingyun felt a subtle sense of discomfort rippling through his heart.

It was not because of any innate modesty on his part, but rather his desire to avoid unnecessary scrutiny.

After all, their journey to Hanhai City was meant to be a covert mission, and it was best to steer clear of any complications.

Yet, hearing such talk made him keenly aware of the old saying that tall trees catch the wind.

He understood perfectly well that lingering here would yield no tangible benefits for him.

Even if he were to dedicate himself to bitter cultivation, the impact would be minimal at best.

The Azure Dragon Martial Soul was far too unique; without the auxiliary support of the system, advancing his cultivation level was an exceedingly difficult task.

Fatty Wang, on the other hand, was in high spirits, chuckling heartily as he spoke.

"Qingyun, I never imagined you had become this famous! Once we step outside, does this mean our meals will be completely free? Will people just be handing us gifts left and right?"

Fatty Wang was a carefree fellow with only one major flaw: his unyielding obsession with food and drink.

If he didn't enjoy his feasts, he would truly be doing his remarkable physique a great disservice.

Han Man, with whom they now shared a strong bond of camaraderie, laughed and chimed in from the side.

"What on earth are you dreaming about, Fatty Wang? Is that really the thing we should be worrying about right now?"

Lu Qingyun initially thought Han Man possessed a bit more conscience and a somewhat more practical perspective.

However, Han Man's next words left him utterly speechless.

"The road ahead of us is bound to be arduous. By the time we arrive, someone will surely activate a teleportation array specifically to welcome us and transport us directly to our destination."

"Who knows, along the way, people might even shower us with spirit jades and rare spiritual herbs..."

Listening to their fanciful daydreams, Lu Qingyun knew they were simply imagining the best possible scenarios.

After all, possessing such renown was a dream come true for many.

With fame comes immense convenience, making countless tasks much easier regardless of where one traveled.

Surrounded by the hum of discussion, Lu Qingyun led the group out of Bixiao City. Originally, he had hoped for a quiet, unceremonious departure, but as the crowd swelled, it unexpectedly transformed into a massive farewell procession.

No one could have foreseen such a spectacle—a scene unprecedented in the entire history of Bixiao City.

Among the throngs of people bidding them farewell, the only familiar face to Lu Qingyun was Li Changfeng.

As for the disciples of the sect, whether it was the senior brother or the junior sister, their perception of Lu Qingyun had completely transformed.

Li Changfeng produced a large batch of medicinal pills and spoke with utmost sincerity.

"In the chaos of recent events, I haven't had the chance to see you over the past couple of days. Given our standing, it wasn't appropriate for us to casually enter the City Lord's Mansion."

"I prepared these medicinal pills for you in advance. I truly hope you never have to use them, as they are meant for life-and-death emergencies. I leave the disciples in your care..."

As the chief disciple of the sect, Xu Feng felt a heavy pang of reluctance in his heart, knowing full well that this journey would be fraught with danger and unpredictability.

With tears shimmering in his eyes, Xu Feng addressed his master.

"Master, I swear I will never bring shame to the Heavenly Spirit Sect!"

Master and disciple embraced to bid their farewells.

Lu Qingyun retrieved his original storage ring and handed it directly to Li Changfeng.

"I don't have much to offer you in return, but these are the spiritual herbs and beast cores we managed to gather back then. I believe they will be of great use to you."

"Once I reach our destination, I won't have time for alchemy, and I cannot say when I will return. My only wish is that the next time I come back, I will hear the news that the Heavenly Spirit Sect has risen to become a major sect!"

Lu Qingyun had never anticipated that his destiny would take such a dramatic turn. He had originally expected to cultivate in peace for ten thousand years, never imagining he would become entangled in so many complex affairs.

Perhaps this was simply the will of fate. Without these turbulent trials, the system might never have granted him such generous rewards.

***

Li Changfeng was well acquainted with Lu Qingyun's resolute temperament, knowing that any attempt at refusal would be utterly meaningless.

"Very well. I wish you all a safe and smooth journey. I, too, shall strive to elevate the Heavenly Spirit Sect to the pinnacle of the continent!"

With their farewells concluded, Lu Qingyun led his companions away. He had never expected that he would only spend a few short days in such a prosperous city.

Though his interactions had been brief, Lu Qingyun had gained a great deal.

The very moment they stepped beyond the boundaries of Bixiao City, a subtle yet profound shift occurred within their hearts.

When he first left his family estate, he had been entirely alone. Now, flanked by so many companions, Lu Qingyun felt a genuine warmth in his chest.

Given their current pace, traveling on foot to Hanhai City would take at least half a month.

The journey required crossing a vast expanse of the ocean with no shortcuts available.

Hanhai City was a remarkably independent city—or rather, an island fortress!

In the past, Hanhai City had possessed its own teleportation array, but to guarantee the absolute safety of its inhabitants, it had long since been destroyed.

While other cities possessed docks leading toward it, traveling to Hanhai City was only possible by boarding a ship.

Lu Qingyun and his companions soon arrived at the docks. Fatty Wang spoke with irrepressible excitement.

"I never imagined I would actually get to visit Hanhai City. This is a place countless people dream of reaching! Every cultivator across the continent yearns to undergo trials here!"

"Furthermore, Hanhai City is strictly segregated. Every realm of cultivation has its own designated territory..."

As an experienced cultivator, Fatty Wang possessed a deep understanding of the region, along with numerous personal insights.

The original owner of the body Lu Qingyun now inhabited had fallen into a state of utter despair after losing his cultivation, abandoning all curiosity about the wider world.

Consequently, Lu Qingyun's knowledge of these regions was virtually blank; the previous owner was, for all practical purposes, a cripple.

Listening to Fatty Wang's enthusiastic introduction, Lu Qingyun felt genuinely pleased, his eyes gleaming with surprise and intrigue.

Meng Li had been quietly observing Lu Qingyun all the while, a gentle smile playing on her lips.

"I always get the feeling you are endlessly curious about everything. Did you really not know any of this? These are things we learn from childhood."

"With a martial soul as formidable as yours and an intellect surpassing ordinary men, you must have been the focal point of your family's cultivation efforts. How could you be entirely unaware of these basic facts?"

Though they had known each other for some time, their circumstances had rarely permitted such casual, leisurely conversations.

After all, Lu Qingyun had constantly found himself on the precipice of danger, without a single moment to spare.

Realizing they could not afford to keep focusing the spotlight solely on him, Lu Qingyun offered a reassuring smile and replied smoothly.

"I contracted a strange illness when I was young, and as a result, I lost many of my childhood memories..."

Lu Qingyun was entirely making it up on the spot, yet his delivery was impeccably earnest.

He figured that masking the truth with a convenient lie was far safer and more likely to maintain their trust than revealing his actual background.

His companions listened with rapt attention, their hearts filled with genuine sympathy for him. Not a single doubt crossed their minds, for strange and inexplicable maladies were a common occurrence across the continent.

Xu Feng chimed in softly from the side.

"Brother Lu really does lack knowledge of many things. Back when we were at the Wind and Cloud Gorge, so many chaotic events occurred..."

Having inadvertently found a common topic of conversation, the atmosphere among them lightened considerably, and they arrived at the docks in high spirits.

Given that Bixiao City served as the continent's epicenter for medicinal alchemy, reaching the harbor was remarkably convenient.

The entourage accompanying Lu Qingyun was not particularly large.

After all, this port was a hub for countless transactions; people flocked here driven by the pursuit of profit, eager to trade for whatever resources they desired.

The crowd was a chaotic mix of aristocratic family members, mercenary groups, and wandering sect disciples—a veritable melting pot of all walks of life.

A sprawling, lively marketplace had formed right beside the docks.

However, the goods sold here were vastly different from the refined and orderly offerings of a formal auction house.

Many of the items traded in this open-air market were crude counterfeits or outright imitations!

At that moment, Lu Qingyun turned to Meng Li's father with a polite smile.

"Uncle Meng, if there is anything you require, please do not hesitate to speak up. We have plenty of spirit jades!"

In truth, the exchanges between the two men had been somewhat sparse. Meng Tianhai simply smiled and waved a hand in refusal.

"There is no need. Though the Meng family has fallen from grace, we still possess enough spirit jades to purchase a few modest items. Feel free to spend as you wish, and do not view me as some venerable elder standing on ceremony."

"Had we not crossed paths with you, it is terrifying to imagine what fate would have befell the two of us..."

Noticing the trace of sorrow lingering in the older man's eyes, Lu Qingyun knew he must be recalling the painful memories of the past.

The Meng family had once possessed the ability to forge divine artifacts; what manner of rare and wondrous treasures had they not witnessed in their prime? When would they have ever needed someone else to buy things for them?

In contrast, the Lu family was far from a prominent clan, and Lu Qingyun himself had previously been considered a nobody.

He suddenly realized his earlier remark might have lacked tact, yet he showed no sign of awkwardness, maintaining instead a warm and encouraging smile.

"Uncle Meng, I believe that once the past is gone, it is best left behind rather than dwelled upon. Only by hitting rock bottom can one bounce higher and fly further!"

"Since the Meng family possesses such extraordinary craftsmanship, I am certain that reclaiming your former glory will be no difficult feat. Don't you agree?"

Just as a wave of melancholy began to wash over Meng Tianhai, Lu Qingyun's words swept it away, leaving a sudden surge of warmth in their wake.

It felt as though this young man possessed a unique, intangible magic—in his eyes, no obstacle was truly insurmountable.

Conversing cheerfully, the group basked in an atmosphere of lightheartedness and peace.

Having endured one crisis after another, they naturally relished the rare opportunity to unwind.

After purchasing a few necessary items at the marketplace and mindful of the journey ahead, they made their way toward the base of a massive vessel moored at the pier.

The enormous ship was constructed entirely of heavy timber, yet towering several stories above its deck was a structure resembling a miniature pavilion, making the vessel feel less like a boat and more like a mobile island.

Capable of accommodating tens of thousands of passengers, its immense scale made complete sense given that the voyage to their destination would take half a month.

Just as the group stood beneath the looming hull, marveling at its scale, a thoroughly grating and obnoxious voice pierced the air from behind them.

"Hey, hey, hey! What do you lot think you're doing? Blocking the path like this? If you don't have enough spirit jades to board, get lost and clear the way for Young Master Cui!"

Hearing such arrogant tones, Lu Qingyun felt an immediate surge of disgust. However, tempered by his experiences in Bixiao City, he firmly believed that avoiding unnecessary trouble was far better than seeking it out.

Fatty Wang instantly flared up, moving to step forward and argue the point, but Lu Qingyun quickly reached out and restrained him.

"Don't act rashly. Just let them pass."

Lu Qingyun's restraint was by no means a sign of cowardice; rather, it left his companions inwardly stunned.

In such a short span of time, he had matured remarkably, even altering his approach to handling conflicts.

Turning around, they spotted a dozen or so young men dressed in embroidered brocade robes, adorned with jade belts.

Their attire was exquisitely crafted, the intricate embroidery bearing testament to the exorbitant value of the garments.

At the head of the group strode a pale-complexioned young man. Were it not for his utterly bloodless complexion, his facial features would have been considered quite striking.

This arrogant leader was precisely the person they had just heard mentioned: Young Master Cui, otherwise known as Cui Jue!

Meng Li leaned in close to Lu Qingyun's ear and whispered a warning.

"He is from Hanhai City..."

Hearing this, Lu Qingyun became even more determined to avoid crossing paths with them.

Having learned from past lessons, he had no desire to spawn extraneous complications!

Cui Jue noticed that the strangers showed no hostile intent, and observing their relatively modest attire, his eyes filled with overt disdain.

However, just as he and his entourage were about to brush past them, one of his lacklings muttered a few words into his ear.

Cui Jue whipped his head around to stare directly at Meng Li, a look of lecherous greed flashing across his face, accompanied by a sinister grin.

He abruptly turned back, pointed a finger directly at Meng Li, and spoke in an overbearing, tyrannical tone.

"Name your price. How many spirit jades will it take for you to sell her to me?"

Meng Li had been raised within a prestigious aristocratic family, and though she had endured hardship over the years, nothing could obscure her innate beauty.

Just as Meng Li's expression hardened in preparation to strike back, Lu Qingyun stepped calmly in front of her and replied in an unruffled tone.

"I apologize, but human beings are not commodities to be bought and sold."

"Pointing your finger directly at others like that is rather lacking in basic manners, wouldn't you say? Is this the kind of upbringing a distinguished family provides?"