After bidding farewell to Xiao Yi Xian, Yun Tianming prepared to depart immediately for the Tager Desert.
The closest major city was Black Rock City, located in the eastern province of the Jia Ma Empire. Previously, when Yun Tianming set out from the Imperial Capital to Wu Tan City, he also passed through Black Rock City because only such large cities were equipped with flying transport centers.
Although Yun Tianming could use the Dark Wings to fly, the consumption of the Flying Dou Technique was too great, and it easily attracted attention, leading to unnecessary trouble.
Therefore, Yun Tianming followed the usual procedure and arrived at the flying transport station in Black Rock City. The bustling and noisy crowd, queuing up and jostling together, inevitably led to collisions and friction. People were arguing and cursing at each other, and some even resorted to street fighting, using their fists to settle disputes.
"This scene seems familiar," Yun Tianming commented as he bypassed the crowded queue and headed towards another spacious entrance.
"Sir, this is the exclusive VIP channel. The ticket price for the same journey is five times that of the commoner area," a glamorous woman in uniform greeted him with a professional smile at the entrance. However, Yun Tianming could see the contempt and disdain hidden behind her fake smile.
Yun Tianming glanced at his clothes. After half a year in the Magic Beast Mountains, his black robe was already tattered, making him look like a ragged wanderer. It was no wonder he was being looked down upon. He didn't bother to waste words on this and directly took out a small bag of gold coins from his Spatial Ring, throwing it onto the counter.
The receptionist's expression froze for a moment, and her fake smile instantly turned into a genuine one. "Dear guest, may I ask which city you are traveling to?"
"Tager Desert," Yun Tianming replied.
"Tager Desert? Please wait a moment, sir."
The receptionist seemed somewhat unfamiliar as she checked the map on the counter, confirmed the destination, and said, "Mo City, on the eastern border of the empire, is the closest city to Tager Desert. Due to the low passenger flow, flights on flying beasts are only available every three days. You've come at just the right time, sir."
Upon learning that he had money on him, the receptionist intentionally or unintentionally tried to get closer, appearing very enthusiastic.
Yun Tianming couldn't be bothered with such a minor character who he didn't even know her name. After receiving the ticket for the flying beast ride, he quietly waited for the departure time.
After a while, a middle-aged man in luxurious brocade robes arrived at the VIP counter.
"Beautiful lady, please give me a ticket to Mo City," he requested.
The man spoke frivolously and didn't keep his hands to himself. He directly grabbed the receptionist's hand and shamelessly fondled it.
Surprisingly, the receptionist not only didn't resist but also leaned in voluntarily.
"Oh my, isn't this the famous Master Fei Lei?" the woman said as she twirled her fingers around the four golden stripes on his chest, her flirtatious gaze practically offering herself.
Yun Tianming watched the scene unfold with amusement, thinking to himself: "So he's an Alchemist, and a Fourth-Rank one at that. No wonder he's acting all high and mighty with this woman."
"You shameless flirt, go away. I still need to save my energy to have fun with the Snake Women in Mo City!" Fei Lei pushed away the receptionist with a laugh, his palm adorned with three valuable Spatial Rings, and slammed the table. "Hurry up and get me a ticket, and I want to charter a flight!"
"Yes, Master Fei Lei, remember to have some fun with me when you come back~"
The receptionist glanced at Yun Tianming waiting nearby and said cautiously, "Um, I'm very sorry, Master Fei Lei. The flying beast heading to Mo City already has a passenger."
"Oh, who's the fellow practitioner?" Fei Lei's eyes gleamed as he scanned the surroundings, finally fixing his gaze on Yun Tianming.
"Hmph! A wet-behind-the-ears kid like you wants to go to Mo City for excitement?" Mo City was a border city of the Jia Ma Empire, with a small permanent population and harsh natural conditions. Normally, few people would willingly go there. However, it was close to Tager Desert and near the territory of the Snake People Tribe. Mercenaries often went there to capture Snake Women to sell as slaves. Some wealthy individuals with specific fetishes were willing to pay a hefty price to buy Snake Women for their entertainment.
"None of your business."
Facing the idiot who started cursing right away, Yun Tianming naturally wouldn't be polite with him.
"Hey! You've got guts, daring to talk to me like that!" Fei Lei chuckled and gave him a thumbs-up.
The receptionist on the side, however, broke out in a cold sweat on her forehead. From what she knew, this Master Fei Lei was not someone with a good temper. Several years ago, a mercenary group in Black Rock City had offended Fei Lei, and he, as a Fourth-Rank Alchemist, had rallied a Dou Spirit and four Dou Grandmasters to completely wipe out the mercenary group!
Yun Tianming swept his Soul Perception.
2-Star Dou Spirit, with fluctuating Dou Qi in the body, likely boosted by Pills along the way, but the actual combat strength had a lot of room for doubt.
"Huh?" Fei Lei also used Soul Perception but couldn't discern the aura from Yun Tianming.
Yun Tianming's mind moved, retracting his soul shield voluntarily.
"I see!" Fei Lei finally saw Yun Tianming's true strength.
"A 9-Star Dou Master! Impressive for his age! No wonder he's so arrogant; turns out he's a remarkable genius!" Fei Lei's expression changed slightly, and a strong sense of jealousy arose in his heart. Because at the same age as Yun Tianming, he was only a small Dou Practitioner, and the gap between them wasn't just half a star.
"Hello, sir. According to Jia Ma Empire's favorable policy towards Alchemists, you can ride the exclusive flying beast in the VIP area for free. Would you mind giving it to Master Fei Lei?" Seeing the tense atmosphere between the two, the receptionist quickly stepped in to mediate, although her stance undoubtedly favored Fei Lei.
"That's true, but everything has an order. The empire's policy doesn't require others to give up their flying beast seats for Alchemists," Yun Tianming calmly countered.
"I..." The receptionist looked embarrassed. While the logic was there, the person in question was a noble Alchemist, couldn't you be a bit more tactful?
"Get lost! This is none of your business!" Fei Lei's face darkened as he shooed away the receptionist, his gaze fixed firmly on Yun Tianming. He spoke unkindly, "Kid, regardless of your background, today I'll teach you a lesson on behalf of your elders and discipline you, you ignorant brat!"
Since Fei Lei didn't know where Yun Tianming came from, he didn't immediately resort to violence. However, he was confident in his identity as a fourth-grade Alchemist in Jia Ma Empire; even if the other party came from a powerful faction, he wasn't afraid!
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