Lifting her son onto the carriage, she gently settled him on the wooden bench before taking a seat beside him. The carriage was already occupied by a few passengers who had arrived before them.
Directly across from her sat a burly man whose presence commanded attention. His thick, braided beard framed a rugged face marred by scars. He wore a chest plate that gleamed dully in the flickering light of the oil lamp, and beside him lay a formidable axe, taller than her son.
Sitting next to the burly man were two women whose delicate features and graceful demeanour spoke of noble heritage and their likeness betrayed a familial connection.
Clad in luxurious fur-lined garments, adorned with jewels that caught the dim light and sparkled subtly when moved spoke of their wealthy status.
In the far corner of the carriage sat the final passenger, a scholar whose appearance was altogether unremarkable at first glance.
He wore a modest blue tunic, his youthful face was partly obscured by silver rimmed glasses.
Brown hair and eyes blended him seamlessly into any crowd, making him an easy candidate for anonymity among the more imposing figures.
A heavy silence hung in the air within the carriage, each passenger lost in their own thoughts. No one sought conversation and so no words were exchanged. She and her son were no exception. They sat quietly, patiently awaiting the departure, participating in the somber mood that enveloped the carriage.
Before departing the inn, she had subtly infused spiritual energy into a pair of talismans attached to their skin, triggering a transformation of their appearances.
Their once-distinctive features were replaced, both of them had now black hair and eyes, making them as common as autumn leaves—so unremarkable that they would scarcely warrant a second glance.
The modifications rendered them ordinary, almost plain, ensuring they drew no undue attention. Through experience, she had learned that those of extraordinary beauty often attracted unwanted scrutiny and trouble.
With her cultivation deliberately suppressed to the middle layer of the Basic Body Refining Stage, and her son wearing his ever-present Concealment Amulet that cloaked him in the guise of a mere mortal, they blended effortlessly into the multitude of other passengers.
She had paid a little more gold for the comfort and security of this particular carriage, ensuring not just a smoother ride but also additional protection for the journey. The carriage was sturdier, built to withstand the rigours of long travel, and offered enhanced protection against the elements.
It was also larger compared to the more common options, providing a bit more space.
The cushioned bench provided a welcome respite from the hard wooden seats typical of such journeys. Though equipped with a sturdy roof for protection against harsh weather, the carriage's design allowed the roof to be opened when needed.
It was still night, and with the roof opened, the vast expanse of the night sky was revealed. Countless stars glittered like scattered gems, offering a serene and tranquil view.
Only an incense stick's worth of time passed before the last passengers arrived—a cultivation pair whose interactions suggested a marital bond.
Their presence added to the diverse mix of travellers in the carriage.
They waited as the caravan workers moved briskly among the carriages, securing the last of the supplies and ensuring everything was in place for the journey ahead.
Despite the early hour and the bustling activity, her son had already fallen asleep again, undisturbed by the noise. Normally, he would still be sleeping at this time, so it was no wonder he had dozed off. His breathing was slow and steady, and he shifted slightly in his sleep, his head resting comfortably against her.
It didn't take long before the last preparations were completed, and the caravan began to move. The rhythmic creak of the wooden wheels and the soft jingle of harnesses filled the air as the caravan set off.
She had chosen this particular caravan for a reason. It was a standard mid-sized convoy, not overly large and not too small—perfectly balanced for safety and speed.
More importantly, the cultivators employed by this caravan approached their duties with utmost seriousness and dedication.
She had carefully observed their conduct before deciding to travel with them. Had their cargo included valuable items coveted by bandits, she would have declined their service. However, their load consisted only of simple clothing fabrics and modest metal ingots from a nearby mountain mine.
Satisfied with the nature of their cargo and reassured by the presence of two cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage, along with approximately thirty Basic Body Refining cultivators for protection, she chose to travel with them.
In this rural region, such protection was rare but not unexpected, given that the caravan was operated by a wealthy merchant family with significant influence. The quality of protection was crucial in a world rife with danger, from bandits to wild beasts.
Brushing gently a strand of hair from her sons forehead.
Her heart swelled with love and protectiveness, tempered by a constant, underlying worry. Yu'er was her most precious treasure, and she would do everything in her power to keep him safe.
They moved along the road and as the first light of dawn began to creep over the horizon, her son begun to stir, his body instinctively preparing to wake. Long before the sun fully rose, he would awaken, drawn to the suns power of the early morning.
The Qi-absorption technique he practiced was only effective at the precise moments when the sun rose, set, or stood at its zenith.
Having already reached the second stage of the Qi-Gathering Stage, he had become so attuned to the celestial body's movements that his internal cultivation resonated with the subtle shifts in the sun's path. In the beginning, she needed to guide him through the process of sensing the Qi in the environment, teaching him to draw it into his body and circulate it through his meridians.
And at first, he had relied heavily on her assistance to ensure the Qi flowed smoothly and correctly. The practice was exhausting, and Yu'er was sometimes so frustrated he wanted to give up, but gradually, he learned to calm his mind, to focus his will, and to draw the faint strands of Qi into his Dantian, the core of his being. It was slow work at first, but now he had grown competent, his mastery of the practice allowing him to harness and refine Qi with remarkable precision.
No longer did he require her help; his abilities had flourished, a testament to his unwavering dedication and natural talent. Reaching such a stage at a young age was an achievement that spoke volumes about his potential.
As the sun rose and her son continued his meditation, the hours passed in quiet serenity. The surrounding landscape gradually transformed, the plain fields near the city giving way to forested terrain.