Having entered Fengsui City, and crossed into the territories of Qing State, the journey was smooth and unobstructed.
The sights that met their eyes were no longer desolate mountains, but well-ordered cities.
Within the territories of the Dachu Dynasty, there were no roaming bandits or monster troubles, and occasionally, one could see streaks of dazzling white light flashing across the sky.
This, a common sight of "Sword Control travel" in the Dachu Dynasty, appeared to Deng Baiyi, who was just beginning her entry into Jianghu, as a grand spectacle she had seldom seen in Northern County—where it was much too desolate to even spot a Qi Refining Master, let alone a Sword Cultivator. Thus, whenever the caravan paused for rest, Deng Baiyi would often gaze upwards, her eyes filled with longing.
Xie Xuanyi's every word, she remembered by heart.
She wished to control her sword, to fly.
At the very least, one must cultivate to the "Qi-controlling Realm"!
For a cultivator with considerable talent, this stage could also take ten years, and for those without innate talents… they had no chance in their lifetime.
She did not know at what level her own talents were. Xie Xuanyi had never praised her, and now, having cultivated for nearly half a month, she seemed to be able only to craft a few talismans. The so-called Foundation Establishment Realm was still far away.
Regardless.
She only hoped that one day, she could become one of the white streaks flashing across the sky like a shooting star.
...
...
"In another two hours, we will arrive at Tai'an City,"
Xie Xuanyi sat meditating with his eyes closed, silently feeling his heartbeat.
In these past few days, he had already condensed two strands of golden Primordial Energy!
Judging by this pace…
Without relying on a Grotto Heaven, there wasn't the slightest chance!
He had no choice but to cast these miscellaneous thoughts aside and looked out the carriage window at the scenery.
According to the original plan.
After entering the Qing State territories, he should have taken Deng Baiyi and her party straight to Lichao City.
But now Shen Yan had joined the carriage.
And the route to Lichao City just happened to pass through Tai'an City.
Stopping in Tai'an City, completing the trade, and obtaining five Green Yuan Pills had become an opportune task.
"The closer we get to Tai'an City, the less calm my Heart Lake becomes…"
Xie Xuanyi squinted his eyes and murmured to himself, "Could it be because of Shen Yan?"
Xie Xuanyi knew that this woman surely had secrets.
However, he was not interested in Shen Yan's secrets.
Allowing Shen Yan to join the carriage was solely because Xie Xuanyi wanted to know if his journey eastward was being targeted by any unclean entities.
If so… then "it" better have the courage to show itself.
Of course, there was another reason—
That was the promise of five Green Yuan Pills from Shen Yan!
His current pace of cultivation was too slow, and Green Yuan Pills could indeed solve his urgent needs.
Normal cultivators absorb the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi for cultivation… but in some places, the amount of Primordial Qi is too scarce, hence the existence of "Primordial Energy Pills" specifically aiding cultivation.
The quality of these pills varies, and so does the amount of Primordial Energy they contain.
Beyond this.
Different cultivators take these pills, and due to their distinct conditions, their efficiency in absorbing Primordial Energy also varies.
Generally, a single Green Yuan Pill, carefully savored, is actually enough to sustain a Qi Refining Master for a month.
True geniuses do not need pills for advancement.
But those with lesser talent must rely on some additional means…
For those cultivators who lack talent but come from a wealthy background, consuming pills is not shameful.
Xie Xuanyi sighed deeply.
He had ultimately become the kind of existence he once most despised.
Back in the day, even if the Dachu Royal Family personally awarded him, it could not make him bow or bend his knee…
Now, for a mere five Green Yuan Pills, he had lowered his noble head.
"Mr. Xie."
Nearing Tai'an City, Shen Yan came back again. This time she was different from before, no longer exaggerating her affections, and her dress and accessories were much "tidier and cleaner."
"We're almost at Tai'an now. I've specifically come to express my thanks this time."
Shen Yan sat next to Xie Xuanyi and spoke softly, "In any case, thank you for escorting me into the city…"
"It's nothing, just a small effort,"
Xie Xuanyi smiled slightly, "If Miss Shen truly feels grateful, just proceed with the agreed payment."
"Of course,"
Shen Yan spoke earnestly, "Deputy City Lord of Tai'an City, Xu You, is a life-and-death friend of my father. I've already taken the brush and ink from Lord Deng on the way here, sent a pigeon letter to Tai'an City, and unless anything unforeseen occurs… it won't be long before Tai'an City sends people to pick us up, and the rest of the journey should pose no danger."
This assurance was as firm as it was guaranteed.
Even Deng Baiyi, who had always been suspicious of Shen Yan, was somewhat convinced.
Is the road ahead free of danger?
Xie Xuanyi smiled without speaking.
He was well aware that the road ahead was indeed the most dangerous.
The closer they got to Tai'an City, the stronger the sense of danger in his heart became.
Xie Xuanyi was genuinely curious about what secrets and reserves this "fragile woman," whom he had met by chance, possessed.
Indeed.
About two hours later, extremely intense sounds of horse hooves came from the distance.
Deng Baiyi narrowed her eyes and saw on the distant horizon a troop of iron cavalry charging towards them.
This was the first time she had seen such a display.
Although she had encountered the Copper Scale Guards and Big Spear Soldiers in Fengsui City, they displayed no malice after revealing her identity. However, the distant iron cavalry exuded a chilling coldness!
Deng Baiyi immediately felt nervous!
"Do not worry."
Xie Xuanyi calmly said, "They are not enemies."
Although they were a mile away,
through the Primordial Energy, Xie Xuanyi could clearly sense the spirited aura of these iron cavalry; their iron armor gleamed with cold light, unquestionably, they were true warriors who had experienced battles of life and death. However, their current rapid charge was merely to achieve speed, with no intention of drawing swords.
Of course.
Even if these men intended to attack, there was nothing to fear.
These men alone were not enough to make Xie Xuanyi feel "endangered."
In other words, the real danger did not lie with them.
Indeed.
As the iron cavalry approached the Deng family's carriage team, they began to slow down. The leader was a young man, clad in green armor and a green helmet, handsome in appearance. He raised his hand, and the entire troop of iron cavalry abruptly decreased their speed, finally stopping very "amicably" in front of the lineup of carriages. Deng Baiyi nervously alighted from the carriage, attempting to greet him, but the leader ignored him and walked briskly to the last carriage, lifting the curtain.
The first person he saw was Xie Xuanyi.
The handsome young man's expression was impassive; after a glance, he quickly shifted his gaze. He looked at the woman next to Xie Xuanyi and asked softly, "Miss Shen?"
"It is I."
Shen Yan exclaimed with joy, "Brother Jing, you're here! It's been a long time, how have you been?"
"I have been quite well in Tai'an City,"
The young man smiled knowingly, "But what about you? Have you suffered on this journey? Have you been wronged?"
What kind of question was that?
Always hot-tempered, Deng Baiyi's eyebrows shot up, and she was about to erupt.
But Xie Xuanyi stopped her with an invisible force of Primordial Energy pressing on her shoulder, rendering her unable to stand.
"Of course not..."
Shen Yan paused, then hurriedly introduced, "Mr. Xie, this is Xu Jing, the adopted son of Mr. Xu You; he and I have known each other since we were children."
"Mr. Xie?"
Xu Jing's gaze towards Xie Xuanyi was unfriendly.
"Brother Xu is a man of great talent, a real rarity."
Xie Xuanyi spoke with a beaming smile, "Brother Xu and Miss Shen grew up together, if I may say so, you two are quite the perfect match."
A person should not strike the smiling face.
These words made Xu Jing's expression much more relaxed, this Mr. Xie's words are quite pleasing, aren't they? It seems the situation here is not what I imagined.
"Brother Xie is too kind."
He reached out his hand and gently shook hands with Xie Xuanyi, his eyes momentarily showing surprise.
This Mr. Xie, his body contains no Primordial Energy?
Had he sensed it wrong?
Looking so young, could it be he has not yet cultivated?
"The peak of the second realm; with just an insight, he could immediately step into the Qi-controlling Realm."
At the same time, Xie Xuanyi also assessed Xu Jing's strength and realm... Quite impressive for his young age, no wonder Shen Yan's attitude towards him was so favorable.
The letter Shen Yan had sent had successfully reached the Tai'an City Lord's residence.
Xu Jing had seen it, of course, and after receiving the order, he had ridden hard and fast with his men to receive them.
Now that they had finally met, he quickly expressed his concern.
Upon learning that Shen Yan was unharmed, he wasted no more time.
"Lingluo Mountain was attacked. If you are willing to lend a hand, with just this one act, you will be esteemed guests of Tai'an City."
He remounted his horse and raised his hand, "If it is not too much trouble, please accompany me back to the city."
The iron cavalry formed up, surrounding the Deng family's carriage team within.