During their journey, Yuan De occasionally glanced back. Ji Tianwei sat with his eyes closed on the flying sword beside him, looking completely relaxed, which made the atmosphere feel tense.
Is this just a dream? How can a kid with no cultivation base have such power? Is he deliberately hiding his cultivation? But that's impossible for someone so young. It makes no sense, Yuan De thought.
Annoyed by Yuan De's constant glances, Ji Tianwei spoke without opening his eyes. "What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing. I just... still can't believe what happened back there," Yuan De replied, making the awkwardness even thicker.
Ji Tianwei finally opened his eyes, his face completely expressionless. With his arms crossed, he said, "Don't bother thinking about me. The world you're standing on holds mysteries and powers no less vast than mine." He then continued, "How big is the Qingwu Continent, anyway? And how much longer until we arrive?"
Yuan De let out a small laugh. "Haha, maybe you're right," he said. "I really haven't seen a world so vast, and maybe there are many ways to gain strength that we don't expect." He then turned to Ji Tianwei. "The Qingwu Continent is still very far. In my opinion, it's no less vast than the Yongtian Continent. We'll land in Gushu City tomorrow morning."
Hearing that, Ji Tianwei thought for a moment. 'Is there something interesting there?' "Hmm... Why are we going there? Why not go straight to the Qingwu Continent?"
"My uncle is there. He's an alchemist, and there's a big competition going on. He'll be competing for a title, and he needs this spiritual plant," Yuan De said, looking at the storage ring on his finger.
Ji Tianwei's interest was piqued. 'I want to see it, too. This could be interesting. Maybe I can take notes and study it someday.' A moment later, he asked, "Are there a lot of powerful alchemists in Gushu City? Won't you be in danger if you meet that old man again?"
"Maybe, but don't worry. Our Yuan Clan will take action if he dares to show his face again," Yuan De said with newfound confidence.
...
The cold morning air began to feel noticeable after their long journey. They were almost at Gushu City, a place known as a center for trading herbs, spiritual plants, and cultivation resources.
"We'll be there soon! Look! A lot of cultivators are arriving!" Yuan De said, pointing toward the city. People were flocking through the gates, while other cultivators were landing from their flying swords.
Yuan De turned, expecting a response, but was surprised to see Ji Tianwei fast asleep, sitting relaxed with his arms crossed.
"Ao Man, wake up! We're about to land," Yuan De said, gently poking him. "We're almost there; the city gates are already visible below."
Ji Tianwei groaned as he rubbed his eyes. Half-awake, he muttered, "Huh! Are we there?" A long yawn escaped his lips. Slowly, he opened his eyes fully. "It's so crowded," he said, looking down.
Yuan De was astonished. Good heavens, he really is just a child. He then continued, "Yes, we'll be landing through the city's main gate. Do you have an ID card?" he asked as he slowly descended.
"Me?" Ji Tianwei thought. Luckily, I made one with my big sister, Xiao Qing, back then. He then replied, "Yes, I have one." He took an ID card from the storage ring on his right hand.
Whoosh! They landed smoothly. Yuan De walked in front of Ji Tianwei. "Good, let's go in."
They walked toward the gate, handed their ID cards to the guards, then entered the city. After that, they walked toward Yuan De's uncle's inn.
...
When they arrived in front of the inn, they saw many cultivators and alchemists eating inside. The cultivators immediately looked at Ji Tianwei with cold, arrogant stares. They knew that Ji Tianwei had no cultivation base.
Ji Tianwei grumbled to himself. These bastards really love to look down on others. Just you wait. You think I can't read your arrogant eyes? As he walked, he passed an elegant woman. The woman gave him a cynical glance, her lips curling into a sneer.
Ji Tianwei sighed, then continued up the stairs with Yuan De toward his uncle's room. Yuan De, who was walking in front, glanced at Ji Tianwei from time to time. Huh! He's still so relaxed. Those people must be mistaken. This Ao Man is not a normal kid. Even without a cultivation base, he's incredibly clever, he thought.
When they reached a room, Yuan De turned and said to Ji Tianwei, "This is my uncle's room. I'll introduce you to him later."
He then knocked on the door. Knock! Knock!
Ji Tianwei replied with a flat tone, "Okay, thank you." However, in his heart, he was still curious. Tch! Who was that woman?
...
The door opened. Yuan De went in first while Ji Tianwei waited outside. After they talked for a few minutes, Yuan De came out and invited Ji Tianwei in.
"Uncle, this is my friend named Ao Man," Yuan De said, holding Ji Tianwei's shoulder. "He's the one who helped me get that spiritual plant."
Uncle Yuan Feng looked at Ji Tianwei. 'Hmm... He's just a kid, and it's true he has no cultivation base. But why does Yuan De seem to respect him so much?' The uncle stood up from a chair near the open window, walked closer, and extended his hand. "I'm Yuan Feng. It's nice to meet you," he said with a warm smile.
Ji Tianwei took a moment to observe him before speaking. 'This man has a strong, noble aura. From his clothes to his sturdy body, he doesn't look like an alchemist. Was he a fighter before? Yet, he still looks so young.' After that, Ji Tianwei shook Yuan Feng's hand. "Nice to meet you too, Uncle."
They then sat down. The atmosphere suddenly became serious, but Ji Tianwei remained calm. He just closed his eyes for a moment, then his body bent forward slightly.
"Young man, where are you from?" Yuan Feng asked. "And why did you meet my nephew? Was it just a coincidence?"
"I did meet him by coincidence. I saw he seemed to be in trouble, so I just wanted to help him," Ji Tianwei replied in a relaxed tone, his gaze steady on Yuan Feng. "I'm from the border region myself."
"Yes, Uncle, it was just a coincidence that we met, hehe," Yuan De said, smiling nervously as he tried to hide what had actually happened to prevent Yuan Feng from getting angry.
'Something feels off about them. But never mind, maybe I'm thinking too much,' Yuan Feng thought. He got up, went to sit by the window, and looked at the crowd of people below.
Ji Tianwei asked, "Uncle Yuan Feng, what's needed to become an alchemist? Can I do it?" He looked at Yuan Feng with a gentle tone.
Yuan Feng turned to Ji Tianwei and explained, "You can, but it requires hard work. You must have a fire artifact, and cultivators can become alchemists if they have fire spiritual roots."
"This fire is used to cleanse impurities from spiritual plants and purify them in a cauldron," Yuan Feng continued.
"Thank you, Uncle, for explaining," Ji Tianwei said. "I hope you pass in the upcoming alchemist competition." Ji Tianwei said the words sincerely, trying to win Yuan Feng's favor.
However, in his heart, he thought, Hehe, this is going according to my plan. I already have a pendant artifact with a Silver-tier Fire Beast Core implanted in it. But this tier might not be able to make high-level pills. I speculate it can only make tier one or two, huh! His expression returned to its usual flatness.
Yuan Feng smiled after receiving praise from Ji Tianwei. "Are you interested in becoming an alchemist? You look so curious!" he said, looking at the people outside the window, with a hand resting on his chin. He looked so charismatic in Ji Tianwei's eyes.
A gentle breeze tousled Yuan Feng's long hair. Ji Tianwei whispered to Yuan De, "Hey, is your uncle not married?" He covered his mouth with his right hand.
"No, not yet," Yuan De replied calmly in a quiet voice. "Many women are interested in him, but for some reason, my uncle always rejects them. I don't know what's on his mind."
Ji Tianwei turned to look at Yuan Feng, who was staring at the crowd outside the window, looking focused and with a slight smile on the corner of his lips.
"I'm only slightly interested," Ji Tianwei said. "I just want to learn it for myself."
There was no answer from Yuan Feng. Ji Tianwei whispered to Yuan De again, "Is your uncle stressed? Why is he smiling to himself? Your uncle is so strange."
Hearing that, small beads of sweat appeared on Yuan De's temples. He covered his mouth with his index finger. "Shh! Be careful, my uncle can be a bit short-tempered if he hears what you're saying. Didn't you see that woman earlier?"
"Huh, that woman? Hmm... Yeah, I passed her earlier. Is she one of the women he rejected?" Ji Tianwei asked in surprise.
"Maybe," Yuan De replied. "That woman often comes to see my uncle, so we might meet her again."
A short while later, Yuan Feng stood up and walked toward the door with an annoyed expression. Ji Tianwei and Yuan De were startled. They both thought, What did he see? What's happening this time?
Yuan De immediately followed his uncle from behind while asking him questions. Meanwhile, Ji Tianwei walked in the opposite direction, toward where Yuan Feng had been sitting. He looked at the crowd below, and his eyes landed on a figure in a black robe with a covered face. The person turned and looked at Ji Tianwei.
Ji Tianwei squinted and said to himself, Hoho, this is getting interesting.