Chapter 988: Chapter 985: Going Home, Panlong City!
Facing Ji Wuyue’s teasing, Luo Feng smiled wryly and shook his head.
"She and I grew up together, like childhood friends, and I’ve always regarded her as a sister."
Ji Wuyue interrupted him, laughing, "Then, what birthday gift are you planning to give to this childhood friend?"
Luo Feng replied, "I haven’t decided yet. I’m planning to go into the city to look around. Wuyue, do you have any good suggestions?"
Ji Wuyue thought for a moment and suddenly said, "I happen to have an item that should be suitable."
With that, Ji Wuyue took out a jade box and handed it to Luo Feng.
"What is this?"
Luo Feng took the jade box and felt a strong wave of Yuan Qi inside, asking involuntarily.
Ji Wuyue pursed her lips with a smile, "Open it and see."
Buzz!
Luo Feng opened the jade box, and a gentle breeze suddenly swept through the room, cool and refreshing, making it feel like standing by the sea.
Inside the jade box was a thumb-sized Demon Core, radiating a hazy seven-colored glow, looking mysterious and dreamy. A strong wave of water Yuan Qi emanated from it, and holding it gave a refreshing sensation.
"This is the Demon Core of the Seven-colored Water-splitting Python. When worn, it can repel moisture upon entering water, creating a space three meters wide, hence also called a Water Splitting Bead. Besides dispersing moisture, the Water Splitting Bead can aid Martial Artists in purifying the impurities within their bodies, refining Yuan Qi. It’s a precious item for those in the Meridian Wheel Realm, a coveted accessory among many young ladies of prominent families." Ji Wuyue explained.
"It truly is a good thing."
Luo Feng raised an eyebrow. This Water Splitting Bead perfectly matched Zi Ling’s temperament, and as she was currently at a critical stage of her cultivation, having this bead would offer additional support.
Closing the jade box, Luo Feng looked at Ji Wuyue, saying, "But, killing the Seven-colored Water-splitting Python was your task, is it appropriate to give me this Demon Core?"
Typically, tasks involving killing Demon Beasts require taking the Demon Core as proof. From the Demon Core, one can analyze the beast’s condition at death, preventing claims using other beasts’ materials. Without the Demon Core, the task can’t be completed.
Ji Wuyue smiled, unconcerned, "It’s just a mission failure, it doesn’t matter. Besides, the Water Splitting Bead originally belonged to you; I’m simply returning it."
"How so?"
"This Water Splitting Bead was compensation from Yue Cheng. If you hadn’t appeared in time today, I would have been in a difficult spot. Naturally, this bead belongs to you."
Luo Feng smiled wryly at heart, realizing the reason.
After thinking a moment, Luo Feng stored the Water Splitting Bead, asking, "Wuyue, what Martial Arts are you currently training in?"
Ji Wuyue didn’t know why Luo Feng suddenly asked but answered:
"I’m training both Fist and Sword techniques. Along with the Profound Level Superior Dragon-Tiger Roar Fist I acquired, I’m also cultivating the Sky Sword Pavilion’s Profound Level Medium Clear Wind Art. However, the Clear Wind Art is too weak. So, I’ve been doing tasks to accumulate contributions, intending to train a Profound Level Supreme Swordsmanship when my cultivation reaches the fifth level of the Spiritual Rotation Realm."
Discussing the Profound Level Supreme Swordsmanship, a look of yearning appeared in Ji Wuyue’s beautiful eyes.
Her current Clear Wind Art involved only sword moves without internal cultivation techniques, limiting its power. Once her cultivation reaches the fifth level of the Spiritual Rotation Realm and she accumulates enough contributions, she can choose a sword art with cultivation techniques, like the Azure Flame Seven Repair Sword trained by Yue Cheng.
By then, her combat power will be incomparable to now, with tenfold, or even dozens-fold differences.
Luo Feng looked at Ji Wuyue’s glowing eyes, subtly smiling, reminded of how he felt when Ji Wuyue first offered to teach him the Tiger Roar Fist. It turns out Ji Wuyue too could show such expressions.
After a brief deliberation, Luo Feng took out a secret manual from the Washing Dragon Ring, handing it to Ji Wuyue.
"Wuyue, this secret manual is something I acquired, and should be suitable for your training."
"Secret manual?"
Ji Wuyue’s pretty eyebrows lifted as she took the secret manual. On the azure cover, five ancient characters were written——Three Day Torrential Cloud Art.
Opening the manual, Ji Wuyue’s expression shifted, exclaiming, "Profound Level Supreme..."
She promptly stopped after uttering four words, closing the manual.
Profound Level Supreme cultivation techniques are immensely precious, even in the Twelve Golden Palaces. If it’s known there’s such a manual here, Cloud Mountain City might descend into chaos with a storm of blood.
A Profound Level Supreme technique can alter a person’s destiny; no one would not be driven mad for it.
Moreover, as the introduction suggests, this Three Day Torrential Cloud Art isn’t merely a top-grade technique; the ability to extend the lifespan of Spiritual Rotation Realm Martial Artists alone rivals general Earth Level Lower Grade techniques in value.
At that moment, the sound of knocking came, and the waiter delivered the wine.
After the waiter left, Ji Wuyue calmed slightly, attentively listening for any surrounding abnormalities before finally looking up at Luo Feng, momentarily at a loss for words.
She hadn’t expected Luo Feng’s gift would be a Profound Level Supreme cultivation technique.
Luo Feng took the wine pot, poured two cups, placing one before Ji Wuyue with a smile, "Wuyue, I achieved fourth place on the personal achievement list, qualifying to train Earth Level techniques. This manual isn’t much use to me, but it is crucial to you. Consider it thanks for the Water Splitting Bead. If you become an instructor at Purple Sun School without enough strength, you might not be able to control those mischievous students."
Giving Ji Wuyue the Three Day Torrential Cloud Art was a spur-of-the-moment decision. Since he trained in the Divine Dragon Nine Changes, the manual wasn’t useful to him.
Furthermore, this manual was part of Elder Huang’s legacy to him, and he didn’t wish to auction it off, thus gifting it to Ji Wuyue also served as closure for Elder Huang, achieving his own purposes.
"Thank you, Luo Feng."
Being resolute, Ji Wuyue raised her glass to toast with Luo Feng.
Luo Feng smiled lightly, raised his glass, and downed it in one gulp.
The two began dining, and after the meal, Luo Feng asked, "Wuyue, have you heard anything about He Qin in the Sky Sword Pavilion?"
"Heavenly Fragrant Woman He Qin?"
Ji Wuyue, sipping wine for the first time, was slightly intoxicated, her pretty face flushed and radiating exquisite charm. Hearing Luo Feng’s inquiry, she laughed:
"Of course, in the Sky Sword Pavilion, her fame is no less than yours."
"Oh?" Luo Feng raised an eyebrow.
Ji Wuyue gazed out at the street scene, saying:
"He Qin awakened the Ice and Snow Sword Intent, capable of freezing Martial Artists’ Yuan Qi, quite remarkable. She demonstrated exceptional Sword Dao talent upon entering the Pavilion, catching Elder Qingxue’s eye, becoming the direct disciple. Recently, she and Jade Hall’s new genius Ye Siyi teamed up to kill the 103rd ranked Blood Demon General, completely stealing the spotlight, heralded as the Pavilion’s top new talent. However..."
Ji Wuyue paused in her speech.
Luo Feng asked, "However, what?"
Ji Wuyue took a sip of tea, smiling, "He Qin acts uniquely, always solitary in the Golden Palace, annoying quite a few seniors."
Luo Feng inwardly smiled wryly; this indeed matched He Qin’s disposition.
"I heard you get along well with her. How did you thaw this icy snow?" Ji Wuyue chuckled.
"We became friends by fighting first."
Luo Feng laughed, looking at Ji Wuyue, "Wuyue, what’s your plan next?"
"Since the Seven-colored Water-splitting Python is slain, I’m returning to the Golden Palace. I plan to retreat for training soon, aiming to break into the fifth level of the Spiritual Rotation Realm and cultivate the Three Day Torrential Cloud Art."
In Ji Wuyue’s beautiful eyes, a glimmer of longing appeared. With the Three Day Torrential Cloud Art, she no longer needed to run everywhere, completing tasks for the Golden Palace to earn contributions, and could focus entirely on advancing her realm.
"Let’s go together, so we can look out for each other on the road."
Luo Feng stood up; the Sky Sword Pavilion and Panlong City were in the same direction.
"Okay!"
Luo Feng and Ji Wuyue set off immediately.
...
The sky was clear, the sun hung high in the sky.
Over the Blood Roar Plains, two figures tore through the clouds, flying forward with incredible speed, causing gusts of wind.
Upon reaching the edge of the Blood Roar Plains, Ji Wuyue suddenly stopped.
"Luo Feng, let’s part ways here."
Luo Feng stopped beside Ji Wuyue, "Alright, see you at the New Dragon List Conference."
"Mm."
Ji Wuyue nodded and smiled, "At the New Dragon List Conference, I’m looking forward to seeing you make a stunning impression."
"Don’t worry, I won’t disappoint the instructor. Farewell."
Luo Feng smiled and turned to leave.
Standing there, Ji Wuyue watched Luo Feng’s departing figure, her heart in turmoil, unable to calm down for a long time.
The once inconspicuous boy from the Silver Moon class was now a prominent figure among the young generation of the Canglang Dynasty. Who would have believed it a year ago?
"In just one year, his strength is already on par with Senior Brother Ye Canglang. If you give him more time..."
Murmuring softly, Ji Wuyue gently exhaled and turned towards the direction of the Sky Sword Pavilion. She, too, had things she must do.
After parting ways with Ji Wuyue, Luo Feng quickened his pace.
Another two hours passed, and a small inn suddenly appeared on the plains. It was the Coming Dragon Inn, a necessary stop on the way to Panlong City.
On the main road outside the inn, people came and went in a continuous stream. Besides martial artists equipped with knives and swords, there were also caravans composed of Barbarian Beasts. The animals, the size of houses, caused the ground to thud with every step they took.
"So many people?"
Luo Feng was a little surprised. Panlong City was remote and just a small city; it was never this prosperous before.
Not wanting to draw too much attention, Luo Feng found a gap and landed in an unoccupied area, blending into the throng without attracting notice.
The road, originally able to accommodate three Barbarian Beasts side by side, had been widened several times over. Despite the crowd, it didn’t seem crowded.
An elderly hunter with white hair and beard walked beside the road, with a simple wooden cart piled high with animal furs, moving slowly through the crowd. His clothes were soaked with sweat.
"I’ve really aged. If I were twenty years younger..."
Heaving a deep sigh, the old hunter forced a bitter smile. Just as he was about to exert himself, he suddenly felt a lightness in his body. Turning back, he saw a young man holding the cart’s wheel with one hand.
"Old man, are you going to Panlong City?" Luo Feng asked the old hunter.
Seeing Luo Feng’s clothes, made from highly refined materials, the old hunter guessed this must be a young master from some noble family in Panlong City, and hurriedly replied:
"Yes, I am planning to go to Panlong City."
"I happen to be heading there myself, let me give you a hand," Luo Feng said.
"This... such labor, I wouldn’t dare trouble the young master!" The old hunter was shocked and immediately declined.
Luo Feng smiled faintly, "No need to mind, it’s just a small matter."
Saying this, Luo Feng pulled the cart and strode forward.
"Thank you, young master."
The old hunter was very grateful. From the young man’s speech, it was clear he was from an extraordinary family, and the load of furs on the cart, weighing over a thousand pounds, was quite a struggle to pull even with his fifth-level Meridian Wheel Realm strength. The fact that the young man could move it with one hand without any change in expression showed he was an advanced martial artist and wasn’t at all pretentious.
"The young master is really kind-hearted. You look like you’ve traveled far, are you returning to Panlong City to visit your family?"
The old hunter wiped the sweat from his face as he walked alongside Luo Feng and asked.
Luo Feng nodded, "Yes, I’ve been studying away from home, and it’s been almost a year since I’ve been back. I miss my parents and came back to see them."
"Going home is important. No matter how big the world is, there’s nowhere better than home."
The old hunter thought of his son, who had been away for years without visiting home, and felt nostalgic.
Luo Feng sized up the old hunter; with his clear fifth-level Meridian Wheel Realm cultivation, pulling such a load of furs should not be too hard, unless it was due to long-distance travel.
"Old man, you’re not from a nearby village or town, are you?"
The old hunter nodded and smiled, "I’m from Qinggang Village, a hundred miles away. I’ve been a hunter all my life. I intended to sell this year’s fur haul in Panlong City so my wife and I can have a good winter. But I overestimated myself. If it weren’t for you, young master, I’d be suffering more."
"Qinggang Village?"
Luo Feng raised an eyebrow and asked, "Isn’t that close to Luo City? Why come to Panlong City?"
The old hunter was taken aback for a moment, then said, "Young master, you haven’t been home for over six months, so you probably don’t know. Many significant events have happened in Panlong City this past year."
"What significant events?"
"The Family Head of the Luo Family, Luotian, has become the City Lord of Panlong City. Additionally, the second young master of the Luo Family is a once-in-a-century genius; you must have heard of him. He is the recent sensation, a disciple of the ’Linglong Hall’ of the Twelve Golden Palaces, Luo Feng."
Luo Feng rubbed his nose, smiling inwardly; he certainly knew, as it was himself.
The old hunter continued, "The Luo Family is truly blessed, producing such an outstanding talent. Due to Second Young Master Luo Feng, the Luo Family has now replaced the Duanmu Family as one of the Six Great Families of the Flowing Cloud Region."
"One of the Six Great Families."
Luo Feng was surprised; this was news to him.
The old hunter smiled, "Don’t be surprised, young master. Throughout history, a family’s status is determined by wealth and power, with power being the most crucial. After all, without power, it’s hard to maintain wealth. Among the Six Great Families of the Flowing Cloud Region, the Gu Family ranks highest because they have a True Yuan Realm martial artist in their ranks. Rumor has it that Luo Feng’s strength is already comparable to the elites of the New Dragon List, with limitless prospects. The Luo Family becoming one of the Six Great Families is well-deserved."
Luo Feng nodded; he didn’t expect so many changes in the half-year he hadn’t been home.
The old hunter continued, "This is good news. Luotian, the Family Head of the Luo Family, is highly esteemed. Since he became the City Lord of Panlong City, he has cleared the bandits within a hundred miles and halved the local taxes, allowing the people to live in peace and prosperity. I’m here selling furs due to the lower taxes, and although it’s a bit more challenging, it saves me a significant amount of silver. In this, we must also thank Luo Feng; without him, Panlong City wouldn’t enjoy today’s peace and prosperity."
Luo Feng smiled faintly, saying nothing.
The two continued chatting along the way. An hour later, a massive city appeared on the horizon.
It was Panlong City, which he hadn’t seen for nearly a year.
