Night fell. Bai Yunfei lay on his bed, carefully summarizing all the information he had gathered about the Enhancement Art over the past few days.
"When equipment is enhanced to +10, +12, and +13, an additional effect appears. Although I only have one brick at +13, effects appeared reliably at +10 and +12, so it should happen at +13 too."
"There was a gap between +10 and +12, but an effect appeared immediately at +13. Does that mean every subsequent enhancement level adds another effect? But... testing that theory is impossible right now! Just reaching +13 nearly made me cough up blood..."
"The attack power jump from +12 to +13 is almost double. I wonder if it's the same for Soul Artifacts. Sigh... Still just speculation. I don't have enough Soul Artifacts to experiment... My Ice Soul Silver Needles were destroyed before I even used them once..."
"Plus, the various additional effects aren't absolute. Especially those with time limits – a powerful opponent could recover before the effect ends."
"That's all the new information for now. No time for further research. Starting tomorrow, it's time to venture into the outside world!"
Bai Yunfei sat up and retrieved a dagger from his spatial ring.
"Only about a dozen daggers left... just enough to exhaust my Soul Force once..."
"Tonight, I'll break through the final barrier – reach the mid-stage Soul Warrior!"
"Enhance!"**
... ......
The next morning, as the first rays of sunlight brushed his face, Bai Yunfei slowly opened his eyes.
He sat up, raised his right hand before his eyes, clenched his fist, and a look of satisfaction filled his gaze.
"Mid-stage Soul Warrior... I've done all the preparation possible. Zhang Family... no matter how extensive your influence, catching me won't be so easy!"
On a hill slope outside the village, Bai Yunfei stood facing Li Chengfeng and Ling'er. After a long silence, he finally spoke.
"Let's not linger on farewells. Too many words just deepen the sorrow. Chengfeng, I believe we'll meet again someday. Out there in the vast world, we'll each carve out our own place!"
Li Chengfeng was quiet for a moment before forcing a smile. "Alright, I won't say much either then. Yunfei, take care. Build your domain swiftly. When I take Ling'er out into the world later, if things get tough, we'll come find you!"
Bai Yunfei took one last look at the peaceful village nearby. He drew a deep breath, slowly exhaled, and offered them both another smile.
"Well then... I'm off!"
Without further hesitation, he turned and strode away.
Watching Bai Yunfei's figure gradually recede into the distance, Ling'er turned to Li Chengfeng with a puzzled expression. "Little Feng Ge, is Brother Yunfei facing some trouble? Where is he going? Why won't he stay and let us help him?"
Li Chengfeng also watched the departing figure with complex emotions. After a long silence, he sighed softly, pulled his gaze back, and affectionately stroked Ling'er's hair.
"Yunfei has made his decision. He won't change it for others. Besides... little Qingyun couldn't hold him. He is facing difficulties now, but I believe he will overcome them safely!"
He looked toward the horizon again, his voice carrying conviction. "The outside world is full of wonders, the sky vast and limitless. In the end, it will let this wandering white cloud fly freely!"
......
Pingchuan Province, home to the Artifact Refining Sect, lay in the northern part of the Tianhun Continent. Separated from Qingyun Province by the vast expanse of Beiyan Province, the journey was extremely long.
After leaving the village, Bai Yunfei headed north. To avoid the Zhang Family members searching everywhere for him, he deliberately chose mountain paths, traversing ridges and valleys, hoping to slip out of Qingyun undetected.
Deep down, however, he knew this was nearly impossible. Aside from the need to replenish the dwindling supplies in his spatial ring, simply navigating the unfamiliar terrain meant he had to periodically seek directions from inhabited places to avoid getting lost.
A slight sense of direction deficiency is quite troublesome…
Three days passed. Practicing his Wave Treading Steps while traveling, Bai Yunfei had covered a considerable distance.
Climbing a densely wooded mountain peak, he scaled a tall tree and scanned the surroundings. His eyes suddenly lit up, and he jumped down with a pleased expression, hurrying towards the foot of the mountain.
"Finally found a populated area! Looks like a town from its size. I'll rest there properly tonight, get some decent food, and ask for directions!"
He had only run a short distance when he abruptly slowed down, a thoughtful look crossing his face.
"But... I don't know if Zhang Family influence exists there. Still, this place is far from Falling Stone City and quite remote... Probably not. I won't wander around outside. Just find an inn, rest for the night, and leave first thing tomorrow. Should be fine..."
Decision made, he hesitated no longer and picked up speed again, heading towards the nearby town.
...
Evening descended on Gujing Town. On the bustling main street, a travel-worn young man walked slowly. He kept his head slightly lowered, making his face hard to discern, his eyes seemingly curious but actually alert as they scanned his surroundings.
After swiftly purchasing supplies from various shops, Bai Yunfei arrived at the town's only inn.
Inside the Welcome Inn (Ah, the ubiquitous 'Welcome Inn' chain!), the spacious lobby held a few sparsely occupied tables. The attendant behind the counter spotted the new customer and immediately scurried over, his face wreathed in an ingratiating smile.
"Welcome, honored guest! Are you here for a meal or lodging?"
Bai Yunfei glanced at him briefly, then walked straight towards a corner table without waiting for further pleasantries. "Both," he instructed curtly. "Bring me the best food you have. Also, prepare a room. I'll rest after dinner."
He reached the corner table and sat down, clearly signaling he desired no further conversation.
The attendant eyed Bai Yunfei curiously, seemingly unaccustomed to such a brusque and unfamiliar guest. Bai Yunfei frowned, his voice laced with impatience. "Well? Get moving!"
"Oh! Yes! Right away, honored guest! Your food will be out shortly!" the attendant stammered, finally snapping into action.
Bai Yunfei rubbed his protesting stomach. Finally, a proper meal…
"Um, honored guest..." The voice came from in front of him again. Bai Yunfei looked up, surprised to see the attendant had returned.
"What is it?"
"This humble one just wished to ask if you'd care for a pot of fine wine?" The attendant bowed slightly, his smile fixed. "Our aged Daughter's Red is fragrant and mellow, fairly priced, guaranteed to satisfy!"
Bai Yunfei paused. His last, and only, experience with alcohol had been the night he paid respects to Uncle Wu. That very night, his Soul Force had fully awakened, making him a Soul Scholar.
"Fine. Bring a pot then. Just hurry with the food," he replied distractedly, giving it little thought.
"Excellent! Right away, honored guest! Coming right up!"
The attendant scurried back to the counter and began whispering animatedly to the innkeeper behind it, presumably relaying the order.
Lost in thought and keeping his head down to avoid attention, Bai Yunfei failed to notice the subtle shift in the innkeeper's expression upon hearing the attendant's report. The innkeeper shot an almost imperceptible glance towards Bai Yunfei. Then, stealthily, he pulled a rolled-up piece of paper from beneath the counter – a portrait – and began carefully comparing it to the young man in the corner.