"Just like that?"
Bai Yunfei stood alone atop the mountain peak, staring blankly in the direction Ge Yiyun had vanished.
The surroundings suddenly dimmed, jolting Bai Yunfei back to awareness. The ball of flame floating nearby had slowly dissipated into the air.
"He just left straight away..." Bai Yunfei murmured with lingering confusion. "Shouldn't this be the moment where he gives me more Soul Tools or Soul Skills? Or maybe drain some of his cultivation to help boost my strength, at least pushing me to the Soul Spirit realm?" He didn't know why such greedy thoughts surfaced in his mind.
"Uh, why am I thinking so greedily..." Bai Yunfei snapped himself out of it, chuckled self-deprecatingly, and climbed a large tree to rest.
"Well, no matter what, meeting Senior Ge Yiyun again tonight was incredibly fortunate. I'll continue my journey tomorrow, getting to Cui Liu City sooner..."
...
At the foot of the mountain, Ge Yiyun strolled leisurely with his hands clasped behind his back. His steps seemed deliberately slow, yet with each stride, he traversed hundreds of meters in an almost unnatural fashion.
"I cannot be further entangled with him," Ge Yiyun calculated inwardly as he walked. "The aid I've given so far still falls within the domain of 'Fortune'. Doing more might invite unforeseen changes. Best to be cautious..."
"As for his bizarre cultivation speed... it's better not to interfere," he continued his silent deliberation. "Whatever secrets he possesses, they won't harm the Destiny's Wheel Sect..."
"Besides him, there's that person named 'Li Chengfeng'... If what the boy said is true..." Ge Yiyun's brow furrowed slightly. "A person with such heaven-defying cultivation talent appeared near Qingyun, yet my Life Soul Guidance offered not the slightest hint... However, this might be beneficial. Learning of it through another person places it outside the influence of the Life Soul Guidance... broadening the scope of what I can do. In that case..."
"In any event, anything that might aid the Destiny's Wheel Sect in overcoming the coming calamity must be pursued. No possibility can be overlooked!"
...
At noon two days later, when Bai Yunfei finally laid eyes on the wide, official highway, he almost wept with relief – he had finally reached a proper route!
Stepping onto the reassuringly un-lose-able main road, Bai Yunfei felt a surge of excitement. He walked briskly, observing his surroundings. His gaze traced the path of a meandering river flanking the road and the endless rows of willow trees lining its banks.
"So, this is why it's called 'Cui Liu City' (Emerald Willows City)," he mused aloud. "So many willow trees... Honestly, naming cities like this seems pretty lazy. Lots of willows? Emerald Willows City. Lots of pine trees? Verdant Pines City. Poplars everywhere? White Poplars City... No pressure naming things like that..."
Lost in these random thoughts, he slowly approached the city gates. Of course, his tattered straw hat made its reappearance, firmly placed on his head. Though he hadn't detected any immediate danger, laying low felt prudent.
Compared to his previous entry into Baifeng City, however, Bai Yunfei felt considerably less tense. Maybe it was the uneventful experience in Baifeng, or perhaps because they were now near the border of Qingyun Province. This time, besides cautiously noting his surroundings, Bai Yunfei allowed himself to appreciate the scenery.
Entering the city, Bai Yunfei was immediately struck by Cui Liu City's bustling prosperity. His previous visit to Baifeng City had been rushed and near dusk, devoid of his current leisurely mood. This felt like his first true encounter with the sights of a major city.
The streets were wide enough for four carriages to ride abreast. The shops lining both sides were grand and opulent. Even the goods sold at humble street stalls seemed superior to those in the so-called 'major shops' back in Luoshi City. The constant flow of people, the cacophony of hawkers' cries and conversations, created a vibrant, energetic atmosphere. Especially...
"So many beautiful women..." Bai Yunfei stood dumbfounded in the middle of the street for a full half-minute before blurting out a low sigh of admiration.
For some reason, graceful figures seemed to appear one after another throughout the entire street. The scent of perfumed powder seemed to suffuse the very air. Lovely young maidens, alone or in pairs, strolled leisurely along the avenue, their silvery laughter tinkling like bells.
A maiden carrying a vegetable basket walked briskly past Bai Yunfei, her cheeks flushed pink under his rather bold gaze. He watched her figure disappear into the crowd and couldn't help but sigh again.
A moment later, however, Bai Yunfei's expression turned strange. He retracted his gaze and stood frozen for a beat, then vigorously shook his head.
"What just happened to me?" he muttered to himself, bewildered. "That's impossible. The old me would never have behaved like that. Just now, looking at those women... it felt utterly 'natural' to mentally appraise them..."
Pondering this strange shift in his own feelings, he continued slowly towards the city center, his interest in admiring beauties temporarily forgotten.
After enjoying a satisfying meal at a rather luxurious restaurant, Bai Yunfei resumed his stroll through the streets. He planned to do some significant shopping, rest for the night, and continue his journey tomorrow.
Emerging from a jewelry store, Bai Yunfei touched his Space Ring with satisfaction, thinking, "A bit pricey, but they're all 'Excellent' grade pieces. I should be able to start seriously researching the reinforcement of jewelry..."
"You scoundrel! Don't you dare touch my mistress!"
"Hey now, little maid, quite the temper you've got! I haven't done anything to your mistress. She just looks unwell, see? I'm only kindly offering to take her for treatment. How can you call me, Young Master, a bad person?"
Bai Yunfei had just stepped out of the store when a young woman's angry shout and a man's arrogant voice reached his ears.
He paused, following the sound. To the right of the store, at the mouth of an alley, a young man dressed in luxurious silks, his face radiating arrogance, stood blocking the path of two young women. He was flanked by four menacing-looking attendants.
Facing them was a quick-witted girl dressed as a maidservant. Despite being outnumbered, she showed no trace of fear, her pretty face set in a cold glare directed at the men before her.
Behind her, leaning weakly against the wall for support, stood another young woman in pale blue robes. Her head was bowed, long hair cascading forward to obscure her face. She seemed to be enduring intense pain, her posture radiating discomfort.
"Hmph! Little maid, don't be ungrateful," the arrogant young man sneered. "I, Young Master Loong the Second, am well-known throughout Cui Liu City for my helpful nature. Look, your mistress is having a fit, can't even walk. Allow me to take her home and tend to her properly. Don't worry," his voice took on a distinctly oily, suggestive tone, "I'll cure her... and cherish her tenderly..."
"Why is it that no matter where you go, these spoiled young masters always seem to exist?" Bai Yunfei frowned, puzzled. A peculiar sense of déjà vu washed over him. A word hovered on the edge of his consciousness... Corny? What does that mean?
The maidservant blocked the men's advance while anxiously glancing back at her mistress. "Hmph! Shameless scoundrels! Don't even think of taking advantage of my mistress! If she hadn't been struck by this sudden illness, with her strength, she could easily knock your teeth out! Let me tell you, my mistress is a Sou—"
"Ha! Don't try to scare me with that nonsense!" The young master interrupted her sharply. "You look unfamiliar, probably visitors here for sightseeing, right? No wonder you don't recognize me, Young Master! I'll have you know, my Loong Family commands enough respect in Cui Liu City that even the Cui Liu Sect gives us face!" His voice swelled with bravado.
The maidservant's defiant spirit seemed to waver under this threat, compounded by her worry for her mistress. Anxiety etched her face, tears welling in her eyes.
The bustling pedestrians who had been nearby had quickly retreated to a safe distance, clearly wary of this "Young Master Loong the Second."
"Enough! Stop your prattling, girl," the young master snapped impatiently. "I need to get your mistress treated promptly. Come along now!" With that, he shoved the maidservant aside roughly and barked at his men, "Keep hold of her! Don't let her break free."
"Heh heh, young lady, don't be afraid," Young Master Loong turned his oily charm towards the blue-robed girl leaning against the wall. His gaze lingered on her slender figure. "Let me take you home... find you the finest physician..." His hand reached out towards her wrist.
Just as his fingers were about to make contact, another hand suddenly shot out from the side, clamping firmly around his forearm, halting his movement completely.
"Huh?" Young Master Loong blinked, momentarily confused. He turned his head to see a youth in simple grey clothes, a frayed straw hat pulled low over his brow, gripping his arm tightly. The look in the youth's eyes was pure disdain.
"Who are you?! Mind your own business!" Young Master Loong snapped after a second of stunned silence. Someone dared interfere?
Bai Yunfei's expression grew even more contemptuous. With a firm shove, he pushed the young master backwards. Loong the Second, clearly unprepared for someone to actually lay hands on him first, stumbled several steps before his attendants caught and steadied him.
"You! How dare you!" Young Master Loong's face flushed crimson with rage as he glared at Bai Yunfei. "Do you have any idea who I am?! Do you know who my father is?! My father is Loong Gang!! You'll regret crossing me! I'll make sure you suffer a fate worse than death!"
"Seriously?" Bai Yunfei curled his lip, his voice dripping with scorn. "Could your lines be any cornier?"