As the hidden corridor opened, Cai Xian led Gao Tian and Shu Yu toward the entrance of Heavenflame Ridge. The ridge unfolded into a breathtaking view of the world below—a vast valley with rolling hills, dense forests stretching endlessly, and mountains standing tall on the horizon. In the distance, a faint crimson glow shimmered under coiled black clouds that hung ominously over the peak of Heavenflame Ridge.
Shu Yu stepped forward without a word. From this height, she could see the familiar outlines of Fo Fo Village nestled at the foot of the forest. Gao Tian silently followed behind her, still slightly bruised, his body aching but his spirit alive.
Cai Xian paused behind them, watching as they walked together. A small smirk tugged at her lips.
Heh... from the back, they look like a cold and dignified master walking with her slightly dumb but loyal servant.
After a few more steps, Gao Tian stopped walking. Shu Yu, sensing his pause, halted as well and turned around.
They both turned to Cai Xian, bowed their heads slightly, and said in unison.
"Sister Cai Xian, thank you for helping us."
Gao Tian's voice was light, even cheerful. He still couldn't believe they had made it out alive. Shu Yu's tone, however, remained calm and measured as always.
Cai Xian smiled softly.
"Don't make me emotional now. Go on—your journey is waiting."
Shu Yu looked at her silently for a moment before saying, "If I have time, I'll come see you again."
Gao Tian blinked and glanced sideways at her, slightly confused. Then he turned to Cai Xian and asked, "Do I have to come too?"
Cai Xian laughed. "That's up to you. Now go. The world doesn't wait for anyone."
They turned around once more and walked down the slope, side by side.
---
Fo Fo Village – Outskirts
Stone crunched under their feet as Gao Tian and Shu Yu made their way toward the village. The sun had dipped slightly, casting golden hues across the trees and stone path.
"So, where are we going next?" Gao Tian asked.
"I think we should go to Sen City," Shu Yu replied. "The assassin who came for me was rare. I need to find out who sent them."
Gao Tian nodded. "Alright, but first… I need to buy some clothes. These are ripped all over, and the blood smell is terrible."
Shu Yu gave a faint nod. "Yes. It's obvious. You fought a Rank 4 beast."
They reached the village inn and stepped inside. Gao Tian walked up to the wooden counter where an old woman was sipping tea lazily behind it. Shu Yu stood behind him, silent.
"We need two rooms," Gao Tian said.
The old woman gave a chuckle. "Boy, you're a bit late. The rooms are mostly booked. Only one's left."
Gao Tian turned around and looked at Shu Yu, worry flickering across his face. "Only one room is available. What do we do?"
His voice trembled slightly on the inside. The thought of sharing a room with Shu Yu, the cold and expressionless girl who could block Rank 4 attacks with one hand, scared him more than any beast he had fought.
But Shu Yu simply replied patting ruler dogs head, her voice calm as a still lake, "It's fine."
Gao Tian gulped and nodded slowly.
It's fine, she said. But I'm not sure it's going to be fine for me.
They both turned toward the staircase.
Shu Yu was the first to step forward, her boots clicking softly against the wood as she ascended. Gao Tian followed behind, but halfway to the stairs, he paused, frowning at the blood-stained rips across his robes.
I need to buy clothes... this outfit reeks of beast blood and ash.
His eyes scanned the lobby until they landed on one of the inn's workers, a young man carrying a tea tray. Gao Tian walked briskly over and stopped him.
"Ah, brother, can you do me a favor and buy some clean clothes for me? My room number is six."
He pulled out eight Low-Grade Spirit Stones from his spiritual ring and held them out. The worker's eyes widened slightly, and a smile stretched across his face.
"Oh, yes! I'll be right on it, sir!"
Taking the stones, the worker gave a quick bow and hurried out through the inn's front doors.
Gao Tian turned and headed for the staircase. Step by step, he made his way up to the first floor. After a short walk down the corridor, he found a wooden door with the number 6 painted on a brass plate. He pushed it open.
Inside, Shu Yu was lying on the bed, her eyes closed. Her long hair spilled over the pillow, and her usual cold presence seemed softer in sleep.
Gao Tian moved quietly, gently closing the door behind him. He approached the small table near the window and sat down, resting his arms across the wood as he gazed outside. Dusk was setting in, casting long shadows over the rooftops of Fo Fo Village.
A few minutes passed.
Suddenly, Gao Tian felt a faint presence approaching from the hallway. He stood up and moved to the door.
On the other side, the worker arrived, holding neatly folded clothes: a set of black-blue robes with a dark outer robe draped over his arm. He raised a hand to knock, but before he could, Gao Tian opened the door.
The worker blinked, surprised. "Ah! Sir, I've brought your clothes."
Gao Tian accepted them silently.
The worker reached into his pocket and pulled out three spirit stones, holding them out respectfully. "These were left over—the clothes only cost five stones."
Gao Tian looked at the stones, then at the young man's honest expression. He smiled faintly. "Keep them. Payment for your help."
The worker's eyes lit up. "Really? Thank you, sir! Are you sure?"
"It's fine," Gao Tian replied calmly.
The young man bowed again and turned to head downstairs, tucking the stones into his pocket with a spring in his step.
Gao Tian shut the door behind him.
The moment he turned around—
Shu Yu was standing right in front of him carrying ruler dog on arms.
"AHHH!" Gao Tian yelped, stumbling back.
Shu Yu tilted her head slightly, her expression still flat. "Why are you screaming?"
Gao Tian clutched his chest, trying to steady his breath. "You just appeared in front of me out of nowhere! Of course I'd be scared!"
Damn it. I was a peak-stage Immortal Emperor in my last life. Why am I still scared like some mortal seeing ghosts...
Shu Yu blinked slowly, then turned and walked back toward the bed.
Gao Tian sighed and looked down at the new robes in his hand. "At least I won't smell like a corpse anymore…"
Inside the quiet room, Gao Tian raised his hand and formed a black spiritual barrier around himself. The dark dome shimmered faintly, like smoke clinging to light, and concealed everything within from the outside.
On the bed, Shu Yu and ruler dog sat up slightly, her gaze sharp. She stared at the barrier, her expression calm but puzzled.
What kind of barrier is that… I can't see through it at all.
Inside the barrier, Gao Tian began to change. He removed his tattered, blood-stained robes and slipped into the new garments brought by the inn worker. The black-blue clothes fit him well—refined yet simple. A long black robe draped over his shoulders, adding a noble air. His face, already handsome, now seemed to glow with a fresh vitality. With his clean look and calm demeanor, he looked less like a weary traveler and more like a young master from an ancient clan.
Satisfied, Gao Tian moved his hand, and the spiritual barrier dissolved into wisps of smoke before vanishing completely.
Shu Yu ruler dog, still on the bed, watched silently as the barrier faded.
Her eyes landed on Gao Tian. His appearance had changed so drastically, even she found it hard to ignore. Though her expression remained blank, her words were clear.
"You look good in that."
Gao Tian turned and smiled at her compliment, his face lighting up.
He walked toward the window and glanced outside. The sky had turned to shades of orange and violet—the sun dipping past the distant mountains.
So it's night already.
He turned back slightly. "You sleep on the bed. I've got something to do, so I'm going out for a while."
No way I can stay in here all night. I'm still an Immortal Emperor, even if I've been reborn. Staying alone in a room with a young woman... that's just too awkward.
He stepped onto the window frame.
Shu Yu, watching him from the bed, opened one eye and asked plainly, "You know there's a door."
Gao Tian paused, looking a bit embarrassed. He scratched his head. "Ah… I know. But going out this way is faster."
She said nothing more, simply lying back down and closing her eyes again.
The ruler dog padded over to Shu Yu and curled up on her belly, resting there with a contented sigh.
Gao Tian gave her a brief glance, then leapt out the window with a light motion. In a breath, he landed on the rooftop of the inn.
He sat down with a long sigh, stretching his legs out in front of him.
"Huff… managed to get out."
The wind brushed gently past him as he looked up at the sky.
I can't believe I was actually feeling nervous in there. Sharing a room with a girl at my age… No. I'm not some lovestruck teenager. I'm the former Immortal Emperor!
He lay back against the warm tiles, hands folded behind his head.
It took sixteen days to reach the deepest part of Heavenflame Ridge—and make it out alive.
Above him, stars began to twinkle in the darkening heavens.