"Come over here, young friends, and have some tea."
Her tone was warm, especially toward Song Wanníng, whom she directly reached out to pull by the hand.
The higher one's cultivation, the more one cared about ascending. No one could guarantee a smooth cultivation path. If any extraordinary pills were needed, they might have to trouble Song Wanníng. Especially since the girl was still young, her future achievements immeasurable.
"Congratulations to the three of you for taking the top three in this competition. This city lord has some gifts for you."
She took out three jade boxes and handed them to each of the three.
"Thank you, city lord."
The three expressed their gratitude and put away their gifts.
"All right, now you should follow Young Master Huo."
The city lord did not say more, noticing Huo Jinchuan and the others seemed eager.
Song Wanníng and the other two looked toward Huo Jinchuan.
The Three Lives Mirror had already reopened, but all she could hear was Xiao Heyun's incessant complaining.
Huo Jinchuan seemed to have very few thoughts in his mind.
"Let's go."
Huo Jinchuan glanced at the three, then led them out of the city lord's mansion toward the outskirts.
The Central Region was very mysterious to the outside world and a place many longed to see.
The three entering to broaden their horizons—and possibly gain other opportunities—made their sect naturally happy.
But before leaving, the Fourth Elder reminded Song Wanníng repeatedly to be extremely careful.
Once in unfamiliar territory, Guhan Sect's reach was limited.
Song Wanníng knew this trip would not be peaceful. Huo Jinchuan was an invader and would not bring people into the Central Region for no reason.
Still, knowing the danger, she had no choice but to go. She had to reduce his Luck after all.
Just as this thought arose, she finally heard Huo Jinchuan's inner voice.
"As long as Xiao Heyun near Song Wanníng, his Luck will decline. Interesting."
Those two short sentences slowed Song Wanníng's steps and weighed her heart down. It was the second time she heard Huo Jinchuan's thoughts and the second time he mentioned Luck. Could Huo Jinchuan see through others' Luck?!
Her eyes shifted slightly as she looked at him more carefully.
In ancient times, there was a small Luck-seeing sect. By cultivating their techniques, one could see others' Luck. Not only that, they supposedly had ways to steal others' Luck and add it to themselves!
But later, after the sect was exposed, it was wiped out, and their techniques vanished. Whether those techniques were taken by the sect's executioners was unknown. Now, Huo Jinchuan's ability to glimpse Luck reminded her of that.
The Central Region was so kindly taking them to broaden their view, even sending the Huo family young lord along. They really put some thought into this.
A cold light flickered in Song Wanníng's eyes.
Stealing Luck?
Hmph.
Let's see who steals from whom!
...
"We're here."
After several days of travel, the group reached a sea.
Song Wanníng and the others stopped, gazing at the vast ocean.
Huo Jinchuan took out a token and dripped a drop of blood onto it.
Immediately the token burst with brilliant light, then a portal of light appeared.
A fierce spatial storm raged around the portal, making onlookers' scalps tingle.
This was the power of the spatial barrier. Anyone caught in the storm—even Mahayana cultivators—would find no escape.
"Let's go."
Huo Jinchuan glanced back coolly at the three, then stepped through the portal.
"Hurry up, don't waste time!"
A maid scolded impatiently, her disdain barely concealed. Especially toward Song Wanníng, a constant sneer lingered.
Song Wanníng's eyes flickered with a hidden gleam, her murderous intent growing stronger as her smile deepened.
This maid had always targeted her with a defensive attitude, as if trying to prevent her from seducing Huo Jinchuan. Anyone unaware would have thought the maid was Huo Jinchuan's Taoist Partner!
Besides, Song Wanníng hadn't even spoken a word to Huo Jinchuan. What made the maid think every woman would like her master?
The group passed through the portal and was greeted by a strong surge of spiritual energy.
Surprisingly, the demonic energy in the air was also thick. The two energies mingled harmoniously.
Song Wanníng's eyes brightened. The Central Region was perfect for her. Cultivation here was more than just twice as fast as outside. Absorbing both demonic and spiritual energy, it was impossible to cultivate slowly.
Huo Jinchuan said nothing more. He took out the spirit boat again, carrying them onward.
The Central Region was vast and rich in resources, a holy land for cultivation.
But the leading families controlled it with an iron grip. To survive well, one had to rely on a family. So they joined sects, and those sects depended heavily on family support.
The Dan Sect was under the patronage of the Huo family.
"This time, entering the Central Region, you can study and visit the Dan Sect and even receive guidance from top grandmasters. But I have one condition."
Huo Jinchuan's eyes turned cold, and his words carried an imposing pressure. Even though the demon clan young master was only a Divine Soul cultivator, he was not taken seriously.
"The three of you need to refine a pill for me."
He took out a damaged pill formula and handed it over.
"This is an incomplete pill formula the Huo family obtained tens of thousands of years ago. No one has succeeded in refining it, so I thought to find people outside the Central Region."
The three lowered their heads to examine the formula.
Both the ingredients and refining method were missing about half. Who could refine this?
Was this intentionally making things difficult?
Their expressions darkened.
"Of course, you only need to try your best. If you can't refine it, I won't hold it against you."
Huo Jinchuan smiled faintly.
White hair swayed in the breeze, matched with a transcendent face that made Song Wanníng narrow her eyes.
These invaders all looked outstanding. Was there not a single ordinary one?
"Master, I think you're wasting your effort. Some people only got lucky once; that's all they can do!"
The maid couldn't help but complain. She had suspected Song Wanníng had other intentions with the young master. She had even been daydreaming about it!
But just after she finished speaking, Huo Jinchuan slapped her hard.
Bang!
The maid was sent flying, landing on the ground, coughing up blood and twitching violently.
The other two attendants immediately dropped to their knees, heads bowed nervously, no one dared to speak.
Huo Jinchuan wiped his hand with a handkerchief, eyes cold.
"Speak again and you're out."
His patience was thin, and he would not tolerate interference.
The maid nodded repeatedly in fear, coughing up blood but refusing to take pills. She curled up to minimize her presence.
The two attendants stayed kneeling, too afraid to stand.
Huo Jinchuan acted as if he saw nothing and asked, "Have you made your decision?"