Chapter 51 Companions
The cold shout cut through the air like a blade, and the steps of Chen Chang'an and the other two suddenly froze.
A cultivator in black robes strode forward, a jade token engraved with the word "King" at his waist clinking with every step. His gaze swept over the three of them, and his lips curled in mockery. "Wanderers?"
"Indeed." Chen Chang'an deliberately made his voice hoarse. "These are my two inept disciples. I hope you can show some leniency."
The cultivator let out a cold snort, twirling a Soul-Searching Jade between his fingers. He did not actually suspect anything, but his hands itched with boredom, and he suddenly wished to try out soul-searching on someone to see if anything interesting would turn up.
"Whether you are wanderers or not, your word means nothing." He raised the jade in his hand. "This decides."
Watching him draw closer, Chen Chang'an sighed inwardly. It seemed that today, no matter what, his true body would have to descend once.
Just as he began to calculate the distance for his true body to arrive—
Boom!
A deafening explosion tore the sky apart!
The entire Qingyang City trembled in that instant. From the city gate, azure light erupted like a furious dragon ripping through the heavens, turning into a brilliant streak of light that pierced the distant mountains.
"Someone is forcing their way through the gate! After them!"
Over a dozen black-robed cultivators shouted harshly, their sword-light soaring skyward as they pursued like a pack of wolves chasing prey.
"Quickly! Report to the elders!" One cultivator crushed a communication talisman, his body vanishing like a shadow in an instant.
The city gate descended into chaos, the tightly sealed formation torn wide open!
The cultivator interrogating Chen Chang'an also turned pale. No longer sparing them a glance, he transformed into a streak of light and rushed after the others.
The three finally exhaled in relief.
Chen Chang'an's eyes, however, stayed fixed on the direction of the azure light. Within that escape light was a vague figure, and in the blur of a moment, a flash of red at the waist caught his eye.
Perhaps it was only an illusion, but he felt that the figure had glanced toward him.
Now was not the time to dwell on it.
"Go!" He pulled the two youths close, his voice low. "We talk once we are out of the city!"
They slipped into the panicked crowd and burst through the city gate.
Only after running more than ten li away did Li Hanzhou gasp for breath and ask, "Master, just now, that was…"
"Yes, someone forced the gate. It inadvertently gave us a hand." Chen Chang'an answered casually, though he knew the cultivator had made such a display deliberately to draw attention away and cover his tracks.
He touched his dantian, still aching from his self-crippling, and silently rejoiced that he had not truly summoned his main body. Otherwise, had he been caught in such muddy waters, it might not have ended well…
…
The three followed the mountain path for several hundred li. As the sun sank, distant ridges turned to a shadowy gold.
Han Yu wiped the sweat from his brow and finally could not help but ask, "Master, where do we go next?"
Chen Chang'an paused, his gaze sweeping over the system panel—
[Han Yu]
Cultivation: Early Object Control Realm
Potential: Twenty-eight (Inferior Five Element Spiritual Roots)
Destiny: One hundred (Child of Destiny, turns misfortune to fortune)
Loyalty: Eighty (Great trust)
Personality: Resolute, cautious
The time had come, Chen Chang'an thought.
He turned, his expression solemn. "Han brat, in truth, I…"
"This fellow cultivator—"
A clear voice suddenly came from the forest, cutting him off.
They looked toward the sound and saw fallen leaves rustling as a snow-white figure stepped lightly over the golden ground.
It was a young man in white robes, face like carved jade, eyes cold as stars. A strand of long hair across his forehead made his complexion seem as pale as snow.
At his waist hung an ancient longsword, its scabbard entwined with dark silver patterns. His robes billowed as he walked, unsullied by even a speck of dust.
—What a handsome man!
All three gasped inwardly at once.
The white-robed young man stopped three zhang away, lips slightly curved as he cupped his hands in salute. The mountain wind stirred the jade band in his hair, making him seem like an immortal lord from a painting.
"Forgive my intrusion. May I ask if you three are heading south?"
Chen Chang'an narrowed his eyes. "What if we are?"
At the same time, he opened the system:
[???]
Cultivation: ?
Potential: ?
Destiny: ?
Loyalty: ?
Personality: ?
Useless system, what good are you!?
Still, though nothing could be seen of his background, meeting such a handsome young man in a tavern, teahouse, city street, or even a brothel would be perfectly ordinary.
Yet here he stood, in the wilderness…
Where there is strangeness, there must be something amiss.
"What a coincidence." A faint joy flickered in the white-robed youth's eyes. "I also wish to head south. But this road is plagued with beasts, and to travel alone may invite danger…" He paused, his tone sincere. "Might I accompany you for a while?"
Caution showed in both Han Yu and Li Hanzhou's eyes, but neither spoke. Instead, they turned their gazes toward Chen Chang'an.
As for Chen Chang'an, his first thought was simple… No matter what, refuse.
So he immediately opened his mouth: "Of course—"
Suddenly, the system prompt erupted in his mind.
System Prompt: Epic achievement series detected: Youth's Journey [24]
Youth's Journey (Part Two): Jade band binding dark hair, safeguarding a thousand-li path.
Completing the Youth's Journey series achievement rewards: Otherworldly Jade (raises the level of one Supreme Immortal Art).
…
What—triggered now, of all times?
Chen Chang'an's heart jolted, though not a trace showed on his face.
Naturally, the words "Not possible" that were about to leave his lips were swallowed back, and he changed instead: "You may."
At that moment, the mountain wind lifted the hem of the white-robed youth's garments.
Chen Chang'an's gaze sharpened, landing directly on the red pouch hanging at the other's waist.
So it was him—
Chen Chang'an suddenly smiled. "Since we share the same road, there is no harm."
A flicker of surprise crossed the white-robed youth's eyes, as though he had not expected such easy agreement. With solemn courtesy, he bowed. "Many thanks, fellow cultivator. I am Ling Zhanxue. May I ask your name…"
"Call me Mister Chen." Chen Chang'an replied.
"Han Yu."
"Li Hanzhou."
Seeing Chen Chang'an respond, the two youths quickly introduced themselves as well.
…
Ling Zhanxue… not only his looks, even his name sounds overly delicate!
Chen Chang'an sneered inwardly, then turned and continued on. "It's getting late. We should move on."
Han Yu hurried to his side, lowering his voice. "Master, this man's origins are unknown…"
"Do not worry." Chen Chang'an's lips curved. "It is no problem."
Behind them, the white-robed youth watched their backs. His fingers unconsciously stroked the red pouch at his waist, and a trace of curiosity flickered in his eyes.
…
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