After bidding farewell to the Three Xiaos, Yang Jian departed Jin'ao Island with a renewed sense of purpose. His destination lay along the coast of the East China Sea—one of the great human settlements that dotted this ancient realm.
Donghai City earned its name from its prime location on the eastern shores, where the vast ocean stretched endlessly toward the horizon. The metropolis was truly impressive in scale, with its main urban center housing tens of millions of souls. When combined with the countless smaller settlements that fell under its administrative control, the total population exceeded one hundred million—making it undeniably the greatest human stronghold in the entire East China Sea region.
As Yang Jian approached the city's towering walls, he couldn't help but pause in admiration. The fortifications rose like mountains of worked stone, their ramparts bristling with disciplined soldiers whose martial bearing spoke of rigorous training. Even from this distance, his enhanced senses could detect the powerful qi emanating from numerous cultivation masters within the city bounds—a concentration of strength that would give even demon lords pause.
"Truly worthy of being called the foremost human city in the East China Sea," he murmured to himself.
"Young man, is this your first visit to our fair city?"
The voice belonged to an elderly gentleman who had approached while Yang Jian stood lost in contemplation. The stranger's weathered face bore the lines of someone who had lived through many seasons, yet his eyes remained sharp and alert.
"Honored elder," Yang Jian replied with a respectful bow. "Indeed, I have journeyed here from Guanjiangkou, and this is my first time beholding Donghai City's magnificence."
"Guanjiangkou?" The old man's eyebrows rose with surprise. "That's in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River! Young friend, you must possess considerable skill to have traveled such a distance alone."
The assessment was astute—the journey between those two locations was one that ordinary mortals could never hope to complete, even if granted multiple lifetimes. Beyond the sheer distance lay countless dangers: vast wilderness areas where demons prowled freely, ancient forests where unwary travelers vanished without trace, and mountain passes that tested even seasoned warriors. For someone who appeared so youthful to have survived such a trek suggested either hidden depths or membership in one of the great sects.
"You know of Guanjiangkou, honored elder?" Yang Jian asked with genuine curiosity.
"Ha! In my younger days, I was quite the traveler myself," the old man chuckled, stroking his beard with evident satisfaction. "I was fortunate enough to visit both the ancient Yellow River territories and the newer Yangtze settlements. Adventure called to me then, though I've since found my calling closer to home."
Yang Jian's awakened perceptions allowed him to sense the old man's true nature beneath his humble exterior. Despite his advanced years, the elder's qi burned with concentrated intensity—like a forge fire compressed into perfect efficiency. This was clearly a master of the martial arts, someone who had reached the pinnacle of mortal cultivation. No wonder he had been able to undertake such extensive travels in his youth.
"Might this junior inquire as to your honored name?" Yang Jian asked.
"My given name is Dong Qing," the elder replied with a warm smile. "I have the honor of serving as Lord of Donghai City. I was conducting an inspection outside the walls when I noticed you surveying our defenses. Your bearing suggested someone of exceptional quality, so I took the liberty of introducing myself."
Yang Jian's eyes widened in recognition and respect. He had indeed chosen Donghai City as his destination based on reports of its remarkable leader—a man whose wise governance had transformed the region into a bastion of human prosperity. Encountering the legendary figure so unexpectedly was like stumbling upon a pearl while searching for ordinary stones.
"Lord Dong!" Yang Jian immediately offered a formal salute. "Forgive this humble traveler for failing to recognize such an esteemed personage. I am called Yang Jian."
"Please, no need for such ceremony," Dong Qing replied with a dismissive wave. "I chose to approach you as a fellow wanderer, not as a city official. Tell me, young friend Yang Jian, what brings you so far from your homeland? And if I may ask—though I understand if you cannot answer—who was your teacher? Such skill at your age speaks of truly exceptional instruction."
"This disciple has indeed been blessed with remarkable guidance," Yang Jian replied carefully. "However, my master's identity is not something I can casually reveal, as it touches upon matters of great sensitivity."
"Ah, perfectly understandable," Dong Qing nodded sagely. "Those who achieve true mastery often prefer discretion. Forgive my curiosity—it comes from genuine admiration rather than idle gossip." He paused, his expression brightening. "Young friend Yang Jian, would you honor an old man by joining me for dinner? My mansion has comfortable accommodations, and I would greatly enjoy continuing our conversation over wine."
The invitation represented exactly the opportunity Yang Jian had hoped for. During his travels through the human world, he had primarily encountered common folk—farmers, merchants, craftsmen. The chance to understand how mortal leaders thought and governed would provide invaluable insights into the complexities of human nature that his master expected him to comprehend.
"The honor would be entirely mine, City Lord Dong," Yang Jian replied with another bow.
The City Lord's Mansion proved as impressive as its occupant's reputation suggested. Dong Qing led his guest to a tower that offered panoramic views of the sprawling metropolis below. Servants brought fine wine and delicacies, setting an elegant table as the sun began its descent toward the western horizon.
What followed was perhaps the most enlightening conversation of Yang Jian's young life. Dong Qing possessed the wisdom of extensive travel combined with the practical experience of effective governance. They spoke of everything under heaven—distant lands and foreign customs, the challenges of leadership, the delicate balance between strength and mercy required to protect one's people.
"You know," Dong Qing said as he refilled their cups, "when I first took responsibility for this city, the situation was quite desperate. Demon attacks were constant, the dragon clans caused devastating floods at whim, and trade had nearly ceased due to bandit activity."
"Yet now Donghai City stands as a beacon of prosperity," Yang Jian observed. "How did you achieve such a transformation?"
"Boldness, when applied correctly," Dong Qing chuckled. "I traveled alone to the East China Sea Dragon Palace and negotiated directly with the Dragon King. Rather than viewing the dragons as enemies, I proposed an alliance—they would serve as our city's guardian spirits in exchange for sharing in humanity's accumulated fortune. The arrangement has benefited both sides immensely."
Yang Jian nodded appreciatively. Such diplomatic courage was rare among mortals, who typically viewed dragons with either fear or reverence but seldom as potential partners.
"As for the demons," Dong Qing continued, "regular military expeditions have pushed them far from our borders. Strong defenses and stronger resolve—that's the foundation of any lasting peace."
The hours passed unnoticed as the two men shared stories and insights. By evening's end, Yang Jian had agreed to remain in Donghai City for a full year—time enough to truly understand how mortal society functioned at its highest level.
That night, alone in the comfortable quarters Dong Qing had provided, Yang Jian stood in the courtyard gazing up at the moon. The luminous orb stirred memories of simpler times—evenings spent with his siblings listening to their mother Yaoji tell stories of ancient days. The warmth of family, the security of love, the innocent belief that such happiness could last forever.
Now, in this peaceful courtyard within a mortal city, he felt an echo of that lost contentment. Perhaps his master was right about the value of experiencing human emotions directly rather than merely understanding them intellectually.
A sudden impulse seized him—the wine making him bolder than usual. The moon had always fascinated him as a child. What would it be like to visit that celestial realm, to see the heavens that his divine heritage should grant him access to?
Quickly penning a note to explain his temporary absence, Yang Jian left the message on his desk and launched himself skyward, his flight path aimed directly at the glowing lunar orb.
His first impression of the celestial realm was one of breathtaking beauty tempered by profound loneliness. The architecture defied mortal understanding—palaces of crystallized starlight, gardens where flowers bloomed in perfect mathematical arrangements, rivers of liquid moonbeams flowing through impossible geometries. Yet for all its perfection, something felt hollow about this realm, as if it existed more as an ideal than a place where actual beings lived and loved.
"Halt! State your business here!"
The commanding voice belonged to a figure approaching through the ethereal mists—a female immortal whose beauty exceeded anything Yang Jian had ever witnessed. She wore robes of pure white that seemed woven from moonlight itself, and her unadorned face possessed a perfection that made even his mother and Yunxiao seem plain by comparison. Like the moon she served, her beauty was distant and untouchable, inspiring awe rather than affection.
"I am called Qingyuan," Yang Jian replied with a respectful bow. "I have only just arrived in this celestial realm and meant no offense by my presence. Please forgive any impropriety, honored fairy."
The immortal studied him carefully. Most male cultivators below the Taiyi realm would lose themselves for extended periods when confronted with her divine beauty, yet this youth had recovered from his initial surprise almost immediately. Such mental discipline was rare indeed.
"Qingyuan... you are not one of the heavenly immortals, are you?" she asked, noting details of his dress and bearing that marked him as an outsider.
"Indeed, I am merely a disciple of Renjiao, visiting from the mortal realm," Yang Jian confirmed.
Recognition dawned in the fairy's luminous eyes. "Then you must be Yang Jian—the one who forced the Great Golden Crow to return empty-handed."
"I am Yang Jian," he confirmed simply.
For a moment, the fairy's perfect composure wavered. Despite his divine heritage, Yang Jian bore a striking resemblance to someone she remembered fondly—Yaoji had been one of her few genuine friends in the often-lonely celestial court.
"Yang Jian," she said urgently, "you must leave immediately! If the Emperor of Heaven discovers your presence here, the consequences could be severe. The three-year truce may protect you in the mortal realm, but these are his personal domains."
The warning sobered Yang Jian instantly. Wine-fueled boldness was no match for political reality, and he realized how reckless his impulse had been.
"I thank you for this wise counsel, fairy," he said with deep gratitude. "I shall depart at once."
Without waiting for a response, he launched himself back toward the mortal realm, leaving the celestial beauty alone with her memories.
The fairy watched his diminishing form with a wistful sigh, remembering another who had possessed such courage—and how that courage had ultimately led to tragedy.
What she didn't know was that the Emperor of Heaven had indeed detected Yang Jian's brief visit. From his throne in the Lingxiao Palace, he had observed his nephew's celestial tourism with detached interest before returning his attention to more pressing matters. The boy's audacity was amusing, but hardly threatening enough to warrant breaking the agreed-upon truce.
Upon returning to Donghai City, Yang Jian settled into a routine of observation and learning. City Lord Dong proved an excellent teacher, sharing insights into governance, diplomacy, and the complex challenges of protecting mortal populations in a world filled with supernatural threats.
It was during one of his walks through the bustling markets that Yang Jian encountered someone who would add yet another layer of complexity to his understanding of human nature—a woman whose name was Chang Ji, and whose story would prove as compelling as it was tragic.
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