At dawn the next morning, outside the grand formation of the Rin Family's residence, Rin Tianhai was ready to depart.
Grandfather Rin Shigong, Father Rin Jian, Mother Xi Yuexin, and Sister Rin Xuelian had gathered to see him off.
Xi Yuexin's eyes were red. When no one was paying attention, she secretly slipped a storage bag into Tianhai's hand, its contents unknown.
Despite giving instructions repeatedly the previous night, Rin Shigong still couldn't help but offer endless reminders.
"Remember to be careful, and do not neglect your alchemy or cultivation…"
"Alright, Father. Tianhai is no longer a child, and it's getting late. We should let him set off now," Rin Jian urged, though his expression remained worried.
Rin Shigong's face flushed. He sighed and finally said:
"It's just my old age showing its weakness. Go on, Tianhai. Don't worry about us—focus on your cultivation, and come back as soon as the year is up."
"Hmm…"
Maintaining outward calmness, Tianhai bowed slightly, his voice steady and resolute.
"Grandfather, Father, Mother, Sister—I'm leaving. I'll take good care of myself and cultivate diligently. I will return soon. Please, take care of yourselves as well."
With that, he summoned his Green Bamboo Sword, stepped onto the blade, and reluctantly soared into the skies, heading eastward.
The wind whipped against his green robe as he flew over mountains and rivers, his heart caught in a swirl of emotions.
He had long yearned to leave home, to travel the Nine Provinces Continent, to see its mighty rivers and peaks, and to meet the heroes of every tribe. Yet now, after only half a day's journey, he already misses his family deeply. With reluctance in his heart, he pressed on towards Qingfeng Town.
Qingfeng Town lay more than six hundred li from Green Bamboo Mountain. At full speed, he could arrive in two days. Leaving five days early gave him plenty of time, so there was no need to rush.
After half a day of sword flight, more than half his spiritual power was spent. For the sake of safety, he reserved the remainder for emergencies. It was his first journey into the wider world, and caution was best. Spotting a small valley ahead with a river ten zhang wide, he descended.
Landing atop a large tree, he retrieved the storage bag his mother had given him. Inside were three Qi Condensation Pills, one Essence Replenishing Pill, one Jade Detoxification Pill, and forty low-grade spirit stones.
Seeing this, his heart stirred.
This must have come from his father, Rin Jian. His mother, with only the Seventh Layer of Qi Refinement and no outstanding skills, could not have provided such resources often. Though his father was seldom home and appeared indifferent, he was silently contributing all along.
At this realization, Tianhai was deeply moved. He put the items back into the bag and began tallying his current possessions.
He now had ten Qi Condensation Pills, four Essence Replenishing Pills, two Jade Detoxification Pills, forty spirit stones, enough herbs for ten Fasting Pills and thirty-five batches of Spirit Origin Pill ingredients, two first-order superior attack talismans, two first-order superior defense talismans, one Elemental Fire Bottle, and the alchemy notes left by his grandfather.
He also carried detailed maps of Qing and Ji, including major mountain ranges, sect territories, and family residences. Green Bamboo Mountain was marked, though not prominently.
This wealth—worth hundreds of spirit stones—already surpassed what many Rin Family cultivators at the Fifth or Sixth Layer of Qi Refinement possessed. With his four superior talismans, he was confident in defending himself, unless faced with late-stage Qi Refinement experts.
After checking his location, he confirmed he had flown a hundred li, placing him above Jinyu Mountain, a range about a hundred li across.
He meditated for an hour, recovering his strength, then resumed his journey eastward.
Three days later, a sprawling town came into view. Rice paddies stretched endlessly across the plains, the open land devoid of hills.
Yet the spiritual energy here was thin—barely sixty percent of what Green Bamboo Mountain held. Fortunately, with his ample supply of pills, his cultivation would not suffer too greatly.
Green Bamboo Mountain, situated in the Luoyun Range, benefitted from a powerful second-order superior formation laid down by their ancestor, which gathered spiritual energy. Qingfeng Town, however, lay firmly in the mundane world.
Flying overhead, Tianhai saw the town clearly. Houses were neatly arranged, streets orderly, and countless Rin Family commoners looked up at him with admiration and envy. Some even knelt and whispered prayers.
Encircling the town was a vast wall, several zhang high, its main gate adorned with a massive red sandalwood plaque bearing three large characters: Qingfeng Town.
At the center rose the tallest structure—a five-story marble tower, its gray-white walls gleaming.
Without lingering, Tianhai descended toward it, landing in the square before the tower less than half an hour later.
A moment passed before a middle-aged man of about sixty appeared. His cultivation was at the Fifth Layer of Qi Refinement. This was Rin Xingche, a clan uncle Tianhai had met a few times before.
Tianhai stepped forward, clasped his hands, and bowed.
"Tianhai greets Clan Uncle."
Rin Xingche smiled warmly.
"No need for such formality, nephew. You must be weary from travel. Come, rest inside."
Tianhai accepted and followed him into the grand hall. Before entering, Rin Xingche instructed the attendants nearby:
"Prepare a feast for the hall, and summon the town mayor as well."
"Yes!" the attendant replied respectfully before hurrying away.
Inside, tea was served, and the two sat together. Rin Xingche chuckled.
"I thought another clansman would take my place here. Who would've expected it to be our family's pride?"
Tianhai shook his head modestly.
"I dare not claim such a title. Across Wei Kingdom, there are many talents, not to mention in greater regions such as Qing, Yun, and Xuan."
Rin Xingche nodded, then began explaining Qingfeng Town.
The town was one of the Rin Family's five major settlements, home to nearly a hundred thousand people. With over five centuries of history, it remained an important resource base. Every three years, a few children with spiritual roots would emerge, destined to join the clan's cultivation ranks.
In two and a half years, the triennial Spirit Root Testing Ceremony would arrive, when the family would send people to collect promising youths.
Geographically, Qingfeng Town lay five hundred li south, within Huangyang Kingdom's Whirlwind Mountain Range. Occasionally, low-order Demonic Beasts strayed into its borders, so vigilance was necessary. Tianhai was also warned not to wander into Huangyang's territory—the cultivators there far surpassed those of Wei Kingdom.
Three hundred li west lay the Ziyun Mountain Range, teeming with beasts, but not dangerous if one stayed within a hundred li of town.
After half an hour of explanation, the feast was brought forth. Ten dishes and fine wine filled the table as the two continued their conversation.
Soon after, an elderly man with white hair entered, supported by two younger men. All three knelt together.
"Welcome, great ancestor, to Qingfeng Town!"
Before the elder could finish, Tianhai raised his hand lightly, lifting them to their feet with spiritual power. The three froze, stunned.
"There's no need for such formality," Tianhai said calmly. "I've been fully briefed by Clan Uncle. For the next three years, I will guard Qingfeng Town and ensure its peace."
The elder smiled and introduced himself.
"I am Rin Sheng, a thirty-second generation clansman, mayor of Qingfeng Town for over twenty years. These are my sons, Rin Shan and Rin Hai. Age has left me frail, so I may not serve you closely, but my sons will attend to all your needs."
Turning sternly to his sons, he warned,
"Serve the great ancestor diligently. Any negligence will be punished by family discipline!"
The brothers trembled, nodding hurriedly.
Rin Xingche then handed over the control token for the tower's restrictions to Tianhai. With matters settled, the three left.
After a few more cups of wine, Rin Xingche bid Tianhai farewell, intending to return to the family estate at dawn. Tianhai raised his cup respectfully, wishing him a safe journey, and both retired to rest.
Having traveled without pause for three days, Tianhai was utterly exhausted. At last relaxed, he collapsed onto the bed and immediately fell asleep.
Outside, Rin Sheng and Rin Hai stood guard, not daring to leave.
The next morning, Tianhai personally escorted Clan Uncle Rin Xingche for several li before returning. Then, surveying the land within ten li of Qingfeng Town to ensure its safety, he finally withdrew into the attic's secret chamber to cultivate.