.
To speed up their journey to Mocheng, Xiao Ling awakened the Split Sky Seat on his wrist, and the two of them rode it at full speed towards Mocheng.
A day later, on the eastern border of the Jiama Empire, at the edge of the Tagor Desert, in Mocheng,
a slender creature streaked through the sky, tearing a brilliant blue path through the surrounding clouds, making it particularly eye-catching.
With the Split Sky Seat's speed surpassing that of an ordinary Dou Zong master, it only took about a day for the two to reach Stone Mocheng.
Xiao Ling said to Zi Yan, who was standing by, "Let's go together. Don't draw too much attention. Don't steal herbs from other people's treasuries. It'll get you into trouble. People will then say I, a sixth-grade alchemist, stole herbs. That would be terrible."
Zi Yan scratched her head, a little guilty, and said, "I know, I know. Don't worry, I wouldn't do anything like that."
Xiao Ling, observing Zi Yan's expression, shook his head helplessly. It was clear that this was exactly what she had been thinking.
After patting Rayquaza's back, Xiao Ling's telepathic connection with Rayquaza gradually shrank, wrapping itself around Xiao Ling's wrist and slipping into his sleeve.
After stuffing a fourth-grade elixir into his sleeve, Rayquaza swallowed it in one gulp. He licked Xiao Ling's finger and then turned back to sleep.
Patting the little creature on the head, Xiao Ling said with a hint of amusement, "You've been traveling at full speed all day. Get some rest."
The two of them disembarked from Rayquaza, spread their battle wings, and flew towards the city gate.
A few hundred meters from the city, Xiao Ling and Zi Yan's speed gradually slowed. With a slight tremor, the battle wings behind them transformed into particles of energy, slowly dissipating into the air.
Perhaps due to its proximity to the desert, the weather here was quite dry and scorching. The blazing sun streamed down from the sky, baking the ground beneath his feet until it emitted a suffocating heat. The heat slowly rose, causing his vision to become distorted and blurry. He
checked his internal state and discovered that his fire attribute was experiencing a certain increase in activity. The spiritual perception emanated from his brows, noting that the air here was filled with a large amount of fire and earth energy. Cultivating these two attributes here would improve efficiency, but compared to the Tianfen Qi Training Tower in the inner courtyard, it was nothing.
As they approached the city, more and more people appeared. Most of these men were shirtless, their skin tanned and lean, appearing rather bold and dashing. The occasional woman, though similarly dark, possessed a tanned, almost sensual hue. The women here were not as reserved and coy as those in the empire. Their tight leather jackets barely concealed their breasts and the area below, while their slender waists were boldly exposed. Their long, taut thighs were similarly contained by short skirts or shorts. As they walked, their serpentine waists swayed, creating a uniquely captivating charm and flirtation.
However, Xiao Ling only glanced at these scenes, which would have been breathtaking to others, and then looked away. Han Yue and Xiao Xun'er had already raised Xiao Ling's standards. These vulgar women, inferior even to the seniors and juniors at Canaan Academy, naturally held little interest for him.
Not far from the city gate, Xiao Ling took out his alchemist robes and donned the previously acquired third-grade alchemist badge. He had originally intended to use his second-grade alchemist identity to avoid any trouble, but a third-grade alchemist was still a bit conspicuous. After all, Xiao Ling didn't like being constantly stared at, and pretending to be cool in front of these fighters and masters didn't give him a sense of accomplishment. It was a pity that he had reached the third grade so quickly, lacking any lower-level badges. This was the frustration of a genius.
At the city gate, a dozen armored soldiers, wielding spears, shouted at passersby entering the city to pay the entrance tax.
Perhaps because of the scorching heat, the soldiers guarding the area were also a little irritated by the irritating weather, and their harsh shouts and curses constantly urged passersby at the city gate.
Because their temperaments and attire were distinct, they were quickly noticed by the pedestrians and soldiers at the gate.
Noticing Xiao Ling's alchemist robes and the third-rank alchemist badge on his chest, the crowd cast envy, admiration, and yearning glances at the two.
Pedestrians stopped and made way to the sides.
Xiao Ling didn't say much and walked straight to the city gate with Zi Yan. When the soldiers guarding the city gate saw the two of them coming, one of the soldiers hurriedly stepped forward and bowed. The unfriendly look he had just given to others became flattering. He said, "Sir Alchemist, if you need to enter the city, please come in. You are of noble status and do not need to queue."
He nodded slightly and walked towards an empty passage next to him. He took out a first-grade pill from his ring and threw it to the soldier. Then he asked, "Where is the largest map shop in Mo City?"
The soldier was quick-eyed and quick-handed. He caught the pill. The smell of the medicine emanating from it made him intoxicated. He hurriedly bowed to Xiao Ling and replied respectfully, "There is a map shop called "Gutu" in Mo City. I have a map here with the approximate location written on it. Sir Alchemist may wish to take a look." He then took out a map from his body and handed it to Xiao Ling.
Seeing the man's success, the surrounding soldiers cast envious glances, regretting not having gone up to the alchemist and currying favor with him, thus missing out on such a chance.
Ignoring him, Xiao Ling took the map and led Zi Yan into the passageway, slowly disappearing into the darkness of the walled passageway.
Gripping the pill tightly in his hand and glancing at the envious glances around him, the soldier couldn't help but sigh, "Luckily, I was quick-witted, or else I wouldn't have gotten this kind of benefit."
...
Following the map the soldier had given him, Xiao Ling and Zi Yan soon arrived at a shop.
Xiao Ling surveyed the shop from the outside. Unlike other opulent establishments, it exuded a rustic air, a sign that the owner was a distinguished figure.
Without further thought, Xiao Ling and Zi Yan slowly entered the shop. The interior wasn't particularly spacious, but the faint glow of two moonstones illuminated it quite brightly. Scanning the shop, he saw few people buying maps; it seemed deserted. If he hadn't read the original novel, Xiao Ling would have wondered if he'd walked into the wrong place.
Upon entering, Xiao Ling immediately noticed the elderly man behind the counter. He was dressed in a long blue robe, his white hair flowing carelessly behind him. An icy aura emanated from him, evidently a master cultivator of ice-attributed Dou Qi.
The elder was clearly quite old, but despite his age, his withered hand gripping the black drawing pen remained steady and powerful.
Seeing this, Xiao Ling couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Hai Bodong, the Dou Qi Continent angel investor, I've finally found you."
(End of Chapter)