"Every annual cycle, a grandiose competition is convened within the kingdom," Mulo elucidated, his exhalations manifesting as transient mist in the frigid atmosphere of the chamber. "Although the Sky Lord Empire has conquered the Lindao Kingdom, they have designated it a vassal state to maintain geopolitical stability; consequently, certain indigenous traditions are preserved to placate the populace." Although Mulo's words appeared to carry the gravitational weight of truth, Xan harbored a lingering, corrosive suspicion toward him, for the cultivation world was notoriously treacherous. Xan Li Fang had not even concluded his inaugural diurnal cycle in this new reality; he was not yet weary of existence, and engaging in a proxy war for a fallen clan appeared to be an expedited trajectory toward mortality. "Apologies..." Xan articulated, shaking his head with a slow, deliberate cadence. "However, I have other obligations to fulfill; perhaps on a future occasion." Xan rose to his feet, intending to depart the village with haste, for his priority was to locate a proximate academy or a sect library where he might uncover ancient records or a spatial formation capable of transporting him to the Supreme Continent. After all, Xan Li Fang believed with absolute certainty that the sole method to return home—and to unearth the truth regarding his mother—resided in that elevated realm.
Mulo panicked, witnessing his singular hope navigating toward the exit. "Mr. Wang, I comprehend your desires!" Mulo pressed, stepping to intercept him. "You seek an ascension trajectory, do you not? If you emerge victorious in this competition, you can acquire the opportunity to enroll not only in the Lindao Royal Academy but also within the Sky Lord Palace Magical University." Xan halted; the nomenclature "Sky Lord Palace" implied a direct conduit to the rulers of the upper realms. "To the extent of my knowledge," Mulo continued, observing Xan's hesitation, "the victor receives a precious Spirit Treasure, the privilege to select any academy within the empire, and most crucially... a Royal Wish from the Kingdom, for the King is bound by an ancient, unbreakable oath to grant one request within his jurisdiction." Mulo locked eyes with Xan, his expression imploring. "I am petitioning you to utilize that wish on our behalf; use it to restore our ancestral territory, and in exchange, the academies and the treasure shall be exclusively yours." This proposition gave Xan pause; he sank into silence for several minutes, meticulously weighing the actuarial risks. If he gained entry to the academies, he would access resources beyond his imagination, and a Royal Wish... that was a formidable instrument. "Very well," Xan finally conceded, the cold, predatory ambition returning to his gaze. "I pledge my word; when do we depart?"
"The competition begins in two weeks, rendering our schedule exceedingly tight; we shall begin tomorrow morning." By the following dawn, the world had transformed into a monochromatic canvas of gray and white. "It is exceedingly frigid today, is it not, Mr. Wang?" Mulo remarked, drawing his fur cloak tighter around his frame. The two companions navigated through the dense, frozen forest, heading south toward the capital of Lindao; although the forest was vast, Mulo assured him of a shortcut, for traversing such an immense distance on foot would render them hopelessly late. "There exists a teleportation array five kilometers hence; through it, we can reach the capital city of Lindao instantly." Because the surroundings were blanketed in deep snow, devoid of landmarks save for endless white timber and gray firmament, Mulo utilized a device resembling an intricate golden compass, its needle glowing with faint Qi, to determine the correct vector through the magical interference of the forest. Although the distance was geographically short, the journey proved grueling, with snow reaching waist depth in places; Xan and Mulo trudged for approximately four hours, the silence of the woods broken only by the rhythmic crunch of their boots.
Finally, the arboreal density cleared. "Mr. Wang, we have arrived; behold the teleportation array." They stood before a massive, circular clearing paved with ancient, frost-rimed stone slabs. Xan immediately commenced a mental analysis; his Dao Essence vibrated, deconstructing the complex runic syntax etched into the lithic surface. "It appears to be a formation of moderate complexity," Xan contemplated. "The energy flow is elementary; if I can comprehend the core schema and the runic sequence, I could theoretically synthesize a teleportation array formation myself at a later juncture." They approached the structure, constructed of weathered gray stone, where the majestic effigies of four magical beasts—Dragon, Tiger, Phoenix, and Turtle—were sealed in relief carvings at the four cardinal corners. "As I interpret it," Xan observed aloud, indicating the empty sockets in the carvings, "for the formation to activate, four Magical Beast Stones or the Qi of four Beast Masters are required to power the conduits." Mulo regarded Xan with genuine surprise. "I admire your intellect, Mr. Wang; you deduced it at a single glance... Most individuals assume it merely requires a monetary tribute. Do not concern yourself with the logistics; four Beast Masters are typically stationed here to operate it for travelers, and the expenses shall be borne by me."
As they conversed, other wayfarers began to congregate around the formation, for as the sole functional teleportation array in the northern region, no other shortcut to the capital existed; traders, rogue cultivators, and mercenaries awaited the array's activation. Suddenly, a harsh, mocking voice sliced through the cold air. "Dog Mulo, you remain among the living? Depart now, and I may spare your pathetic existence." The speaker was a stranger, an elderly man aged between fifty-five and sixty, possessing wild white hair and a long beard, and dressed in an opulent black robe embroidered with crimson patterns resembling flames; he stared directly at Mulo with unmasked contempt and arrogance. Mulo stiffened, his hands clenching into fists within his sleeves. "Apologies for failing to meet your expectations," Mulo retorted, his voice tight with suppressed rage. Xan glanced between them, realizing instantly that this was not a random encounter but a manifestation of ancient animosity, and he knew he had to resolve Mulo's predicament; if Mulo were humiliated or detained here, they would miss the competition, and Xan would forfeit his chance at the Royal Wish. Furthermore, these individuals were irritating. "Old relic, conduct your business and vanish..." Xan stepped forward, interposing himself between Mulo and the stranger, his voice frigid and carrying a sharp edge that caused the nearby snow to shudder in resonance.