After bidding farewell to the heartfelt crowd from the Wu Village, Tang Xiaoqi did not flaunt his return by riding a beam of light. Instead, he chose a relatively low‑profile approach, traveling via several large‑scale teleportation arrays and making his way back to the heart of the Central Plains. With the rabbit spirit — now fluffy again and busy gnawing on a spirit fruit — squatting on his shoulder, he looked like an ordinary young cultivator with a pet. Yet the subtle aura he inadvertently exuded, one that seemed to harmonize faintly with heaven and earth, drew sideways glances from some high‑level cultivators with keen perception.
However, the moment he stepped out of the last teleportation array leading to Tianshu City — the majestic, sprawling metropolis that dominated the Central Plains — his attempt at keeping a low profile was instantly shattered.
The name "Tang Xiaoqi," together with the news of his successful condensation of a Golden Core, had already dropped like a boulder into a tranquil lake, stirring up monstrous waves in the unfathomable waters of Tianshu City. The moment he appeared, countless gazes — overt or covert — converged on him from all directions, carrying a mix of complex emotions, and instantly locked onto him.
The speed at which the news spread far exceeded his imagination. The Southern Frontier was no isolated backwater. The celebration at Wu Village, the congratulations from myriad spirits, and especially the Golden Core tribulation lightning that had drawn celestial omens — none of it could be hidden from those in the know. Almost as soon as he had stabilized his cultivation base, the message — "Tang Xiaoqi of Qingxu Temple has condensed a top‑three‑grade Golden Core in the Southern Frontier, drawing nine‑fold heavenly tribulation and receiving the blessing of heaven and earth" — had already been delivered, through various channels, to the desks of the major power leaders in Tianshu City.
Now, his return to Tianshu was like a tiger coming back to its mountain, instantly stirring up the entire landscape of power.
At the city gate, the guards responsible for inspection had long been replaced by seasoned veterans with sharp eyes and steady nerves. Spotting Xiaoqi from afar, they dared not even probe him with their spiritual sense. Yet just by feeling that towering, unfathomable, and restrained aura, their hearts tightened. They immediately straightened their backs, put on the most respectful smiles they had ever worn, and quickly waved him through — skipping even the routine questioning. A Golden Core True Lord so young was not someone they could afford to slight, given his future potential and current status.
Once inside the city, the change was even more palpable. The streets seemed more crowded than usual, but as he walked, the crowd parted almost instinctively. Many cultivators — especially those at lower stages — looked at him with undisguised awe and fervor. The Golden Core stage represented a true high‑level cultivator in the cultivation world, one qualified to found a sect or lineage. A Golden Core cultivator this young was a legendary figure, the kind that lower‑stage cultivators aspired to and idolized.
"Look! That's True Lord Tang Xiaoqi!"
"Hiss… so young! I can't sense the depth of his aura at all!"
"I heard that when he formed his Golden Core in the Southern Frontier, he drew nine‑fold heavenly thunder! Incredible!"
"Qingxu Temple is truly on the rise now!"
"That rabbit on his shoulder… could it be the legendary treasure‑hunting rabbit?"
Whispers flowed through the crowd, merging into an invisible wave of murmurs that surrounded Xiaoqi. His expression was calm, his pace unhurried, as if he hadn't heard a word. Yet with a slight movement of his spiritual sense, he took in all the reactions within several hundred zhang.
Most gazes held reverence — a natural worship of power. But many others carried far more complex content.
Representatives of small‑to‑medium sects or stewards of cultivation families eagerly pushed forward, their faces alight with the warmest smiles, trying to hand over visiting cards or invitations in hopes of forging a connection with the newly promoted Golden Core True Lord — even just to make their faces known. Their attitudes were humble and fervent, their words full of flattery, laying out their intentions to befriend him in no uncertain terms. Xiaoqi merely nodded slightly without stopping. If he had brought attendants, they would have handled such trivial matters, but he had none, so he either pocketed the cards himself or politely declined.
Yet not everyone wished to befriend him. From the windows of lofty taverns and elegant pavilions, or from secluded corners, came glances filled with scrutiny, wariness, and even a faint, hard‑to‑detect hostility.
Power in Tianshu City was deeply interwoven, and Xiaoqi's meteoric rise had undoubtedly upset the existing balance. Qingxu Temple had already gained renown because of his performance at the Dao Inquiry Conference, and now that he had officially advanced to Golden Core, the temple's status was bound to rise further — which would inevitably encroach on the interests of certain entrenched powers. Especially those sects that had previously clashed with Qingxu Temple or had potential conflicts over resource competition — their feelings were especially complicated.
They feared Xiaoqi's potential and strength. A Golden Core cultivator so young meant that Qingxu Temple would have a powerful pillar for the next several centuries. This forced them to be more cautious in their strategies, even to reassess their relationship with the temple.
Some went further, their eyes hiding cold calculations. The tallest tree invites the strongest wind. If such a dazzling genius could not be used for their own ends, then before he fully matured… might it be better to…? Such dark thoughts quietly festered in the undercurrents. Yet, given Xiaoqi's terrifying combat ability (crossing cultivation tiers to fight, purifying demonic energy), mysterious background (suspected ancient inheritance), and now his Golden Core cultivation, any rash move would require immense courage and meticulous planning.
Xiaoqi was well aware of all this. His spiritual sense was powerful, and though those hidden malicious intents were subtle, they were like fireflies in the night — difficult to completely hide from his perception. But he did not care. A cold smile played on his lips. With his Golden Core established, he had enough confidence to face these storms. As long as they did not cross his bottom line, the schemes of petty villains were nothing more than the antics of clowns.
He walked straight toward the cave dwelling he had rented in the western part of the city. Along the way, he sensed several powerful spiritual senses sweeping over him, probing — at least mid‑Golden Core, or even late‑stage. These were likely the true high‑level figures of Tianshu City, or the seated powerhouses of major factions. Their attitude was relatively neutral, more about observation and assessment.
"Storms rising again…" Xiaoqi sighed inwardly. Tianshu City — this giant metropolis that gathered the world's finest talents and opportunities — had never been a tranquil harbor. His return was like dropping a heavy bomb into deep waters, and the future situation would surely become even more turbulent because of him.
But he was not afraid.
Arriving before his familiar cave dwelling, he pushed open the stone door, momentarily shutting out the noise and undercurrents of the outside world.
The rabbit spirit on his shoulder immediately jumped down, scurrying with practiced ease to the corner where it hoarded its treasures and began counting its "belongings."
Xiaoqi walked to the center of the meditation chamber, sat down cross‑legged, and did not immediately start cultivating. Instead, he quietly reflected.
Returning to Tianshu was only the beginning. Next, should he report his Golden Core cultivation to the Alliance, to receive the corresponding benefits and duties? Or should he first visit a few old acquaintances, like Mu Xue or Ao Qin? Or… wait for the inevitable stream of visitors and challenges?
A faint curve tugged at the corner of his mouth. His eyes were sharp and calm.
Since the storm had arisen, he would ride the wind and transform into a dragon, on the stage of Tianshu City, to write his own legend!