Dragon City, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Sect Master's study.
Yu Yuanchen faced his grandfather, Yu Boxuan, and stated his thoughts with a calm yet firm expression: "Grandfather, your grandson wishes to travel abroad to seek opportunities and obtain my Ninth Soul Ring."
Yu Boxuan stroked his beard and pondered. Although there was worry in his eyes, it was outweighed by his trust and expectations for his grandson's strength: "The Level 90 bottleneck has been broken, and your Soul Core has begun to form; your strength is indeed sufficient to traverse the continent. The Ninth Soul Ring concerns your future path, and ordinary soul beasts are no longer of much use, so seeking opportunities abroad is the right course of action. Where do you intend to go?"
"Your grandson plans to visit the Sunset Forest first," Yu Yuanchen replied. "Although the clan has sent people to search there before without success, perhaps the opportunity had not yet arrived, or there were oversights in the search. I want to try my luck again. If I find nothing, I will head to the Star Dou Great Forest or the Extreme North."
"The Sunset Forest..." Yu Boxuan nodded slightly. "Very well, it is not too far, and with your abilities, you are capable of handling the risks there. Does the clan need to send anyone to accompany you?"
"There is no need," Yu Yuanchen shook his head. "It is better for me to travel alone; it will be faster and more discreet."
Just as the grandfather and grandson were discussing the details, a soft knock sounded at the study door.
"Come in," Yu Boxuan said.
The door was pushed open, and Ye Zhilan walked in carrying a pot of freshly brewed Calming Tea. She first bowed to Yu Boxuan: "Grandfather Yu." Then, she placed the teacup gently on the table and turned her gaze toward Yu Yuanchen, her eyes filled with a hint of imperceptible anticipation and hesitation.
Yu Yuanchen looked at her and smiled gently. Yu Boxuan also laughed: "Zhilan, you've come at the right time. Yuanchen is about to head out for training to seek his Ninth Soul Ring."
Upon hearing this, Ye Zhilan's beautiful eyes brightened. She set down the tea tray, her hands clenching slightly as if she had made a decision. She raised her head, looking at Yu Yuanchen with clear and firm eyes, and said softly: "Brother Yuanchen... on this trip, could you... take me with you?"
Yu Yuanchen was slightly taken aback. Yu Boxuan also looked at her with mild surprise.
Ye Zhilan's cheeks flushed slightly, but her tone was exceptionally serious: "I know Brother Yuanchen is going for important business, and my cultivation level is still shallow, so I might be a burden... but," she paused and continued, "I am already Level 64, so I am not without the power to protect myself. My Mountain Splitting Force is also proficient; even an ordinary Soul Emperor would find it difficult to gain an advantage if I get close. Besides... Brother Yuanchen, you have said yourself that a Soul Master's cultivation cannot always be done behind closed doors; one needs to experience the wind and rain to see the world. I... I also want to go out and see, to gain some experience."
She looked at Yu Yuanchen earnestly: "I won't disturb you while you look for soul beasts, and on the road, perhaps... I can still be of some help. Gathering herbs, identifying paths, or... in case you get injured, I can always provide timely treatment..." By the end, her voice grew quieter, tinged with a hint of shyness, but her desire to accompany him and contribute her own strength was fully revealed.
Yu Yuanchen looked at the girl with firm eyes before him, and his heart stirred. He had indeed hoped she would gain more experience rather than staying in a greenhouse forever. He had previously refused to let the clan send anyone because he felt no one could keep up with his rhythm, making them a burden instead. But Ye Zhilan was different...
He pondered for a moment. With his current strength, he was capable of traversing the continent, and he had no life-or-death enemies (after all, his life-or-death enemies were all dead). He then smiled broadly: "Very well. Since that is the case, you shall come with me."
Ye Zhilan was instantly overjoyed, as if starlight had lit up in her eyes: "Really? Brother Yuanchen, you agree?"
"Yes," Yu Yuanchen nodded, his tone carrying unquestionable confidence. "With my current strength, protecting you is more than enough. As you said, the journey itself is also a form of cultivation. Your medical skills and Herbology Knowledge might truly be of help. And..." he looked at his grandfather, "with Zhilan accompanying me, we can look out for each other, and Grandfather can be more at ease."
Yu Boxuan looked at the pair of lovers before him and laughed while stroking his beard: "Good! Good! Chen'er is absolutely right! With Zhilan going along, I am indeed more at ease. Zhilan, you must listen to Yuanchen on the road and take care of your safety."
"Yes! Thank you, Grandfather Yu! Thank you, Brother Yuanchen!" Ye Zhilan replied happily, her face beaming with a radiant smile.
The matter was settled. The two made some preparations and packed their belongings. Yu Yuanchen specifically prepared a high-grade Storage Soul Tool, stocking it with plenty of fresh water, food, gold coins, and other supplies that might be needed.
Before leaving, Yu Boxuan handed a box to Yu Yuanchen and said: "This is the clan's Inherited Treasure; it can significantly increase your combat power. You are the most outstanding disciple in the history of our clan, and I believe you can lead the clan to unprecedented glory. Since it will be yours sooner or later, there is no harm in giving it to you early. You must remember, you carry the future of the clan on your shoulders!"
Yu Yuanchen realized what it was and wanted to decline, but under Yu Boxuan's firm, unyielding gaze, he had no choice but to accept it.
Three days later, the morning light began to peek through.
Yu Yuanchen and Ye Zhilan bid farewell to their family, left Dragon City, and set foot on the road toward the Sunset Forest.
Yu Yuanchen did not choose to travel at full speed. Since he had promised to let Ye Zhilan gain experience, he deliberately slowed his pace and concealed his powerful aura, simulating a fluctuation around the level of a Soul King. He changed into ordinary cyan martial attire, looking just like an average clan disciple escorting his junior sister out for training.
Ye Zhilan remained in her water-blue long dress, her temperament gentle and refined. She did not deliberately hide her Soul Emperor cultivation, which instead attracted quite a few gazes.
The two walked side by side—the man handsome and steady, the woman elegant and ethereal. Walking along the road, they looked like a beautiful scroll painting, yet they also attracted quite a bit of trouble.
Just as Yu Yuanchen had expected, Ye Zhilan's appearance and temperament, combined with her revealed Soul Emperor cultivation, inevitably aroused the covetousness of some arrogant youths who relied on their status or strength when they stopped to rest in certain towns.
On this day, inside a tavern in a border town called "Maple Leaf Town," the two were dining. Several young men in luxurious clothing, who clearly looked like local noble descendants, walked in. The leader scanned the hall and was immediately drawn to Ye Zhilan.
He walked over, swaying with a bit of drunkenness, and feigned elegance: "This young lady is quite a stranger; you aren't from around here, are you? I am the Son of the Lord of Maple Leaf Town. May I ask for your name? Would you do me the honor of sharing a drink?" He completely ignored Yu Yuanchen, who was sitting opposite her with "only Soul King cultivation."
Ye Zhilan frowned slightly, put down her chopsticks, and said coldly: "Sorry, it is not convenient."
Seeing her refusal, the Lord's son felt embarrassed, and his tone turned aggressive: "Why must you keep people at a distance? In this Maple Leaf Town, no one dares to deny me face." As he spoke, he reached out to grab Ye Zhilan's wrist.
The moment his hand reached out, Ye Zhilan moved.
She did not stand up; her right hand simply darted out like lightning, striking first and grabbing the opponent's wrist with precision. Her seemingly delicate fingers applied a slight force.
"Crack!"
A faint sound of a Bone Fracture rang out!
"Ah--!" The Lord's son let out a pig-like scream. His wrist bent at an unnatural angle, and the intense pain instantly sobered him up!
The guards behind him were Greatly Alarmed. They immediately released their soul rings and prepared to rush forward.
Ye Zhilan's expression remained unchanged. She tapped her left hand on the table, and an ordinary bamboo chopstick used for eating popped up, which she caught between her fingers. The next moment, she flicked her wrist!
"Whoosh!"
The bamboo chopstick turned into a blurred cyan shadow, instantly piercing the shoulder blade of the leading Soul Ancestor guard. With a spray of blood, it pinned him firmly to the wall behind him! The entire process was as fast as lightning; the guard hadn't even reacted!
The remaining guards froze in place, cold sweat dripping down, not daring to move. They saw clearly that the woman's strike was ruthless and decisive, and her strength far exceeded their imagination!
Only then did Ye Zhilan let go and look coldly at the Lord's son, who was clutching his wrist and screaming: "Get out. If you disturb my peace again, it won't just be your wrist that gets crippled."
Her voice remained soft, yet it carried an unquestionable chill.
The Lord's son was scared out of his wits. He didn't even dare to utter a threat; supported by his subordinates, he scrambled out of the tavern.
The tavern fell into silence. Everyone looked in shock at the girl in the blue dress who was still sitting quietly, never expecting that beneath her beautiful exterior lay such formidable strength and ruthless methods.
Yu Yuanchen had not made a move from start to finish; he simply sipped his tea leisurely, a hint of approving laughter in his eyes. It seemed that his Zhilan was not a flower that needed constant protection; she already possessed the thorns to protect herself and even harm others.
"Handled well," he said softly.
Ye Zhilan's cheeks flushed, and she lowered her head in embarrassment: "He was just too annoying... besides, Brother Yuanchen, you taught me that when dealing with such people, you have to scare them once so they don't keep coming back."
Yu Yuanchen nodded with a smile, "That is exactly the reason."
After this incident, Ye Zhilan seemed to open up a bit more. Along the way, whenever they encountered places with beautiful scenery or simple local customs and traditions, she would take the initiative to suggest a short stop. She would even seek out areas in towns where commoners gathered, setting up simple stalls to provide free medical consultations.
Her medical skill was exquisite, her attitude was full of affinity, and she often charged the impoverished commoners nothing at all, quickly earning her the reputation of the "Fairy Physician." Yu Yuanchen would silently stand guard nearby, watching her treat people with focus and gentleness, his eyes filled with softness. This process was not only about performing good deeds but also served as excellent training for her medical skill, her temperament, and even her soul power control.
The journey was not always smooth. They also encountered true robbers and villains, among whom were even Desperado at the level of a Soul King or Soul Emperor. For these people who truly deserved to die, Yu Yuanchen no longer let Ye Zhilan practice on them.
Often, just as the opponent revealed their malice, or even before their soul ring had fully risen, a flash of Purple Gold Lightning would streak by. Immediately, those bandits would be struck as if by Heavenly Thunder, instantly turning into charred remains without even having the chance to scream.
When Ye Zhilan first saw Yu Yuanchen truly strike with such Thunderous Might and indifference toward life and death, she felt a bit shocked, yet she felt no fear or disgust. She understood the law of the jungle in this world, and she understood even more that Yu Yuanchen's actions were to protect her and eliminate scourges.
Just like that, the two traveled slowly, sometimes speeding along, sometimes stopping to observe the local customs and traditions and experience the various states of the mortal world. Ye Zhilan's horizons broadened, her practical combat experience and understanding of human nature improved significantly, and her soul power became increasingly refined during their training, showing faint signs of a breakthrough to level sixty-five.
Although Yu Yuanchen did not deliberately cultivate, his soul core operated on its own, absorbing the energy of heaven and earth at every moment. His foundation was constantly being solidified, and his control over his power became increasingly subtle and precise.
On this day, from afar, the outline of a massive city, even more magnificent and grand than Dragon City, appeared on the horizon. The towering city walls coiled like a giant dragon, exuding an Ancient and majestic aura.
Heaven Dou City had arrived.
"Brother Yuanchen, we have arrived." Ye Zhilan gazed at the giant city in the distance, her eyes filled with a hint of anticipation and curiosity.
"Mm." Yu Yuanchen nodded, "Let's go, let's enter the city. We should find a place to stay first."
His gaze swept across Heaven Dou City, his heart calm and without ripples. The destination of this trip was the Sunset Forest, and Heaven Dou City was merely a place they were passing through. He had no intention of having any interaction with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect here; at the very least, initiating contact was not part of the plan.
The two followed the flow of people toward the gates of the Imperial Capital.
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Translated by: randomtranslator.com
Proofread by: GodKun-Chan