Chapter Forty-Nine: Journey to Dragon City

“The reason I asked about the Dao was simply to better prepare myself for breaking through to the Spiritual Realm. As the saying goes, it’s always wise to be prepared…” Lin Cheng continued.

Seeing Lin Cheng’s calm composure, Qiu Nan and Fu Bo beside him couldn’t help but look at him with newfound respect.

To achieve the rank of True Qi Master at such a young age, and to be so humble and courteous, neither arrogant nor impatient—this boy is no ordinary person!

Thinking thus, Qiu Nan no longer hesitated. He put away the wooden box and said thoughtfully, “Brother Lin, you might try your luck at the Longcheng Auction House. That pill appeared there quite unexpectedly some days ago, but the auction house hasn’t revealed its origin.”

Lin Cheng nodded. “Then I’ll make a trip to Longcheng, and pay a visit to Master An as well.”

Fu Bo was overjoyed at the words, and quickly cupped his hands. “Young Master Lin’s visit to the An family will bring honor to our humble house.”

“Ah! Lin Cheng, are you really coming to our An family?” An An, who seemed to have just finished sparring with Qiu Yingying, heard the conversation, put away her long whip, and happily leaped in front of Lin Cheng.

Lin Cheng looked at the sweating young girl, took out a handkerchief and handed it to her, nodding, “Yes.”

“Wonderful! Father will be so delighted…” Receiving his affirmation, An An jumped with joy.

Watching from behind, Qiu Yingying stamped her foot in frustration. The two had competed in everything since childhood. Now, seeing An An attain the fifth level of the True Qi Realm before her, and having Lin Cheng’s support, she felt a pang of jealousy.

Wiping her fragrant sweat, An An turned to Qiu Yingying. “Well? Why don’t you come with us to Longcheng? Maybe my brother Lin Cheng can give you some pointers along the way…”

“Shameless…” Qiu Yingying huffed, stamped her foot, and turned away.

Brother Lin Cheng!

Lin Cheng stared blankly at An An.

“Hmph, taking advantage and still acting coy…” An An shot Lin Cheng a glare and quickly left.

…………

In the blink of an eye, Lin Cheng had stayed in Qiuming City for five or six days.

During this time, the two girls dragged him all over the city, and, of course, he occasionally gave them advice and guidance.

These past few days had been the happiest since Lin Cheng embarked on his cultivation journey.

Tomorrow, they would set out for Longcheng.

Late at night, in the City Lord’s study.

Lin Cheng and Qiu Nan sat cross-legged across from each other, discussing the Dao since nightfall.

Although Lin Cheng had only recently begun his cultivation journey, he hailed from the Qingyang Sect, and many profound truths were far beyond Qiu Nan’s reach. After their discourse, Qiu Nan found many of his previous doubts suddenly clarified, and the more he looked at Lin Cheng, the more he felt this youth was truly extraordinary.

“Brother Qiu, may I take a look at the technique you practice?” Lin Cheng asked.

Qiu Nan immediately took out an old, yellowed manual from his storage bag and handed it to Lin Cheng. “This is the technique passed down from our ancestor, Qiu Ming. It is thanks to this manual that the Qiu family has secured its place in the secular world.”

Lin Cheng glanced at the manual, named ‘Spring Vitality Technique,’ and saw it was suited for cultivators with wood-element spiritual roots. He skimmed through it quickly and returned it to Qiu Nan.

“Brother Qiu, you possess a wood-element spiritual root?” Lin Cheng asked.

“Indeed. However, this technique can only be practiced by those with wood-elemental roots. Over the years, although our Qiu family has held sway over Qiuming City, our younger generation has grown weak, and I alone bear the burden,” Qiu Nan replied.

“Brother Qiu, to have reached such a realm relying on a mid-grade Yellow-rank technique is no easy feat… From what I see, your technique can only lead to the Spiritual Realm, with nothing beyond it,” Lin Cheng observed.

Qiu Nan shook his head bitterly. “To be honest, if I could achieve the Spiritual Realm, I would be satisfied.”

A flash of light appeared in Lin Cheng’s hand, revealing an ancient, greenish manual.

“I came upon this by chance. Since you’ve treated me so sincerely these past days, I wish to gift it to you, hoping you might soar higher in the future…” Lin Cheng pushed the manual, obtained from Si Miao’s storage ring, towards Qiu Nan with a smile.

Qiu Nan started, about to refuse, but when he saw the flowing script on the cover, ‘Deadwood Spring Technique,’ he couldn’t help but pick it up and leaf through it.

“Deadwood Spring Technique, mid-grade Profound-rank…” Seeing the words on the first page, Qiu Nan stood up in shock.

“Brother Lin, this… this is too much…” Qiu Nan exclaimed.

Lin Cheng smiled. “It includes cultivation methods from the Spiritual Realm up to the Pill Realm. I believe this will keep you occupied for some time… I help you because, after these days together, I find you to be a worthy friend. If you refuse, it means you do not accept me as such.”

Qiu Nan quickly cupped his hands. “Brother Lin, how could you say that… With such generosity, I would be honored to accept. Many thanks!”

Never in decades had Qiu Nan been so happy. A Profound-rank manual was something he had never dared to dream of.

He was grateful for his sincere friendship with Lin Cheng, else he would have missed this great opportunity.

Knowing Qiu Nan was eager to cultivate, Lin Cheng did not linger. He cupped his hands. “Brother Qiu, it’s late. I’ll take my leave so as not to disturb you.”

Qiu Nan returned the gesture. “Brother Lin, I will never forget your gift of the technique. If ever you need anything, I will give my all to help.”

Lin Cheng waved it off and walked out, tossing a storage bag filled with spirit stones behind him.

Qiu Nan froze, opened it, and was stunned, his trembling hand clutching the bag revealing his excitement.

…………

The next day dawned bright, with the sun high in the sky.

Everyone was ready to depart. The flag of the Righteous Escort Agency fluttered in the wind as they prepared to return home. Each face was radiant, brimming with energy and spirit.

In front of the City Lord’s manor, Qiu Yingying was bidding farewell to her father.

She had ultimately decided to go with An An to Longcheng—more precisely, to follow Lin Cheng.

In just a few days, with only a few casual pointers from this young man, her understanding had deepened, and she was already on the verge of a breakthrough. Unconsciously, she had become captivated by this extraordinary youth.

An An withdrew her gaze from Qiu Yingying and pinched Lin Cheng’s arm hard, pouting. “You must be pleased, having two beautiful women accompany you. Are you feeling smug?”

Lin Cheng rubbed his nose and teased, “When we get to Longcheng, you won’t have your father try to force me to stay, will you?”

An An snorted, “That’s not out of the question…”

At that moment, Qiu Yingying approached. “Were you two flirting while I wasn’t here?”

An An replied, “What business is it of yours if I flirt with my brother Lin Cheng?”

Qiu Yingying retorted, “Shameless…”

Seeing the two at it again, Lin Cheng could only sigh helplessly.

Clop, clop, clop!

As Qiu Yingying whistled, a black steed galloped over from a distance.

The horse bore a single horn on its head, its scarlet tail swaying, with a matching crimson saddle drawing the eyes of all passersby.

“That must be Miss Qiu’s unicorn. Truly a magnificent beast,” Fu Bo exclaimed in admiration.

Qiu Yingying, unpretentious, nodded to Fu Bo. “You flatter me, Fu Bo. It’s just a mount for travel.”

“Our Qiu family may rule the city, but we cannot possess a flying spiritual beast, let alone a flying artifact. This unicorn was a painstaking gift from my father when my spiritual root awakened.”

She turned to Lin Cheng and spoke gently, “Brother Lin, no one but me has ever ridden this unicorn. Today, I wish to give it to you…”

“You travel constantly, and a good mount is essential. I hope you won’t find it lacking.”

Hearing this, An An was the first to look at her in surprise.