Started out getting scumbags, but then invested in the invincible Empress.

Chapter 294 Stealing Half a Day of Leisure

Old Hu paused, then solemnly reminded him:

"However, this person charges extremely high fees. The guide fee alone costs a thousand low-grade spirit stones, which is simply unaffordable for ordinary cultivators."

Li Wudao nodded slightly, his expression calm as still water.

A thousand low-grade spirit stones might be several years' worth of savings for an ordinary inner disciple, but for him, it was still within his means.

Seeing his calm demeanor, Hu Laosan was even more astonished.

Even if an ordinary young person doesn't show any difficulty on their face when they hear this number, a hint of hesitation will flash in their eyes.

But the boy in front of me seemed to only be talking about a few copper coins.

This child... is definitely not someone to be underestimated.

Having roamed the world for over a hundred years and seen countless people, Hu Laosan had already made his judgment.

After a moment's hesitation, he decided to befriend him and said earnestly:

"Young brother, let me say a few more words. The journey ahead is fraught with danger, and people's hearts are unpredictable. Remember, do not trust anyone easily."

He lowered his voice, his gaze as deep and unfathomable as an ancient pool:

"Among the companions, there may be those who genuinely seek opportunities, but more... are desperados, evil spirits with blood on their hands."

In that vast swamp, the monsters are indeed ferocious, but the most dangerous... are often those who walk alongside you.

Upon hearing this, Li Wudao seemed to be deep in thought.

The path of spiritual cultivation is inherently about struggling against heaven, earth, and humanity.

Places like Luanshi City are gathering places for villains from all over the world. Anyone who survives must be ruthless.

He clasped his hands in a respectful bow, his voice sincere: "Your words of wisdom, senior, will be remembered by me."

"Go."

Old Hu waved his hand and said no more.

Li Wudao felt a sense of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries with Hu Laosan, he turned and left.

Her green robes fluttered as she walked lightly, as if treading on clouds.

It was already afternoon when we left Zuixianlou.

The streets were bustling with people, still noisy, with the sounds of carriages, vendors hawking their wares, and wandering travelers chatting and laughing, all blending together to create a scene of everyday life.

Wang Zhao was drunk and being supported by Qiu Zishi, muttering, "I can still drink... another jar..."

He staggered, sometimes singing off-key and sometimes rambling incoherently, drawing stares from passersby.

Qiu Zishi looked helpless and could only carefully help him up, afraid that the drunkard would fall headfirst into the ditch by the roadside.

Li Nanzhi walked beside Li Wudao, smiling as she watched the boisterous Wang Zhao ahead. Occasionally, she would turn back to chat with Jiang Churan, her eyes full of gentle grace.

Jiang Churan remained silent, her cool gaze sometimes sweeping over Li Wudao, sometimes looking towards the distant, layered mountains, lost in thought.

After walking for about half an incense stick's time, passing through two bustling streets, the surroundings gradually quieted down.

Jiang Churan, who had been silent all along, suddenly quickened her pace, walked to Li Wudao's side, and asked softly, "What do you need the Spirit-Nourishing Pearl for?"

Her voice was very soft, like willow catkins in the wind, almost inaudible.

But Li Wudao's hearing was so sharp that he heard every word clearly.

He glanced to the side and saw that the girl's beautiful profile shone with a luminous white light in the sunlight, as if it were carved from fine jade.

Those eyes, as deep as a frozen pool, were now quietly gazing at him.

Li Wudao was taken aback, his expression strange: "How did you know... Wow, you're the one who eavesdrops?"

Jiang Churan's pretty face flushed slightly, like a rosy sunset.

She feigned composure, avoiding Li Wudao's gaze, and continued speaking to herself:

"Although Spirit-Gathering Pearls are rare, their function is singular: to store spiritual energy and feed back into cultivation. For the vast majority of cultivators, they are practically useless."

After a moment of silence, she continued, "Moreover, a place like Chaotic Stone City is a perilous place deep within the swamp, perpetually shrouded in poisonous miasma and teeming with ferocious beasts."

The city was a melting pot of all sorts of villains, a gathering place for evildoers from all over the land, and Martial Kings roamed everywhere. Only those at the Martial Venerable level or above had any chance of protecting themselves.

Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Li Wudao's eyes.

He hadn't expected Jiang Churan to know so much about Luanshi City.

His expression was subtle. He extended a finger and gently waved it in front of her, a playful smile curving his lips.

"Are you... worried about me?"

Jiang Churan's heart skipped a beat, and she panicked a little. "What nonsense are you talking about? I just..."

She is a reborn empress. What was her status in her previous life? When was she ever teased like this?

But for some reason, I felt a little lost at this moment.

She composed herself, and remembering that she still hadn't received an answer, frowned and said:

"Wait, you still haven't told me why you would risk going to such a place to search for the Spirit Pearl."

"Want to know?"

"Ah."

For the first time ever, Jiang Churan showed a somewhat docile expression and nodded slightly.

In that instant, her aloof temperament seemed to melt away like ice and snow, revealing a touch of girlish naiveté.

This doesn't fit her future persona as a cold and aloof empress who will dominate the continent and rule over a region!

Li Wudao muttered to himself, suddenly feeling a mischievous urge to tease him.

He pretended to ponder for a moment, then leaned his cheek closer and said in a cheeky tone, "Give me a kiss, and I'll tell you."

"lecher!"

Jiang Churan's beautiful eyes trembled, like a startled fawn.

She glared fiercely at Li Wudao, her eyes filled with a mixture of shame and anger. Two blushes rose on her cool face, spreading all the way to her ears.

"Fine, don't tell me then!"

She snorted coldly, ignored Li Wudao, and quickened her pace to the front of the crowd.

The sunlight stretched her slender shadow long, and her black hair swayed lightly in the wind, revealing a hint of defiance.

This scene elicited various reactions from the people behind them.

"Little Churan, wait for me!"

Seeing this, Li Nanzhi quickly chased after her and grabbed Jiang Churan's arm.

She turned around and glared at Li Wudao, scolding him, "Why did you make Chu Ran angry?"

As she spoke, she gently comforted Jiang Churan, "Don't pay attention to him, that's just his personality, he's never serious."

Jiang Churan walked quickly with a cold face, her whole being like an unyielding frost, exuding an aura that kept strangers at bay.

She was originally aloof, but now, in her shame and anger, she became even colder than an iceberg, to the point that even the mad dogs passing by instinctively avoided her.

Knowing he was in the wrong, Li Wudao gave an awkward smile and offered no explanation.

He had only acted on a whim, and he hadn't expected Jiang Churan to react so strongly.

Akiko stood there, her eyes filled with amusement, her heart brimming with emotion.

He looked at the aloof, ethereal figure ahead, then glanced at Li Wudao beside him, and shook his head inwardly.

Jiang Churan is recognized as the number one fairy in the Xuantian Sect, with unparalleled beauty and amazing talent.

She was the dream girl of countless inner disciples and even senior disciples.

She was usually aloof and cold, and it was difficult for ordinary disciples to even speak to her.

Brother Li, on the other hand, not only dared to walk alongside her, but also dared to verbally flirt with her...

This person is truly extraordinary.

If the other disciples in the sect knew that their revered Junior Sister Jiang had been "bullied" like this by Li Wudao, they would probably be furious.

Even though Li Wudao is now a holy son, he would probably still get a beating.

Even Wang Zhao, who was half-dead and acting drunk, had become much more sober at this moment.

He rubbed his sleepy, drunken eyes, and after realizing the situation, he actually gave Li Wudao a thumbs up, mumbling indistinctly:

"Godfather... awesome... he even dared to flirt with Junior Sister Jiang..."

Before he could finish speaking, Akiko quickly covered his mouth, afraid that the drunkard would say something shocking.

Just then, the green-haired turtle wobbled over, spat out a dog tail it had somehow gotten from its mouth, and winked at him, saying:

"Oh, looks like you're really angry. Kid, aren't you going to try and appease him?"

Li Wudao glanced at it, too lazy to bother with it.

The green-haired turtle didn't seem to care. It sniffed and hummed, "You found out about the Spirit-Gathering Pearl?"

"We've made some progress."

Li Wudao nodded and briefly recounted what Hu Laosan had said.

Upon hearing this, a hint of seriousness flashed in Green Turtle's beady eyes:

"Chaotic Stone City... I heard a little about it when I traveled through the Eastern Wilderness. It's said to be a chaotic city, teeming with fierce villains."

It paused for a moment and asked, "When do you plan to set off? That place is very remote and desolate, so we must make plans as soon as possible."

Li Wudao did not answer immediately.

He looked up and saw the street ahead.

Wang Zhao was squeezed among a group of children, swaying unsteadily, pointing at the candy vendor by the roadside, shouting that he wanted to buy one.

Akiko tried to comfort him with a wry smile, feeling somewhat ashamed to face anyone.

Not far away, Li Nanzhi was arm in arm with Jiang Churan. They said something that made the latter's lips curl into a slight smile.

That smile was like the first melting of snow, bright and captivating, like the first warm ray of spring sunshine.

......

This ordinary, warm scene made Li Wudao's eyes daze for a moment. He stood in the noisy crowd, his heart rippled.

Since his transmigration, he has been cautious and calculating at every turn, rarely having such a leisurely time.

After a moment's thought, Li Wudao's lips curved into a gentle smile:

"No rush. We've just returned to the sect, so let's enjoy a few days of leisure before setting off again."

Moreover...

With Wu Shaotian, this ticking time bomb, still unresolved, he can hardly travel far away with peace of mind.

At the same moment, in the main hall of the Xuantian Sect.

The majestic palace stands atop the clouds, its upturned eaves pointing like swords to the sky, ethereal yet solemn.

The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the carved window lattice, casting dappled light and shadow on the smooth, mirror-like obsidian floor.

The atmosphere inside the hall was solemn and dignified.

Almost all of the core high-ranking members of the Xuantian Sect were present.