The morning sun slowly rose above the Black Mist Mountains.
Golden light passed through the tall trees.
The cold night was finally over.
Lin Tian stood at the entrance of the cave with his sword hanging from his waist.
He looked back one last time.
“This cave saved my life.” Yue Qingxue stood beside him.
“It also became the place where your journey truly began.” Lin Tian smiled.
“I guess you’re right.” The old man’s voice echoed inside his mind.
“Stop admiring caves.” “You have a long road ahead.” Lin Tian almost laughed.
“Master, can’t you be serious for once?” “I have lived for over ten thousand years.” “I am serious.” “You simply find me amusing.” Lin Tian shook his head.
Maybe having an ancient master wasn’t so bad after all.
Yue Qingxue began walking down the mountain path.
“We should hurry.” “The Azure Cloud Sect is still several days away.” Lin Tian quickly followed.
The forest was peaceful during the day.
Sunlight covered the ground.
Birds flew between the trees.
It was hard to believe that only a few hours earlier, assassins had been searching for him.
As they walked, Lin Tian looked at Yue Qingxue.
“You said you were at the Awakening Ceremony.” She nodded.
“I arrived in Windfall City on the same morning.” “Why?” “Our sect sends disciples every year.” “We observe talented young cultivators.” Lin Tian looked surprised.
“So you were searching for new disciples?” “Something like that.” He smiled bitterly.
“I guess I wasn’t very impressive.” Yue Qingxue stopped walking.
She turned toward him.
“You’ve got it backwards.” Lin Tian frowned.
“What do you mean?” “Everyone else only saw your failure.” “I saw the Awakening Crystal crack.” “I saw black lightning.” “I saw every elder panic.” She looked directly into his eyes.
“People don’t fear weak things.” “They fear dangerous things.” Lin Tian remained silent.
Her words made sense.
If the Heaven-Forbidden Root was truly useless…
Why had the elders looked terrified?
The old man laughed inside his mind.
“She’s smarter than most elders.” After another hour of walking, the forest became thinner.
A wide stone road appeared ahead.
Large wagons rolled along it.
Merchants.
Travelers.
Cultivators.
Everyone seemed to be heading in the same direction.
Yue Qingxue pointed ahead.
“This is the Eastern Trade Road.” “It leads directly to Azure Cloud City.” Lin Tian stared in amazement.
He had never seen so many people.
Some rode giant wolves.
Others sat on enormous birds that flew through the sky.
Several elderly cultivators floated above the road on flying swords.
Lin Tian couldn’t hide his excitement.
“So…” “This is the real cultivation world.” Yue Qingxue smiled.
“This is only the beginning.” Just then…
A loud scream echoed from farther down the road.
“Bandits!” “Bandits are attacking!” People began running in every direction.
Several wagons stopped suddenly.
Children cried.
Merchants shouted in panic.
Lin Tian’s expression became serious.
He looked toward the source of the commotion.
A group of masked men carrying large axes had blocked the road.
Their leader laughed loudly.
“Leave your valuables behind!” “Anyone who resists…” “Dies!” Lin Tian slowly placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.
He looked at Yue Qingxue.
“What do we do?” She calmly drew her silver sword.
“We help.” At that moment…
The bandit leader noticed them.
He pointed his axe toward Lin Tian.
“You two!” “Come here!” The peaceful journey had ended before it had truly begun.
Every battle is a chance to grow.
Thank you for reading!