Jing Yuan: A Spar?!

The Xianzhou Luofu.

It was completely different from the Belobog and modern city that Lin Hai was familiar with.

The massive ship floats above the sea of clouds, while the ornately decorated pavilions and towers rise in layers along the mountainside.

The rustic lanterns hanging from the eaves emit a soft glow, reflecting the flowing starry sky.

A faint scent of sandalwood and the delicate fragrance of medicinal herbs filled the air.

In the distance, the faint sounds of string and wind instruments drifted, creating an ethereal and peaceful atmosphere.

Lin Hai and Fu Xuan stood side by side on a viewing platform with a wide view, overlooking the brightly lit streets and the Starskiff shuttling back and forth below.

"The scenery of the Xianzhou is indeed as described; it has a unique charm."

Lin Hai spoke, his tone tinged with admiration, "Fu Xuan, would you mind accompanying me for a walk around this area? I'd like to see the local customs and culture for myself."

Upon hearing this, a hint of hesitation flashed in Fu Xuan's eyes.

She frowned slightly and said in a low voice:

"Although this place is not the core area of Luofu, it has a complex mix of people coming and going, and many informants. Your identity is special, and if you are recognized, it could cause trouble and be detrimental to your formal meeting with the general tomorrow."

Lin Hai nodded knowingly and did not insist.

His gaze swept over a souvenir stall to the side, and he strolled over, casually picking up a common local conical hat, woven from special bamboo strips, with a wide brim and a thin black veil hanging down.

He placed a few Credits in front of the stall owner.

How about this?

Lin Hai put the straw hat on his head.

The wide brim of the hat and the hanging black veil immediately obscured most of his face.

Only a blurry outline remains, along with a clearly defined jawline.

The powerful aura emanating from him, which could not be ignored, also subsided.

At this moment, he looks like an ordinary traveler with a tall and straight figure and a somewhat mysterious air.

Once blended into the crowd, it becomes difficult to identify.

Fu Xuan carefully examined him, confirming that the simple disguise was indeed effective, before nodding slightly.

"Very well... please follow me."

The two of them, one after the other, merged into the bustling night market street below the platform.

Shops lined both sides of the street, selling the unique spiritual foods, elixirs, magical artifacts, and various exquisite handicrafts of the Xianzhou.

The pedestrians were bustling with activity: Cloud Knights in Luofu uniforms, merchants from other Xianzhou or worlds, and local residents; the noise was filled with vibrant life...

Lin Hai slowed his pace, observing everything with great interest.

He would sometimes stop to watch the vendors making sugar paintings on the spot, and sometimes listen to the melodious ancient tunes played by roadside artists.

They showed great interest in the unique customs and culture of Xianzhou.

Fu Xuan remained quiet, walking half a step to his side, occasionally offering a brief explanation of local customs or the origins of items when Fu Xuan's gaze lingered on him.

However, this leisurely stroll did not last long.

As the two reached a relatively quiet street corner and admired a uniquely shaped fountain, a gentle yet authoritative voice, tinged with a faint smile, rang out leisurely from behind them:

"My friend, judging from your extraordinary bearing, though your appearance is concealed, your regal bearing is undeniable. If I'm not mistaken... you must be Mr. Lin, the renowned Lord of Belobog, who is famous throughout the stars?"

Lin Hai and Fu Xuan both paused slightly at the same time.

Lin Hai slowly turned around.

Fu Xuan felt a chill run down his spine and subconsciously looked towards the source of the sound.

General Jing Yuan of the Divine General was already quietly standing not far away.

He was not dressed in military uniform, but in civilian clothes. His silver hair gleamed faintly in the lantern light, and a faint smile played on his lips.

His gaze was intense, precisely locking onto Lin Hai through the black veil.

Lin Hai raised his hand and gently lifted the veil in front of his bamboo hat, revealing his full face.

He remained calm, showing no surprise at being seen through.

"General Jing Yuan, you have a good eye. It is indeed I, Lin. I have long admired your name, and it is an honor to meet you today. As you know, I am currently the temporary head of Belobog."

Jing Yuan's smile remained unchanged, and he nodded slightly in return. "Mr. Lin, you're too kind. Your reputation... is quite renowned in Xinghai these days."

He changed the subject seemingly casually.

"However, I am truly curious. As far as I know, the distance between Belobog and Luofu is more than ten million stars, and Luofu is surrounded by layers of array formations and restrictions, making it extremely difficult to infiltrate silently using ordinary methods..."

"... I wonder what... wonderful method Mr. Lin used to arrive here so quickly?"

"General, please forgive me. Everyone has their own means of survival, secrets that are not to be shared with outsiders. How I got here is one of my little secrets, and please forgive me for not being able to tell you directly."

A glint flashed in Jing Yuan's eyes, which then transformed into a knowing understanding. He chuckled lightly, quite magnanimous.

"That's true. Everyone has secrets, especially someone like Mr. Lin. It's perfectly normal for him to have some extraordinary methods."

Jing Yuan seized the opportunity to extend an invitation. "It's fate that we met. Since Mr. Lin is interested in the local customs of Xianzhou, there's a small shop not far ahead that serves some rather unique local snacks. If you don't mind the simplicity of this street stall, why don't we go in for a chat and enjoy some food?"

Lin Hai glanced at Fu Xuan, and seeing her nod slightly, he readily agreed:

"General, your hospitality is too kind to refuse. It would be impolite to refuse. I'll also take this opportunity to sample the authentic flavors of the Xianzhou."

The three then moved to a quiet little stall not far away.

The stall wasn't big, but it was clean and tidy, with a few wooden tables under the eaves and a few dim lanterns hanging there.

Jing Yuan was clearly a regular customer. After exchanging a few words in hushed tones with the stall owner, he led Lin Hai and Fu Xuan to sit down at a table further inside.

Before long, several steaming hot snacks were served.

Jing Yuan introduced:

"This is Cloudglow Cake, made from freshly ground spiritual grains in early spring, steamed with spore powder from the Cloud Ridge Immortal Fungus. It has a soft texture and is said to nourish the spirit and soul..."

"... This is fried star snail, taken from the deep Azure Wave Sea Star-Patterned Conch. The shell is crispy, and the inside is tender and chewy..."

"... And this Drunken Immortal Brew is made from seven kinds of fruit through fermentation. It has a sweet and mellow taste, but a strong aftertaste. Mr. Lin, you should only have a small sip."

Lin Hai tasted it as instructed, then nodded in praise, "It truly lives up to its reputation; the culinary culture of the Xianzhou is indeed profound and extensive."

Jing Yuan smiled and said, "I've heard that under Mr. Lin's leadership, Belobog is now thriving in all its industries. Especially what I saw in the live broadcast that day, the power of that punch was earth-shattering and truly breathtaking. Mr. Lin is so young yet possesses such cultivation and courage; he is truly a rare talent in the Star Sea."

"General, you flatter me. Belobog is merely rebuilding from ruins with great difficulty, which cannot compare to the millennia-old heritage and profound foundation of the Xianzhou Alliance. General, you are the true dragon among men, presiding over Luofu and awe-inspiring throughout the starry sea."

The two exchanged pleasantries, mostly praising each other and discussing local customs, stargazing, and other observations.

The atmosphere seemed harmonious, but everyone tacitly avoided sensitive topics such as alliances and the Interastral Peace Corporation.

It felt like this was truly just a pure exchange of food and culture.

Fu Xuan quietly kept him company, occasionally adding a few words about the stories behind the snacks or the scenery of Luofu, but his thoughts were clearly more complicated.

Her gaze frequently shifted between the two people who were chatting and laughing.

After a hearty meal, Jing Yuan wiped his hands with a silk handkerchief and casually mentioned:

"I had a very pleasant conversation with Mr. Lin today. I have long heard of Mr. Lin exceptional skills. I am also a martial artist, and I am eager to learn from you. I wonder if Mr. Lin would do me the honor of finding a quiet place for us to exchange a few moves, stopping short of serious injury?"

"Since the general is in such a refined mood, Lin Hai will gladly oblige."

"Excellent!" Jing Yuan clapped his hands and laughed, "Fu Qing, I'll trouble you to be our witness."

Fu Xuan's heart tightened; he knew this was the real highlight of tonight's meeting.

She nodded calmly. "It's my duty, and I can't shirk it."

Jing Yuan was clearly prepared, and he got up to lead the way.

The three left the bustling streets, passed through several heavily guarded corridors, and arrived at a huge training ground located on a secluded cliff.

The venue, spanning several hundred feet in circumference, was paved with some kind of hard lapis lazuli, surrounded by a powerful protective array, with various weapon racks displayed along the edges.

Gleaming with a faint glow under the cold moonlight, the atmosphere instantly turned somber.

This place is the perfect test of strength.