A Man Should Live Between Heaven and Earth

The Golden Crow rose, its morning light shining over Jia Ma Holy City. Lu Bu wore a cloud-patterned brocade robe trimmed in gold and adjusted his pants slightly.

The clothes belonged to Yun Yue and fit Lu Bu quite well, though the crotch of the pants was a little tight.

"Forget it. I'll make do." Lu Bu muttered, blaming himself for being too well-endowed, then lifted his leg and walked into the train station.

That's right, a train station!

On the Dou Qi Continent, those above the Dou Wang realm could transform their dou qi into horses... No, wings. Those above the Dou Wang realm could completely break free of their restraints and soar through the heavens and earth.

But... who would fly around everywhere for no reason? Wouldn't that waste dou qi? Didn't Dou Wang experts care about their image?

Therefore, those with the means would get themselves a private mount. Not only did it give them face, it also made them look impressive.

Those without the means could rent one from someone else and pay afterward, provided they didn't mind the Flying Magical Beast's slow speed.

As for those below the Dou Wang realm, apart from the state-operated Flying Magical Beasts, there were also Track Beasts that pulled "trains."

The Jia Ma Royal Family had already laid tracks to all the important cities. This not only accelerated communication between cities, but more importantly, allowed troops to be transported rapidly during wartime. It could be said to achieve two goals at once.

Lu Bu stood in the station, looking at the large number of carriages pulled by horse-shaped magical beasts. The corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

Surely a few people wearing bandit masks won't suddenly jump out of the bushes and rob us while we're riding this thing?

I haven't taken office in E City, nor have I brought along a master and madam.

"Forget it. I'll ride it anyway." Lu Bu muttered.

Last night, he had devoured quite a bit of vitality and repaired his damaged heart. He needed to rest now. Flying Magical Beasts were prone to jolting and weren't suitable for recuperation.

He bought a ticket, boarded the train, passed the security check, and found a seat. The whole process was no different from taking a train in his previous... previous life. However, since he needed to recuperate, Lu Bu spent a few more gold coins and boarded the most luxurious carriage.

But what puzzled Lu Bu was that there were no independent compartments like soft sleepers. Instead, there were rows of seats arranged almost like a restaurant.

Lu Bu found a window seat and sat down. Before long, a loud beast cry rang out, and the carriage began to move.

Watching the scenery outside recede, Lu Bu let out a long breath, the corners of his mouth curving upward.

Heaven had treated him well, giving him a second chance. This time, he, Lu, would build strong walls, stockpile provisions, and delay proclaiming himself king. In the end, he would ascend to the highest peak in the world:

Dou Di!

How could a great man, born between heaven and earth, remain depressed beneath another for long!?

If Xiao Yan and Hun Tiandi can become Dou Di... why can't I, Lu, do the same?

Build strong walls, stockpile provisions, and delay proclaiming myself king!

Lu Bu planned to go to the Magical Beast Mountain Range first. After finding the treasure, he would begin cultivating—not only dou qi, but also alchemy. He couldn't let his alchemist talent go to waste.

As for where he would get the alchemy technique... naturally, from Yao Lao.

As for how he would obtain it, Lu had plenty of methods. He was a transmigrator, after all, and had more bargaining chips than Yao Lao could refuse.

As for why he had chosen Yao Lao... Obviously, because he's powerful!

That was Venerable Yao. If he wanted to learn alchemy, who else would he seek?

Of course, there was no rush right now. Lu Bu smiled and lightly moved his finger. A book titled "Three Years of Alchemy, Five Years of Flame Control" appeared in his hand.

According to the original body's memories, Nalan Yanran would be going to the Xiao Family in Wutan City to break off her engagement in the next few days. In other words, the story had yet to begin. He, Lu, had plenty of time.

"If Hun Tiandi knew that Xiao Yan started cultivating because of this and ultimately became a Dou Di, ruining his thousand-year scheme, would he rush over overnight to act as the wedding officiant for Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran..."

Lu Bu's mouth twitched as he thought with great amusement.

Tap, tap, tap~

The crisp sound of high heels striking the floor rang out. A graceful figure appeared at the carriage entrance, dressed in a red gown with an elegant, alluring air.

"Ya Fei, find somewhere to sit. We still have an entire day before we reach Wutan City," an old man said solemnly behind the graceful figure.

"All right, Elder Gu Ni... Hmm?" Ya Fei was speaking when her beautiful eyes suddenly lit up. Her gaze stopped on a young man beside the carriage window.

Following Ya Fei's gaze, Master Gu Ni looked over. His brows immediately furrowed, and his expression turned displeased. He's just a pretty boy. What's so interesting about him?

I was much more handsome than him when I was young!

"Ahem... Master Gu Ni, get some rest." Ya Fei came back to herself and spoke softly as she moved lightly to find a seat.

Although the young man was handsome and pleasing to look at, she wasn't so easily flustered.

"All right." Seeing that Ya Fei made no further move, Master Gu Ni stroked his beard and nodded in satisfaction.

So what if he's handsome? Without ability, he's still useless. Besides, I, Gu Ni, was a famous handsome young man in my youth. Could I really be worse than you, boy?

"Hmm? Is this kid reading a book on alchemy?" Master Gu Ni was slightly stunned. He was a Second-grade Alchemist.

"Ya Fei, sit here first. I'm going to meet that kid." Gu Ni raised his brows, suddenly interested.

Kid, I'll show you that being handsome is useless. True strength comes from ability!

Ya Fei's red lips parted slightly in confusion. What was Master Gu Ni trying to do? He had clearly disliked that man just moments ago.

Tap, tap, tap~

Crisp footsteps slowly approached. Ya Fei subconsciously looked up, and her face immediately brightened. "Little Sister Nalan?"

At the carriage entrance stood a graceful figure dressed in a close-fitting moon-white gown. She looked around fourteen or fifteen years old. The childishness had yet to leave her face, but her features were exquisite and her bearing noble. She was clearly a beauty in the making.

She was none other than Nalan Yanran, one of the people who would lay the foundation for the future Flame Emperor!

Another old man followed behind her. However, his eyes gleamed sharply, and a long sword hung at his side. He was clearly an expert in battle.

Seven-star Great Dou Master, Ge Ye!

"Big Sister Ya Fei?" the girl exclaimed. With light steps, she walked over and sat down beside Ya Fei.

The green jade pendant hanging from the girl's earlobe swayed slightly, producing a crisp jade chime that soothed the heart and delighted the spirit.

"Where are you headed, little sister?" Ya Fei covered her red lips with her jade hand and asked with a soft laugh.

"Wutan City. We're going the same way." Nalan Yanran smiled without hiding her destination.

"Wutan City..." Ya Fei froze for a moment, then understood. "Have you already made up your mind, little sister?"

"My marriage can only be decided by me." Nalan Yanran spoke calmly, but her tone was resolute. Her teacher had already approved of this matter. Even if her grandfather rushed over from home, he could not stop her!

"Little Sister Nalan really is a girl with a mind of her own..." Ya Fei's eyes shimmered with brilliance, but they soon dimmed.

When it came to dou qi, she had no talent at all. Apart from the skills she had learned in the world of business and her appearance, she had nothing outstanding.

If nothing unexpected happened, her fate would be to become a pawn in a marriage alliance arranged by her family. If she was lucky, she would marry, raise children, and live out her life peacefully.

If she was unlucky... perhaps a patch of yellow earth somewhere in her husband's family's rear garden would become her final resting place.

Noticing Ya Fei's low spirits, Nalan Yanran pressed her red lips together slightly. With her perceptive mind, she could naturally think of these things as well.

"Is Big Sister Ya Fei traveling alone?" Nalan Yanran promptly used the great art of changing the subject.

"No. Master Gu Ni is traveling with me." Ya Fei quickly adjusted her emotions and smiled. "He seems to have encountered someone interesting."

As she spoke, she raised a jade finger and pointed toward Lu Bu's seat beside the window.

Nalan Yanran raised her eyes to look. Her beautiful eyes immediately brightened slightly. This young man is so handsome. Among people his age, he has the best looks I've ever seen.

"Haha... Has Little Sister Nalan taken a liking to him?" Ya Fei covered her mouth and giggled teasingly. "You'll be free soon. How about taking this young man as your live-in husband?"

"Big Sister Ya Fei, you're teasing me again..." A faint blush appeared on Nalan Yanran's fair, pretty face. She then said seriously:

"I, Nalan Yanran, will only marry a peerless hero!"

"How could I casually marry just anyone? If that were the case, I might as well marry Xiao Yan."

"Haha..." Ya Fei laughed softly, but Master Gu Ni walked over with a thoroughly dejected expression.

"Master?"

"That kid is a little strange." Master Gu Ni sighed. Just now, he had inexplicably given that young man a lengthy explanation of alchemy, explaining it even more thoroughly than he did for his own disciple.

It simply made no sense!

Beside the carriage window, Lu Bu heard Nalan Yanran's words and curled his lips. In her eyes, am I, Lu, actually inferior even to Xiao Yan?

This is outrageous!

Lu Bu immediately stood up, intending to show Nalan Yanran what he could do.

However, his heart suddenly tightened, and an ominous premonition enveloped him.

Lu Bu's pupils contracted slightly. He was a One-seal Heavenly Talisman Master, yet someone in this carriage had actually threatened him?

Lu Bu swept his gaze around and quickly suppressed the thought. Everyone in the carriage was a familiar stranger, and they did not possess such ability.

Then... someone must be following me!

As soon as the thought arose, Lu Bu's face darkened.

Who is it!?