Black Rock City

Xiao Tian casually gave Gan Mu a few instructions, then prepared to leave Qingshan Town. After all, this was no longer a place for him to train, and he still had to head into the desert to search for the Green Lotus Core Flame. He also planned to stop by Black Rock City first and take the Alchemist rank examination.

After all, in this world, Alchemists were practically fathers. If he got a fourth-tier Alchemist badge now, wouldn't that make him a father too? He would be treated with special respect wherever he went, especially in a small place like the Jia Ma Empire.

Gu He, a mere fifth-tier Alchemist, had been considered an absolute big shot in the early days, and he was already over sixty! Xiao Tian was only sixteen now~

Surpassing him was merely a matter of time, so he had to get proof of his Alchemist rank first. He stuffed all the resources from Mu She's and Blood Battle's mercenary groups into his storage ring.

As for the subordinates he had taken in? Xiao Tian felt they could fend for themselves. They were useless anyway, not worth investing in or wasting resources on.

It was not yet time to take in a force. His own strength was still far too weak; there was simply no way for him to build a powerful faction!

As for his golden finger? Xiao Tian could only say that it was fake! Fake, terrible, utterly useless, and it even screwed him over.

Casting aside those messy thoughts, he had someone prepare a carriage and set off toward Black Rock City.

Inside the carriage sat Xiao Tian and a young woman with fair, tender skin. Her name was Yue'er. Why had he brought a woman along? Because Xiao Tian had thought that, during the next few days on the road to Black Rock City, if there was no one who could cook for him...

Wouldn't he have to eat roasted meat every day again? Once in a while was fine, but he had already eaten roasted meat in the valley for so many days that Xiao Tian was despairing! He wanted proper meals. He was a normal person! What kind of life was a life without enjoyment? So, he had asked Gan Mu to find him a maid who could cook. He had not expected that bastard Gan Mu to find him such a fair and tender young woman.

Xiao Tian asked, "Can you cook?" Yue'er replied, "Yes, Master." "Oh, good. Then I'll have to trouble you for the next few days. Once I head to my next destination, you can return. I'll pay you then."

Yue'er said, "There's no need, Master. Lord Gan has already paid me, and Yue'er must continue taking care of Master. Otherwise, Lord Gan will punish me." "It's fine. Once I settle things during this period, the place I'm going will be very dangerous. I can't take you with me, so your work will be over then!"

Damn it, she wasn't a peerless beauty, but she wasn't bad-looking either—definitely above average! If I took her everywhere with me and Yun Yun caught me someday, wouldn't I be dead?

Yue'er said, "Master, but..." "No buts. I said so. If Gan Mu dares to make trouble for you after you return, tell him I allowed you to go back. I'll go deal with him. That's enough!" "All right. Thank you, Master."

With Yue'er carefully looking after him along the way, Xiao Tian felt far more comfortable than when he traveled alone! After three days, they arrived at Black Rock City. The journey had gone smoothly, with good food and drink. Not bad~

They arrived outside Black Rock City at dusk the next day. Looking at the enormous city walls built from blocks of black rock, Xiao Tian could not help but marvel at the sight. This place was far more luxurious than Wutan City. Time to go inside and see what the city was like.

After paying the required fee, they entered the city. It seemed he would not get to see the city at its most bustling today, because the street vendors were already busy packing up their stalls, and there were not many pedestrians left on the streets.

After finding a place to stay, he paid the carriage fare and dismissed the driver who had brought them there. Gazing at the lingering glow of the setting sun, he was filled with emotion. The setting sun is infinitely beautiful, yet it is so close to dusk.

Back in the room, he said to Yue'er, "You should go back to your room and rest too. You haven't been very comfortable on the road these past few days, and you probably haven't slept well either. Get some proper rest. I don't need you here." "Yes, Master."

After Yue'er left, Xiao Tian sat cross-legged on the bed. He wondered how Xiao Yi Xian was doing at this point. That kind-hearted woman, forced by fate to become a ruthless Heavenly Poison Woman.

He shook his head. Forget it, he should focus on improving himself. Thinking about such things now was simply needless worry. Before he had the strength, everything was just imagination.

He also wondered how far Xun'er had progressed now that her bloodline had awakened. He had to work harder. If he was not stronger than that little girl the next time they met, she might even laugh at him.

He lay on the bed and let his thoughts wander for a while. Before he knew it, it was late at night, and he slowly fell asleep. The next morning, a series of knocks on the door disturbed Xiao Tian as he slept soundly beneath the covers.

Xiao Tian muttered groggily, "Who is it? It's so early—are you really not going to let this young master sleep?" Yue'er said, "M-Master, breakfast is ready." Hearing the anger in Xiao Tian's voice, Yue'er became frightened, and even her words began to tremble.

Xiao Tian said, "Oh, Yue'er, sorry. I was just woken up, so my tone wasn't very good. Don't mind it." He opened the door, and Yue'er walked in. After hearing Xiao Tian's words, she smiled and said, "Yue'er is fine. Next time, Yue'er will prepare breakfast for Master a little later."

"Good. From now on, just call me Young Master. Don't call me Master." "Yes." "Mm. Have you eaten? If not, eat with me." "M-Young Master, I've already eaten." "Oh, I see. Then I won't worry about you." With that, he began eating.

After breakfast, Xiao Tian said, "Yue'er, if you want to go out and stroll around, go ahead. If there's anything you like, buy it. I'll cover the cost."

Yue'er said, "There's no need, Young Master." "It's fine. Go on. Consider it a task from me!" "All right. Thank you, Young Master!" "No need." After watching Yue'er leave, Xiao Tian thought, I'll go out later too and look around. I should also find the Alchemist Association while I'm at it.

After breakfast, he headed outside. The streets were full of people, and all kinds of small stalls lined the roadside. Cries of vendors gradually filled the air.

Looking at the lively city, Xiao Tian felt that it had been a long time since he had experienced the feeling of being among people. Ever since he came to this world, he had been constantly cultivating. Only when he was later spending time with Xun'er had he gone out strolling a few times.

But Wutan City was not as lively as Shiyan City. Though it had plenty of people, it still could not compare to this place. No wonder lives were so cheap on the Dou Qi Continent. There were simply too many people!

After all, Black Rock City was only a relatively prominent small city within the Jia Ma Empire! He wondered just how prosperous the imperial capital was.

He was truly looking forward to it. The Dou Qi Continent really was huge. He walked and looked around, but as for buying things, it was not that he lacked money. There was simply nothing worth buying, nothing useful. Buying useless things would only take up space.

When he reached an auction house in Black Rock City, he saw that it belonged to the Mite'er Family. There was one here too? Then again, even Wutan City had one. He walked inside to see whether there was anything good worth bidding on!

Posted the wrong chapter, sorry.