Departure

Xu Mingxi hated farewells, especially long ones.

Canghui Academy was within the Heaven Dou Empire, and once he left, he had no idea when he would be able to return.

After Xu Mingxi turned twelve, the Sect Master had replaced his Storage Ring with a larger one, with a full ten cubic meters of space.

When his mother, Xu Ya, heard that Xu Mingxi would be leaving tomorrow, she spent the entire night cooking dish after dish, then packed them up and placed them in his Storage Ring.

His father secretly called Xu Mingxi into his room, took out a pouch of Gold Soul Coins, and handed it to him.

"You brat, this is my private stash. Spend it sparingly."

Xu Mingxi really wanted to tell his father that the Storage Ring the Sect Master had prepared for him was already filled with all kinds of Soul Beast Meat and Medicinal Bath herbs.

There were also plenty of Gold Soul Coins inside, so his old man should just keep these few hundred Gold Soul Coins for himself.

He hesitated, but in the end, Xu Mingxi still accepted them. His father lived on Starfall Mountain anyway and did not spend much money, so he might as well take them just in case.

The next day, Xu Mingxi packed his luggage and reluctantly said goodbye to his parents. Just as he was about to leave, he saw an unexpected figure at the door.

"Auntie, why are you here?"

The person who had come was Xu Mingguang's mother, Chao Yunting.

"Little Mingxi, I heard from Mingguang that you're going to Canghui Academy.

"My family and Canghui Academy are in the same city, so I came to ask you for a favor."

"Auntie, what favor? If I can help, I definitely will."

"It's very simple. You only need to help Auntie deliver this letter to my Elder Sister. She is currently the head of the Chao Family."

Xu Mingxi watched as his aunt took a letter from her Storage Ring, feeling that this was extremely strange.

Auntie isn't asking me for help. She's helping me.

With the help of a local power, he would not be completely alone over there.

"Of course, Auntie. I'll definitely deliver the letter."

Xu Mingxi took the letter, waved goodbye to his aunt, and arrived at Xu Fangzhuo's residence.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Uncle Fangzhuo, open the door. I'm here."

"Mingxi? You're here so early. The Sect Master already told me everything, so let's set off now."

Starfall Mountain was very far from Canghui Academy. Although Xu Fangzhuo was a Soul Emperor, he was getting on in years, after all.

The two of them rented a carriage. It was comfortable, not slow either, and it would also let Xu Mingxi take in the scenery along the way.

Xu Mingxi poked his head out of the carriage. This was his first time seeing how common people lived in various parts of Douluo Continent.

Before, when his grandfather and the Second Elder had taken him on journeys, they moved too quickly, and they were flying through the air, so he had never been able to get a proper look.

On Douluo Continent, everyone had a Martial Soul. Even without Soul Power, it could still improve their productivity.

Those with Hammer Martial Souls were good at forging iron, and those with Hoe Martial Souls were good at farming. Without outside factors interfering, having enough food and clothing was absolutely no problem.

In the Star Luo Empire, starting from the imperial clan, the people were fierce and tough, but in terms of daily life, the common folk were fairly well-off.

All along the way, Xu Mingxi had yet to get a chance to show off and slap anyone in the face.

It was not until they entered the borders of the Heaven Dou Empire that Xu Mingxi began to see refugees who had no food to eat and barely enough clothing to cover themselves.

Having lived in an era of peace in his previous life, and having enjoyed a life of luxury in this one, this was Xu Mingxi's first time seeing such a sight.

Perhaps seeing Xu Mingxi's sorrow, the worldly-wise Xu Fangzhuo spoke up to comfort him.

"Mingxi, this is the Balak Kingdom. Although it belongs to the Heaven Dou Empire, it is only a vassal, and the Heaven Dou emperor's authority does not reach this place.

"The Barak Royal Family is extravagant and debauched. Here, they exist like local emperors.

"Under countless harsh taxes and levies, the common people naturally suffer bitterly. But this isn't something we can manage."

Xu Mingxi knew all of this. He had merely been stunned for a moment by the sight before him.

Moreover, even the Heaven Dou emperor did not interfere, so the Star Crown Sect was even less likely to do something so thankless.

Right now, Xue Ye was still only a crown prince. The one on the throne was still his father.

This emperor could not be called incompetent, but he absolutely could not be called outstanding either. He was merely a mediocre ruler who maintained what he had inherited.

As for the affairs of the Balak Kingdom, even if he wanted to manage them, he lacked the ability to do so.

Fortunately, Xu Mingxi's destination this time was not the Balak Kingdom, nor was it within the territory of any kingdom or duchy.

Blue Sunshine City, where Canghui Academy was located, was under the jurisdiction of the Heaven Dou Empire, but it bordered the Star Luo Kingdom.

This Star Luo Kingdom had nothing to do with the Star Luo Empire. It was merely one of Heaven Dou's vassal states.

The City Lord of Blue Sunshine City had also been sent by the Heaven Dou Empire as a vanguard to monitor the Star Luo Kingdom.

"Mingxi, we'll be there soon. I'll send you to the Chao Family first, then go discuss your enrollment with the Canghui Academy Principal."

"All right. Thank you, Uncle Fangzhuo."

The carriage stopped before a vermilion gate. This was the location of the famous Chao Family within Blue Sunshine City.

The Chao Family's current head, Chao Yunwan, was even a Level 69 Soul Emperor, an existence only one step away from becoming a Soul Saint.

Xu Mingxi got off the carriage, and Xu Fangzhuo drove it off in the direction of Canghui Academy.

Mingxi walked up to the main gate alone and knocked on the Serpent Door Knocker.

The main gate slowly opened, revealing a crack, and a maid poked her head out from behind it.

"Hello, my name is Xu Mingxi. I'm here on behalf of Aunt Chao Yunting to deliver a letter to your honored household."

"Lady Yunting? Please wait. I'll report this to the family head at once."

Before long, under Xu Mingxi's gaze, the main gate opened fully.

Walking toward him was a large group of more than a dozen people. At their head was an old woman with a full head of silver hair, though her presence was still sharp and commanding.

When she saw Xu Mingxi's height and looks, she was first taken aback, but she quickly recovered and hurriedly invited him inside for a talk.

After Xu Mingxi entered the main hall, the old woman waved her hand, and the group instantly dispersed.

Only the old woman, a middle-aged couple, and a beautiful young matron who looked to be in her thirties remained in the hall.

"Come, come, please sit. I am Yunting's elder sister. You can just call me Aunt Wan.

"I wonder if Yunting has been doing well over there. We haven't seen each other for so many years."

Xu Mingxi quickly took out the letter his aunt had given him from his storage ring and handed it to the old woman across from him.

After the old woman read the letter, her smile grew even brighter. The more she looked at Xu Mingxi opposite her, the more satisfied she became.

Innate Level 9 Soul Power, a seventeen-year-old Level 31 Soul Elder—what an outstanding child.

"Child, since you're here, treat this place like your own home. Don't stand on ceremony.

"Let me introduce them to you. These two are my son and daughter-in-law, and this is my daughter, Chao Tianxiang."

"Hello, everyone. My name is Xu Mingxi."

When Chao Tianxiang saw her mother pull her in front of this guest, she knew her mother was about to say something again.

"Mother, you're not thinking of finding Cai'er a partner, are you? That wouldn't be appropriate."

"What nonsense are you saying, child? Am I that kind of old woman? Worry about your own daughter's affairs yourself."

Chao Yunwan was very surprised. She had nearly worried herself sick over this daughter's marriage, so why had she never heard her mention this before?

"Mom, a while ago at the academy, I saw Cai'er together with another boy. He seemed to be a commoner, too. Maybe he'll marry into our family in the future, and maybe they'll even pass down the Dragon Staff Martial Soul."

Good heavens. Chao Tianxiang, Serpent Cane Martial Soul... the Dragon Staff should be Dragon Duke Meng Shu, right? The Dragon-Snake Fusion Strike.

"Tianxiang, since Cai'er has found a boyfriend, let her date properly. Don't say things in front of a guest that could cause misunderstandings."

"Mingxi, I hear you're also going to Canghui Academy, yes? Later, let your older cousin show you around."

The two awkwardly greeted each other, then said nothing more. Seeing this, Chao Grandmother could only arrange for Xu Mingxi to settle in first.

Night fell, and Xu Fangzhuo returned, bringing Xu Mingxi a piece of good news.

The dean had agreed to let him enroll without an entrance exam. He only needed to display his soul rings.

Meanwhile, the Chao Family's main hall was still brightly lit, with the four members of the Chao Family seated inside.

"Tianxiang, since Cai'er already has a boyfriend, I won't force the matter. But you still have to take good care of this younger cousin of yours. What a pity. He probably wouldn't look twice at the younger generation of our Chao Family anyway."

Chao Grandmother had some understanding of the background of the husband her younger sister had married.

Although she did not know the specific details, he was definitely far more powerful than the Chao Family.

Originally, she had wanted to bring a girl from the Chao Family and Xu Mingxi together, but after seeing Xu Mingxi's appearance and strength, she could only give up on that idea.

Now, if they did their best to build a good relationship with Xu Mingxi, perhaps if they encountered some trouble later, they could still ask him for help.

Chao Yunting had also had this thought when she handed the letter to Xu Mingxi.

She knew how powerful the Star Crown Sect was. Having the Chao Family strengthen its ties with the Star Crown Sect would only bring benefits, with no downside.