Departure

The reward wasn't high, and the points given weren't many, but the task was simple.

Lu Qingshan wasn't taking on tasks from the Monster Hunter Alliance for the reward.

After killing Cry Soul True Person and confiscating those two storage rings, Lu Qingshan's current net worth was roughly equivalent to the entire assets of a small cultivator family.

The reason he registered as a monster hunter was simply to find companions who could take him to Zhenjiang City.

Yes, Lu Qingshan was preparing to leave Yuanshan City.

Yuanshan City was, after all, just a beginner's village. For him, it was far too small.

Moreover, he had already gained enough benefits in Yuanshan City.

If not now, then when?

He couldn't possibly stay in the beginner's village until he reached max level, like some "Ten Mile Slope Sword God," before venturing out.

His next destination was—Zhenjiang City.

That's right, the very Zhenjiang Prefecture city that would suffer a massacre five months later.

However, the problem facing Lu Qingshan was that Yuanshan City did not have a teleportation array.

Teleportation arrays were not only expensive to build, but the Spirit Stones required for a single use were also beyond the means of ordinary cultivators.

Therefore, human cities at the prefecture level did not have teleportation arrays.

—If a teleportation array were to be established in a prefecture-level city, it would be used so infrequently throughout the year that it would have no practical value.

Yuanshan City and Zhenjiang City were separated by a distance of a thousand miles.

Naturally, traveling to Zhenjiang City wasn't as simple as just walking out with your eyes closed.

Players had a large map they could view, allowing them to know their current coordinates at any time, and they could respawn infinitely, naturally allowing them to charge forward without fear.

Lu Qingshan didn't have these auxiliary functions now. He only had one life, and everything required caution.

If he were a Foundation Establishment realm cultivator, it would be fine. He wouldn't need to worry about various terrains and could simply fly directly to Zhenjiang City on his sword.

If someone could still get lost while traveling in a straight line, then Lu Qingshan couldn't help them.

But he was still just a Qi Refining cultivator, and he had to rely on his own two legs to travel.

If he set off rashly, not only would he get lost in the complex terrain, but the accidents that could occur along the way might cost him his life.

Therefore, he needed to find a cultivator team or a merchant caravan that was very familiar with the route between the two cities to accompany them to Zhenjiang City.

At the very least, they could look out for each other, and there wouldn't be the awkward situation of accidentally stumbling into a Demonic Beast's lair.

Lu Qingshan fiddled with the task jade slip in his hand for a while before finally deciding, "I'll take this mission."

"Okay, I'll register it for you. This mission is quite popular, and you're just in time for the last spot," the female cultivator at the reception said, recording the information. She then looked up and reminded him, "The mission time is quite urgent. We need to gather at the East City Gate tomorrow at noon. Make sure you're not late."

Lu Qingshan nodded in understanding.

They were leaving tomorrow afternoon?

The time was indeed quite tight.

Before leaving Yuanshan City, he still had some things to do and prepare.

After leaving the Monster Hunter Alliance, Lu Qingshan quickly disappeared into the crowd.

When Lu Qingshan returned to the inn.

Great King West Rat was in the room, looking groggy and as if he hadn't woken up.

Great King West Rat had been in this state ever since he ate those two Blood Spirit Beads.

Lu Qingshan knew that this was the effect of the Blood Spirit Beads strengthening his bloodline power activating again.

—Great King West Rat's bloodline talent was much higher than he had imagined.

"I'm preparing to leave Yuanshan City," Lu Qingshan said to Great King West Rat directly.

"Where are you going?" Great King West Rat jolted and quickly asked.

"Zhenjiang City."

"Where is that?" A hint of confusion flashed in Great King West Rat's eyes.

"The prefectural city of Zhenjiang Prefecture, a very distant place, a thousand miles away from Yuanshan City," Lu Qingshan explained.

"Zhenjiang Prefecture's prefectural city." Great King West Rat's rat eyes lit up. "I'm going with you too! You can't leave me behind!"

"Are you sure you want to come with me? It might be very dangerous if you do," Lu Qingshan wasn't trying to scare Great King West Rat.

The things he was going to do in Zhenjiang City were indeed very dangerous.

"Anyway, I'm following you. Lu Qingshan, you can't just abandon me like this! We worked together to kill a Foundation Establishment cultivator. This is a bond forged in life and death!" Great King West Rat looked at Lu Qingshan with a resentful expression, as if Lu Qingshan were a scumbag preparing to abandon his wife and children.

Lu Qingshan looked at Great King West Rat with a half-smile. "That's true. If that's the case, then you'll depart with me then."

Seeing that Lu Qingshan had agreed to his request to accompany him, a hint of cunning flashed in Great King West Rat's rat eyes, which had been showing confusion.

Do you really think this Great King Rat is stupid? I didn't understand who you, Lu Qingshan, were before, but can I not understand now?

Are you really going to put yourself in danger?

Furthermore, you're just a Qi Refining cultivator, yet you managed to kill a Foundation Establishment True Person with your sword, and you even spoke calmly and unflinchingly with those two terrifying cultivators.

What Qi Refining cultivator could possibly be like you?

Even though I don't know your background, you're definitely a powerful ally to have. I have to cling to you tightly. Even getting a few leg hairs from you would be good.

Besides, you still have so many Blood Spirit Beads in your possession. If I don't find a way to get my hands on them, I'll be tormented!

Great King West Rat thought proudly.

Lu Qingshan naturally saw through Great King West Rat's little scheme.

He didn't expose it and let Great King West Rat put on a show because Lu Qingshan had also taken a liking to Great King West Rat.

Not only had it awakened [Stealth], but judging by the situation, if it consumed a few more Blood Spirit Beads, the Illusion Rat bloodline within its body would likely advance.

It was definitely a promising prospect, and it was simple-minded, making it very easy to fool.

And here it was, being fooled into following him to Zhenjiang City, a den of tigers and wolves, while Great King West Rat still looked like it had struck a great deal.

Isn't this a classic example of someone being sold and then helping to count the money?

The next day.

Lu Qingshan took many turns and twists, arriving near the east gate of Yuanshan City.

There were more than ten large carts parked there, and quite a few people had gathered around.

There were family cultivators from the Lin Family, as well as monster hunters who had accepted missions from the Monster Hunter Alliance.

"You must be Lu Qingshan," a dark-faced middle-aged male cultivator greeted him.

Lu Qingshan nodded and handed over the Spirit Seal that represented his identity as a monster hunter.

The middle-aged male cultivator took the Spirit Seal, examined it, and then returned it to Lu Qingshan. He introduced himself, "My name is Lin He. I am the person in charge of this convoy. If you have any problems on the road, you can come to me. For now, hurry back to the team, we're about to depart."

Lu Qingshan put away the Spirit Seal and blended into the crowd of the convoy.

On the other side, on one of the convoy's carriages.

Lin He walked forward and whispered towards the inside through the carriage curtain, "Miss, everyone has arrived."

"Then let's not delay any further, prepare to depart!" a voice with a hint of bewitching charm came out.