Iron Cavalry

After passing through the gate from Fengsui City and entering Qing Province, the journey became smooth and unobstructed.

The sights that greeted them were no longer desolate mountains and wildlands, but well-ordered cities.

Within the Great Chu Dynasty, there were no roaming bandits or monster infestations. Occasionally, one could even see streaks of brilliant white light flashing across the sky.

This "flying on swords," a common sight within the Great Chu Dynasty, was an unprecedented spectacle in Deng Baiyi's eyes, who was just entering the jianghu. The Northern Prefecture was simply too desolate; not to mention seeing a sword cultivator, even seeing a Qi Refiner was a rare occurrence... So, whenever the caravan stopped to rest, Deng Baiyi would often crane her neck, gazing at the sky with eyes full of longing.

She kept every word Xie Xuanyi said firmly in her heart.

She wanted to fly on a sword, she wanted to soar through the air.

She needed to cultivate to at least the Qi Guiding Realm!

For a talented cultivator, reaching that stage would take ten years. As for those without talent... they would never have a chance in their entire lives.

She didn't know where she stood in terms of talent. Xie Xuanyi had never praised her. After cultivating for nearly half a month, she seemed only capable of drawing a few talismans. The so-called Foundation Establishment Realm was still a distant dream.

Regardless.

She only hoped that one day, she could become one of those streaks of white light flashing across the sky like a shooting star.

"We'll be in Taian City in another two hours."

Xie Xuanyi closed his eyes and meditated, silently feeling his heartbeat.

In the past few days, he had condensed two strands of Golden Qi!

At this rate...

Without relying on a Grotto-Heaven, there really wasn't a single chance!

Helpless, he cast these distracting thoughts aside and looked at the scenery outside the carriage window.

According to the original plan.

After entering Qing Province, he should have taken Deng Baiyi and the others straight to Carp Tide City.

But now that Shen Yan was on board.

And the road eastward to Carp Tide City happened to pass through Taian City.

Stopping in Taian City to complete the transaction and obtain the five Azure Origin Pills had become a convenient side matter.

"The closer I get to Taian City, the more restless my heart becomes..."

Xie Xuanyi narrowed his eyes and muttered to himself, "Is it because of Shen Yan?"

Xie Xuanyi knew that this woman must have a secret.

But he wasn't interested in Shen Yan's secrets.

He let Shen Yan on the carriage only because Xie Xuanyi wanted to know if something unclean was watching him on this journey east.

If so... then "it" better have the guts to show itself.

Of course, there was another reason—

That was the five Azure Origin Pills Shen Yan had promised!

His cultivation speed was too slow now, and the Azure Origin Pills could solve his immediate problem.

Normal cultivators absorbed the Qi of heaven and earth to cultivate... but the amount of Qi in some places was simply too thin, so there were special "Essence Qi Pills" to assist in cultivation.

The quality of the pills varied, and the amount of Qi they contained also differed.

In addition to that.

Different cultivators who consumed pills had different Qi digestion efficiencies due to their own conditions.

Generally speaking, one Azure Origin Pill, chewed slowly, was enough for a Qi Refiner to digest for a month.

True geniuses could advance without pills.

But those with slightly worse aptitude needed to rely on some extra means...

For those cultivators who lacked talent but had a wealthy background, popping pills was nothing to be ashamed of.

Xie Xuanyi sighed deeply.

He had finally become the kind of person he once despised the most.

He remembered that even if the Great Chu Dynasty had personally bestowed an honor upon him, it couldn't make him bow his head...

Now, for a mere five Azure Origin Pills, he had lowered his noble head.

"Young Master Xie."

As they approached Taian City, Shen Yan returned once again. This time, she was different from before, no longer so deliberately affectionate. Her clothes and accessories were also much more "neat and clean."

"We're almost in Taian City. I've come specifically to thank you."

Shen Yan sat next to Xie Xuanyi and said softly, "In any case, thank you for giving me a ride into the city..."

"It's nothing, just a small favor."

Xie Xuanyi smiled slightly, "If Miss Shen is truly grateful, then just pay the agreed-upon remuneration."

"Of course."

Shen Yan said earnestly, "Xu You, the Deputy City Lord of Taian City, is a sworn brother to my father, a life-or-death friendship. I already received a letter from the Deng Estate Head on the road and sent it to Taian City via carrier pigeon. If there are no exceptions... it won't be long before Taian City sends someone to pick us up, and the road ahead will be safe."

She looked so confident and genuine.

Even Deng Baiyi, who had been suspicious of Shen Yan all along, was somewhat convinced.

The road ahead will be safe?

Xie Xuanyi smiled without saying a word.

He knew very well that the road ahead was the most dangerous.

The closer he got to Taian City, the stronger the sense of danger in his heart became.

Xie Xuanyi was genuinely curious about what secrets and backup plans this "fragile woman" he had met by chance had.

Sure enough.

About an hour later, the sound of extremely rapid hoofbeats came from a distance.

Deng Baiyi narrowed her eyes and saw a team of iron cavalry charging towards them from beyond the horizon.

This was the first time she had seen such a display.

Although she had seen the Bronze Scale Guards and halberd-wielding soldiers in Fengsui City, they had not shown any killing intent after she revealed her identity. However, the iron cavalry in the distance exuded a chilling aura!

Deng Baiyi immediately felt nervous!

"No need to worry."

Xie Xuanyi said calmly, "They are not enemies."

Even though they were half a mile away.

Through Qi, Xie Xuanyi could clearly sense the spiritual aura of these iron cavalrymen. Their armor gleamed coldly, and there was no doubt that they were warriors who had truly experienced life-and-death battles. However, their current rapid charge was simply to pursue speed, and they had no intention of drawing their swords.

Of course.

Even if these people wanted to attack, there was nothing to fear.

These people alone were not enough to make Xie Xuanyi feel "danger."

In other words, the real danger factor was not them.

As expected.

The iron cavalry began to slow down as they approached the Deng Estate's convoy. The leader was a young man wearing blue armor and a blue helmet, with handsome features. After he raised his hand, the entire team of iron cavalry slowed down sharply, eventually stopping the entire convoy in a very "friendly" manner. Deng Chicheng got out of the carriage nervously, wanting to greet him, but the leader ignored him and quickly went to the last carriage, lifting the curtain.

The first thing he saw was Xie Xuanyi.

The handsome young man was expressionless. After a brief glance, he quickly shifted his gaze and looked at the woman next to Xie Xuanyi, asking in a low voice, "Miss Shen?"

"It's me."

Shen Yan said with surprise, "Brother Jing, you're here! Long time no see, how have you been?"

"I'm doing very well in Taian City, naturally."

The young man smiled, hinting, "But you, you've suffered on this trip. Have you been wronged along the way?"

What kind of talk is that?

Deng Baiyi, who had always had a fiery temper, raised her eyebrows and was about to explode.

But Xie Xuanyi held her shoulder down with Qi from afar, preventing her from getting up.

"Of course... not."

Shen Yan paused for a moment and quickly introduced, "Young Master Xie, this is Xu Jing, the adopted son of Master Xu You. I've known him since I was a child."

"Young Master Xie?"

Xu Jing's gaze towards Xie Xuanyi was not friendly.

"Brother Xu is a talented and outstanding individual."

Xie Xuanyi said with a smile, "Brother Xu and Miss Shen grew up together, so you're childhood sweethearts? I think you two are a very good match."

As the saying goes, one doesn't hit a smiling face.

Upon hearing this, Xu Jing's expression immediately softened a lot. This Xie fellow's words are quite pleasing to the ear? It seems the situation here is not quite what I imagined.

"Brother Xie, you flatter me."

He took the initiative to reach out and lightly shake hands with Xie Xuanyi, his eyes instantly filled with surprise.

This Young Master Xie has no Qi in his body?

Am I sensing things incorrectly?

Looking so young, could it be that he hasn't started cultivating yet?

"Second Realm peak, as long as he has an epiphany, he can immediately step into the Qi Guiding Realm."

At the same time, Xie Xuanyi also ascertained Xu Jing's strength and realm... Young and with a decent cultivation realm, no wonder Shen Yan's attitude towards him is so good.

The letter Shen Yan sent was successfully delivered to the City Lord's Mansion in Taian City.

Xu Jing, of course, read it. After receiving his orders, he whipped his horse into a gallop, bringing men with him to welcome them.

Now that they had finally met, he quickly offered his condolences.

Learning that Shen Yan was unharmed, he wasted no more time.

"Lingluo Mountain was attacked, and everyone was willing to lend a hand to rescue them. For this act alone, you are honored guests of my Taian City."

He remounted his horse, raised his hand, and said, "If you don't mind, please move along and return to the city with Xu."

Iron cavalry arrayed, surrounding the Deng Estate's convoy.

"zzz!"