Invitation from the Prefecture City

After confirming, Chen Yuan processed the massive Demon Serpent corpse while carefully comprehending the newly broken-through Skin Grinding - Major Accomplishment realm.

With a slight mental stir, his blood and qi surged. The gray-black, rock-like luster on his skin grew more pronounced. Touching it, he felt an astonishing toughness and roughness, as if a layer of hard stone skin truly covered him.

Ordinary blades hacking at it would likely fail to leave even a white mark.

Strength, speed, and reflexes all rose accordingly. His blood and qi churned like rivers within, far beyond what Minor Accomplishment could match.

"So this is the Stone Skin Realm... Truly profound."

Joy filled Chen Yuan's heart.

He then tested the "Mist Manipulation" divine ability.

With a thought, mist formed faster, covered a wider area, and lasted longer.

The newly comprehended "Mist Burst" technique, in particular, consumed massive energy but delivered immense instant disruption and destructive power—a solid trump card.

This Demon Serpent was a treasure from head to tail.

Its scales were tough, perfect for crafting Leather Armor; its gall was huge, brimming with pure demonic energy, usable in medicine or pills to boost blood and qi.

Its Poison Fang was sharp and venomous, grindable into daggers or arrowheads; its sinews were strong, ideal for bowstrings; even its meat held rich blood and qi, a great tonic for martial artists.

He carefully used the Cold Ripple Blade to section the materials, taking the most valuable parts and storing them in the Scarab Fish Secret Pouch.

Fortunately, the pouch's internal space was just enough; otherwise, it couldn't have held this big fellow.

Only after finishing did he take a good look at this unexpected "refuge."

It was a hidden riverbank downstream of an underground river, seemingly rarely visited.

He walked toward the light and found a narrow crack leading to the surface.

Emerging, sunlight blazed.

After getting his bearings, Chen Yuan realized this was the outer area of Black Wind Ravine, relatively safe.

He didn't return to the county immediately but found a secluded spot, washed thoroughly, changed into clean clothes, and confirmed no obvious battle traces remained before calmly heading back.

By the time he reached Lin Hai County, it was afternoon.

The city gate was still bustling, no one knowing this ordinary-looking youth had just endured a life-and-death struggle and reaped great rewards.

Chen Yuan first went to the County yamen's geological office to submit the task.

He simply reported that a powerful demon beast deep in Black Wind Ravine had triggered a small earthquake and strange noises, omitting the battle details and the Golden Scale Fruit.

Loaded with rich gains, Chen Yuan returned to Blackwater Martial Arts School. He'd barely entered Listening Tide Courtyard when the gate was knocked.

"Junior Disciple Brother! You're finally back!"

Wang Meng's loud voice carried from afar as he pushed in, excitement on his face. "I heard you took a Black Wind Ravine scouting mission? How'd it go? No trouble?"

Chen Yuan smiled and poured him water. "Fine. Ran into a small hitch, already handled."

Wang Meng looked him over, then let out an "Eh," slapping Chen Yuan's shoulder with a palm like a winnowing fan. "Good lad! Your aura's so much denser, skin tight, luster hidden... Did you break through? Skin Grinding - Major Accomplishment?!"

Chen Yuan hadn't deliberately hidden his aura, so he wasn't surprised at being seen. He nodded. "Managed a breakthrough by luck."

"Great! Fantastic!" Wang Meng was happier than if he'd broken through himself, thumping Chen Yuan's chest hard, producing a dull thud.

"Tsk, that skin's like stone. Really solid training. How long has it been? Less than three months since you joined? Damn, comparing people drives you mad!"

After exclaiming, Wang Meng leaned in, lowering his voice with a mysterious grin. "Junior Disciple Brother, your breakthrough's perfect timing. There's a good gig. Want to come see with me?"

"Oh? What gig?" Chen Yuan was curious but, fresh from life-and-death, wasn't keen on taking new tasks immediately.

"An escort mission!" Wang Meng's brows danced.

"Sihai Shipping Company has a batch of important goods to deliver to the prefectural city, Tian Nan City. Generous pay, and they specifically asked the school to send skilled hands."

"Leading is one of the company's Tendon Changing Realm Head Escorts. Senior Disciple Brother Li Wei's going too. They still need a few Skin Grinding Realm experts to hold the line. Junior Disciple Sister Sun and I signed up. You're strong enough, so come along!"

"To the prefectural city?" Chen Yuan's heart stirred again.

Tian Nan Prefecture City was a place ten times more bustling than Lin Hai County—the political, economic, and martial arts hub of the entire Tian Nan Prefecture. He hadn't left Lin Hai County since crossing over, so he yearned for it.

"Right!" Wang Meng said excitedly. "This is a rare chance. Not only can you earn a fat reward, but more importantly, you can see the world in the prefectural city!"

"I hear their market has everything—techniques, pills, Divine Weapons and Sharp Tools. If you've got money, you can even buy graded treasures."

"And the martial spirit there is way stronger than our little county. Experts are everywhere. You might even see Tendon Changing Realm or Bone Forging Realm masters spar!"

He rambled on about the city's splendor and opportunities, eyes full of longing. "We can't stay cooped up in Lin Hai County forever, right?"

"A man's ambition lies in all directions. We need bigger stages sooner or later. This escort mission is a perfect springboard. Get familiar with the place first—it'll do you a world of good later!"

Chen Yuan was tempted.

Indeed, Lin Hai County's resources were limited. To improve faster, moving to a bigger stage was better. Plus, escort missions were relatively safe, with experts leading...

"Senior Disciple Brother, when does the mission start? How long will it take?" Chen Yuan asked.

"Three days from now, early morning. If all goes smoothly, about seven or eight days to Tian Nan City. We'll stay two or three days to unload and hand over, then return. Total's about half a month," Wang Meng said quickly. "So? Coming together? We'll look out for each other. Junior Disciple Sister Sun's going too—the three of us can keep company."

Chen Yuan pondered briefly. The timing was fine. He'd just broken through, and resting two days before visiting the prefectural city to broaden his horizons sounded quite good.

"Alright, since that's the case, I'll go with Senior Disciple Brother and Senior Disciple Sister to the prefectural city and see what it's like!" Chen Yuan made his decision.

"Excellent!" Wang Meng beamed. "I knew Junior Disciple Brother was a straightforward man. I'll go talk to Senior Disciple Brother Li Wei and the boat company right now to secure your spot. You get ready—day after tomorrow, first thing in the morning, we meet at the dock."

Wang Meng bustled off, clearly heading to lock in the arrangements.

Chen Yuan stood in the courtyard, his gaze fixed into the distance, as if he could pierce through countless barriers and see the bustling prefectural city named "Tiannan."

The prefectural city... he wondered what sights awaited him there.

He touched the Scarab Fish Secret Pouch at his chest, which held the Demon Serpent materials and the merit points and silver he'd saved up at the martial arts hall.

Perhaps, in the market stalls of the prefectural city, he could trade them for cultivation resources better suited to his current stage.

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