Qingyang City

Su Yu's footsteps paused slightly as he turned to look at the girl chasing after him.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled shadows on his handsome profile, outlining his strong nose and well-defined jawline.

"Is there something else?" His voice was as calm as still water, yet it made Qin Yue's heart skip a beat.

The young girl stared blankly at the benefactor who had just saved her life, unable to tell if her racing heart was due to the relief of surviving a near-death experience or the extraordinary handsomeness of the man before her.

The mountain wind ruffled the blue ribbon tying his hair, and a few stray strands swayed gently across his forehead, adding to his ethereal aura.

At Su Yu's question, she suddenly found herself speechless, her rosy lips trembling, "I... I..."

Her almond-shaped eyes were filled with gratitude and helplessness, unsure of how to express it.

"Thank you, Young Hero, for saving my sister!"

A deep, resonant voice broke the brief silence.

The dark-faced, burly man strode forward, clasping his hands tightly in front of Su Yu.

This man, usually as unyielding as iron, now had a faint sheen of tears in his eyes.

Qin Yue was his only remaining family in this world. If that wolf's claws had struck, he feared he would have no face left to live.

Su Yu's gaze swept gently over the siblings.

He could see the heartfelt gratitude in the burly man's eyes, as well as the sincerity in the young girl's.

But he simply shook his head slightly:

"It was nothing."

The dark-faced man stepped forward, clasped his hands in a bow, and said in a voice like a booming bell, "I am Qin Lie, captain of the Qingyang City hunting team."

As he straightened his back, the flame emblem on his leather armor gleamed in the sunlight.

At this moment, the mature and beautiful woman also gracefully stepped forward.

She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and said with slightly parted red lips, "I am Liu Fei."

As she spoke, she subtly glanced at Qin Yue, who was still shaken, a flicker of fear in her eyes.

If Qin Yue had met with misfortune before her eyes, this guilt would have likely haunted her for the rest of her life.

"Thank you, Young Hero, for saving my life."

Liu Fei bowed respectfully, her form-fitting leather armor accentuating her graceful curves.

The young man named Chen Mo also followed, a look of pain on his face.

The wound on his right arm was still bleeding, clearly a price paid in the previous battle.

Qin Lie waved his hand and said decisively, "Young Hero, since this Magic Wind Wolf was slain by you and you saved my sister, the spoils of war rightfully belong to you."

"Captain!"

Chen Mo couldn't help but exclaim, a hint of unwillingness flashing across his brow.

The four of them had fought hard for a long time, each of them injured, before forcing the Magic Wind Wolf into a desperate situation. Now, they were expected to hand over the spoils...

Qin Lie raised his hand to stop Chen Mo from continuing, his tiger-like eyes flashing with an undeniable resolve, "My decision is made."

When he turned back to Su Yu, his gaze was once again sincere.

"Please accept it, Young Hero. Otherwise, my sister and I will not be able to rest easy."

Liu Fei gently tugged at Chen Mo's sleeve, signaling him to stop talking.

She understood the captain's decision and also Chen Mo's grievance.

After all, they had paid a considerable price for this Magic Wind Wolf.

The mountain wind swept through the forest, and Su Yu's gaze gently swept over the four of them.

He had saved them on a whim and had never intended to ask for any reward.

Just as he was about to politely refuse, he suddenly remembered his fruitless search in Black Wind Valley over the past two days and couldn't help but ask, "Why are Magic Wind Wolves so rare in Black Wind Valley? I searched for two days and found no trace."

Upon hearing this, a hint of emotion appeared on Qin Lie's rugged face, "Months ago, this was a gathering place for Magic Wind Wolves. But ever since their pelts skyrocketed in price on the market, hunters from all walks of life have flocked here."

He pointed to the wolf carcass on the ground, "This one is probably one of the last few in the valley."

Su Yu nodded thoughtfully, his gaze falling on the wolf carcass, "If you truly wish to thank me, just give me one of its tusks."

Although tusks were also valuable, they were nothing compared to the now priceless pelts.

"This..." Qin Lie's tiger-like eyes widened, clearly not expecting such a modest request from the other party.

Liu Fei's red lips parted slightly, a trace of admiration flashing in her eyes.

She had initially thought such a young genius would be arrogant, but she hadn't expected him to be so understanding.

How could a life-saving grace be repaid with just a tusk?

Qin Lie insisted on presenting the tusk along with the Beast Core, his bronze face etched with determination.

"Please don't refuse, Young Hero. This is our sincere gesture."

Seeing their persistence, Su Yu had no choice but to accept.

He suddenly remembered something and asked, "I heard you all are from Qingyang City? How far is it from here?"

"Are you going to Qingyang City?"

Qin Yue's apricot eyes lit up, the fear from before long forgotten.

"It's only a little over a hundred miles! Why don't you travel with us?"

Liu Fei gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and added with a smile, "Tomorrow happens to be Qingyang City's monthly Auction Festival, Young Hero. If you're interested, you might want to take a look."

She secretly observed the mysterious young man.

His handsome features, his steady demeanor, and his cultivation at such a young age – he must be the descendant of some major power.

Chen Mo also let go of his reservations at this moment and clasped his fists, saying, "When we reach Qingyang City, you must let us play the host."

The mountain wind blew, and Su Yu's blue robe fluttered slightly. He pondered for a moment, then nodded in agreement, "That would be good."

"Great!"

Qin Yue cheered with delight, a bright smile blooming on her pretty face, like a flower suddenly blossoming in the woods.

She hopped off to pack her belongings, completely forgetting the recent danger.

As the sun set, the figures of the five people gradually disappeared down the winding mountain path.

Su Yu walked in the middle of the group, listening to Qin Yue's bell-like laughter and looking at the faint outline of the city in the distance. A rare sense of ease welled up in his heart.

As dusk settled, the majestic city walls finally came into view.

Su Yu stopped and gazed into the distance. He saw that Qingyang City's walls stretched for dozens of miles, and flags fluttered on the towering city gates. It was incomparably more magnificent than Skywind City.

Horses and carriages were like dragons at the city gate, and merchant caravans entering the city formed a long line. Shouts in various accents rose and fell.

"Young Hero Su, is this your first time in Qingyang City?"

Qin Lie smiled and patted the shoulder of a city guard. The guard nodded familiarly, and they were even exempted from the routine inspection.

Su Yu noticed the Black Iron Gate at the city entrance emitting a faint glow, clearly engraved with a Defensive Formation. Such craftsmanship was indeed rare in a small city.

Stepping into the city, a wave of noise washed over them.

The streets paved with bluestone were over thirty feet wide. Buildings on both sides had upturned eaves and bracketed roofs, and vermilion lacquered golden plaques shone brightly in the setting sun.

Colorful silks from the silk shops fluttered in the wind, a faint fragrance wafted from the pharmacies, and the sounds of stringed instruments and singing from teahouses and restaurants showcased the grandeur of a large city everywhere.

"The Crystal Shrimp Dumplings at Drunken Immortal Tower in the east of the city are absolutely superb!"

Qin Yue leaned close to Su Yu, her slender finger tapping. "And there's Nishang Pavilion on South Street. They just got a batch of Cloud Silk from the Imperial Capital last month..."

The girl rattled off the information, her apricot eyes sparkling with excitement.

The silver bells in her hair jingled with her steps, drawing frequent glances from passersby.

When they reached a crossroads, Qin Lie clasped his fists and said, "We need to go to the Myriad Treasures Pavilion first to deal with this wolf carcass. Young Hero, you can rest at the Yuelai Inn for now."

He pointed to a three-story building with red lanterns hanging nearby. "In an hour, I will host a welcome banquet for Young Hero."

Upon hearing this, Qin Yue's small mouth pouted unconsciously, her eyes full of reluctance.

It wasn't until Liu Fei smiled and pinched her cheek that she reluctantly followed her brother away.

Before leaving, she couldn't forget to turn back and remind him, "Big Brother Su, you must try the pastries at Drunken Immortal Tower!"

Watching the four figures disappear around the street corner, Su Yu turned and headed towards the inn.