Leaving Nuoding City

"That's true. This world is wonderful, but it is also dangerous. When you go out to see it, you must be careful and cautious."

"I do not have much to give you. This advice is one of the few things I can offer."

"Society outside is treacherous, and people's hearts are complicated. If you come across opportunities or treasures, be sure to keep a low profile. Do not flaunt them, lest you bring unnecessary disaster upon yourself."

The dean sighed, took out the Graduation Document, and began filling it in. "Still, Tang San, you are the most gifted child I have ever seen. Your future is limitless. The academy is proud of you!"

"Thank you for taking care of me all these years, Dean." Tang San thanked him sincerely.

Before long, the Graduation Document was completed.

Tang San accepted the document and added, "Dean, there is one more matter. Xiao Wu, the Work-Study Student, and I hit it off at first sight. We agreed to travel the continent together and undergo deeper training. Please also handle her graduation procedures. She has obtained her First Soul Ring, and her Soul Power has reached Level Fifteen. The reason she had not applied for graduation was that she was waiting for me to finish my business outside so we could leave together."

By now, the dean was numb. Even a genius like Tang San was taking her along, so Xiao Wu was surely not simple either.

Without the slightest hesitation, he quickly completed Xiao Wu's Graduation Document as well and handed it to Tang San.

"I wish you both a bright future!" the dean said from the bottom of his heart.

"Thank you, Dean."

After putting away the two Graduation Documents, Tang San left the dean's office.

He did not go looking for Xiao Wu right away. Instead, he first returned to his dormitory and quickly packed his luggage.

There was not much to pack, really—mainly some medicine he had concocted in private, several changes of clothes, and some Gold Soul Coins.

Only after finishing all that did he head toward Xiao Wu's dormitory.

The moment he reached the bottom of the dormitory building, he saw Xiao Wu sitting boredly by the flower bed, swinging her little legs. A strand of Blue Silver Grass Tang San had given her earlier, one especially rich in Life Force, was clamped between her lips as though she were savoring some delicacy.

"Xiao Wu," Tang San called.

"Hm?"

Xiao Wu looked up. The instant she saw Tang San, her eyes lit up. She swallowed the Blue Silver Grass in two quick bites and skipped over. "Little San, you're back! Did you finish everything? Huh?"

She leaned close to Tang San. Her pink nose twitched lightly twice, and her Rabbit Ears swayed in confusion. "The smell on you... seems a little different? But I can't tell what exactly is different..."

Tang San's heart tightened slightly. A Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast's instincts truly were sharp. Even though he had done his utmost to disguise himself, she had still sensed a trace of something unusual.

His expression remained unchanged as he handed Xiao Wu her Graduation Document and explained, "Yes, it is done. This is your Graduation Document. It is time for us to leave this place."

"Graduate?"

Xiao Wu took the document and froze for a moment. Then a broad smile bloomed across her face. "Great! We can finally leave this boring place! I got tired of playing here ages ago! Where are we going to have fun? No, where are we going to train?"

She immediately corrected herself, because she knew Tang San was a training fanatic who practically never entertained himself.

Yet the excitement in her eyes could not be concealed.

"We're going to a place called Vast Sea City."

Tang San told Xiao Wu the explanation he had discussed with his father earlier. "A Reclusive Expert passing through took a liking to us and accepted us as disciples. He told us to go to Vast Sea City and wait for him there. It is close to the sea and has many novel things. We can travel while training."

"Vast Sea City? The sea?!" Xiao Wu's eyes instantly turned starry. Having lived in the Star Dou Great Forest for so long, she was filled with curiosity and longing for the vast, boundless sea. "That's wonderful! When do we leave?"

"Right now," Tang San said. "I've already packed my things. What about yours?"

"I don't have anything to pack. As long as I bring carrots and you, that's enough!"

"I'm so excited to see this world!"

Xiao Wu said with a grin, looking utterly impatient to leave.

Her eyes shimmered with anticipation for this human world.

It was her first time being human and her first time coming into contact with human society.

She did not want to remain in the same place for too long, either.

As for avenging her mother—

That would have to wait until she possessed enough strength.

Going there now would simply mean delivering a Soul Ring and Soul Bone to them.

Tang San smiled helplessly. He had long grown accustomed to Xiao Wu's lively temperament.

Without alerting anyone, he led Xiao Wu quietly out through the Side Door of Nuoding Academy and blended into the streets of Nuoding City as they gradually awoke in the early morning.

Following their plan, they arrived at the Carriage Company in the eastern part of the city.

Tang San chose a clean, comfortable-looking carriage pulled by two sturdy horses. He paid a sufficient deposit and hired an honest-looking middle-aged Coachman.

"Young Master, young miss, you're going to Qingfeng City? That's quite a long journey. It will probably take about three days on the road." The Coachman accepted the heavy deposit, his face breaking into a smile as he spoke warmly.

"That is fine. We are not in a hurry. Safety and stability come first. If there are any interesting towns or scenic places along the way, we can stop briefly. Money is not an issue, and we will cover your food and other expenses," Tang San instructed.

Why had he not told the Coachman to go directly to Vast Sea City?

That was because once he reached Qingfeng City, he would remove his disguise and return to the appearance he had awakened as the Blue Silver Emperor. It would not be good for the Coachman to see that appearance.

At that point, he would go to another carriage company, switch carriages, and continue on to Vast Sea City.

By then, he would not have so many concerns.

Moreover, he had no intention of hiding Xiao Wu.

Xiao Wu would be his best companion throughout this journey.

"All right! Rest assured, I've been traveling this route for more than ten years. I guarantee I'll get you both there safely, and I'll show you the fine sights along the way too!" Old John, the Coachman, promised, thumping his chest.

Tang San and Xiao Wu boarded the carriage.

Inside the Carriage was even roomier than it appeared from the outside. It was lined with soft cushions and fairly comfortable.

At the Coachman's shout, the carriage slowly started moving. Its wheels rolled over the bluestone road with a steady rumble, carrying the two of them out through Nuoding City's eastern gate and gradually leaving behind the small city where they had lived for over a year.

The carriage traveled along the Official Road at an unhurried pace.

Xiao Wu lay curiously beside the carriage window, watching the fields, villages, and forests continually recede outside. Everything seemed so fresh and new.

Tang San, meanwhile, leaned against the window on the other side. He appeared to be Resting Eyes, but in truth, he was carefully maintaining the disguise within his body while planning the next stage of their journey.

He knew that his father, Tang Hao, was surely following in secret to protect them.

And he and the excited little rabbit beside him were about to begin a brand-new journey filled with the unknown and with possibility.

This was not merely a change in location, but an entirely new page in the story of his life.

A seven-year-old Level Thirty-Three Three-Ring Soul Elder, the strongest Blue Silver Emperor of this life—his legend was slowly unfolding in a low-key yet steady manner.

The Official Road wound toward the distance, toward the extraordinary future that awaited him.

At the same time, he was steadily consolidating his realm and becoming more familiar with his current cultivation.

He absolutely could not become complacent because his cultivation had risen so quickly and the age of the Third Soul Ring he had absorbed was so high, then neglect the importance of stabilizing himself.

That was an enormous pitfall in cultivation.