Learning the Lay of the Land

Chen Lin flew clear of the woods without incident, and his spirits immediately lifted. But he did not stop, continuing onward until he was far away before finally descending to the ground.

Barren mountains and wilderness surrounded him. He dared not act too conspicuously, lest he encounter some other bizarre danger just after escaping this one.

"Senior, I can't go on. Could we take a break?"

He Chengfeng caught up, panting for breath. His cultivation had been suppressed too severely, so he had relied entirely on talismans to fly. But he had only a few flight talismans and dared not use them all. In the end, he had been forced to run along the ground using lightness talismans and Swift Travel Talismans, nearly exhausting himself to death.

Even then, Chen Lin had slowed down to wait for him. Otherwise, he could never have kept up.

Chen Lin ignored him and instead looked into the distance behind them.

A blue figure sped toward them, arriving before them in the blink of an eye.

It was the Blue-Robed Man.

"Don't worry, fellow Daoist. I mean you no harm. There are simply a few things I'd like to discuss with you."

Seeing Chen Lin's unfriendly expression, the Blue-Robed Man immediately explained himself.

Chen Lin glanced at him and said expressionlessly, "Let's hear it."

He had actually noticed the man pursuing them long ago. He simply wanted to speak with him as well and learn more about this place. Otherwise, at the man's speed, he would never have caught up, even with Chen Lin bringing He Chengfeng along.

"I am Xu Qingyuan, the newly appointed magistrate of Guqian County. I'm on my way to take up my post."

The Blue-Robed Man first introduced himself, then continued, "As you saw, fellow Daoist, some people are