Leaving Wutan City, Heading to Qingshan Town.

In the courtyard, after listening to Xiao Yan's account, Gu Shenge had thought it was some major crisis requiring him to save a life.

It turned out that while clearing out the market today, a conflict had erupted with the Jia Lie Clan, who were stirring up trouble in the shadows. The clash resulted in bloodshed, and Jia Lie Ao, whom he had crippled previously, had died at his hands. Jia Lie Bi had declared that if Xiao Yan dared to leave Wutan City, the Jia Lie Clan would exhaust the entire strength of their clan to hunt him down.

This segment did not exist in the original story; it was likely an influence brought about by the butterfly effect.

Gu Shenge: "You called for my help over such a trivial matter? That doesn't sound like your style. With Venerable Yao around, let alone a mere Jia Lie Clan, even ten of them wouldn't be a problem."

"Brother Juan, you make it sound so easy. Although Teacher can deal with a Dou Spirit, his power is limited. The Jia Lie Clan has so many people, and they aren't easy to handle. That's why I wanted to ask for a favor—just drop me off at the Magic Beast Mountain Range, hehehe~"

Xiao Yan rubbed his hands together with a flattering expression. He wasn't asking Gu Shenge to help him wipe out the Jia Lie Clan; he just hoped the other could transport him to the Magic Beast Mountain Range so he could return to deal with the Jia Lie Clan once his cultivation was successful.

Revenge was something he had to take for himself.

"You brat." Gu Shenge smiled helplessly. It was nothing more than a convenient errand, and since he had already promised Yao Lao to protect Xiao Yan, he naturally wouldn't go back on his word. Besides, his ancient cave dwelling was still waiting for Xiao Yan to participate.

"It just so happens I was planning to head to the Magic Beast Mountain Range tomorrow. You'd better prepare yourself in advance. It won't be as relaxing there as it is in the Xiao Clan. With those scrawny arms and legs of yours, you might not even be a match for a Tier 2 magic beast."

"Don't worry, Brother Juan. If I can win, I'll fight. If I can't, I'll run. If I can't run, I'll play dead. And if playing dead doesn't work, I'll just give it my all."

As he spoke, a trace of ferocity appeared in Xiao Yan's brows, along with an unyielding gaze that left Gu Shenge quite satisfied. This kid had a good mindset.

Xiao Yan didn't stay long and rose to take his leave. Since they were heading to the Magic Beast Mountain Range tomorrow, he needed to prepare some necessities.

Qing Lin snuggled into Gu Shenge's arms and asked her young master in confusion: "Young Master, why are we going to the Magic Beast Mountain Range?"

Gu Shenge stroked her head, his gentle gaze filled with a hint of doting, and explained softly: "We are going to prepare for a grand show, and we'll invite all the powerhouses of the Jia Ma Empire to watch it when the time comes."

The little beauty snake didn't quite understand, but she didn't care. Wherever her young master went, she would follow. She continued to burrow into Gu Shenge's arms, leaning against his chest, and felt the warmth of his embrace, her pretty little face revealing satisfaction.

Gu Shenge gently held Qing Lin's slender waist and looked into the distance, wondering how Medusa was doing in the Black-Corner Region.

At this moment in the Black-Corner Region, the Old Demon of Earth, who had once shaken this entire area, was being held by Medusa like a dead dog. Suddenly, Medusa seemed to sense something and turned her head toward the direction of the Jia Ma Empire. A hint of confusion appeared in her beautiful eyes—who was thinking of her?

But immediately after, her expression shifted as she realized who it was. She let out a cold snort and muttered to herself.

"Gu, you'd better keep yourself in check. If I find out you're flirting around out there, I'll castrate you..."

The next morning, the sun rose, and the golden rooster heralded the dawn.

Gu Shenge led Qing Lin out of the room. Strands of morning sunlight washed over him, warm and soft, making his entire body glow with a golden, dazzling, and noble radiance.

Xiao Zhan and his son, Xiao Yan, had been waiting at the courtyard gate early on.

Seeing Gu Shenge emerge, Xiao Zhan hurriedly stepped forward to bow, his weathered face filled with gratitude as he spoke respectfully.

"Many thanks to Young Master Juan for your help. Xiao Zhan is deeply grateful!"

"No need for thanks. I promised Xiao Yan's teacher that I would protect him, so I naturally won't break my word."

Gu Shenge waved his hand lightly, signaling that Xiao Zhan need not be so formal, then turned his gaze to Xiao Yan to ask if he was ready.

Xiao Yan nodded. Yesterday, he had specifically gone to the Miteer Auction House to procure the items he needed. He had intended to bid farewell to Sister Ya Fei and thank her for her care over the past year, but Master Gu Ni had informed him that she had already left, which left him quite regretful.

"Well, since everything is ready, let's go."

A small white jade pot with cloud patterns appeared in his hand. Gu Shenge told Xiao Yan not to resist, took him into the Serenitea Pot, and then produced a medicine bottle.

"Clan Head Xiao, inside this is a Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill. It can help a Dou Grandmaster increase their cultivation by one star. Thank you for your hospitality over the past two days."

"This is too precious, Young Master Juan~"

Xiao Zhan tried to decline, but Gu Shenge tossed it directly to him. A golden sword aura manifested beneath his feet, and he flew into the sky with Qing Lin.

Watching the golden light disappear into the horizon, Xiao Zhan gripped the medicine bottle containing the Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill, a look of deep emotion on his face.

Qingshan Town, a small town near the eastern Magic Beast Mountain Range. Such towns were scattered all over the outskirts of the mountain range, and the people living there were mostly mercenary groups who survived by hunting magic beasts.

However, the quality of the mercenaries in Qingshan Town was far inferior to those in Shimo City; the strongest among them were only at the Dou Master level.

A streak of golden sword light tore through the sky and finally landed outside Qingshan Town.

After landing, Gu Shenge released Xiao Yan from the Serenitea Pot, though this time he had a black, door-sized, edgeless, and blunt giant ruler on his back. Just looking at it made one feel its weight.

Xiao Yan carried the Heavy Profound Ruler, staring unblinkingly at the Serenitea Pot in Gu Shenge's hand, his voice revealing unconcealable astonishment.

"Brother Juan, this jade pot of yours is so magical! It actually contains a world of its own!"

"Don't be too surprised. When you reach the level of a Dou Sheng, you will also be able to create your own space."

Gu Shenge put away the Serenitea Pot and led his little beauty snake by her tender hand into Qingshan Town, with Xiao Yan trotting along behind him.

Qingshan Town relied on the mountains for its livelihood. The people coming and going were all mercenaries wearing leather armor and exuding a faint scent of blood. They were either hurrying along, moving in groups, or walking with their arms around each other's shoulders, drinking and chatting in the streets.

The gazes of some mercenaries were drawn to Gu Shenge and his companions—or more accurately, to Qing Lin. Their eyes wandered over her pretty little face and slender waist, and they began to whisper among themselves.

But the moment the words left their mouths, they heard a cold snort like a thunderclap in a clear sky. It shook them until their heads felt like they were splitting, as if their brains were about to explode. The mercenaries were struck with terror, realizing they had provoked someone they shouldn't have, and scrambled away from the street.

Gu Shenge paid no more attention to those fellows and led the little beauty snake to a large medicinal herb shop. He looked up at the sign and muttered: "Wanyao Pavilion."

He then walked into Wanyao Pavilion, which left Xiao Yan somewhat confused, though he followed him inside.

"Brother Juan, is there something you need in here?"

Hearing this, Gu Shenge shook his head: "No, but there is something you need."

"Something I need?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan hurriedly walked to the counter and began to search; since Brother Juan said there was, there definitely was.

Sure enough, he discovered the Blood Lotus Essence required to refine the Blood Lotus Pill, feeling inwardly astonished yet quite puzzled—how did Brother Juan discover it?

~

PS: I will try my best to maintain four updates a day, though the update times will vary.