Leaving Home

After returning to his quarters, Han Changming tidied up a little.

There was actually not much to bring. He packed a change of clothes, his talisman-making tools—which were a must—and the Spirit Gathering Stone.

Once he had finished packing, Han Changming rode his magic tool to Han Changxin's quarters.

"Fifteenth Sister, I'm going to Kuixing Market. While I'm away, I'll have to trouble you to look after the Seven-Leaf Grass. Once it's mature, please pick it for me and turn it over to the clan in exchange for Blank Talisman Paper. Then sow more seeds and keep growing the Seven-Leaf Grass. Here are a hundred spirit stones as advance payment for your work. I don't know when I'll be back."

Han Changming took out a hundred spirit stones and handed them to Han Changxin.

Han Changxin looked after several mu of Seven-Leaf Grass for Han Changming. Her monthly pay was two spirit stones, or twenty-four a year, so a hundred spirit stones covered four years of work.

"Ninth Brother, you'll need plenty of spirit stones while you're away. I'm not in a hurry to use them, so hold on to them for now! You can pay me when you get back." Han Changxin said considerately.

Han Changming shook his head and said earnestly, "No. It's not easy looking after those several mu of Seven-Leaf Grass. You have to come by every few days to water it, which affects your cultivation. Fifteenth Sister, don't be polite with me. I'm a First-Rank Low-Grade Talisman Maker now, and I have plenty of spirit stones. I earn more than two spirit stones a month. If you won't accept them, I won't feel right asking you to look after the Seven-Leaf Grass."

Unable to talk Han Changming out of it, Han Changxin accepted the spirit stones.

"Ninth Brother, I made some pastries with Spirit Grain. Take them with you for the road! I hear Kuixing Market is very lively. Please buy me some seeds for spiritual plants and herbs. Don't worry about the price."

Han Changxin was obsessed with the art of cultivation, which didn't surprise Han Changming. He thumped his chest and promised to do it.

Three days later, Han Changming arrived early at the General Affairs Hall, where Han Zhangkang briefed him on Kuixing Market.

There were four great powers in the Red Algae Sea: Ocean Listening Pavilion, Black Crow Island, Azure Cloud Sect, and Great Void Sect. Each had Golden Core cultivators in command and was full of experts.

The Han Clan was a subsidiary force of Ocean Listening Pavilion, and several clan members had joined the Pavilion. None of them had reached Foundation Establishment, however, so they had little influence.

There were five markets in the Red Algae Sea, and Kuixing Market was established by Ocean Listening Pavilion. The Han Clan rented three shops there: a weapons shop, a Spirit Grain shop, and a talisman shop. The weapons shop was the most profitable.

That was hardly surprising. The Han Clan had made its name through weapon refining and had no fewer than nine weapon refiners. Han Zhangxiang was a Second-Rank High-Grade weapon refiner.

The talisman shop had originally been a store for purchasing raw materials. But the Han Clan lacked the means to compete, and few cultivators were willing to sell their demonic beast materials to them. The store had suffered heavy losses, so they had turned it into a talisman shop instead. There were already two talisman makers in Kuixing Market; with Han Changming, they had enough to keep the shop running.

"Changming, remember this: once you reach Kuixing Market, ask your clan uncle if there's anything you don't understand. Never leave the market on your own. You'll be safe enough inside, but that may not be the case outside." Han Zhangkang cautioned him earnestly.

"I'll remember, great-granduncle. I won't go wandering around."

Han Zhangkang nodded and continued, "Remember, pies don't fall from the sky. Some rogue cultivators deliberately make up treasure maps to lure people into a trap and rob them—or kill them. Be careful, and don't let greed blind you. There may be treasure maps in the world, but it's hardly likely that one would just happen to fall into your hands."

Han Changming nodded repeatedly. He could hear the concern in Han Zhangkang's words.

A little while later, Han Deling arrived at the General Affairs Hall with ten clan members. Han Changming greeted each of them.

"Changming, this is your first time traveling far from home. Kuixing Market is nothing like Red Shrimp Island. You mustn't leave the market on your own, understand?" Han Deling said, still somewhat worried.

Han Changming smiled bitterly to himself and agreed.

Han Deling brought out a Yellow Gourd, which quickly expanded. Everyone climbed aboard in turn.

The Han Clan cultivated a great many Gourd Vines, and gourd magic tools were a hallmark of the clan. Most of their flying tools were gourds as well. Han Deling's flying tool was a Second-Rank Low-Grade one, worth several hundred spirit stones on the market. It flew much faster than the Green Wind Gourd Han Changming owned.

"Let's go."

Han Deling gave a soft command and cast a spell toward the Yellow Gourd. A gentle yellow light barrier appeared out of thin air, enveloping her and the others.

The Yellow Gourd became a streak of yellow light and shot out of HLD, vanishing into the horizon.

Three months later, high above a boundless sea, a huge Yellow Gourd streaked through the sky.

Han Changming sat atop the Yellow Gourd, looking around.

This was his first time traveling far from home. His earlier assignment guarding Red Shrimp Island didn't count, since the island was only a little over ten days' journey from HLD.

On the way, his clan uncle had explained the precautions he needed to take, giving him a much better understanding of the outside world.

When transporting cargo, they had to watch out for demonic beasts and other cultivators. Flocks of demonic birds were especially dangerous. Though each bird wasn't very strong, they often attacked cultivators in swarms. If they were unlucky, they might even run into a third-tier demonic bird.

An odd cry came from high above, and more than a dozen black specks appeared in the sky.

"Demonic birds! Be on your guard!" Han Deling's expression changed dramatically when she saw the specks overhead.

Han Changming glanced at the dozen or so black specks, his expression tense.

He hadn't expected to run into the most troublesome kind of demonic beast on his first trip away from home. What rotten luck!

As Han Changming watched nervously, the dozen black specks swooped down from above, heading straight for their group.

Han Deling produced a gleaming White Banner. It swelled in an instant, and wisps of cold air poured from its surface.

She patted the Spirit Beast Bag at her waist, and a huge Cyan Giant Eagle flew out.

The others hurriedly took out their magic tools and talismans, preparing to fight.

Han Changming held ten Fireball Talismans ready in his hand, looking extremely tense. Demonic birds were different from rogue cultivators. They had thick skin and tough flesh, and if their first strike missed, they would fly high out of reach. With their agile movements, they were difficult for cultivators to kill.

By then, Han Changming could also make out the demonic birds attacking them.

They were black crows, their heads nearly bald and their beaks shriveled, making them hideously ugly.

Before the Black Crows reached them, they beat their wings hard and unleashed a huge swath of black Wind Blades.

Han Deling had been prepared. She gave the White Banner in her hand a gentle wave, sending a mass of white chill surging out and forming a thick white ice shield in front of them.

Rumble!

The demonic birds shattered the white ice shield in a single exchange.

"Attack! Hold nothing back!"

At Han Deling's command, she produced two Cyan Flying Knives and sent them slashing toward the demonic birds.