Leaving Home

Returning to his residence, Han Changming packed his belongings simply.

Actually, there wasn't much to bring; he packed a change of clothes, his essential talisman-making tools, and his Spirit Gathering Stone.

After a quick tidy-up, Han Changming steered his magic tool to Han Changxin's residence.

"Fifteenth Sister, I am going to Kuixing Market. While I am away, I must trouble you to look after the Seven-Leaf Grass. Once they mature, please harvest them, hand them over to the clan in exchange for blank talisman paper, and then sow new seeds to continue the cultivation. These one hundred spirit stones are your advance payment; I am not sure when I will be able to return."

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

Han Changxin looked after several mu of Seven-Leaf Grass for Han Changming, with a monthly salary of two spirit stones, totaling twenty-four per year; one hundred spirit stones covered four years of work.

"Ninth Brother, you will need plenty of spirit stones while traveling. I am not in a hurry to use them, so why don't you keep them for now? You can give them to me when you return," Han Changxin said considerately.

Han Changming shook his head and said earnestly, "No, it is not easy for you to look after these fields. Having to come and perform the rain spell every few days affects your own cultivation. Fifteenth Sister, please don't be so polite with me. I am now a first-tier low-grade talisman maker and have plenty of spirit stones on me. I earn more than two spirit stones a month, so if you don't accept this, I won't dare to ask you to look after the grass anymore."

Unable to refuse Han Changming, Han Changxin accepted the spirit stones.

"Ninth Brother, I made some pastries with spirit grain; take them to eat on the road. I hear Kuixing Market is very prosperous, so please help me buy some seeds for spirit plants and herbs. Price is no object."

Han Changming was not surprised by Han Changxin's obsession with cultivation techniques and patted his chest to agree.

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

The Red Algae Sea is home to four major powers: the Ocean Listening Pavilion, Black Crow Island, the Azure Cloud Sect, and the Great Void Sect. Each power has Golden Core cultivators presiding over them, and they are filled with experts.

The Han Clan is an affiliate of the Ocean Listening Pavilion, with several clansmen serving under them, though none of those who joined have reached the Foundation Establishment stage, so they hold little influence.

There are five markets in the Red Algae Sea, and Kuixing Market is the one established by the Ocean Listening Pavilion. The Han Clan rents three shops in Kuixing Market: a weapon shop, a spirit grain shop, and a talisman shop, with the weapon shop being the most profitable.

This is not surprising, as the Han Clan started with weapon refining and boasts nine weapon refiners, with Han Zhangxiang being a second-tier high-grade weapon refiner.

The talisman shop was formerly a raw material procurement shop, but the Han Clan lacked the resources, and few cultivators were willing to sell monster materials to them. Due to heavy losses, it was converted into a talisman shop. There are already two talisman makers in Kuixing Market, and with Han Changming, they have enough to hold down the fort.

"Changming, you must remember, once you arrive at Kuixing Market, if there is anything you don't understand, ask your clan uncle. Never leave the market on your own. Your safety is guaranteed within the market, but that is not necessarily the case once you step outside," Han Zhangkang warned him earnestly.

"Grandson will remember this, Great-Uncle. I will certainly not run around."

Han Zhangkang nodded and continued to warn him, "Remember, there is no such thing as a free lunch. Some evil cultivators deliberately create fake treasure maps to lure people into traps for their wealth. You must be careful not to let greed blind you. Even if there are treasure maps in the world, it is unlikely that one would just happen to fall into your hands."

Han Changming nodded repeatedly; he could hear the genuine concern in Han Zhangkang's words.

A while later, Han Deling arrived at the General Affairs Hall with ten other clansmen, and Han Changming greeted them one by one.

"Changming, this is your first time traveling far. Kuixing Market is not like Red Shrimp Island; you must not leave the market on your own, do you understand?" Han Deling warned him, looking somewhat uneasy.

Han Changming smiled bitterly to himself and agreed.

Han Deling released a Yellow Gourd, which instantly expanded, and the group jumped on one after another.

The Han Clan grows a large number of gourd vines, and gourd magic tools are the signature of the Han Clan, with most of their flight tools being gourds. This flight tool of Han Deling's is a second-tier low-grade flight tool, worth hundreds of spirit stones on the market, and its flight speed is much faster than the Green Wind Gourd in Han Changming's possession.

"Let's go."

With a soft shout from Han Deling, she cast a spell onto the Yellow Gourd, and a soft yellow light screen appeared out of thin air, enveloping everyone.

The Yellow Gourd turned into a streak of yellow light, flew out of HLD, and disappeared into the horizon.

Three months later, over a vast and boundless sea, a giant Yellow Gourd was streaking through the high altitude.

Han Changming sat on the Yellow Gourd, looking around.

Come to think of it, this was his first time traveling far. His previous stint guarding Red Shrimp Island didn't count as a long journey, as it was only a dozen days' travel from HLD.

On the way, his clan uncle had introduced him to various precautions, which gave him a deeper understanding of the outside world.

When escorting goods, one must guard against both monsters and other cultivators. In particular, one must watch for swarms of avian monsters; their individual strength is not high, but they often attack cultivators in groups. If one is unlucky, encountering a third-tier avian monster is a distinct possibility.

A strange, shrill cry came from high above, and a dozen black dots appeared in the sky.

"Not good, it's avian monsters! Be on guard!" Han Deling's expression changed drastically when she saw the black dots in the sky.

Han Changming looked at the dozen black dots in the sky, his expression tense.

He hadn't expected to encounter the most troublesome avian monsters on his very first long journey; his luck was truly terrible!

Under Han Changming's nervous gaze, the dozen black dots dove down from the sky, targeting their group.

Han Deling summoned a shimmering white banner, which instantly expanded, and wisps of cold air surged from its surface.

She patted the spirit beast bag at her waist, and a giant Cyan Giant Eagle flew out.

The others hurriedly took out their magic tools and talismans, preparing to meet the enemy.

Han Changming held ten Fireball Talismans in his hand, his expression extremely tense. Avian monsters were different from evil cultivators; they had thick hides and tough flesh. If an attack failed, they would fly to high altitudes, and relying on their agile bodies, it was quite difficult for cultivators to kill them.

At this moment, Han Changming could clearly see the appearance of the avian monsters attacking them.

They were crows with pitch-black bodies. Their heads had very little hair, looking bald, and their beaks were shriveled, making them look incredibly ugly.

Before the black crows could pounce, they flapped their wings fiercely, releasing a large wave of black Wind Blade attacks.

Han Deling had been prepared; she gave the white banner in her hand a light shake, and a large wave of white cold air flew out, turning into a thick white ice shield to block in front of them.

BOOM!

In just one exchange, the avian monsters shattered the white ice shield.

"Attack! Don't hold back!"

Han Deling ordered, summoning two Cyan Flying Knives to slash at the avian monsters.