Returning to Beifeng

Xu Yuan wasn't entirely convinced about using a Class B military flying Demon Beast for travel.

Although the Lion-Eagle Beast was enormous, the pavilion embedded in its back seemed to be used for airlifting weapons and soldiers, without any formations to ensure comfort.

The huge pavilion only had Spirit-Avoiding Array engraved on it to conceal one's aura; forget about Sound-Isolation Array, Spirit Locking Array, or vibration-stabilizing devices.

Of course, there's also an array formation involved. If the Inscription Lamp can be considered an array formation.

Sitting inside is like riding a rocking horse; every time the Lion-Eagle Beast flaps its wings, the attic behind it sways, and the whooshing sound of the wind rushing through the air constantly echoes throughout the room.

If this Lion-Eagle Beast hadn't undergone rigorous training Demon Beast and wouldn't perform any acrobatic feats like spinning and jumping in the air on a whim, Xu Yuan would have even slaughtered this stinky bird and eaten it.

Day N of missing Mystic Eagle Pavilion.

With a long cry

Once again, Xu Yuan was shaken awake from his sleep. He once again resisted the urge to kill this stinky bird and got out of bed. He looked around by the dim light of the Inscription Lamp on the wall.

The attic behind the Lion-Eagle Beast was used to transport soldiers and equipment. It had three floors and was simply and crudely constructed without any partitions.

This layout is the most space-efficient for both transporting troops and supplies.

Troops were transported by setting up several large, densely packed sleeping communes, while military equipment was dismantled, cleared out, and used as warehouses.

Military applications prioritize maximizing space utilization, not comfort.

If this single Class B Lion-Eagle Beast were squeezed in, it could transport nearly two hundred armored soldiers.

However, the lack of partitions means the entire space feels empty, stretching as far as the eye can see.

Little White and the bustier princess are both gone; they've probably been taken out for training again.

"Haa."

Waking up from the noise, Xu Yuan was no longer sleepy. He yawned as he stood up and walked towards the open space outside.

The only redeeming feature of this Lion-Eagle Beast is that it has a fairly spacious open-air platform outside the attic.

Of course, there was no shelter from the wind; standing outside meant being met with the biting, icy wind.

"Squeak--"

Amidst the raging wind and snow, Xu Yuan also spotted two slender figures standing on the platform.

One was kneeling, the other was standing.

Bai Muxi knelt pitifully on the ground, her head hanging low.

Li Qingyan leaned against the fence, her long black hair unbound, fluttering gracefully with her red robe.

So, they're bullying this honest guy Little White, again?

What? The honest guy is a green tea bitch?

That's alright then.

Xu Yuan glanced at the two women, already unfazed by the scene.

I've seen quite a few things like this since I came south.

Although Bai Muxi was temporarily assigned by Xu Yuan to follow Li Qingyan, Li Qingyan, given his personality, wouldn't deliberately cause trouble for Bai Muxi.

It was a bit tough, but they were just training Little White as their personal guards and maids, without doing anything special to her.

As long as the tasks assigned to him were completed, Li Qingyan treated Bai Muxi Bai Muxi better than Xu Yuan did.

All kinds of elixirs and Secret Method are plentiful.

Unfortunately, Bai Muxi usually can't complete it.

Because Li Qingyan held Bai Muxi in high regard, he also had high expectations of her.

Whether in terms of spiritual practice or in terms of etiquette.

Little White's personality is quite amusing. When Xu Yuan plays the good cop to show concern, she always likes to say in a teasing tone after being scolded, "Young Master... it's all Mu Xi's fault, it's not Your Highness's fault, it's Mu Xi who disappointed Your Highness."

The result was that he was whipped.

After being whipped, Bai Muxi would pitifully wallow in self-pity, saying some sarcastic things, openly shifting the blame onto herself while subtly mocking Li Qingyan's violence, all to gain Xu Yuan's sympathy.

How could someone as skilled as the "Bracket Princess" not notice?

Of course, she could tell, but she didn't care at all; however, this behavior only made her more annoyed.

Then it becomes a vicious cycle.

Little White is bullied terribly by the Princess with the Blouse every day.

Xu Yuan, seeing that the two women were enjoying themselves, Xu Yuan didn't interfere and just watched the show from the sidelines.

Yes, occasionally she would stir things up from the sidelines, saying things like, "Alright, Qingyan, stop fighting. I'll help Mu Xi apply the medicine today."

Circulating his Cultivation Method and braving the cold wind, Xu Yuan approached with a smile:

"Hey, what are you guys up to now?"

Li Qingyan glanced back at him:

"I taught her the Cultivation Method, but she refused to learn it."

"Ah?"

Xu Yuan's eyes showed a hint of surprise as he glanced at Little White kneeling on the ground.

Upon hearing this, Bai Muxi looked up at Xu Yuan and replied softly:

"Young Master, Your Highness's Cultivation Method will abolish Mu Xi's current Dao essence."

After saying that, he lowered his head again.

A playful smile curled at the corner of Li Qingyan's lips:

"Where in this world can you find a top-tier Cultivation Method without giving up your current Dao essence?"

Abandoning the Dao

Xu Yuan's expression turned slightly serious.

The seriousness of today's event seems to be on a completely different level from other events that have occurred in recent days.

After a moment of silence, Xu Yuan asked softly:

What exactly is the situation?

Li Qingyan said calmly:

"Simin, show Changtian your Dao essence."

Bai Muxi quieted down for a moment, straightened her back, and slowly extended one palm.

She opened her hand, and a halo of light appeared in her palm.

The halo emanating from it possessed a captivating and mysterious allure.

Xu Yuan hesitated slightly upon seeing this scene.

Although he had read many ancient books and possessed Daoist essence himself, his understanding of Daoist essence was not particularly profound because he had no memory of it.

After a moment's thought, Xu Yuan asked softly:

"Qingyan, can one only possess one Dao essence?"

Li Qingyan rolled her eyes and whispered:

"You can possess a lot. If you are gifted and have the time, you can naturally comprehend even more of the Dao's essence."

"If you don't want to break through to the Origin Beginning, mastering ten Dao Essences is no problem."

Xu Yuan slowly stepped forward, leaned against the railing beside Li Qingyan, and asked with a sidelong glance:

"What's the meaning?"

Li Qingyan was also very patient and said softly:

"A second-grade Origin Beginning needs to integrate the Dao essence into themselves. Apart from a few special Dao essences, almost every Dao essence is unique and mutually exclusive. The consequences of forcibly integrating them are..."

Speaking of this,

Li Qingyan didn't say anything more. She raised her palm, spread her slender fingers, and made a "bang" explosion gesture in front of Xu Yuan.

"."

Xu Yuan opened his mouth.

He thought of his own Charm God Dao Rhyme.

The Charm God Dao Rhyme isn't actually that well-suited to his current Blood Origin Heart-Fall Technique.

He had originally planned to learn a Daoist technique that was more suited to him after breaking through to the third rank by asking his father, uncle, or elder brother for guidance.

Furthermore, with the Charm God Dao Rhyme, possessing two Daos in one body, he is invincible among those of the same level, capable of fighting beyond his level, and thus restoring the authority of the husband.

Li Qingyan's explanation essentially extinguished his little scheme.

What the princess said was most likely the result of experience summarized by countless geniuses throughout history.

Now that things have come to this, Xu Yuan is quite self-aware and doesn't believe he will be the exception.

However, Xu Yuan quickly noticed a gap in Li Qingyan's words and tentatively asked:

"Um... mastering several Dao essences, integrating only one into oneself, and using the others as supplementary methods should be fine, right?"

Li Qingyan fell silent, his gaze gradually turning as if he were looking at a fool.

How did you comprehend the essence of the Dao?

Xu Yuan coughed lightly:

"It was by fortuitous opportunity, but I have no memory of it."

Li Qingyan sighed:

"Never mind, you'll understand when you reach the Origin Beginning universe."

"Don't be a riddle reader," Xu Yuan interrupted directly, "I want to know now."

A hint of helplessness flashed in Li Qingyan's beautiful eyes. Just as she was about to speak, Bai Muxi interrupted:

"Young Master, when you break through to the Origin Beginning, the Dao essence within your body is uncontrollable and will automatically merge into your body."

Well, looks like it's hopeless.

Well!

With a deep sigh, Xu Yuan looked at Little White and asked:

"So, why did Qingyan want you to abolish the Dao Essence?"

Bai Muxi paused for a moment, glanced at the halo in her hand, and whispered:

"Because the Daoist essence does not align with the Heaven-Overturning Six Elements Art."

"What her Five Elements Dao Body needs is not this kind of aura, but the Five Elements themselves. Only this kind of Dao essence can bring her physique and Cultivation Method to their fullest potential. Moreover, this kind of aura is incompatible with the Five Elements."

"Your Highness, if the Dao Essence is abolished, Mu Xi's strength will..."

"Discard it," Xu Yuan suddenly spoke up. "My Prime Minister's Mansion doesn't need your fighting strength for the time being."

"."

Bai Muxi's already deathly pale face turned even paler upon hearing this. She silently bit her lip and looked up at Xu Yuan again:

"Since you've said so, young master, then Mu Xi is willing."

They locked eyes for a moment,

Looking at the resolute expression in her beautiful, ink-painted eyes, Xu Yuan felt a ripple in his heart.

Because of one sentence from him, he revealed his Dao essence.

"Alright."

Before his thoughts could settle, Li Qingyan's calm voice came through:

"Simin Siming, you've achieved your goal of showing off in front of Changtian. Can we continue now?"

"." Bai Muxi.

Xu Yuan's eye twitched.

Oh no, he almost let his guard down and fell for this tea-scented Little White's trick.

He glanced back at the composed, chest-bound princess; this woman's level was terrifying.

"Cough."

Clearing his throat, Xu Yuan softly suggested, "Qingyan, this matter can wait. The Lion-Eagle Beast has been through a lot and is not completely safe yet. Let's discuss the matter of abolishing the Dao essence when we return to the Imperial Capital."

Although changing one's Cultivation Method is dangerous, it is actually a very slow process that can be interrupted at any time. However, abolishing one's Dao essence is not an option. If one is disturbed, one may die suddenly due to Qi Deviation at any time.

Li Qingyan rolled her eyes at him:

"Of course I know, I was referring to other matters."

"Young Master," Little White called out pitifully.

Xu Yuan didn't want to deal with Xiao Chacha, who was trying to trick him, today, and asked the princess:

"How many days have we been traveling south now?"

Li Qingyan chuckled softly:

"It's been almost a month, and we'll be arriving in the Great Yan territory soon."

"We're almost at Beifeng City?" Xu Yuan, slightly surprised.

Li Qingyan raised a slender index finger and pointed downwards, chuckling softly:

"It's about a thousand li from here to Houting County. We should be able to reach Beifeng City before tonight."

Night fell, Beifeng City.

The roads that were once stained with blood have been swept clean, and simple stone railings have been built over the collapsed sections of the city wall.

The dilapidated city walls have not yet begun to be rebuilt, and the ruins left by the Barbarian Tribe when they breached the city still exist, but some life has already returned to the city.

The Black Tortoise Battalion of the Fourth Division of the Beifeng Army was stationed in Beifeng City. The large Beifeng City was somewhat deserted, and the defense force seemed somewhat weak.

However, the decisive battle within the territory has now ended, and the remaining Barbarian Tribe army has basically collapsed, making it incapable of attacking the city.

The Black Tortoise Battalion's presence here is less about garrison duty and more about being rotated out for rest and recuperation. Their usual work consists of inspecting various martial arts groups and merchant caravans.

Yes, even though the war within the country was still ongoing, caravans continued to Beifeng.

While war was dangerous for these merchants, it also presented them with opportunities.

Profits exceeding three times the initial investment are enough to make them risk their lives for money.

Amidst the wind and snow, an old man and a young man, both dressed in snow coats, arrived on horseback from outside the city, looking travel-worn.

The old man's face was covered with wrinkles, but his eyes were very sharp.

The handsome young man, dressed in animal skins, gazed at the towering walls of Beifeng with astonishment and admiration in his eyes.

"Master, is this Beifeng City? It's so high up!"

The old man grinned:

"Don't make such a fuss. Your master will take you to the Imperial Capital later. That's what you call a city that lasts for eternity. Its prosperity is beyond your imagination."

The handsome young man, filled with expectation, whispered:

"The Imperial Capital? Master, how long will it take us to get there?"

Snap!

The old man hesitated for a moment, then touched the loose silver in his pocket. "I'll save up some more money for your future wife when your master does. There are many fortuitous opportunity in Di'an City. With your talent, you might be able to marry into a good family."

"Oh," the boy said, seemingly understanding but not quite, "But I want to stay with my master forever."

The old man raised his hand and gently patted the boy's head, his eyes filled with tenderness.

"It's good that you have this intention. This old body of mine is all I can do in my life. I can't give you better resources. Serving those powerful clans will allow you to live a better life in the future."

With that, the old man chuckled, dismounted, and led his horse toward the military camp.

"Alright, you wait here. I'll go get you the reward money. If we, master and apprentice, kill a few more barbarians, we should have enough silver."

The boy nodded and obediently stood still, but his gaze swept over the dozen or so hideous Barbarian Tribe heads hanging heavily from the horse's rump by ropes.

The Royal Army defeated a million- Barbarian Tribe army at the Ancient Mystery Mountain, but this also triggered a series of chain reactions. The scattered barbarians caused a barbarian disaster that plagued the people of the Three Northern Prefectures.

His Majesty has issued a special Barbarian-Slaying Edict to exterminate the barbarians, not only mobilizing more troops to encircle and hunt down the remaining Barbarian Tribe, but also offering a reward to those with ambition throughout the land: ten taels of silver for each barbarian head beheaded, with a maximum reward of one hundred taels.

The boy in animal skin waited patiently as he watched his master negotiate with the soldiers in white armor.

However, seeing the smile on his master's wrinkled face, he felt inexplicably uncomfortable, not understanding why such a powerful master would be so humble in front of those white-armored soldiers.

My master was clearly so respected at the previous martial arts gatherings.

Just as I was thinking,

The boy in animal skin caught a glimpse of a pink figure out of the corner of his eye, and instinctively turned around to look, his pupils widening instantly.

So beautiful.

A girl dressed in a light pink palace dress descended silently from the sky, passed by him, and walked straight towards the city gate.

Even though it was just a fleeting glimpse, the girl's pair of bright golden eyes, like stars, were unforgettable.

After staring intently at the figure for several breaths, the boy in animal skin suddenly lowered his eyes and glanced at the animal skin boots his master had made for him, a hint of doubt rising in his heart.

That's strange.

Walking barefoot in this cold weather, aren't you cold?