Arrival at Black Emperor City, Eyeing the Black Emperor Sect's Treasury

The next day, the sky had only just begun to brighten.

Lu Heng pushed open the window. Maple City's streets were still deserted; the independent cultivators and mercenaries who had been busy until the latter half of the night were probably still asleep.

"Let's go."

Xiao Yi Xian was already packed and waiting by the door. Qing Lin held the bundled luggage in her arms, and even Zi Yan had unusually gotten up early. Her hair was a complete mess, but at least she had not slept in.

The four checked out, left a few gold coins on the counter, and headed straight out through Maple City's eastern gate while the streets were still sparsely populated.

After leaving the city, Lu Heng no longer deliberately slowed down as he had when crossing the dense forest to give the three of them combat practice.

Maple City's gains had been painfully meager: a pile of sixth- and seventh-grade medicinal ingredients and ores, not even enough to lay the foundation for the Small Five Elements Spirit Body's advancement.

There was no point wasting more time in a place like this.

The flying vessel rose into the air and set course northwest.

"We're not traveling on the ground this time?" Zi Yan leaned over the vessel's rail and looked down as the dense forest rapidly receded beneath them.

"We're short on time." Lu Heng adjusted their course in the front cabin. "At full speed, the flying vessel can reach the Black Emperor Sect from Maple City in three days."

"Three days?" Zi Yan rolled over and lay flat. "Then I can sleep for three days."

"You've slept enough lately."

"After a breakthrough, I need rest. It's a physiological need. You wouldn't understand."

Qing Lin came out of the middle cabin carrying a bowl of