Tian Ya City

A flash of light passed, and Yao Feng and Zhou Tong appeared once more on a high platform. Compared to Tian Huang City, this place was somewhat run-down, and there were far fewer people.

After taking a moment to recover, Yao Feng was the first to step down from the platform. He curiously surveyed his surroundings before asking Zhou Tong behind him, "Old Zhou, what city is this?"

"Young Master, this is Tian Ya City, the closest city to the Jia Ma Empire that possesses a Space Wormhole."

"Tian Ya City?" The name sounded somewhat familiar to Yao Feng, yet he could not recall what was so special about it. After racking his brains to no avail, he gave up. Since he could not remember it, it probably was not an important place.

"Let's rest up first, buy a Griffin Beast, then head to the Jia Ma Empire."

"Yes, Young Master!"

Zhou Tong replied softly. Generally, every city had a flying transport service for travelers, and Tian Ya City was naturally no exception.

Zhou Tong casually stopped someone to ask for directions, then led Yao Feng through several streets. More than ten minutes later, a massive square came into view. Dozens of enormous flying birds and beasts rested within the vast plaza.

"These are Thick Feathered Eagle Birds. Strictly speaking, they are not magical beasts, since they have no offensive ability whatsoever. However, they are large, can fly for long periods, and have gentle temperaments, so humans have domesticated them as transportation. Still, Thick Feathered Eagle Birds are quite scarce, so only larger cities have the means to establish a flying transport service.

"However, Thick Feathered Eagle Birds fly rather slowly. If we wish to reach the Jia Ma Empire quickly, we can only ride a Griffin Beast."

Zhou Tong explained carefully, then pointed toward a spot in the distance, where several rather fierce-looking magical beasts were resting.

"Damn, aren't those Royal Griffins?!"

Following the direction of Zhou Tong's finger, Yao Feng could not help blurting out a curse. Back when he had been an outstanding little Rocker, the Royal Griffin had been an indispensable mount. In the first few days after transmigrating, he had even returned as an old player for a while. He had never expected to see living Royal Griffins here.

"What is a Royal Griffin?"

Seeing Yao Feng's intense reaction, Zhou Tong was somewhat baffled. Could griffins have a royal bloodline? That should not be the case. If they did, how could they become magical beasts used as human transportation?

"N-Nothing. Let's get a Griffin Beast first."

Yao Feng waved his hand awkwardly and hurriedly changed the subject.

"Oh."

Though completely confused, Zhou Tong did not press the matter. This was the awareness a servant ought to possess. Just as he did not understand why Yao Feng wanted to gain experience yet chose not to go to Central Continent, where opportunities were more plentiful and resources more abundant, but instead insisted on heading for remote backwaters. His task was simply to protect Yao Feng. In such secluded regions, there were fewer powerful experts, making his job easier. If they were in Central Continent, then with merely his Dou Huang strength, he likely would not even be qualified to follow Yao Feng as his protector.

"How much is this Griffin Beast?"

Zhou Tong walked over to the few people beside the Griffin Beasts and asked calmly. Though Zhou Tong had little "dignity" before Yao Feng, as a peak Dou Huang, he had his own pride. The people before him were all merely Dou Lings and did not merit excessive courtesy from him.

"My lord, our Griffin Beasts are rented out. It costs thirty thousand gold coins for up to ten days, or seventy thousand gold coins for up to twenty days."

When Zhou Tong asked, a potbellied middle-aged man walked over with a beaming smile. He was also a five-star Dou Ling, but as he faced the old man before him, he felt an inexplicable sense of oppression. Having worked in this trade for so many years, he was naturally familiar with that feeling. This old man had to be an expert.

"Mm, rent one for ten days."

Zhou Tong hesitated slightly. Buying a Griffin Beast was no simple matter, so he might as well rent one. Raising his hand, he took out a gold-threaded money pouch from his Storage Ring.

These money pouches were also produced by Heaven and Earth Bank. They contained their own internal space and, although they could only hold gold coins, they cost several times less to make than Storage Rings, making them highly sought after by countless people.

He tossed the gold-threaded money pouch to the middle-aged man, while another person beside him led out a Griffin Beast.

"My lord, do you know how to control a Griffin Beast?"

"I do."

Zhou Tong nodded slightly. He had ridden Griffin Beasts many times before and was quite familiar with such matters.

"Then I wish my lord a smooth journey!"

The fat middle-aged man gave a fawning smile, put away the money pouch, and cupped his fists.

Zhou Tong nodded. He lightly touched the Griffin Beast's body with his palm, and an imposing aura suddenly erupted. The Griffin Beast gave Zhou Tong a fearful glance before following behind him back to Yao Feng.

"Young Master, let's depart."

Yao Feng reached out and stroked the Griffin Beast's fur, feeling somewhat dazed. He had never expected that one day, he would truly ride a Royal Griffin...

Yao Feng leaped onto the Griffin Beast's back. Zhou Tong formed a protective barrier of Dou Qi in front of him to prevent Yao Feng from accidentally falling off. Then, with a light step on the Griffin Beast's body, it let out a long cry and shot into the sky. The scenery below gradually shrank away.

This is way more thrilling than flying on a plane!

Yao Feng marveled inwardly as he excitedly admired the scenery below.