Yao Feng patted Xue Ying's little head and said softly, "Don't overthink it. Focus on cultivating properly."
With that, he headed toward the inn.
Xue Ying watched Yao Feng's retreating figure, then suddenly broke into a radiant smile. Her large pink eyes blinked brightly, leaving quite a few nearby men staring dumbly. Seeing Yao Feng getting farther away, Xue Ying hurried after him.
Early the next morning, after bidding Zhou Tong and Xue Ying farewell, Yao Feng grabbed a quick meal at the tavern beside the inn before making his way to the palace.
From afar, two ferocious magical beasts sat beside the palace gates, guarding the entrance. A squad of soldiers in silver armor and carrying spears stood at the gate as well.
Just as Yao Feng reached the entrance, a carriage arrived right behind him.
"You came so early?"
The carriage stopped not far from the city gate. Nalan Yanran poked her head out and waved at Yao Feng, asking in surprise.
"I just got here too."
Yao Feng smiled and replied softly. Not far away, a black-clad youth also approached. It was none other than Ouyang Ke.
"You two came quite early!"
Ouyang Ke walked up to them with his trademark smile on his face, though a trace of wariness flashed through his eyes as he looked at Yao Feng. He had used a secret technique yesterday and should have needed several days in bed to recover. Yet for the sake of the Imperial Ruins, he had no choice but to take a fifth-tier medicinal pill, allowing him to recover overnight. Though he was from the Chu Yun Empire, he had heard of these ruins before.
It was said that the place had once been an ancient battlefield, littered with ruins and wreckage. However, after years