This world was far larger than the Water-Blue Star of his previous life. Southern Heaven alone was probably about the same size as Water-Blue Star. The Chu Kingdom was merely one of the larger countries among the dozens in Southern Heaven, yet its territory was scarcely smaller than the country Liu Yu had lived in during his previous life.
Cold Moon City lay on the border of Qing Province, north of the Primordial Yang Sect. A little farther north was Mirror Province.
Even flying on their swords at the speed of Qi Refining Period cultivators, traveling day and night, eating in the wind and sleeping beneath the open sky, Liu Yu and his four companions still took more than a month to approach Cold Moon City.
When they were a few dozen li from Cold Moon City, Liu Yu ordered them to descend and rest before entering the city.
Liu Yu chose a small grove, where they sat in meditation to restore their magical power and recover their condition.
Outside the sect, they had to remain mindful of their safety. The five split into two groups: Liu Yu and Wu Chang restored their magical power first, followed by Zhou Guibo and the other two.
Two double-hours later, once everyone had replenished their magical power and rested sufficiently, Liu Yu delivered his first formal address:
"War has already broken out, and Cold Moon City lies on the border. I hope all of you will remain vigilant and avoid carelessness. Otherwise, failing the mission and receiving punishment from the sect will be the least of your worries. Losing your lives because of it is what truly matters."
"If an emergency arises, do not act on your own. You must follow orders. I will do everything in my power to ensure everyone's safety."
"These are exceptional circumstances. If we encounter enemies, anyone who flees in the face of battle will be executed first and reported afterward!"
Liu Yu spoke with utmost solemnity, his words carrying a hint of unquestionable authority. With his cultivation at the seventh layer of Qi Refining and a superior-grade magical artifact in hand, his strength surpassed theirs, and no one dared disregard his words.
Wu Chang reacted first. He cupped his hands toward Liu Yu and declared loudly, "Yes! I will follow Senior Brother Liu's command and will not dare be careless!"
Zhou Guibo, Xie Huaxiong, and Sun Ju exchanged glances. Beneath another's eaves, they had no choice but to lower their heads. They all cupped their fists and said, "Yes, we will obey Senior Brother Liu's command and will not act on our own."
Only then did Liu Yu's expression relax. A trace of a smile appeared as his gaze drifted across the four of them.
"With everyone united, I can rest easy. Five of us came here, and I hope that when we return to the sect five years from now, there will still be five of us."
Although these four were only average in strength, they could at least manage everyday affairs and handle patrols and guard duty, leaving him more time to cultivate.
Over their time together, Liu Yu had clearly seen the petty friction between Zhou Guibo's trio and Wu Chang, but he had no intention of intervening. Their discord made it easier for him to keep them under control.
Now that their magical power had fully recovered, Liu Yu gave the order, and the five set off toward Cold Moon City.
The hour of the rooster had arrived. Less than half the red sun remained, clinging stubbornly to the distant sky and casting its lingering glow.
In less than a double-hour, Liu Yu and his companions were flying above Cold Moon City, drawing cries of astonishment from the residents below. Some even knelt on the ground and called them immortal masters, revering them as immortals.
Cold Moon City was only an ordinary small city. Its walls stood six or seven zhang high, and around five thousand households lived within it. Across the whole Chu Kingdom, it was hardly noteworthy.
When they arrived outside the city lord's residence and descended, the soldiers on guard immediately recognized them as immortals who could soar through the heavens and traverse the earth. They dropped to one knee, their eyes filled with awe and longing.
The expressions of Zhou Guibo and the others barely changed, but they all carried themselves with lofty superiority. Although they did not regard mortals as ants, they paid them little heed.
Qi Refining Period cultivators have lifespans little different from those of mortals. Yet merely because they wield extraordinary power, most place themselves high above others and think nothing of an individual mortal's life or death.
The thought flashed through Liu Yu's mind, but he said nothing. After all, he himself belonged to that privileged class.
An officer who looked like a commander stepped forward, trembling as he mustered the courage to speak.
"Might you honored immortal masters be from the Primordial Yang Sect?"
Liu Yu's voice was calm, without a word wasted. "We have come from the Primordial Yang Sect to be stationed here for five years. Have your city lord come out immediately!"
The commander-like officer breathed a sigh of relief. Nodding and bowing, he repeatedly answered yes, then gave a nearby guard a few instructions and sent him to notify the city lord. With an ingratiating smile, he led Liu Yu and his companions into the residence's main hall to take their seats, then withdrew.
As soon as Liu Yu and the others sat down, servants brought tea and refreshments. Every dish looked, smelled, and tasted exquisite, clearly the work of a master chef from the mortal world.
Liu Yu lifted his teacup and took a sip. Its flavor lingered pleasantly on his tongue, and the taste was quite good. Unfortunately, it contained not a trace of spiritual energy and fell far short of Clear Lotus Tea.
He picked up a delicate pastry and took a small bite. Smooth without being greasy, it melted in his mouth, but he ate no more. Mortal food offered no benefit to cultivation; instead, it took time to expel from the body.
He glanced at Wu Chang and the others. They too stopped after a small taste. None of them had yet given up on their chance at Foundation Establishment, and they did not indulge excessively in the pleasures of the palate.
Liu Yu turned his head and chatted with his companions as they sat in their chairs, explaining some details of the mission.
About a quarter of an hour later, a middle-aged man in dark brocade robes hurried in from outside. He had grown stout, and his protruding belly gave him a somewhat greasy appearance.
He approached Liu Yu and the others, gathered his sleeves, and bowed solemnly. "My respects to you, honored immortal masters. This humble one is Chai Wenzheng, privileged to serve as the city lord of Cold Moon City. I have already sent someone to notify Immortal Master Su, who is stationed here. He will arrive shortly."
"You honored immortal masters must be weary after coming such a long way. This humble one has prepared a banquet to welcome you and wash away the dust of your journey."
Chai Wenzheng was exceedingly humble. He had witnessed the divine abilities of a Primordial Yang Sect immortal master: a red fireball the size of a fist had reduced several living, burly men to ashes in the blink of an eye.
Ever since then, he had understood that mortals could not resist an immortal master's power. If he entertained any ill intentions, even as the city lord who held the lives of tens of thousands in his hands, he would be nothing more than the work of a single fireball.
Chai Wenzheng addressed most of his words to Liu Yu. From his past experience, the immortal master dressed in white was usually the one in charge.
Wu Chang and the others also looked toward Liu Yu, plainly deferring to him.
Liu Yu nodded slightly without rising and said indifferently, "That will do. You may go make the preparations." Cultivators generally treated mortals with lofty superiority, and he had no intention of displaying any particular warmth.
Hearing this, Chai Wenzheng withdrew with quiet, careful steps, not daring to feel the slightest displeasure at the immortal master's attitude. Many people coveted his position. If an honored immortal master was dissatisfied, replacing him would be easy.
Liu Yu and his companions continued discussing the details of their mission. Before long, Su Ding, the inner disciple who would hand over the assignment to them, walked in.
"Sorry to have kept you junior brothers waiting. You certainly chose a fine time to take this mission!"
Su Ding gave a bitter smile. Before the Spirit Stone Mine War broke out, being stationed in such a remote place had been an assignment everyone scrambled to avoid. Only disciples with unremarkable performance and no backing would be sent here.
But after war erupted over a medium-sized spirit stone vein, this once-shunned assignment had likely become the opposite: a desirable posting that spared one from the front lines.
"You are too courteous, Senior Brother Su. We have only just arrived ourselves. May I ask when we can complete the handover of the Cold Iron Mine?"
Liu Yu rose and replied with a smile, cupping his hands. He had already learned Su Ding's name from the mission's jade slip, but he did not directly answer the latter part of Su Ding's remarks.
Wu Chang, Zhou Guibo, and the others all stood to offer their greetings. Liu Yu could afford not to be overly concerned about Su Ding, but as outer disciples, they could not neglect proper etiquette.
"You must be tired after such a long journey, junior brothers. Rest in Cold Moon City for the night. The four junior brothers stationed here with me are still at the Cold Iron Ore Vein. We can go there together first thing tomorrow morning to hand over the mission!"
Su Ding sighed, looking somewhat dispirited, and forced a faint smile as he answered.
After learning through certain channels that the Spirit Stone Mine War had broken out, he had foreseen this day. A disciple without backing like him would most likely be sent to the front lines after returning to the sect. Then his life and death would truly be left to fate!
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I feel like I can barely keep writing. I sat in front of the computer for over three hours before finally squeezing this out. Ah, this is so hard!