Ready to Set Out

As the water grew hotter and the medicinal potency spread, Xu Qingtong gradually found it unbearable. His skin began to change color, turning from bronze to crimson. His whole body felt as though it were being pricked with needles; not a single spot was free of pain. More terrifying still, that pain was slowly spreading inward.

The water in the cauldron had turned dark red, with bubbles rising in steady gurgles. Xu Qingtong's face contorted again. He submerged his entire body, leaving only his nostrils above the water to breathe. The charcoal beneath the cauldron had burned out, and the water began to cool. Xu Qingtong emerged, added more charcoal, then sank back into the cauldron.

Over three full days, Xu Qingtong lost count of how many times he had added charcoal and water. The water in the cauldron gradually grew paler. He had absorbed nearly all the herbs' medicinal potency, yet he still felt no sign of breaking through to minor attainment.

Xu Qingtong could not help growing anxious. For the past three days, he had kept his awareness tightly confined within his niwang palace to lessen the torment, shutting out his body's sensations. Could that be why I haven't broken through? At that thought, Xu Qingtong gritted his teeth. I'll risk it! He released his awareness and carefully felt the changes in his body.

At last, at noon on the fourth day, Xu Qingtong felt his whole body shudder. The mountain weighing on his heart abruptly vanished, and a refreshing sense of ease spread through him. The crimson color rapidly faded from his skin. He had finally reached minor attainment in the second level. With a long, ringing cry, Xu Qingtong rose to his feet in the cauldron.

His cry did not summon any wolves, but it did summon Wu Zheng. Seeing Xu Qingtong standing stark naked in the cauldron, Wu Zheng burst out laughing. "Qingtong, are you preparing roast suckling pig?"

Xu Qingtong ignored him. He took an ordinary Mid-Grade Fireball Talisman from his Storage Bag and handed it to Wu Zheng. "Big Brother Wu, hit me with this talisman."

Wu Zheng froze. "Qingtong, you're not joking, are you?" He knew how powerful this talisman was. If an ordinary cultivator took a hit from it unprepared, even if they survived, they would lose a layer of skin. That was why he had asked.

Xu Qingtong said proudly, "I've cultivated the Heavenly Fire Body-Tempering Art to the second level. A little trick like that can't hurt me!"

Only then did Wu Zheng relax. He channeled his magic power, and a fireball flew straight at Xu Qingtong.

With a bang, Xu Qingtong went flying and slammed heavily into the wall, smashing a large hole through it. Watching him fly out, Wu Zheng muttered, "You were the one who told me to hit you!"

Xu Qingtong scrambled to his feet and checked himself. Once he saw that he was unhurt, he climbed back through the hole in the wall and said with an embarrassed expression, "I got careless, careless!"

The next day, Xu Qingtong rose early, put his things in order, and went to Shopkeeper Gu's door. Before he could knock, Shopkeeper Gu's voice came from within. "Come in!"

Xu Qingtong entered the room and found Shopkeeper Gu sitting upright on the bed. He stepped forward and bowed. "Shopkeeper, I'm leaving for Mist Valley today. I came to bid you farewell."

Shopkeeper Gu remained silent for a long while before saying slowly, "Danger lies ahead. Take extra care!"

Warmth filled Xu Qingtong's heart. He had lived at the Jade Spring Commerce Association for more than two years, and Shopkeeper Gu had taken good care of him and helped him time and again. Though the shopkeeper said little and could even be rather offbeat at times, he truly was like an elder to him. Thinking that he might never return from this journey, Xu Qingtong could not help feeling a pang of sorrow.

Shopkeeper Gu said nothing more, merely waving a hand to dismiss him. Xu Qingtong respectfully gave Shopkeeper Gu a deep bow, then turned and left.

Downstairs, Xu Qingtong waited a little while before seeing Wu Zheng enter from the rear courtyard. "Big Brother Wu, I'm leaving today. Thank you for taking care of me."

As he spoke, he bowed to Wu Zheng as well. Wu Zheng came over, hugged him, and lightly thumped his back with a fist. "Why get so sentimental? It's not as though you're never coming back!"

Xu Qingtong's eyes reddened. He forced a smile, briefly cupped his fists, then turned and walked out of the shop.

When he reached the Combat Arena, he looked across it and saw only a single young woman standing quietly there. Xu Qingtong approached her, cupped his fists, and said clearly, "My name is Xu Qingtong. May I ask if you're here to take part in the Mist Valley Trial, elder sister?"

The young woman hurriedly dipped in a curtsy and said softly, "My surname is Dongfang, and my given name is Hui. Yes, I'm here to take part in the trial."

Xu Qingtong had seen her before, but only in passing, and had paid little attention. With no one else in the arena, he now took a closer look at the young woman before him.

She too was at the fifth level of qi refining. She had an oval face with delicate, lovely features and a tall, slender figure. Dressed in a pale purple gown, with her hair arranged in two buns, she looked exceptionally elegant and dignified. He inwardly admired her. This young lady is so pretty!

When Dongfang Hui noticed him staring at her, she blushed and turned away. Realizing he had been somewhat discourteous, Xu Qingtong struck up a casual conversation to ease the awkwardness. "Sister Dongfang, does your family live in this market town too? How come I've never seen you before?"

At his question, Dongfang Hui turned back and said, "My family lives on Purple Cloud Ridge. Our lineage has a shop in this market town, and I come here occasionally. Are you from here, little brother?"

"I'm an assistant at the Jade Spring Commerce Association!"

After chatting for a while, the two grew more familiar with each other. Just then, two more people entered the arena. Xu Qingtong glanced at them and saw that both were around twenty, with cultivation at the fifth level of qi refining. One was dressed like a young nobleman, wearing a moon-white robe with his hair tied in a topknot, and cut a graceful figure. The other had a round face, a slightly plump build, and two small, bright eyes.

From the moment the young nobleman arrived, his eyes never left Dongfang Hui. His staring filled her with disgust, but she said nothing. The round-faced young man, on the other hand, was naturally sociable and began chatting with Xu Qingtong as soon as he arrived.

According to the round-faced young man, his surname was An, and his full name was An Chengbao. His family lived in Xingping Town, a little over a hundred li east of the market town. His father was the administrator of Xingping Town. By chance, he had met an immortal who taught him a cultivation method, and from then on, he had embarked on the path of immortality.

Another half-quarter of an hour passed before Lin Qian sauntered into the arena. Upon arriving, he cupped his fists toward the young nobleman and said, "Brother Qin, you're here early!" Only upon hearing Lin Qian did the young nobleman take his eyes off Dongfang Hui. He cupped his fists toward Lin Qian and said, "Greetings, Brother Lin! I only just arrived myself."

Lin Qian paid Qin Xinghan no further attention. Turning to Dongfang Hui, he said, "Little Sister Hui, why didn't you wait for me? You came ahead on your own." Dongfang Hui dipped in a slight curtsy but said nothing.

Seeing that Dongfang Hui ignored him, Lin Qian looked somewhat embarrassed and could only turn toward Xu Qingtong and the others. He was about to speak when the doors of the great hall suddenly opened, and three people emerged.

The three were Yuan Hong of the Biluozong, Zhou Xin of the Azure Sea Gate, and Guo Tianyu of Gloomwind Valley. The three elders approached the group. Yuan Hong looked them over and said, "Everyone's here. Let's set out!"