Near the gates of the Capital City of the Black Tortoise Kingdom, on the Southern Jambu Continent.
Compared to the solemn atmosphere and strict controls of the capital's central districts, the area around its outskirts teemed with life.
Cartloads of goods drawn by horses and donkeys came through the gates. Many shopkeepers awaiting deliveries were already waiting there, while plenty of merchants who had entered the city were asking around about where they could sell their goods.
With such dense crowds, plenty of stalls had naturally sprung up to meet demand.
Food, water, and services of every kind were available.
Tea stalls were particularly numerous. Pushing carts and driving horses was hard work to begin with, and now that people had entered the city, a cup of tea to refresh them and quench their thirst was especially popular.
Cui Hao fiddled with some silver pieces as he sauntered toward a tea stall, his steps lazy and swaggering. To describe him more precisely-he looked every inch a street loafer.
Chen Baiqing slowed her steps and followed behind Cui Hao, perhaps feeling somewhat embarrassed to be seen with him.
Watching Cui Hao's smug manner ahead, she gently shook her head, then looked at Li Xingtian beside her and said:
"Second Senior Brother, sometimes it's really hard to resist teaching Fifth Junior Brother a lesson."
Li Xingtian nodded in firm agreement.
"You've had a hard time these past dozen-odd years, Junior Sister. Junior Brother really is rather unruly."
Cui Hao was already in the super-late stage of Golden Core, just one step away from the Nascent Soul Realm. Neither of them had used Divine Sense or lowered their voices, so not hearing them would have been quite difficult.
He turned his head and said in a rather disgruntled tone:
"Senior Brother, Senior Sister,