Pan Ning City—A New Life Was About to Begin

A killing light flashed in his eyes as he raised his hand.

Bang!

Big Black Ox suddenly rose to its feet and savagely kicked him in the back with both hooves. It was like being struck by a massive boulder; cracks rang out as bones broke.

The man's face drained of color. With a cry, he spat out a mouthful of blood. The kick had left his mind spinning, and his body pitched forward.

Chen Xun's chest heaved, adrenaline surging through him, yet he became incomparably calm instead. He drew the Mountain-Splitting Axe from his waist and brought it down viciously upon the man's neck.

Though he had held back his strength, the wound still cut deep enough to expose bone. The Mountain-Splitting Axe was lodged in the bone. Chen Xun's face was splattered with blood as he panted heavily.

"Old Ox, get to work."

Chen Xun's pupils trembled faintly as he took out a firestarter. Dry branches lay scattered all around. Big Black Ox did not dare waste time and began digging a pit nearby.

Flames blazed across the ground, burning the corpse and wiping away all traces. Even the ashes were scattered away. One man and one ox swiftly destroyed every trace, even arranging the scene a little. They did not dare take a single item from the man's body.

They immediately broke into a run, faster and faster...

Chen Xun swore that, in all his life, he had never run so fast. Big Black Ox was even faster than he was.

Two hours later, several people arrived at the scene of the crime, all frowning. "Sect Master, Liu Tian stopped here at the time."

"Why?"

"A youth was leading a Big Black Ox. I imagine Senior Brother Liu wanted to buy the ox to nourish the newly recruited disciples."

"Heh."

The sect master stood on a tree branch with his hands behind his back, observing the ground. "There are scorch marks, and the footprints are chaotic. It is impossible to tell which way they went."

"Sect Master, could Liu Tian have been killed...?"

The man's heart jolted. Liu Tian was an expert of the Hundred Mysteries Sect. If something had truly happened to him, there should not have been no reaction at all.

"The one who acted was meticulous and left behind few traces. That youth is the key." The sect master frowned. "Did anyone remember his appearance?"

"Reporting to Sect Master... no."

The man lowered his head and cupped his fists. Who would remember the face of a cowherd, especially while carrying out a mission?

"Useless."

"Please calm your anger, Sect Master."

The people beside him all lowered their heads and cupped their fists. Liu Tian's death was indeed far too strange.

"Let's go. There is nothing more to find here. Take good care of his family. We have not seen his corpse yet, so he may not necessarily be dead."

The sect master sighed softly. Though there were scorch marks on the ground, he did not believe that someone could truly commit murder and burn the corpse in such a short time.

"Yes, Sect Master."

With a step, they became as light as swallows, darting through the trees and vanishing in the blink of an eye.

By a river, Chen Xun lay flat in the water, washing the blood from his body. He looked up at the sky, slightly dazed.

Big Black Ox was playing in the water nearby when it suddenly splashed water onto Chen Xun's face. Chen Xun jolted and instantly woke up.

"Old Ox, you did beautifully this time. Remember, when you're ambushing someone, don't waste a word."

Chen Xun spoke coldly. Those who killed would themselves be killed; he was no saint. "We don't provoke anyone, but if anyone harbors killing intent toward us, we'll grind their bones to dust and scatter their ashes!"

Moo! Moo!

Big Black Ox snorted fiercely. Whoever dared touch Chen Xun, it would dare kick them. It would even dare kick them to death.

They burned all their clothes by the river. Chen Xun changed into a new set, and they spent the night by the water.

The night passed without incident. They continued on their journey, heading for a Great City. They had heard that quite a few cultivators lived there, making it far safer than the wilderness.

More than half a year later, it was already the end of the year. The Setting Sun sank westward, its afterglow like blood, as a youth leading a black ox appeared on the horizon.

In the distance lay a colossal city, crouching like a savage beast and glaring menacingly at the people passing by.

Pan Ning City had weathered countless years and possessed a long history. People streamed in and out through its gates, and it was bustling beyond compare.

Fighting was forbidden within the city, making it a remarkably orderly Great City. Its economy flourished, and it backed against the Ningyun Mountain Range. The city's residents often went into the mountains to gather spiritual herbs and sell them to cultivators.

The Ningyun Mountain Range was Extremely Large, with no end in sight. It was said that immortal sects stood within the mountains, Hidden Within the depths of the clouds and mist, never revealing themselves to the mortal world.

"Whoa, this is the first time I've seen city walls so majestic."

Chen Xun exclaimed in admiration. Looking at the somewhat weathered giant city from afar, a smile appeared on his lips. "Old Ox, our new life is about to begin."

Moo!

Big Black Ox jumped about in delight. It too had been stunned by this enormous city. It was far bigger than the few fences in their village.

"In such a vast world, to see a thousand mountains and ten thousand rivers, to experience the splendor of the world—this is the meaning of immortality."

Anticipation filled Chen Xun's eyes. "Old Ox, charge!"

Moo!

One man and one ox broke into a jog, stirring up clouds of dust. Chen Xun laughed heartily as he held the rope, while Big Black Ox kept mooing without pause.

The people by the roadside shook their heads and smiled when they saw them, though envy also rose in their hearts. Being young was wonderful.

The gates of Pan Ning City were enormous. Countless carriages, along with residents leading cattle and sheep, flowed in and out without the slightest sign of crowding.

Chen Xun's eyes were full of wonder as he looked around. Whenever anyone looked at him, he returned it with a smile, naturally making people feel warmly toward him.

He clicked his tongue in amazement as he looked at the soldiers guarding the gate. It was his first time seeing ancient soldiers. They truly looked majestic and extraordinary, clearly vigorous men brimming with vitality.

A city guard frowned. A youth seemed to have been watching them all along, and he was about to step forward and speak.

Who would have thought that the youth would raise his thumb and give him an approving look? The city guard stopped, smiled, and nodded. I understand what you mean.

Once they entered the city, their view suddenly opened up. One man and one ox stood rooted to the spot as a flourishing age slowly unfolded before them like a painted scroll.

The streets were exceptionally wide. Countless street vendors cried out their wares, while acrobats performed in the streets. People gathered around them, cheering loudly and tossing in copper coins.

Countless pedestrians passed along the streets, dressed in silk. Every gesture they made carried an ancient charm, fully displaying an air of grandeur.

Looking up, Pavilions and Towers stood everywhere, lanterns hanging high. Talented scholars and beautiful ladies recited poetry and composed matching couplets from the upper floors. A riot of blossoms was enough to dazzle the eye; Chen Xun and Big Black Ox stood stunned.

"Good!"

Moo!

Chen Xun and Big Black Ox stood at the edge of the crowd watching the acrobats, doing their part to liven the atmosphere. Suddenly, struggle appeared in Chen Xun's eyes. Watching for free did not feel right.

He fumbled around at his waist for a long time before tossing a copper coin into the gong. Hearing the sound, the performer immediately turned toward Chen Xun and breathed out flames, putting on a spectacular show.

"Good!"

Chen Xun laughed happily and clapped. Big Black Ox, however, was startled, thinking the man was a cultivator. He was actually performing for them—this truly was a Great City.

After watching for a while, they left the crowd and bought two skewers of sugar-coated haws. Chen Xun took one bite, Black Ox took another, making the young women passing by giggle sweetly.

"These handiworks are truly exquisite."

Chen Xun found it eye-opening as he looked at the roadside stalls. Everything had been made by hand. These people depended on this trade for their entire lives; there was no room for fakery at all.

"Little brother, see anything you like?" a vendor called out kindly.

"I'm just looking. Once I have money, I'll definitely come buy something."

Chen Xun smiled sheepishly, though he meant every word.

"It's fine. I have a wooden carving here that was carved badly. If you like it, take it."

The vendor took out a tiger carving from beside him. It was lifelike, except its tail seemed to have been carved incorrectly.

"Boss, let us trade you some rice for it. I really like this carving."

"Alright!"

The vendor handed it directly to Chen Xun, who also gave him some rice in return.

Back on the street, Chen Xun held the carving in both hands, unable to put it down. Big Black Ox was green with envy. Why had that vendor not given it one too?