The sun had just begun to dip toward the horizon when Lin Chen and Su Mei left the Lin Family estate behind. The air carried the fresh, clean scent of earth after the night's rain, and the path leading away from the gates was strewn with fallen leaves and shallow puddles that mirrored the golden rays.
The grand estate at their backs — once imposing, now seeming small and pitiful — gradually faded into the distance, swallowed by the rolling, densely forested hills.
Lin Chen walked with steady confidence, his black robe fluttering lightly in the breeze. Beside him, Su Mei moved with newfound grace; her white dress with silver embroidery caught the light, accentuating the subtle harmony in her steps.
After their joint cultivation, their auras had synchronized perfectly: Lin Chen's yang energy glowed with a warm golden sheen, while Su Mei's yin added a faint, refreshing chill, forming an invisible barrier of balance around them.
"This body is still weak," Lin Chen thought, feeling the yang fire in his dantian pulse in rhythm with each step. "But with the system and Su Mei, I'll reach Foundation Establishment within a month. In my previous life, it took me three full years."
Su Mei glanced sideways at him, her eyes still bright from their recent breakthrough. In just a few hours of morning dual cultivation, both of them had reached the peak of Qi Gathering Layer 9.
"Where exactly are we going?" she asked softly, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. The wind carried the fragrance of wildflowers and pine, soothing her and washing away years of humiliation in the estate.
"Jade City," Lin Chen replied without slowing. "The Heavenly Lotus Sect is there — a mid-tier sect in the region, but rich in resources. Their annual recruitment draws thousands of young talents."
"We'll pass the selection, use their alchemy, techniques, and training grounds to grow stronger. And after that… we'll build our own power. A sect where yang and yin exist in true equilibrium."
Su Mei nodded, her breathing steady despite their brisk pace. Thanks to the Dual Cultivation Bond, their energy recovery was accelerated — even ordinary walking nourished their meridians.
"And what about Lin Hao? He won't just let us go."
Lin Chen gave a cold smirk.
"He'll try. But by the time he recovers from that slap, we'll be far beyond his reach. The system will ensure our advantage."
At that moment, the familiar chime rang in his mind:
[Ding! Daily Quest: Walk 10 li with your partner — Completed!]
[Reward: +300 System Points, Blood Essence Pill x1 (Body strengthening +20%)]
He mentally accepted the pill. Warmth spread through his veins; his muscles tensed and strengthened subtly. Su Mei felt it through their Yin-Yang Mark and smiled — the bond allowed them to share a portion of the benefits.
The road wound through forested hills, rising and falling into shallow valleys where small streams bubbled. Untamed nature surrounded them: towering pines reached for the sky, their canopies rustling overhead, while pine needles crunched softly underfoot.
Occasionally, small spirit beasts darted through the underbrush — foxes with shimmering fur or birds whose feathers faintly glowed with qi — but none dared approach. The combined aura of Lin Chen and Su Mei repelled anything weak.
After about an hour, the creak of wheels and the clop of hooves sounded ahead.
Around the bend appeared a large merchant wagon drawn by two sturdy spirit horses — their coats faintly luminous, marking them at Qi Gathering Layer 1. The wagon was piled high with crates covered in thick cloth; it carried the mingled scents of medicinal herbs, spices, and the metallic tang of weapons.
At the reins sat a stocky, middle-aged man with a thick beard, dressed in a worn but decent merchant's robe. His aura sat at Qi Gathering Layer 5 — typical of a traveling trader who relied more on hired guards than personal strength.
Two guards walked behind the wagon — burly young men in leather armor, swords at their waists, both at Layer 4. They scanned the surroundings warily.
The merchant spotted Lin Chen and Su Mei first and pulled the reins, halting the wagon.
"Hey there, travelers!" he called out, friendly yet cautious. "Heading to Jade City, I presume?"
Lin Chen stopped, quickly assessing the situation. The man didn't seem hostile, and the wagon would significantly shorten their journey — about 50 li remained to the city, and on foot they wouldn't arrive until nightfall.
"Correct," Lin Chen answered calmly. "And you?"
The man hopped down from the driver's seat, brushing dust from his clothes. His face was weathered, his eyes sharp and shrewd.
"Call me Uncle Wang. I'm from Flowering Hills Village. Bringing goods to Jade City — herbs, low-grade pills, a few minor spirit artifacts, and beginner weapons."
"You know how it is: with the Heavenly Lotus Sect's recruitment drawing crowds, the city's bursting! Thousands of young talents from all over the region, their families, profiteers — everyone wants to buy something useful before the trials."
"Prices have tripled! I'm hoping to fill my pouch with spirit stones and head home rich. Haha, last year one lad bought a Qi Gathering Pill from me and broke through right on the plaza — now he's an elite disciple!"
Su Mei exchanged a glance with Lin Chen. The story rang true — sect recruitments always turned cities into cauldrons of opportunity and scheming.
"Could you give us a ride?" Su Mei asked. "We'll pay."
Uncle Wang squinted, appraising their auras.
"Hmm… you two aren't ordinary travelers. Both at the peak of Qi Gathering — and so young."
"Alright, climb aboard! Ten spirit stones and I'll get you there in style. But if you help guard against trouble, I'll cut it in half."
Lin Chen nodded and handed over five stones — a trivial sum now, thanks to the system. They climbed onto the wagon, settling on top of the crates. The guards shot them suspicious looks but said nothing.
The wagon lurched forward, wheels groaning over the uneven road.
Uncle Wang chattered nonstop, recounting tales of his adventures: the time he sold a fake pill to some arrogant young master and barely escaped with his life, or how he once found a rare herb in the mountains and lived like a king for a week.
"So what about you two?" he finally asked, glancing over his shoulder. "Running from a clan? Or just chasing fortune in the sect?"
"Something like that," Lin Chen replied evasively. "We're seeking strength."
Su Mei, sitting close beside him, rested her hand lightly on his shoulder. The small contact allowed a mini dual-cultivation session even while moving. Energy flowed: yang poured into her, yin into him.
[Ding! Mini dual cultivation completed!]
[Reward: +100 SP, +5% toward next breakthrough]
The road grew steeper as they entered a dense forest. Trees arched overhead, forming a green tunnel. Sunlight filtered through in scattered patches, illuminating moss and ferns.
The air turned humid; the sounds of nature grew louder — birdsong, rustling leaves, the distant roar of some beast.
Suddenly the horses whinnied and reared. The wagon jolted.
"What the—" Uncle Wang started.
They burst from the bushes — spirit beasts.
Three massive wolves, each the size of a calf, their fur shimmering with green light — Wood Qi. Their yellow eyes burned with hunger, fangs bared, auras at Layers 6 to 7.
Forest Spirit Wolves — pack hunters notorious for ambushing caravans in these woods.
"Ambush!" one guard shouted, drawing his sword.
The wolves split: one lunged at the horses, another leaped toward the rear of the wagon, the third circled to flank Uncle Wang.
The merchant paled, hands shaking on the reins.
"Help! This is everything I have!"