Chapter Eight: Departure and Rivalry

Daxi Sect, located in the northwest of Leizhou, is one of the five great sects of Leizhou, though it ranks at the bottom in terms of strength.

Among the sects of the surrounding continents, its standing is even less notable—but such things are only of concern to prodigies. As someone who entered through connections, I needn't trouble myself with such worries.

Within the sect, there is one Golden Immortal and twelve Profound Immortals holding sway. There are no renowned techniques or divine abilities, but the sect dabbles in various side paths.

Aside from the human race, the Three-Colored Fox Clan, the Golden-Armored Thunder Bull Clan, and the Flower Spirit Clan hold considerable power. As for the other foreign races, I am not sure of their strengths.

Xu Chen studied the information about Daxi Sect available on the market, feeling a mix of emotions; after tomorrow, he would begin his official life as a sect disciple.

Should I follow my father’s advice and find a Flower Spirit woman as a Dao companion? Xu Chen stroked his chin, deep in thought.

Forget it, I’ll just take things as they come.

Night had fallen, but under the illumination of spiritual lights, Cloudbeast City was more bustling than ever.

Xu Chen left home, visited a general store, and bought everything he might need or not need for daily life, storing it all in his pouch.

Back home, he returned to his room and entered the Sacred White Space.

With practiced ease, he pushed open the door to the Six Styles of the Sacred Ape.

So, you’ve reached the Blood and Qi Realm. Not bad, not bad—this’ll make you tougher to beat.

A phantom of the Sacred Ape appeared behind his clone.

I can’t advance to the Blood and Qi Realm anymore, but let’s see if your strength has improved!

Xu Chen charged at his clone.

Thirty moves later, Xu Chen slid tens of zhang across the flawless white floor like a battered sack of refuse, utterly spent.

The impact feels punchier than before—quite impressive! his clone said with a smile.

Impressive, my foot!

Xu Chen reformed his consciousness and entered again, launching himself at his clone with renewed fury.

Again! Today I’ll force you to reveal all your strength!

After twenty-five moves, the clone seized Xu Chen’s skull in its grip.

Cao Pi’s wife enters the vegetable garden.

With a sneer, the clone crushed Xu Chen’s skull, shattering his consciousness.

In the Sacred White Space, Xu Chen’s consciousness reformed once more.

Cao Pi’s wife enters the vegetable garden?

Xu Chen mulled over the phrase, his face flushing with anger, before pushing open the wooden door to the Six Styles of the Sacred Ape yet again.

The next day at noon, Xu Chen sent a delivery crane to reserve a table at the finest restaurant in town, awaiting Zhao Sheng’s arrival.

When the formation’s doorbell chimed, Xu Chen opened the door and welcomed Zhao Sheng inside.

Here—this is a letter your father left with me. He said to give it to you before you depart for Daxi Sect.

Zhao Sheng handed Xu Chen a sealed letter.

Xu Chen opened the letter and began to read. As he read, his eyes grew moist.

The letter detailed every aspect of life in Daxi Sect, guiding Xu Chen on what to do upon arrival. His father had even arranged a patron for him, instructing him to join their tutelage to ensure he would not be bullied within the sect.

At the very end, the thing his father cared about most was summed up in a single line: If you wish to walk this path, then walk it. If not, your parents will always stand behind you.

Such is the love of parents, Xu Chen mused.

Crossing over into this world, the greatest blessing has been having such parents.

Come, let’s eat. I’ll take you to Daxi Sect later, Zhao Sheng said with a sigh, seeing Xu Chen’s expression.

All right.

A flying vessel emblazoned with the Cloudbeast City emblem sliced through the sky at ten times the speed of sound, according to Xu Chen’s estimation.

Uncle Zhao, isn’t this a bit too extravagant?

The vessel was thirty zhang long—nearly a hundred meters by modern units—used solely to deliver Xu Chen to Daxi Sect.

Nonsense. Your father is a captain in our city guard, and you grew up here in Cloudbeast City. This trip is just an excuse for me to patrol the area; besides, I have some business to handle in Daxi City, Zhao Sheng said, waving his hand dismissively.

The journey to Daxi Sect is over three hundred thousand li. If you get bored, feel free to rest in the vessel.

No need, Uncle Zhao. Watching the scenery here is good enough.

Xu Chen clung to the rail, gazing at the shifting vistas below.

The human realm stretches for countless millions of li. One day, I’d like to travel it all, Xu Chen said, marveling at the diverse landscapes.

Then you’d better cultivate diligently. At the very least, you must reach the Void Return Realm to have the time to traverse all the human lands.

I once read an account—some Mystic Daoist spent fifteen hundred years to merely traverse the fifty-three continents of our people, Zhao Sheng remarked.

That’s all the more reason to work hard, Xu Chen agreed.

As they spoke, a flock of ten delivery cranes landed on the flying vessel.

Xu Chen noticed each crane bore a spatial ring on its leg.

Where are you headed? a voice, comically reminiscent of Donald Duck, quacked out.

Daxi Sect—if it’s on your route, feel free to hitch a ride.

Zhao Sheng seemed unfazed by the scene.

That saves us a hundred thousand li—thanks, brother, the lead crane said, flapping its wings.

No need for thanks—just give me a discount on my next delivery.

That’s against regulations!

Xu Chen couldn’t help but laugh at the exchange.

Uncle Zhao, do you think anyone would dare rob these cranes? he asked curiously.

Some have tried—mostly members of other races. But after several hundred clans were wiped out, everyone’s learned their lesson.

Besides, these cranes are bound by karmic ties—they’re protected by the human realm’s fortunes. Anyone who attacks them within our borders is instantly marked by karmic law. The cranes can even activate their spatial powers to teleport to the nearest city hub.

Once marked, not only the culprit, but their entire clan won’t survive five hours. If the attacker is human, the compensation is a hundred or a thousand times higher, Zhao Sheng explained.

That’s old news, the Donald Duck voice quacked again.

These days, even a Golden Immortal wouldn’t last half an hour if they tried to rob us.

Our Crane Ancestor has already reached the Grand Luo realm—he stands above the world, the lead crane declared with pride.

Interesting—there’s news from the front that the Thunder Hawk Clan is about to submit to the human race.

They’re numerous, but resources are scarce. After joining us, they might threaten your business, Zhao Sheng added with a smirk.

Their speed is said to beat yours. If they enter the market, delivery costs might drop, he teased.

They can’t get in! The Eighth Human Sovereign promised us—the delivery business belongs solely to our Crane Clan! the lead crane protested, flapping anxiously.

There’s no such promise in the fortunes of the human realm, Zhao Sheng replied.

As man and crane bantered, two dark shadows streaked past the vessel like lightning.

Looks like the Thunder Hawk Clan—they’re already poaching your business, Zhao Sheng chuckled, clearly enjoying the show.

Xu Chen, too, found amusement in the lightning-fast figures.

Brothers, let’s go! We can’t let those eagle fledglings outpace us! The Donald Duck voice was furious as the cranes took flight.