Early in the morning, the courier station was already bustling with activity. Many young men and women from other families were either practicing martial arts outside or devouring their breakfast with gusto.
On the central table, an array of breakfast dishes was laid out. Li Mo casually picked up a meat bun, his peripheral gaze drifting toward the girl beside him.
Before her sat only a bowl of plain rice porridge, as bland as her delicate features.
"Eating just this for breakfast won’t be enough," Li Mo remarked, pushing a plate of boiled eggs toward her.
Ying Bing said nothing, merely lifting her eyes to meet his.
She appeared somewhat frail, her lips devoid of color, yet this sickly pallor only accentuated her beauty, lending her an air of delicate vulnerability.
But anyone locked in the gaze of those captivating eyes would likely feel an involuntary twinge of guilt.
"Ahem."
Li Mo broke into a light sweat.
Apologizing was the least he could do.
"I owe you an apology for what happened before. I don’t expect a few words to erase the past grievances. If you’re still upset, then—"
"It’s fine."
Ying Bing peeled the eggshell, her tone so light it was almost dismissive.
Li Mo blinked in surprise.
There wasn’t a trace of insincerity on her face.
It wasn’t so much forgiveness as it was indifference.
Those past events seemed utterly insignificant to her—too trivial to even warrant resentment.
If she had never cared, there was nothing to forgive.
"Well... fair enough."
Li Mo smiled wryly.
He must have read too many novels, letting his imagination run wild.
Admittedly, Ying Bing’s reaction aligned better with what the Heavenly Destiny Eyes had once assessed.
Those unshaken by praise or blame often walked the farthest.
And history had proven it true.
Ying Bing chewed quietly, offering Li Mo no further attention.
She had witnessed countless grand spectacles, experienced brilliance beyond measure.
Apart from family, the memories of her humble beginnings didn’t even fill a single page of her life—long discarded into some forgotten corner.
In those distant recollections, Li Mo had been an unremarkable talent, barely scraping his way into the Clear Abyss Sect.
After a year of stagnation in the outer sect, he had been expelled.
Meanwhile, she had already risen as the most dazzling figure of their generation.
Li Mo seemed different now, but...
It didn’t matter.
His name would likely never appear on the Eastern Wasteland Domain’s ranking boards.
They might not even be passing figures in each other’s lives.
She never wasted her attention on the inconsequential.
Opposite her, Li Mo paused mid-bite.
[Investment successful. Investment: One boiled egg, one bowl of plain porridge.]
[Reward calculation in progress...]
[Congratulations, Host. Reward: One thousand taels of silver notes.]
[One thousand taels of silver notes]: "Issued by the Flourishing Fortune Bank, universally accepted at major financial institutions."
Li Mo sighed inwardly.
If only she could eat more.
Three meals a day could turn him into a tycoon.
Midnight snacks—he had to prepare midnight snacks tonight!
---
Two days later.
In the distance loomed a magnificent city, sprawled like a colossal beast beneath the heavens.
Purple Sun Prefecture was one of the twelve great prefectures of the Eastern Wasteland Domain, governing nine counties and thirty-six districts. Legend held that before the rise of the Great Yu Dynasty, this land had once been the ancient capital of a fallen empire—a place of heroes and prosperity.
Then came an unprecedented tide of calamity beasts, ravaging the Eastern Wasteland for centuries and reducing its glory to fading embers.
It wasn’t until the Martial Emperor ascended the throne, pacifying the nine heavens and ten earths, that order was restored. The founding patriarch of the Clear Abyss Sect, having contributed to the empire’s rise, was enfeoffed with Purple Sun.
After millennia of governance, the land had finally regained its vitality, its splendor reborn.
Ziyang Prefecture City, rebuilt upon the ruins of the ancient capital below Qingyuan Mountain, was a sight to behold—its grandeur evident even at a glance.
Fifty miles beyond the city walls lay the famed Qingyuan Mountain Range.
"We’re finally here!"
"Is this the prefectural city? It’s enormous—standing beneath the gates makes me feel like an ant!"
"So lively! The heart of a prefecture truly brims with life."
"With the Clear Abyss Sect’s disciple recruitment imminent, of course it’s crowded."
---
Caravans streamed through the gates like floodwaters unleashed, the clamor of hooves and wheels unending.
Gazing toward Qingyuan Mountain, many wore expressions of longing.
The Great Yu Dynasty had been forged by martial might, its rule intertwined with the great sects!
In the skies above Purple Sun Prefecture, only one name reigned supreme—the Clear Abyss Sect!
The youths from counties and districts buzzed with excitement, their voices rising in exhilaration.
Passersby paid them no mind, long accustomed to such scenes.
"Truly extraordinary," Li Mo murmured in awe.
Even having witnessed modern metropolises in his past life, he couldn’t help feeling staggered.
Compared to steel-and-concrete skyscrapers, this ancient city of carved beams and painted pillars was a marvel on another level.
A modern city housing five million was one thing—an ancient one of the same scale was beyond comparison.
"Travel permits."
The gate guards stood like iron towers, silver armor gleaming under the sun, weapons at the ready.
The steward hastily produced an iron token and paid a string of coins for entry.
Their carriage was admitted, as if stepping into another world.
Li Mo gawked like a country bumpkin, enthralled by everything.
His pockets had grown considerably heavier these past two days.
Ying Bing’s three daily meals had netted him over ten thousand taels in silver notes—even a thousand taels of gold.
Yet upon entering the prefectural city, where every inch of land cost its weight in gold, Li Mo suddenly felt far less wealthy.
"Young Master, Ziyang Prefecture City isn’t like our county," the steward warned softly as he drove the carriage.
"We won’t be staying long anyway," Li Mo replied with a smile.
That his father had sent the steward—who’d watched him grow up—along on this trip spoke volumes about his past recklessness.
It was a precaution against his unruly nature stirring trouble.
"Of course, Young Master." The steward exhaled in relief.
This troublemaker had indeed changed lately.
At least now he could worry a little less.
The carriage crossed a vermilion-painted bridge, passing over a dense flotilla of boats below.
Not only was the city larger, but its residents carried themselves differently—more people dressed in fine silks, and luxurious carriages were a common sight.
Like the one approaching now, pulled by four crimson-scaled foals.
Its cabin was several times larger than Li Mo’s, adorned with gold and jade, exuding an air of understated elegance.
"Cousin!"
A voice called out from behind.
Wang Hu dismounted eagerly, rushing to the carriage.
A tall young man stepped down, clad in white brocade.
His arms were long, his stance steady, his movements imbued with the grace of a prowling tiger.
At his waist hung a token inscribed with two bold characters: Inner Sect.
Clear Abyss Sect—Inner Sect!
The way the crowd looked at Wang Hu instantly grew more cautious.
Among their group, few would even make it into the outer sect, let alone the inner sect.
That single word marked a world of difference. An inner sect disciple could command the respect of county magistrates.
"Little Hu, I figured you’d arrive soon," the young man said with a smile, his gaze sweeping the crowd before lingering briefly on Li Mo.
"You’re new here—you probably don’t know where to stay."
"I’m acquainted with an innkeeper. Why not settle there?"
With that, Wang Hao returned to his carriage, leaving Wang Hu beaming with pride.
"My cousin Wang Hao is already an inner sect disciple in his thirties."
"Stick with him, and you won’t suffer any losses."
Wang Hu raised his head, his face brimming with arrogance as if he were the one who had entered the inner sect.
The crowd naturally showered him with flattery.
Being strangers in a new place, having a connection to an inner sect disciple of Fulong Valley would save them a lot of trouble.
"What’s he staring at?"
Li Mo froze for a moment before realizing.
The other man wasn’t looking at him—but at the aloof young woman by his side.
Of course.
Even in the prefectural city, Ying Bing’s striking beauty hadn’t diminished in the slightest.
Her simple attire outshone the adorned women of the city, leaving them pale in comparison.
After days of sharing meals, their relationship had... well, surely there was some progress?
At the very least, they weren’t strangers anymore.
As his thoughts churned, a grand riverside tavern came into view ahead.
Seven stories tall, its opulence was overwhelming—a testament to the pinnacle of this ancient city’s grandeur.
The sharp-eyed waiter spotted Wang Hao and immediately called for the innkeeper.
The latter humbly served tea and began negotiating with Wang Hao, while the others fidgeted nervously.
They’d already seen the prices.
Even the most ordinary room cost twenty taels of silver, and the premium suites were even pricier. With the Clear Abyss Sect’s recruitment imminent, demand had driven prices even higher.
"A hundred taels for a premium suite?"
Li Mo glanced at the board before stepping up to the counter.
There was no point scrimping on such expenses.
"Two premium suites, please."
One for him, one for Ying Bing.
The steward and their escorts had already left with the luggage, returning with the escort agency.
"Apologies, sir. We’re running low on rooms. Parties traveling together can only book one." The clerk bowed apologetically.
"Fine."
Li Mo considered it briefly before nodding.
"Plum Blossom Suite on the second floor. Here’s your key."
Just as the clerk handed over the sandalwood room token, Wang Hu sneered from the side:
"Some folks should just be grateful they’ve got a place to stay. A hundred taels won’t buy you prestige in Purple Sun Prefecture. Money doesn’t always open doors here."
Li Mo: "?"
Ah, right.
This guy was the son of the Liuhe Gang leader back in their county.
His own father was the county captain, overseeing local security.
One generation rats, the other cats—naturally, their offspring despised each other.
Meanwhile, not far away, $2ang Hao returned to the group of nervous youths, feigning regret as he said,
"Only thirteen premium suites left. Since you’re all fellow townsfolk of my cousin, you’ll have to make do."
"No problem, we can squeeze in!"
"Thank you, Brother Wang! You’re so kind!"
The group was overjoyed, showering him with gratitude.
Li Mo nearly laughed aloud.
Who "apologizes" while standing with hands clasped behind their back and chin raised?
A man’s thoughts could be summed up in three things:
1. Scheming to show off.
2. Damn, she’s gorgeous.
3. Damn, she’s gorgeous—gotta find a way to show off in front of her.
Sure enough, Wang Hao turned his gaze to Ying Bing and said,
"Miss, rooms are scarce, but I happen to have a private suite here. It’s usually unoccupied, though kept quite clean."
"If you don’t mind, you’re welcome to stay there?"
His tone dripped with confidence.
This wasn’t his first time using this trick. For girls from backwater towns, it worked every time.
Hadn’t he noticed the envy in the other country girls’ eyes?
Few could resist the goodwill of someone influential—someone who could shape their future.
"No rooms left?"
Ying Bing’s gaze flicked toward the innkeeper.
"Ah... y-yes, that’s right."
The innkeeper broke into a cold sweat, nodding frantically as he wiped his brow.
Wang Hao smiled and opened his mouth to speak—only for his expression to freeze the next instant.
The young woman took the sandalwood token from Li Mo’s hand and headed straight upstairs to the Plum Blossom Suite.
Click.
The wooden door shut firmly behind her.
"Tch."
Li Mo glanced at Wang Hao, whose face now cycled between green and white. Part of him found it amusing, but he couldn’t bring himself to laugh.
Laughing at others?
More like looking in a mirror.
Shaking his head, he too ascended to the second floor.