Three years ago.
In the Heretical Lightning Skyship, Tao was looking at the surroundings with a blazing gleam filled with desire for adventure in his eyes. A new continent, a whole new structure and culture! As for Bai Lufeng, he was piloting the ship with a similar gleam in his gaze.
However, it contained lust and anticipation at the luxuries this new world had to offer. He calculated his capital. Yan Zaizen’s cultivation base was at the half-step Perfect Aurora Soul Realm. However, with his body cultivation, he could probably contend with a mid-True Essence Cultivator.
With this backing, he should have some leeway to do many things in this new continent.
Tao’s thoughts were very different. He wished to travel the continent to gain intelligence, study the culture, and debate with their academics. After all, he was a scholar in heart and mind. He truly wished to see if others within the continent could broaden his horizons or was simply lackluster.
As of now, they didn’t need to worry about wealth or resources for cultivation. With these things dealt with by Yan Zaizen, they were like rich tourists traveling to see the sights.
The first city they came across was called the Crimson Blink City. The name originated from the fact a crimson tower that almost reached the sky would vanish at certain times of year suddenly - in a blink. As for the city itself, it contained similarities to Sky Titan City. It had a single major force with subordinate forces beneath it.
Competition was fierce and infighting was often, but the major force would allow this type of environment to strengthen their subordinates. As for anything too massive like war, as long as it was warranted by actions, they wouldn’t interfere. Therefore, even in the city, smaller forces could be wiped out without proper backing or a single mistake.
When they arrived in the Heretical Lightning Skyship, many took notice immediately. Quite a few were curious about their identity. Others were speculating, disseminating rumors about their status and backing. Some said that Tao was a young master of a reclusive clan out to gain experience and Bai Lufeng was his personal aide.
Others believed that Bai Lufeng and Tao was here on behalf of an expert’s orders, carrying out special plans. In truth, this was only because of their weak cultivation bases in comparison to their skyship grade. Not only that, Bai Lufeng was arrogant to all heavens while Tao seemed nurtured with a very educated nature that contained an aggressive edge.
Bai Lufeng had lured beauties with promise of resources and grandness. With that, many women and even men were interested. Some even had husbands and boyfriends. In the cultivation world, each breakthrough brought benefits in longevity, status, personal strength, and potential.
With Bai Lufeng’s bait, how could those with ambition or desires resist? Some of them even accepted his offer on behalf of their own men. Of course, if this occurred, none of these relationships were solid and based on pure love. Many men had multiple wives so sacrificing one for their own benefits was something they had very little shame doing.
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There were even men who decided to act as an entourage of Bai Lufeng while he stayed in the city. With a massive bevy of followers and beauties at his command, he became known as ‘Money Bags Bai’.
Tao traveled to various schools, clans, and sects to debate with their scholars. However, his attitude wasn’t any better than Bai’s flamboyant display of wealth. He would set a bet for both sides, the loser of the debate in the discussion or intellectual exchange must kowtow ten times to the winner. Afterwards, they have to admit their inferiority.
To many, this infuriated them! However, despite challenging and being challenged, he won every single contest of intellect. The bets increased from the other sides demands to win back face, from slapping yourself a thousand times to embarrassing actions no one would ever do willingly.
Due to the heavenly oath that would be sworn, they had no way to back out after defeat. Tao also showed no mercy, viciously stomping on their pride, and leaving them with little dignity.
There was even a time where Tao offended someone with his blunt words, as he did, the force tried to capture him. Fortunately, the strongest power here was only a weak imperial-tier force with a mid-True Essence Realm. The moment Tao flashed Yan Zaizen’s talisman, they backed off reluctantly. While doing so, their gazes were filled with searing flames of hatred.
Bai Lufeng had his ass-kissed by all for a bit of benefit while Tao infuriated all to the point killing intent was hard to conceal. They stayed doing this for three months. After, they took their sudden leave in the night.
Bai Lufeng wealth was drained by 30% leaving him feeling saddened, but after some thought, he cheered up. With Yan Zaizen, who had a penchant for robbery, how could this wealth matter much?
Tao, however, actually slept with an important young woman who became infatuated by his intelligence and confidence. However, this woman was supposed to be bestowed to the mid-True Essence Realm expert in the city. After discovering this fact, they left quickly with zero hesitation.
Sure, Yan Zaizen’s talisman may scare off some, but if the truly strong shows up, it’s unlikely they’ll leave with their lives. So like miscreants in the night, they lept towards the far horizon, never looking back.
After a month of travel, they arrived at another city similar to Crimson Blink City. The cycle repeated. However, this time, Bai Lufeng had taught an arrogant young master a vicious lesson in arrogance: There was always someone more arrogant than yourself!
He delivered a spanking session in front of a large crowd, viciously humiliating him in front of all. Tao couldn’t help but shake his head at this, but didn’t disapprove. Of course, the force behind this young master couldn’t accept this. They were violently chased by a group of Origin Core experts with a True Essence expert at the head.
It was quite difficult to evade them. Their pursuers kept seeking outside help, and even a bounty was placed on their heads. There were quite a few hunters that hunted them. After escaping it all thanks to Yan Zaizen’s protective spiritual sense and the skyship, they hid away for a year. Afterwards, they left to venture into the one place they truly wanted to go: Clear Divine City - Secondary Capital City of the Xiantu Empire.
It was controlled by three first-level heavenly-tier forces! If Yan Zaizen was here, he’d recognize two of the three forces - White Crane Sect & Wu Clan! Also, if Yan Zaizen was here, he’d have a bad feeling looming over his heart. Whether it was for Tao and Bau Lufeng or for those in the city, only the heavens knew.