Walking back, Tyler focused on de-ciphering the box he had looted off Luo Pang and tallying up his current finances.

Buying this box and its key had proved to be quite expensive, but honestly, it was something he was completely fine with. Maintaining the Deathroot high up in the skies was draining his mental energy. Always being on guard was exhausting.

After a quick calculation, he counted twelve Celestial coins, around seven hundred Spirit coins, and an enormous amount of Silver and Copper coins. The boxes Luo Pang had carried with the various currencies were all spatially expanded, and he had long mastered keeping such types of treasure intact without destroying the container.

Had the three cultivators accompanying him known he was carrying such wealth, they would've questioned everything they knew. Even Ern did not carry as much on his person at any given time. Even holding a single Celestial right now was metaphorically burning a hole through his storage ring.

Realistically, Tyler was only carrying this much because he had no trading company to safeguard his assets. No Aperture Strengthening father to keep the family's wealth safe. He was a lone cultivator—a wanderer.

"So, my disciples kept praising your spirit beast wherever we went." Flying Rock said.

Tyler smiled. "He's not my spirit beast. He's a spirit beast named Daredevil." He paused. "And I totally get them. He's so cute. Didn't you want just to scratch his ears?"

"Apologies, I..."

Tyler interrupted him, "No worries. I just want him to grow up thinking he is his own person, beast, or whatever you call it. That starts with me, as his benefactor, making sure others know that."

"I understand." Said Rock, audibly gulping. "Well, Daredevil was very loved. I think my disciples had never traveled so safely in that part of the Empire before."

"Yeah, he's pretty good. He's a natural at staying hidden. I bet that most times, when you turned around, you weren't exactly sure if he was still there?" Tyler asked. "Perhaps you felt a bit of a dampness in the air, but that's about it?"

"Feels like you've been dealing with this a lot?" Rock paused. "It's truly marvelous. Usually, spirit beasts, or cultivators for that matter, in the Qi Transformation realm stand out like sore thumbs."

"A bit like me?" Tyler asked, knowing exactly what the man meant, and decided to tease him a bit.

"No, not really..." Rock said, not knowing what to say.

"I'm just joking around. I know I'm completely abnormal. No need to be so stiff." Tyler paused and turned around, looking at all three men following him. "Did I do something wrong?" Tyler asked.

It was Kenshiro who answered. "You didn't. It's just that earlier when you heard the mention of slaves... I think I speak for everyone here when I say that I felt like the reaper had its scythe on my throat."

Ern and Rock nodded their heads furiously. "I see. I'm sorry about that... I have... Bad experiences with slavery and forced labor, okay?" Tyler responded. "My current power and cultivation is... Difficult to manage. Remember the injury I mentioned?"

Kenshiro took the lead once more, seeing as he was the only one here with any type of real relationship with Tyler, even though it was through his family. "You don't need to say more. Father has already explained a few things, and it would be best to keep it this way. The less others know, the better."

Tyler looked at the man's stoic eyes for a few seconds. He nodded. "Well, let's just say that I don't have a good handle on everything yet." Tyler turned around and started running forward. "We're a few hours away still. I wanna get back before sunrise."

Ern, Rock, and Kenshiro followed behind, with Kenshiro starting to lag due to his weaker cultivation. Rock was about to mention that they were going too fast for the man to keep up, but Tyler slowed down without turning around or saying a word, matching his pace with the slowest among them.

From up ahead, everyone heard Tyler's voice whisper in their ears, unaffected by the whipping winds. "There is a reason I had left the note as Wandering Cultivator and not Tyler Reed." The winds quieted down for a few seconds. "Do not mention my name freely, or to anyone. I wouldn't want to cause trouble just for your short association with me."

This time, only Flying Rock heard Tyler's whispers. "In the future, if your sect encounters troubles, feel free to seek me. Unless it's political, then go to the capital and seek the Thunder Emporium. I'm sure they'll be willing to help."

Another private message was delivered to Ern Torval. "Be sure to inform Bralok that he is the one who implicated the Dancing Winds Sect with me. I hope the Emporium will give a helping hand if any troubles arise from their interaction."

Tyler did not like this way of doing things. At all. Telling people what to do, how to do it, and manipulating things behind the scenes did not sit right with him. Unfortunately, that's all he felt he could do at the moment. He had no one to turn to, and while he was strong, the last thing he wanted was to cause problems to an entire sect that seemed, for all intents and purposes, to be good.

His voice resonated in everyone's ears once more. "Ern, is there a way to inscribe information without using a formation disk or a book? What I mean is I've used information tokens, but the formations within are too complex for me to replicate and require specific techniques to read. Is there anything that cultivators and mortals can use that only requires a small amount of Qi to read?" Tyler asked, hoping something like a jade slip from the many cultivation novels he had read existed.

Confused by the question, Ern replied. "Tyler, tokens are exactly that, and their contents are not that difficult to inscribe or read. Most cultivators can do it.. Have you never received formal instructions on formations as a child?"

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Furrowing his brow, Tyler answered. "I have not, no." He paused. "Also, if that's the case, why bother using books for techniques, cultivation methods, and other things? Why not just use tokens for everything? And also, all the tokens I've read were incredibly complex...? Am I stupid?"

Ern let out a chuckle. "Because most tokens break apart when you inject what is essentially a complete technique onto them. You've felt it, right? When you read them, Tokens are so comprehensive that if you were to imprint a technique onto one successfully, they'd be essentially Codex-level; from what I know, that is impossible to do. Also, you've probably only read private tokens, with only a few readers allowed."

Taking flight shortly to catch up, Ern tossed something to Tyler. "Here, try reading this."

Catching the ordinary-looking octagonal token, Tyler scanned it with his divine sense. There was... only a few lines inscribed on it, so straightforward it made him feel a bit dumb. The knowledge within, however, was just as extensive as the token Lo Shen had given him months ago.

The information within was simple. It was the location of all Thunder Emporium shops within the York Empire, along with a map with a single line of text. If You Ever Find Yourself In These Locations, Pay Us A Visit, Dear Customer! We'll Be Happy To Help, For A Cost!

Tyler smiled as Ern simply said. "Keep it. Note that the main family's branch shop is not on this token. Five of the subsidiaries in York are there, though. Should you ever find yourself in the capital, I trust you won't find it difficult to find the Emporium's headquarters if that is your goal."

Nodding, Tyler deftly stored it. Seconds later, Ern continued. "If you want, I can give a few books on inscribing tokens to Flying Rock here once he goes to the capital for his shopping. For a price, of course."

Tyler shook his head as he smiled. "You know, I used to really hate salespeople. But you, I don't. I don’t know why, either. I respect the hustle. How much?"

Instantly, Ern replied. "A few coppers is all, Unless, of course, you want the comprehensive education we give children and a few more advanced books. Then a few silvers."

Continuing to shake his head, Tyler tossed him a dozen silvers. "Fine, fine. Give him the full library. Hopefully, this is enough for a few blank tokens as well?" Tyler looked at Ern directly in the eyes.

The latter seemed to understand the message. Tyler did not like salespeople and had already made more money than reasonable off a single person in such a short time. The transactions with Tyler alone were more than he had made last month!

Ern nodded and took the offered silvers. "A wise choice, sir. You won't regret it. I'll prepare everything for Sir Flying Rock when I return home." From that point forward, he didn't attempt to sell Tyler anything.

The rest of the trip was spent in silence.

Tyler observed the village approaching in the distance. The sun was still a few hours from rising, but still, at the center of the village, there was activity. Daredevil was being groomed and cared for by a pair of mortal women. The panther cub seemed to truly be enjoying himself as he lay there on his side, accepting all the attention.

It seems that all the attention is always on him everywhere he goes. Tyler couldn't help but think. This may not be good for his development. If you always let others treat you as superior to them, you'll assume you are above everyone.

Tyler whispered to the winds so only the young cub could hear him. "We're back, Dman. Come on out to see me. It's almost time to return home. We can get to teaching you to speak properly soon."

His ears perked up, and he pushed away the two women as he eagerly made his way in the direction Tyler had departed the previous day. Tyler reprimanded the cub's disregard for the women, and Daredevil quickly turned around, offering a respectful bow to the two women.

Shortly after, Tyler also asked Flying Rock to go to the most prominent house in the center of the village and explain the situation to Jake and one of the village elders present within said residence, and the man agreed.

After all, if Tyler ventured into the village, everyone would suffer massive injuries or die. Something he was intimately familiar with. His introduction into this changed world was shocking due to someone's voice. After all, if that had been Lo Shen's total cultivation instead of his voice, he would've died without a shadow of a doubt.

Minutes passed, and Tyler observed as Jake exited the house, accompanied by Flying Rock. Jake was fully aware that he might never see Tyler again, and when Jake reached the edge of the village, he bowed deeply as he was certain Tyler could somehow see him.

"Thank you for everything, The Wandering Reed!" He said, keeping Tyler's name a secret, as per the instruction of Flying Rock, even assigning him a new nickname. "Your humble name shall be remembered for generations in our little village! As such, we have agreed to rename our village to The Rising Reed."

As those words reverberated throughout the village and into Tyler's sensitive ears, he felt the entire community slowly awakening from slumber. One by one, people emerged from their homes and gathered around Jake, offering bows of gratitude. Some went as far as kowtowing, touching their foreheads to the ground where new grass had sprouted a few days ago.

The sight deeply moved Tyler. He could sense that everyone was now filled with purpose and hope.

Minutes went by slowly as if time had slowed to a crawl, and when most of the villagers had gathered, the sun broke over the horizon as if choreographed for this moment. Adding to the spectacle, Flying Rock took to the skies, leaving an indelible memory for the mortals. Before disappearing from view, he turned toward the village and spoke, "The Wandering Reed will hear of your profound gratitude. May the Heavens strike me down if it isn't so."

In the heart of the healed land, the newly christened village of The Rising Reed breathed for the first time in months. Its people, inspired by the benevolence of a wandering cultivator, his majestic spirit beast, and the tales of his Immortal servant, gathered to bid farewell to their unexpected savior.

Tyler was kilometers away but adopted the allure of what he assumed an immortal should look like. He spoke, his voice soft yet resonant, carrying the wisdom of the ages.

“Keep an open mind and an open heart,” Tyler intoned, his words floating over the villagers like a gentle breeze. “One day, I will visit, and you shall not know I was here. On that day, the lands will thrive like never before, and prosperity will touch every corner of The Rising Reed.”

Though tinged with a hint of theatrics, his words held a sincere promise. It was a vow felt deeply by those who heard it. Tyler’s gaze swept over the villagers, meeting their eyes, each filled with gratitude and awe.

None knew he could see them. None knew how much he appreciated this sincere display of gratitude. Tyler hadn't saved this village for a reward, but it felt goddamned nice to feel so many smiles because of his actions.

No matter how cheesy he felt, Tyler meant every syllable. In his heart, he had a plan – a vision where, upon his return, he would be like the unseen breeze that brings life and vitality, a guardian who brings back those lost to the evil of this world.

Turning towards his home, he left a single message only for Jake to hear. "I will bring back your sister if it's the last thing I do. Also, feel free to visit. But I'd hold off for a while. I still can't hide my cultivation that well. Oh, and one last thing: I'll send Daredevil with more food in a few days. Hold you guys over until the Thunder Emporium can send someone."

Turning to his temporary companions and Flying Rock, who had just returned. "Let's go. I will show you my home." He paused, looking at Flying Rock and Ern. "But please, keep its location to yourselves and share it with no other than Bralok and Ryuji."

Both men nodded, and half a day later, they arrived at Tyler's cultivation cave.