Volume Two: The Emergence of the Nine Provinces and Entrance to the Spirit Void Chapter 146: White Pine Town

Watching Chen Yu's disappearing figure, Cui Ke asked with puzzlement, "Young Miss, why did you stop me? Even if he is a disciple of the Spirit Void Sect, so what? Could it be that our Cui clan fears them?"

Cui Dashu calmly replied, "This person's strength is not weak. Even you might not necessarily be his match. Besides, our target is only the Five Tigers of Sha River, so there is no need to provoke the Spirit Void Sect."

Cui Ke instantly grew dissatisfied. In his view, Chen Yu was merely at the first-element, sixth-aperture cultivation level; how could he possibly not be a match for him?

Cui Dashu did not offer any further explanation to this and merely gave the order for the group to begin their return journey. Looking in the direction where Chen Yu had departed, a smile curved the corners of her lips as she said, "Heh... Chen Yu of the Spirit Void Sect? I will remember you. I truly never expected that apart from Chu Shu, the Spirit Void Sect would also produce a figure like you."

...

After moving out of Cui Dashu and her companions' line of sight, Chen Yu directly summoned his sword and took flight. Glancing toward Cui Dashu's direction, he muttered softly to himself, "Cui Dashu? Heh... What a stunningly beautiful woman, enough to stir even my heart."

However, Chen Yu possessed self-awareness; at present, he was unworthy of matching someone of her stature.

Hoo! Chen Yu let out a long breath and rode his sword into the distance.

Having broken through to the first-element, sixth-aperture realm, his dharma power had grown significantly. In particular, his vital energy, essence, and spirit had undergone tempering akin to mending the heavens and bathing in the sun at every single boundary, rendering them incomparably formidable. Combined with the Daoist techniques he practiced, fighting adversaries above his own realm was merely an ordinary affair for him. He was confident that even when facing a routine cultivator at the first-element, ninth-aperture realm, he held the certainty of victory.

Several hours passed, and Chen Yu and his companions finally emerged from the desolate forest, arriving at a small town named Baisong.

Baisong Town was not particularly large, yet it was exceptionally bustling. People coming and going within the town could be seen chatting and laughing, hawking goods, or engaging in arguments and brawls...

Having witnessed such scenes aplenty, Chen Yu had no mind to meddle in trivial affairs. From a tavern waiter, he learned that Baisong Town fell under the sphere of influence of the Cui clan.

A sense of helpless resignation arose in Chen Yu's heart. He had not expected that his aimless escape earlier would carry him so far away from the Spirit Void Sect. Nevertheless, Chen Yu felt no excessive worry, simply treating this as a leisurely journey out into the world.

Walking down the streets of Baisong Town, Chen Yu stepped into a Sundry goods shop. Gazing at the dazzling array of bizarre and precious items lining the shelves, he felt a deep sense of wonder.

Before long, a waiter stepped forward and inquired, "Is there anything this honored master requires?"

Chen Yu calmly replied, "I am just browsing."

Ah! The waiter gave an awkward smile, but still served him politely, asking, "Would you like me to introduce a thing or two to you, honored master?"

"Very well..." Chen Yu resigned himself to the situation and decided to humor him.

Overjoyed, the waiter eagerly guided Chen Yu past row after row of shelves. While carefully observing Chen Yu's expressions, he used his glib tongue to introduce the treasures on display one by one. Naturally, these were all items that could be put to use within the First-Element Realm.

However, from beginning to end, seeing that Chen Yu remained completely unmoved, the waiter had no choice but to fetch a catalog, hoping that among its pages lay a treasure capable of sparking the young man's interest.

Chen Yu smiled faintly, thinking to himself: Since you had such a convenient item, you should have brought it out much earlier.

He flipped through the book while listening to the waiter's explanations.

The waiter's mouth was practically dry from talking, yet Chen Yu maintained that same placid expression, causing the waiter to begin doubting his own abilities.

Just then, Chen Yu turned to a page in the book detailing Dao embryos, and his gaze suddenly locked onto the page as he spotted the words "Yin Essence of Dao Bone."

The change in Chen Yu's expression naturally did not escape the waiter's notice. Sensing an opportunity, the waiter glanced at the yin-side of the page and immediately said with disappointment, "Honored master, this Dao embryo is a treasure that only those above the Yin-Yang Realm have a chance to utilize. I reckon..."

Before the other could finish, Chen Yu interrupted directly, "Can you tell me about the situation regarding this Yin Essence of Dao Bone?"

"The Yin Essence of Dao Bone?" The waiter wore a troubled expression.

Chen Yu immediately understood and smiled, saying, "If you can explain it clearly, your rewards will not be lacking."

Overjoyed, the waiter quickly clarified, "Please do not misunderstand, honored master, it's just that this Yin Essence of Dao Bone is a treasure usable only at the Heavenly-Human Realm, it's not that I..."

"You don't understand it either?"

"No... No... I do know." The waiter waved his hands hurriedly.

"A Dao embryo is an innate rare treasure, and the essence within can assist people in forging Dao artifacts. A Dao artifact grows alongside its master's cultivation and accompanies them throughout their life. The Yin Essence of Dao Bone is considered top-tier even among Dao embryos and is extremely rare. However, the Yin Essence of Dao Bone cannot be easily refined by just anyone, because it inherently contains baleful yin energy. Aside from wicked cultivators who practice baleful yin Dao techniques and can absorb it directly, others must first neutralize the baleful yin qi contained within the Yin Essence of Dao Bone before they can even hope to utilize it. There is immense trouble involved, and this humble one does not know the details."

Chen Yu thought with resignation that while the Yin Essence of Dao Bone was indeed a treasure, it would bring him nothing but harm and no benefit.

Seeing the flash of disappointment pass through Chen Yu's eyes, the waiter hurriedly added, "Actually, honored master, there are many treasures far superior to this Yin Essence of Dao Bone, why—"

"No need." Chen Yu shook his head, then continued, "Do you have a detailed topographical map of the entire Nine Provinces here? Get me one."

The waiter immediately fetched a piece of animal hide a foot square for Chen Yu. Unfolding it, he saw it was indeed a comprehensive topographical map of the entire Nine Provinces, albeit somewhat compact.

Before Chen Yu could voice his doubts, the waiter signaled for him to channel a sliver of dharma power into it.

As Chen Yu's dharma power poured in, the map shifted rapidly, instantly magnifying the region he pointed at by a hundredfold, or even a thousandfold.

"A fine item," Chen Yu said with satisfaction.

Though it cost three thousand taels, Chen Yu still felt it was worth every penny. With this topographical map, he could roam the Nine Provinces at will.

Afterward, Chen Yu disposed of a few miscellaneous items, procured some cultivation resources, and took his leave.

Chen Yu did not linger long in Baisong Town. Riding a swift horse at a gallop along the imperial highway, he found the journey quite leisurely and pleasant.

Originally, he had intended to return directly to the Spirit Void Sect, but along the road, he heard rumors that within Sanyang City, the Cui clan was going to hold an appreciation convention for rare and precious treasures, inviting heroes from all directions to grace the event with their presence.

Hearing this, Chen Yu grew interested. Since Sanyang City happened to lie along his homeward path, he might as well stop to take a look.

Along this entire route, numerous people, much like Chen Yu, were surging toward Sanyang City. Another reason for this mass gathering was the rumor that the pearl of the Cui clan would also be in attendance.

Mentioning the pearl of the Cui clan, the person who naturally came to Chen Yu's mind was none other than Cui Dashu, which served as yet another reason for Chen Yu to head toward Sanyang City.

Following half a month of rapid travel, Chen Yu finally arrived outside Sanyang City. At this moment, Sanyang City could be described as packed to capacity, with heroes from all factions revealing themselves. It was clear that the scale of this exhibition hosted by the Cui clan was by no means small.

Chen Yu's anticipation grew ever stronger.