Chapter 269 - 154: Leaving Eastern Profound

After Gu Yun marked the location, his figure instantly vanished.

After tearing through the earth and into the air, Gu Yun sealed the rift he had created before his gaze swept over his surroundings.

"Is this a valley?"

He found himself surrounded by towering, sheer mountain peaks. The ground was a tangled mess of colossal, ancient trees whose massive branches blotted out the sky. Winding, arm-thick vines snaked across the forest floor, and clumps of lush grass grew everywhere.

HAAAH!

’The concentration of Spiritual Qi in this air... it seems even weaker than in the Eastern Profound Domain.’

Gu Yun took a deep breath, clearly sensing that the Spiritual Qi in the fresh air was indeed weaker than in the Eastern Profound Domain.

Suddenly, the just-awakened voice of the Ghostly Qilin Profound Flood Dragon echoed in Gu Yun’s mind.

’Boss, what kind of backwater place is this? The Spiritual Qi here is absolutely pathetic.’

"Holy shit, you finally fucking woke up."

"What kind of Spirit Pet are you?"

"Living a better life than your own master."

"What should your punishment be?!"

Gu Yun communicated via his Spiritual Sense, his tone chilling and filled with rage.

’Uh... Bo... Boss,’ the Ghostly Qilin Profound Flood Dragon said sheepishly.

’I was sleeping... oh, no, I was in Cultivation! Sleeping *is* Cultivation for me.’

’Boss, if you don’t believe me, just check my Cultivation!’

Hearing this, Gu Yun sensed the Ghostly Qilin Profound Flood Dragon’s aura. His pupils shrank, and a look of pure shock spread across his face.

FUCK!

’This lazy dragon’s Cultivation has actually reached the Half-Step Tongxuan Realm! It looks like it could break through to the Tongxuan Realm at any second. How can it be this ridiculous?!’

’The Celestial Dao is so unfair!’

’I fought tooth and nail, cultivating painstakingly to gain my current strength, yet this damn dragon just sleeps all day and its Cultivation skyrockets.’

Sighing, Gu Yun said no more. He stepped into the void, his figure flickering before vanishing completely.

...

「Southern Wilderness Domain」

「Great Yuan Dynasty」

「Anchuan County」

A vast, untamed landscape of mountains stretched as far as the eye could see, snaking across the earth like a chain of great dragons and lending the endless range an air of ancient majesty.

RUMBLE! RUMBLE!

Looking down from above, one could see heavy wheels rumbling along a path winding through the vast, wild mountain range. The ground trembled slightly, and the wheels kicked up clouds of dust as they rolled.

Around the carriage, a procession of over a hundred people marched forward with imposing momentum. They were armed with a variety of weapons—blades, spears, swords, and more—and each person exuded an air of fierce dignity. Their sharp, vigilant gazes swept in all directions, heavily guarding the caravan at the center of their formation.

The middle-aged man in the lead wore a tight-fitting black shirt, his build powerful and his eyes as sharp as a hawk’s. He radiated a formidable might and was flanked by two burly, muscular men who emanated a palpable Evil Qi.

This procession consisted of members of the renowned Wang Family from Anchuan County, and they were currently escorting a priceless treasure back to their family estate.

If it were an ordinary item, it could have been easily transported back inside a Storage Ring. However, the treasure’s unique nature prevented it from being stored that way, so the Wang Family members were forced to transport it manually.

Traveling these mountain roads, one often encountered desperate outlaws and bandits who would kill for treasure.

But the Wang Family was powerful and their reputation widespread, so most people didn’t dare to make a move against them.

As a result, their journey had been safe and uneventful.

"Brother Xiao, once we reach Guangping City, I’ll take you to appreciate the ’live art’ at the Cyan Jade Tower," said a young man in a carriage at the center of the caravan. He was dressed in magnificent brocade robes, tall and thin, his handsome face holding a hint of roguish charm. It was clear his vital energy was deficient.

This was Wang Zifan, the direct heir of the Wang Family.

The person next to him, handsome and with a slight smile playing on his lips, was none other than Gu Yun. He wore a white Profound Robe with an Ancient Jade pendant at his waist.

He was currently traveling through Anchuan County under the alias Xiao Chen.

"Brother Wang, it sounds like you’re quite the expert on the Cyan Jade Tower," Gu Yun said, his lips curling into a smirk.

"Heh, that’s a given."

"Brother Xiao, between young maidens and married women, do you know which I prefer?" Wang Zifan asked with a mysterious grin.

"Which one?" Gu Yun asked casually.

"The married ones, of course."

"After all, an eighteen-year-old girl is a delicate flower, but a thirty-year-old woman is absolutely superb," Wang Zifan said with a laugh.

"It seems your title as the ’Love Saint’ of Anchuan County is well-earned, Brother Wang," Gu Yun complimented.

"But of course. Brother Xiao, do you know why I’m so fond of thirty-year-old women?" A roguish glint flashed in Wang Zifan’s eyes as he spoke with a mysterious smile.

"Why is that?" Gu Yun asked casually.

"A thirty-year-old woman is sophisticated and knows her way around. She can be a virtuous lady or a tempting seductress. She’s full of charm, understands romance, and is completely intoxicating."

Wang Zifan chuckled.

Gu Yun was left speechless.

’Only a true ’veteran of the battlefield’ could come up with something so profound.’

...

Meanwhile, the escorting guards could only look on speechlessly. Ever since their young master had met this young man, he hadn’t stopped chattering for the entire journey.

This young man was clearly no ordinary person; even their Third Uncle, the leader of this escort mission, treated him with respect.

Therefore, none of the guards dared to say a word.

The middle-aged man at the head of the column—the one with the powerful build, hawk-like eyes, and tight black shirt—was none other than Wang Zifan’s third uncle, Wang Zhen’an.

Wang Zhen’an had broken through to the True Martial Realm many years ago and was now at the True Martial Third Layer. As one of the Wang Family’s top experts, he was famous throughout Anchuan County. The Wang Family was at ease with him leading the escort, which was why few petty criminals had dared to attack them on their journey.

Wang Zhen’an’s gaze swept forward, as sharp as a hawk’s. His piercing eyes seemed capable of penetrating space itself and seeing through all deception.

Ten li ahead, the path led into a deep and gloomy canyon. The cliffs on either side were as sharp as blades, with only sparse vegetation.

From time to time, a sinister wind carrying Evil Qi howled through the canyon. The bizarre and unpredictable terrain prevented Wang Zhen’an’s Spiritual Sense from getting a complete picture.

’A place like this...’

Wang Zhen’an’s eyes narrowed.

Although their journey had been free of ambushes so far, Wang Zhen’an hadn’t dared to relax for a single moment. An enemy was most likely to strike when you let your guard down, and the Wang Family was not without enemies in Anchuan County.

’If a powerful enemy were to set up an ambush, this terrain would be the perfect location.’

Wang Zhen’an slowly raised his hand, signaling the procession to a halt.

The hundred-strong team obeyed instantly, freezing in place with vigilant eyes. Then, with swift steps, they seamlessly shifted into a tight, defensive formation.

Then, on Wang Zhen’an’s command, a dozen agile figures in black leaped toward the cliffs on either side of the canyon, their purpose to scout for danger.

Two hours later, the scouts returned one by one to report their findings.

Seeing that everything was clear, Wang Zhen’an gave a slight nod. He lowered his hand and ordered, "Form ranks! We cross this canyon at once."

The procession promptly entered the canyon, their formation tight and their vigilance unwavering.

Soon, the entire party was deep within the gloomy canyon. A sinister chill wind blew around them, and the occasional howl of a wild beast echoed in the darkness. An unspoken sense of dread and terror crept over the men, but the sight of the steady, mountain-like figure at the lead gave them an inexplicable feeling of security.

"A little interesting."

Gu Yun, lying in the carriage at the heart of the heavily guarded procession, narrowed his eyes.

’In this dark and gloomy canyon, there are several hidden auras. They might be able to fool the others, but how could they possibly hide from my Spiritual Sense, which is vast enough to span hundreds of li?’

’He had flown for a long time without seeing a soul. Having just arrived in the Southern Wilderness Domain, he’d been lucky to run into the Wang Family on the road. After a quick chat, he decided to accompany them to their home in Guangping City, within Anchuan County.’

Beside him, Wang Zifan lay in the carriage with his feet up and his hands clasped behind his head. A faint smile touched his lips. "Ah, Cyan Jade Tower... I’d rather spend my nights and my money with a beautiful woman than be left all alone in the dark."