He remained in the mountains for nearly ten days. Only when the heavy snow started to melt did Wu Yuan shoulder his bag and leave the mountain.
Of course, the bag was just for show. All important items were stored in the storage artifact, except the saber which was wrapped in cloth and carried on his back.
To avoid trouble, I should try not to use the storage artifact in public. The wrist guard should also be concealed as far as possible.
Such a treasure was likely to be documented in Great Jin's records and easily identified.
Wu Yuan entered a county city within the Yuanhu Province and casually settled in a tavern. Soon, he overheard two pieces of news.
Yuanhu Villa has completely abandoned the search for Shadow Blade, asserting that the deaths of Chen Tangru and the others were self-inflicted? Wu Yuan slowly relished the taverns specialty dish: Spicy Flower Fish.
A couple of years ago, they were still pursuing this case relentlessly.
He had been keeping an eye on Yuanhu Villa. After forming a vendetta, how could he forget about them?
Soon, Wu Yuan comprehended Yuanhu Villa's decision. The strength he displayed during his battle with Chen Luo must have been so immense that even Old Yuanhu lacked confidence.
He was a Grandmaster who had crossed the age of 90. Once he was over 100, with a weakening body, why would the few Savant experts of Yuanhu Villa shield him from Wu Yuans wrath? It would be wiser to surrender first.
If Old Yuanhu truly wishes to yield, I can't be bothered to deal with him. Wu Yuan enjoyed his meal and drink at a leisurely pace.
There was no need for total annihilation since he had suffered no losses.
Of course, if Old Yuanhu's health deteriorated, and the time came for the Cloudstride Sect to take over Yuanhu Province, it would be another story.
Old Yuanhu is a minor issue. Emperor Jin is the real madman, actually placing such a huge bounty on my head! Wu Yuan sighed inwardly.
The tavern was buzzing with discussion about the bounty issued by the Jin Royal Family. 100 million silver taels! This amount was nothing short of astronomical.
How much have I earned through all my incessant efforts, laborious killings, and battles with Grandmasters?
The total amount probably doesn't even exceed ten million silver taels. Not even a tenth as valuable as my head. Wu Yuan chuckled inwardly.
It was clear that the Jin royal family was desperate. However, Wu Yuan remained unfazed. So what if his identity was exposed? Even the most deranged individual would never believe that sixteen-year-old Wu Yuan possessed the might of a Grandmaster. This defied all logic.
They can take their time to search. Even if they find me, so what? Wu Yuan's heart was calm.
For those below the level of Grandmaster, it doesnt matter how many come, I'll kill them all.
As for Grandmasters, although a set of immortal arts is tempting, how many Grandmasters exist in the world? Just over 200. Excluding those who are enemies of Great Jin, how many would be willing to risk their lives to capture me?
Those who would truly come to hunt him down were the Grandmasters that served Great Jin, perhaps three to five of them at most.
The world was vast and boundless. Once Wu Yuan employed Transfiguration, who could find him if he chose not to reveal himself?
And in a few years, even if I'm exposed, what can they do? By then, my physical constitution will have reached new heights, I will have grown even stronger, and my mother and sister will have the protection of the sect.
Unless of course, Emperor Jin loses his mind, ordering Grandmasters to commit large-scale massacres!
However, that would be taboo. Under normal circumstances, Grandmasters wouldnt slaughter ordinary martial artists or commoners en masse.
Why? Once it started, it set a dangerous precedent. You may massacre others, but can you stop other Grandmasters from doing the same to your loved ones? You can't guard them forever. Even if you try to protect them, you may fail.
The most troublesome issue right now is the Pleiades Guild. Wu Yuan frowned slightly.
The reward for killing Wang Xiaohe was six million silver taels. How could Wu Yuan bring himself to give up such a fortune?
Wu Yuan had informed the Pleiades Guild that he wanted to redeem it for 50 drops of Ancient Immortal Dew. Give it up? That would mean the Pleiades Guild would stand to benefit from his efforts for free!
Unless the Pleiades Guild is truly determined to kill me and dispatches several Grandmasters, they will likely not risk falling out with me over 100 million silver taels.
100 million silver taels was a lot of money! For some Grandmasters who ventured out to establish their own sects, it was not a small amount.
But for the top major powers, this amount wasn't extraordinary. The Cloudstride Sect occupied three provinces, accumulating astronomical sums of wealth each year.
If the Pleiades Guild turned against Wu Yuan and failed to kill him, then they would be stuck with a Grandmaster nemesis. Even for such a powerful organization, this was big trouble. As long as the Heavenly Rankers didn't intervene, it was completely possible for Wu Yuan to uproot the Pleiades Guild's strongholds one by one.
No rush. Even if the Pleiades Guild sends their Grandmasters, they can't wait forever.
I told the sect I would wander the martial world for two months. It hasn't been twenty days yet. I can stall, stall until they lose patience, then I can claim my reward. Wu Yuan tore into his meat.
Time to go. First, I'll need to stock up on supplies, particularly food. Then, it's off to the mountains!
Wu Yuan pulled out a few pieces of broken silver. "Waiter, check please!"
After getting a general update on the situation in the world, Wu Yuan wasted no time purchasing copious amounts of food, flint, and clothing from the county city.
This was one of the advantages of possessing a storage artifact. With tenfold, even hundredfold capacity, it was infinitely more convenient than bags. He could carry it with him wherever he went without fear of misplacing it. Soon enough, all necessary preparations were completed.
Wu Yuan left the county city, braved the biting winds, and hit the road again. This time, his destination was the Southcloud Province, one of the four provinces under the Baijiang Kingdom, ruled by Chu Ping.
Traveling the world is an integral part of cultivation and enlightenment. Wu Yuan had no doubts about his cultivation plan.
He journeyed across different mountains and rivers, bearing witness to a myriad of diverse landscapes. While the world was in an uproar over Emperor Jin's bounty, Wu Yuan embarked on his first ascetic journey since arriving in the Middle Land.
In his past life, he had spent over a year walking thousands of li alone to advance his martial path. In this lifetime, he was just getting started on his martial path. Wu Yuan chose the less-traveled paths, paths that others dared not tread, yet he strode along them as if walking on level ground. Gradually, his heart found tranquility.
It would be inaccurate to claim that Emperor Jin's bounty had no impact on Wu Yuan. Wu Yuan was unconcerned for his own safety. However, his family, clan, and sect weighed heavily on his mind. After all, this was the Great Jin Empire, a power-hungry juggernaut hellbent on conquering the world.
And thus, Wu Yuan resolved to achieve inner peace. Inner peace was not a superficial concept. It was about achieving genuine serenity, and viewing oneself from an impartial perspective.
While traversing the wild forests, Wu Yuan chanced upon a pack of wolves hunting down a deer, their kill staining the forest floor crimson. He merely watched in silence, recognizing the process as a natural part of the circle of life.
Along a mountain stream, a famished tiger lunged at him from the snowy terrain. Wu Yuan effortlessly slapped the beast to the ground and offered it a few chunks of meat. The snowfall that year was unusually heavy, limiting the animals food sources. In response, the tiger submitted, becoming as docile as a kitten. Subsequently, whether it was Wu Yuan's strength or the lure of food that won it over, the tiger accompanied Wu Yuan for hundreds of li, consuming massive amounts of meat from his stock. In the end, Wu Yuan shooed it away.
It eats too much. Wu Yuan chuckled, watching the receding figure of the tiger. He never intended to keep a tiger as a pet.
He continued on his journey.
Over 28 days, Wu Yuan traversed thousands of li. From Yuanhu Province, he passed through the jurisdiction of the Baijiang Kingdom, and finally arrived at the boundary of Dalong Province.
The Jiang Continent was comprised of sixteen provinces. Since the collapse of the Chu-Jiang Empire, the easternmost Guangping and Dalong Provinces were plunged into constant chaos, infested with never-ending waves of land bandits and water thieves.
This anarchy persisted for over thirty years, eventually culminating in a fragmented landscape dominated by several powerful factions. Yet, the turmoil endured, and human life held no more value than weeds.
Lawless times! Wu Yuan's mind was unruffled as he bore witness to countless bandit raids and massacres during his journey through Dalong Province. He too faced multiple attacks from these lawless bandits. His response was singular kill every bandit that crossed his path.
Survival of the fittest is the natural order of this world. Unfortunately, I cannot save everyone, all I can do is live without regrets!
Wu Yuan felt a quietude settling upon his heart.
The concern for my family and sect stems from one thingmy lack of power. I fear that I am no match for the Great Jin Empire. If I possessed the power of the number one Land Ranker or Heavenly Ranker, would I still worry?Who would dare object if I killed the ninth prince, or even butchered Emperor Jin?
Standing atop a small hill, he felt a newfound sense of clarity banishing his doubts.
Once I cross this pass, Ill be in the Dong Continent.
Wu Yuan gazed far into the horizon at a majestic city gate. It was the Ironstone Pass, one of the ten significant boundaries in the world. This pass marked the boundary between the Jiang Continent and the Dong Continent.
This journey, from my initial encounter with Chen Luo, must have spanned a distance of 10,000 li.
Rivers and mountains stretch for thousands of li, creating a breathtaking panorama.
Across the vast land, trees were budding new leaves, and the harsh winter was turning into early spring.
Wu Yuan gently closed his eyes and drew his blade. A blade ray flashed into existence, surging to its maximum power as it severed the air, and was sheathed just as quickly. Even a Savant expert might find it hard to discern the beginning and the end of this single stroke.
This stroke was executed without a whisper of sound, creating no ripple in the air from start to finish, as if the saber had never been drawn.
At last, I can completely integrate myself into the surrounding environment. I have truly accomplished the second level of Environmental Mastery.
Wu Yuan opened his eyes gently. He took one last glance at the imposing crossing before turning around.
It's time to go back.
Less than half a month remained until his appointment with the Pleiades Guild.
Ten days later, night fell within Cloudhill City. The heavy snow had long since melted away.
In the Jiang Continent branch of the Pleiades Guild.
"Shadow Blade is here?" Branch Master Ma and the two custodians by his side exchanged surprised glances, finding it hard to believe.
So much time had passed that they'd thought Shadow Blade had given up on claiming the mission reward. After all, Great Jin's bounty was known to all, and it would make sense for Shadow Blade to lay low. However, the actions of Grandmasters could not be understood with common sense.
"Let's go quickly." Branch Master Ma said hastily, not daring to delay. After all, it was a Grandmaster expert! What were the repercussions of angering such a figure? He dared not imagine.
Within the courtyard.
"Branch Master Ma, you're saying that a Grandmaster from your Pleiades Guild wants to meet me?" Wu Yuan's voice was light, his eyes scanning the middle-aged man standing before him.
Master Ma felt a chill crawl down his spine. Shadow Blade felt even more fearsome than before, yet he couldn't pinpoint what exactly had changed.
"Senior Shadow Blade, everything this junior said is true." Branch Master Ma said in a low voice. "50 drops of Ancient Immortal Dew are extremely precious, which is why the Grandmaster himself is personally carrying them, waiting a short distance from Cloudhill City for your arrival."
"Secondly, Senior Shadow Blade, your fame reverberates throughout the world. The Grandmaster from our guild has been hoping to meet you. Our Pleiades Guild absolutely bears no ill will towards you." Branch Master Ma said sincerely with a bow.
Did the Grandmasters within the guild harbor hostility? How would a branch master like him know? But in front of Wu Yuan, he dared not utter a word about hostility. One wrong move and a mere slap from Wu Yuan could end his life.
"Fine, lead the way." Wu Yuan said, picking up Master Ma and leaping into the air with effortless grace.
Wu Yuan's skills were top-notch and he had just purified his mind after a journey of 10,000 li. He was not afraid of some Grandmaster expert of the Pleiades Guild.
As Wu Yuan and Branch Master Ma departed, an old, hunched man emerged from the shadows, relief evident on his face.
Thank goodness I didn't impulsively step out. I've managed to avoid disaster once again. A meeting between Grandmasters is not something we can afford to partake in.
100 li wasn't far for a Grandmaster. Wu Yuan and Branch Master Ma soon arrived in the municipality, and reached the courtyard that Branch Master Ma had pointed out. It was a desolate, uninhabited place.
"Senior Shadow Blade, our guild's Grandmaster said..." Branch Master Ma began.
"There's no need to explain," Wu Yuan softly said, "I already know where he is."
Whoosh! Wu Yuan leaped into the air, virtually flying. He stopped outside a building, several hundred meters away from the courtyard. Dozens of meters away, a tall figure shrouded in a black robe stood.
"I am here," Wu Yuan uttered.
"Pleiades Guild, Li Yan," the tall figure in black robes softly said, "Hearing tales about someone cannot be compared to meeting them in person. Shadow Blade, you're stronger than I imagined."