Chapter Ninety-Six: Blackstone Road

After Liu Neng had walked with him for a stretch, Luo Tian finally saw a Windstrider Bird.

It stood more than two meters tall, its feathers and plumage a uniform blue-green. Seen as a whole, it looked somewhat like a vulture, and its eyes were alert and wary as they fixed on Luo Tian approaching.

Although this third-tier beast was on the same level as a Windwing Sky Eagle, it was inferior in both attack power and speed. That did nothing to diminish the high price such a beast could command once tamed by humans.

For a Core Realm expert, killing a third-tier beast was not difficult at all, but to domesticate one was anything but simple.

So he had prepared this long ago.

Luo Tian glanced at Liu Neng with suspicion, inwardly puzzled. The way things looked, it seemed as though he had been waiting for him all along.

“Get on!”

With a tap of his foot, Liu Neng floated lightly onto the Windstrider Bird’s back.

Luo Tian said nothing. He sprang up as well and landed steadily behind Liu Neng.

This body-refining secret art really had an exceptionally solid foundation!

After seeing Luo Tian’s movement, Liu Neng nodded to himself. This level was already no worse than the most elite Qi-Condensation disciples of the four great clans. Then, without any visible motion from him, the Windstrider Bird beat its wings and shot into the sky like an arrow.

The bird did not fly very high, and through the shrill howl of the wind battering his ears, Luo Tian could still see the scenery below flashing past at a fair clip.

“Luo Tian, for this trip you’ll need to remain in Ten Thousand Winds City for more than half a month, won’t you?”

With his back to Luo Tian, Liu Neng said indifferently.

The Windstrider Bird’s back was not very spacious, so Luo Tian and Liu Neng could only stand one in front of the other.

“Elder Liu, what exactly is going on?”

Luo Tian frowned. To be made to waste half a month so quietly and without explanation—though he was indeed interested in seeing Ten Thousand Winds City for himself, no one would be pleased to be arranged like a puppet, with every word and move dictated by another.

“Ten Thousand Winds City is the largest city within a thousand miles. Within it are countless powerful clan powers. The five great sects under Ten Thousand Winds City each have their own branches there, handling sect affairs or conducting business. Our Divine Sun Sect is no exception.”

Liu Neng still did not turn around as he spoke in a calm voice. “On Blackstone Street in Ten Thousand Winds City, we have a shop. Its main business is buying and selling pills and treasures. However, a few days ago, one of the inner-sect disciples in charge of the shop was injured in a fight with others and can no longer stay there.”

“And Elder Liu’s plan is?”

Luo Tian thought of one possibility, but quickly dismissed it. That would be ridiculous.

“For now, you will manage the shop there.”

At last, there was a hint of fluctuation in Liu Neng’s tone.

Luo Tian hesitated for a moment. “Elder Liu, I’m afraid that would be improper. It used to be managed by an inner-sect disciple. If I go, I certainly won’t be able to handle the work properly right away.”

“There won’t be any problem. It’s not as though I’m asking you to handle the buying and selling. You only need to take care of the daily affairs, such as delivering special items to the Ten Thousand Winds Auction House, or dealing with other miscellaneous matters. If anyone provokes you, you need not bother with them.”

Clearly, Liu Neng had already made up his mind.

“But Elder Liu, I’ve never dealt with such matters before...”

Luo Tian still wanted to struggle a little. Even now that they were already on the road, he remained unwilling to give up and spoke on in stubborn resistance.

Liu Neng cut him off directly. “For us cultivators, refining spirit is cultivation, and refining the heart is even more so. Tempering oneself in the mortal world is also a kind of sharpening and growth. You took first place in this year’s Purple Sun Mountain martial competition; you are worthy of this responsibility. I deliberately waited several days for you this time, and I also hope you will gain more experience.”

At this rate, no matter what reason Luo Tian gave today, Liu Neng would find a way to refute it.

Luo Tian felt as though he had been violated. He had strength but nowhere to use it. Besides, against a Core Realm cultivator, even a lowly Spirit Pill cultivator was a mountain that Qi-Condensation cultivators could never hope to cross.

Still, a trace of doubt rose in Luo Tian’s heart. No matter how sufficient Liu Neng’s reasons sounded, they were too strange. Why must it be him?

“You won’t have to stay in Ten Thousand Winds City for long. When the time comes, suitable hands will be selected from among the inner-sect disciples, and they will immediately take over for you!”

Seeing that Luo Tian still looked somewhat unwilling, and feeling thoroughly irritated himself, Liu Neng could only say this.

A dignified elder, assigning a task to an outer-sect disciple, and having to coax and persuade him as well—what sort of business was that?

Truth be told, when Liu Changtian had first told Liu Neng to find some pretext to send Luo Tian to Ten Thousand Winds City, Liu Neng had refused. Whatever the case, for an elder to do such a thing always seemed a little beneath him. Besides, a flimsy excuse would only make people suspicious.

Fortunately, after much cajoling, Luo Tian had finally agreed.

It was all that Seventh Prince’s fault. In a fit of wild imagination, he had actually tossed Luo Tian into the Divine Sun Sect. A freak who could not be bullied, could not be crushed, and yet cultivated at a terrifying speed—how much trouble had he brought to the four great clans, to the sects?

Once this matter was settled, the sect master would probably have to find some way to make Luo Tian leave the sect for good. Otherwise, with such a time bomb in their midst, no one could remain at ease.

As thoughts raced through his mind, a vast city suddenly appeared in Liu Neng’s sight.

They were almost there.

Luo Tian fixed his gaze ahead without blinking.

The tall gray city walls gleamed with a dim, heavy luster, as though able to withstand any assault. Inside the city, buildings rose in orderly layers, and countless roads crisscrossed the ground in a neat grid, dividing the city into innumerable squares. Though the scene was dazzling, it was in no way unpleasant to look at.

“Once we’re in the city, if you have nothing to do, it’s fine to go out and look around to broaden your horizons. If you have something to do and need to leave the city, that’s fine too, but remember not to go too far, or it’ll be troublesome to find you later.”

Seeing that they had reached their destination, Liu Neng’s mood improved somewhat. “Ordinarily, entering the city requires a fee, though cultivators above the Core Realm are exempt.”

When he said this, his tone was already filled with unconcealed pride.

Luo Tian could not help but roll his eyes inwardly. A mere Spirit Pill realm and he was already this pleased with himself? He was destined to become an expert of the True Spirit Pill Realm, and even he was not this fond of putting on airs.

The Windstrider Bird gradually descended until it touched down on the ground.

“Flying is not permitted above the city. Even Core Realm experts have to walk the rest of the way.”

After giving a brief explanation, Liu Neng, clearly very familiar with the route, led Luo Tian toward the imposing city. Naturally, he did not take the same road as the people lined up to pay the entry fee.

Core Realm cultivators had a separate entrance.

No matter where or when, privilege was everywhere.

Seeing the respect and reverence the guards at the city gate showed toward Liu Neng, Luo Tian could not help but sigh inwardly.

As soon as they entered the city, before Luo Tian could even take in the various buildings of different styles, Liu Neng pulled him onto a tall carriage drawn by a horse of unusual stature.

“Blackstone Street!”