The next day, before dawn.

Lu Fan, with slightly swollen eyes, gently pushed open the courtyard door, taking one last look at the home he had lived in for several months, his expression desolate.

He paused at Erhu's doorstep and carefully slipped a letter and a Storage Pouch through the door crack.

“Erhu, I’m leaving. I hope… we can meet again someday.”

After muttering to himself, he went to Aunt Jiang’s house and similarly slipped in a letter and a Storage Pouch.

“Aunt Jiang, thank you for your care this past year.”

“Zhi Yu Meimei… I’m sorry.”

He knew Zhi Yu’s feelings for him, but he also knew his path wasn't here.

He had promised his sister to become the strongest Cultivator, to reach the Peak.

He couldn't stop, and he couldn't turn back.

“If we can ever meet again, if you also embark on the Cultivation path, then…”

Before he finished speaking, he had already turned and left.

There were some promises he couldn't make now; there were some gazes he didn't dare to face.

He chose to leave quietly before dawn, unwilling to see the disappointed eyes of Erhu and Zhi Yu, and even more unwilling to waver himself.

The storage ring left by his Master contained many resources; he divided them into three parts: one for himself, and two for Erhu and Zhi Yu.

He even specially requested two Cultivation Techniques from the Tower Spirit that were suitable for them to Cultivate.

This was perhaps the only sentiment he could leave behind.

Stepping out of the village entrance, he took one last look at Xinghua Village.

The morning mist was hazy, the village silent, as peaceful as when he first arrived.

“Erhu, Zhi Yu, Aunt Jiang… Goodbye.”

He no longer hesitated, turned and stepped onto the Dao, his gaze calm and resolute, walking step by step towards the unknown future.

…

A month later, Lingyuan City.

“Freshly steamed meat buns! One silver coin each!”

“Qi Gathering Pills, newly refined! Three Low-Grade Spirit Stones a bottle, come and see!”

“Treasures unearthed from a mysterious Immortal Cave, choose any for ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones! Opportunity waits for no one—!”

On the bustling, wide street, a travel-worn young man in black, leading a horse, curiously surveyed his surroundings.

It was Lu Fan, who after more than a month of travel, had finally arrived at Lingyuan City.

After leaving Xinghua Village, he bought this horse in the nearest small town.

If he relied on walking, it would take at least another month to arrive.

The journey was not peaceful: Vicious Beasts, bandits, and passersby with hidden daggers.

Several dangers were averted thanks to the Tower Spirit’s warnings, the talismans left by his Master, and the Reincarnation Power of the Nine Nether Reincarnation Tower.

He had originally planned to go straight to Lingyuan Sect, but on the way, he heard that two days later was Lingyuan Sect's biennial open recruitment day for disciples.

All those wishing to join the Sect had to first register in Lingyuan City.

Only after passing the initial assessment could they be led to the Sect for the final test.

He had delayed for a day, and tomorrow was the assessment day.

Lu Fan quickly found an inn and asked for the cheapest room.

After depositing his horse, he asked the waiter for directions to the registration place.

“Kid, didn’t your Master leave you a token? Why bother with all this?” the Tower Spirit grumbled in his Sea of Consciousness.

Lu Fan pretended not to hear.

His Master wanted him to pass the assessment by his own ability, and he didn't want to disappoint her.

He also wanted to see how far he could go now.

“The Reincarnation Power accumulated in the tower is far from enough,” the Tower Spirit reminded again, “After joining the Sect, you need to acquire more resources, the more the better, remember?”

“I know,” Lu Fan responded softly.

The resources left by his Master had already been divided into three parts: two given away, and one for his own use.

On the way, most of it had already been refined by the Reincarnation Tower, leaving only a few talismans and a few hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones for emergencies.

A moment later, he arrived in front of a magnificent five-story building in the city center.

“Lingyuan Auction House.”

A gilded plaque hung high, exuding an extraordinary Aura.

“Tsk tsk, there must be a lot of good stuff in this place,” the Tower Spirit’s voice rang out again, with a hint of instigation, “If only we could rob it…”

Lu Fan’s mouth twitched: “If you have the ability, you go yourself.”

He stepped onto the stone steps, about to enter, when a flurry of footsteps sounded behind him.

Turning his head, Lu Fan was slightly startled.

The person coming was a dark-skinned, bald young man, about his age, but a head taller than him.

He was sturdily built, with a large face embedded with two small, slit-like eyes, looking like a black stone come to life.

Seeing Lu Fan look at him, the young man grinned, revealing a mouthful of exceptionally prominent white teeth.

If it were night, people might mistake them for teeth come to life, floating out on their own.

Thinking of that scene, Lu Fan couldn't help but laugh.

The young man also laughed heartily, and familiarly leaned over, saying:

“My name is Zhong Yan, nickname Hei Wa, just call me Heizi! Brother, what’s your name? Are you here to register too?”

Lu Fan smiled and nodded: “Yes, my name is Lu Fan.”

“I knew there would be others registering today! We’re not late! Come on, Brother Lu Fan, let’s go together, at least we’ll have company!”

Saying that, Heizi grabbed Lu Fan’s arm and enthusiastically rushed inside, as if they were old friends of many years.

Lu Fan didn’t struggle, instead feeling a warmth in his heart, letting him pull him along as they stepped into the auction house’s main entrance together.

A maid came forward, and under her guidance, the two walked towards the room for assessment registration…