In the private parlor! “Congratulations!” Yan Luo and I both felt a touch of awkwardness. To think, Yan Luo now held considerable authority. The Divine Moon Palace had at least ten thousand disciples, and I was still just a commoner—the gap in status was stark.

“Don’t be so formal. I truly hope nothing comes between us to create a distance,” Yan Luo said.

Perhaps I was overthinking things. Yan Luo was still the same Yan Luo; nothing fundamental seemed to have changed.

“What are your plans next?” Yan Luo inquired.

“I think I’ll head to Cangyue to gain some experience first. I need to raise my Dou Qi to the peak of the Scarlet Moon realm; I can’t disappoint Master’s expectations of me.”

“That makes sense.” Yan Luo smiled faintly. “Work hard at it.” She then sighed, “I honestly didn’t expect the Palace Master to appoint me to take over Master’s position. I worry constantly that my lack of ability might actually ruin things.”

“Heh, rest assured,” I chuckled softly. “In truth, the most vital thing for someone in a high position is knowing how to delegate—placing the right talent in the right spot. That’s all it takes.”

“Delegating.” Yan Luo’s eyes lit up, as if a revelation had struck her. As expected of Yan Luo, she grasped the point instantly. In reality, I didn’t know much about management, but in modern movies and novels, such examples were endless. A truly successful boss is never one who has to handle every single detail personally; such a boss is just waiting to be exhausted to death. A successful leader should be free to drive around aimlessly or go fishing, only making necessary appearances on rare occasions. While recalling modern blueprints on how to be a successful boss, I continued, “A successful superior doesn't necessarily have to do everything personally. If they did, they might as well prepare to be worked to death.”

“Heh, I think I understand what you mean,” Yan Luo replied. “Perhaps I am inherently unsuited to be a leader. However, I’m sure there are people who genuinely desire this position. Given that, I might as well grant their wish, let them manage the entire Palace, and I will only need to manage that one person.”

“Ugh, aren’t you afraid he’ll rebel?” I broke into a cold sweat.

“He can’t rebel,” Yan Luo stated confidently. “Heh. Now, managing just one person should be much easier, right?”

“I honestly don’t know what to say to you,” I murmured, utterly speechless.

“Don’t worry. Within two years, I will upgrade the Divine Moon Palace to a Tiger-grade major guild. When you return, we can plan the next steps then.”

“En.” I could only nod slightly.

Yan Luo’s assumption of the role of Palace Master was indeed somewhat unexpected, but my own set plans remained unchanged. Although I was eager to wait for the alliance meeting of the Three Great Estates and the Moon Sect next month, the thought that I had already wasted too much time urged me to reach Cangyue sooner to begin my training. Otherwise, achieving the peak of the Scarlet Moon Dou Qi cultivation required by my Master within two years would be nearly impossible.

Qian Yue, who was wholly dedicated to becoming a great Mage, naturally chose to stay by Yan Luo’s side, as Yan Luo was an exceptionally powerful Mage. Following her meant learning much more. This also allowed Yan Luo and me to breathe a collective sigh of relief. If that girl had pestered me to come along to Cangyue, I truly wouldn't have known how to handle it. Now, having this burden removed made me much more relaxed.

Of course, before setting off, I took care of all the necessary preparations. I had no choice; I was now a wanted criminal known to everyone, and the opposing side likely knew of our proficiency in disguise, meaning they would undoubtedly employ countermeasures for identification. Thus, I had to focus intensely on altering my outward appearance—my disguise had to render my face unrecognizable.

Now, I was dressed in commoner’s attire: brown cloth robes, my skin appearing somewhat dark and rough. My hair and eyes had turned a dull yellow, the very image of a farm boy. I figured that as long as I was associated with the Wandering Heroes, no one would recognize me. Once I reached the Cangyue Empire, I should be safe. Then, I could switch back to my Wandering Hero attire without issue.

However, before heading to Cangyue, I stopped by the White Day Gate, wrote a letter, and mailed it back home to let them know I was safe. Only then did I proceed to the Guard Bureau of the White Day Gate. Although surprised by my unassuming appearance as a common youth, the moment I produced the token signifying my royal status, the attendant at the Guard Bureau received me with great courtesy—perhaps mistaking me for a royal official dispatched on a secret mission.

The transfer station for flying from the Biqi Continent to Cangyue via Thunder Hawk was in Mengzhong Earth City, as only the gigantic Galliard Thunder Hawks there possessed the long-range aerial flight capability required to cross oceans and continents.

Knowing I had to transfer in Earth City to reach Cangyue made me anxious. Earth City was the territory of Sabac and the Four Great Factions. If I ran into them by chance, I wouldn’t have a place to run. But I could think of no other way; I had to bite the bullet and board the Thunder Hawk bound for Earth City.

Three days later, the Thunder Hawk landed at the Guard Bureau in Earth City. The Galliard Thunder Hawk scheduled to fly to the Cangyue continent was still en route from Cangyue, meaning it wouldn't arrive for at least three more days. So, I was stuck in Earth City for the time being.

Resignedly, I settled into an inn in Earth City. Perhaps because my appearance had changed so drastically, the proprietress, Qing Niang, didn't recognize me, which brought me a measure of peace. Coincidentally, the room Qing Niang assigned me was the same private parlor I had shared with Long Zhan before.

Thinking about leaving the Biqi Empire soon for the Cangyue Empire, likely unable to return to Biqi for a long time, left a hollow feeling in my chest. Moreover, I genuinely wondered how Long Xin and the others were doing. I remembered never seeing them again after returning to Ginkgo Village last time. Perhaps I should meet them before leaving; after all, they were among the few companions I had made since arriving in this world.

Mengzhong Academy truly lived up to its name as the most luxurious noble academy in the Biqi Empire. It was hard to imagine such a place existed in the heart of the desert. The vast estate-style architecture was filled with flowers and greenery, along with massive trees, making it feel like a vibrant forest. By now, I had reverted to my original black hair and black eyes, and I had changed into the attire of a noble young master. Coupled with the royal token, the guards at the gate didn't dare question me and simply let me through.

After navigating several turns, I finally located Long Xin and the others in the student residential area in the south of the academy. Upon seeing me, Long Xin and the others clearly displayed expressions of stunned disbelief.

“Xing Chen,” Yan Luo gazed at me standing by the door, her voice filled with disbelief.

“It really is Xing Chen,” Jin Hong was equally dumbfounded.

“Who else did you think it would be?” I stepped into the room with a slight smile.

“You brat, it’s really you! You vanished for over half a year and didn't even visit us,” Long Zhan reacted immediately, sweeping me into a tight embrace. “That’s hardly honorable!”

“It’s about time you visited us,” Long Qi exclaimed with equal excitement. “You have no idea how worried we were about you. We sent you letters, but never got a reply.”

“Wow, kid, you’re famous now! Heh heh, Blue Lightning, huh? So cool!” Dong Guan was his usual self.

“Even in school, people talk about you every day,” Jin Hong said excitedly. “Heavens, I knew you weren't ordinary, but you’re just too shocking! That bold move—daring to kill the Young City Lord of Sabac!”

“Exactly,” Long Qi chimed in excitedly. “And daring to snatch the ZUMA Idol from the ZUMA Cult Leader! Gods, if I hadn’t known you were the one who killed the Scarlet Flood Dragon, I never would have imagined you were Blue Lightning.”

“Hahahaha! Our Roaming Dragon Gang has produced a major figure!” Long Zhan cheered.

“Heh, I was forced into it, you know,” I managed with an awkward laugh.

“I don’t care what you say. What is your relationship with that woman, Yan Luo?” The entire room immediately fell silent, everyone staring at me and the frost-faced Long Xin with strange expressions.

“Hey, Boss, no way! That’s a private matter!” I felt something was off; Long Xin’s reaction seemed overly intense.

“Private matter? Everything about you is my business!” Long Xin was furious. “You’re completely lawless! Don't forget, you are the esteemed Vice-Leader of the Roaming Dragon Gang. Every action you take has a profound impact on everyone in the gang.”

“...........” I was completely baffled.

“Kid, you’re dead. The Boss is jealous,” Dong Guan whispered.

“Jealous?” I broke into a cold sweat. Could the fiery-tempered Long Xin actually be jealous?

“You didn't know?” Jin Hong mumbled quietly. “The Boss has been restless and couldn't eat properly ever since she heard the rumors about you and Yan Luo.”

“Roar! You few brats, are you tired of living?” Long Xin glared, and everyone felt an icy wave of killing intent wash over them.

Goodness, such potent killing intent.

“So now you’re incredibly famous, and your wings have grown hard. You don't even take me, your Boss, seriously anymore!” Long Xin said, even managing to adopt a look of grievance and hurt.

Ugh! What in the world is this?

Long Qi and the others all wore odd expressions.

“Um, Boss is Boss!” I said guiltily. “Once a leader, always a leader.”

“Pfft.” Long Qi and the others burst out laughing immediately, unable to contain themselves.

“Heh heh, you said that yourself,” Long Xin’s face finally brightened into a happy smile. “I told you! Even if this kid acts like a scoundrel sometimes, he still has a conscience! Now, do you all believe me?”

“The Gang Leader is wise and mighty; we are entirely convinced,” the group chorused, the scene reminding me of the fanatically devout followers of the Sun Moon Holy Cult in The Smiling, Proud Wanderer.

Ugh! What even is this situation?

After some teasing, Long Xin and the others finally calmed down. It was clear they had been genuinely worried about me.

“Kid, causing such an uproar outside and still having the nerve to wander around—are you tired of living?” Long Xin asked with concern.

“Don’t worry, no one recognizes this appearance of mine,” I assured her.

“Then why did you come to find us?” Long Xin pressed.

“Nothing much. I’m leaving the Biqi Empire soon, so I wanted to see you all before I went.”

“Leaving the Biqi Empire?” Long Qi asked, glancing at Long Xin as he spoke, as if harboring some unspoken thought that I couldn't decipher. “Is it because you can’t stay in the Biqi Empire anymore?”

“Something like that,” I sighed. “I’m on the Dragon List wanted now. Probably everyone in the world has their eyes on me, waiting to grab me.”

“You... I really don’t know what to say about you,” Jin Hong commented. “Sabac and the Four Great Factions aren't easy people to cross. Did you forget how I introduced them to you back then?”

“I had no choice in the matter.” I proceeded to recount everything that had happened after I returned home.

They listened, utterly stunned. Especially when I described how several thousand troops broke through the defenses of the ZUMA Temple to finally storm the Cult Leader’s residence—Long Zhan and the others, being passionate and impulsive types, wished they could have been there to witness it firsthand. But what interested them most, naturally, was how I managed to snatch the ZUMA Idol.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t elaborate much on that part; since the whole action took less than two seconds, it was too brief for me to properly describe. Even so, these guys listened, completely captivated.

Finally, Long Xin offered a classic summary:

“The Lightning is naturally swift and fleeting. If it lingers too long, how can it still be called the Blue Lightning!”

Her casual words struck a chord deeply within me. It seemed speed was an innate advantage I must strive to exploit fully from now on.

“So, you’re heading to the Bone Membrane Cave in the Cangyue Empire to continue training in two days?” Long Qi asked, glancing at Long Xin.

Long Xin adopted a thoughtful expression, her right index finger tapping the desk rhythmically—she was clearly mulling over some critical decision.

Long Zhan and Dong Guan also looked expectantly at Long Xin.

“That, Xing Chen,” Long Xin finally said, “I’ve decided. Until the semester assessment, we will also go to Cangyue to train.”

“What! You’re all coming to Cangyue?” I was greatly shocked.

Indeed, Long Zhan and Dong Guan echoed my surprise simultaneously.

“What, you don’t want us to?” Long Xin glared at me darkly, making me break into an involuntary cold sweat.

“How could that be?” I quickly placated her with a smile. “Like I said, once a leader, always a leader. You make the call, Heh heh, you decide everything.”

“You know what’s good for you,” Long Xin laughed.

“Then let’s go out and buy supplies immediately!” Long Qi exclaimed excitedly.

Thus, what was supposed to be a farewell turned into the entire gang setting off for a trip to Cangyue. I later learned that most studies at Mengzhong Academy were self-directed. After teaching the necessary theory, the academy focused more on cultivating students’ practical abilities, and a large number of students traveled out for fieldwork annually—much like my Master’s requirement for me—to return by a set deadline for assessment before proceeding to the next stage of instruction. Coincidentally, Long Xin and her friends also had to undergo their advanced peak professional qualification assessment in two years. This meant they needed to surpass their current cultivation to reach the advanced peak professional level within two years to continue their studies. Compared to my requirement of reaching the peak Scarlet Moon cultivation within the same timeframe, theirs seemed less demanding. However, in Long Xin’s words, a monster like me was a rarity in the entire Mafa World, seen perhaps once in a millennium. Although the comparison delivered a blow, it wasn't entirely unacceptable; relative to ordinary people, Long Xin’s group’s cultivation levels were already outstanding. I had to admire their somewhat Ah Q-like spirit. ........................................

Two days later, we finally boarded the massive Galliard Thunder Hawk bound for Cangyue. If the previous one was a small private jet, this one was definitely a giant aerial transport plane of the Mafa World—equivalent to a modern Boeing 747. This was the terror of the mutated Thunder Hawks; they were a full double the size of ordinary Thunder Hawks, with wings spanning a hundred meters when unfurled, capable of carrying ten people easily. Perhaps only with such astonishing size and powerful flight could they cross tens of thousands of miles of ocean.

Long Xin and the others, riding a Thunder Hawk for the first time, were ecstatic, chattering nonstop throughout the long aerial journey.

After half a month airborne, we finally set foot on the territory of the Cangyue Empire. The royal token from the Biqi Empire only facilitated international air transport; upon reaching Cangyue, my token was only useful for return flights stationed in the Biqi Embassy in Cangyue; it had no other function. Thus, the conveniences brought by the royal token vanished here. From now on, we had to rely on ourselves.

We landed in Wendai City, a small city in the eastern part of the Cangyue Empire. The Bone Membrane Cave was located on the far western side, near the capital, Cangyue City. We had to pass through many towns along the way. Therefore, upon landing, we weren't in a hurry to rush; we focused on making thorough preparations first.

We settled into an inn called Yunlai and immediately went to register at the nearest Wandering Heroes Guild.

Wendai was not a bustling city; its inhabitants were mostly local residents. There weren't many prime locations nearby suitable for cultivation or treasure hunting, so there weren't many Wandering Heroes. The guild had only two staff members, and the recruitment board could be described as deserted. If it weren't for the large symbol of crossed swords marking the guild, I might have thought we were in the wrong place.

Seeing our group dressed as Wandering Heroes, the two previously dozing staff members instantly snapped to attention.

“Are there any missions heading our way toward Cangyue City?” Long Qi asked.

“Heh, you’re in luck.” The staff member pointed toward the bulletin board on the west wall. “I recall there were a few suitable missions for you.”

Mission ID: 99077452 Mission Type: Escort Summary: Escort two employers safely to Cangyue City. Deadline: Fifteen Days Reward: 20,000 Gold Coins Deposit: None Guild Requirement: Level Five Wandering Hero Guild.

There were others, but their rewards were too low, the guild requirements too high, or the required number of people was insufficient—so they weren't worth considering. Long Xin scanned the list once and immediately picked this one.

Strange, another escort mission for two people to a specific location. A peculiar feeling surfaced in my mind. It was quite a coincidence; the very first mission I took in Fengcheng was also an escort, and I remembered it involved a brother and sister. Now, the first mission in Cangyue was another escort assignment.

“This is the one,” Long Xin declared. Twenty thousand gold coins was a decent reward.

“But the employer requires a Level Five Guild, and your guild is only Level One. You don’t meet their requirements!” the staff member said, looking troubled.

“A Level Five Guild, you say?” Long Xin smiled oddly. “Then tell me, what are the criteria for rating a Level Five Guild?”

“The guild must have at least five members, and one of them must have reached the Scarlet Moon level cultivation in their primary profession.” The staff member finished, instinctively glancing at us, his expression carrying a hint of challenge, as none of us looked like we possessed Scarlet Moon level cultivation.

“Is that so?” Long Xin murmured. “It seems our guild needs an upgrade, otherwise business will be difficult.”

“En, I’ve been thinking about this problem for a while,” Long Qi agreed. “But before, we couldn’t do anything. Now, however…”

“Hey! Kid, it’s up to you,” Dong Guan said, nudging me. “Hurry up and show them something! Our reputation rests on you holding the line!”

“You guys,” I sighed, “you really love the drama.” I stepped slowly toward the training dummy in the testing area.

“Scarlet Moon cultivation in your primary profession, correct?” I drew the Dragon Shadow Sword.

“Yes. If you can unleash the Blazing Sword Qi, your guild can be upgraded to Level Five,” the staff member stated confidently, though his gaze was clearly filled with doubt and disbelief, as I looked so unremarkable and seemingly underage.

“Blazing Sword Qi.” I gathered a slight exertion of strength. “Watch closely.” With a wave, a flash of golden-yellow sword energy shot out, cleaving the testing dummy straight in half.

“Ah!” Both staff members’ eyes widened, almost unable to process what they had seen.

“Gods, this guy is a Scarlet Moon Warrior!”

“He doesn't look even close to adulthood.”

“A monster!”

“What are you whispering about?” Long Xin seemed quite satisfied with the shocking effect, speaking with pride. “Can we change our guild level now?”

"Of course," the staff member quickly replied, "we'll make those changes right away." Then the staff member added, "We will send someone to notify the employer; you can depart tomorrow."

Back at the inn, the rest of us turned in quite early, but Long Qi pored over the map and the Cangyue Gazetteer. In truth, Long Qi was the oldest among us, and without realizing it, he had become the pillar everyone leaned on. Although Long Xin made all the final decisions in the group, she often deferred only to Long Qi's counsel. To ensure we were all well looked after, Long Qi naturally needed to make thorough preparations. Understanding the customs and local flavor of Cangyue was, of course, essential. Furthermore, grasping Cangyue’s geography, history, and everything else were necessities for him. To put it plainly, Long Qi was more like the team’s caregiver, the den mother—a thankless, exhausting job.

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