C20 Target the Purple Gold City!

As the sun ascended, Ling Yunfan, who had been deep in slumber, abruptly awoke and quickly got himself ready before heading outside.

"Who exactly are my real parents? Where are they now? Why did they leave me behind all those years ago, and is there a chance I might see them again?" Ling Yunfan pondered aloud as he stepped out of the Ling family's main residence, gazing at the bright sun in the sky.

A burning curiosity about his origins consumed him, a question that had always lingered in his heart. The feeling hadn't been so intense before, but since the day he merged with the dragon-headed silver phoenix, he sensed an odd connection, as if his very blood was being drawn to someone, somewhere.

"Could this birthmark hold some hidden significance?" he wondered, examining the small dragon-headed silver phoenix mark on his hand with a sense of intrigue.

He remained under the sun's rays for a full two hours before his thoughts finally cleared.

"Father," he called out, spotting Ling Tianba approaching him with deliberate steps.

"Ah, Yunfan, here's your reward. Take it," Ling Tianba said with a warm smile, setting down a large burlap sack in front of his son.

Without hesitation, Ling Yunfan untied the sack and to his astonishment, found it brimming with silver coins. Among the treasure was a tube-shaped, pure white inner armor that glowed softly, accompanied by an Essence Gathering Pill.

"This is the White Phosphorus Armor, a High Level Battle Artifact!" Ling Yunfan exclaimed, his face lighting up with surprise.

His father chuckled at his reaction. "Indeed, it's a cherished piece of armor from our family's collection. I acquired it at an auction years ago. It's not of much use to me now, so I thought it would serve well as a reward for you."

"Thank you, Father. I'll put it to good use," Ling Yunfan replied, his face awash with gratitude.

Once Ling Tianba had left, Ling Yunfan did a quick tally and discovered the sack held a staggering four hundred thousand silver coins—a fortune that filled him with excitement.

"There's no need to visit the armory now. This armor must have come from there, and Father likely chose it on my behalf. With the Water Cold Sword in my possession, I don't need to bother looking at other weapons. I'll upgrade when the opportunity arises," he mused, stowing away the sack's contents. With a sense of resolve, Ling Yunfan turned and made his way back to the family mansion.

He was set on making haste to the Dragon Hidden Sect's examination. Given the considerable distance, it made sense to set out early. Plus, the journey offered an opportunity to cultivate, strengthening his abilities and thereby easing his passage through the assessment.

Ling Yunfan, having made up his mind, naturally wished to bid farewell to his close acquaintances before departing.

...

"So, Fann, you're planning to leave for Purple Gold City right away and wait for the Dragon Hidden Sect's representatives to escort you?" Ling Tianba, within the mansion, asked with a hint of uncertainty after listening to Ling Yunfan's plans.

"Yes, two years can fly by. And without diligent cultivation, progress in martial arts is unattainable. So, to ensure our family's survival in two years' time, I must seize every moment," Ling Yunfan replied, his eyes alight with resolve.

Witnessing the steadfastness in Ling Yunfan's gaze, Ling Tianba gave a nod of approval. "Alright, just be careful on your journey."

"I'm off, then."

With his farewells exchanged, Ling Yunfan turned and left without a second thought. But as he stepped beyond the Ling family's threshold, he encountered Ling Hong, clad in a vibrant red gown, standing with a white horse before him.

"You're quite the eager one, not even stopping to say goodbye to your cousin before you dash off," Ling Hong chided, her tone tinged with reproach.

"Sorry, Ms. Ling Hong!" Ling Yunfan apologized, a touch of embarrassment in his voice.

Ling Hong's lips curled into a smile. "I'm just teasing you. You're in a rush, right? Best get going!" With a soft chuckle, she handed over the reins of the horse to him.

Taking the reins, Ling Yunfan swiftly mounted and, with a nod to Ling Hong, spurred the horse into a gallop and rode away.

Ling Hong watched his retreating figure before turning to leave herself.

...

Days on the road slipped by, and in a mere three days, night had fallen. Both Ling Yunfan and his horse, spent from their travels, lay on the ground, gasping for breath in the still darkness.

Realizing that his horse was too exhausted to continue, Ling Yunfan decided to halt their journey and rest for the night.

The crackling of the bonfire filled the air as he set it ablaze for warmth.

Gurgle... Gurgle...

Soon, a peculiar noise emerged from Ling Yunfan's belly, making his cheeks flush with embarrassment. It was the unmistakable sound of hunger, a protest from his stomach. Even the weary horse beside him wasn't making such a fuss. Alone in his discomfort, he was grateful for the lack of company, sparing him from potential ridicule.

"Ah, there's no helping a hungry stomach. I'll have to scout the area for something to eat. With any luck, I'll come across a Rank One Demonic Beast or two. Just as long as they're not at the Rank One Peak or higher, I should be fine," he said, patting his stomach before heading out into the grasslands.

In the comfort of the Ling family and Swallow Azure City, Ling Yunfan could strut with confidence among his peers. But out here, it was a different story. The outside world was teeming with martial artists of higher cultivation and Rank Two Demonic Beasts, any of which could spell his doom. A strong backing might save him from other cultivators, but against demonic beasts, his only option was to flee—and even that wasn't guaranteed.

Hiss hiss...

"Why is it always you? What kind of fate ties me to the Bloodthirsty Purple Pattern Snake clan? Here they are again, and not just one, but four or five," he lamented, eyeing the snakes that were sizing him up as prey, each as thick as an arm and adorned with purple markings.

Puchi... Puchi...

As Ling Yunfan's words hung in the air, the plains echoed with the grisly sound of blades slicing through flesh under the glow of the full moon.

Before long, Ling Yunfan retrieved the carcasses of four Bloodthirsty Purple Pattern Snakes from the blood-soaked earth and made his way back to his campsite.

Settling by the fire, he skewered the snakes and began roasting them. In no time, the savory scent of cooking snake meat filled the air, enjoyed by man and horse alike.

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