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Li Miao walked along at a leisurely pace.

The young girl was like a canary stifled too long in its cage, bursting out with impatient fluttering wings, eager to soar into the sky. Although Xuan Zhenzi had not confined her over these years, the lofty, deep woods of Mount Zhongyun, lush with vegetation, were hardly a place for leisure. There were wild beasts roaming the hills, and for her safety, she rarely left the two humble wooden huts she called home.

They continued on their way. There were no villages near Qihuang Peak; the low mountains surrounding it were all medicine fields belonging to the Herbal Sect, rarely frequented by people. The paths, therefore, appeared wild and neglected, overgrown with weeds and wildflowers nearly waist-high, squeezing the once spacious roads into narrow footpaths.

Guo’er was barely taller than the weeds herself, darting through the dense undergrowth like a little mudfish, shaking dewdrops and pollen, startling ladybugs and butterflies. Li Miao bathed in the morning sunlight, quietly appreciating this harmonious scene, a profound sense of peace lingering in his heart.

At last, Guo’er grew tired from running and stopped amidst the grass, hands propped on her knees, panting heavily.

"Had enough fun?" he asked.

Guo’er gasped, "Mm, I can't run anymore… no strength left."

Li Miao smiled, stooping to lift the little girl, whose clothes were covered in dewdrops, grass clippings, and pollen. "It's fine. There will be plenty of chances to play in the future," he said, gently transmitting a thread of primal energy to her, nourishing her body after the exertion.

With the energy's nourishment, Guo'er’s breath steadied and her cheeks flushed bright and healthy. Hopeful, she asked, "Uncle, when will I become as strong as you?"

"Well…" Li Miao didn’t brush her off. He thought seriously before replying, "I’m not sure what your cultivation method will turn you into. If it’s a Purple Palace Immortal technique, you’ll be very different from me. If it’s a body-refining kind, perhaps in a dozen years you’ll be like I am now."

He knew almost nothing about the Rebirth Lotus Sutra, not even able to decipher the scriptures, let alone predict its effects.

"A dozen years…" Guo’er was a little disappointed. "That long?"

Starting from scratch and reaching the Condensing Realms in a dozen years was average for ordinary humans. Those with exceptional talent might only need seven or eight years; those less gifted would take longer. Li Miao didn’t know if Guo’er was gifted or not, so could only give her a rough estimate.

He said, "A dozen years sounds long, but it passes quickly. Like from birth to now—seems long, but feels as if it was just a moment."

Guo’er nodded thoughtfully. "I wish I could grow up faster," she whispered.

"What’s so good about growing up? I miss childhood—carefree, without the worries adults bear."

"When I grow up… I can provide for myself, I won’t burden Master and Uncle anymore. I want to be someone responsible, not a little tagalong..."

She mumbled, almost self-deprecating.

Li Miao patted her small backside and laughed, "Nonsense, no one is born strong. Growing up takes time. I was just a little brat once, protected by parents and teachers. Later, I became a warrior and gained the strength to protect them in turn."

"I see. So… now Uncle protects me, and when I grow up, I’ll protect you."

"Alright, I’ll be waiting," Li Miao said with a gentle smile.

As they chatted, he picked up his pace, striding ahead two or three meters at a time. The sun rose steadily, the air warming, and the dew on the flowers and grass evaporated, leaving the world less moist. Even without full effort, the speed of a primal energy warrior rivaled that of horses, and the hundred-mile journey soon vanished.

About an hour later, the rugged mountain path suddenly opened onto a small plain nestled between the peaks—a basin spanning several kilometers, surrounded by fertile fields and crisscrossed by rivers and streams. At its heart stood an unpretentious old town, from whose four sides wide official roads stretched out toward the distant mountain valleys.

"That is Wu’an Town," Li Miao said.

Guo’er’s bright eyes brimmed with longing. She had never seen a bustling marketplace; her impressions of towns came exclusively from her master’s storytelling.

"Let’s go."

With a flick of his foot, Li Miao led Guo’er toward the town. Wu’an Town was the largest settlement within a hundred miles, with a considerable population and busy official roads on all sides.

They mingled with the townsfolk, approaching the city gates, but before reaching them, saw a crowd gathered under the walls, peering at something.

Drawing near, they saw it was a missing persons notice. Unlike the official proclamations, this one wasn’t pasted to the wall, but painted on a cloth banner. The banner stood upright in the ground, beside which stood a middle-aged Daoist, eyes closed and silent, seemingly oblivious to those around him.

Li Miao looked closer. At the top of the banner were the words: “Reward: one thousand taels for finding this person.”

Below was a very rough sketch—not of a face, but a back view, showing only a slender female figure.

Further down, it read: “This woman is twenty, favors white garments, unconventional and elegant, fond of wine, often seen carrying a white jade folding fan.”

There were no other descriptions.

Li Miao was amused. How could anyone find her with so little information? Without a facial portrait, even if the woman herself were here, she might not be recognized!

Among the onlookers, someone spat, "This wretched Daoist must be mocking us. A reward of a thousand taels? He looks so shabby, I doubt he could spare a single tael!"

"Exactly. The sketch is no good, just a back view—he'll claim it's not her even if you find someone. He's obviously toying with us!"

"Enough, let’s disperse. Don’t waste time here."

Most of the crowd drifted away.

Li Miao turned to leave as well. At that moment, the Daoist suddenly opened his eyes and looked over.

"Young man."

He stepped forward, blocking Li Miao’s path, planting the banner before him, and asked, "Have you seen this person?"

"No," Li Miao replied flatly, and moved to leave.

He had only been in this world for two or three days and met very few people; with such a vague sketch, there was no one it could possibly match.

But the Daoist stepped in again, blocking him, and said cryptically, "You are fated with her—you will surely meet her. If you do, bring her to me!"

Li Miao thought to himself that the man was mad, and, carrying Guo’er, simply walked around the Daoist into the town.

The Daoist didn’t stop him again, but returned to his spot, eyes closed, standing by the banner as passersby pointed and gossiped.

There was no aura of cultivation about him; from his actions, he seemed more charlatan than sage, so Li Miao dismissed the matter from his mind.

Inside the town, the crowds thickened, the marketplace a cacophony of voices. Both Li Miao and Guo’er were visiting a town for the first time, their curiosity piqued as they looked around, feeling very much like country bumpkins.

Their attire certainly matched that impression. Li Miao’s short hair and casual wear from another world looked odd and out of place. Guo’er’s clothes were worn and patched, making her look like a little beggar.

As they walked, people cast them strange looks. Those dressed in finery avoided them, as if afraid to be sullied by their presence.

Li Miao, half amused, half helpless, endured the disdain while searching for a clothing shop.

Many things along the way were novel to them. Guo’er had never seen the world outside the mountains, and was fascinated by the bustling town, her eyes wide in wonder.

"Uncle, what’s that?" she pointed to a street vendor making sugar figurines.

Li Miao admitted he didn’t know either, so he walked up to the stall and asked, "Boss, do you sell these?"

The vendor glanced at him and replied, "Of course. Five copper coins per sugar figurine. If you want one, pay. If you can't, move along."

His tone was edged with contempt.

Li Miao frowned. It was just like in South Mountain Village—people took him for a penniless beggar, and only when he produced a gold bar did they speak kindly.

But buying a sugar figurine worth five coins with an entire gold bar felt odd. He had no other currency; the Silver League credit card and banknotes were useless here.

As he hesitated, the vendor grew impatient. "Buy or leave! Don't waste my time!"

At that moment, someone nearby said, "Tch, it's only five coins; I'll pay for him."

A scholar in white strode forward, tossing a piece of silver onto the stall.

The vendor’s eyes lit up at the sight, scooping up the silver and smiling, "Ah, isn't that Master Liu from Emerald Pavilion? What wind brings you here?"

Handing two sugar figurines to Li Miao, he said, "Take them, take them. For Master Liu’s sake, I’ll give you an extra one."

Li Miao glanced at this "Master Liu." He was a young man in his twenties, refined and scholarly, almost delicate in appearance. He wore a luxurious pale blue robe, a jade pendant at his waist, and white jade prayer beads in his hand—a wealthy patron, clearly.

Master Liu looked over as well, smiling, "Friend, first time in town? You look strong, a martial type. If you need a place to stay, come to Emerald Pavilion and find me."

As he spoke, his gaze swept over Guo’er twice, an odd light flickering in his eyes.

"Thank you, but no," Li Miao replied, taking the sugar figurines and leaving.

The commotion had dampened his spirits. Carrying Guo’er into the crowd, he became more determined to find a clothing shop.

The sugar figurine vendor scoffed, "Ignorant beggar, Master Liu gives you face and you still act proud? Hmph!"

Master Liu, however, smiled with interest, following after them.

The crowd was bustling.

Li Miao, with Guo’er, walked down a street and noticed her frowning, clutching the sugar figurine but not eating it.

"Why not try it?" he asked.

"I don't like it," Guo’er replied, wrinkling her nose in distaste, almost ready to toss it away.

Li Miao smiled inwardly. Though she looked young, she was already thirteen and quite sharp. Knowing the sugar figurine was a "handout," she resisted it, losing all previous curiosity.

He said, "Then throw it away. Uncle will get you something tastier later."

"Okay," Guo’er replied crisply, tossing the sugar figurine aside.

Unexpectedly, a pale hand caught it mid-air.

Master Liu’s soft voice drifted over: "Tch tch, even if you don’t like it, you shouldn’t throw it around. It’s made of sugar—if it lands on the ground, it’ll attract flies and ants."

The young man in pale blue stood before them.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Liu Xuanfeng, proprietor of Emerald Pavilion in the east city. It’s a pleasure to meet you both. Would you honor me by visiting my establishment?" he said politely.

Many on the street recognized this Master Liu, and seeing him invite a pair of "beggars" in public, they stared in surprise.

"Who are these people? Master Liu himself is inviting them!"

"Emerald Pavilion is the kind of place where even a glass of water costs a string of coins. I’ve only been there once in my life—this guy’s luck is incredible!"

"If I received such favor from Master Liu, I’d gladly be a beggar forever!"

The crowd murmured.

Li Miao frowned and replied, "Thank you for the invitation, but I’m not interested."

He was usually eager to meet strangers to learn about this world, but Liu Xuanfeng’s manner made him uncomfortable, and the name Emerald Pavilion sounded suspiciously like a brothel.

His refusal made the already lively street erupt in even louder chatter.

"Damn! Isn’t that ungrateful? He actually turned down Master Liu!"

"What’s wrong with him? Refuses a free visit to Emerald Pavilion—maybe he’s impotent?"

"Young people these days just don’t appreciate opportunities…"

All sorts of comments filled the air.

Li Miao’s face darkened.

He had guessed correctly—it really was a brothel…

Luckily, he hadn’t agreed, or else he’d have corrupted Guo’er’s pure eyes!