Chapter Twenty-Nine: Xue Buyu and Li Guanqi

During this period, Yun Yufeng had come to understand a bit about his family's situation. Among them, only the clan leader had managed to break through the heart barrier of the Purple Pole Imperial Heart Technique—or at least, that was how it appeared on the surface. As for why so many clansmen struggled to break through, Yun Yufeng had his suspicions; it most likely had to do with their innate talents and bloodline.

A misty purple aura roiled and filled his body, purple battle energy coursing endlessly through his meridians. Droplets of violet liquid dripped into his dantian, while a small portion transformed into battle energy, flowing through his veins and drawing in energy from the world in a continuous cycle. Wisps of purple battle energy overflowed, seeping into his muscles, tendons, bones, blood, and even hair, strengthening them bit by bit. Though the changes were imperceptible, the process was real.

A small storm had inexplicably risen in the courtyard, calming only as Yun Yufeng slowly awoke. He opened his eyes, which were clear and bright. Clenching his fists, his knuckles cracked sharply. He twisted his neck, producing a crisp snap, and stood up with satisfaction. At this rate, he would soon be able to attempt breaking through to the fourth level of the Purple Pole Imperial Heart Technique. He was already at the peak of the third tier, and once his technique advanced, he might directly step into the fourth.

"Cuinong, accompany me to the town. I need to purchase a few things," Yun Yufeng called out loudly.

"Yes, young master, I'm coming," came Cuinong's clear voice from the inner room.

The small town was bustling with people. Though called 'small,' the population was far from sparse. Mercenaries passed by frequently, and with the surrounding mountain ranges, it had become a gathering place for low-level mercenaries. Relying on magic cores, medicinal herbs, and ores, many mercenary families eked out a living here.

Atop the domed roof of a tall building in town stood several martial artists, accompanying a suave young noble as they admired the scenery below.

Folding his fan with leisure, the young man in fine robes asked languidly, "Ah Da, you said Yun Shangmo has been imprisoned?"

"Yes, young master. Yun Shangmo failed in his plot against that wastrel, and once his scheme came to light, he was locked away in the Ice Cavern for reflection," the burly warrior called Ah Da replied respectfully.

"Trash is trash after all. No matter how much you try to teach someone from this backwater, they'll never be of any use. I'm thoroughly disappointed," the young noble sneered.

"Naturally, none could ever compare to you, young master. You're distinguished even among the clan," the warriors behind him chimed in, fawning.

Yet at these words, the young noble's face darkened instantly. His fingers clenched white around his fan, joints popping audibly. The warriors behind him broke out in a cold sweat, faces turning pale—they knew they had overstepped. Though the young noble was quite accomplished, he was always overshadowed by his elder brother, and his current trip was more a forced escape than a journey of cultivation, a means to avoid the stifling atmosphere at home.

Suddenly, the noble's expression brightened, as if touched by a spring breeze. But the three men behind him grew even more fearful—for every time he smiled like that, someone suffered misfortune. They exchanged glances and fell silent.

"Look over there—five hundred meters away, isn't that the very wastrel we're talking about? He actually looks rather proper today. Why don't you go and liven things up for him, hm?" the noble suggested.

The trio trembled, stuttering, "Young master, we can't make trouble for the Yun family of the encircling mountains. It's the rule, and we wouldn't dare break it. If we did, never mind our families—our own lives would be forfeit."

"Oh? Is that advice on how I should conduct myself?" The noble snapped his fan shut, slapping it against his palm.

"We wouldn't dare," they replied meekly.

"If not, then get on with it. That bandit we subdued three days ago is waiting obediently downstairs, isn't he? Or do I need to spell it out for you?" the noble barked.

"Yes, young master, we'll see to it at once," Ah Da hurriedly answered, leaping from the dome.

At this moment, Yun Yufeng was taking in the scenery, while the little maid trailing behind him gazed at his back in confusion. Normally, her young master stirred up trouble in town every day—what was so interesting about the place now?

Suddenly, a voice called from behind, "Young hero, wait a moment! Fate has brought us together—allow this old man to divine your fortune!"

Turning, Yun Yufeng saw a scholarly middle-aged man beneath a signboard, beaming at him. Reading the sign, Yun Yufeng couldn't help but chuckle. It read: "Divine Calculations, Ghostly Insights, Nothing Escapes Me; Fair Prices, Honest to All."

How typical of a wandering charlatan! He hadn't expected to find one even on the Purple Star Continent.

Yun Yufeng grinned and said, "Uncle, you're not about to tell me, ‘Young hero, I see your brow is clouded, calamity looms, bloodshed is nigh. Allow me to cast a divination to drive away disaster and ensure your safety?’"

"You're mistaken, young hero. I am not so superficial," the scholar replied.

Yun Yufeng was taken aback, blurting, "Then perhaps you'll say my romantic star is rising and I’m about to have a fateful encounter? That's even less believable!" He shook his head vigorously as he spoke.

The scholar remained unfazed, his smile unwavering, making Yun Yufeng wonder if he was born with such an expression.

"Wrong again, young hero. I told you, I am not a shallow man," he said.

"Then what is it?"

"I can see from your bearing—like a dragon striding, with sword-like brows and star-bright eyes, an extraordinary physique—that you are a rare martial talent. Let me point you to a bright future—hey, don't go! I haven't finished yet!"

Yun Yufeng, exasperated, turned on his heel and left, resisting the urge to ask if the scholar also knew the legendary Palm of the Tathagata. He wouldn't have been surprised if he did.

Watching Yun Yufeng depart without a backward glance, the scholar stamped his foot. "Ah, kids these days have no patience."

A figure suddenly appeared beside him. "Guanqi, are you really trying to fool children with that getup?"

"Xue Buyu, do you have a grudge against me? I knew trouble would follow you here—otherwise, why would that boy be so slippery? Still, some of what he said about darkened brows and romantic luck could be useful for me."

"Come now, Guanqi, let's have some tea. We've barely been out and already run into each other, and here of all places! It's fate—surely we must drink to it."

Li Guanqi rolled his eyes, muttering, "Such a waste of good tea leaves!"

"Oh? Don't want to drink?"

"I do, of course I do. To share tea with you, Buyu, is a rare privilege," Li Guanqi replied, his smile blooming like a chrysanthemum.

"Come, there's a tavern over there," Xue Buyu said, and with that, the two vanished, reappearing instantly on the tavern's balcony. With a sweep of his sleeve, a set of exquisite table and chairs materialized, and the two sat facing each other.

Xue Buyu unhurriedly produced a tea set—made of the finest geocore purple clay. As the name implied, geocore purple clay was mined from deep within the earth, a realm of magma and searing heat, thousands of degrees in temperature. The pressure was immense, and formidable magma creatures roamed those depths. The clay itself was incredibly rare, maintaining its form under such conditions, and only occasionally brought to the surface by volcanic eruptions. Its sole use: fashioning luxurious teapots.

Li Guanqi gazed at the purple clay teapot, speechless; some would go to any lengths to collect the material and use innate spiritual fire to forge such a teapot.

Xue Buyu deftly prepared the tea set, and with a gesture, water elements gathered from all around, condensing into pure elemental water, which streamed into the teapot. His hand, radiating heat, brought the water instantly to a boil, steeping the tea inside.

Once the pot was full, Xue Buyu poured two cups and took a delicate sip, closing his eyes in bliss.

"Guanqi, try this new Blackwind Dragon Saliva tea—harvested from the heart of the Blackwind Mountains, right on the dragon vein. Untouched by man, truly pristine."

Li Guanqi tasted it, smacking his lips. "Purple clay indeed—the fragrance is exquisite, filling the senses."

"Of course! What else could be worthy of such a sacred vessel? Ten years of effort, but well worth it," Xue Buyu said with pride.

Li Guanqi could only shake his head. Ten years' labor for a single teapot—only Xue Buyu would do such a thing, and always with that self-satisfied air.

"Buyu, you really are a free spirit—unfettered, at ease."

Yet Xue Buyu’s expression turned melancholy. "Which is why I can only seek solace in tea."

Li Guanqi laughed. "Peace has reigned too long. Soon, things will stir again—you won't have to be lonely for much longer."

Xue Buyu stroked his beard in silence. Li Guanqi glanced at him and said, "We're all pieces in the game—none of us can step away."

"And so you seek out the gifted, to nurture as your successors?"

"Chaos is coming, flames will rise, geniuses will emerge. Training a few inheritors isn’t a bad idea," Li Guanqi replied.

Xue Buyu suddenly lost interest. Gathering up his tea set, he sighed, "You just want to give me something to do, don't you? I’d rather idle my days away, steal a bit of leisure while I can. When the next catastrophe comes, I'll see you then." With that, he prepared to leave.

"Wait—something interesting is about to happen. Why not stay and watch the show?"

Following Li Guanqi’s gaze, Xue Buyu saw the young man who had just left now embroiled in a dispute with a burly warrior.

"How unreasonable—you’re the one who bumped into my young master, yet now you’re making trouble for him?" the little maid protested.

The warrior, sporting a scarred face and long hair that half-concealed his savage features, grinned menacingly. "What a pretty girl. Why don't you spend the night with me and I'll let your young master off, eh? Hahaha!"

Cuinong's cheeks flushed bright red, her eyes wide with fury, but she was powerless.

The warrior, seeing her reaction, only laughed more wildly.

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