Chapter 113: Reunion and Departure

Since Yi Tian and his companions had slain the infamous Three Butchers of the Slaughterer, they had not encountered any further attacks along their journey.

Meanwhile, the news of their feat spread swiftly back to the imperial capital, causing a sensation. The great royal families, nobles, marquises, and ancient aristocratic clans all turned their attention immediately to Yi Tian and his youthful band.

The Three Butchers of the Slaughterer were notorious bandits throughout the Tianfeng Empire—vicious marauders who specialized in ambushing lone human-tier warriors.

At times, they even raided top-tier forces within various prefectures, plundering resources and leaving a trail of blood debts. The Tianfeng imperial capital had long pursued them but never succeeded in capturing them.

This time, however, the Three Butchers were decisively defeated by Yi Tian and his comrades, instantly elevating their renown throughout the empire.

On this particular day, six young travelers arrived at Gulan City.

After racing against the stars and enduring seven days of travel, Yi Tian and his group finally reached Gulan—a city steeped in ancient history. It was said to be tens of thousands of years old, predating even the Tianfeng Empire itself.

Upon arrival, they found Gulan City grand and majestic, its walls and streets rich with the marks of time.

Moreover, Gulan was bustling and prosperous. Major trading houses from over a dozen prefectures had branches here, and eight out of every ten travelers were warriors of the fourth rank or above. Though not as majestic as the imperial capital, it was undoubtedly one of the largest cities within the empire.

The Reincarnation Battle Team rested in Gulan for three days.

During this time, Yi Tian and his companions inquired widely, gathering considerable intelligence about Huangqin City.

They learned that Huangqin lay deep within the Fulong Mountain Range, a perilous place teeming with fierce beasts.

Because of this danger, every ten days, a group of strong warriors would gather in Gulan City to journey together to Huangqin City. Traveling in numbers ensured much greater safety and also allowed them to forge new alliances, banding together to establish a foothold in the treacherous land.

The next scheduled group departure was in two days.

Yi Tian resolved to join this convoy. Beyond the threat of wild beasts, they understood that powerful bandits also prowled the region, ambushing small groups to seize their resources and commit countless atrocities.

The identities of these bandits were elusive.

They struck swiftly and cleanly, leaving no clues behind, so no one could trace their deeds. Many were ordinary cultivators within Huangqin City who transformed into ruthless bandits once outside its walls.

Thus, these bandits could never be fully eradicated, making it imperative for cultivators to travel in groups.

The day of departure for Huangqin City arrived as scheduled.

Yi Tian and his party gathered in the city’s central square.

Within half an hour, dozens of powerful cultivators assembled—at least twenty or thirty strong.

This number astonished Yi Tian and his friends.

A convoy of this scale, composed of human-tier warriors, was beyond their expectations.

Their presence also drew the attention of the surrounding cultivators.

Although they appeared youthful, no more than their late teens or early twenties, their auras unmistakably marked them as genuine human-tier warriors.

Just then, a commotion arose in the distance.

Yi Tian looked toward the source.

Soon, a group approached the square.

He was taken aback to see familiar figures: An Qing, the Star Plucking Princess of Zhaixing Prefecture, Luo Hong, Tang Luoxiang, and others—people they had recently sparred with.

Beside them stood a remarkably handsome young man, smiling broadly as he conversed with An Qing and the Star Plucking Princess. Yet only the princess and Luo Hong engaged him deeply; An Qing and Tang Luoxiang responded occasionally, seeming somewhat indifferent.

Upon noticing Yi Tian and his group, An Qing, Tang Luoxiang, the princess, and Luo Hong all acknowledged them.

Tang Luoxiang’s expression soured immediately.

An Qing, the princess, and Luo Hong all nodded politely to Yi Tian’s party.

After all, there was no deep-seated enmity between them—only the spirit of friendly rivalry from their earlier encounters.

The young man beside them followed their gaze to Yi Tian’s group, a flicker of icy disdain flashing in his eyes, clearly harboring hostility.

At last, it was time to depart.

A middle-aged man stepped forward and announced, “Everyone, the time to proceed to Huangqin City has arrived. I am the city guardian of Gulan. I will lead you all. Please board the ships.”

In the next instant, a beam of light shot from the guardian’s hand.

The light swelled rapidly, transforming into a magnificent vessel ten zhang long, three zhang wide, and five zhang high, suspended in the void. Faint glimmers of precious light shimmered along its surface, radiating a formidable aura.

“This is the legendary flying treasure—the Voidcraft!” an onlooker marveled.

Clearly, many were traveling to Huangqin City for the first time, and this was their first glimpse of such a marvel.

“Board the ship!”

At the guardian’s call, the cultivators stepped onto the Voidcraft.

Soon, Yi Tian and his companions followed, their feet firm upon the ship as if treading solid ground, without the slightest sway.

An Qing, the Star Plucking Princess, Luo Hong, and the others also boarded.

Even fourteen-year-old Tang Luoxiang presented her token to the guardian and was escorted aboard by a young woman.

Nearly forty people crowded the Voidcraft, each small group staking their own territory.

“Chen’er, why aren’t you training at home? Why venture to Huangqin City? It’s fraught with danger,” the guardian addressed the young man accompanying An Qing and the others.

“Uncle, Father granted me permission. Several distinguished guests are going to Huangqin City, and I will accompany them,” Lan Chen replied with a smile.

The guardian glanced at the two family guards behind Lan Chen and nodded. “If your elder brother permits, I won’t stop you. But remember, Huangqin City is no Gulan. Don’t cause trouble, or even your brother won’t be able to protect you.”

Knowing his nephew's nature well, he warned solemnly.

“Keep a close eye on the young master. If he causes any trouble and something happens, you will be held accountable!” he added sternly to the two guards.

“Yes!” the guards replied solemnly.

The guardian felt somewhat reassured. These two were formidable cultivators at the Yuanfa stage—strong enough to contend with Yuan Dan cultivators, as long as they avoided provoking Earth-tier elites. Given Gulan City’s reputation, even Yuan Dan cultivators would show some respect.

Lan Chen and his guards boarded the Voidcraft, followed last by the guardian.

He then formed a hand seal and struck the ship firmly.

Boom!

A powerful wave of primordial energy surged forth.

Patterns of magical arrays lit up across the Voidcraft—the sign of the formation’s activation.

Suddenly, the ship shot forward into the distance.

Aboard the Voidcraft, Yi Tian noted its impressive speed—at least ten times faster than human-tier warriors’ normal flight.

Protected by the formation, there was no fierce wind or turbulence; the journey was incredibly smooth, as if the entire world were receding behind them.

Before long, the Voidcraft entered the Fulong Mountain Range.

Ahead lay vast, ancient mountains, towering peaks rising abruptly from the earth.

The ship wove through the rugged terrain, while distant roars echoed from the forests and valleys below.

The raw, primeval wilderness loomed palpably.

For Yi Tian and his friends—Tang Luoxiang, the Star Plucking Princess, and the others—this was their first time venturing into the depths of the Fulong Range, and their curiosity was piqued.

It was as if they had entered another realm, vastly different from the human world, so stark and profound were the changes of this alien land.