No matter how much was said, Chen Xiao still couldn't quite imagine what the teleportation portal would look like. Fortunately, while its use was restricted to cultivators, there was no rule against ordinary people getting close to it.
After finishing their tea, Tong Nuonuo suggested taking Chen Xiao to see it with his own eyes. Du Rong shot Tong Nuonuo with a subtle look of disapproval. He had noticed the obvious disappointment on Chen Xiao's face upon learning that mortals couldn't use the teleportation portal. Letting him witness it in person, wouldn't that only make him feel worse?
But Chen Xiao was intrigued and readily agreed. Tong Nuonuo slung the long box he always carried onto his back and walked out with Chen Xiao. Du Rong, helpless against their enthusiasm, could only follow along.
It was still early when the carriage arrived at the foot of the mountain, and Chen Xiao decided to walk up. Snow blanketed the landscape, and the trees lining the road were coated in frost, creating a breathtakingly dreamlike scene. The path was paved with smooth stone slabs, and because people lived along the way, the incline was gentle.
After nearly half an hour, they finally reached the teleportation array. Chen Xiao was awestruck.
A vast open space stretched out before them, with a massive transparent curtain-like shimmer hovering in the air near the mountain face. Within that shimmer, a slow-spinning whirlpool was projected. The vortex-like teleportation portal was as tall as a five-story building, over twenty meters long, and seven or eight meters wide.
The area surrounding the portal had been cleared into a flat plaza. Though there were no walls enclosing it, its location on a mid-mountain platform meant that sheer cliffs surrounded it on almost every side, leaving only one accessible route. Zhishi Hall had stationed guards at the entrance, setting up a checkpoint-like gatehouse. Even in the short time they stood there, they saw several people passing in and out.
As those individuals approached the portal, their figures were stretched and distorted by the swirling vortex, gradually fading until they suddenly disappeared. Conversely, others materialized from the portal as streaks of color, their forms solidifying into fully intact human shapes as they stepped out.
Watching this miraculous sight, a longing stirred deep within Chen Xiao's heart. A phrase from his past life echoed in his mind—The world is so vast; how could I not see it for myself?
That night, Tong Nuonuo stayed in Chen Xiao's private courtyard. The next morning, he came to bid farewell.
"You're leaving? Why?" Chen Xiao was caught off guard. After traveling and living together for this period, he had unconsciously assumed they would continue on together indefinitely. It hadn't even occurred to him that they might part ways, let alone so suddenly.
Tong Nuonuo's round face was unusually serious. He said, "Now that we've arrived at our destination, it's time for me to take my leave. My purpose in coming out was to collect materials, and I must continue my journey and hone my skills. No banquet lasts forever there's no need to feel reluctant."
Chen Xiao was speechless. The way Tong Nuonuo phrased it made it sound as though he had been escorting them with deliberate intent, rather than simply tagging along as a human compass. He had grown so accustomed to worrying about Tong Nuonuo's poor sense of direction that it had become second nature.
"Are you going alone? Won't you get lost?" Chen Xiao asked, carefully phrasing it as a question to spare Tong Nuonuo's pride.
Tong Nuonuo's serious expression tensed. "I admit, getting lost is a weakness of mine. But as a cultivator, I can't let that hold me back. The greater the flaw, the more I must face it head-on and overcome it!"
Chen Xiao thought, Are you serious right now?
Looking at Tong Nuonuo's determined round face, he had the urge to pat him on the shoulder and say, Give it up. Being directionally challenged isn't like oversleeping, it's not something you can fix with sheer willpower.
Perhaps Chen Xiao's skepticism was too obvious, because Tong Nuonuo's expression twitched, and he finally showed a hint of dejection. "I know it won't be easy. But I have no choice. I came out to gain experience, I can't always rely on others. The path of cultivation is long, and no one can accompany me forever. Sometimes, I'll have to rely on myself."
Chen Xiao could already imagine the hardships awaiting him. He sighed. "Your resolve is commendable. I can only support you."
Moved by his encouragement, Tong Nuonuo nearly burst into tears. He leaned in and hugged Chen Xiao, pressing his face against his shoulder. "If only you could cultivate! Then we could travel together. As long as you're willing to bring me along, I swear, one day, when I become a master of mechanisms, I'll repay you!"
This was the first time they had physical contact. Chen Xiao stiffened, awkwardly holding his arms up, caught between surprise and amusement. Hearing Tong Nuonuo's pitiful words, he replied earnestly, "Alright! If I ever gain cultivation abilities, I'll journey with you. That's a promise!"
Tong Nuonuo was simply feeling lost and vulnerable at the prospect of facing the unknown alone. Though he appreciated Chen Xiao's reassurance, he didn't take the promise seriously. At that moment, he couldn't possibly imagine that one day, Chen Xiao would truly be able to cultivate.
While the two of them were talking, Du Rong stood off to the side. Seeing Tong Nuonuo preparing to set off on her training journey, he couldn't help but show a hint of envy and longing. Now that they had arrived in Hanshan City, surrounded by such an environment, his desire to grow stronger and reach a higher level of cultivation stirred restlessly within him.
Chen Xiao noticed this but pretended not to see it. At this point, he couldn't let Du Rong leave just yet. They had signed a contract, Du Rong could only be released when Chen Xiao no longer needed him. Of course, if Du Rong wanted to leave early, he could, but only if he found someone to take his place as Chen Xiao's bodyguard. That said, Chen Xiao had no intention of keeping him for too long. He didn't want Du Rong to start resenting him over this.
Tong Nuonuo let go after a brief hug. Even before Chen Xiao could react, she was already looking a little embarrassed.
Chen Xiao said, "Wait a moment, I'll pack some food for you to take on the road." Then, he turned to Du Rong and added, "Uncle Rong, could I trouble you to escort Tong Nuonuo later?"
While Tong Nuonuo and Du Rong waited in the living room, Chen Xiao went into his bedroom. He wrapped up some untouched pastries from the table in oiled paper and took out a brand-new handkerchief. Then, he emptied his coin pouch and counted out eighty spirit coins, placing them inside. The pouch went at the bottom, the food on top, and he carefully wrapped everything into a small bundle with the handkerchief.
Stepping out of the room, Chen Xiao handed it to Tong Nuonuo with a calm expression. "Here, eat these if you get hungry on the road."
Tong Nuonuo didn't overthink it. She took the bundle, opened it up, and immediately popped a pastry into her mouth. Watching this, Chen Xiao felt reassured. Not only had he returned the thirty spirit coins Tong Nuonuo had originally given him, but he had also added fifty more. By the time she realized it, even if she wanted to refuse, getting the money back would be another matter. These spirit coins might not be much, but at least she wouldn't have to sleep on the streets or go hungry. If she got lost, she'd have enough to hire a carriage.
After seeing the two off, Chen Xiao returned to his room. Sitting by the round table, he carefully counted his remaining assets.
Buying a boat ticket had cost him one spirit pearl and fifty spirit coins. He had given Tong Nuonuo fifty coins and paid Du Rong one spirit coin as his monthly salary. Now, he had three spirit pearls and twenty-six spirit coins left.
For an ordinary person in Hanshan City, this was more than enough to live comfortably. But for cultivation? It wasn't much at all.
Chen Xiao had been living frugally for long enough, it was time to loosen up and do some real shopping. The first thing on his list was to properly equip Du Rong. In their current state, they couldn't even intimidate the average wealthy merchant in Hanshan City.
Around noon, Du Rong returned.
Chen Xiao asked, "How did it go? Is she settled in?"
Du Rong replied, "She went to Zhishi Hall and took on a mission near Hanshan City. Since there are fierce beasts in the area, they needed more people. The leader of the group is a Golden Core cultivator, one realm higher than Tong Nuonuo. He has joined up with them."
Chen Xiao nodded. "Does he have a place to stay?"
Du Rong said, "Yes. The leader has a courtyard, and there's enough space for a dozen people."
A place to stay, food to eat, and someone to oversee things for now—
"Not bad," Chen Xiao sighed. "Hopefully, that Golden Core cultivator is patient." That was all they could do for Tong Nuonuo at this point, hope for the best.
After lunch, the two took a carriage to the lakeside district of Hanshan City. The area surrounding the lake was a bustling commercial zone. The eastern side was for ordinary people, while the western side catered to cultivators, separated by a long embankment.
Their carriage could only go as far as the end of the embankment. Beyond that, ordinary carriages weren't allowed.
After paying the fare, Du Rong and Chen Xiao got off and walked into the marketplace. The district was packed with towering buildings, colorful banners swaying in the wind. Store names flashed everywhere, overwhelming Chen Xiao with their sheer variety, pill shops, clothing stores, talisman shops, enchanted jade vendors, weapon forges, musical instrument stores, herbal markets… The selection was vast, with hardly any duplicates.
Dazed by the number of choices, Chen Xiao leaned in and asked Du Rong quietly, "Isn't there a place that sells everything in one go? A shop where I can get everything I need at once?"
Du Rong also lowered his voice. "No such place exists. However, there is one option that carries a wide range of goods—the pawnshop. They don't just deal in pawning items; they also sell second-hand goods and hold auctions."
Hearing this, Chen Xiao's eyes lit up. "Didn't you mention before that there are specialty second-hand stores?"
Du Rong hesitated. "In the Dai Kingdom, larger cities usually have them. Given Hanshan City's size, it should have one too."
Chen Xiao thought for a moment before shaking his head. "We'll look for it when we have more time. Right now, the priority is getting you properly armed and equipped."
Only then did Du Rong realize the purpose of their trip. His eyes widened in surprise, quickly followed by delight. But once the initial excitement passed, he furrowed his brows and said, "Master, there's no need for this."
Having weapons and full armor would certainly boost his strength, and he was happy about that. However, if his only duty was to escort Chen Xiao, checking residences and arranging feng shui formations, there was no need for such gear. If they weren't going into dangerous areas outside the city, the weapons and armor would just sit there, unused. Spending money on something that wouldn't be used was a waste.
Chen Xiao chuckled. "Oh, it's necessary. This is an important part of our image. Our status depends on it."