After receiving approval to leave, Jiang Xing began instructing his subordinates to gather materials and refine pills as needed.
Though Jiang Cheng hadn't established a sect, being a six-star Dou Sheng naturally attracted many alchemists seeking refuge under his wing. Even among these alchemists, there were two at the eighth-tier level in the Jiang family.
As a result, the entire Jiang household sprang into action, bustling with preparations.
By the evening of the third day, after collecting the required medicinal pills from the alchemists, Jiang Xing returned to his room to begin cultivating.
On the Dou Qi continent, cultivation could replace sleep altogether.
Jiang Xing removed his silver robe, sat cross-legged on his bed, closed his eyes, and entered a meditative state.
Cultivation on the Dou Qi continent could be divided into two types. The first was shallow cultivation, like what Jiang Xing was practicing now, which allowed him to split off some soul force to sense his surroundings. If anyone approached, he could stop cultivating at will.
The second type was deep cultivation, which required seclusion. This method was highly sensitive to disturbances. Being interrupted during a critical moment could result in wasted efforts—dispersing all previously cultivated energy—or even cause a regression in one's cultivation stage, making future progress exponentially harder.
Tomorrow, Jiang Xing would set out for the northwest continent. His grandfather had likely arranged everything already.
He didn't need to worry about logistics. His sole focus now was to rapidly increase his strength in preparation for the great battle that would occur over a decade later.
Having been reborn for so many years, Jiang Xing had long since pinpointed the timeline of the original story.
It would still be more than a decade before the Bodhi Ancient Tree appeared, meaning Xiao Yan should have already become Yao Lao's disciple by now.
While Jiang Xing wasn't certain of Xiao Yan's exact strength, he guessed that Xiao Yan's cultivation stage hadn't yet reached the Da Dou Shi level (Dou Grandmaster). He was likely somewhere in the Beast Mountain Range or among the Snake People.
Knock-knock-knock.
Not long after beginning his cultivation, three knocks disrupted the silence, causing Jiang Xing to immediately exit his meditative state and open his eyes. He looked toward the door, puzzled.
Though the estate housed more than just him and his grandfather, it was rare for anyone else to visit him at this hour. That left only his grandfather as the possible visitor. But why would his grandfather come to see him so late? Was it regarding the items he mentioned earlier? If so, why not give them tomorrow?
Unable to guess the reason, Jiang Xing decided not to dwell on it. Leaving his grandfather waiting outside wouldn't do, so he promptly went to open the heavy door.
As expected, his grandfather Jiang Cheng stood there with a warm smile.
"Grandfather, why have you come?"
Jiang Xing greeted him first, inviting his grandfather inside to sit down.
Following Jiang Xing to the chair, Jiang Cheng waved his hand. A flash of golden light appeared, and two pitch-black storage rings materialized in his palm. He handed them to Jiang Xing, saying:
"Take a look. These are some cultivation resources I've specially prepared for you over the past few days, along with items you might need while traveling."
Jiang Cheng chuckled smugly, clearly imagining his grandson's astonished reaction.
Jiang Xing instinctively accepted the rings and gave them a quick look.
Well, they weren't as heavy as he'd imagined—after all, storage rings maintained their weight regardless of how much they contained.
But without needing Jiang Cheng to elaborate, Jiang Xing could already tell that these rings were packed with medicinal pills and treasures.
Given his grandfather's status, the amount of preparation over two days must have been substantial.
Picking up one of the black storage rings, Jiang Xing extended his soul force into it. A single glance made his eyes widen in shock.
Inside, several shelves were lined with large and small jade bottles, emitting a rich fragrance of medicinal pills.
Looking at Jiang Cheng's smug expression, Jiang Xing couldn't help but ask, "Grandfather, all these pills are at least fifth-tier, aren't they?"
Seeing his grandson's astonished face exactly as he'd anticipated, Jiang Cheng finally explained.
"Xing'er, the lowest tier here is sixth. Over the past two days, I gathered all the pills you might need during your journey. With these, your travels should be sufficiently covered."
Jiang Xing glanced at his grandfather but refrained from expressing gratitude. There was no need for such formalities between family members.
"When you're out there, far from me, remember: safety comes first. If you're ever in danger, crush this jade token to summon me. I'll come to your aid immediately."
Jiang Cheng's words were familiar yet heartfelt. As the saying went, "A mother worries when her child travels a thousand miles," and the bond between grandfather and grandson ran even deeper.
This was the first time Jiang Xing would leave his grandfather's side. Though reluctant, Jiang Cheng knew that fledglings eventually learned to fly on their own.
"Grandfather, don't worry. I'll take care, and I'll return within a year or two to see you."
What followed was a touching scene of familial love and respect…
---
Early the next morning, Jiang Xing finished packing and stepped out of his room to find Ji Feng already waiting outside.
Before leaving, Jiang Xing intended to bid farewell to his grandfather. However, Ji Feng informed him that Jiang Cheng had urgent matters to attend to and had departed.
Thus, Jiang Xing gestured to Ji Feng.
"Let's go then—to the north-west continent."
"Yes."
With that, Ji Feng tore open a spatial rift, and the two stepped through.
In Jiang Cheng's room, his soul force detected Jiang Xing's departure. Silently, he walked toward the inner cultivation chamber.
Old age made farewells unbearable.
---
The eastern part of the Central Region was quite distant from the northwest continent. After a month of travel, Jiang Xing and Ji Feng finally arrived at the borderlands of the northwest.
"Young Master, we've reached the territory of the northwest continent. Where shall we head first?"
Ji Feng held up a map, pointing out their current location while asking for directions.
Jiang Xing traced his finger across the map, stopping at an area labeled "Jia Ma Empire - Beast Mountain Range."
"Let's check out the Beast Mountain Range in the Jia Ma Empire first."
Though uncertain of his calculations, Jiang Xing wanted to confirm the timeline.
"Understood, Young Master."
Without further questions, Ji Feng tore open another spatial rift, and the two entered.
Jiang Xing appreciated his grandfather's choice of escort. Ji Feng followed orders without unnecessary inquiries.
About a day later, they arrived at the Beast Mountain Range.
Using soul force to scan the area, they quickly located the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King.
Standing mid-air before its cave, Jiang Xing unleashed his aura.
Roar-roar-roar!
The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King, sensing someone challenging its territory, roared furiously and flew out of its den.
Jiang Xing's gaze swept over the massive magical beast, roughly seven to eight meters long, covered in purple crystalline armor. Its fierce lion head bore strange violet eyes, its mouth filled with sharp fangs. Behind its body stretched enormous purple wings, and atop its head protruded a fiery red horn. Powerful energy fluctuations emanated from its form.
However, Jiang Xing noticed that part of its horn had been broken off.
Initially enraged by the provocation, the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King immediately cowered upon seeing two humans floating mid-air. It hastily retracted its overwhelming presence.
Being a sixth-tier magical beast with intelligence, it understood what floating mid-air signified.
"Two Dou Zong masters, forgive my rudeness earlier. I was unaware of your arrival."
The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King adopted a submissive posture, almost groveling. It dared not feel anger over Jiang Xing's earlier challenge.
What a joke! Facing one Dou Zong, it might have relied on its formidable defense and knowledge of the terrain to escape. But against two? Any arrogance would mean instant death.
"Purple Crystal Winged Lion King, hand over your tribe's specialty—the accompanying Purple Crystal Source."
"Dou Zong master, three months ago, a human Dou Huang and a Dou Zhe invaded here and stole the accompanying Purple Crystal Source."
Recalling those two intruders, the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King felt a surge of suppressed fury.
Every twenty years, its tribe could shed a small fragment of Purple Spirit Crystal, and the accompanying Purple Crystal Source was reserved for its offspring's breakthrough to the fifth tier—all stolen by those despicable humans.
But before Dou Zong masters, it dared not show any resentment, fearing misunderstanding.
It truthfully recounted the theft of the accompanying Purple Crystal Source.
Actually, when the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King emerged, Jiang Xing had already noticed the damage to its horn.
He suspected that Xiao Yan and Yun Yun had already taken the Purple Spirit Crystal and the accompanying Purple Crystal Source.
Still, having come this far, he needed confirmation.
Thus, he instructed Ji Feng to enter the cave and verify whether the accompanying Purple Crystal Source remained.
Seeing Ji Feng enter, the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King hesitated. Its cub was still inside the cave.
But with Jiang Xing watching closely, and their objective clearly the accompanying Purple Crystal Source, it abandoned the idea of following. All it could hope for was that once these humans confirmed the source was gone, they'd leave quickly.
"Young Master, as it claimed, the accompanying Purple Crystal Source is indeed missing. Could it have hidden it before coming out?"
Ji Feng had found the container meant for the accompanying Purple Crystal Source. However, it was empty, with a small crack at the bottom.
This naturally led Ji Feng to suspect the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King of hiding the source itself.
Ji Feng glared suspiciously at the beast, awaiting Jiang Xing's command.
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