Chapter 1 Yu Fan
Lin Feng had not expected the road to Star Cloud City to be so dangerous. If it had been just fierce beasts, it would have been one thing, but the emergence of bandits was truly terrifying. The road to Star Cloud Pavilion, now plagued by bandits, would inevitably harbor many masters among them. No wonder the honest-looking young man wanted to find companions to team up with on the journey to the pavilion.
Lin Feng, though highly skilled and courageous, did not fear the strong. However, travelling alone would make him an easy target for bandits. If he were truly to be surrounded by bandits, it would just cause unnecessary trouble. It would be better to travel in a group, just as the honest young man had said. There was strength in numbers, and bandits might think twice about causing trouble if they saw a group.
Lin Feng nodded and said, "Since we are all heading to Star Cloud City, it makes sense for us to travel together for some mutual support."
Upon hearing this, the honest young man was very pleased. He scratched his head and said with a smile, "My name is Han Shuo. May I ask how to address you, brother?"
"Lin Feng…"
"Brother Lin, come with me. I'll take you to meet everyone," said Han Shuo.
Lin Feng nodded and followed Han Shuo to a restaurant. Upstairs in a private room, ten people were seated. "I'm back," announced Han Shuo.
A somewhat enchanting woman said, "Han Shuo, we sent you to recruit people. Did you manage to bring anyone?"
Han Shuo replied, "This is Brother Lin, whom I found."
Lin Feng nodded to everyone and said, "My name is Lin Feng. I also plan to travel to Star Cloud City. Brother Han mentioned that you all are heading there, so I came here to join the group."
A young man in white clothes sneered and said mockingly, "Han Shuo, we sent you to find people, and you spent half a day just to bring back a cultivator at the Martial General Realm? If we encounter fierce beasts or bandits on the road, won't he just become a burden to us?"
Another girl, who was quite pure-looking, also frowned and said, "Yes, Han Shuo, you were gone for four hours and only brought back one person. We are disappointed. Originally, we weren't planning on bringing you since you're only at the First Layer Heaven of the Martial King Realm. We only agreed to let you come after you begged us, giving you the chance to recruit others. Now you've brought back a cultivator even weaker than yourself. You're already a burden, and now you added another? Do you expect us to protect you both should danger arise?"
This pure-looking girl was clearly not easy to get along with as she sarcastically berated Lin Feng and Han Shuo.
"I, I, I..." Han Shuo was at a loss for words after the scolding.
Han Shuo seemed like an honest person, and it was evident that these people were bullying him because of his sincerity. Lin Feng frowned slightly at this.
"Everyone, the fact that Brother Han could bring someone with him is already commendable. There's no need to be so harsh on him. I think that although Brother Lin only has the cultivation of the Martial General Realm, he is at the higher tier of it. Even if we encounter danger, he should have no problem defending himself," a young boy around fifteen or sixteen years old interjected.
The others frowned slightly upon hearing the young boy speak. They wanted to retort but ultimately did not dare speak out because behind the young boy stood an old servant. Although a servant, the old man's cultivation was at the Tenth Level of Martial King Realm, the highest among everyone present. They all needed his strength to ensure a safe passage through the dangerous territory.
A middle-aged man, seeing that the atmosphere had grown tense, tried to ease it with a chuckle, "Being away from home isn't easy, and since we've managed to get together by fate, let's be more understanding towards each other."
Another middle-aged cultivator, who carried a sword on his back, opened his eyes. His pupils twinkled sharply, and Lin Feng was slightly taken aback; this person's spiritual power was full, a sign that he was close to undergoing a Mana Transformation. He was also a strong practitioner at the Tenth Level of Martial King Realm, likely even more powerful than the old servant at the same level.
Although both were at the Tenth Level of Martial King Realm, the old servant's Qi-Blood was declining with age, naturally weakening his cultivation in comparison.
The sword-carrying cultivator, in the prime of his life, was at the peak moment of his cultivation.
Clearly, the sword-carrying cultivator held some prestige among the group as he said, "Let's rest in the Spirit Dragon Inn across the street for the night. Today, buy everything needed, and we'll set off for Star Cloud City early tomorrow morning."
Everyone nodded in agreement, with no objections.
Everyone gradually dispersed.
"Young Master Yu, I'm truly thankful for your assistance just now."
Han Shuo might have been simple-minded, but he wasn't foolish. Thus, after the crowd dispersed, he was the first to thank the young man.
An old servant hastened to the young man's side, blocking Han Shuo's approach. Han Shuo awkwardly scratched his head.
The young man said, "Brother Han, no need for formalities."
Lin Feng also cupped his fists and said, "Many thanks to Brother Yu."
The young man nodded and replied, "It was nothing."
The young man didn't show any interest in further conversation with Lin Feng and soon left with the elder.
"Brother Lin, I'm truly sorry about what just happened. I didn't expect, I didn't expect..." Han Shuo spoke apologetically, struggling to find the right words. He was a very honest man, which made Lin Feng develop a significant amount of respect for him.
He patted Han Shuo on the shoulder and said, "You shouldn't blame yourself. There will always be some people who are arrogant."
Han Shuo said, "Brother Lin, as long as you are not upset, that's good. To be honest, those people are just ruthless in their words but are still quite kind-hearted at heart."
Lin Feng couldn't help but give a wry smile. Han Shuo was truly too honest for his own good. Those people treated him poorly, berated him, and yet, he still spoke in their defense.
Unfortunately, who would remember such kindness? Who would appreciate it?
Han Shuo scratched his head and said, "Brother Lin, since you have just arrived at Pingyao Town, you haven't booked a room yet, have you?"
Lin Feng nodded and said, "Since everyone is staying at the Spirit Dragon Inn, I might as well stay there too."
Han Shuo said, "But the rooms at the Spirit Dragon Inn are all full. If Brother Lin doesn't mind, you could stay with me. The only thing is, my room is the most basic one available and I'm a bit worried it might not be up to your standards."
"Brother Han, there's no need to be so courteous. Since you've called me Brother Lin, let's treat each other as brothers. How could there be any question of discomfort?" Lin Feng said with a smile.
Han Shuo said cheerfully, "Then Brother Lin, come with me to see the room."
Lin Feng nodded and followed Han Shuo to his room. It was indeed a very basic room, simply furnished and rather worn.
Han Shuo said apologetically, "It's really quite shabby. How about I ask around and see if there are any better rooms available?"
Lin Feng said, "I think it's quite good. It's a hundred times better than sleeping in the wilderness."
Thereupon, Han Shuo nodded and said, "As long as Brother Lin doesn't mind."
Lin Feng curiously looked at Han Shuo and asked, "Brother Han, why would you dare to venture into Star Cloud City and take such a risk?"
Han Shuo scratched his head sheepishly and replied, "I heard that the Star Cloud Pavilion is recruiting disciples. I hope to try my luck. If I could become an Outer Disciple of the Star Cloud Pavilion, that would be wonderful. Even if I can only be a servant disciple, it would still bring honor to my family. In our village, there hasn't been a Martial King Cultivator for hundreds of years. I want to grow stronger. Someday, I want to return to my village in glory and help make it stronger, so that we will never be bullied by other villages again."
A hopeful light shone in Han Shuo's eyes. With aspirations in his heart, that steadfast gaze touched Lin Feng slightly.