Junior sister, keep forbear for a while, I almost become invincible as soon!

"Liu!" Chen Pingping called out with a smile.

Engaged in conversation, Liu Changqing instinctively turned his head upon hearing the voice. He had thought it was someone else, only to find... it was Chen Pingping.

Truth be told, with Liu Changqing's background, talent, and perception, he could remain composed even if he faced the Moon God. But when facing Chen Pingping, he always felt somewhat inferior.

"Chen!"

Though reluctant to get too close, politeness was still necessary.

Liu Changqing smiled. "It's been a long time!"

"Indeed! We haven't seen each other for months. How have you been?" Chen Pingping walked over.

Liu Changqing felt a bit uncomfortable. The way he said it sounded as if they were very familiar. "I've been well!"

Chen Pingping then asked, "Where are you headed?"

"Oh, the younger generation is gathering to discuss issues regarding the Heavenly Road," replied a young man standing nearby.

He had been in seclusion for many years and had only recently emerged, so he wasn't aware of Chen Pingping's exploits. Hearing the question, the young man answered honestly. He thought that as a friend of Liu Changqing, this person must also be a young genius worth befriending.

However, upon hearing this answer, Liu Changqing, standing to the side, secretly wiped away cold sweat. A gathering of the younger generation was an event for young people; what did it have to do with someone like Chen Pingping? How could he be described as "young"? He should be considered one of the older generation's powerhouses.

Uh-oh! Liu Changqing silently chanted in his heart, "Don't go, don't go, don't go!"

However, Chen Pingping's eyes lit up. "Then, shall we go together?"

Sima Kong laughed. "Sounds good!"

Liu Changqing was speechless.

Since he had nothing better to do, he decided to go and see. Perhaps he could learn the exact location of the Heavenly Road from their discussion, Chen Pingping thought.

「Several tens of minutes later」

The group arrived at a grand restaurant. It had three floors and was splendidly decorated, opulent and imposing, exuding an air of elegance. Most of the clientele here were prominent individuals of status and renown. Moreover, the stronger one's cultivation, the higher one could dine. This meant that if you wanted to eat on the second or third floor, you had to demonstrate your strength.

Sima Kong led them upstairs to a room on the third floor.

By then, several young cultivators were already waiting—men and women alike, their laughter and jovial talk filling the air.

Upon seeing Sima Kong enter, the room quieted down considerably.

"Sima, you've finally emerged from your seclusion! If you had waited any longer, you might have missed out on the Great Opportunity of the Heavenly Road!" a man dressed in azure said with a smile.

"No rush, no rush," Sima Kong responded with a smile.

"Liu, long time no see!" someone greeted Liu Changqing.

"Indeed, it's been a while!" he replied politely.

"And who might these two be?" The man in azure turned to look at Chen Pingping and Hong You, surprised.

Chen Pingping was strikingly handsome, not with a rugged, masculine charm, but with a gentle, refined appeal. His face was exquisitely delicate, his features perfectly harmonious—so beautiful it resembled a flawless work of art rather than a mere face. It was just that his attire was rather plain, not at all befitting his remarkable countenance.

The women in the room were also captivated by his allure, their hearts fluttering. They quickly regained their composure and said with warm smiles, "Little brother, come sit over here!"

There were seven men and five women. They appeared to be in their early twenties to late twenties, though their true ages were unknown.

The women were all calling out, smiling enchantingly. One even made a move, standing up and tugging at his sleeve, intending to lead him away.

Chen Pingping, who had never experienced such attention, felt his old face flush. It seemed as if the blood in his veins was about to erupt. "I can seat myself," he said quickly.

"My, my, he even blushes!" a woman exclaimed, covering her mouth as she giggled, brushing up against him now and then, which made everyone roar with laughter.

Her name was Liuli.

Sima Kong chuckled. "There's no need to be polite, fellow Daoist. We are all children of the Quicksand Dynasty, known for our warm hospitality."

Children or not, that could be set aside for now. The warm hospitality, however, was indeed genuine. It was clear they enjoyed good relations with each other.

Liu Changqing, at the side, was breaking out in a cold sweat, thinking, "My dear sirs and madams, do you have any idea who this is?" He was panicking.

At that moment, someone looked towards Hong You and offered, "Sister, please, take a seat!"

Sister? Hong You's eyes widened, and she felt like cursing. What kind of judgment was that, calling her sister? Why was Chen Pingping "little brother," but when it came to her, she was suddenly "sister"?

"Meng is the youngest among us, only twenty years old," Sima Kong hurriedly explained.

Hong You was exasperated. Forcing a smile, she said, "I'll remain standing. I still need to practice my Stealth Skill!" After speaking, she shot Chen Pingping a glare.

"Stealth Skill? Sister, are you an assassin from Chong Tower?" Meng asked with a smile.

Liu Changqing's brow twitched, and another wave of cold sweat broke out. Did he really need to ask such a question? Across the entire Central Continent, only Chong Tower was known for Stealth Skills. It was obvious!

Hong You didn't answer and left in a huff.

Thank goodness, thank goodness! Liu Changqing secretly breathed a sigh of relief. None of the people around Chen Pingping were easy to deal with. If Hong You had caused a scene just then, the consequences would have been unimaginable!

Liuli blinked her eyes and said sweetly, "Little brother, was that lady your Tao Companion?"

"No," Chen Pingping shook his head.

"Oh? Not your Tao Companion? How interesting." Liuli glanced in the direction Hong You had gone, her eyes darting about. Who knew what she was scheming?

"Is this your first time in South of Huainan, fellow Daoist?" Meng asked. He was quite lively.

South of Huainan was the name for a large region, meaning the area south of the Central Continent.

Chen Pingping nodded.

Meng continued, "The scenery here in South of Huainan is beautiful, and beauties are as common as clouds. If you take a fancy to anyone, just let me know, and I'll play matchmaker for you."

"Go on, get out of here! Your big sister here is still single!" Liuli rolled her eyes. "It's not often we meet someone so good-looking. Aren't you going to give your sister a chance?"

"You? Forget it!" Meng teased with a grin. "So many years have passed. Have you gotten over it yet?"

"Of course, I have," she declared, tilting her head up haughtily.

He could tell. This young woman named Liuli was someone with a story.

Sima Kong was likely the leader of their group, the one in charge. He had considerable influence, a respectable status, and was also very strong. The young man called Meng was the darling of the group, which was why he spoke so freely and seemed somewhat immature. As for the others, they spoke little, and Chen Pingping hadn't gotten to know them yet.

But he had to admit, he really liked this kind of atmosphere: a group of young people sitting together, chatting and laughing, saying whatever came to mind. Their harmonious relationship suggested they must have experienced many things together.

They chatted for an hour.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted from downstairs.

"This young master traveled a thousand li to come to your establishment, and you dare tell me there are no rooms left?" an arrogant voice boomed.

It was a lavishly dressed young nobleman. Behind him followed a group of powerful cultivators, all of them clearly at the King Tao realm.

Meng reflexively poked his head out to look, then stuck out his tongue. "What rotten luck! To run into that guy here."

Liuli giggled. "He just relies on his father having some connection to the Moon God to act so arrogantly, bullying the weak. His own strength is actually pathetic."

That statement wasn't entirely accurate. It wasn't just 'some connection'; it was a relationship of subordinate to superior.

The young man's name was Shangguan Du. His father was a formidable Emperor Tao expert and also one of the Moon God's guardians.

Over the years, Shangguan Du had leveraged this connection to commit countless outrages that angered both heaven and humankind. His bullying was one thing, but the recent exposure of his oppression of numerous common women had incited public fury.

But who would dare to retaliate?

Even the Quicksand Dynasty's imperial family dared not speak out. The power behind him was simply too formidable.

"Young Master..." A man approached Shangguan Du and whispered a few words in his ear.

Shangguan Du's gaze sharpened. A smirk played on his lips as he looked towards the third floor. "Someone actually dares to occupy this young master's room?"