Chapter 6: The Unlikely Encounter and a New Quest
The following days settled into a comfortable rhythm for Lu Yuan and Xiao Yixian. Their time in the Beast Mountain Range had not only honed Lu Yuan's formidable abilities but had also deepened the unspoken bond between them. Now, back in Green Mountain Town, they sat in Xiao Yixian's small shop, the air fragrant with dried herbs and the subtle tang of medicinal concoctions. She managed the sales of their collected rare herbs and prepared medicines, while Lu Yuan, ever watchful, provided a comforting presence, subtly drawing on his spiritual perception to monitor the bustling street outside.
Their peaceful afternoon was interrupted by the arrival of a young man, perhaps fourteen years old, who strode into the shop, a heavy black ruler strapped to his back. Lu Yuan recognized him instantly. It was Xiao Yan, the protagonist of this very world.
Xiao Yan began Browse the shelves, his eyes widening with surprise as he spotted several exceptionally rare Level Four and Level Five medicinal herbs – herbs that Lu Yuan had personally collected from the dens of fierce beasts. His surprise soon turned to covetousness. "How much do these rare herbs cost?" he asked, his voice betraying a hint of urgency.
Within Xiao Yan's mind, Yao Lao's ancient voice resonated with rare excitement. "Buy these herbs at any cost! They are incredibly rare. With your current strength, it would be impossible for you to obtain them from the beasts that guard them. And do not act recklessly here, little fellow. The young man in this shop is not simple."
Lu Yuan, who had been observing Xiao Yan, stood up, a casual, almost challenging air about him. "What do you want from here?" he asked directly. Xiao Yan pointed a finger towards a cluster of the Level Four herbs that Lu Yuan had specifically collected.
"These herbs," Lu Yuan stated, his voice firm, "will cost you fifteen Level Three pills."
Xiao Yan's brow furrowed. "Fifteen Level Three pills? That's an open robbery! The prices are far too high!" he protested, clearly attempting to bargain.
Lu Yuan, however, remained unmoved. "These are rare Level Four medicinal herbs," he countered, his gaze unwavering. "They're found mostly in the dens of Level Four beasts, guarded by their fierce owners. If you want them, you take them at this price. Otherwise, you can leave." There was no room for negotiation in his tone.
Despite his furious indignation, Xiao Yan understood the unspoken truth in Lu Yuan's words. These herbs truly were difficult to obtain for someone at his current level. With a reluctant sigh, he paid the exorbitant price – fifteen gleaming Level Three pills for the rare herbs. As he turned to leave, pouch clutched tightly in his hand, Lu Yuan's voice stopped him.
"Wait," Lu Yuan said, holding out a rolled scroll. "Let me give you this. It has no use for me, but it might be usable for you." He offered it without further explanation, his eyes holding a subtle, knowing glint.
Confused but curious, Xiao Yan took the scroll and left the shop. He didn't unroll it until he was well outside Green Mountain Town, on the path leading towards the Warcraft Mountains. As he opened it, his eyes widened, then gleamed with joyful surprise. "A flying technique!" he exclaimed.
Yao Lao's ancient form flickered into existence from the ring on Xiao Yan's finger, his spectral eyes fixed on the scroll. "Indeed! This is good! It will be excellent for escaping trouble before you reach the Dou King level. Haha, boy, you've made quite a profit today, receiving such a thing for free!" With their new acquisition, Xiao Yan and Yao Lao resumed their journey towards the Warcraft Mountains, eager to begin Xiao Yan's rigorous training.
Back in the shop, Lu Yuan and Xiao Yixian resumed their quiet conversation. Then, Lu Yuan turned to her, a spark of renewed purpose in his eyes. "I'm going to find something," he announced. "Do you want to come?"
Xiao Yixian didn't hesitate. Her loyalty to him had solidified, a silent, unwavering promise. "I will go wherever you go," she replied simply, her gaze soft but resolute.
"Then you can pack your things," Lu Yuan said, a faint smile touching his lips. "We leave tomorrow."
His purpose was singular: to test his hypothesis. Could he complete the system's "Defeat Luo Feng" mission by simply defeating someone with the same name in this world, or did it specifically refer to Luo Feng from his original universe? It was a long shot, but worth investigating.
The next day, as the sun painted the sky in streaks of crimson and gold, they departed Green Mountain Town. The previous day, Lu Yuan had discreetly inquired about any "Luo" families. The mercenaries he asked knew of only two small families bearing the surname, both located far from Green Mountain Town. There was a slim chance, but a chance nonetheless, that one might have a member named Luo Feng.
With his now greatly enhanced Spirit Mastery, Lu Yuan chose the most efficient method of travel. He summoned his Shifter Blade, expanding it into a magnificent, three-meter-long aerial blade , wide enough for two people to stand comfortably. With Xiao Yixian clutching his arm, they leapt onto the shimmering blade, ascending rapidly into the sky, eventually soaring more than three hundred meters above the ground.
It was Xiao Yixian's first time flying. A gasp of awe, tinged with a touch of fear, escaped her lips as the world stretched out beneath them. She instinctively tightened her grip on Lu Yuan's arm, her knuckles white. Lu Yuan, however, was in his element. The Shifter Blade hummed with contained power, slicing through the air with the speed of a raptor.
In a few hours, they reached the first settlement, a bustling town nestled near the edge of the Warcraft Mountain Range, a hub for traders and mercenary groups. Landing discreetly on the outskirts, Lu Yuan approached an old man seated outside a small tavern, observing the comings and goings.
"Excuse me, elder," Lu Yuan began respectfully, "do you know of any Luo families in this area?"
The old man stroked his thin beard thoughtfully. "Aye, there's a small Luo family. Live in a quiet corner of the village, no more than four members."
"Is there anyone in their family named Luo Feng?" Lu Yuan pressed, his heart quickening with anticipation.
The old man pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "No, lad. No Luo Feng among them."
A wave of disappointment washed over Lu Yuan. He turned back to Xiao Yixian, relaying the news. "He's not here. We'll have to go to Qing Town next."
They re-embarked on the Shifter Blade, continuing their aerial journey. However, a few hours into their flight, Xiao Yixian realized she had somehow misplaced their map. After a brief discussion, they decided to turn back, only to find themselves, after several more hours of flight, over a vast desert expanse.
"Is Qing Town in a desert area?" Lu Yuan asked, confused.
Xiao Yixian, after searching her memory, nodded. "Yes, according to what I remember of the map, it should be a few kilometers from here, just beyond this desert."
They pressed on, flying towards the distant shimmer of the city. As evening painted the desert sky in fiery hues, they finally reached Qing Town. They landed outside the city walls, both of them exhausted from the day's long, meandering flight. Deciding to rest, they found a quiet spot to camp for the night.
The next day, refreshed, they ventured into Qing Town. Lu Yuan, following the same strategy, inquired about any Luo families. To his surprise and renewed hope, Qing Town indeed had a more established Luo family, with numerous members bearing the surname. After persistent questioning among the mercenaries and townsfolk, he finally found what he was looking for: a fourteen-year-old boy named Luo Feng, already a Dou Practitioner Level Three, a recognized talent in the town, known for easily defeating youths aged seventeen or eighteen.
Lu Yuan's excitement surged. He quickly obtained the boy's address and, without delay, made his way to Luo Feng's courtyard. "Hey, Luo Feng!" he shouted, his voice ringing out, carrying a clear challenge. "I want to challenge you!"
Luo Feng, who had been cultivating inside, heard the shout and emerged, his face alight with youthful confidence. There was no one in the younger generation of Qing Town who could defeat him. He readily agreed to the challenge. They both walked to the center of the courtyard, taking up their fighting stances.
The "fight" was a mere formality. It was a one-sided crushing. Lu Yuan, operating at an entirely different tier of power, simply manhandled Luo Feng, treating him like a child. He moved with a speed and precision the young Dou Practitioner couldn't even perceive, let alone counter. After five minutes of relentless, yet controlled, beating, Luo Feng lay gasping on the ground, utterly exhausted, a mixture of disbelief and awe on his face.
"I... I admit defeat," Luo Feng choked out, his chest heaving.
Lu Yuan heard the words, and his anticipation peaked, waiting for the system notification that would confirm his mission's completion.