Meeting Bai Qing

As Xiao Yunhai wandered through the bustling streets of the town, he slowly retracted his divine might and aura, blending seamlessly into the crowd.

To any onlooker, he appeared to be nothing more than a strikingly handsome mortal, a man carrying a child on his shoulders with an air of quiet dignity.

His steps were unhurried, his gaze sweeping over the surroundings as he immersed himself in the scenery.

Though his core-sense could easily scout the area for information, he chose to walk among the people, observing them with a sense of curiosity and purpose.

There was a reason for this deliberate act of "mortalizing" himself, and he embraced it fully. After all, it was no crime for a cultivator to walk among mortals, to experience life through their eyes, even if only for a moment.

"Excuse me, please… I'd like to inquire where I am presently," Xiao Yunhai called out politely to a young man passing by.

His voice was calm and measured, carrying a warmth that contradicted the cold intensity lurking beneath the surface.

The youth paused, his expression shifting to one of suspicion as he studied Xiao Yunhai. His eyes darted around, as though checking for any signs of danger, before he finally nodded, his face devoid of emotion.

"Young sir, you are in Moon Drifting Town," the teenager replied, his tone bold but cautious.

He watched as Xiao Yunhai's brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of confusion crossing his features. Clearly, this stranger was lost, his thoughts far away.

Xiao Yunhai's mind raced as he processed the information.

Moon Drifting Town—a name he had never heard before.

He had been forced into this desolate region after a month-long chase, a relentless pursuit that had pushed him to the brink of death.

Now, he found himself in a place far away from the world he knew, a place where he would have to entrust his child's safety to the hands of mortals.

The thought filled him with fresh resentment, his hatred for Dao Li and the Divine Immortal Sect burning again like an unquenchable flame.

The youth, sensing Xiao Yunhai's confusion, hurried to elaborate. "Moon Drifting Town is part of the Blue Heaven Province's Clear Water City. The Wu Shui Empire rules over this domain," he explained, his words precise and thorough.

Xiao Yunhai's lips curved into a polite smile as he thanked the youth with a humble cupping of his fists.

The teenager nodded curtly before scurrying away, oblivious to the fact that he had just spoken with a being of immense power. Had he known the truth, he might have been trembling in fear, his composure shattered.

"Wu Shui Empire… Really far from home," Xiao Yunhai muttered under his breath, his brows knitting together in a frown.

The name stirred a mix of emotions within him—anger, frustration, and a cold determination. Dao Li had driven him to this remote corner of the world, forcing him to abandon everything he knew.

Now, he would have to leave his child in the care of mortals, a decision that weighed heavily on his heart. But he had no choice. The hatred he harbored for Dao Li and the Divine Immortal Sect was boundless, a storm that would one day consume them all.

Until then, he would bide his time, waiting for the day he could return and unleash the terror of the Disaster Demon in the Sheng Yun Realm once more.

Shaking off his dark thoughts, Xiao Yunhai's core-sense picked up on a presence nearby—a man in his thirties, exuding a temperament not unlike his own.

This man, a cultivator at the Yang King stage, stood out like a beacon in this otherwise mundane town. To the locals, his strength would be considered monstrous, a testament to his talent and dedication.

But to Xiao Yunhai, it was merely… interesting.

A sly smile crept across Xiao Yunhai's face as he observed the man from a distance. Dressed in blood-red robes, he cut a striking figure, his cold demeanor giving him the air of a demon king.

Yet, as he followed the man, his expression softened, a warmer smile replacing the earlier slyness. He could sense the man's unease, the way his senses prickled at the faintest trace of Xiao Yunhai's presence.

This man was no ordinary cultivator; he was sharp, perceptive, and cautious.

Finally, the man turned, a forced smile on his face as he addressed Xiao Yunhai. "Senior, how may I help you? Do you have any problems needing my graced assistance?" he asked, his tone polite but guarded.

Xiao Yunhai blinked, momentarily stunned by the man's straightforwardness. Then, with a bitter smile, he replied, his expression twisting slightly.

"It's fine. All is well, and I have no troubles. But may I be graced to know your name, sir? I happened to have lost my way and came to this region by accident. If you don't mind… hehe!" His tone was amicable, almost playful, as he winked at the man and presented him with a small but exquisite ring.

The man hesitated for a moment before accepting the ring, his spiritual sense probing its contents.

His eyes widened in shock as he realized the value of the gift. "This… You are way too generous, senior!" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with disbelief.

He checked again, half-convinced he was dreaming, before turning his gaze back to Xiao Yunhai. The man's expression was a mix of amusement and wariness as he weighed the situation carefully.

"I'm Bai Qing, the Patriarch of the Bai clan in this town. You can call me Junior Bai," the man said, his tone solemn. "We are tight-knit here, but your face is unfamiliar. You seem to be from another town or somewhere far away. That made it easier for me to sense your trail."

Xiao Yunhai nodded, his expression returning to its usual seriousness. He glanced around, his eyes narrowing as he gave Bai Qing a subtle sign.

Understanding the unspoken message, Bai Qing nodded in agreement. Without another word, the two men moved swiftly, their figures disappearing into a nearby forest.

The forest was known as Demon Raiding Mountain, a place infamous for its dangers. It was a region teeming with demonic beasts, a place where mortals dared not venture.

But to cultivators like Xiao Yunhai and Bai Qing, it was merely a backdrop, their auras dispersed to render their presence illusory.

As they moved deeper into the forest, the shadows closed in around them, the air thick with the scent of damp earth and the faint rustle of unseen creatures.

Here, in this secluded location, they could speak freely, away from prying eyes and ears.