Asking for Directions

"...," Lao Bai paused, contemplating the decision they had made. "So, in the end, we have chosen to embark on a journey to the Jin Long Continent, the birthplace of the author of that book."

The book refers to it as the Jin Long Continent, one of the Five Major Continents in the Mortals Realm. It holds the third position in terms of strength, with the Phoenix's Continent and the Holy Continent taking the top spots.

"But to name a continent after that disgraceful dragon, the 'Gold Dragon,' is to be expected from the Mortals," Lao Bai sighed, disappointed. The ancestors of the Jin Long Continent would be furious if they heard this. Calling a Gold Dragon, revered as a godlike existence in the Mortals Realm, a disgrace is a testament to the pride and arrogance of the Heavenly Winged Tigers race.

"Young Master, according to the book, the Jin Long Continent lies to the South, so we should head in this direction," Lao Bai pointed.

"Understood," Tian Yi nodded. "Lao Bai, before we proceed, there is something I need to attend to."

Lao Bai looked at him, curious about his Young Master's intentions.

"I will now unseal your cultivation," Tian Yi declared.

"Eh?" Lao Bai was taken aback. This was unexpected. He had assumed that his cultivation would remain sealed unless it was an emergency.

"Why do you seem so surprised? I initially sealed your cultivation to help you hide from those old individuals, allowing you to accompany me without being detected," Tian Yi explained. "Now that we are no longer in that situation, there is no need to conceal your true strength. Wouldn't you like to feel free?"

Lao Bai found it hard to believe his ears. "But, Young Master, we are in the Mortals Realm..."

A Peak Golden Immortal like him walking around with his true cultivation exposed? The mere thought of it sent shivers down his spine. If people were to discover his true power, the entire Mortals Realm would be thrown into chaos. Even the most formidable experts would be terrified, and not even a Gold Dragon would dare to leave its dwelling. It would be impossible for anyone to sleep peacefully knowing that a monstrous being like him roamed the streets. Not to mention, he himself would be too afraid to step outside his own home.

Tian Yi interrupted Lao Bai's thoughts. "It is precisely because we are in the Mortals Realm that you need to reveal your cultivation. As a Golden Immortal, do not become arrogant, or you will meet your demise without even understanding why," Tian Yi warned, patting his 'Holy Book.' "This place is dangerous, and even I must exercise caution."

Lao Bai was left speechless. If he were to die as a Peak Golden Immortal in the Mortals Realm, he would become a laughingstock for eternity. They might even display his coffin in the middle of the city for passersby to mock him.

"Wait..." Lao Bai's mind raced. Did his Young Master just say that even he would have to be careful? Careful of what exactly?!

"That means..." Lao Bai hesitated, his voice trembling. "Young Master, may I ask what realm your cultivation is in?"

Cold sweat trickled down his forehead as he anxiously awaited the answer.

"My cultivation? Even if I were to lecture you for an hour, you wouldn't comprehend it," Tian Yi replied dismissively. "But don't worry, I will do my best to ensure that we both make it out of here alive!" He confidently patted his chest.

Lao Bai's heart raced, realizing that his Young Master's cultivation was unfathomably deep. Could it be that even as a Golden Immortal, he would never grasp its complexity? He couldn't help but feel sorry for the people in the Mortals Realm. His Young Master was like a ticking time bomb, capable of wreaking havoc if his temper were to spiral out of control. The Mortals Realm would become the stuff of legends and bedtime stories.

"Young-"

Before Lao Bai could finish his sentence, a refreshing sensation washed over his body, and his cultivation returned.

He looked at his Young Master, who had two fingers pointed at him. "Aiya, it seems my workload has increased yet again," Tian Yi sighed. Now he had to ensure that he didn't accidentally harm anyone, be it with a sneeze or a fart. But most importantly, he had to prevent anyone from provoking his Young Master to the point of no return, even if it meant sacrificing his own life. It was a joke that he, a Six Winged Heavenly White Tiger who relished in killing, had become a babysitter and a guardian behind the scenes in the Mortals Realm.

"Okay, onto the next matter," Tian Yi continued.

"There's more?!" Lao Bai grew concerned. What else could be in store?

"Lao Bai, do you have any means to defend yourself? Like a treasure or a protective charm?" Tian Yi inquired.

"Oh, is that all?" Lao Bai sighed in relief. "I do. Look, this is a middle-grade immortal treasure I obtained after killing an old man." He spoke proudly, showcasing a beautiful folding fan with a tiger engraved on it. It was a treasure he cherished as a trophy, obtained after a life-or-death battle with a Peak Golden Immortal.

However, his pride was shattered in an instant.

"Aiya! What is that thing in your hand? You actually thought that toy could protect you? That won't do. Here, you can replace that trash with this..." Tian Yi handed him a different fan.

"This is a low-rank sovereign treasure. If your cultivation were higher, I would have given you a better one," Tian Yi remarked, unintentionally belittling Lao Bai due to his lower cultivation.

Lao Bai's eyes welled up with tears. He knew his Young Master didn't mean to demean him, but it still hurt like hell.

"Also, here's a protective charm. It will shield you from any attacks below the sovereign realm." Tian Yi handed him a jade slip.

"T-thank you, Young Master!" Lao Bai finally cried. His Young Master had bestowed upon him treasures he could never have dreamed of possessing.

And they had only been together for a week! How generous was his new Young Master?

"These two things may not be the best, but they will still be useful in dangerous situations. Once your Cultivation level increases, I will give you something better," he said.

"Things? You call these Treasures 'things'? Even the Four Ancient Lands don't have such 'things'!" Lao Bai cried even harder, but for a different reason.

He looked at the Jade Slip in his hand and said, "Oh, my little Ancestor. In my whole life, I have never seen an expert in the Sovereign Realm. Are you telling me it's because they are all in the Mortal Realm?"

"Good! Now that we are prepared, let us head to the Jin Long Continent," Tian Yi said with excitement.

"Lao Bai, you will fly in front of me, and I will match your speed," he instructed.

"Yes, Young Master!" Lao Bai jumped into the air and flew off into the distance at a speed faster than the speed of light.

But when he looked back, his Young Master was right behind him with a relaxed expression. He even yawned!

* * * * *

On a wide road, an elegant carriage was traveling with a group of guards.

"Darling, are we almost there yet?" a beautiful middle-aged woman asked her husband, who was sitting next to her.

"We should arrive in three days," he replied.

"Good, the Profound Dragon Spirit Sect will begin their Disciple Recruitment the day after we arrive," she said, gazing lovingly at the two figures in front of her.

"Xiao Chen, Xiao Ying, you two siblings are the pride of our Xiao Province. Both of you are only 17 years old, yet your Cultivation has already reached the Initial Profound Qi Realm."

"You are both qualified to become Inner Disciples, so there should be no reason why you can't pass the Entrance Exam," the mother reminded her children.

"Don't worry, mother. We will not disappoint the Xiao Family!" Xiao Ying said proudly.

She was petite with a cute face, while her twin brother, Xiao Chen, was handsome and exuded a heroic aura.

In the Mortal Realm, children typically start Cultivating at the age of 10 when they begin to feel the presence of Spirit Power.

However, if they start Cultivating before the age of 10, like these two siblings, they are considered Geniuses.

The earlier they start Cultivating, the more Talent they possess. With a three-year head start, these two are considered Heavenly Geniuses, born only once in a thousand years.

You may think three years is not a significant difference, but compared to those who start Cultivating at eight, that one-year gap is like the difference between Heaven and Earth.

The mother frowned upon hearing her son's words. "Chen'er! Don't say something so discouraging. Arrogance will be the cause of your downfall!"

She had always taught her two children not to be arrogant, as it could lead to offending someone they couldn't afford to.

"Mother is right, I am sorry," he apologized.

"Good, as long as you understand—" she began, but suddenly screamed.

* * * * *

The carriage came to an abrupt stop, catching them off guard. The husband grew angry and shouted from inside the carriage.

"What the hell was that? Hey, driver! You better have a good explanation for frightening my wife's weak body, or I'll personally execute you!"

His wife had a fragile body, and he was very protective of her.

"M-master! Come out quickly! There are two Seniors asking for directions!" a guard shouted loudly.

It was one of the guards, and fear could be heard in his voice.

"What? Seniors?" Everyone in the carriage was surprised.

The husband stepped out of the carriage to see two figures blocking their path.

It was a friendly-looking old man and a young boy with an ordinary face.

He was confused. Do they look like Seniors? They're obviously a grandfather and his grandson.

He glared at the guards with intense eyes.

A guard took notice and ran beside him to whisper in his ear.

"M-master, these two Seniors descended from the skies..."

"What?!" The husband was suddenly in shock.

Only Cultivators at the Spirit Realm were able to fly in the skies, and they were mostly Sect Elders and above.

Once the husband heard this, he hastily approached the two 'Seniors' and bowed.

"Greetings, Seniors. I am Xiao Fang, head of the Xiao Family."

"I heard that you two Seniors are in need of directions. How may I assist you?" he asked politely.

Anyone in the Spirit Realm was considered an expert in the Mortal Realm, so he couldn't help but show them respect.

* * * * *

"I am looking for a place called the Longevity Restaurant in the Jin Long Continent. Do you have any idea where it might be?" the old man asked.

"Longevity Restaurant? Such an arrogant name... I do not know, but I am familiar with the location of the Jin Long Continent," Xiao Fang replied.

Who in the world names their restaurant like that? Can you really live longer just by eating there? So arrogant...

"Oh, I see. Where is this so-called Jin Long Continent?" Xiao Fang was a bit surprised by the question. How could such an expert not know where the Jin Long Continent was? Did he live in a cave?

"Yes, it is three days away from here if you travel by carriage."

"My family is actually heading to the Jin Long Continent right now, so if you two Seniors don't mind, why don't you travel with us?" he suggested.

If he could have two Spirit Realm experts travel with him, he would definitely feel safer.

His carriage had enough space for six more people, after all.

"Hmm, Young Master, what do you think?" Lao Bai asked the young man beside him.

"Why not? We're almost there anyway, so we might as well travel slowly and enjoy the view," he answered.

"Good. We accept your kind offer," Lao Bai nodded at Xiao Fang.

Xiao Fang's eyes lit up. Yes! Two Spirit Realm experts would be traveling with him. Now let's see who would dare to rob them.

"Great! How should I address you, Seniors?" Xiao Fang asked.

"I am called Lao Bai, and this is my Young Master," Lao Bai introduced.

"Hello, I am Tian Yi," Tian Yi greeted.

Xiao Fang's eyebrows twitched. Young Master?

"So, it's Senior Bai and Senior Yi," Xiao Fang said.

Tian Yi frowned. "Wait, I am only 18 years old. Do I look like a Senior to you?"

"Eh?" Xiao Fang froze.

"18 years old? An 18-year-old Spirit Realm expert?!" His mind was blown away.

In the entire Mortal Realm, there were only 7 members of the younger generation with a Cultivation at the Spirit Realm. But they were all over 20 years old! Even the youngest, Chan Jingyi, had only recently broken through to the Spirit Realm at the age of 19.

But this one was already a Spirit Realm expert at 18? That one-year gap made a world of difference!

Tian Yi? How had he never heard of this Genius before?

"Hey, are you okay?" a voice snapped him out of his daze.

"Eh? Ah, yes, I am..." he stammered, still in disbelief.

"Please, follow me, Senior Bai and Young Master Yi," Xiao Fang said, guiding them into his carriage.

* * * * *

"I wonder what's taking so long," the wife said anxiously.

"The guard said it was a Senior asking for directions," Xiao Ying replied.

"Does asking for directions take this long?" Xiao Chen frowned.

"I'm going to take a look!" he declared, about to stand up.

Just then, the door opened and two unfamiliar faces entered their carriage.

"Who are you?!" Xiao Chen became alert.

"Stop!" his father's voice rang out.

"Father?"

"How disrespectful! They are currently my guests and will be traveling with us! Apologize!" his father scolded him.

"I-I'm sorry, Seniors. This Junior was wrong and didn't mean to offend you," Xiao Chen apologized, bewildered by his father's unusual behavior.

His father rarely yelled at them, even when they made mistakes. But this small error had caused his father to raise his voice. Did these two have a special background?

"Don't worry about it. You were just trying to protect your family. I like it," Tian Yi smiled and praised.

"Eh? Ah, thank you," Xiao Chen instinctively thanked him.

"Sorry for that. My son didn't mean any harm," Xiao Fang apologized.

"Understood," Lao Bai nodded.

"Please, have a seat. There's plenty of room, so you can sit anywhere you want," Xiao Fang said.

"Excuse us," both of them replied as they settled down.

"Driver, start the carriage!" Xiao Fang commanded.

"Yes, Master!" the driver responded.

And with that, the carriage started moving again.