The sky above the Tianqing Mountain Range was not empty, nor did Xiao Hua's enormous Cloud-Void Steering Ship stand alone. They had only just entered the range when the sound of rushing wind echoed from a distance.
Soon after, numerous flying magical beasts and variously shaped flying ships came into view, all making their way toward the depths of the mountain valley. Along the way, some passed near Xiao Hua's vessel, allowing him to clearly glimpse the figures seated atop the beasts or aboard the ships.
Xiao Hua gave a slight nod, impressed by the vitality exuded from this mountain range. Compared to the Black-Corner Region—where such scenes were a rarity—the sight of so many flying beasts and ships in one place was nothing short of remarkable.
Here, such modes of transport appeared to be commonplace. However, most of the flying beasts encountered along the way were no stronger than rank 1 or 2 Magical Beasts. Rarely did they spot any that surpassed rank 3.
As for the flying ships, their craftsmanship and quality were evidently far inferior to the Cloud-Void Steering Ship. It was no surprise, then, that their vessel drew more than a few astonished gazes from those passing by.
This was especially so when they noticed that such a massive flying ship carried only four passengers. The initial surprise in their eyes gradually gave way to envy. It was clear that the ship was crafted from rare and high-grade materials, its quality far exceeding the norm.
Such a treasure was not something an ordinary cultivator could afford, much less protect. Possessions of this level typically belonged to powerful clans or factions with deep foundations.
"It truly lives up to its name as the most prosperous city within a thousand kilometers..." Xiao Hua murmured, his voice light and calm.
He paid no heed to the gazes filled with envy. With a gentle step forward, the Cloud-Void Steering Ship responded with a low, muffled rumble before gliding smoothly through the air, heading deeper into the mountain range.
Moments later, the silhouette of a vast city slowly emerged beyond the verdant peaks, its presence faint yet imposing amidst the sea of green.
That vast city gradually filled Xiao Hua's vision as they drew near. His eyes calmly traced its scale and layout, and he couldn't help but nod in quiet approval.
"If I recall correctly, there's a rule forbidding entry into the airspace above the city. We'll need to disembark here."
Hong!
As his words fell, the Cloud-Void Steering Ship trembled faintly, releasing a soft, refined hum. A radiant path of light extended from the ship, descending toward the ground.
Without hesitation, Xiao Hua and the others stepped onto the light path and descended. Upon reaching the ground, Xiao Hua gave a light wave of his sleeve. The Cloud-Void Steering Ship responded with another gentle tremor before slowly shrinking in mid-air. It glided toward him like a leaf riding the breeze, finally landing softly in his palm.
After storing the Cloud-Void Steering Ship into the Mysterious Heaven Ring, Xiao Hua took the lead and began walking toward Horizon City.
"Should we rest first?" the Little Fairy Doctor softly suggested.
Xiao Hua gave a slight nod. "We should. Once we locate the Wormhole's position, we'll rest in the city for the night. Tomorrow, we'll head straight there."
None of those present voiced any objections. They simply nodded in agreement and followed his lead.
Upon entering the city, Xiao Hua's group chose a reasonably clean inn at random and settled in. Unsurprisingly, they were able to find the location of the Wormhole without much effort.
However, the queue was exceptionally long, prompting them to delay their departure until the next day.
…
As the first rays of sunlight filtered through the window, scattering into soft patches of light upon the floor, Xiao Hua slowly opened his eyes. He murmured to himself, "It is time to visit the city center. This place holds the only Wormhole within a thousand-kilometer radius of Horizon City…"
After rising from bed, he took a long bath to cleanse himself. Once refreshed, he stepped out to gather the Little Fairy Doctor and the other two. Together, the group departed from the inn and made their way toward the heart of the city.
Xiao Hua's four-person group walked steadily along the main road, where the stream of people and carriages flowed without end. Perhaps due to the early hour, the air still carried the cool, damp freshness of the mountain forests—clean and invigorating.
The road beneath their feet was paved with smooth bluestones. From time to time, shouts and cries from merchants echoed from either side. Shops lined the street, their shelves brimming with all kinds of goods that dazzled the eyes. The surging tide of people resembled a swarm of ants weaving through the busy street, giving Horizon City a sense of both liveliness and congestion.
Zi Yan skipped joyfully from one shop to another, snatching up candies and snacks in preparation for their journey to the Central Plains. Their morning walk continued in rare peace and quiet, untouched by trouble.
"I hope the line isn't too long this time…" Xiao Hua sighed softly.
"I doubt it," Little Fairy Doctor replied, shaking her head. Recalling the crowd from the day before, she added, "If the queue were long, this entire street would already be packed by now."
"That might be true," Xiao Hua agreed with a gentle nod.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Unfortunately, their peaceful morning didn't last. The sound of something heavy crashing down echoed from the front of the street, abruptly shattering the peacefulness as Xiao Hua and Little Fairy Doctor were still speaking.
Chaos immediately erupted.
From the end of the street, a fiery-red flying magical beast charged forward, violently crashing through several wooden buildings in its path. Debris scattered as terrified cries filled the air.
It was as though the crowd already knew the identity of the troublemaker. Many glanced over with angry eyes, only to confirm their suspicions: a young lady clad in bright-red robes stood atop the beast.
As if knowing who was causing the chaos, the people in the streets took a look with furious eyes as they discovered that there was a young lady in bright-red clothes as they anticipated.
She was undeniably beautiful, yet an air of wild arrogance lingered between her brows.
Pang!
"Ahaha—!"
A crimson whip lashed out from her delicate hand, striking down again with a sharp crack as her proud, melodious laughter echoed through the street.
"Hyah!"
The red-clothed young lady swung her whip once more, striking the ground with a sharp crack. The fiery-red flying steed beneath her reared up wildly, crashing into several more shops before taking off into the sky.
"What kind of steed did that witch get this time?!"
"She's causing chaos in the city again! Does she even realize we're the ones who have to pay for the damages?!"
Frustrated voices rose among the onlookers as they watched the scene unfold. Clearly, this wasn't the first time the red-clothed young lady had stirred up trouble in the streets.
Yet, as though none of their complaints reached her ears, she continued to giggle proudly atop her mount, completely ignoring the destruction in her wake. Cracking her whip once more, she called out gleefully, "Come on! Let's see what you're really capable of!"
With a sharp cry, the fiery-red flying beast surged forward like a blazing comet, knocking over countless pedestrians without the slightest hesitation. In the blink of an eye, it had closed the distance and was now hurtling straight toward Xiao Hua's group.
"A good dog knows not to block the road! Move aside for this young miss! If you get crushed to death, don't expect anyone to take responsibility!"
The red-clothed young lady shouted arrogantly, her whip cracking in the air as her brows furrowed upon seeing the few figures ahead who made no move to step aside.
Xiao Hua and the others, who had originally intended to move aside and avoid unnecessary conflict, halted the moment those words rang out. Their expressions turned cold in an instant.
To powerful experts like them—who carried pride forged through strength—such words were more than arrogance; they were a deliberate provocation. Naturally, such insults could not be ignored.
They stood their ground, unmoving. A trace of mocking disdain flickered in their eyes as they gazed at the red-clothed young lady.
"Hmph, courting death!"
That scornful look was not lost on the red-clothed girl. Her expression darkened, and with a cold snort, she urged the fiery-red steed forward without slowing, intent on forcing them to regret their defiance—and to trample those mocking gazes beneath her mount's sharp claws.
As the fiery-red flying steed closed in, Xiao Hua suddenly released a surge of mighty pressure. The force swept forth like a crashing wave, striking the beast head-on. Trembling in fright, the steed screeched to a halt in midair, unable to advance even a step further.
"Woah!" the red-clothed young lady let out a startled cry as the abrupt stop nearly threw her off. She gripped the reins tightly, barely managing to stay seated.
"How dare you block my path!" she snapped in fury.
As the steed regained its balance, the young lady raised her arm with a sharp motion. In an instant, a fiery-red shadow burst forth from her hand, accompanied by the piercing sound of air being torn apart. The whip lashed out with violent force, aiming straight at Xiao Hua.
Yet Xiao Hua remained perfectly calm, his expression unchanging. With a casual motion, he raised his hand and caught the incoming whip with ease. The next moment, he gave it a light tug.
"Ah!"
A sharp cry escaped the young lady's lips as a tremendous force surged through the whip. Her body was yanked violently from the flying beast. She tumbled through the air, rolled across the ground, and finally landed face-down with a heavy thud—her proud demeanor utterly shattered in a single instant.
As the red-clothed young lady hit the ground, the fiery-red flying steed—still trembling from the lingering pressure released by Xiao Hua—immediately turned and fled into the sky, not daring to remain a moment longer.
"He actually dared to disrespect the little demon?"
"That red-clothed witch is infamous throughout Horizon City."
"Serves her right... but still, what bad luck."
"Even so, that young man's bound to face trouble."
The surrounding crowd erupted in hushed murmurs of disbelief. Though many were inwardly delighted to see the arrogant young lady humiliated, their expressions were mixed with unease. Everyone knew the price of crossing her. Publicly shaming her might have been satisfying to witness—but it was also the start of certain trouble.
The red-clothed young lady struggled to her feet, her expression darkening with rage. As the soft murmurs of mockery from the crowd reached her ears, her face turned an unsightly shade of green.
"Bastard! How dare you harm this lady?!" she roared furiously, spitting curses as her fierce gaze locked onto Xiao Hua.
"I'm merely teaching you a lesson on behalf of your elders," Xiao Hua replied calmly, glancing at her with indifference. "Clearly, they failed to raise a child with even the slightest sense of etiquette."
Without waiting for her response, he turned away and led the Little Fairy Doctor and the others forward, continuing down the street as if she no longer existed.
"What did you say?! You think you have the right to lecture me?! Who do you think you are?!"
His cold disregard ignited her fury even further. Her voice grew sharper, almost shrieking as she shouted, "Uncle Hua! Uncle Lui! Kill that bastard for me!"
The red-clothed young lady's sharp cry had barely echoed when two figures swiftly descended from the air, landing before Xiao Hua's group and blocking their path.
The two elders—one with gray hair, the other with white—radiated auras that placed them around the five-star to six-star Dou Huang level. Within Horizon City, such strength was not insignificant.
"This master," the gray-haired elder began, glancing briefly at the red-clothed young lady, whose face was flushed with fury. He then turned to Xiao Hua, a hint of caution flickering in his eyes. "Our clan's young lady is admittedly a bit mischievous. However, she is still just a girl. Wasn't your response a little... excessive?"
As he spoke, he subtly tried to gauge Xiao Hua's cultivation level. But to his surprise, he sensed nothing—an eerie silence, like a bottomless abyss. Yet, that very stillness told him more than any aura could.
The pressure that lingered in the air made it clear: this young man's strength was far beyond their perception. Hence, their tone remained measured, not confrontational.
Xiao Hua remained expressionless. "And that is the only reason she's still alive," he said calmly, his voice devoid of emotion.
There was no boast, no anger—only cold fact.
But make no mistake—Xiao Hua was no kind-hearted man. Had it been an arrogant male who dared to hurl curses at him in the same manner, the consequences would not have stopped at merely being dragged from a flying steed.
"You bastard! How dare you act so arrogantly in Horizon City!" the red-clothed young lady shrieked, having finally climbed back to her feet. "You dared strike this lady? My grandfather will never let you off! If you know what's good for you, kneel down right now, kowtow to this miss, and apologize—"
Losing face in front of such a large crowd was unbearable for someone as prideful as her. Her delicate face had already twisted with rage, her voice growing sharper with each word.
However, before her furious cry could even finish echoing, a graceful figure appeared before her like a ghost—so swift and silent that no one saw when she moved. Without hesitation, the figure lifted a slender hand and struck.
Pang!
A crisp, resounding slap echoed down the street.
Time seemed to freeze. The onlookers collectively gasped, their hearts pounding. That slap… was simply too satisfying.
Even Xiao Hua blinked in surprise, his gaze settling on the white-robed figure who now stood calmly before the dumbfounded young lady.
Leaning slightly toward Tian Huo Zun-zhe, he whispered with a faint smile, "Old Yao, what do you think? Not bad, right? My taste in women."
Tian Huo Zun-zhe, still slightly dazed by what he had just witnessed, gave a slow nod. "It definitely isn't."
The red-clothed young lady slowly turned her head, a clear imprint of five fingers burning red across her cheek. A thin line of blood trickled from the corner of her lips. Her eyes widened in disbelief—she truly could not comprehend that someone had dared to strike her.
"He might spare you… but if you dare curse at my man again, I won't."
An icy, indifferent voice laced with killing intent echoed in the air, freezing the hearts of all who heard it. The red-clothed young lady's body involuntarily trembled. She slowly lifted her head and was met with the sight of a breathtaking woman—Little Fairy Doctor—whose flawless face now brimmed with chilling coldness.
Their eyes met.
And in that brief moment, the red-clothed young lady saw it—undisguised, genuine killing intent flickering within those serene, beautiful eyes.
"You… How dare you!"
The abrupt slap had left even the two old men momentarily stunned. But their shock quickly gave way to fury. With a sharp cry, their figures flickered, charging toward Little Fairy Doctor like bolts of lightning.
The two old men had just moved when the figures of Xiao Hua and Tian Huo Zun-zhe appeared before them like shadows emerging from thin air.
Though momentarily startled, the two elders didn't hesitate. Their fists shot forward without the slightest fear, aiming directly at the intruding pair.
"Heh."
With a light snort, both Xiao Hua and Tian Huo Zun-zhe casually raised their hands. Given their strength, receiving such blows required no effort at all.
Bang!
The dull sound of flesh colliding echoed across the street. The crowd stared, dumbfounded, as the fists of the two old men—figures known for their solid reputations within Horizon City—were effortlessly caught mid-air.
"Now, now. Let the ladies enjoy their little spat," Xiao Hua said with a faint smile, his tone light and unbothered.
"Indeed," Tian Huo Zun-zhe added with a chuckle, glancing at the stunned elders. "As men, it would be rather shameful to meddle in a quarrel between women."
The two old men were visibly shaken. Their expressions turned stiff with disbelief—never had their strikes been so easily neutralized. The strength displayed by these two before them was something not even the strongest within their clan could replicate so effortlessly.
Just who were these people?
"By the way, Old Yao," Xiao Hua spoke with a teasing smile, his eyes glancing toward the red-clothed young lady in the distance. "Didn't I say earlier that I spared that little girl because she was just that—a girl? And more importantly, it was for the sake of her elders, who clearly failed to raise her with even the most basic sense of decorum."
"If my memory serves me right, then yes, that's exactly what you said," Tian Huo Zun-zhe replied with a nod, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Quite the coincidence then… two of those very elders just happen to be standing right before us." Xiao Hua's smirk deepened as he looked at the two old men.
"Indeed. A remarkable coincidence," Tian Huo Zun-zhe echoed, his smile now tinged with mockery.
A cold shiver ran through the two old men's spines. The casual words, combined with the sharp glint in Xiao Hua and Tian Huo Zun-zhe's eyes, gave rise to a dreadful premonition in their hearts.
"Since I held back earlier and didn't discipline the young lady too harshly," Xiao Hua continued, his voice calm yet cold, "I suppose it's only fair that justice be delivered to those responsible for her upbringing."
"That would be the most reasonable course of action," Tian Huo Zun-zhe added, his tone light, yet firm. "After all, failing to teach a child proper manners is the fault of the elders—not the child."
"W-Wait…"
The two old men tried to speak, but Xiao Hua and Tian Huo Zun-zhe paid their pleas no heed. With gleeful, dark smiles, the two approached slowly—like predators savoring the moment before the strike.
Bang!Bang!
A pair of deep, muffled impacts echoed across the street. The cries of the two old men resounded soon after, followed by the heavy thuds of fists landing mercilessly.
In that instant, the entire street fell into utter silence. No one dared utter a word. The bystanders could only watch in silence and pray inwardly for the two poor souls now being pummeled black and blue by these two ruthless powerhouses.
As the pain surged through their battered bodies, the old men felt nothing but deep regret and bitter resentment in their hearts. That little grand-aunt had rampaged through Horizon City unchecked for years, but the moment she ran into someone truly fearsome, it was they who ended up paying the price—not her.
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