Leaving Wang Xian Metropolis, Tang Xiaoqi continued east. The deeper he entered the Central Plains interior, the more pure and abundant the spiritual energy became, and the heaven and earth Dao rhythm was clearer. But it also meant force divisions were more defined, and conflicts became more frequent and naked.
He still maintained a low profile, wearing that occasionally malfunctioning Omni-Shadow Cloak, his aura at Golden Core early stage, blending into the traffic, traveling unhurriedly. The rabbit spirit on his shoulder seemed to have gotten used to the Central Plains' prosperity and powerful aura. It no longer appeared as nervous as when it first arrived, partially regained its liveliness. Occasionally it would jump down from Xiao Qi's shoulder to chase spirit butterflies in the roadside grass, but would always hop back before Xiao Qi got too far ahead.
On this day, he was walking on a relatively desolate mountain path. On both sides were dense primeval forests, ancient trees towering, vines twisting. The public road became narrow here, the surface somewhat uneven.
Suddenly, ahead came the roar of spiritual energy collisions, mixed with several arrogant shouts and a dull groan.
Xiao Qi frowned. His spiritual sense spread like silver mercury quietly spreading. Just ahead, at a bend about a hundred zhang away, four young cultivators in gorgeous attire and arrogant expressions were surrounding and beating a tall, sturdy man.
The man looked about twenty-seven or twenty-eight, his skin dark, muscles taut, clearly walking the body-cultivator path, his cultivation at Foundation Establishment late stage. At this moment, he had blood at the corner of his mouth, multiple wounds on his body, but his eyes were like those of an injured tiger, full of defiance and anger. He waved a pair of fist-sized fists, struggling to defend against the four men's attacks.
The four young cultivators had Foundation Establishment middle to late stage cultivation, dressed identically, with a flame emblem stitched on their sleeves, clearly from the same cultivation family. They were vicious in their attacks, their spells cunning, their teamwork tacit, clearly accustomed to bullying fewer numbers. The leader, a pallid young man holding a sword wreathed in flames, his sword techniques sharp, constantly adding new wounds to the sturdy man while mocking:
"Hmph! You foolish country bumpkin! How dare you charge into Young Master's carriage? Scaring my Crimson Flame Steed, even selling you would not cover the loss."
"Brother, why waste words with this barbarian? Destroy his cultivation and let him know what happens when you offend our Flaming Sun Family in this territory."
"That is right! A poor rogue cultivator, daring to come to the Central Plains for fun, truly does not know the height of the heavens."
Those Flaming Sun Family scions were extremely arrogant, their attacks merciless, each move targeting the man's vital points and qi sea, clearly intending to destroy his cultivation.
The man being surrounded and beaten, though at absolute disadvantage, gritted his teeth, saying nothing, just desperately waving his fists to guard his around-body vital points. Occasionally he seized opportunities to counterattack, his fist wind powerful, actually forcing those men to dare not get too close. But his spiritual energy consumption was huge; defeat was merely a matter of time.
Tang Xiaoqi's eyes grew cold. This behavior of bullying the strong and oppressing the weak, treating lives like grass, disgusted him anywhere. Especially in broad daylight, on the public road, acting so brazenly. This showed how presumptuous this so-called Flaming Sun Family was in this area.
He had not wanted to interfere, but seeing the man about to be destroyed, that sense of injustice in his heart ultimately could not be suppressed.
Just as the pallid young man grinned wickedly, his sword thrust toward the man's dantian qi sea, aiming to completely destroy his cultivation —
"Hum!"
An intangible yet heavy as mountains pressure, like a tide, suddenly descended, precisely enveloping those four Flaming Sun Family scions.
Their wicked grins instantly froze, replaced by extreme terror. They only felt their around-body spiritual energy instantly frozen, as if mired in invisible mud, unable to move even a finger. The flaming sword thrust toward the man's dantian was only three cun from the target, yet forcefully stopped. The flames on the sword, like being doused with cold water, instantly dimmed.
The man had closed his eyes waiting for death, but found the expected excruciating pain did not come. He opened his eyes in astonishment, only to see those four previously arrogant family scions, now like four clay or wooden sculptures, stood frozen in place, faces full of indescribable fear, beans of sweat rolling from their foreheads.
He looked around blankly, then his gaze fell on that gray-cloaked, aura-less blue-robed young man who had appeared without a sound.
Tang Xiaoqi slowly walked forward, not even glancing at the four men he had subdued with Nascent Soul pressure. His gaze fell on the sturdy man, calmly asking: "Are you alright?"
His voice was not loud but carried a strange calming power.
The man stunned for a moment, quickly cupped his hands, his voice somewhat hoarse: "I... I thank Senior for rescuing me. I am fine, just flesh wounds."
Though simple, he was not foolish. To silently suppress four Foundation Establishment cultivators until they could not move, this person's cultivation absolutely exceeded his imagination. Calling him Senior was absolutely appropriate.
Tang Xiaoqi nodded, casually flickered out a thread of pure spiritual energy into the man's body. That energy was gentle yet full of vitality, quickly nourishing his damaged meridians and internal organs. His pale complexion restored some ruddy color, and the wounds on his body began slowly healing.
The man felt the changes in his body, was even more grateful, bowed again: "Many thanks, Senior, for healing me."
At this time, Tang Xiaoqi turned his gaze to the four Flaming Sun Family scions he had suppressed. He did not release the pressure, only spoke calmly, his voice like cold ice, directly pierced into their souls: "Scram. If I see you again oppressing the common people, it will not be merely paralyzed like this."
As he spoke, that mountain-like pressure suddenly vanished.
The four family scions were like exhausted men, collapsing to the ground, gasping heavily. Their gazes toward Tang Xiaoqi were full of boundless fear. They dared not utter even fierce words, scrambling to rise, fleeing like homeless dogs, not looking back. They did not even care about their spooked Crimson Flame Steed.
Dispelling the flies, Tang Xiaoqi then looked at the sturdy man, casually asking: "What is your name? Why did you conflict with them?"
The man scratched his head, looking somewhat embarrassed, answered in a muffled voice: "Reporting to Senior, my name is Zhao Tiezhu. A rogue cultivator. I... I was hurrying to Tian Shu City, did not watch where I was going, accidentally startled their mount. They would not let it go, demanding I compensate one hundred medium-grade spirit stones. I could not produce them, so they started hitting me."
"Tian Shu City?" Tang Xiaoqi's heart stirred. "You are also going to that Asking the Way of All Things Assembly?"
Zhao Tiezhu's eyes brightened, nodding vigorously. His simple face showed longing: "Yes, Senior. I heard Tian Shu City is a cultivation holy land, with a once-in-ten-thousand-years assembly. I thought... I wanted to see it. Even if I cannot enter the city, seeing it from outside would be great. I know my cultivation is low, but... but I just want to see what those real geniuses look like."
His words were simple yet revealed a pure yearning for the Dao and a broader world. This heart of innocence made Tang Xiaoqi gain a few more favorable impressions of him.
Looking at Zhao Tiezhu's simple, hopeful gaze, and remembering his defiance when facing the siege, Tang Xiaoqi's heart slightly stirred. This man's nature was not bad. His bone quality looked quite solid. He was cultivatable. Moreover, both heading to Tian Shu City, having a companion on the road might also save some unnecessary trouble.
He contemplated briefly, then spoke: "I also intend to go to Tian Shu City. If you are willing, you may travel with me."
Zhao Tiezhu's face burst enormous joy upon hearing this, almost not believing his ears. This unfathomable Senior actually wanted to bring him along.
He so excited he was incoherent: "Will... willing! I am willing! Thank you, Senior! I will never forget this kindness! I will definitely not be trouble to Senior! I am strong, I can carry luggage for Senior! I am also good at hunting, can find food."
Seeing Zhao Tiezhu about to dance with excitement, Tang Xiaoqi smiled, waving his hand: "No need. Let us go."
"Okay! Yes, Senior!" Zhao Tiezhu hastily agreed, following Tang Xiaoqi like a loyal attendant, his face beaming with simple, excited smiles.
And so, on Tang Xiaoqi's road to Tian Shu City, a companion named Zhao Tiezhu joined. And he himself did not know that this frank body cultivator he had rescued on a whim would become such a reliable pillar by his side in the future.