Shatuo City

"It seems to be called Shatuo City?" Ye Chuan flashed to a spot not far away, observing from a distance.

Yellow sand stretched across the sky, and the city stood between the crimson desert and an oasis, half-rooted in the scorching gravel. The arched gate was carved with coiling sand serpent totems, their scales embedded with fragments of sunstone. Whenever the wind swept through, the stone scales would shimmer with flowing golden light, breathing in the arid heat of the Gobi like living creatures.

The city guards wore black iron armor lined with camel wool, curved crescent-shaped sabers hanging at their waists, the hilts adorned with red silk and wolf-tooth ornaments. Spotting an approaching merchant caravan, they shouted in thickly accented voices,

"Show your token, unload your saddles for inspection—hey friend, air pass!"

"Token?"

Ever since his Heavenly Dao infant transformation, Ye Chuan's teleportation range had exceeded a hundred miles. With just a flicker of movement, he appeared inside the city.

Stepping into the city, he was greeted by a mix of spices, roasted meat, and spiritual energy. The main street was paved with desert-toned stones, flanked by shops with pointed roofs, wooden beams draped with prayer flags and dried desert dates, the banners flapping loudly in the wind.

"Really has that Western Region flair, no wonder Princess Ademi looks like a Dilraba double."

"Different lands breed different folks," Ye Chuan mused with interest.

In the shops, Western Region cultivators in embroidered vests haggled over goods. The stalls displayed artifacts and carpets inlaid with Gobi agates.

Ye Chuan spotted some gemstone jewelry at one stall and asked,

"Hey friend, how much?"

"One spirit stone, take your pick," the vendor replied.

"These should suit Luo Xi just fine." Ye Chuan bent down to browse, not even bothering to bargain given the low price. After picking out a few beautiful agate pieces, he grabbed some extras for Bai Qianshuang and Lan Xiaoke.

"Here, spirit stone." Tucking the jewelry into his backpack, he tossed the vendor a small pouch.

"Heh."

"Feels like sightseeing." Ye Chuan strolled leisurely through the city, in no hurry to find Princess Ademi. Instead, he savored the tourist-like vibe.

"What kind of bread is this?" A whiff of spices caught his attention. He turned to see a stall piled with round flatbreads and asked.

"Naan!" the vendor corrected. "Not bread."

"What’s in it?"

"Flour, eggs, milk, onions..."

"Isn’t that just bread?" Ye Chuan pressed.

"Naan!"

"Fine, naan it is—just a translation thing. Give me one."

"One silver."

"Uh… spirit stone okay?" Ye Chuan didn’t carry Xiluo Kingdom’s currency.

"Spirit stone?" The vendor’s voice instantly perked up. "One spirit stone, friend, all of it’s yours!"

Judging by the vendor’s tone, one spirit stone could buy the entire batch.

"Deal." After paying, Ye Chuan stuffed all the naan into his spatial backpack—space wasn’t an issue.

Taking a bite, the texture was indeed bread-like, though a bit tough, with onions and strong spices.

"Not bad, just a bit hard." Munching as he walked, he continued his aimless wandering.

Before he knew it, night fell.

Lamps flickered to life across Shatuo City, warm yellow glows seeping through windows, stretching pedestrians’ shadows long across the earthen paths.

The aroma of roasted lamb wafted from taverns, making Ye Chuan pause to buy some.

"Mm, time to log off. Got that beach trip tomorrow." He gnawed on a lamb leg, grease glistening at the corners of his lips.

"Burp. Tianxuan Continent, log out."

……

……

His vision shifted.

When he opened his eyes again, Ye Chuan was back in his room.

"Nothing planned tomorrow… maybe I’ll just grind the adventure world for a few days." Stretching on his bed, he immediately checked his status.

[Status: Auto-cultivating. Time remaining until late-stage Nascent Soul realm: 1,000 days (affected by cultivation techniques, spiritual roots, physique, etc.)]

A thousand days?

Typical Nascent Soul realm—three years just for a minor breakthrough.

"Too slow." Ye Chuan shook his head. Bai Qianshuang next door was already nearing Spirit Transformation.

But Ye Chuan didn’t rely solely on idle cultivation. Occasional lightning tribulations and serendipitous encounters kept his progress decent.

The real kicker was his home’s Spirit Gathering Array, which had a small chance to gift free minor breakthroughs. He even suspected Bai Qianshuang’s rapid advancement was due to its overpowered effects.

"Whatever." Tossing his phone aside, he rolled over.

Time to sleep.

After another restless turn, he found himself wide awake. With a flash, he appeared in the neighboring room.

Lan Xiaoke was curled up in bed, softly snoring, belly exposed.

"Out cold. Was hoping for some cuddle service." Seeing her deep asleep, Ye Chuan didn’t wake her—just slipped in.

"Mmm?"

Lan Xiaoke mumbled drowsily before dozing off again.

"Mmm?"

Ye Chuan adjusted slightly, feeling her steady heartbeat, then settled in.

The night passed without incident, XX.

……

……

Morning.

Today was beach day, so everyone rose early—even Luo Xi had arrived ahead of time.

"Hum, hum~" In the kitchen, Luo Xi, clad in an apron, flipped breakfast on a sizzling pan.

Hearing movement behind her, she glanced back to see a long-haired girl standing nearby.

"Awake, Qian Shuang?" Luo Xi smiled sweetly.

"Didn’t sleep… cultivated." Bai Qianshuang shook her head, a stubborn cowlick sticking up as she entered the kitchen. "Need help?"

"Don’t worry, I’m almost done." Luo Xi gently declined. "Could you wake up Chuan Chuan for me?"

"Ye Chuan."

"Yeah, he sleeps in sometimes. Can you fetch him?" Luo Xi prodded the frying eggs with long chopsticks, adding,

"Oh, remind him to pack swimwear. Can’t have him showing up at the beach bare, right?"

Bai Qianshuang’s gaze, however, was fixed on the sandwiches on the table—unclear if she’d even registered Luo Xi’s words.

"Here."

Luo Xi stuffed a small sandwich into Bai Qianshuang’s mouth. "Off you go, Qian Shuang."

"Mmm… chew chew… got it." Bai Qianshuang nodded.

She headed to Ye Chuan’s room but found it empty.

"…Hm?" Not spotting him in bed, Bai Qianshuang’s brows furrowed slightly as she extended her spiritual sense—quickly locating him in the adjacent room.

Along with Lan Xiaoke.

Currently linked.

"……"