What Are You Looking At, My Lord

Western Oxhorn Continent, Fortune Inn.

Chu Xingchen tossed a small piece of silver to the puzzled waiter outside the door and casually instructed,

"Bring morning tea and snacks. Keep the change as your tip."

It had to be said that the Western Oxhorn Continent was a land of talent and prosperity.

The waiter might not recognize whether the person in the room had changed, but he certainly recognized the silver Chu Xingchen had thrown.

Delighted, he caught the silver and didn’t bother questioning whether the previous occupant had been male or female, immediately responding,

"Sir, please wait a moment. I’ll bring it right away."

Chu Xingchen leisurely settled into a chair in the room, quietly waiting for Lizhi to arrive.

The day before, Lizhi had mentioned she needed to prepare, and Chu Xingchen had agreed without following her to the Sky Patrol Division.

Naturally, news of his arrival couldn’t be completely concealed, but keeping the rumors to a minimum was always wise.

So, Chu Xingchen had spent the previous day at Fortune Inn, patiently waiting for Lizhi’s preparations.

Half a quarter-hour later, the waiter served the morning tea and snacks.

Chu Xingchen glanced over them—the snacks weren’t particularly refined, their only merit being their generous portions.

At first glance, one might mistake the pastries for plain steamed buns.

As for the tea… well, it was tea in name only.

But Chu Xingchen didn’t comment. This was simply the state of things in the Western Oxhorn Continent—finesse wasn’t yet a priority here.

He waved his hand, signaling the waiter to leave.

Lizhi arrived another half-quarter hour later.

She squeezed through the door, her movements slightly comical, carrying a large backpack and clutching two sizable bundles under her arms.

With an ingratiating smile, she said, "My lord, apologies for the wait. I’m here."

"What’s with all these bags?" Chu Xingchen asked, puzzled.

Lizhi replied, "I gathered some books and brought along spare clothes and necessities."

"You plan to travel with all this?"

"No, no! The Sky Patrol Division rented us a spirit beast carriage. We’ll ride in that."

Chu Xingchen wasn’t sure whether to praise Lizhi for her simplicity. He took out an empty spatial ring from his sleeve and tossed it to her.

Lizhi instinctively caught it, then stared at the ring in her hand.

Looking up hesitantly, she whispered, "My lord, these things are expensive. If I break it, I can’t afford to replace it."

"It’s yours. Forget the spirit beast carriage—time is tight. I’ll take you myself."

Chu Xingchen stood up. "Pack your things. We’re leaving."

Lizhi’s face lit up with joy. Without refusing, she quickly bound the spatial ring with her spiritual sense and stored all her belongings inside.

Once she finished guiding this kind-hearted benefactor from the Tianyan Sect of the Central Continent to the designated locations, she could proudly show off this spatial ring back home.

Such treasures were exceedingly rare in the Western Oxhorn Continent—even her team leader, a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, didn’t own one.

Yet here she was, a genius at the early Foundation Establishment stage, already in possession of such a treasure.

Truly, geniuses were often blessed with good fortune.

After all, how could one be a genius without a bit of luck?

"M-my lord… your cultivation… is a bit too high, isn’t it?"

Lizhi leaned against a tree, struggling to steady her breathing.

Though Chu Xingchen had shielded her with a spiritual barrier during their journey, the rapid blur of scenery had left her disoriented, and the intense fluctuations of spiritual energy had made her queasy.

"Just passable. Nascent Soul stage," Chu Xingchen replied offhandedly, his gaze fixed on the massive city ahead.

According to ancient texts, this had once been a battleground where earth-shattering clashes took place. Yet now… it had become a thriving metropolis.

Indeed, some things had to be seen firsthand.

At the highest point of the city walls, a solemn-faced Buddha statue gazed down imposingly.

Chu Xingchen immediately sensed something amiss—the statue seemed to be imprinting some obscure mark on the people lining up below.

This power… it resembled faith energy.

Outside the city gates were two passageways: one exclusively for monks, requiring no inspection, and the other for commoners, who had to undergo checks.

Lizhi, being a cultivator, quickly suppressed her discomfort.

Nascent Soul stage?

She stole a glance at Chu Xingchen’s youthful appearance. Truly, the Central Continent lived up to its reputation—producing such a young Nascent Soul expert.

"Don’t let the barren land and blowing sand fool you. This is Qinghe Prefecture. Its name hasn’t changed in a thousand years—though perhaps there really was water here once," Lizhi said, pointing at the city ahead.

"That’s the domain of the Buddhist sects. Not directly under the Central Continent’s Buddhist order, but all Buddhist sects trace their roots back to the Central Continent."

"The city’s original name is lost to time. Now, it’s called Ten Thousand Buddhas City."

"Nearly everyone inside is a devout Buddhist. We don’t need to queue—just find a spot to fly in, since you’re a Nascent Soul expert."

Chu Xingchen shook his head calmly. "You go line up. I’ll wait for you at the gate. That Buddha statue has issues."

His cultivation was too high—the statue likely couldn’t imprint him.

Since he wasn’t yet clear on the current state of the Buddhist sects, he’d tentatively classify them as potential adversaries.

Besides, with Lizhi marked, she could move about without raising suspicion.

Lizhi glared at the solemn Buddha statue and suddenly burst out angrily,

"Those bald monks are all the same—scheming and underhanded, wasting their brains on dirty tricks. Utterly shameless!"

Chu Xingchen recalled an old saying:

"Perhaps it’s true—sincerity seldom wins hearts, but schemes always do."

Lizhi glanced at him, wanting to say more but holding back.

She was just a guide. Some things weren’t for her to say—or even to know.

Nodding, she complied with Chu Xingchen’s plan and obediently joined the queue at the city gate.

Chu Xingchen, meanwhile, slipped in effortlessly.

The Buddhist sects of the Central Continent and those of the Western Oxhorn Continent were worlds apart.

The Central Continent’s sects would never consider sharing their intercepted spiritual veins with their so-called "fellow" sects elsewhere.

Thus, the Western Oxhorn Continent’s Buddhist sects were, by nature, pathetically weak—and this place was no exception.

Leaning against the city wall, Chu Xingchen observed the steady stream of people entering. Yet, as they passed by him, not a single glance was cast his way—as if he were invisible.

His eyes swept over the city.

Everywhere he looked, Buddha statues stood—some towering on pagodas, others small, no larger than a fist, crudely carved by the roadside.

The ratio of monks to commoners on the streets was nearly one-to-one.

And every statue was constantly absorbing faith energy, drawing varying amounts from the people around them.

These statues were nothing more than vessels for faith energy.

Though unsettled, Chu Xingchen withheld judgment for now.

Then, suddenly, he spotted a familiar yet not-quite-familiar face in the crowd.

Xu Jin of the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect.

Xu Jin moved swiftly through the throng, the crowd instinctively parting for him.

But then he halted abruptly, his gaze locking onto the city gates.

"My lord, I’m here…"

Having just finished waiting in line, Lizhi hurried over to Chu Xingchen, her half-spoken words trailing off as her gaze followed his.

After a brief glance, noticing Chu Xingchen's unwavering focus, she lowered her voice and asked,

"My lord... what are you looking at?"