Retirement begins with summoning Yuan Tiangang

The next day, they continued their journey.

Lin Feng found that he could walk much more easily now. Before, his legs would ache and his feet would hurt after walking all day.

I've been walking all day now, and apart from feeling a little tired, I don't have any particular feelings.

The bundle on his back seemed lighter, although he knew it wasn't because the bundle was lighter, but because he was stronger.

Qinglong was still the same as always, walking slowly ahead with his hands behind his back and a blade of grass in his mouth.

Lin Feng followed behind him, occasionally throwing punches and kicking his legs, feeling the changes in his body.

"Kid, don't get cocky."

The voice of Master Yu Yuan echoed in his mind.

"It's only the second level of the acquired realm; it's still far from true cultivation."

"I know," Lin Feng replied in his mind.

"I'm just happy."

"What's there to be happy about? When you reach the Innate Realm and can draw Qi into your body, that's when you'll have something to be happy about."

Master Yu Yuan paused for a moment, then said,

"However, you've progressed quite quickly. It usually takes an average person at least three or four months to go from beginner to the second level of the Acquired Realm. How long has it been for you? Less than a month."

Lin Feng was taken aback: "Quickly?"

"quick."

Master Yu Yuan said,

"Either you are truly gifted, or... your uncle taught you well and prepared the medicinal bath perfectly. Or perhaps both."

Lin Feng thought about it and concluded that it was probably a combination of both. Uncle Qinglong was strict, but his methods were correct; the medicinal bath was uncomfortable, but the effects were indeed good, not to mention the occasional guidance from Master Yuyuan…

He was lucky.

After walking for a few more days, the scenery on both sides of the road gradually changed.

There are fewer barren slopes and more farmland.

The houses have become more densely packed, no longer scattered mud houses, but brick and tile houses, some even with courtyards. There are more pedestrians and vehicles on the roads.

At noon that day, they crossed a mountain ridge and suddenly the view opened up before them.

It was a city far larger than anyone could imagine.

The city walls stretched endlessly, at least half the size of Qingyang County.

Banners fluttered atop the city wall, and the figures of patrolling soldiers could be vaguely seen, their armor gleaming in the sunlight.

What's even more breathtaking is the scene inside the city.

The houses stand in close proximity, stretching from the base of the city wall to the horizon.

Dozens of tall towers rise from the ground, some with pointed tops and some with rounded tops, reflecting golden light in the sunlight.

The streets are crisscrossed.

The streets were bustling with traffic and pedestrians, and even from this distance, one could faintly hear the noise.

"That's Cloudsea City."

The Azure Dragon pointed ahead,

"Yunhai Prefecture is the capital of the prefecture, ranking among the top three cities in the seven prefectures of Zhongting."

Lin Feng's mouth was agape, and he couldn't close it for a long time.

He thought Qingyang County was already big and prosperous enough.

Compared to the city before them, Qingyang County City was like... like a small town.

"Let's go," Qinglong said.

"I'll stay in the city tonight."

The two descended the ridge and headed towards the city gate.

The closer you get to the city, the more people and carriages there are.

The line of people waiting to enter the city was incredibly long, slowly inching forward.

When it was their turn, the city guards glanced at Qinglong, then at Lin Feng, and waved them through without asking any questions.

As you pass through the city gate, a cacophony of noise hits you.

The streets were wide enough for eight horse-drawn carriages to walk side by side, and the bluestone slabs were as smooth as mirrors, polished to a shine.

Shops lined both sides of the street, their flags fluttering in the breeze, stretching as far as the eye could see.

Restaurants, pharmacies, pawnshops... everything is available, each with a grander facade and more luxurious decorations than the last.

The streets were packed with pedestrians.

There were wealthy merchants dressed in silk and riding in carriages, wandering swordsmen in martial arts attire, officials in official robes and riding in sedan chairs, and laborers in coarse cloth carrying loads... all sorts of people.

The air was filled with various smells, creating a unique atmosphere that belonged to the big city.

Lin Feng's eyes are not enough to take it all in again.

He was looking around as he walked when he almost bumped into someone.

Qinglong pulled him up, and he finally came to his senses.

"Don't look around," Qinglong whispered. "Follow me."

Lin Feng nodded quickly and followed closely behind Qinglong.

The two walked through several streets and came to a relatively quiet street.

There's an inn at the street corner; it's not big, but it's very clean.

The plaque reads "Yuelaiju".

The name was quite ordinary, and Qinglong walked straight in.

The inn's lobby wasn't large, with seven or eight square tables, and there weren't many guests at the moment.

Behind the counter sat a shopkeeper in his forties, who was looking down at an abacus.

He looked up when he heard footsteps.

"Would you two like to stay at the inn?"

The shopkeeper put on a professional smile.

Qinglong stepped forward, took out a piece of silver from his pocket, and placed it on the counter.

"Two rooms, please," he said.

"Okay!"

The innkeeper took the silver, weighed it in his hand, and his smile widened. "Waiter! Come and show the guest a room!"

A waiter, about sixteen or seventeen years old, ran out from the back room, bowing and scraping: "Please, sir!"

Qinglong gestured for Lin Feng to go first.

Lin Feng followed the waiter toward the stairs, while Qinglong remained at the counter.

Lin Feng looked back halfway up the stairs.

He saw Qinglong lean close to the shopkeeper's ear and whisper something.

The shopkeeper's face changed instantly, not from fear, but from shock and disbelief. He stood up straight, as if he had heard something incredible.

Qinglong patted him on the shoulder and said something else. The shopkeeper nodded repeatedly, bowing even lower.

Then Qinglong turned around and followed.

Lin Feng had some doubts, but he didn't ask any further questions.

The waiter pushed open the doors to the two innermost rooms on the second floor. The rooms were clean and tidy, with beds, tables, and chairs all in place.

"Please rest, sir. Let me know if you need anything!" the waiter said before going downstairs.

Qinglong entered Lin Feng's room and closed the door.

"Uncle Qinglong,"

Lin Feng couldn't help but ask,

"What did you just say to the shopkeeper?"

"It's nothing," Qinglong said calmly.

"Let him take care of things."

Lin Feng didn't believe it.

The shopkeeper's reaction was more than just a simple act of taking care of someone.

But he didn't ask any more questions.

Uncle Qinglong will speak if he wants to, and there's no point in asking if he doesn't.

He put down his bundle, walked to the window, and opened it.

Outside the window is the inn's backyard, which isn't large, but has several osmanthus trees. Although the flowering season is over, the leaves are still green.

"Kid."

Suddenly, Master Yu Yuan's voice rang in his mind, this time filled with deep doubt.

"Your father...is he really just an ordinary person?"

Lin Feng was taken aback: "Yeah. What's wrong?"

"What about just now...?"

Master Yu Yuan paused for a moment,

"Never mind, never mind."

Lin Feng's heart tightened.

He recalled the shopkeeper's expression just now.

"My dad's just an ordinary person! He spends his days sunbathing, growing vegetables, cooking... at most... at most he knows a little bit of martial arts?"

"Never mind, never mind."

Seeing that he remained silent for a long time, Master Yu Yuan waved his hand, though Lin Feng couldn't see it.

"I was just asking casually. Who your father is is not important. What's important is that you follow me now... train hard, and you'll naturally understand everything later."

Lin Feng hummed in response and then remained silent.

He stood by the window, his mind a jumble of thoughts.