Hu Yuan sat quietly in a business-class seat on the high-speed train. This comfortable and spacious seat was a ticket specially purchased for him by Zhang Tao, who strictly followed his parents' wishes. Although Hu Yuan felt that for a brief journey of just over an hour, there was really no need to spend such money on an expensive business-class ticket, since Zhang Tao had already made the arrangements, it was not easy for him to refuse. After all, this represented the sincere goodwill of the Zhang family.
At the moment, passengers in the business-class carriage were sparse, and quite a few empty seats remained vacant. The scenery outside the train window flashed backward like streams of light and vanished in an instant, yet Hu Yuan's heart was already deeply immersed in the vast world of cultivation. Just then, a burly and robust man slowly returned after fetching some drinking water. As he passed Hu Yuan's seat, he raised his eyebrows slightly, paused his footsteps for a moment, and then his sharp eyes locked firmly onto Hu Yuan. Immediately after, the man strode without hesitation toward the empty seat beside Hu Yuan and settled steadily into it. A faint smile hung on his face as he took the initiative to speak: "My friend, my name is Wang Minghao, and I am a practitioner of martial arts. For some reason, from the very first moment I saw you, I had a special feeling. If my guess is not wrong, you must be a kindred spirit as well—a cultivator, right?" As he spoke, Wang Minghao leaned a bit closer to Hu Yuan, deliberately lowering his voice as if afraid that others might overhear their conversation.
Hearing this, Hu Yuan was somewhat bewildered and stunned for a whole, taking quite a while to snap out of it as if waking from a dream. He first flashed a somewhat awkward smile, then scratched his head and said, "Ah, my name is Hu Yuan. I've only just started getting into these things, so how could I possibly count as a cultivation person! Please don't elevate me like that, haha."
Upon hearing this, Wang Minghao's eyes suddenly lit up. He stared intently at Hu Yuan with burning gaze and said excitedly, "Brother Hu, you are being far too modest! In my view, judging by the presence and temperament you currently display, your realm has probably long surpassed the so-called Xiantian Realm! To be frank with you, I am a martial artist myself, so I still have a bit of perceptual ability in this regard."
Hu Yuan muttered to himself inwardly. To be honest, he didn't quite understand the meaning of profound and esoteric terms like "Xiantian Realm" at all. But he felt that Wang Minghao's earnest and relishable manner was quite interesting, so, driven by curiosity, he couldn't help asking, "Does practicing martial arts actually possess such miraculous perceptual ability?"
Wang Minghao nodded solemnly and then explained patiently: "Of course. The martial arts practice I speak of is not simply about those ordinary, basic combat skills like punching and kicking. Our family is a genuine, generations-old martial arts family!"
"Oh? Generations-old? Could it be... that you belong to those legendary, deeply hidden and mysterious secluded families, the so-called Ancient Martial Arts families?" Upon hearing this, Hu Yuan instantly grew interested. His eyes shone with light, and he pursued the question impatiently.
Wang Minghao smiled and shook his head, saying, "It's not that mystical. Ancient Martial Arts families do exist, but everyone is still an ordinary person, eating and living just like anyone else. It's just that we place more emphasis on cultivation. Outsiders might find it mysterious, but within our own circle, everyone knows how things work. Of course, people who haven't reached a certain realm can't enter this circle, which is why things are rumored to be so miraculous on the outside."
"What circle?" Hu Yuan asked, completely baffled.
Wang Minghao glanced at Hu Yuan and said, "Nowadays, whether in the world of immortality cultivation or Ancient Martial Arts, very few people truly understand how to cultivate. These people all have their own small circles to facilitate the exchange of insights and mutual assistance. You're a newcomer, so your master will definitely take you to experience these circles in the future. Hey, wait a minute, your realm—are you just starting out?" He thought for a moment, then lowered his voice and asked, "Did you cultivate to this realm on your own first, and then get discovered as a good prospect and taken in as a disciple?"
Hearing this, Hu Yuan nodded, thinking to himself: Exactly, that's how it was. I figured things out on my own at first, and only later became a disciple by a fortunate coincidence.
Hu Yuan smiled and said to Wang Minghao, "You are right. I am still a novice right now and have a lot to learn." The two of them chatted casually like this, sharing their experiences and observations of cultivation with one another, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.
Hu Yuan couldn't help thinking of his master, estimating that Tianshan Ancestor wouldn't be able to introduce him to this circle. After all, Tianshan Ancestor was merely a wisp of divine soul and hadn't shown his face for hundreds of years.
Wang Minghao continued, "The cultivation world is much more complicated than you imagine. I came to the Imperial Capital specifically to attend a gathering within the circle."
Hu Yuan asked curiously, "Then what is this gathering about?"
Wang Minghao smiled, took a sip of water from his cup, and slowly began: "This gathering is called the 'Tianji Exchange'. Sounds pretty mysterious, right? Actually, it's a very secretive small assembly held only once every three years. Only people with some reputation and strength in the cultivation world receive invitations."
Hu Yuan listened with great relish and chimed in, "Tianji Exchange? The name alone sounds extraordinary. Brother Hu, you must possess peerless strength to have received an invitation, right?"
Wang Minghao waved his hand and smiled. "Not at all, I pestered my third uncle to get the invitation letter. This Tianji Exchange is far more than just everyone getting together to chat and exchange ideas. It's more like a grand stage for cultivators; whoever is stronger gets more respect and opportunities. There are no restrictions regarding age, sect, or race here—it speaks solely based on strength."
He paused for a moment and continued, "Every Tianji Exchange features martial arts sparring, the exchange of mental cultivation methods, and various other discussions. More importantly, it is also a great place to exchange information and resources. You might hear news about mysterious events or relic explorations, and you might even be able to trade for precious pills and treasures."
Hu Yuan's eyes lit up as he listened, and he asked, "Then when you go this time, are you going to spar in martial arts?"
Wang Minghao shook his head. "Sparring is definitely part of it, but more importantly, I want to find some long-lost information. I heard that this Tianji Exchange will have clues regarding ancient Secret Realms, which is very important to me. Of course, if I can meet some like-minded friends, that would be even better."
Hu Yuan exclaimed, "This gathering sounds truly wonderful! However, with so many experts gathered together, won't there be any danger?"
Wang Minghao nodded. "Danger certainly exists. After all, everyone is an expert, and sometimes sparring can get a bit intense. But everyone knows their limits and won't act recklessly. That's also the reason why the Tianji Exchange has been able to keep running."
The two of them chatted with great enthusiasm, time passed swiftly, and the scenery outside the window changed unnoticeably.
Wang Minghao glanced at his cup and saw that it was empty. He stood up from his seat, picked up the cup, and walked toward the water dispenser at the rear of the carriage. After filling it up, he turned around and walked back with a satisfied smile lingering on the corners of his mouth.
In the aisle, he subconsciously swung his arm. This small gesture was both a reflection of his relaxed mood and the unconstrained habit of a martial artist.
However, just as Wang Minghao was about to sit down, a harsh curse came from the back row: "Country bumpkin, utterly lacking in manners, you don't even deserve to sit here." He turned his head and saw a fashionably dressed woman glaring at him. He hurried to apologize: "I'm sorry, I might have accidentally touched you."
The woman refused to accept it, shouting with a burning rage: "The water on your hand almost splashed onto me! Can any Tom, Dick, or Harry sit in business class?"
Displeasure appeared on Wang Minghao's face. Seeing this, Hu Yuan gently pulled him and said in a low voice, "Forget it, don't argue with her."
Hu Yuan turned toward the woman and said with a smile, "Miss, when traveling out and about, nobody has it easy. Let's be understanding with one another; harmony brings wealth."
Just as Hu Yuan started his sentence, the woman flew into a rage, her shrill voice piercing the tranquility of the carriage: "Country bumpkin! How dare you call me miss? Do you know who I am?" Her voice sounded like a thunderclap, startling the surrounding passengers into glancing over.
Wang Minghao sat to the side, his previously calm face now covered with frost. He glanced at the woman and said in a cold tone, "Miss, please watch your language. I have already apologized; why must you be so aggressive? Everyone is born equal; don't think you are superior to others."
The woman was choked for words by Wang Minghao's remark. She widened her eyes, as if unable to believe that this seemingly foolish big guy could utter such words. Other passengers in the carriage began whispering and discussing among themselves.
Hearing Wang Minghao's words, the woman was evidently enraged to no small degree. She abruptly picked up her phone, began dialing a number, and shouted in a shrill voice, "Brother, hurry over here, I'm being bullied in this carriage!" Her voice drew the sideways glances of the surrounding passengers.
Hu Yuan and Wang Minghao exchanged a glance and both shook their heads helplessly. Wang Minghao let out a soft sigh and said, "This girl really, for such a trivial matter she has to call her family, it's simply speechless." Hu Yuan also chimed in, "Indeed, we didn't say anything excessive, yet she makes such a big fuss. It really is a bit much."
The two of them chatted casually, but their eyes occasionally drifted toward the woman. Clearly, she had no intention of letting the matter rest there and was waiting for her "reinforcements" to arrive. Both Wang Minghao and Hu Yuan knew very well that this small storm probably wouldn't subside easily.