In Yangzhou City, bustling with life, Ye Fan strolled down the street, his gaze inadvertently sweeping ahead to a striking stage set up in the distance.
He walked closer and saw a man standing high upon it, looking down at the crowd gathered below.
At that moment, someone in the crowd exclaimed, "This martial arts tournament in Yangzhou City is truly a grand spectacle!"
Another passerby chimed in, "Indeed. It's just a pity that most of the spots have been monopolized by the major clans and the City Lord's Mansion, leaving only a tiny fraction for everyone else to fight over. Still, getting to witness this grand event for contention right here on the street is quite an eye-opener."
Someone else remarked, "That man on the stage is probably the one who secured a spot this time."
Ye Fan looked up and heard the man on the stage shout arrogantly, "I've locked down this spot, and all of you are nothing but trash!"
Hearing this, the corners of Ye Fan's mouth twitched, and he muttered inwardly, "What an absolute moron."
With that, Ye Fan activated the Lingyun Step, channeling his inner Qi, and instantly knocked the arrogant man flying off the stage. Having done all this, Ye Fan turned around with effortless flair and walked away.
Down below, Lin Feng had already prepared to step up and make a move, but upon seeing Ye Fan's actions, he thought to himself in secret amazement: This person possesses at least the cultivation of the Spirit Martial Realm.
Arriving at the tournament grounds, Ye Fan watched as Lin Feng took the City Lord's daughter hostage and made a clean getaway. He mused to himself inwardly, "With Lin Feng heading to Yunhai Sect like this, it probably won't be long before the sect is destroyed. It's about time I headed to the imperial capital as well."
At this thought, Ye Fan flashed forward, chasing in the direction Lin Feng had taken. Before long, Ye Fan caught up to him and asked, "Might Brother Lin Feng be heading to Yunhai Sect?"
Lin Feng turned to look at Ye Fan, a flash of surprise in his eyes as he recognized him as the person who had sent an opponent of the Ninth Layer of Qi Martial Realm flying with a single strike back at the stage.
Recovering quickly, Lin Feng smiled slightly and replied, "That's right, I am indeed heading to Yunhai Sect."
Ye Fan nodded and continued, "To be honest, I came to Snow Moon Country having heard that Yunhai Sect is its third-largest sect, and I wanted to go take a look. Would it be alright if I traveled along with Brother Lin Feng?"
Hearing this, Lin Feng agreed without hesitation, "Of course." With that, the two walked side by side toward Yunhai Sect.
Soon, at the foot of Yunhai Sect's mountain, Ye Fan stood on a high vantage point, looking down at the scene below. A troop of armored cavalry was neatly arrayed, exuding an imposing and exceptionally stern aura.
Ye Fan then turned to Lin Feng beside him and said, "How can any country allow so many powerful sects to exist within its borders? Right now, the royal family of Snow Moon Country is the strongest, so the other major sects are unlikely to meet a good end—they are very likely to face annihilation. Brother Lin, you should prepare yourself early."
With that, Ye Fan executed the Lingyun Step, his figure flashing like lightning as he sped far away.
A system prompt rang out in his ear: "Ding. Slightly influenced the protagonist Lin Feng. Obtained 20 Origin Coins."
Ye Fan thought to himself, "The system gives out so many Origin Coins! High-tier worlds are truly wonderful!"
Lin Feng stood dazed, wanting to say something, but realized Ye Fan had already departed, leaving only a blurred figure behind.
Lin Feng thought to himself, "What he said makes a lot of sense. It seems I must prepare in advance."
Lin Feng then looked toward a young woman among the Iron-Blood Cavalry, and his entire body stiffened. He recognized her as a girl he had once bullied.
At that moment, the young woman clearly held a lofty position among the Iron-Blood Cavalry, which made Lin Feng's heart sink.
Lin Feng thought to himself, "It seems this girl has quite a status among the Iron-Blood Cavalry. If she holds a grudge about the past, she might pose a threat to me."
The young woman among the Iron-Blood Cavalry looked over some intelligence handed to her by a subordinate, glanced toward the spot where Ye Fan had been standing, and thought to herself that this man was no ordinary person. Then, seeing Lin Feng looking as if he were facing a formidable enemy, she simply refrained from speaking with him and turned to head up Yunhai Sect.
From afar, Ye Fan gazed at Yunhai Sect, paused for a moment, then shook his head and turned away.
......
This was a peaceful small town named Yunyang Town. Sunlight bathed the quaint streets and houses, casting a warm glow over everything.
Ye Fan stood quietly at the entrance of the town, dressed in plain attire.
A moment later, Ye Fan stepped into the town. With light and steady steps, he walked down the street, smiling and nodding to passing townspeople, before finding someone to buy a courtyard from.
Approaching the purchased courtyard, Ye Fan pushed the door open without hesitation and stepped inside.
The courtyard was arranged simply yet elegantly; a well sat in the center, surrounded by lush flowers and plants. After looking around, Ye Fan walked over to a corner of the yard and began digging holes to plant two jujube trees.
As time passed, Ye Fan finally finished planting the trees. He dusted the dirt off his hands and looked at his handiwork with satisfaction.
By now, the sun was gradually sinking westward, casting mottled shadows from the jujube trees in the fading twilight. Ye Fan enjoyed this tranquility.
In the farmlands in the distance, two figures were secretly observing Ye Fan.
They exchanged glances, then shook their heads together. One of them quietly slipped away from the farmland and headed toward the town.
Reaching the back door of a mansion, that person knocked three times softly.
The door opened, and he quickly stepped inside, then dropped to his knees and spoke respectfully to an old man sitting in a chair: "Today, an unidentified person entered Yunyang Town. Based on observation, his cultivation is at least at the Spirit Martial Realm, and we are no match for him."
The old man frowned, pondered for a moment, and said, "Hmph, keep a close watch on his movements for now. If no abnormalities are found, try your best not to disturb him. But pay attention to his general activities and report back to me in time."
With that, the old man stood up, shook his head, and walked into the courtyard. He sighed inwardly, "What a turbulent autumn! I hope this person doesn't bring us trouble."
Lying back in a chair for a moment, Ye Fan thought to himself, "System, open the personal panel."
Host: Ye Fan
Cultivation: Fifth Layer of Spirit Martial Realm
Martial Arts: Shattering Cloud Palm (Palm Intent Level 3), Lingyun Step (Wind Intent Level 3), Dugu Nine Swords (Sword Intent Level 4)
Cultivation Technique: Martial Classic (Mister-Grade Inferior)
Origin Coins: 34
Ye Fan thought to himself, "System, I wonder if I can visit a low-tier world again."
The System replied: "With the host's current cultivation, entering a First-Tier World is impossible. Please proceed to a Second-Tier World. A Second-Tier World requires 20 Origin Coins."
Ye Fan then turned and entered the small courtyard, sitting cross-legged on the ground to begin his cultivation. Forming hand seals and chanting softly, a powerful aura emanated from his entire body.
Milky-white Qi surrounded Ye Fan in a ring, flowing slowly like a thin veil.
Suddenly, the milky-white Qi vanished entirely in an instant, as if swallowed into Ye Fan's body. Then Ye Fan opened his eyes, a flash of surprise and emotion crossing them.
Ye Fan softly said, "Just like that, I've broken through to the Sixth Layer of Spirit Martial Realm."
After a moment of thought, Ye Fan said to the system, "Use 20 Origin Coins to begin transmigrating to a Second-Tier World."