Volume Three: Rising Fame Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Bear Family

As they passed by Tebor City from a distance, Li Yu was somewhat surprised. The massive army merely brushed past the great city and continued onward.

"Weren't we supposed to rendezvous with some investigation team?"

Li Yu's injuries had healed at an astonishing rate, thanks both to his own formidable constitution and the unparalleled skill of the Qing Clan's herbalists. Standing atop the carriage, he gazed toward Tebor City in the distance. Perhaps because it bordered other clans, the city’s walls were even taller than those of a prefectural seat, thick with soldiers standing guard. The wide-open gates were scenes of bustling traffic.

"Your wounds have healed so quickly?" Qing Yangde, riding atop his beast Hu Po, approached just as Li Yu was stretching his limbs.

"I'm fine now," Li Yu replied, bending over and asking curiously, "Weren't we going to meet with the investigation team? Why are we just passing by?"

At these words, Qing Yangde's expression darkened visibly. After a moment, he said, "During the chaos at the Rift, a group took advantage of the confusion to abduct someone. None of the others survived."

The abducted person was, of course, that middle-aged man who claimed to be the city lord’s only son. Instantly, Li Yu understood why Qing Yangde looked as though he could wring water from his face, so gloomy was he. Only the very resourceful city lord of Tebor would dare such a thing, but what gave him the confidence to act so brazenly? The implications were troubling.

"Such matters are trivial," Qing Yangde waved a hand dismissively. "In just a day, we’ll leave Qingshan Prefecture behind. Only then will the true dangers begin. Remember, your own safety comes first!"

"I understand," Li Yu replied obediently.

Since gaining entry to this strange world, Li Yu’s range of activity had grown from Stone Village to the lands of the Qing Clan—a vast expansion, yet still a mere drop in the ocean compared to the whole world. His chief pursuit in this world was cultivation, aiming for the pinnacle of the divine path. Second was knowledge and experience—if he could travel and see the wonders of this world without danger, he would gladly do so.

Qing Yangde said no more; the days ahead would demand all his attention and effort. Entering another clan’s territory brought countless complications. He would need to plan the route carefully, and should anything unexpected arise, he must have contingencies in place.

Once Qing Yangde departed, Li Yu settled back inside the carriage. He was about to close his eyes for a nap when a thunder crystal appeared before him.

Li Yu: ...

Xiaocui beamed sweetly, "Young master, cultivating can substitute for sleep. Let’s seize the time—every extra minute of cultivation counts!"

Indeed, after reaching the fifth rank, one could use cultivation to replace sleep. Many people did so to hasten their progress. But that was them, not him.

Li Yu pressed his lips together. "Cultivation is endless! I’m just taking a short nap, it won’t matter."

"Young master, you can’t relax even for a moment," Xiaocui insisted, thrusting the thunder crystal closer. "There will be members of the royal family fighting at the assembly. The heroes of the world are not to be underestimated!"

What’s more, the Ming Royal Family was a branch of the former Qin Imperial Family. But this was not Blue Star; in a world where bloodlines were the key, the Ming royal blood must not be underestimated.

Seeing Xiaocui’s determined expression, Li Yu knew she wouldn’t give up unless he complied. He understood her concern. Accepting the thunder crystal, he began to cultivate diligently.

...

The next day, they had barely stepped out of Qingshan Prefecture when they found the road ahead blocked by a sea of armored soldiers, their stares predatory. Li Yu’s heart tightened.

Surely we’re not about to fight as soon as we leave?

His nerves taut, he watched as Qing Yangde rode Hu Po forward. The soldiers in yellow armor parted, and a young man astride a towering bear-like beast emerged.

"That’s a Four-Armed Berserk Bear, a sixth-rank beast!" Xiaocui explained quietly.

Li Yu nodded. He had read the descriptions—these beasts resembled ordinary bears when not fighting, except for their great size. But in battle, the small hidden claws beneath their front limbs would rapidly grow, becoming deadly weapons.

There was no clash. Qing Yangde and the young man exchanged a fierce bear hug; then, the scattered soldiers quickly regrouped, merging into a single army to march forward together.

It’s the Xiong Clan! Comparing the Four-Armed Berserk Bear and the information Qing Yangde had provided, Li Yu quickly realized this clan was one of the Qing Clan’s allies. He didn’t know the finer details, but it was obvious that there was safety in numbers. The direct merger with an ally made perfect sense.

He had barely returned to his carriage to resume cultivation when the army set camp. Soon after, Qing Yangde, being dragged by the waist by the young man atop the bear, came over with much rough camaraderie.

"Still pretending to cultivate? You’re obviously trying to hide away!" the young man laughed boisterously, pulling Qing Yangde closer. "We’re friends, aren’t we? Let me see what I’m up against at the Assembly!"

Qing Miaoyan and Qing Yingyao started to step forward to intervene, but Qing Yangde waved them back discreetly.

Xiong Feng glanced at the two people beside the carriage but said nothing, instead shouting, "Once we leave our territory, eating and drinking in peace won’t be so easy! Yangde, call him down! Let me get to know your brother!"

"Young master?" Xiaocui was about to speak, but Li Yu signaled her to be silent and stepped down from the carriage.

Whether he went willingly or not, since Qing Yangde was present, there was no other choice. Perhaps Qing Yangde wanted him to meet more people, which could only help at the Hundred Families Assembly.

"So, you’re the one with the Thunder Vein?" Xiong Feng reached out and slapped Li Yu heartily on the shoulder. "Not bad, solid build!"

The blow was so forceful that, unprepared, Li Yu nearly staggered back a step.

If I weren’t sturdy, I’d be lying flat right now! Li Yu forced a smile and nodded.

The records had not deceived him. The Xiong Clan, with its earth-based bloodline, prized the heaviness and solidity of the earth. Members of the Xiong Clan were often physically stronger than their peers at the same level, thanks to their bloodline’s affinity for density and weight, which made their physical training more effective.

I don’t believe he’s only sixth-rank! Xiong Feng mused. Normally, any fifth-rank cultivator would have been sent reeling by that slap, but Li Yu merely grimaced.

The three of them, exchanging greetings, returned to Qing Yangde’s tent, where a meal was already prepared.

After introductions, Xiong Feng suddenly asked, "Li Yu, are you single? Do you want a wife?"

Li Yu: ?

Qing Yangde: ?

The former felt as if he’d just heard someone ask, “Old Xu, do you want a wife?” The latter leapt up in outrage, grabbing Xiong Feng by the throat and shaking him, roaring, "I take you for a brother, and you’re here to poach my people!?"

Li Yu coughed lightly, "Let’s eat, let’s eat—the food’s getting cold!"