Li Xian said, "Thank you for the advice, Vice Envoy Yan."
Yan Hao smiled, waving his hand and said, "It can’t be called advice. This news has already spread outside; I didn’t exert much effort. If you really want to go to Flying Dragon City, just ntion it to Chief Shi."
"Just in the next few days, Ye Cheng, Han Zisha, Tang Feng, ng Han, An Weicheng, Tang Wenshu from the Earth Altar, Li Jiu, and others are all heading to Flying Dragon City successively to prepare for a major event. You could go along with them and lend a hand. Besides... it might just be your chance to make a na for yourself."
Li Xian’s face twitched. He thought if he beca known worldwide as the "Great Flower Thief," it would be hard to clear his na. He was naturally carefree and open-minded, not caring much if others criticized him, but he still hoped for a better reputation. He thought, "Given the current situation, if I go with them, I can’t avoid contributing. However, Essence Treasures are hard to find, and missing out would be a pity. Even if there’s a slight chance, it’s worth trying a little. I should first go and check the situation, and then adapt to any circumstances."
Thus, he agreed to go along.
By now, it was dark, and street lamps were lit. Li Xian and Yan Hao chatted a bit more before Li Xian stood up to leave. Walking through the busy streets, he felt a complex mix of emotions thinking about his upcoming departure from the island.
"This island helped escape danger. Here, I’ve advanced in Martial Arts, enriched my knowledge, and obtained the Ghost Python Spear, Broken Demon Spear Technique, many Treasure Artifacts, and skills. It can be regarded as a semi-blessed land."
Returning to the Cyan Ox Residence, Li Xian, unable to stay silent, inford them about the ’Flying Dragon City’ matter.
Nangong Liuli was full of reluctance and didn’t want to part with Li Xian. But considering his future and progress in Martial Arts, despite her reluctance, she had to agree. After Li Xian left the island, she would be left lonely and worried in her empty boudoir.
The coming days would be hard to bear.
Li Xian started preparing for his departure from the island.
He arranged matters concerning the bee farm and orchard. He instructed the bee farm steward "Fu Dachun" to rush to the Cyan Ox Residence and follow Nangong Liuli’s orders if any important matter arose.
The layout within the Cyan Ox Residence was intricately designed based on the Five Elents. Nangong Liuli held the Five Elents Command Flag, effectively utilizing the mysterious escapes, arrays, and structures in the courtyard, accomplishing many magical effects. It could transmit sound, conceal, confuse enemies, control fire, defend against water, and avoid poison. She could rely call out softly from the depths of the residence, and the sound could be transmitted to the outer courtyard using the layout.
When Fu Dachun, the chief of the wine yard, and the chief of the orchard reported minor matters of business, this layout proved highly effective. Nangong Liuli could manage the island’s business affairs without leaving her dwelling.
With her managing, the wine yard, bee farm, and orchard were sure to thrive. Many of the elders of the Flower Cage Sect were leaving for Flying Dragon City, so there were fewer experts on the island. Nangong Liuli, being a legitimate daughter of a noble family, had substantial abilities, and with the complex Five Elents layout, maze arrays, and illusion arrays in the courtyard, she was well protected.
So it was.
Li Xian was free from worries.
The day for departure was near. The two were inseparable, openly expressing their feelings, irrespective of day or night. In three days, Li Xian would be leaving the island on Elder Tang Feng’s flower ship at dawn, heading to Flying Dragon City.
Nangong Liuli had long known this day would co, but when it actually arrived, it was extrely hard to let go, her eyes inevitably red and wet with tears as she softly sobbed. It was still early, and she cooked lotus seed porridge as she waited. The weather was turning cold, and the chill was strongest in the early morning. A bowl of lotus porridge ward the hands and feet.
The two cherished their last monts together. As morning light broke, Li Xian saw that the ti was near and said with a smile, "Sister Liuli, I’m off now. Is there any treasure you’d like? I’ll help you get it."
Nangong Liuli smiled and said, "No, just go ahead."
As Li Xian stepped away, she suddenly felt endless sorrow; even before parting, her heart was already aching. "Flying Dragon City is no kind place; when I was with my family, I heard rumors, regretting not having paid attention then. How I worry for you, little brother, going there..." She couldn’t help following and softly embraced him from behind, saying, "Good brother, you must be careful. It’s cold outside, so don’t catch cold. If you face any problems, don’t be reckless; try to stay at the back. In everything, think of your sister first."
"Although your relationship with them isn’t bad, your nature is different. You may not be a virtuous gentleman or a villainous fiend, but you shouldn’t trust them too much, you..."
Nangong Liuli’s eyes glittered with tears as she said, "You... must take good care of yourself."
Li Xian solemnly nodded.
...
...
Tang Feng’s flower ship was "thirteen zhang" long and "four zhang" high. Its exterior was simple, shaped like an ordinary rchant ship. Dozens of Flower Cage Sect disciples lined up on the shore awaiting boarding in an orderly manner.
Tang Feng stood on the deck, wearing a light gray cloth robe, the lake wind making his clothes flutter. Seeing Li Xian approaching, he said with a smile, "Brother Hua!"
Li Xian, stepping the Seven Stars Step, gathered his energy, summoning a Light Force, and leaped forward. His figure gracefully soared several zhang, leaping and maneuvering through the air, landing steadily on the deck.
Tang Feng laughed and said, "Good lightness skill!" Li Xian replied, "Just a modest display."
A middle-aged man said, "This must be Brother Hua Wuchou, I’ve heard much about your reputation; truly as handso and extraordinary as the rumors say."
Li Xian said, "I don’t deserve such praise." He sized up the speaker, neatly dressed, with a square face and small eyes, and so red pimples on his cheeks.
The man’s na was Kong Yu. He was Tang Feng’s trusted confidant of over ten years and a fellow Printed Flower disciple. Kong Yu said, "Brother Hua, nice to et you!" He extended his hand.
Li Xian smiled and said, "Nice to et you." They shook hands, and Li Xian imdiately sensed imnse strength and hidden hostility from Kong Yu’s grip.
It turned out...
Li Xian was gaining attention; after joining the sect for only a few months, he had been promoted to "Printed Flower disciple." Rumors said he was already a "preparatory elder," just lacking a bit of experience. He was expected to be called "Elder Hua" within a year or two at most.
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