103: Chapter 103 Dawn's Departure

Lin Muchen replayed the recent events in his mind.

As for Chen Qingxue, there shouldn't be any issues for the time being.

Having obtained the Astral Wind sample, the Origin Star's wind attribute had advanced significantly.

This journey north was off to a good start.

He opened his eyes and glanced out the window.

The sky was still dark; it would be some time before dawn.

However, he didn't plan on sleeping anymore.

He sank his consciousness into his Dantian, connecting to the Origin Star.

He needed to see the specific changes after the Astral Wind sample was introduced.

The image unfolded.

The green patch on the wind spirit grass slope could no longer be described as a "slope."

It was as if green paint had been splashed across it, spreading outward frantically. The leaves swayed violently in the fierce winds newly blowing across the Origin Star, making a loud rustling sound.

By the altar, the blue light on the surface of the charred thunderstruck wood flashed like a strobe light at a club, flickering at a terrifying frequency.

[System Notification: The derivation of the Origin Star's wind attribute has been strongly catalyzed; the current cycle has stabilized at 15 days.]

[wind spirit grass growth speed increased by 320%, coverage area expanded by 47%.]

[The resonance activity of the thunder-struck wood branch remnant continues to strengthen; lightning attribute derivation is indirectly promoted.]

[Feedback Efficiency: 12.1% (Stable).]

Lin Muchen was ecstatic.

This wave of investment was a massive win.

He withdrew his consciousness and sat up.

Crossing his legs, he began to circulate his Cultivation Technique.

After several cycles, the warm current in his Dantian had clearly grown a fraction thicker.

Although he was still some distance from a Breakthrough to the second layer of the Foundation Establishment Stage, he could feel his cultivation level steadily rising.

Farming experience while idling—it really was comfortable.

By the time he finished Cultivating, the horizon was already turning a fish-belly white.

Lin Muchen got out of bed, performed a quick wash, and packed his things.

A quarter-hour before the hour of chen, he pushed open his door and walked into the relay station's courtyard.

The other three guards had already arrived.

Wang Meng's leg wound was bandaged. Seeing Lin Muchen, his expression was a bit complicated; he gave a grunt but didn't speak.

The Blue-Robed Man and the Blue-clothed Woman nodded to Lin Muchen.

Chen Qingxue's carriage was also ready.

She walked out of the relay station, still wearing that Moon-white long dress, her face expressionless.

She swept a glance over the four of them.

“Depart.”

Her voice was clear and cold, just like yesterday.

She didn't look at Lin Muchen, nor did she mention last night's events.

It was as if nothing had happened.

Lin Muchen understood.

This woman had chosen to keep the secret.

Good.

The convoy set off, leaving Fengming Pass and continuing north.

The Official Road grew increasingly desolate. Trees became scarce, replaced mostly by low shrubs and exposed rocks.

The wind remained strong, whistling constantly.

Lin Muchen rode at the rear of the group.

He diverted a sliver of his consciousness into the Origin Star.

The wind spirit grass was still growing like crazy.

In just this short time, the green had expanded another circle outward.

[System Notification: Due to the continuous northward journey and proximity to an area rich in wind attributes, the Origin Star's wind attribute derivation continues to receive positive stimulation.]

[wind spirit grass growth speed increased by an additional 5%.]

Good grief, I can even stack buffs while traveling.

The corners of Lin Muchen's mouth twitched upward slightly.

This feeling was like playing an idle game; just going for a stroll made the experience bar shoot up.

At noon, the convoy stopped to rest behind a large rock that blocked the wind.

The steward distributed dry rations and water.

Chen Qingxue stepped out of the carriage, walked to the side, and ate in small bites.

The four guards sat in a circle.

Wang Meng, munching on a biscuit, suddenly spoke up.

“Kid Lin, thanks for yesterday.”

Lin Muchen was startled for a moment.

“Brother Wang is being too polite.”

“I, Wang Meng, distinguish clearly between favors and grudges,” Wang Meng said in a muffled voice. “You saved me once; I’ll remember it. If you need anything in the future, just say the word.”

Having said that, he went back to burying his head in his biscuit.

The Blue-clothed Woman smiled.

“Brother Wang just has that kind of temper. Junior Brother Lin, don't mind him.”

“I won't,” Lin Muchen said.

The Blue-Robed Man hadn't spoken the whole time, eating quietly.

Just then, Chen Qingxue walked over.

The four guards all looked up.

Chen Qingxue looked at Lin Muchen.

“Guard Lin, how much do you know about the Northern Territory border?”

Lin Muchen's heart stirred.

Here it comes.

“Not much,” he told the truth. “I only know that the Northern Territory border is near the Bone Wasteland, where Spiritual Qi is chaotic, Yao Beasts run rampant, and many Loose Cultivators and various sized factions are entrenched.”

Chen Qingxue nodded.

“Luofeng Town is right on the edge of the Bone Wasteland. It is one of the few settlements on the Northern Territory border.”

She paused.

“It's not peaceful there. Besides Yao Beasts, there are three factions you need to watch out for.”

Lin Muchen listened intently.

“First is the 'Blood Wolf Gang,' a group of desperate outlaws who live by the blade. They mainly operate on the outskirts of the wasteland and occasionally raid merchant caravans around Luofeng Town.”

“Second is the 'Iron Sword Sect,' a small local sect that guards a minor Spirit Stone Ore Vein east of Luofeng Town. Their strength is average, but they are the local bullies.”

“Third are the 'Wasteland Hunters,' a group of Loose Cultivators who make a living in the Bone Wasteland. Their individual strength is high, and they act eccentrically. It's best not to provoke them.”

Lin Muchen committed this information to memory.

“Second Miss, what is the goal of your trial in Luofeng Town?”

“To collect a Spirit Medicine called 'withered bone grass,' which only grows in specific areas of the Bone Wasteland,” Chen Qingxue said. “I will stay in Luofeng Town for a few days to make proper preparations before entering the wasteland.”

“Your task as guards is to ensure my safety within the town and during the Early Stage of entering the wasteland.”

“Understood,” Lin Muchen nodded.

Chen Qingxue glanced at him, said nothing more, and turned back to her carriage.

The Blue-clothed Woman leaned in and whispered, “Second Miss actually took the initiative to tell you these things. It seems she thinks highly of you.”

Lin Muchen smiled but didn't respond.

He knew perfectly well that this wasn't Chen Qingxue thinking highly of him; it was a test, and also a way to define the scope of responsibility in advance.

She was telling him where the danger lay so that if something happened, he couldn't blame her for not warning him.

After resting, the convoy continued on its way.

The road in the afternoon was even more desolate, with almost no signs of human life.

As Lin Muchen rode, he digested the information from earlier.

Blood Wolf Gang, Iron Sword Sect, Wasteland Hunters.

None of them sounded like easy characters to deal with.

This mission was indeed not going to be easy.

However, the greater the risk, the greater the opportunity.

In a place like the Bone Wasteland, there might just be the lightning attribute resources he needed.

By evening, a sparse forest appeared ahead.

There was a small stream at the edge of the forest.

The convoy stopped at a clearing by the stream to camp for the night.

The steward and the driver began setting up tents and starting a fire for cooking.

The four guards spread out to keep watch on the surroundings.

Lin Muchen chose a high slope on the west side of the camp. Standing there, he could see most of the forest clearly.

The sky gradually darkened.

The campfire rose, illuminating everyone's faces.

Dinner was simple meat soup and flour biscuits.

After eating, Lin Muchen greeted Wang Meng, saying he was going to Cultivate for a while.

Wang Meng waved him off.

“Go ahead, I’ll keep watch here.”

Lin Muchen returned to his small tent.

He sat cross-legged and began circulating his Cultivation Technique.

After several cycles, his consciousness sank into the Origin Star to check the growth of the wind spirit grass.

The green had already spread near the altar. At this rate, it wouldn't take more than a few days to cover the entire plain.

[Feedback Efficiency slightly increased: 12.2%.]

It had gone up by another 0.1%.

Lin Muchen was in a pleasant mood.

He withdrew his consciousness and was about to continue Cultivating when he suddenly felt a gaze.

It was very faint, but it was definitely there.

It filtered through a gap in the tent and fell upon him.

Lin Muchen didn't move, pretending not to know.

The gaze lingered for a few seconds and then moved away.

It was Chen Qingxue.

She was observing him.

Lin Muchen smiled to himself.

This woman's vigilance was truly strong.

But it didn't matter.

As long as she didn't interfere with his Cultivation and resource gathering, she could look all she wanted.

He closed his eyes and continued to circulate his Cultivation Technique.

Outside the tent, the campfire crackled.

Chen Qingxue sat by the fire, holding a branch and gently poking at the embers.

Her eyes occasionally flicked toward Lin Muchen's tent, lost in thought.

Wang Meng held his saber, leaning against a tree trunk and dozing off.

The Blue-Robed Man and the Blue-clothed Woman were talking in low voices.

The night grew deeper.

The journey north had only just begun.