51: Chapter 51 Departure to Nanjiang

The newest model of the "Harmony" Divine Kingdom Train traveled along a special track that existed between reality and illusion.

Outside the window was a shimmering tide of energy, and occasionally, massive projections of Divine Kingdoms would flash by like mirages.

This powerful creation of human civilization was a privilege; only deities of Gold Rank or higher were qualified to enjoy such a stable and swift journey in the exclusive VIP carriages.

Jiang Xun leaned against the window, watching the bizarre and colorful sights outside with a calm expression.

After promoting to Gold Rank, although his Divine Kingdom had not yet fully digested the massive amount of resources, the establishment of the "Ten Thousand Laws Converge into One" core had caused a wonderful transformation in his temperament.

It was a kind of serenity that seemed to come from having witnessed too many ups and downs, making him, despite his youth, appear more profound than many veteran deities who had lived for hundreds of years.

Xu Qingran sat quietly beside him, her cool profile appearing exceptionally soft under the reflection of the energy's glow.

She didn't speak, just sat there quietly as her heart slowly settled.

Ever since Jiang Xun had vindicated those fallen veterans at the award ceremony and used two hundred million Faith Points to establish a pension fund, her view of him had changed. Her initial doubts had long since turned into admiration, and now, it was complete trust and reliance.

In the opposite seat, Old Baitou was resting with his eyes closed. His gray hair was a bit messy, and his faded Zhongshan suit was the same as ever, as if everything in the outside world had nothing to do with him.

The carriage was very quiet.

Buzz...

A slight vibration interrupted the peace.

Jiang Xun raised his wrist; on his Divine Kingdom Terminal, a triple-encrypted beacon was flashing.

It was Old Ghost.

Jiang Xun tapped his finger lightly, and a virtual light screen that only he could see popped up.

"Jiang Xun, kid, congrats on your promotion. But I have to remind you, the hornet's nest you poked isn't just that one in Jiang City."

"Director Li Jianguo is a branch member of the Nanjiang Li family; he only dared to be so arrogant in Jiang City by relying on the main family's influence. Now that you've uprooted him, the main family in Nanjiang City already knows. Word is they're quite furious and have marked you as a thorn in their side."

"The Li family is a true first-rate clan in Nanjiang City, with power deeply entrenched, far beyond what a small place like Jiang City can compare to. The most outstanding genius of their current generation is Li Wei, who has an S-rank Mechanical Civilization and is a favorite to win the Prodigy Tournament. When you get to Nanjiang, kid, be extremely careful. That family is more petty than the eye of a needle."

At the end of the message was a crude skull emoji, flashing red continuously.

Jiang Xun finished reading with an expressionless face. With a swipe of his finger, the light screen dissipated into bits of data flow.

"What's wrong?" Xu Qingran keenly sensed the slight coldness in his eyes.

"Nothing, just a little trouble looking for me."

Jiang Xun didn't really care. Since he had decided to walk this path, he knew that trouble would only increase and enemies would only get stronger.

Director Li Jianguo of Jiang City was trouble, and the main Li family of Nanjiang City was also trouble. Essentially, there was no difference; it was just that the difficulty of harvesting them was slightly higher.

"Is it the Li family?" Xu Qingran was ice-smart and guessed immediately.

Jiang Xun nodded.

"The Nanjiang Li family... I've heard my father mention them. Their patriarch is a deputy director of the provincial Deity Administration Bureau. Although he's about to retire, his influence remains. This time... you must be extra careful." Xu Qingran's tone was full of worry.

She wasn't afraid of fighting, but she worried that Jiang Xun would get caught in a more complex whirlpool of power.

"Don't worry," Jiang Xun reached out and lightly patted the back of her hand. Xu Qingran stiffened slightly but didn't pull away. "Soldiers will be blocked by generals, and water will be covered by earth. A bunch of guys relying on their ancestors' shade can't turn the sky upside down."

Opposite them, Old Baitou, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them. Behind his reading glasses, his gaze suddenly cleared up a bit.

"The Li family people are still as pathetic as ever. Decades ago, they loved using these underhanded tactics, and they still haven't improved at all." He spoke slowly, his tone full of disdain.

Both Jiang Xun and Xu Qingran looked at him with some surprise.

Old Baitou adjusted his glasses and said calmly, "The water in Nanjiang City is deep, but it's not like there haven't been fierce dragons crossing the river before. Focus on the competition. As long as your strength is solid enough and your fists are big enough, those shady methods won't be able to stop you in the end."

His words seemed to carry a strange soothing power, causing Xu Qingran's tense nerves to relax quite a bit.

Three hours later, the train slowly decelerated, and the outline of a massive city suspended above a sea of clouds appeared ahead.

Nanjiang City had arrived.

Stepping out of the carriage, an aura even more powerful than Jiang City's pressed against them.

The station's dome was so high the top was invisible, featuring a flowing real-time star map where every star represented a powerful deity famous throughout Jiangnan Province.

The crowds were like weaving threads, and the air was filled with various powerful and unfamiliar Divine Kingdom auras. Some auras carried pride, some revealed confidence, and others made no secret of their ambition. These auras mixed together, making newcomers feel a bit breathless.

Just as the three were about to follow the flow of people out of the platform, a figure abruptly blocked their path.

It was a middle-aged man in a crisp butler's uniform, his hair combed meticulously, with a polite smile on his face but no hint of a smile in his eyes.

He just stood there quietly. When the crowded throngs reached him, they consciously split to both sides.

"Excuse me, are you Mr. Jiang Xun from Jiang City?" The middle-aged butler bowed slightly, his posture impeccable, but his gaze was superior, as if he were sizing up a piece of merchandise.

"That's me. Is there something?" Jiang Xun's reply was as calm as ever, polite and refined, as if he didn't see the arrogance in the other's eyes.

"Hehe, Mr. Jiang needn't be nervous." The butler said with a fake smile, "I am Uncle Fu, the butler of the Nanjiang Li family. My master heard of your arrival and specifically ordered me to come and welcome Mr. Jiang on behalf of the Li family."

He emphasized the word 'welcome' specifically, the threat in his words completely undisguised.

This was a show of force.

"Thank your master for me," Jiang Xun said calmly. "If there's nothing else, we'll be going."

"Why is Mr. Jiang in such a hurry?" Uncle Fu took a step forward, blocking the path again, the smile on his face fading. "Master also has a message for me to pass on to Mr. Jiang."

He leaned in closer and spoke in a voice only the three of them could hear: "Nanjiang City is not like Jiang City. The water here is very deep, and the waves are big. Sometimes, a dragon crossing the river might capsize if it's too flashy."

As the words fell, the surroundings suddenly went quiet.

Xu Qingran's pretty face turned cold, and her Divine Kingdom aura fluctuated uncontrollably.

Old Baitou let out a cold snort, a flicker of mockery flashing in his aged eyes.

Jiang Xun, however, remained calm. He pushed up the thin-framed glasses on the bridge of his nose, a cold light flashing across the lenses.

"Is that so?" He suddenly smiled, a warm and polite smile. "Then please pass a message to your master for me as well. My ship might not be large, but its bow is very hard, specialized in crushing hidden reefs."

The smile on Uncle Fu's face froze instantly. He hadn't expected this refined-looking youth to speak so toughly.

He took a deep look at Jiang Xun, as if trying to carve his appearance into his mind.

"Good, very good." Uncle Fu straightened up, regaining his haughty expression. "The message has been delivered. I hope Mr. Jiang can enjoy his journey in Nanjiang City."

He paused, gave a contemptuous smile, and dropped one last sentence.

"Young Master Li Wei will be waiting for you on the field. I hope your luck can stay this good."

With that, Uncle Fu didn't stay any longer, turning to blend into the crowd and vanish.

On the platform, Xu Qingran's face was full of gravity, while Old Baitou stroked his beard, deep in thought.

Only Jiang Xun continued to look in the direction Uncle Fu had disappeared, the corner of his lips curling slightly.

Li Wei, was it?

In the list of people he remembered, another name had been added.