13: You are such a kind person.

A month had passed since the Zhao Family's extermination.

After Lin Mu's latest seclusion, he had consumed half of the Spirit Stones he had acquired.

He had finally achieved a Breakthrough to the Flying Heaven Realm.

At this moment, Lin Mu was listening to Tao Yuan's report.

"We recently received a rumor that a map of the Nine Nether Continent will appear in Yunzhou City."

Lin Mu said with some interest, "Tell me more."

"In a month, Yunzhou City will host its decennial Prodigy Grand Gathering. The grand prize for the event will be a complete map of the Nine Nether Continent."

"Is the information highly credible?" Lin Mu was somewhat skeptical.

It wasn't surprising that Lin Mu asked this.

In the past month, he had received several pieces of news about a map.

But without exception, they were all baseless rumors, and most of the maps were incomplete.

"This news came from the Myriad Capital Merchant Association, so its credibility is quite high," Tao Yuan immediately replied.

"What is the Yunzhou Prodigy Grand Gathering? Tell me about it."

"The Yunzhou Prodigy Grand Gathering, also known as the National Prodigy Competition, is held once every ten years and has been ongoing for over three thousand years."

Lin Mu asked, puzzled, "The National Prodigy Competition, why is it called the Yunzhou Prodigy Grand Gathering?"

"Because the Great Emperor who founded this grand gathering was from Yunzhou, and initially, only Prodigies within Yunzhou participated."

"I see. What are the conditions for participating in the grand gathering?"

Tao Yuan pondered for a moment and then said,

"There aren't any special requirements; any Martial Artist under twenty years old can participate."

Lin Mu continued to ask, "Has the Tao Family ever participated?"

Tao Yuan smiled awkwardly upon hearing this and said, "Although there are no cultivation requirements, most Cultivators who participate are above the Spirit Roaming Realm."

"Are there any promising talents under twenty in the Family right now?" Lin Mu asked tentatively.

Tao Yuan replied, "Tao Zhi's youngest son, Tao Qian, has already reached the Middle Stage of Spirit Foundation at under seventeen years old."

"In twenty days, I will depart for Yunzhou."

"During this period, use all resources to assist him in his Cultivation. Even if he doesn't succeed, consider it an Opportunity for him to broaden his horizons."

Tao Yuan quickly bowed and thanked him, "Thank you, Young Master."

Then he seemed to recall something: "Should I arrange for a few more people to serve Young Master along the way?"

Lin Mu thought for a moment: "Besides Tao Qian, have Tao Rong accompany us as well."

Although Tao Rong's cultivation was low, he was meticulous and resourceful.

Upon reaching Yunzhou, there would be no shortage of people needed to gather information.

Twenty days passed in the blink of an eye.

During this time, Tao Qian, under the accumulation of a large number of Spirit Stones, had already reached Spirit Foundation Great Perfection.

This talent could be considered that of a Genius even in Yunzhou.

The day before their departure.

Inside Tao Yuan's study.

Tao Yuan sat on a pear blossom wood recliner, while Tao Rong and Tao Qian stood quietly before the wooden table.

Tao Yuan looked at the two Juniors from his Family before him and said in a deep voice,

"Tomorrow, you will depart for Yunzhou. When you are with the Young Master, you must be extremely careful in your words and actions."

"Especially you, Tao Qian. Although your talent is quite high, you are notoriously mischievous."

"This time is different from usual. If you dare to act recklessly again, you will face Family punishment upon your return."

Tao Qian cupped his hands and said, "This Disciple will remember Old Ancestor's teachings."

Tao Yuan's gaze turned to Tao Rong: "You have a steady temperament. You must guide your Family Junior more along the way."

Tao Rong also cupped his hands in affirmation.

"This is an Opportunity for you two. If you seize it well, you might just soar to great heights."

The two said in unison, "This Disciple will remember."

The next day, at dawn, the Tao Family was bustling with people.

Except for those who were away on official business and couldn't return, all other Tao Family members stood at the main entrance of the Tao Manor.

With the Old Ancestor and the Family Head present, no one dared to make a sound.

"Tao Rong, go see if the Young Master has risen."

Upon hearing the Old Ancestor's command, Tao Rong hurriedly ran towards Lin Mu's courtyard.

Before he had run a few steps, he saw Lin Mu and Lao Mo walking over, one after the other.

Lin Mu walked closer and asked, puzzled, "What are you all doing?"

Tao Yuan explained, "The Family members heard that Young Master was going on a long journey, and they all came voluntarily to see him off."

"You may all disperse," Lin Mu said, waving his hand.

Upon hearing this, everyone dispersed.

Only Tao Rong, Tao Qian, and Tao Yuan remained.

"When I go to Yunzhou this time, I may not return for a while."

"If you encounter anything you cannot handle, bear with it for now. Everything will be discussed upon my return."

After Lin Mu finished speaking, he walked straight out the main gate with Lao Mo.

Tao Rong and Tao Qian jogged a few steps to catch up.

Tao Yuan quickly bowed and said, "This old man will certainly be cautious and ensure that the Family members do not stir up trouble."

...On the wide official Dao, a group of four walked on foot.

Originally, Lao Mo suggested that the two youths fly through the air.

But Lin Mu said, "Since coming here, I've been busy with mundane matters and haven't truly experienced the local customs and traditions."

Yunzhou was a thousand li to the south of Hancheng City.

The group walked and stopped, sometimes flying for a hundred li.

The two youths were both full of excitement.

Calculating the time, the grand gathering was still a few days away.

However, they had inquired and learned that they were still about a hundred li from Yunzhou.

Just as Lin Mu was still admiring the roadside scenery, a scrawny old man walked towards them.

As the old man approached Lin Mu, he stumbled and fell to the ground.

"Oh dear, I've been hit!" the old man cried out, lying on the ground.

Tao Qian saw the old man on the ground and walked up to help him.

Seeing someone approach, the old man cried even louder: "Oh, my leg is broken, I can't stand up!"

Tao Qian, who had never seen such a scene, looked at Tao Rong.

Lin Mu didn't expose the old man; he wanted to see how the two youths would handle it.

Tao Rong saw Tao Qian looking at him, knowing that he didn't know what to do.

So he stepped forward and asked, "Old man, which leg did you hurt?"

The old man opened his eyes and looked at Tao Rong: "Oh, my left leg hurts so much, I can't stand up from the pain!"

After saying this, the old man held his left leg with both hands and gently rubbed it. His acting was incredibly realistic.

Tao Rong saw this and said, "Old man, how about I carry you to see a doctor?"

The old man stopped crying when he heard Tao Rong say this: "There isn't a single village for dozens of li around here, where would you carry me to see a doctor?"

"Then what should we do? We have to rush to Yunzhou City and cannot be delayed," Tao Rong said, feigning panic.

"It's fine, you can leave if you have business. Just leave me some medical expenses."

Saying this, he groaned twice and added, "Perhaps a passing ox cart will take me to the nearest village."

Tao Rong secretly chuckled, "The fox's tail is showing."

But he said, "We left in a hurry and didn't bring much silver. How much medical expense do you need?"

The currency used by ordinary people and low-level Martial Artists was still primarily silver taels.

The old man thought there was a chance and feigned difficulty:

"My leg is probably crippled. I won't extort you, just leave twenty or thirty taels."

Tao Rong almost laughed out loud upon hearing this and stopped pretending: "How about I give you sixty taels?"

The old man quickly nodded: "Good, good, you truly are a benevolent person."

The old man still wanted to say a few more flattering words.

Unexpectedly, the youth before him kicked him on his right leg.