I was just making up techniques... how did all of you become Emperors?

Baiyun City—an imposing city situated outside the Baiyun Mountain Range.

Ever since the son of the Baiyun Sword Saint, the great cultivator Tà Xuě, built the city and expanded its domain, Baiyun City had stood strong for hundreds of thousands of years without falling.

Backed by the Baiyun Mountain Range and leaning against Wendao Academy, Baiyun City had become one of the most powerful Half-Saint factions in Xuan Continent, second only to the sacred lands.

Every generation of Baiyun City's lords had studied at Wendao Academy—some even served as Chiefs of one of the Ten Institutes—thus the city was regarded as a direct affiliate of Wendao Academy.

In recent months, Baiyun City had become especially lively.

Factions from all corners of the land had gathered here to participate in the once-a-decade exchange conference.

Any minor faction that managed to receive an invitation to the Baiyun City Exchange viewed it as a great honor.

In the skies several dozen li north of Baiyun City—

A golden-winged giant eagle, vast enough to block the sun, soared high above.

"Brother Chu, we're thirty li from Baiyun City. Should I use thousand-li transmission to let the little ones in the city know to come greet us?"

The Golden-Winged Eagle King turned and looked at Chu Feng and Elder Bing seated on his back.

"We're this close already?"

Chu Feng had only just left Wendao Academy. In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, they had already reached the outskirts of Baiyun City.

"Of course!"

The Golden-Winged Eagle King grinned. "When I reached Nirvana Realm, I awakened my ancestor's Golden-Winged Roc bloodline, and also inherited the divine ability 'Ten Thousand Li Roc Flight.' With that, covering a thousand li in a breath is nothing."

Chu Feng gave him a thumbs-up. "No wonder you're the mighty being who called the Dean your foster father right after hatching."

The Golden-Winged Eagle King: "…"

Why does it feel like you're mocking me?

Chu Feng laughed. "Brother Eagle, let's not draw too much attention. That would make it harder to pick up scraps. Keep it low-key. Can you shrink a bit? The way you look now, I'm afraid all the juniors in Baiyun City might drop to their knees in worship."

Though they'd only known each other ten days, Chu Feng had already figured out this guy's temperament—he loved flattery and spiritual wine.

Chu Feng had treated him to a good drink, and the eagle had slapped his chest and promised to follow him faithfully—but only if the wine kept flowing.

Chu Feng had agreed without hesitation. Trading a bit of wine for a Nirvana Realm King-class mount was an insane bargain.

Of course, to make the Golden-Winged Eagle King his exclusive mount, Chu Feng had also paid three years' worth of cultivation resources. But he rarely used them anyway—what he used in a year could last him for several, so he didn't feel the loss.

"I get it—you want to play the pig to eat the tiger. Heh, I used to enjoy that too, a few hundred years ago."

The eagle laughed, then landed in a clearing. The two of them hopped off his back. Fortunately, there was no one around, so they didn't draw attention.

Chu Feng squinted at the eagle. "Brother Eagle, knowing too much isn't always a good thing."

For some reason, when the Golden-Winged Eagle King saw Chu Feng squinting, a chill ran down his back. He immediately shrunk into a regular eagle about seven feet tall.

"Brother Chu, you're right. I'll try to play dumb more often."

Pfft—

Elder Bing couldn't help but laugh at the sight of the usually imposing eagle looking so meek.

"Senior, sir was just teasing. You don't have to be so nervous."

The Golden-Winged Eagle King ignored her. In his experience, the prettier a female cultivator was, the more dangerous. Back when he first arrived at Wendao Academy, many beautiful women had promised to care for him for life. None of them lasted even a hundred years.

Seeing his awkward expression, Chu Feng smiled. "Bingyan's right. I was just joking. Once we're in the city, we'll need to change our identities."

Elder Bing asked, "Sir, are we using fake names too?"

"Mhm."

Chu Feng nodded. "Once inside, don't call me 'sir' anymore."

"Then… how about 'Brother Chu'?" Elder Bing asked instinctively. She originally wanted to call him Senior Brother Chu, but their difference in cultivation was too large. Thinking of how Chu Feng always teased that purple girl from Daqian, she tried tentatively.

Chu Feng quickly stopped her. "Don't call me that. I'm not used to it. Just call me 'Young Master Chu.'"

"Understood."

Elder Bing nodded. "Then how should Young Master Chu address me?"

Chu Feng glanced at her and started to think.

'Lady' didn't fit, as she wasn't married.

'Girl' didn't sound right either.

'Master' was out—that sounded like a nun.

After a moment, he said, "I'll call you Fairy Bing. As for Brother Eagle, I'll keep calling you that. No one will mind."

Golden-Winged Eagle King: "Brother Chu, have you no manners?"

"Haha…"

Chu Feng laughed and patted his shoulder. "I'll treat you to Enlightenment Wine tonight."

"Mn…"

The eagle's eyes lit up. "Brother Chu, I take it back! You're extremely polite! Everything you say is right!"

Chu Feng laughed. "Worthy of being the Dean's foster son."

Golden-Winged Eagle King: "..."

The three of them joked as they made their way slowly toward Baiyun City.

——

Outside Baiyun City.

Two women and one man looked up at the grand city before them, then rode Wind-Chasing Horses through the gates.

Along the way, the trio drew many stares.

Why? Because the man was rather round, but the two women beside him were top-class beauties.

The man ignored the onlookers and turned to a noble-looking woman beside him. "Miss Nangong, this Baiyun City Exchange looks pretty lively—more than even our Wendao Academy's Grand Competition."

This trio was none other than Wang Baole and his companions. A few months ago, upon learning about the upcoming exchange, Nangong Yu had invited the other two to come with her.

Nangong Yu smiled. "Naturally. While the Academy's Grand Competition is world-famous, outsiders rarely get close. But Baiyun City's exchange is different—many Half-Saint forces attend, and even our Academy sends experts personally. It's a top-tier gathering. I'm curious what rare treasures will show up this time."

"Sounds like there'll be lots of good food too."

Wang Baole's eyes narrowed with joy just at the mention of food.

The trio hadn't been in the city more than half an hour—

When a fearsome Heaven-Origin Tiger Demon strode toward the city gates, carrying a man and woman on its back.

Wherever the tiger passed, pedestrians fled. Even the guards at the gate broke into cold sweat when they saw it.

Atop the tiger's back, Cao Youqian looked down at the gatekeepers and asked, "How much is the entrance fee in spirit stones?"

One guard quickly replied, "M-My lord, you don't need to pay!"

Cao Youqian grinned. "Good, then I won't be polite. Oh—if anyone asks, tell them I'm Cao Youqian. They can come collect the entry fee from me at the Ye Residence."

Guard: "…"

Isn't that just the City Lord's mansion?

You think I'm stupid enough to send someone to demand money from the Ye family?

Everyone watched as the tiger and its two riders entered the city. It was a long moment before they recovered.

Then someone suddenly cried out in shock, "He… he's that Cao Youqian from Wendao!"

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