Chapter Twenty-Six: Damn Army Coat...

With Li Qiner as his guide, Chen Xiang no longer had to wander aimlessly. He already knew that this continent was vast. When he escaped from the five border sects a few days ago, he had teleported dozens of miles away, but since then, he’d only come across a few small villages and hadn’t seen so much as the shadow of a city.

Li Qiner eyed Chen Xiang suspiciously. Young Master Li didn’t know the way? Could he really be from some remote, hidden forest?

They were about to enter the central region of Southern Wing Kingdom, yet Chen Xiang hadn’t encountered a single city. His luck must truly be dire.

After that, Li Qiner took the lead, heading straight west.

Sky Profound City—a second-tier city in Southern Wing Kingdom, famed for its vast lands and abundant resources, home to countless cultivators. Chen Xiang was astonished when he saw the city; such a grand place was leagues beyond Mistwood City, that little border town.

With Li Qiner by his side, Chen Xiang couldn’t indulge in teasing other respectable women, so once they entered the city, the two found an inn to rest.

“Young Master Li, let’s rest for now and purchase the necessary supplies tomorrow,” Li Qiner said at the door to her room—their rooms were adjacent.

Chen Xiang nodded. “Alright, Qiner, take your time and recover your energy.”

Li Qiner nodded and entered her room.

Lying on his bed, Chen Xiang pondered. The name ‘Extreme Frost Lands’ sounded bitterly cold; he’d need to prepare something for warmth. But what could fend off the cold?

Though Li Qiner had mentioned preparations, he still placed his faith in the system.

“It’s your time to shine, system. Do you have anything to ward off the cold? Introduce me to a few options,” Chen Xiang asked in his mind.

“Ding! According to the host’s requirements, the system recommends the following items.

Northeastern Army Overcoat: A stylish system-issued robe, equivalent to a second-tier Mystic-grade spiritual artifact.

Cold Resistance: ★★★★
Durability: ★★★★
Warmth: ★★★★★
Magic Resistance: 20
Physical Resistance: 15
Special Attribute: Automatically reduces incoming spell damage to the host by 5%.
Price: 100 reputation points

Solar-Powered Electric Blanket: System-issued warming blanket, equivalent to a first-tier Mystic-grade spiritual artifact.

Cold Resistance: ★★★★★
Durability: ★★★
Warmth: ★★★★★
Magic Resistance: 10
Physical Resistance: 15
No additional attributes
Special Attribute: Soft and silky as a baby’s skin, always keeping the user warm.
Price: 60 reputation points

Cotton…”

Chen Xiang: “…”

A damn army overcoat? An electric blanket? This is a cultivation world—could the system’s standards get any lower? Chen Xiang’s lips twitched as he cursed inwardly.

The system listed over a dozen items, but only the Cold-Repelling Jade Pendant and Solar Essence Fire Robe seemed suited to a cultivation setting. Yet, these were either ineffective or so expensive he couldn’t afford them. Truly, as he’d suspected when he first arrived, this system would be the death of him.

Glancing over the options, Chen Xiang closed the system interface. He’d hold off on buying anything for now and see what treasures he might find in Sky Profound City.

Night soon fell. With nothing better to do, Chen Xiang thought of teasing Li Qiner in the next room. But as he approached her door, he sensed the spiritual energy within was in turmoil. He guessed what she was doing and decided not to disturb her.

Bored, Chen Xiang lay down and drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, Chen Xiang stepped out of his room feeling refreshed, just as Li Qiner emerged from hers. Seeing her, he greeted her warmly.

“Well, Qiner, how are you feeling?” Chen Xiang asked with a smile.

The spiritual energy around Li Qiner shimmered unstably, rising and falling—signs of just breaking through in cultivation.

Li Qiner now wore a bamboo hat. She bowed gracefully and said, “Young Master, I must thank you for your elixir, which allowed me to advance my cultivation.”

“Heh, it was nothing. Your breakthrough is thanks to your own effort. I just gave you a little nudge, so think nothing of it,” Chen Xiang replied with an air of seniority, not at all acting like a youth at the third level of Core Formation.

Li Qiner smiled and nodded, saying nothing more—words were pointless.

“Let’s go. Where should we shop?” Chen Xiang asked.

“There’s a marketplace in Sky Profound City where cultivators trade. Let’s go have a look there,” Li Qiner replied.

Chen Xiang didn’t fully understand but agreed.

There were many marketplaces in Sky Profound City, but only the southern district was different—mortals were not permitted, as this was reserved for cultivators’ trade.

Chen Xiang and Li Qiner walked to the market gate. This hundred-mile-wide area was like a city within a city, with only one entrance, guarded by sentries.

These guards were all at the eighth or ninth level of Qi Refining, each team led by a captain at the Foundation Establishment stage.

By the city gate stood a table manned by a middle-aged cultivator at the peak of the tenth level of Foundation Establishment. Everyone entering had to register with him and receive an identity token.

Chen Xiang and Li Qiner approached. Without looking up, the man asked, “Name and cultivation?”

“Affectionate Swordsman, Ruthless Sword, Li Xunhuan! Core Formation, third level!” Chen Xiang proclaimed confidently with a smile.

The city guards frowned at the loud response and looked over to see a youth of eighteen or nineteen standing there, smiling.

“Why are you shouting? Drop the prefixes and just show your cultivation. Here is your identity token.” The middle-aged man glanced at him sternly.

Chen Xiang froze. What, a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator dares bark at me? And he cut off my grand title? How could I tolerate that?

“My title is impressive—how can you just leave it out? You—” he began, bristling for trouble.

Sensing danger, Li Qiner tugged his sleeve and sent a voice transmission, “Don’t be angry, young master. This marketplace was established by the city lord of Sky Profound City—it’s his territory. All cultivators must collect an identity token before entering. The city lord is a Nascent Soul cultivator at the seventh stage, second only to my Li family’s patriarch.”

At that, Chen Xiang released his aura, revealing his third-level Core Formation cultivation. He took the token and said, “Fine, skip the prefixes. They are a bit lengthy and wouldn’t fit on your token anyway.”

Li Qiner was dumbfounded. The city guards were also left speechless—he was so aggressive at first, so why did he back down before finishing his sentence?

Li Qiner simply could not fathom Young Master Li’s way of thinking.

She stepped forward. The middle-aged man, unconcerned by the earlier scene—after all, few dared make trouble here—asked evenly, “Name and cultivation?”

“Li Qiner, eighth level of Core Formation,” she replied softly, releasing her aura. Her voice was like heavenly music, mesmerizing the guards and the middle-aged man alike.

The man glanced at Li Qiner in surprise; though her face was hidden, her figure could not be concealed. He hadn’t expected this seemingly delicate woman to be at the eighth level of Core Formation—likely the elder of that young man, he thought.

After all, Chen Xiang looked only eighteen or nineteen and was already at the third level of Core Formation. If another like him appeared, this peak Foundation Establishment cultivator would have reason to despair.

“To be continued…”