Super System in the Early Tang Dynasty

After the snowstorm that day, the sky gradually cleared. The wind was still cold, and the group walked across the vast ice plain. If it weren't for the distant, faintly visible mountains as a reference, they would have no idea where they were or how much longer they would have to walk.

Wang Erlang's severely injured body gradually recovered. At this time, he could walk, sit, lie down, ride a horse, and lead troops without any hindrance. From the outside, there was no trace of any wound. However, the meridians that had been ruptured due to overexertion and the resulting internal injuries could not be healed in a short time, even with many miraculous medicines.

The grasslands are vast, yet they cannot contain one's heart; the joy of victory cannot take away the sorrow of losing so many companions.

Perhaps having witnessed too much life and death, the somber atmosphere gradually warmed up again after a few days. The most optimistic were the group of merchants and laborers who had narrowly escaped death. At this moment, they were all wearing fur coats, eating large mouthfuls of dried meat pies, talking loudly, full of high spirits and boldness.

As conversations increased and laughter grew, the journey became increasingly light and pleasant. A few more days passed, and in the distance, one could see countless figures, like ants, densely packed across the grassland, and banners billowing in the fierce wind! Li Xingzhi knew that it was time to part ways.

Another round of parting emotions and farewell scenes, let's not dwell on them.

The three of them sped eastward. Their horses traversed mountains and passes, covering thirty cities in a single day! In just a few days, they arrived in Qin Prefecture.

Qin Prefecture is connected to the Wei River, which flows directly down to Chang'an.

The three had already calculated the route, so they rested at an inn for a day. They then called a servant, gave him some money, and asked him to go to the river wharf to inquire about ships going to Chang'an.

The next day, before dawn, when the morning chill was still pleasant, the three of them had already gotten up, dressed, and were preparing to go downstairs for breakfast.

Just then, there was a sudden knock on the door.

"Who's out there?"

"Ah Lang, I just returned from the water inn and have gathered the information."

Li Xingzhi recognized the voice as that of the servant he had tipped the day before and instructed to inquire at the dock. He picked up the wooden shovel, opened the door, looked at the servant, and asked directly, "How's the inquiry going? Have you found the boat we need?"

"I've searched every riverside inn around here, but I haven't found the large boat you need, sir. There are plenty of small boats and vessels going to Chang'an, though. If you're willing to wait a few more days, I guarantee you'll find one!" the servant said with a fawning smile and a respectful expression. He stroked the string of jingling copper coins in his pocket, hoping that Li Xingzhi, this god of wealth, would stay a few more days.

"Are there no large ships left?" Li Xingzhi thought for a moment and said, "Then help me find a better boatman!" As he spoke, Li Xingzhi threw out a large string of copper coins, "Pay my deposit. The rest is your tip! Remember to tell the boatman that I'll be leaving around 7 to 9 a.m.

The servant tossed the silver coins in his hand, feeling their considerable weight, his eyes narrowing into slits with a smile. His demeanor and actions became even more respectful and proper. "Since you trust me, sir, I will certainly hire a good place for you!" he said, bowing respectfully before retreating. The silver coins were heavy, but his movements became increasingly nimble, disappearing at the end of the corridor in the blink of an eye.

Li Xingzhi watched the servant walk away and smiled. He wasn't stingy with a few coins. Getting things done was the most important thing.

He needed a larger boat because of the horses. Li Xingzhi wasn't surprised that only a few small boats could be found; after all, at this time, larger boats were mostly controlled by wealthy merchants and nobles.

After having breakfast with the two women, Li Xingzhi received a message from his servant. He then led out three large, magnificent horses and headed straight for the north of the city. However, he did not take the main road leading to the city gate. Instead, he led the two women further and further astray.

"Brother Li, aren't we going to take a boat? Where are we going?" Li Linzhi looked at the increasingly desolate and remote alley, the earthen walls and bluestone ground covered with green moss and red ants, which made her feel uncomfortable.

“Of course we’ll take a boat. However, the boat is too small; it can only seat a few of us, not these tall horses.” Without waiting for the girl to ask any further questions, Li Xingzhi continued, “Haven’t you all been curious about how I conjured so many things out of thin air?”

"Yes, but Brother Li, you won't tell me," the girl said reproachfully.

"Now I'm going to tell you, do you want to hear it?" Li Xingzhi said with a smile.

"Hmph! Tell me if you want, or don't..." the girl said, her eyes wide. Although she seemed unwilling to listen, her two little ears were wide open, reaching towards Li Xingzhi.

"Then I won't say anything..."

Hearing Li Xingzhi's words, the girl was furious and was about to speak when she heard Li Xingzhi say softly, "Close your eyes, I'll take you somewhere!"

The girl was still angry at Li Xingzhi's words, but she obediently closed her eyes. The moment she closed them, she sensed something was wrong, thinking, "Why did I listen to this scoundrel?" With that thought, she opened her eyes again, only to be met with a scene so surreal and unbelievable!

Before my eyes, a scene unfolded: Purple mist rose from the spring, jade-like peach blossoms bloomed, Ganoderma lucidum covered the ground, and celestial flowers bloomed everywhere—a veritable fairyland! A faint, refreshing fragrance permeated my senses, reaching deep into my mind and heart, intoxicating me. Then, from nowhere, several colorful butterflies and bees appeared. Their wings, slightly unfurled like double screens, were graceful and slender; their bodies were translucent, like exquisite jade, dancing among the flowers. Between their lower abdomens and legs, they gathered specks of pink, white, yellow, and red nectar, making their jade-like bodies appear even more vibrant…

Just then, a crane's cry rang out in her ears and heart, startling the girl from her beautiful dream.

"Where is this?" The girl was wondering when she suddenly saw a white crane with snow-white wings standing on one leg, looking at her curiously.

The girl was slightly surprised, only then noticing the tuft of dark black feathers on the crane's head. She suddenly hugged the crane's neck and exclaimed in surprise, "You're the big white crane that followed me down from Crane Cry Mountain! So Brother Li hid you here!"

The girl's eyes were full of joy, but she scolded him, "Hmph! I knew Brother Li was a big liar! He even said you flew away!"

The white crane's eyes, brimming with spiritual energy, stared at the girl for a moment. It was unclear whether it understood anything, but it stretched its long neck and nuzzled the girl's neck a few times, letting out a pleasant chirp from its beak.

"Good white crane, you are mine from now on!" Seeing such a beautiful, intelligent, and spirited white crane, how could the girl resist? She immediately declared ownership of the white crane.

Perhaps the white crane also saw the greedy little devil waving its tiny claws in the girl's heart. It flapped its wings, its slender, emerald-green legs barely touching the ground, and instantly soared into the sky. Letting out a joyful cry, it glided away into the distance…

The cave dwelling space was no longer what it used to be. With the system upgrade and the planting of spiritual plants, it had become extremely vast, stretching for dozens of miles. It was filled with vitality and greenery!

The girl watched the crane soar into the sky and disappear into the distance. Before she could retract her outstretched hand, her face showed surprise, and she puffed up her cheeks in anger.

"The white crane was perfectly fine, but Brother Li has corrupted it!"

The girl was speaking when she suddenly saw a tiny creature, about the size of a palm, radiating a cute golden light, roll down from a huge, emerald-green leaf. Its long, silvery whiskers trembled slightly, and its large, beady eyes were watching her curiously.

The girl was instantly charmed by the little golden mouse! As for the white crane, she had long forgotten about it and even forgot about looking for Li Xingzhi.

"Little mouse... little mouse, what's your name? Shall we play together? I'll bring you lots of goodies." The girl, like a creepy uncle trying to lure a little girl to see goldfish, cautiously approached, afraid the little mouse would run away, promising all sorts of benefits, trying to win over the cute creature in front of her.

The little golden mouse, its bright, black crystal-like eyes darting around, seemed to be plotting something. The girl didn't see the mischievous glint in the mouse's eyes.

The girl stretched out her fair hand and slowly approached the little mouse. Seeing the little creature standing there dumbfounded, seemingly truly captivated by her friendly attitude, a smug smile spread across her face.

Just then, the girl saw a mischievous glint in the little creature's eyes. She was puzzled and before she could react, the little mouse turned around. A long tail slapped her fair wrist with a 'smack,' leaving a black mark.

As soon as the little mouse's prank succeeded, it started squeaking and jumping around, waving its arms and legs, like a cat that had just stolen some fish, revealing a smug smile that was even more triumphant than the girl's earlier.

The girl watched the little mouse hopping around triumphantly, not yet truly angry. Like an adult being teased by a child, she felt only annoyance. Just as she was about to reach out and grab it, a stench suddenly assaulted her nostrils! She brought her hand to her nose, and a pungent odor emanated from the dark mark on her wrist, rushing straight into her nostrils, causing the girl to recoil in no time!

Just then, the little mouse had already disappeared to who-knows-where.

The girl walked to the spring and scrubbed for a long time, but the black marks wouldn't come off, and her hands were covered in a sticky, smelly odor, making her extremely annoyed and irritable.

Just as she was feeling troubled, two figures appeared in the pool. The girl looked to the side and saw a young man and woman.

The boy walked over, glanced at the black mark on Li Linzhi's wrist, sniffed, and laughed, saying, "It stinks!" He even waved his hand near his nose, looking utterly disgusted, clearly trying to annoy the girl. The woman in white beside him, seeing the boy's expression, also smiled slightly.

"Brother Li!" The girl blushed deeply when she saw that the two men had witnessed her embarrassing state, and said with a mixture of shame and annoyance.

Seeing the girl's face turn red, Li Xingzhi stopped teasing her and said with a smile, "See those black and red ball-shaped flowers over there? That's called a stinky chrysanthemum. Black sap grows in the center of the flower, and if you apply it to a person, it will smell terrible and be difficult to remove. If you rub the sap from its stems and leaves and apply it to your hands, it will disappear quickly."

Upon hearing Li Xingzhi's words, the girl didn't have time to care about anything else. She eagerly picked some stems and leaves, rubbed them in her hands for a while, and only breathed a long sigh of relief when she saw the black marks on her hands disappear and the stench go away.

"Brother Li, have you seen a golden, sneaky-looking mouse? It's awful!" The girl looked around, trying to find the little creature.

"Huh? Brother Li, where is this place?" The girl asked belatedly.

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I was originally planning to finish this section, but it's getting late, so I'll leave it for tomorrow.

Finally, thank you to '盛世风流' for the monthly ticket and to '紫莲玄心' for the donation!