He'd rather run than be turned into a cannon fodder for the broken engagement.

Leng Huan and his companion rode in the first carriage, while Xu Huanqing's carriage followed behind.

"Sigh, I wonder where Sang Biao went... I miss him a little." This was the thought that Granny Zhou left her. Leng Huan looked at the receding East Gate of Dongjun and sighed as she lowered the carriage curtain.

Suddenly—she hurriedly opened the carriage curtain again, and could faintly hear the barking of dogs coming from behind the carriage.

"Woof..."

"Sang Biao?" She looked at Fu Xun, asking incredulously, "Did I hear that right?"

"Woof woof—"

Fu Xun immediately shouted, "Stop the car!"

He opened the curtain, stood on the carriage shaft and looked back, his eyes suddenly lighting up: "It's it!"

"Woof woof woof!!!"

The barking grew closer, and Leng Huan heard it clearly now, overjoyed. She jumped out of the car, watching the dog's silhouette approaching in the distance, and waved excitedly, shouting, "Sang Biao!!!"

The half-grown puppy ran very fast. Xu Huanqing heard the noise and got out of the carriage to check. She only felt a yellow furry shadow fly past her eyes and "whoosh" into Leng Huan's arms.

Xu: "…………" What is that?

"Woof woof woof! Woof woof!!"

"Woof! Awooo..."

Leng Huan looked at the six-month-old yellow dog, which was filthy and even more disheveled than they had been that day. Its paws were covered in blood and its paws were cracked. She squatted down, hugged the dog, and rubbed its head: "Sang Biao, you've suffered."

As it grew bigger, Leng Huan could barely lift it anymore. After getting it into the carriage, he first fed it water and jerky, then used a handkerchief to clean its paws. Only then did he notice that two of its toenails were cracked and bleeding, and its soles were dark and had some cracks. Leng Huan felt a little sorry for it, so he sprinkled some medicine powder on it and wrapped it with a cloth.

"Sang Biao, where did you go? I thought I couldn't find you anymore..."

"Woof woof! Awooo..."

Fu Xun took it from Leng Huan's arms, checked it carefully, and was relieved to find no problems. He placed it in the doghouse next to him, patted its head, and said, "I guess it must have run away to hide that day, secretly following the thieves' tracks all the way from the outskirts to the city with us. I just don't know why it was a little late."

“Woof!” Sang Biao called out confidently.

Sang Biao: I went to find food, and when I got back I saw there was a big fire... It was afraid that its two legs would be burned to death, so it went to dig up the ashes.

Leng Huan: How did you know?

Fu Xun pointed to the dog's paw: "There are burn marks from ash. Sang Biao is a good dog."

"Good dog, you're bound to have good fortune after surviving such a close call!" Feeling sorry for the dog, Leng Huan gave its owner a thumbs up.

"I was thinking of going to Fengsheng Tower to hang up a lost dog notice to look for you, but it's good that you're back." Leng Huan then gave it a makeshift doghouse and put some dried meat in it.

—

Three days later, Dongling City appeared before them. After entering the city, the two had to part ways with Xu Huanqing, not wanting to linger any longer.

Xu Huanqing was filled with helplessness. Their attitude was firm, and she couldn't persuade them otherwise: "Since that's the case, then we can only say goodbye. Take care, both of you!"

Leng Huan stared at her sexy pink lips for a few moments, his smile exceptionally gentle, as bright and dazzling as peach blossoms in spring. He said, "Goodbye, Miss Xu!" After hesitating for a while, he still inexplicably asked, "I wonder if Miss Xu is unmarried..."

Before she could finish speaking, Fu Xun interrupted her, stepping forward and bowing, saying, "Farewell, Fellow Daoist Xu!" He then turned to Leng Huan and gently tugged at her sleeve, "Brother Huan, we can't delay any longer..."

Leng Huan clicked his tongue regretfully, "Take care, young lady!" After saying that, he turned around and got into the carriage with Fu Xun's help.

After settling in, she opened the car window curtain and looked outside. Seeing Xu Huanqing still watching them go, she waved.

I sigh, a beauty like her is hard to find again!

After thinking this through, Leng Huan turned around and found Fu Xun looking at him with a strange expression. He rolled his eyes and asked, "What's wrong? Is there something on my face?"

Fu Xun chuckled and shook his head: "Brother Huan, I thought you liked Fellow Daoist Xu." But his eyes were fixed on her, not missing any suspicious expression.

Leng Huan shrugged and said matter-of-factly, "Who doesn't like a beauty?"

Fu Xun's face darkened, and he scoffed again, turning away from her: "Beauty fades like bones, a stumbling block on the path of cultivation!"

"Hmph! Are you trying to become a Buddhist by saying that form is emptiness and emptiness is form? Young people are prone to liking women, so what if I'm seventeen and like beautiful women?" Leng Huan retorted.

Fu Xun suddenly turned to look at her, staring at her without being able to refute her! His brows furrowed, emotions flickered in his eyes for a few breaths, and finally he closed his eyes and said in a sullen voice, "Forget it, I think Foundation Establishment is more important."

He was still too young and impatient. Thinking about it, he started to get angry at himself again. He turned his back, sat cross-legged, and began to meditate.

Her eyelashes trembled, but an emotion lingered in her heart. She felt uneasy, but didn't know why. After an unknown amount of time, she opened her eyes as if giving up, glanced at Leng Huan, and saw that she had entered a meditative state.

Fu Xun immediately realized that Leng Huan's emotions rose and fell quickly! He chuckled silently, thinking to himself, "He's lost!"

Leng Huan silently recited in his heart: revenge, going home. Beauty was just an interlude and a diversion. His mind was clear.

However, she also thought that although that's what she said about Fu Xun, if he realized in advance that beauty fades and he wasn't affected by these external things, he might go even further in the future.

What a typical straight man!

Passing by the Zhaixing Pavilion Chamber of Commerce, Fu Xun did not disturb Leng Huan. He went down to replenish his talismans and other useful items, and then headed straight for the Misty Immortal Sect again.

-

In the eastern part of the Eastern Continent, there is a blessed land of immortal mountains with excellent feng shui and abundant spiritual energy, known as the Immortal Spirit Mountain Range. It is shrouded in clouds and mist all year round, like a fairyland. The Misty Immortal Sect is located at the very center of this mountain range, atop the towering peaks and cliffs.

If one possesses profound cultivation, powerful divine sense, and extraordinary eyesight, one can see the ancient seal script characters on the plaque above the simple gate of the Misty Immortal Sect from afar, which seem to contain some kind of Daoist meaning.

The palaces on each peak are majestic, with double eaves and hipped roofs. The buildings, hidden among ancient trees and spiritual plants, are very grand and magnificent, and the palace on the main peak is even more spectacular.

At the foot of the outer mountains, there is a large city called Misty Immortal City, and a little further away, about two hours' journey on a spirit horn horse, there is a small town called Immortal Spirit Town.

A young girl carrying a bundle and leading a fat dog was looking in amazement at this city, which was called a small town but was actually not much smaller than the prefectural city. She looked at her companion and asked, "So, we still have to go to the Misty Immortal City to pay our respects to the sect?"

Fu Xun hummed in agreement and looked at the bustling Immortal Spirit Town. Living in the Misty Immortal City was no easy feat. He turned to Leng Huan and slowly said, "Legend has it that this place was originally a small town. Later, the Misty Immortal City in front could not expand and could not accommodate the increasing number of people who came seeking immortality and enlightenment."

So people settled for a less desirable place near the immortal city, and over time, the town became increasingly popular and prosperous. However, people had grown accustomed to the name "Immortal Spirit Town" and continued to call it that.

"I see," Leng Huan exclaimed. "Wow, how magnificent must that Misty Immortal City be!"

"We'll find out tomorrow." Fu Xun pursed his lips. They couldn't afford to live in the Misty Immortal City right now; it would cost a fortune.

-

"You'll see when you look"—Leng Huan looked at the cultivators coming and going. After paying the ten spirit stones entrance fee to the Misty Immortal City, they stepped into the city and didn't see a single ordinary person. Oh, they probably were ordinary people, since everyone else was at least at the Foundation Establishment stage... It really was true that Foundation Establishment cultivators were as common as dogs, Golden Core cultivators were everywhere, and Qi Refining cultivators were just ordinary people.

Looking at the shops on the street, each building stands side by side, with powerful forces such as the Star-Picking Merchant Guild, the Wind-Sounding Pavilion, and the Pharmacist Alliance rising one after another.

Leng Huan blinked. Isn't this just like the ancient-style Shanghai?

-

"Senior, do you know what conditions are required for a sect to accept a discipleship?"

While lost in thought, Leng Huan was brought back to his senses by the sound of Fu Xun talking to a Foundation Establishment cultivator at a market stall. Fu Xun had already spent a thousand spirit stones to buy a healing herb and was taking the opportunity to gather information.

The Foundation Establishment cultivator sat on a small stool, looking very down-to-earth. He appeared to be around thirty years old. Leng Huan wasn't sure how old he was, since cultivators could range in age from younger to older than you.

However, those with higher cultivation levels should be addressed as "senior," while those at the same level should be called "fellow Daoist." This way, there's no mistake.

The Foundation Establishment cultivator replied knowingly, "You two are new to this place, presumably preparing to join a celestial sect." Considering that Fu Xun had bought his things, he continued, "The celestial sect offers an opportunity to register for the entrance trial once a season. The winter round will be in five days. If you miss it, you'll have to wait until next year."

Fu Xun listened calmly, but he felt relieved. He knew there was a trial once a season, but the time was uncertain. In addition, he was worried about missing the trial due to the delay on the way. He hadn't mentioned it to Leng Huan yet, but now he felt relieved.

"As for the conditions..." The Foundation Establishment cultivator paused, looked them over, and nodded: "Well, with your aptitude, you can certainly qualify. You should know that the Immortal Sect only accepts people between the ages of eight and eighteen. You are both in that age range, right?"

Fu Xun cupped his hands in greeting: "Indeed, thank you for informing me, senior."

Leng Huan bowed and thanked her. Inwardly, she thought, "That was close!" She was only a month away from turning eighteen... she almost got turned away!

The trial will begin in five days. They need to register to qualify for the trial and then prepare the necessary supplies.

The two inquired along the way and rushed to the registration square specially set up by the Immortal Sect. Leng Huan looked up and saw that it was crowded with people, all of them teenagers, with a few children. Most of them were in the Qi Refining stage, and there were even a few in the Foundation Establishment stage!

Fu Xun pushed through the crowd, intentionally or unintentionally helping Leng Huan to line up. There were more than a dozen people ahead of them; they had arrived early enough. They hadn't expected these heartless people to come in the middle of the night... Leng Huan was quite impressed.

They lined up obediently, and thankfully, there were other counters besides theirs. The staff were efficient, and it was their turn in no time. The staff member diligently took out a jade slip and inscribed their identity information.

"Name?"

"Leng Huan".

"gender?"

"..."

The butler frowned and repeated, "Gender?"

"……male."

"age?"

"17..."

After obtaining the basic information and marking the jade slip with a special seal, the steward handed the jade slip to Leng Huan and waved for her to make way, "Next..."

Fu Xun: "..."

Leng Huan: "..." I'm going to buy a disguise pill right now!