Chapter 144: On the Return Journey

The breeze brushed against his face, and Bai Qingzhou felt an indescribable sense of freedom and exhilaration. His entire form streaked across the high heavens like a meteor. This flight speed had already surpassed that of his "Immortal Wind Eagle."

"It seems I must replace my flight artifact. The 'Immortal Wind Eagle' is only a mid-grade Yellow-tier item; it is far too slow. Since I have reached the Foundation Establishment stage, I will need at least a high-grade Yellow-tier or a low-grade Profound-tier artifact to exceed my current speed," Bai Qingzhou mused.

Just as he was deep in thought, a sound suddenly echoed beside him: "Cackle..."

Bai Qingzhou turned his head and saw a strange, sharp-beaked bird flying parallel to him not far away. Its speed was on par with his own, and its gaze seemed restless, fixed intently upon him. Sensing the creature’s aura, Bai Qingzhou realized it was a high-level Rank 1 demonic beast.

Before he could react, the bird let out a sharp cry and lunged at him.

"Hmph! You’re courting death!"

Bai Qingzhou abruptly drew the "White Sand Sword" from his waist. A flash of cold light flickered, and a blade of sword energy swept past.

*Shing!*

The screeching stopped instantly. The bird’s sharp head was severed and sent flying, blood sprayed forth, and its body plummeted straight toward the ground below. With precise control over his spiritual energy, Bai Qingzhou had slain the beast in a single strike.

Watching the carcass fall, Bai Qingzhou paused for a moment before turning to descend in pursuit. Demonic beasts often possessed materials rarely seen in the marketplace, which were highly valued by blacksmiths and alchemists. Bai Qingzhou did not want to let the opportunity slip.

Catching up to the corpse, he skillfully dismantled it. Within moments, he had obtained a pair of skeletal wings and several rare materials. He tucked them into his storage bag, lifted himself into the air with a surge of energy, and sped off once more.

He traveled like a bolt of lightning. An hour later, Bai Qingzhou saw a massive city rising from the plains below. A ripple of excitement stirred within him. He had not seen another human for two years, let alone spoken to anyone; during his cultivation, he had only been able to talk to himself. Now, returning to human society, he could not help but feel stirred.

"Ahem!"

He cleared his throat, steadied his mind, and descended rapidly to the entrance of the marketplace.

The moment he landed, the cultivators who had been entering and exiting the city gates immediately scattered. A vacant space opened up with Bai Qingzhou at the center; no one dared to approach him. Many cultivators cast gazes of respect, curiosity, and awe toward him, and more than a few bowed in greeting.

"Greetings, Senior Foundation Establishment!"

"I have seen you, Senior Foundation Establishment!"

Hearing the respectful tone of these rogue cultivators, Bai Qingzhou could not help but feel a secret sense of pride. Externally, however, he merely nodded slightly and walked into the marketplace.

The rogue cultivators at the gate watched his retreating back and whispered among themselves: "Tsk tsk, such a young Foundation Establishment cultivator! He looks barely twenty years old. To have attained such a realm is truly terrifying!"

"Are you an idiot? After advancing to Foundation Establishment, one can reverse the aging process and regain their youth! Don't you know that? He certainly isn't twenty."

"You have a point, but if he looks eighteen after his breakthrough, it means his true age is likely no more than thirty! Tsk tsk, thirty years old and already at Foundation Establishment—that is no simple feat!"

...

The marketplace remained bustling and crowded. Bai Qingzhou looked around as he walked, and before long, he reached the entrance of the "Essence Garment Shop." Seeing the busy figure inside, the corners of his mouth lifted. He stepped inside slowly.

"Fellow Daoist, feel free to browse..." The voice cut off abruptly.

The shopkeeper looked up at the man standing before her, her eyes instantly welling with tears. She covered her mouth with her delicate hand, her face full of disbelief.

"Senior Brother, you... you’ve returned!" Meng Li said, trembling.

Before Bai Qingzhou could respond, Meng Li lunged at him, wrapping her arms tightly around his torso, tears streaming uncontrollably. "For these past two years, I thought you were dead... boo-hoo..."

"Uh..." Bai Qingzhou was instantly at a loss, not knowing where to put his hands. He said awkwardly, "Well, look, I’ve returned, haven't I?"

"Boo-hoo..."

Her delicate frame pressed against his chest, shaking with sobs; it was clear she had been grieving deeply. Seeing Meng Li in such a state, Bai Qingzhou’s heart softened. He reached out to gently pat her back, comforting her tenderly, "Don't cry, don't cry... I'm perfectly fine!"

"Boo-hoo..." Meng Li continued to cry inconsolably.

She leaned against his chest for a long time, until his clothes were slightly damp, before she finally stopped. Only when the two pulled apart did Meng Li realize how intimate her actions had been. Her face turned bright red, and she stammered, "I... I..."

Bai Qingzhou coughed lightly, then patted her shoulder and smiled. "Junior Sister, look, I am a Foundation Establishment cultivator now!"

With that, he exerted control and hovered off the ground. Being able to fly without the aid of an artifact was the hallmark of a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Seeing this, Meng Li smiled through her tears. "I knew Senior Brother would succeed! I knew it!"

"Heh heh!" Bai Qingzhou slowly descended.

Once Meng Li had regained her composure, Bai Qingzhou began to ask about her recent life, and the two began to chat. Through their conversation, Bai Qingzhou learned of the situation within the sect. Over the past two years, the Profound Sun Sect had remained stable. The most significant news was that Elder Han had officially advanced to the sixth level of Foundation Establishment, just one step away from the late Foundation Establishment stage.

Another major event occurred six months ago: Li Xian had officially broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage! This brought the number of Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Profound Sun Sect to five. The sect's influence had returned to its peak, drawing even more attention than before.

The five Foundation Establishment cultivators were: Nie Fang, Han Aoyu, Xiao Feichen, Zhang Zhiyan, and Li Xian.

"If we add you, Senior Brother, we will soon have six!" Meng Li said happily.

Bai Qingzhou nodded vigorously, a surge of ambition rising in his heart. The sect's power was soaring!

"And what about you?" Bai Qingzhou asked with a smile. "What is your cultivation level now?"

"Me? I am already at the sixth level of Qi Refining..." A hint of pride appeared in Meng Li’s eyes; she was clearly satisfied with her progress.

"Does that mean you are preparing to forge mid-grade Yellow-tier artifacts?" Bai Qingzhou asked in surprise.

Since Meng Li was currently in the mid-stage of Qi Refining, she could only forge the lowest-grade artifacts. If she advanced to the late stage, she would be able to improve by one level.

"Yes!" Meng Li said with a sly smile. "That is why I am gathering materials for mid-grade artifacts now! As soon as I advance, I can immediately start forging mid-grade Yellow-tier items!"

"Junior Sister, you are truly a genius!" Bai Qingzhou gave her a thumbs-up. After a pause, he added, "If there is anything you need me to do, just say the word!"

"There isn't anything special I need you to do, Senior Brother. If I had to choose... I just want you to live in the marketplace, just like before..." Meng Li bowed her head, her face flushing crimson.

"Uh... this..." Bai Qingzhou suddenly stuttered, replying stiffly, "I... I must return to the sect first..."

"I see..." Disappointment flickered in Meng Li’s eyes.