Chapter 82: Map in Hand, Searching for a Mount—Heading Toward Clear Spring Villa
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
You can buy coins here to unlock advanced chapters: https://gravitytales.com/coins-purchase-page/
One incense stick’s time wasn’t short, but to Yu Xian, it passed far too quickly.
He had just managed to find his current location on the massive and complex map—Shanlu County, Maple Leaf Rogue Cultivator Market—
but hadn’t yet found the most efficient route to Baiyun Sect before time ran out.
The female attendant gave a teasing smile as she blew out the candle, and the room was once again dim.
Though it wasn’t impossible to continue studying the map in the dark, it became exponentially harder.
The tiny script and intricate lines were now faint and blurry.
She chuckled softly, “Daoist friend, time’s up~ Shall we light another incense stick?”
“…Sigh. Alright, let’s go for another one.”
Yu Xian made a troubled face but eventually nodded and gritted his teeth, pulling out another 20 spirit stones and placing them on the table.
Seeing this, the woman’s eyes sparkled. She fluttered her lashes flirtatiously, voice turning seductive:
“Then shall I light the lamp again? Or… perhaps you’d like to do something else? Just five more spirit stones…”
Yu Xian blinked in surprise and quickly waved his hands. “No, no need. Please just light the lamp and the incense.”
The woman rolled her eyes in disappointment, her flirtation vanishing. With a cold tone, she muttered, “Fine.”
She lit another stick of incense and re-lit the lamp, returning to her aloof stance as she waited for time to pass.
Yu Xian ignored her attitude. With the room now illuminated again, he returned his full attention to the map.
Tracing southward—
through Tusu Kingdom, Southern Zhao, Liang, Fang, Nanqu, You, and more than thirty countries—
past the territories of the two great sects, Xuantian Sect and Puppet Spirit Sect,
he would finally reach the sphere of influence of Baiyun Sect.
1.8 million li…
Even if he traveled at full speed and encountered no obstacles, his current limit was only about 2,000 li per day through flight and escape techniques.
At that rate, he wouldn’t arrive in under a year.
Yu Xian’s expression grew grim.
He now had only two options before him:
First, he needed to find a mount—some kind of spiritual beast, be it avian or terrestrial.
Preferably one that could cover at least 8,000 to 10,000 li per day.
Second, was a gamble: break through to Foundation Establishment.
If he succeeded, then in the 10 months that followed, his speed would increase drastically, allowing him to make the journey in time.
But Foundation Establishment wasn’t something one could achieve just by wanting it.
Even though he had the materials—hundreds or thousands of sets to refine Foundation Establishment Pills—
and even though he had the strength to refine them,
relying on pills alone would leave a huge flaw in his cultivation path.
Most who forced their way through Foundation Establishment with excessive pills would never reach the Golden Core stage,
no matter how many Golden Origin Pills they consumed afterward.
The ideal way was to perfect his qi sea and foundational platform,
comprehend the laws of heaven and earth, and
naturally usher in the transformation,
washing the body and building a true foundation—without the help of even a single pill.
Still, there were exceptions.
Some cultivators barely broke through with great difficulty, swallowing pill after pill—
but once in Foundation Establishment, they soared through the ranks,
formed Golden Cores, condensed Nascent Souls, and even ascended to Deity Transformation.
Everyone’s path was different.
Like earning your first gold in business—some got lucky, others bled for it.
What matters is how you use that first bucket of gold to rise.
“Foundation Establishment…”
Yu Xian muttered. He had only just reached Qi Condensation Great Perfection.
Normally, it would take one to three years of intense cultivation before he could try sensing the laws of heaven and establishing a foundation.
But time… was no longer a luxury he had.
If his master truly went to Yaowang Valley for his sake—
and ended up harmed or killed—
and he was late due to hesitation or fear,
he’d never forgive himself.
“Ten days. I’ll give myself ten days. If I can find a suitable mount, all the better.
If not… then I’ll refine Foundation Pills and break through!
One pill, two pills, three—
a hundred, a thousand if needed—
I will succeed.”
Having made up his mind, Yu Xian no longer hesitated. He turned and walked out of the room.
The attendant blinked in surprise and hurried to extinguish the lights before following him out.
Back in the main hall, everything had returned to normal.
A few newcomers still whispered about the earlier commotion,
mocking the three sword-wielding idiots from Tianyuan Sword Sect as if they themselves had driven them away.
Yu Xian didn’t listen to any of it.
He simply walked to the counter and cupped his hands in greeting.
“Oh?”
The clerk recognized him and smiled. “Daoist friend, did you find your destination?”
“I did.”
Yu Xian nodded. “Many thanks to your fine establishment. With this map, I’ll save countless days of wandering.”
“Haha, you’re too kind.”
The man smiled. “Just business.”
“Even business can be a great help.”
Yu Xian offered more praise before asking,
“By the way… does your establishment sell riding mounts or travel beasts? My cultivation is still low, and I can’t travel fast on foot or by flight.”
“Oh?”
The man looked slightly surprised. “Seems like you’re headed far?”
“Very far,” Yu Xian replied honestly. “I’m planning to head toward Xuantian Sect—after all, it’s known as the number one among the six great sects.”
“That’s quite the ambition.”
The clerk nodded with mild respect. “Not choosing the closer Tianyuan Sword Sect but instead aiming for Xuantian Sect—bold indeed.”
Then he shook his head.
“About mounts… unfortunately, this marketplace doesn’t deal in such things. Mounts are mostly spirit beasts or tamed monsters, which require specialized facilities.
Here at Maple Leaf Market, the rare few are already owned by Foundation Establishment experts. I’m afraid we can’t help you.”
“I see. Still, thank you.”
Yu Xian didn’t seem disappointed. “I’ll just take longer and walk. Maybe spend a year—still doable.”
A flicker of interest passed through the man’s eyes.
He hesitated, then suddenly said,
“Daoist friend, you seem sincere. I might as well tell you—about 3,000 li to the southeast, there’s a large marketplace called Clear Spring Villa.
They likely have spirit beasts for sale.
But…”
He paused and gave a sympathetic look.
“Those prices… may be far beyond what you can afford.”
Yu Xian stopped, turned, and cupped his hands deeply.
“Many thanks, Daoist brother!”
“No need for thanks,” the clerk replied, finally returning the gesture with a formal bow.
Yu Xian, filled with anticipation, didn’t linger. He left the Maple Leaf Tower and headed swiftly south.
Clear Spring Villa—3,000 li away.
The name itself suggested it was a refined and reputable cultivation family.
To be the main trading hub for several thousand li around, it had to be backed by serious power.
Most likely, Dakuai Mountain Villa had been a similar type of place.
When Yu Xian exited Maple Leaf Tower, no one paid him much mind—
not even the Flowing Light Three Swords outside.
In their minds,
anyone capable of killing a Foundation Establishment evil cultivator had to be at least their age—
if not older.
Yu Xian looked far too young.
Seventeen years old?
No way he was the one they were hunting.
So he walked right past them, without resistance.
And only when he was a distant silhouette on the horizon did the youngest of the three, Lu Deng, suddenly shout:
“Bad news! The tracker shows the target has already exited Maple Leaf Tower… and he’s headed south!”
“What? When did he leave?”
Lu Ming frowned. “We’ve been watching everyone coming and going—none of them looked capable of killing a Foundation Establishment.
Could it be… his stealth is that advanced?”
“Doesn’t matter anymore.”
Lu Huan sneered coldly,
“I bet that bastard Hong Feng let him go on purpose.
Rogue cultivators and evil cultivators—no difference.
They act righteous by day and slaughter innocents by night!
And they dare preach about morality in cultivation? Bah! Let’s see how moral they are when it’s their own parents getting killed!”
He spat in rage.
“Let’s move! Follow the signal! Once he’s out of town, his signature will be clear!”
“Right!”
The two younger brothers nodded.
And together, the three chased southeast—toward Clear Spring Villa.
