The Science of Cultivation [Xianxia]
Chapter 289: Ring

Li Lang briskly walked through the morning crowd of Changjiao City, merrily going about their day. As the largest city within Vermillion Dragon, the hundreds of streets and alleyways made it easy for foreigners to lose their way. It made it difficult for people to reach their destination, even if they had a specific address.

“Why are we touring these parts of the city again?” Jun Ziyan complained. “You aren’t planning to just aimlessly wander the mortal residential areas of the city until you find prospective candidates to take as students, are you? Because it’d be way more efficient just to declare your intentions and have these mortals rounded up.”

“Yes, that was what we had done before. Though we’ll need the permission of whoever runs these parts lest we offend them.”

“Hmm, I believe the sect in charge of these parts is the Radiant Wing Sect, correct?”

“That sounds about right. We’ll be visiting the Yan Clan, who have members in the sect, right after this.”

Bringing his attention back to the messy streets of the city, Li Lang continued his search. It took him half the morning to find the place indicated by the mysterious note from the previous night.

It had been quite a strange incident. He had tried scouring the inn for whoever had slipped the note into his room, but couldn’t find traces of anyone.

Seeing how the time and location were for the next day and nearby, he quickly resigned his search and answered the blatant summons.

Now that he was here, he could only furrow his brows as he found nothing. The address had led him to a derelict estate without a shadow of a person. The poorly maintained entrance made it clear this was a place few people frequented.

The wooden gates still stood tall, but sections of the walls surrounding the estate had crumbled long ago. From the side street he was on, he could spy that the main building was in an even worse condition. The only surprise was that no beggars had taken residence in the place. Perhaps they had, and they just kept the disorderly appearance as a deterrence, but judging from the cobwebs all around the building, Li Lang judged that was unlikely.

Staring up at the sun, there was still quite some time until the appointed time of noon. Li Lang sighed as he decided to venture into the abandoned estate.

“I hope you’re not here to meet anyone, because I can save you the time. There isn’t anyone here,” Jun Ziyan said.

Li Lang hadn’t revealed the note to his guardian yet, as it didn’t appear malicious so far. If it were, the appointed place likely wouldn’t be in the city, or there would’ve been more instructions, such as to come alone. In the first place, people who were capable of slipping the note unnoticed could’ve snuck up on him whenever they wanted.

Still, he wondered if it was a good idea to keep his tentative bodyguard in the dark about it, but he had a gut feeling he should. The timing of it was just too coincidental not to have anything to do with the crafting guilds. There was a chance he was just chasing shadows, but he believed there was a good chance it had to do with him officially becoming a True Craftsman, or at least, his intent to do so.

“Just taking a look around,” Li Lang answered. “If there’s nothing here, I’d like to meditate here until noon.”

His minder scoffed and said no more. She hovered up above the estate in the lotus position, grasping a red spirit crystal in her hand. There was no need to probe her for Li Lang to know that she was cultivating, absorbing the energy within the crystals into her spiritual sea.

Having thoroughly studied various Earth-grade cultivation techniques, he was no stranger to it. While he didn’t know the exact details of the techniques disciples of the Sword Saint practiced, her attention was undoubtedly focused within. There were too many things to prepare before she could attempt to form her core.

Well, at least she’s not too nosy.

Li Lang spent the remaining half of the morning exploring the neglected estate. It was mostly kicking one cloud of dust after the other, but he remained vigilant, searching for any clues related to the crafts.

He only stopped when the sun approached its zenith. By then, it was pretty clear that whatever meeting this was, the other party wasn’t here yet. He wasn’t even sure if there would be another party.

Time passed slowly as he carefully inspected his Skyrunner. He had begun its upgrade process the previous night. It would consume a sum of red crystals and an unknown amount of time, but he believed it would be worth it in the end. After all, he’d rather not change vehicles after every breakthrough or two. He had already taken up the art of woodsmithing, so it would be quite wasteful. The experience gained from overseeing this upgrade would serve him well into the future.

Time passed without a single change in the vicinity. The area was as deserted as before. The bustle of people moving about the main streets could be heard a small distance away, but other than that, only the sound of the wind blowing and birds flying filled the air.

Li Lang carefully scanned the nearby area, mindful of any newcomers. He knew his minder was already doing that and likely better at it as well. He just couldn’t help but be expecting some expert or their representative to show up.

Just as he was wondering how long he would have to wait, a small shadow rapidly moved in the corner of his eye. By the time he realized what it was, he had already held up a hand to catch whatever fell from the sky. It was a silver ring with no special characteristics at all. He glanced up to search for its origin, only to be distracted by Jun Ziyan descending.

“Lucky you,” she commented. “It seems some birds brought you a gift.”

“I thought you were here to protect me? You’d just let things fall on me now?”

“Relax. I was aware of it long before it neared you. Just some mundane ring a regular bird had snatched up.”

Moving quickly to verify her words, Li Lang directed some Qi into the ring and found her assessment correct. It didn’t react in any way, just like any other mundane item. However, Li Lang knew it couldn’t be so simple, but he kept it to himself.

If it could bypass their senses, it was likely an item created by an expert that was beyond them. Experts didn’t act without reason, so for now, Li Lang would simply store it in his space ring.

“Well then, ready to head over to the Yan Family estate?” Li Lang asked.

***

“What do you mean you have no letters for me? Why did you come to visit me, then?” a young woman cried out, voice laced with indignation.

“Young Miss, mind your manners. Have you forgotten your grandfather’s words already?”

“But Auntie Cang!”

The woman silenced the girl’s tantrum with her stare alone before turning to Li Lang with a much more amiable gaze.

“Apologies, dear guest. Lady Ruolan means no disrespect. It is just that she wasn’t expecting you to visit of your own accord. After all, you’ve only met briefly once.”

“No apology needed,” Li Lang replied while shaking his head. “I am still grateful for your clan’s hospitality from my previous visit, so I couldn’t resist paying a visit when I’m already in the area. It should be me who should be sorry for intruding.”

His words cracked her facade for a split second, as she undoubtedly recalled the event where Li Lang had been almost treated like a criminal when he had last come to deliver a letter. Thankfully for the caretaker of the Yan clan, she had masterful control of her emotions.

“As a servant of the Yan Clan, I am grateful to hear you have fond memories of our hospitality. I’m sure Young Lady Ruolan feels the same. As the master of the house is away, you can relay any business you have with our clan to her.”

Having the ball kicked back to her, the young lady of the house ceased her grumbling and faced Li Lang in a more serious manner. It was as if she were a different person. Whereas the previous version was a child, she was now replaced by an adult.

“As the representative of the Yan Clan, I will endeavor to serve our guests well. If you have any matters that need to be brought to our leader’s attention, you may share them with me as well.”

It was clear to Li Lang that the people before them were asking him to state his business, and he planned to do just that.

“Yes, I thank you for that. I’ve actually come to ask for an introduction to the Radiant Wing Sect that your family is part of. There are some matters I wish to discuss with them.”

Yan Ruolan blinked blankly for a few seconds before her caretaker nudged her out of whatever musing she was in.

“Umm, is that all? I believe your name has spread far and wide nowadays. I’m sure you can go visit the sect without any introductions, and the elders will take you seriously.”

“Yes, but I’d like to deal with people I already know when that’s an option. Plus, I would love to hear a local’s thoughts about the situation around here. That is, of course, only if Young Lady Ruolan is free to have a leisurely chat with us.”

His words caused the caretaker to nod in satisfaction. Unlike the last time he was here, he wasn’t alone. Li Lang could still remember the scrutiny he was under just because a lone bachelor had come to visit the young lady of the house. This time, with Jun Ziyan with him, there wasn’t anything to nitpick.

“I’d be grateful for an opportunity to chat with the famous cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Realm while I relay your request to the sect.”

Her voice was filled with duty, and it was evident she was all business now.

What a contrast to when the subject revolved around Liang Po. Love really does make one stupid.

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