C89 Onelinesky

Life unfolded without a ripple, and Lee Yu, weary from sitting in the chariot, would occasionally mount a beast for a change of pace. The only disappointment was that when they passed two equally grand cities, he could only gaze at them from a distance, unable to explore their wonders.

They were soon to pass the final city, and with just two more days of travel, they would reach the border where Qingshan County met the other counties.

"Tebbe City..."

Lee Yu hadn't expected this to be the last city they'd encounter.

"What seems to be the problem?"

Qing Yangde, having completed his inspection of the troops, routinely checked in on Lee Yu's cultivation progress and overheard his musings.

"Nothing much. Why have the prisoners from the rear carriage also been brought along?" Lee Yu shook his head, glancing back at the line of cages. The prisoners, mostly ordinary bandits with robust physiques, were now visibly depleted after days of confinement.

"They were supposed to be transferred, but our clan decided to send an investigative team instead. They asked us to take a slight detour to deliver them," Qing Yangde clarified.

After exchanging a few more words, Qing Yangde, before departing, enthusiastically suggested that Lee Yu dedicate an extra couple of hours to his cultivation practice.

Lee Yu was at a loss for words. He leaned against the chariot's edge, massaging his temples.

"What troubles you, Young Master?" Cui inquired.

Lee Yu sighed, "It's nothing. It's just that Brother Yangde can be a bit overbearing. It feels like I'm being coerced into studying..."

"But aren't you excelling in your studies, gongzi?" Cui's voice was gentle. "You're the quickest learner I've ever seen."

'I've got a cheat code up my sleeve!' Lee Yu thought to himself, but he simply offered a confident smile in response.

Since receiving the Eighth Grade reward, the time flow between the Otherworld and Blue Star had shifted from a 1:1 ratio to 10:1. His efficiency in 'clocking in' had soared, with 'double experience points' and 'elementary level proficiency' piling up exclusively in the Otherworld.

And then there was the Purification Pill—practically a cheat code in itself. The more Lee Yu used it, the more he realized it was the most game-changing reward of them all.

Initially, Lee Yu attributed his newfound intelligence to the deepening of his cultivation. However, he soon came to the realization that the Purification Pill's seemingly simple promise to 'comprehensively enhance physical attributes' encompassed a vast array of qualities.

This included bone structure, comprehension, and other intangible yet very real aspects!

"I can't put my finger on it, but something feels off..."

Lee Yu gazed into the distance, recalling that there should be an unavoidable path ahead.

"What was that, young master?" Cui inquired, her curiosity piqued.

Lee Yu's earlier muttering, lost beneath the thundering hooves of the beasts, went unheard.

With a dismissive wave of his hand, Lee Yu replied, "It's nothing. I need to focus on my cultivation for a bit."

From a distance, the Azure Sun Army's five thousand soldiers, each mounted on exotic beasts, were a formidable sight. Matching the Eighth Grade in power, these azure bull beasts were larger and more robust than their ordinary counterparts. Matured, they possessed the combat strength of an Eighth Grade, a testament to the unique breeding achievements of the Qing family.

Despite their unassuming name and herbivorous appearance, the azure bull beasts were fierce combatants, proving they were anything but gentle grazers.

"What's your take on this?" asked a voice, its owner's face and form shrouded in secrecy.

This was the same group that had been trailing the Azure Sun Army at a distance since they had departed the county town.

"Didn't we all verify the route?" chimed in another voice, its gender ambiguous. "We're certain they're headed to Tebbe City. The Line Canyon is our prime opportunity."

"The situation arose so quickly, we couldn't rally additional forces, only our suicide troops..."

"Then it's settled! Since we're all committing suicide troops, any gains will be pure profit!"

With those words, the group dispersed.

Meanwhile, in a spot directly opposite them, hidden within the dense canopy's shadow, Ming Yan stood, nearly invisible to the naked eye.

"Sir?"

He was flanked by a cadre of men clad in black.

"Is everyone clear on the mission?"

"Ensure the young master's safety and return with him."

Dark Flame's voice was raspy as he kept his gaze fixed on the distant prison carriage. After a lengthy silence, he finally spoke, "The first line of Heaven is the ideal spot for our move. Let's head there early to set up."

With those words, he vanished in a blink.

The black-clad men, each with a cultivation level of at least Eighth Grade, scattered with a singular goal—the first line of Heaven!

"We'll reach the first line of Heaven in four hours," Qing Yangde stated gravely. "Send another squad there. We can't bypass this area; we have to secure it."

"General, everything will be alright, won't it? Our movements have been unpredictable."

The adjutant dispatched the orders before voicing his concerns.

They hadn't even left the borders of Qingshan County, yet Qing Yangde was as vigilant as a guard against thieves, sometimes marching urgently through the day and night, other times halting abruptly for rest.

Now, his caution had intensified, sending three scouting parties to the first line of Heaven.

Qing Yangde spoke with a hint of foreboding, "Disasters often strike closest to home." The Qing's had previously faced severe losses at the Hundred Clans Assembly, with all three of the younger generation who had participated falling in battle.

This year's Hundred Clans Assembly was of unprecedented importance. Upon taking on the mission, Qing Yangde had even deployed a decoy, leading outsiders to believe they were traveling in separate groups.

In doing so, potential attackers might hesitate, fearing to spook their quarry and either hold back or miss their chance, allowing him time to respond.

'Not to mention having all three with me... just having Lee Yu alone is reason enough for extreme caution!'

Qing Yangde turned to look back at his group.

He was well aware of his family's situation. Though not highly gifted, his military instincts were sharp. The frequent skirmishes at the front lines had informed him of the considerable pressure on the Qing's.

They were in dire need of someone who could be a stabilizing force, even if that person didn't bear the Qing surname.

Fortunately, the returning scouts brought back reassuring reports of safety. The last to report had even made a round trip through One-Line-Sky, which allowed Qing Yangde to breathe a sigh of relief.

At that moment, the army was drawing near to One-Line-Sky.

Lee Yu peered curiously from within the carriage. The soldiers here were all Eighth Grade cultivators, for whom ordinary cliffs and precipices should pose no obstacle. So why was there a need to pass beneath this place?

His question was soon answered. The cliffs on either side were knife-sharp, towering into the clouds, their extent unknowable, the end invisible to the eye.

It seemed that only a Fifth Grade cultivator might choose to traverse the top.

After a brief rest, the army was on the move once more, advancing toward the slender, fissure-like passage of One-Line-Sky.