C95 Xiong's

As Lee Yu passed by Tebbe City from a distance, he couldn't help but feel surprised. The massive military procession merely grazed the outskirts of the colossal city before continuing on its way.

"Weren't we supposed to rendezvous with an investigation team?" he pondered.

Lee Yu's recovery from his injuries had been remarkably swift, thanks in part to his robust constitution and the exceptional medicinal prowess of the Qing's herbal remedies. Standing atop the chariot, he gazed out at Tebbe City, its towering walls a testament to its strategic importance, rising even higher than those of the county seat, with soldiers densely packed along the ramparts and bustling activity flowing through its open gates.

"Recovered so quickly, have you?" Qing Yangde approached, riding the Tiger Soul, just in time to see Lee Yu limbering up.

"It's not hindering me anymore," Lee Yu replied, straightening up with a hint of curiosity. "I thought we were supposed to connect with the investigation team. Why did we just bypass them?"

Upon hearing this, Qing Yangde's expression turned grave.

After a moment of silence, he explained, "During the chaos at Line Canyon, a group seized the chance to kidnap someone, leaving no survivors behind."

The reference to the kidnapping was clearly about the middle-aged man who claimed to be the city lord's son. Lee Yu immediately grasped the gravity of the situation, understanding why Qing Yangde looked so grim. Such an act could only have been carried out by the cunning City Lord of Tebbe City. What was more pressing was the question of why he would dare to commit such a deed. The implications were indeed worth pondering.

"These are trifles," Qing Yangde dismissed with a wave of his hand. "In a day's time, we'll leave the bounds of Qingshan County, and that's when real peril awaits. Remember, your top priority is to ensure your own safety!"

"I understand," Lee Yu nodded, his demeanor obedient.

Since gaining access to the Otherworld, Lee Yu's world had expanded from Stone Village to the Qing family's lands. Yet, even this larger domain paled in comparison to the vastness of the entire world. In this realm, Lee Yu's foremost goal was to advance his cultivation, striving for the pinnacle of the Divine Path. His second aim was to broaden his horizons. And if he could do so without danger, he would eagerly embrace the opportunity to explore and appreciate the wonders of this other world.

Qing Yangde didn't add anything further, knowing that the days ahead would demand his utmost effort and attention.

Venturing into the territory of another clan was fraught with complexities and strict customs. He had to meticulously map out his route and prepare a contingency plan for any unforeseen events.

Once he had departed, Lee Yu settled back into the chariot.

As he was about to take a quick nap, a lightning crystal materialized before him.

Lee Yu: ...

Cui flashed a sweet smile, "Young Master, cultivation can take the place of sleep. Let's make the most of our time and cultivate every extra minute we can!"

Indeed, once one attained the Fifth Grade, it was possible to substitute sleep with cultivation—a practice many adopted to accelerate their progress.

But that was them, not him.

Lee Yu bit his lip, "Cultivation is endless! I'm just going to rest my eyes for a moment; it won't hold me back!"

"Young Master, you mustn't slack off," Cui insisted, pushing the Thunder Crystal closer to him. "Members of the royal family will be present at the council. We mustn't underestimate the heroes of this world!"

Moreover, the Ming Imperial Family was an offshoot of the ancient Qin dynasty. But this wasn't Blue Star; in a world where bloodlines were pivotal, the lineage of the Ming Imperial Family was formidable.

Cui's determined look made it clear she wouldn't relent until he accepted.

Lee Yu recognized Cui's concerns.

He took the Thunder Crystal and earnestly began his cultivation.

The following day.

Lee Yu had barely left the borders of Qingshan County when he encountered a daunting sight: soldiers in armor as far as the eye could see, their presence commanding. His heart skipped a beat.

'Surely we're not about to engage in battle just after leaving?'

Lee Yu was apprehensive, but then he saw Qing Yangde command his tiger to leap forward, and the soldiers in their earthen yellow armor parted ways. A young man astride a massive bear-like creature emerged from their midst.

"That's a Four-Armed Bear, a Sixth Grade beast!"

Cui offered the explanation.

Lee Yu acknowledged with a nod.

He had come across this information before: the beast was indistinguishable from a regular bear when not in combat, save for its larger size. But in battle, the small paws concealed beneath its forelimbs would swell rapidly, transforming into deadly weapons.

No conflict arose. Qing Yangde and the man shared a fierce bear hug, and the soldiers scattered across the hills swiftly converged, forming an army that marched on once more.

"It's the Xiong's!"

Lee Yu quickly recognized from the data Qing Yangde had provided that this clan was one of the Qing's allies.

Though he was unaware of the specifics, it was clear that there was safety in numbers. He didn't dwell on the logistics of joining forces with an ally.

Yet, shortly after he began his cultivation in the chariot, the troops made camp, and he saw Qing Yangde being jovially dragged over by a young man seated on a four-armed bear.

"You say you're cultivating? Seems more like you're trying to keep a low profile!"

"We're all friends here, right? I want to be prepared for the discussions at the Hundred Clans Assembly!"

The young man's eyes lit up when he spotted Lee Yu in the chariot, and he spoke with a casual air as he tugged Qing Yangde closer.

Qing Miaoyan and Qing Yingyao moved to intervene, but Qing Yangde subtly gestured for them to stand down.

Xiong Feng, noticing the two by the chariot, didn't elaborate but called out, "Once we're off our turf, relaxing with good food and drink won't be so easy. Yangde, call them down! I'd like to meet the brothers."

"Young Master?"

Before Cui could utter a word, Lee Yu gestured for her to remain silent and stepped out of the carriage.

Whether it was due to persuasion or another reason, there was no question about whether to disembark. Perhaps Qing Yangde intentionally brought him along to broaden his connections, which might be advantageous for his participation in the Hundred Clans Assembly.

"So, you possess the Thunder Bloodline?" Xiong Feng greeted Lee Yu with a hearty slap on the shoulder, expressing approval. "Impressive, you're quite solidly built!"

The force of the slap nearly made Lee Yu stumble, catching him off guard.

'If my constitution were any weaker, I'd be bedridden by now!'

Lee Yu managed a wry smile and silently agreed.

The intelligence was accurate: the Xiong's primarily possessed an Earth Bloodline, valuing the solidness of the ground. It was said that members of the Xiong's with this bloodline were often physically stronger than their peers at the same level.

The primary reason for their advantage was the profound affinity of their bloodline with the earth, which essentially allowed them to cultivate under a form of resistance training. This made the honing of their physical bodies far more efficient compared to those with other bloodlines.

"I refuse to believe that's just Sixth Grade prowess!"

Xiong Feng was inwardly grumbling. His move would have forced an ordinary Fifth Grade Divine Path cultivator to stumble back three steps if caught off guard!

Yet Lee Yu merely clenched his teeth in response.

The trio exchanged greetings and made their way back to Qing Yangde's tent, where a meal was already waiting for them.

After a round of introductions,

Xiong Feng blurted out, "Lee Yu, you're still a bachelor, aren't you? Interested in finding a wife?"

Lee Yu: ?

Qing Yangde: ?

The former was somewhat taken aback, feeling as though he was being offered a wife rather than a companion.

The latter, however, was incensed, his hands gripping Xiong Feng's neck as he violently shook him, bellowing, "I consider you a brother, and here you are trying to poach my man!?"

Lee Yu cleared his throat and interjected, "Let's eat before the food gets cold!"