Lu Li finally understood after Du Zheng explained it.There were 12 major cities in the Central Plains, one at east, west, south and north each, one at southeast, southwest, and northeast and northwest each and four in the center.
People could be teleported between the 12 major cities but people from other cities could not do so. What was more, 10 years ago, the Teleportation Formation of the Mystic Armor City was closed off. In other words, no Teleportation Formation could reach the Mystic Armor City right now.
That left Lu Li with two ways to get to the Mystic Armor City. The first one was to take short-distance Teleportation Formations and he could teleport to a place nearby the Mystic Armor Region and then get to the Mystic Armor City.
This would be time-consuming… and Xuan Crystal Consuming.
Those who could afford to take the Teleportation Formation at the Central Plains were the rich ones, disciples of Super Families. Disciples of average Fourth or Fifth Rank Families wouldn’t dare to take those.
What was the reason?
The Central Plains was too big. Take the Mystic Armor Region for an example. It was only a region by name, but it was more than 10 times larger than the Northern Desert. The distances between regions were rather far away so the teleportation would require many energy stones which consequently meant many Xuan Crystals.
How many regions were there in the Central Plains? More than 500, big or small.
From the north to the east of the Central Plains, there were more than 100 regions in between. If to teleport to one region would cost 50 million Xuan Crystals, 10 would be 500 million and 100 regions would cost 5 billion…
Five billion Xuan Crystals could get a warrior five or six Rising Dragon Gra.s.ses. How could any average family afford it?
Disciples of the twelve Royal Families were fine. They had the Royal Family Token which could get them discounts on Teleportation Formation. That would be a good deal.
Granted, Lu Li was the disciple of the Lu Family, but he didn’t have the Royal Family Token. Should he just yell out that he was the son of Lu Renhuang? Of course, not even every disciple of the Lu Family could be given the Royal Family Token.
Lu Renhuang once fought enemies at the Northern Desert which meant that disciples of the Lu Family weren’t entirely safe, either. Lu Li was so strange to the Central Plains. How could he just yell out his ident.i.ty randomly?
There was another way, taking Iron-armored s.h.i.+ps of some chamber of commerce. This way was much slower. It would cost Lu Li at least two years…
Of course, for a warrior of the Fate Wheel Realm, two years were nothing. They could spend it in cultivation. Therefore, when many warriors travelled to faraway places, they would take those Iron-armored s.h.i.+ps. It was not completely safe but normally nothing would happen.
"Two years?"
For Lu Li, it was too long. On the other hand, he didn’t have any Xuan Crystals. Was he supposed to ask for the Xuan Crystals from the Bai Family, or the Cyan Phoenix Race or Du Zheng?
Lu Li didn’t want to be indebted to them. Several billions of Xuan Crystals was a lot to ask for. Going to the Bai Family for help? That would be taking advantage of the vulnerable and people might say that he was blackmailing the Bai Family. Asking Du Zheng? Lu Li was not so familiar with him now. Also, Lu Li didn’t want to owe anything to Du Zheng. The Cyan Phoenix Race? This time, the Cyan Phoenix Race had offered enough help and they even risked being found and destroyed. The Cyan Phoenix Race also needed Xuan Crystals to buy pellets and materials for cultivation. Lu Li could not ask them for such a favor.
In the end, Lu Li decided to go to the Central Plains and take a look. With two n.o.ble Lord Realm warriors with him, they must be able to figure out a way to make some Xuan Crystals. They could earn Xuan Crystals on their way.
Du Zheng noticed Lu Li frowning after his explanation. Du Zheng made up his mind after some thoughts and said, "Brother Lu, if you really need to take the Teleportation Formation, I can ask my Family. We can still afford several billions of Xuan Crystals."
"No, thanks."
Lu Li waved his hand and said, "Brother Du, thank you so much for your kind offer. I will think of a way to get the Xuan Crystals."
Du Zheng didn’t try to persuade him. This had gone beyond his authority. Lu Li then asked Du Zheng about other things of the Central Plains. He left after they talked for almost four hours.
"Brother Du!"
Du Zheng took Lu Li’s hands after he stood up and said, "When you are teleported to the Central Plains, you will arrive at the Cloud City. I will notify members of my family to go and get you. I have work to do so I cannot go to the Central Plains with you. The world is a big place but we will meet again. Or, if you come back to the Northern Desert, let’s have a drink again."
Lu Li cupped his fists and then left with Ming Yu without further ado.
Du Zheng watched as Lu Li went. He sighed and said, "Lu Family do not know of Lu Li? But the Lu Family was sealed off 10 years ago so something must have happened. It’s natural that they don’t know about Lu Li. Lu Li is going to travel such a long distance to get to the Lu Family. Is he going to have a smooth journey? Lu Li, do survive this. Otherwise, all I have done would be in vain…"
…
Lu Li left the auction house but it was surrounded by crowds. Leaders of different families and forces were here. They all saluted Lu Li with respect when he got out.
Lu Li didn’t want to talk to the families that only hailed those in power. He was about to leave now so he was in no mood to take nonsense with them. Lu Li looked at Ming Yu who grabbed Lu Li and flew up. Ming Yu released his Bead of Life and flew towards the Bai Emperor Mountain.
Ming Yu and Lu Li just took off. The warriors here looked at each other in fright, not knowing how they had offended Lu Li.
Ming Yu flew directly to the Bai Emperor Mountain. They didn’t even have to take the Teleportation Formation to go to the top now. When they arrived at the plaza, Madam Yan had already there to greet him with some patriarchs of the Bai Family as if she knew Lu Li would come.
"Bai Leng?"
Lu Li saw a familiar face in the crowds. Bai Leng had made it back alive, but he had lost one arm. Even if he had come with Madam Yan, he didn’t look happy. His expressions were cold.
Bai Leng once saved Lu Li at the Cliff of Purgatory. Seeing that Madam Yan was about to salute to him, Lu Li quickly stopped her. Then he bowed to Bai Leng and said, "Lord Leng."
Bai Leng’s expressions were nicer now. He nodded but said nothing. Madam Yan detected the embarra.s.sment. She walked over to break the ice and said, "Lu Li, let’s go inside now. The banquet is ready. All we are waiting for is you."
"No thanks!"
Lu Li was not fond of those kind of banquets and he felt awkward at the Bai Emperor Mountain. He looked at Madam Yan and said, "I am here to say goodbye to Lady Qiuxue and Lady Xiashuang. We are friends. I am about to leave now so I have to say goodbye to them."
Madam Yan had informed the Bai Family about Lu Li leaving. Some of the patriarchs of the Bai Family were happy while others worried.
"They are at the outdoor pavilion. I will show you there." Madam Yan waved to let everyone go. Then she led Lu Li and Ming Yu toward the outdoor pavilion.
Before he arrived, Lu Li could already see two slim figures in the distance and beautiful tweedle came to his ears.
Bai Qiuxue was sitting in the pavilion with her legs crossed. She wore a white dress today, like a fairy. It was her that was playing with the Chinese zither. She was focused and splendid, like a lady walking out from a painting.
Bai Xiashuang was outside the pavilion. She was in a red dress with a blood-red sword in her hand. She was waving her sword about in an elegant way as if she was about to soar to the sky. Her sword was dancing around beautifully but she was more breathtaking.
One of the twins was quiet, while the was other restless; one in white, the other in red; one playing Chinese zither, the other wielding her sword. But they were equally amazingly pretty.
The scene at the outdoor pavilion was aesthetic and perfect. None could have the heart to disrupt such a scene.
Sweet, lingering music was being played on the Chinese zither. Lithe and graceful moves came from the sword dancer. Somehow, there was a touch of sorrow and sadness in all this. It was almost like the twins were here on purpose, to send Lu Li off.
Neither of them looked at Lu Li, as if they didn’t know there were people here. Lu Li waved his hand to stop Madam Yan and Ming Yu from going forward. He stood in the distance, looking at the twins in silence. He stared into the twins, trying to engrave them into the depths of his heart.
Bai Qiuxue put her hands gently on the strings after she finished the song. Bai Xiashuang stood there with her sword as a support. They turned around and looked in the distance. Lu Li had already turned back and walked away. All they could see now was a lonely shadow.
Sorrow climbed to Bai Qiuxue’s pretty face. She opened her cherry lips, trying to say something. But in the end, only two words came out, "Take care!"
Bai Xiashuang could not control herself. She yelled, "Lu Li, remember to come back and see us. Don’t let yourself die in the Central Plains."
"Ha, ha, ha!"
Lu Li paused for a bit and then raised his head, laughing out loud. Ming Yu grabbed him and flew up, vanis.h.i.+ng into the distance.
Lu Li never looked back. He just laughed and laughed. His laughter seemed to be unrestrained, but the sorrow in it could not be contained…
…