Chapter 40: Spring Outing

In these three months, Xu Daoyan immersed himself in cultivation every day, occasionally hearing Tian Tian play "Yangchun," which greatly increased his strength.

From the peak of the middle rank of the third class at 3,200 years, he improved to 6,000 years, reaching the peak of the upper rank of the second class.

The middle rank of the third class ranges from 2,710 to 3,410 years.

The upper rank of the third class ranges from 3,410 to 4,110 years.

The lower rank of the second class ranges from 4,111 to 4,810 years.

The middle rank of the second class ranges from 4,810 to 5,510 years.

The upper rank of the second class ranges from 5,510 to 6,210 years.

It's important to know that the higher one goes, the harder it is to improve. However, Xu Daoyan found that in these nearly three months with Tian Tian, his lifespan had increased by a staggering two times, making it seem even easier.

Of course, all the high-quality wood spirit stones he had were completely depleted. However, it's worth noting that Xu Daoyan's tendons and muscles had become incredibly resilient, his vitality surging. Unconsciously, he had refined his liver to a flawless state and could now cover a radius of six miles, or 1,500 zhang, with the Spring Revival Rain, a fifteen-fold increase from before.

The life-generating energy stored in his liver had become even more concentrated and refined, with better healing effects. His bloodline had also become stronger.

Tian Tian could see Xu Daoyan's daily progress, which, while not lightning-fast, was still commendable. Perhaps to him, it was fast, but Tian Tian, with her distinguished status, had seen countless cultivation prodigies in Youzhou. Xu Daoyan was just ordinary by comparison.

In the General's residence, the study.

"Father, Princess Tian Tian has been here for almost three months. Why haven't we received any news from Youzhou, or anyone coming to inquire? Have you really sealed off all the information?" Shi Yun was very puzzled.

"Hehe, Princess Tian Tian has a special status, and she has several formidable masters behind her. She is very pampered, and I don't want to offend her. Helping her cover up is fine as long as she is safe. Besides, the Tian family has eyes and ears everywhere. How could they not know she is in my General's residence? As long as they don't say anything, why should we make things complicated?" General Shi chuckled.

"Father, what do you mean?" Shi Yun asked.

"Exactly, let her be. It's good that she can cultivate in peace in this small city. The Tian family has already tacitly approved." General Shi smiled.

"Right, by the way, Brother Daoyan has made remarkable progress. In just three months, he has reached the peak of the upper rank of the second class." Shi Yun said with a smile.

"Take it slow, no need to rush. He is still young and needs some tempering!" General Shi laughed warmly.

"Speaking of which, Tian Tian has been quite caring towards Xu Daoyan, even teaching him to read and write. Does she have a thing for him?" Shi Yun gossiped with a smile, knowing his father was more perceptive.

"Don't worry, it's impossible. The Tian family is a behemoth. Even I can only look up to Mengchang Jun's realm. Xu Daoyan's status is humble, and he and Tian Tian are from completely different worlds. She will marry into the imperial family. It's said that Prince Xiao Yan, the most outstanding of Empress Xiao's lineage, is very fond of Princess Tian Tian, and both sides may facilitate their marriage." General Shi said.

Shi Yun, who considered Xu Daoyan a brother, felt uncomfortable upon hearing this. "I don't think there's anything wrong with my brother Xu Daoyan. What if Princess Tian Tian really likes him?"

"That's not up to her. It might even endanger Xu Daoyan. Yun'er, you don't understand. At Tian Tian's status, there are many entanglements. This is the marriage alliance of great families, to consolidate their position and interests. The relationships are intricate and hard to unravel!" General Shi waved his hand and said no more. "Go out!"

Shi Yun fell silent, understanding, and turned to leave.

During these three months, the envoy of the Heavenly Ghost Sect and Zhang Feng waited in Shilong City, but Xu Daoyan never left his room, making them wait until they were green with impatience.

"Envoy, the General's residence is heavily guarded, and Xu Daoyan is hiding. What should we do?" Zhang Feng was very angry, eager to kill Xu Daoyan.

"Shut up!" The Heavenly Ghost Sect envoy thought killing Xu Daoyan would be easy, but he had been waiting for three months. Time was limited, and he couldn't wait any longer.

"Since he won't show up, we'll target his people to force him out. There are still a hundred retainers, right? I'll start with them!"

The envoy of the Heavenly Ghost Sect was truly angry and determined to force Xu Daoyan out. Zhang Feng's body trembled, his eyes filled with ferocity, and he was secretly delighted.

"Envoy, you are wise!"

In the palace, Tian Tian looked at Xu Daoyan and said, "After three months, you are well-rested. Let's go out for a walk."

"Where to?" Xu Daoyan asked.

"Of course, for a spring outing. It's such a good season. Hiding and cultivating every day would be a waste." During this period, although Tian Tian taught Xu Daoyan to read and write, she also cultivated, making significant progress.

Xu Daoyan was speechless. A spring outing was a distant concept for him. Poor children had no such leisure, but now, as Tian Tian's guard, he had no choice.

"Is Master Tian there?" At that moment, Shi Yun's voice came from outside the door.

Tian Tian opened the door and smiled. "Just in time. We were about to go for a spring outing. Shi Yun, please prepare a good mount for Xu Daoyan. My Lightning Wind Horse is too fast, and I'm afraid ordinary horses can't keep up."

"Uh, that's perfect. Brother Xu, come with me. I have something to tell you." Shi Yun said, and Xu Daoyan nodded, and they left together.

At first, Shi Yun disliked Tian Tian because Xu Daoyan had been beaten.

Later, his opinion of Tian Tian changed because she was good to Xu Daoyan.

"You've been cooped up for the past three months. That's not like you, but you've made a lot of progress!" Shi Yun grinned, having visited him several times to find him in cultivation, not going to Shilong Camp.

"Can't help it. Master Tian has me read and write every day, and I have to cultivate. I have no time and can't leave!" Xu Daoyan said helplessly.

"Hehe, that's nothing. The training at Shilong Camp is for soldiers to cultivate independently. There's nothing major, and you just joined, so you don't need to do much." Shi Yun patted Xu Daoyan's shoulder.

"That's good. I feel like a freeloader, doing nothing all day but cultivating." Xu Daoyan rubbed his nose, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"Training a thousand days, using it in one. We join the military to protect our homeland. Cultivation is to protect the people under our jurisdiction. When war breaks out, we must be ready to pay with our lives. Which is more important?" Shi Yun asked with a smile.

Xu Daoyan nodded.

"Alright, let's not talk about that. If Master Tian goes for a spring outing, you must take good care of her, attending to her every need. Her safety is paramount. This is your first mission. Don't disappoint me!" Shi Yun smiled.

"Uh? That feels a bit strange." Xu Daoyan thought it was odd for two men to be so attentive.

"Don't worry, come, I'll take you to the stables!" Shi Yun, eager for gossip, hoped for more progress between them, and immediately led Xu Daoyan to the back of the General's residence.

After many twists and turns, they finally reached the stables, leaving Xu Daoyan stunned.

The environment was very clean, with lush greenery and exotic flowers and plants, unlike a stable. A warhorse, like a burning flame, stood there, its entire body red, walking leisurely.

"I feel this warhorse is stronger than me!" Xu Daoyan looked at Shi Yun. "You're not planning to let me ride it, are you?"

"This was my father's mount when he was young, named Lifu. Since my father's strength has grown, he no longer needs it, but they have a deep bond. He keeps it here and often talks to it. This time, I want you to ride it for the spring outing!" Shi Yun smiled.

Xu Daoyan's eyes twitched. "Isn't that a bit inappropriate?"

"No problem. Protecting Master Tian's safety is the priority. Lifu has rich combat experience and great strength. It will be very useful in critical moments. My father won't object. Keeping it idle here is a waste, and I can make this decision." Shi Yun looked at Lifu, clearly familiar with it. "Lifu, you'll be with Brother Daoyan for a while."

Lifu snorted, spouting two flames, glanced at Xu Daoyan, and walked out of the stable.

Clearly, Lifu could understand human emotions. Xu Daoyan knew the horse looked down on him but didn't say much. Indeed, the horse was much stronger.

He and Shi Yun followed Lifu, and just then, the Shilong Chamber of Commerce returned the Thunder Armor and Thunder Spear.

Xu Daoyan immediately put them on, and his demeanor changed dramatically, exuding a heroic aura.

"Wow, I didn't expect it to be Lifu. Great, let's go when you're ready!" Tian Tian rode her Lightning Wind Horse, with white fur like drifting clouds, said to run like a flash of light, hence its name.

"Brother Lifu, I'll ride you then!" Xu Daoyan said awkwardly to Lifu and then mounted.

After all, Xu Daoyan was the youngest soldier in Shilong Camp and Shi Yun's good friend. Lifu had to give him some face, and the purpose of this trip was to protect Tian Tian.

"Brother, be careful and protect Master Tian well." Shi Yun smiled brightly, hoping for some drama between Xu Daoyan and Tian Tian.

"Sure." Xu Daoyan, unaware of Shi Yun's ulterior motives, rode out of the General's residence with Tian Tian.

Zhang Feng, who had been waiting impatiently, saw Xu Daoyan and Tian Tian appear. From a teahouse, he pointed and said, "That's him, Xu Daoyan. The person next to him is the one who played the flute that day. They finally came out."

"It doesn't seem easy to kill him." The envoy of the Heavenly Ghost Sect frowned, deep in thought.

"Please enlighten me, Envoy?" Zhang Feng's heart raced. Was there something more significant?

"Seeing a part reveals the whole. Lifu and the Lightning Wind Horse are extraordinary and combat-capable. However, it seems Xu Daoyan is just a guard for that person. Bringing a guard who isn't even a first-class person shows he isn't that important. No problem, let's watch." The envoy of the Heavenly Ghost Sect stood up and left the teahouse with Zhang Feng, clearly looking for an opportunity to attack Xu Daoyan.

(I have a character recruitment post pinned in the book review section. If you're interested, check it out and suggest any characters you'd like to see. I'll screen them!)

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