Maple Leaf Town
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As dusk settled, Zhao Jinming reluctantly bade farewell to Mu Xue. Zhao Tianzhong, witnessing this, shook his head despite being one hundred and eighty years old. A youth’s first love is especially pure, often accompanied by a willingness to sacrifice everything for the beloved. Though it seemed as if Jinming had lost himself, many before him had gone through the same. Men do not mock one another for such things. Likewise, women need not make things harder for each other.
On the path of the Hui clan.
With hands clasped behind his back, Zhao Tianzhong said, “You foolish boy, are you satisfied now?”
“Grandfather, how can you call me foolish? I just really like Mu Xue.”
Nodding, he replied, “Good. Once your three years as steward are complete and the girl comes of age, we will arrange your marriage.”
“By the way, Grandfather, what is Maple Leaf Town like?”
“You can see for yourself tomorrow. It’s named after the many yellow maple trees there.”
“That’s a vague answer. Fine, but you have to take me there tomorrow.”
Upon returning to the clan, the two parted ways. Zhao Tianzhong headed swiftly toward the second elder’s scripture chamber to announce the engagement. After some discussion:
“I see. So how did Yang Zongheng later propose the Spiritual Land to you?”
“He offered a third of the total supply. I think one-third is sufficient for now, enough to cultivate ninety thousand spiritual herbs. After a few years, when the Academy holds competitions, we can seek more supplies from other herb families.”
“Alright. That ice beast’s appetite far exceeds this; we can only try to improve the herb-to-pellet conversion rate.”
The second elder fell silent.
By the morning of the second day:
“Shall we depart now?”
“No. Pack your cultivation resources well. You must remain stationed in Maple Leaf Town for three years and cannot leave your post without cause.”
“I’m already prepared.”
“Very well. I shall also go to bring Elder Yu Qiulai back.”
“Yesterday you were clamoring for a mount. I’ll take you to choose one.”
“So we’re heading to South Town first?”
The fourth elder nodded, and Jinming’s heart leapt with joy.
South Town had late-stage Demon Foundation-level Windshape horses suitable for riding, while the beast town’s suitable mounts were only Firehoof horses.
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Though the Firehoof horses were flashy with their fiery hooves at mid-Demon Foundation level, the Windshape horses appeared more noble, their speed twice that of a mid-stage Firehoof horse.
After traveling four hundred li, they arrived at South Town.
The town was also surrounded by walls, but compared to the twenty-plus zhang walls of larger cities, these were mere decorations for Foundation Establishment cultivators—only three to five zhang high.
One zhang is approximately 3.33 meters; one chi, 0.33 meters; one cun, 0.03 meters.
Masters among mortals who have learned the Yellow Technique can leap three meters, allowing them to scale walls unaided.
Thus, the town’s defense relied heavily on formation arrays.
Formations require a base and a focal point; small arrays combine into larger ones.
With that thought, they entered South Town.
South Town was the center of the four towns and, along with New Town, cultivated spiritual flowers and exotic herbs, boasting several large and small herb gardens. The other two towns: Beast Town focused on breeding spiritual beasts, and Maple Leaf Town specialized in planting spiritual rice and vegetables.
The difference between South Town and New Town was that South Town had a horse ranch breeding Windshape horses, while New Town had numerous rivers and lakes suitable for raising spiritual fish fry.
Descending thirty zhang from the sky, they entered the town under the watchful eyes of disciples on the city tower.
“Such a graceful Golden Core Master. If I could reach Foundation Establishment in this life, I’d thank the heavens,” whispered someone nearby.
They flew to the western horse ranch.
“Grandfather, we came all the way to South Town, and you haven’t taken me home for a cup of tea?”
“Wanting treasures again? Didn’t I bring you here early just to choose a horse?”
“But I can’t afford to feed them—they’re late-stage Demon Foundation, and they eat more than I do.”
“Then how about gifting you a Firehoof horse? Is that what you mean?”
“Impossible, Grandfather. The horse will need some spiritual grass feed.”
“Fair enough. Choose quickly. There’s a big one here; want it?”
Before them stood eight fine steeds, each with different expressions and postures.
Beyond the Demon Foundation stage, the horses gained some intelligence and could understand speech. From the Demon Core stage onward, they could transform and even speak human language. Note: Higher-grade demon beasts require higher cultivation levels to transform, hence the existence of high-quality transformation pills.
“Hiss... A poor guy, dressed well, but can’t even afford to feed us.”
“Hiss hiss... I don’t want to starve three days out of nine with him.”
“Hiss hiss... True. But if I follow him, I can run away. After staying long in this ranch, I want to carry this youth on a sword-filled journey across the world.” This horse moved closer, eyes full of hopeful light.
The strongest horse said, “Hiss... Let him be. Each horse has its own ambition.”
“Hiss... Take care, Brother Horse Three.”
Zhao Tianzhong saw this and threw a handful of pills to some horses, calming the herd.
These were Beast Spirit Pills, third grade with two markings. Of course, demon beasts can consume other pills, but these were relatively inexpensive.
“You should choose this one, Jinming.”
“All right, Grandfather. I accept.”
The horses here were all robust, and this one showed considerable intelligence.
Jinming stroked its back, found it obedient, and mounted it.
The Windshape horse carried him in a circle through the air and then back, its speed close to two hundred meters per breath at early Golden Core stage.
(Note: Speeds—Foundation Establishment early, mid, late: about 30m, 50m, 100m per breath; Golden Core early, mid, late: about 200m, 300m, 500m per breath. Individual variance applies. Divine sense’s basic range is about ten breaths of speed, roughly like half-open eyes observing.)
“Not bad, little demon brother. From now on, I’ll call you White Cloak.”
The horse raised its head and neighed, “OK, boss. I’ll rely on you.”
White Cloak: the Windshape horse is white, symbolizing a cloak that carries one at critical moments.
“Now that you’ve chosen your mount, let’s go.”
Zhao Tianzhong stood on Flying Immortal, Jinming rode White Cloak, and they swiftly moved forward.
After over a hundred li, a small city appeared ahead.
“That’s Maple Leaf Town up ahead. You can go on your own.”
“Grandfather, aren’t you coming?”
“You’re already a clan steward. If you don’t understand something on your first visit, you must ask yourself.”
“When I see you again, you should be grown up.”
Turning around, Zhao Tianzhong flew back to South Town.
Looking at his grandfather’s retreating figure, still youthful at over one hundred eighty years.
Without further thought, Jinming approached the city gate.
Removing the steward badge from his waist, the town guards bowed respectfully and allowed him to enter.
Leading the white horse inside, he declared, “I will achieve great things and live up to the clan’s expectations!”