Chapter 00156: A Bad Feeling
# A Bad Feeling
Chapter 156
Novel: After the Myth
Chapter 156: A Bad Feeling
Knowing that he would have to wait over a month before entering the Cultivation Realm, Ding Huan decided to exchange all ten of his crystal shards for true industry coins.
These ten shards fetched him thirty thousand true industry coins.
After returning to the inn, Ding Huan took some time to organize the items in his backpack.
Aside from a few simple living necessities, he had a pot and several books on spirit herbs and ores that he purchased from the Four Directions Star Land.
The living supplies were merely to throw off any prying eyes, making it seem as though his bag contained all he needed.
As for the books on spirit herbs, they were not worth much around here.
Randomly picking one was sure to provide richer knowledge than what he had in his backpack.
Considering that he might need to cook for an extended period in the future, he tossed a pile of shimmering crystal stones into the pot.
This was not a mere whim.
When Qi Xinyue had cooked the gigantic owl meat in this very pot back in the Kunlun Mountains, the outcome had been dreadful—bland and tasteless.
Ding Huan suspected that the pot was actively absorbing the essence of the world, and the nourishing energy from the owl meat had been drained, resulting in a flavorless dish.
Therefore, he now decided to use the shimmering crystal stones to allow the pot to absorb spirit essence on its own.
Perhaps once it was filled with energy, it could improve the taste of his cooking.
Having done this, Ding Huan spent each day leaving the inn to gather information in Jihe City.
Lou Buzhi did not stay at the inn either; he was also coming and going at odd hours.
A week later, Ding Huan felt he had grasped the lay of the land in Jihe City.
It was not a remote place within the True Industry Empire, being just a day's journey from the capital, Daye City, though not on foot, for there were special carriages for transport.
The development of the True Industry Empire was also quite peculiar.
Some people revered cultivation, believing it to be the only path to prosperity and stability for the empire, while others argued for exploring the laws of the universe, seeking means to align their development with these cosmic laws for the well-being of the populace.
In simpler terms, it was a matter of advancing technology.
This led to a strange situation: the True Industry Empire had both cultivators and technologists, and they did not clash with one another.
Ding Huan was satisfied that he could not find any magical talismans in Jihe City, but he did come across machines capable of genetic extraction.
Regrettably, the cheapest one cost over five hundred thousand true industry coins, far beyond his means.
As long as such machines existed, he could continue creating other genetic potions in the future, making it crucial for him.
Regarding talismans, Ding Huan also inquired around several markets and trading houses.
They could be found in the mortal realm, but in specialized cultivation trading houses, the prices were steep.
He noted this option for the future—should he run low on funds, he could consider selling talismans.
As for the shimmering crystal stones he possessed, Ding Huan had no intention of selling them.
He sensed their grade was higher than the crystal shards he had collected; should he bring them out and attract attention, it could lead to dire consequences.
This place was not the Four Directions Star Land.
There, he might have had a chance to escape.
Here, even someone as powerful as Sang Yuhua was merely an average practitioner.
This was because mortals could not freely enter the Cultivation Realm, while those in the Cultivation Realm could enter the mortal realm without restriction.
If a strong practitioner chose to pursue him, escape would be nearly impossible.
He sighed and went to check the pot in his backpack.
When he opened it, he was taken aback to find that the pile of shimmering crystal stones had mostly turned to ash.
So this pot truly could absorb them.
Without hesitation, Ding Huan tossed another batch of shimmering crystals into the pot and sealed his backpack shut.
“Little Tu…” The voice of Qi Xinyue came from outside the door.
Ding Huan opened the door and let her in. “Xinyue, is something the matter?”
Seeing the thoughtful look on her face, he knew she had something to say.
Qi Xinyue hesitated for a moment before saying, “Little Tu, I've been feeling restless these past few days, like someone is searching for me.”
Ding Huan’s heart sank.
He quickly began to calculate.
Soon, his complexion grew grim.
“Little Tu, is something really wrong?” Qi Xinyue asked with concern upon seeing his pallor.
Ding Huan nodded. “Yes, I’ve deduced that someone has taken you.”
“What should we do? Should we leave here?” Qi Xinyue was alarmed.
Some speculations had formed in her mind, yet she dared not elaborate.
Deep down, she sensed that she might be powerless to resist.
Ding Huan shook his head.
No matter how he calculated or how they tried to flee, it seemed unavoidable.
The results he was receiving grew vaguer each time, indicating that a being of far greater power than him was involved in the calculation.
“Xinyue, we need to find a way to leave Jihe City right away and head to the Cultivation Realm.”
Ding Huan resolved firmly.
Though he couldn’t pinpoint a safe place, he felt that only by reaching the Cultivation Realm could they completely escape this predicament.
Remaining in the mortal realm would mean they could not evade capture.
“Wait for me a moment; I’ll quickly check out of our room and wait for Lou Buzhi to return before we leave.”
With that, Ding Huan hurried downstairs.
“Brother Huan…” As soon as he reached the first floor, Lou Buzhi ran straight into the inn.
Ding Huan looked at Lou Buzhi in confusion; he seemed rather disheveled.
His hair was a mess, and his face appeared to have been slapped twice.
“What happened?” Ding Huan asked.
“Yes, Brother Huan, let's talk in the tea room,” Lou Buzhi managed a smile, though it carried a pained essence.
The tea room on the first floor of the inn was just a short walk away.
Once seated, Ding Huan pointed at Lou Buzhi’s face. “Who hit you? How did you end up looking like this?”
The marks of the slaps were still visible on Lou Buzhi's face.
Feigning nonchalance, he waved his hand dismissively. “It’s nothing, just a little conflict, all resolved now.”
After pouring Lou Buzhi a cup of tea, Ding Huan said, “Buzhi, you’re staying with me here, so you are not an outsider. After all, we came over together, which makes us acquaintances. If there's something you've hidden, little matters can be overlooked, but if it's something beyond your control, it could endanger us both.”
Ding Huan recalled the previous calculations and Qi Xinyue’s feelings, suspecting there might be a connection.
Lou Buzhi was taken aback, then awkwardly said, “Brother Huan, you know I only followed you to Jihe City. I can’t keep depending on you every day. The past few days, I’ve been wandering the city, looking for any opportunities to find work.”
Ding Huan felt a pang of sentiment.
Lou Buzhi had been by his side for such a long time, yet he had never sought work or felt it was wrong to depend on others.
He didn’t blame Lou Buzhi; if he were in Lou Buzhi’s position, he would do the same.
“We’ll talk about finding work later; first, tell me how you got beaten.”
Ding Huan pressed for more information.
Lou Buzhi gave a self-deprecating laugh. “I saw the city patrol was recruiting members, so I signed up. Luckily, I managed to grab the last spot.”
“That’s good; being part of the patrol at least offers some official standing and security,” Ding Huan expressed joy for Lou Buzhi.
If Lou Buzhi had a job, he wouldn’t need to take him along when they left.
Lou Buzhi shook his head. “Not quite. I only registered; in two days, I have to attend a series of evaluations. Only if I pass can I become part of the patrol.”
At that moment, Lou Buzhi’s fortune took a downturn.
A fellow hoping to join the patrol but who hadn’t been fast enough to register wanted Lou Buzhi to give up his spot, but Lou Buzhi refused.
“You refused to give your deserving spot, and then he attacked you?” Ding Huan suddenly felt he may have misjudged the safety of Jihe City.
The defiance in Lou Buzhi’s eyes dimmed, leading to a heavy sigh. “The spot was stolen from me. One of them thought I was being unreasonable and, after taking the spot, also decided to take a swing at me.”
“Such arrogance?” Ding Huan looked at Lou Buzhi incredulously.
This was beyond pride; not only had they stolen Lou Buzhi’s position, they also dared to assault him.
“Were the ones who took your spot a scrawny monkey, a bald man, and a woman?” Ding Huan suddenly asked.
Lou Buzhi was taken aback. “Brother Huan, how did you know?”
Ding Huan sighed deeply. “I saw them.”
He felt a sense of disbelief.
Did Lou Buzhi honestly look so easy to bully? They stole his spot and even went as far as to strike him, yet he still managed to chase them to the inn.
“Well, that kid sure can run,” said the scrawny monkey mockingly, casting a disdainful glance at Ding Huan.
Just as Ding Huan opened his mouth to retaliate, he suddenly felt a chill coursing through him, overwhelming discomfort washed over him.
He glanced out the corner of his eye and noticed a man resembling a shopkeeper standing not too far away; this person exuded strong energy.
Ding Huan knew he was no match for this man, who seemed to have a foundation established—possibly in the later stages of foundational cultivation.
“What more do you want? I’ve already given you everything,” Lou Buzhi spoke with fear and helpless anger.
“What do I want? You little brat don’t know what’s good for you. Do you think a couple of slaps make it all disappear? If you don’t run now, I’ll let your grandpa vent his frustrations, and then maybe you’ll be spared. For now, just kneel and apologize while handing over ten thousand true industry coins as compensation.”
The scrawny monkey said with a sneer.
Lou Buzhi stepped back, entirely devoid of confidence.
When the scrawny monkey came rushing toward him with a slap, Ding Huan recognized that the scrawny monkey was merely at the level of an ordinary martial artist, likely even weaker than Lou Buzhi.
Seeing that if Lou Buzhi dodged, the slap would land on Ding Huan, he no longer hesitated and threw a punch at the scrawny monkey.
Lou Buzhi’s fist was far quicker and more powerful than the monkey’s.
At this rate, before the scrawny monkey’s hand touched Lou Buzhi, Lou Buzhi’s punch would definitely strike home.
The bald man standing next to the scrawny monkey realized his companion was about to be on the losing end and charged forward, kicking at Lou Buzhi.
Ding Huan recognized this man’s strength; he was likely at the level of a ninth rank gene practitioner in the peak stage.
If Lou Buzhi took that kick, he would surely suffer serious injuries.
As the kick approached, Ding Huan kicked out in response.
The two feet collided.
With a loud “crack!” the bald man’s leg was snapped, sending him hurtling backward.
Lou Buzhi, though, didn’t sustain any fracture, but he spewed a mouthful of blood and was also knocked back.
Unlike the bald man, Lou Buzhi intentionally spat out blood and retreated deliberately.
In this moment, Ding Huan noticed that besides the inn, another critical figure was gauging him.
At the entrance to the inn, additional figures had emerged, all exuding power that far surpassed his own, and they were all monitoring him.
He and the bald man were about on par in their skills under regular circumstances; there was no reason he should have kicked the bald man far and inflicted such heavy injuries on him, yet he remained unharmed.
He knew he had intentionally sustained injuries, for he sought to avoid drawing near enemies.
Ding Huan obstructed the bald man, allowing Lou Buzhi a chance to land a punch right on the scrawny monkey’s face.
The sound of breaking bones made everyone’s teeth ache; the scrawny monkey was left bleeding, his vision blurring as he lost his footing.
“You’re asking for death.”
The woman, seeing Ding Huan kick the bald man away and Lou Buzhi hitting the scrawny monkey, could no longer restrain herself and lunged toward Ding Huan.
At that moment, Qi Xinyue entered the inn.
She witnessed Ding Huan spitting blood, and the woman daring to attack him.
Without a moment’s thought, she transformed into a shadow, kicking the woman who aimed to strike Ding Huan.
“Crack!” The sound of breaking bones echoed again.
The woman, who had targeted Ding Huan, found herself with several broken ribs from Qi Xinyue’s powerful kick and hit the ground, gasping blood.
This woman was weaker than the bald man, while Qi Xinyue had already reached the peak stage of ninth rank gene practitioner.
Over the past year, Qi Xinyue had not focused on cultivation, firmly establishing her foundation instead, her power far exceeding that of her foe.
Ding Huan felt a sinking feeling in his heart as he witnessed the shopkeeper-like man rush over, intent on attacking Qi Xinyue.
He had held back his power in caution of this individual.
(The End of This Chapter)