The lowest level of the Martial Academy's underground palace.

The Martial Academy's patriarch looked at Qin Luo and said, "Blindly pursuing power will only lead to being devoured by it. Don't overuse the power of the Heavenly Dao fragments, or you will lose yourself sooner or later."

"Thank you for the reminder, senior."

Qin Luo kept reminding himself.

Leaving the Martial Academy's underground palace, the Martial Academy's patriarch looked at the bright sunshine outside and smiled, "I didn't expect to see the sunshine outside again, it's so nice."

"Greetings, Ancestor!"

A deafening shout rang out from the Martial Academy, and Bai Yu led the disciples to kneel on the ground and kowtow.

The patriarch of the Martial Academy nodded with satisfaction. Looking at the many junior members of the Martial Academy, he laughed loudly and said, "Get up, all of you."

The martial arts academy was celebrating the return of their patriarch, and it was a lively occasion. Qin Luo didn't linger; he left with Wan'er.

After leaving the martial arts academy, Qin Luo looked towards the imperial palace. Deep within the palace, there were fluctuations from fragments of the Heavenly Dao. "Miss Wan'er, could you take me into the palace?"

Wan'er lowered her head and bowed, saying, "Master Qin, Her Highness the Princess is currently busy with ancestral worship. She plans to invite you to the palace as a guest after she finishes her duties."

Qin Luo nodded slightly. He couldn't sense the outside world, but he could sense the fragments of the Heavenly Dao in the city. These fragments seemed to be attracting him.

Vermilion Bird Avenue.

The little dumpling was squatting on the ground selling barbecue.

The little black cat was sleeping near the barbecue stand.

"Little sparrow, two more skewers of grilled insects, please!"

A disheveled middle-aged man in a tattered long robe squatted near a barbecue stall. He hadn't bathed in a long time; his hair was like strands of noodles, his body was covered in thick black mud, and he had a curly beard. A yellow gourd of wine hung from his waist, but the long sword in his hand was relatively clean, with the words "Acting on behalf of Heaven" written on its scabbard.

The little dumpling frowned and pouted, "I'm not called Little Sparrow, I'm called Little Dumpling. Also, you ate all the skewers I prepared and haven't paid yet."

The disheveled middle-aged man picked his teeth with a bamboo skewer. After he finished, he said with a smile, "I said I'd pay you after I've eaten my fill. I haven't even eaten my fill yet, so why are you asking me for money?"

"You want to freeload?"

"I, Little Dumpling, am not someone to be trifled with!"

The little dumpling stood up angrily, her tuft of hair standing on end, her fists clenched, and she struck a pose.

The little black cat opened its eyes, stood beside the little dumpling, bared its fangs, and raised its tail.

"We can't afford to mess with them! We can't afford to mess with them!"

The disheveled middle-aged man took half a step back, still squatting on the ground with a grin, "How much?"

"Two hundred coins!"

The little dumpling held up two fingers.

The slovenly middle-aged man couldn't help but complain, "Two hundred coins for such a small amount of meat? Why don't you just rob someone?"

"Please, this is the capital city, prices are very high. You must be from out of town. I can give you a discount, only 198 coins." The little dumpling raised an eyebrow.

The disheveled middle-aged man rummaged in his pocket and finally pulled out two copper coins. He handed them to the little dumpling, saying, "I only have two copper coins on me. You can owe me the rest."

"no!"

"I don't know you."

The little dumpling stared at the disheveled middle-aged man.

The disheveled middle-aged man laughed loudly, "Go out and ask around, who in the martial arts world doesn't know me, Chao Xiu?"

"I don't know."

"Little Blackie, do you know?"

The little dumpling looked at the little black cat beside it.

The little black cat shook its head.

The disheveled middle-aged man laughed heartily and handed the long sword in his hand to the little dumpling. "How about this, I'll pawn this sword to you first, and I'll come back with the money in a couple of days to collect it."

"That's more like it."

The little dumpling felt that this sword was the most valuable thing Chao Xiu had. She picked up the long sword with both hands. The sword was very heavy. "If you have money, come find me. If I'm not here, you can come to the Heavenly Stems Courtyard to find me."

Chao Xiu smiled and nodded, "This sword is called Chengtian. You can use it to act on behalf of Heaven."

"Okay."

The little dumpling crossed her arms and said, "Hurry up and find some money. If you're too late, I'll sell this sword."

"Hahaha."

Chao Xiu smiled and disappeared into the crowd.

"I'm so tired!"

"It's another beautiful day."

After cleaning up the barbecue stall, the little dumpling counted the money she had earned that day and couldn't help but laugh out loud, "Hehe, I have eighty coins, I can go buy some wine and food now."

"Little Blackie, let's go!"

"Meow!"

The little dumpling happily picked up the longsword.

The capital city was vast, with mountains, rivers, and lakes. Qin Luo spent half a day exploring, but he hadn't even finished half of the outer city.

As evening fell, Qin Luo returned to the Tiangan Courtyard under the glow of the setting sun. As soon as he entered the courtyard, he heard the little dumpling laughing and giggling.

In the courtyard, Xiao Tuanzi and Lao Gao sat on stools, cracking sunflower seeds and eating peanuts.

When the little girl saw Qin Luo return, she quickly put away the small gourd containing the wine, afraid that he would see it.

"Boss, come and eat some boiled peanuts."

The little dumpling gave a mischievous, silly laugh.

Qin Luo said earnestly, "Drink less alcohol!"

"Hehe, I didn't put much in my gourd!" The little dumpling winked playfully.

The longsword was placed on the table. Qin Luo looked at the sword, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Where did this sword come from?"

The little dumpling pouted and said unhappily, "When I was selling barbecue in the city, a wandering swordsman named Chao Xiu gave it to me as collateral. He owes me 196 coins."

Qin Luo picked up the longsword, gripped the hilt, and pulled it outwards a bit. A cold light shot into the sky, severing the red glow in mid-air.

Wan'er felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave.

The little black cat stood frozen in place.

Old Gao felt a chill run down his spine. He rubbed his hands together. "The late spring cold should have passed by now."

Only the little dumpling calmly cracked sunflower seeds, saying, "Boss, this sword is called Chengtian."

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