As they left the town, Lu Qingmo took out a black carpet and tossed it into the air. The carpet expanded with the wind, floating and hovering above them.

  She stepped onto the carpet and gestured to Han.

  "Come up."

  Han followed her instructions, hopping onto the carpet. To his surprise, it was completely stable with no wobble at all.

  A magic carpet?

  Well, at least it's not a broomstick.

  "Mo Aunt, can this thing fly for long distances?" Han asked curiously.

  "This is a special flying artifact designed for long journeys," Lu Qingmo explained. "It has a magic source inside to supply its energy, so it can travel for extended periods without needing rest. The journey to Tianyue County is long, and using a normal method would take too much time."

  As she spoke, the flying carpet already began heading west, picking up speed, and soon the ground below was nothing but a blur.

  However, Han didn’t feel any turbulence or weightlessness.

  Magic techniques, truly amazing.

  Mo Aunt really knows her stuff.

  "Earlier on the road, you mentioned you had business in the county?" Lu Qingmo asked.

  "Yes," Han replied. "I found some interesting things at the Tianmu Sect's base and also obtained some materials from the bottom of Yunjiang River. I was thinking of going to the county to ask some skilled craftsmen to forge them into weapons."

  He took out a handful of silver essence and a vial of Tianqing gold liquid—both shining brightly in the light.

  These materials weren’t all of Han's possessions, just what he felt he could bring out without seeming too ridiculous. If he showed everything he had, it would be unbelievable.

  "Silver essence and Tianqing gold liquid?" Lu Qingmo's eyes narrowed as she recognized the materials.

  "Either of these alone could be used to forge weapons, but together, their compatibility is perfect—a match made in heaven."

  "You actually found these at the bottom of Yunjiang River?" she asked, eyes widening in surprise. "That’s quite a stroke of luck… Wait, the bottom of Yunjiang River?"

  Lu Qingmo paused, realization dawning on her. "To find such materials, you’d have to go to the deepest part of Yunjiang, and it wouldn’t be easy. How did you manage to get to the bottom?"

  Han blinked. "I didn’t tell you?"

  "I can move freely underwater, just like I’m walking on land. I avoid the current and dive deep into Yunjiang every day, searching for treasures."

  When did you ever tell me that?

  Lu Qingmo almost felt like throwing Han off the carpet.

  "So, the last time you encountered those shrimp and crab soldiers was at the bottom of Yunjiang?" she asked, still trying to process this information.

  "Yep," Han replied casually.

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  He had told Lu Qingmo about the shrimp and crab soldiers before, but he hadn't gone into much detail, just mentioning he'd met them while diving into the Yunjiang River.

  Lu Qingmo probably thought it was just a casual dive.

  "What kind of ability is this?" she asked, her tone serious.

  "It came about the night I entered the training state," Han said.

  "Water affinity, the ability to control water..." Lu Qingmo fell into deep thought. "This sounds like a kind of natural talent."

  So how many talents have you awakened by now?

  And how much more are you going to surprise me?

  Lu Qingmo pondered over this, racking her brain for an answer. She tried to recall the knowledge she'd learned at Xuandu Temple, but nothing seemed to fit.

  Could you be a reincarnated god, or a person blessed by the heavens?

  Could there really be someone who’s so talented, so loved by the heavens, that they could awaken multiple talents with ease?

  Lu Qingmo thought, then thought some more, but eventually chose to give up. She just couldn’t figure it out.

  "I can help you find a skilled craftsman to forge these materials into weapons," she said after a long pause.

  "Ah?" Han looked surprised.

  "No need to refuse," Lu Qingmo said with a smile. "Consider it an extra reward for your contribution to stabilizing Heiyun Town."

  Han accepted this offer in silence.

  Mo Aunt is truly something else. I’m about to cry from how often she rewards me.

  "By the way, Mo Aunt, will the Tianmu Sect’s matter be reported to Xuandu Temple?"

  "I need to investigate things further in the county before deciding," Lu Qingmo replied. "And it's not just about the Tianmu Sect. From my investigation, I’ve found that there are still problems in Heiyun Town."

  "Problems in Heiyun Town?" Han asked, his curiosity piqued.

  "Yes," Lu Qingmo said gravely. "Someone’s been causing trouble, making connections with outsiders."

  "..."

  As their conversation continued, the flying carpet carried them further away. Beneath them, the mountains and rivers seemed vast yet small at the same time.

  Meanwhile, in Heiyun Town, several Meridian Realm martial artists arrived at Taibai Pavilion again, looking for Han, but they left empty-handed.

  When they relayed the news back to their faction, Li Longtian couldn’t help but frown.

  "He’s left Heiyun Town again? This kid, a mere Flesh Realm martial artist, seems busier than I am?"

  One hour later, a magnificent city came into view.

  Tianyue County City—finally here.

  "That was fast," Han remarked, impressed. He could sense the immense distance they had covered, and the speed of the flying artifact was truly astonishing.

  As they neared the city, Lu Qingmo landed the carpet and they walked in.

  At the city gates, soldiers—martial artists—were inspecting everyone’s entry, but when Lu Qingmo presented a plaque, they immediately stepped aside, allowing her to pass with a look of awe.

  If the Xuandu Temple's outer disciples were stopped by a few gate guards, that would be embarrassing.

  As they passed through the gates, Han suddenly felt a strange sensation in his soul, as if a heavy weight had settled on his shoulders.

  "This is the protective array of Tianyue County," Lu Qingmo explained. "It’s not dangerous, just a standard barrier."

  "...That's really advanced," Han muttered, feeling impressed.

  Tianyue County truly is on a different level. Its protective arrays alone far exceed anything in Qinghua County.

  Once inside the city, the hustle and bustle hit Han like a wave. People were everywhere, the place was vibrant, and the atmosphere was vastly more prosperous than Heiyun Town.

  "The population of Tianyue County City is in the hundreds of thousands," Lu Qingmo continued. "During its construction, countless martial artists and cultivators were involved."

  "In the city, you’re not allowed to use magic or martial skills unless you have permission, but our status exempts us from that rule."

  For instance, right now, their walking speed was much faster than the average person’s.

  Hearing this, Han couldn’t help but imagine a few strange scenarios in his mind.

  Since cultivators and martial artists helped build the city…

  Could they have solved waste disposal and water management using magic?

  As they walked through the streets, pedestrians automatically stepped aside. Lu Qingmo’s imposing presence, combined with their superior appearance, made it clear they were not ordinary individuals.

  "Tianyue County has twenty-four districts, and one directly governed town, Heiyun Town," Lu Qingmo said. "So, even though Heiyun is just a town, all important matters have to be dealt with in the county city."

  Han nodded. With Heiyun Town's strength, it could never be under the jurisdiction of another district.

  Soon, Lu Qingmo led Han down a rarely visited street, where unique buildings stood, guarded by sentries.

  The Ghost and Divine Affairs Department!

  Lu Qingmo took out her token, and the two guards at the entrance immediately stepped aside without saying a word.

  Han couldn’t help but feel a bit regretful.

  Why is it that the guards I meet always seem so perceptive?

  Shouldn’t you at least question whether Lu Qingmo’s token is fake?