By the time Li Xuan followed the winding mountain path down White Mist Mountain, more than ten days had already passed.
With the murmuring stream accompanying his side, he finally saw the city gates of Lingqu County at sunset from afar.
He found a hidden patch of bushes, straightened his coarse linen clothes—washed so often they had turned pale and patched again and again—splashed his face with stream water, and made sure the blood scabs were mostly concealed. Only then did he tuck away his last few copper coins and blend into the crowd entering the city.
The moment he stepped through the gate, noise and bustle crashed into him.
As one of the “Eight Prefectures of Fanyang” under the capital of the State of Fan, Lingqu County was a true river transport hub. Canals cut through the city, packed with cargo ships and transport vessels. The calls of boatmen, merchants shouting their wares, and children laughing intertwined endlessly, while lanterns that never seemed to extinguish reflected off stone-paved streets like flowing light.
Li Xuan’s eyes went wide.
“So this is what a top-tier ancient city looks like… way livelier than I imagined! If I had known time travel came with a live-action Along the River During the Qingming Festival, I wouldn’t have slept through history class so much.”
He strolled along the roadside, gaze landing on a noodle stall under a banyan tree. The sign read “Old Broth Yangchun Noodles” in bold, vigorous strokes. Customers came and went nonstop, mostly porters and merchants, all eating with sweat streaming down their faces.
Li Xuan rubbed his empty stomach and decisively lifted the curtain and entered, sitting by the window. He imitated the tone of the locals and called out:
“Waiter! One bowl of Yangchun noodles, and a side dish!”
In his mind, he muttered:
“Copying locals is always safe. No way I can go wrong. A dignified S-rank Guide like me, reduced to learning how to order food just to survive… if anyone heard this, I’d be laughed to death.”
“Coming right up!” the waiter replied briskly and slipped into the kitchen.
Li Xuan tapped his fingers on the table, using the moment to sort out his situation.
Fortunately, both his S-rank Guide abilities and A-rank Hunter physique had come along with his soul. Otherwise, relying only on a Guide’s physical strength, he wouldn’t have lasted three days in the wilderness.
Still, this body was clearly weaker. His original A-rank physical capability had dropped to roughly B-rank level, like a clearance-sale downgrade. Even though his chest wound had healed, it had cost him a significant amount of energy.
“Good thing my wilderness survival skills are still intact.”
He rolled his eyes internally.
“Hunted a wild boar and six rabbits, traded them with villagers for clean clothes, a small knife, and some silver coins… I basically used up all my social survival skills just to gather intel.”
“Why couldn’t I transmigrate as a rich second generation? This is hell difficulty mode from the start.”
From scattered conversations with villagers, he finally pieced together the core information:
This was the Great Fan Dynasty, 1,250 years in the past, an era of warlords and fractured states.
“Oh great, I got sent back over a thousand years. Should’ve paid attention in history class instead of reading ghost stories…”
He facepalmed.
“And this ‘White Death Disaster’ they mentioned… sounds like the first appearance of a rift. So no matter the era, these beast problems never go away.”
Just then, the waiter arrived with a steaming bowl of noodles and a plate of pickled cucumbers.
“Your noodles, sir! And some tea to go with it!”
The aroma hit instantly.
Li Xuan thanked him and casually asked:
“Let me ask—do you have any books or places where I can learn about ‘rifts’ or the White Death Disaster?”
The waiter’s smile faded slightly as he lowered his voice:
“Traveler, you’re not from around here, are you? These disasters have been haunting Lingqu County for ages. Every so often, one opens up and monsters come out—strange, twisted things that kill on sight. The officials handle the records, not us common folk. We’re just trying to stay alive.”
He hesitated, then added:
“As for the White Death Disaster… no proper records exist. If you want stories, go to Meixiang Tower and find the storytellers. Or the academy—those scholars might know more.”
“I see. Thanks.”
Li Xuan nodded, eating his noodles quickly. They were unexpectedly delicious.
“Another three buns,” he added. “To go.”
With food packed, he wandered the streets while thinking:
“No money, no contacts… brothels are expensive, academies are useless for practical intel. First priority: earn money.”
“Is there something like a guild here? Easy missions, quick cash…”
Just then, rapid hoofbeats approached.
“Move aside! Move aside!”
The crowd scattered. Three riders rushed through the street, wearing black robes with red-black wrist guards and tiger-hilt swords. Their presence radiated authority.
“Official personnel?” Li Xuan’s curiosity was piqued.
He followed them to the city gate square.
An officer was posting a proclamation and reading aloud:
“By order of the Prince: recruitment of Asura warriors, Pure Mind cultivators, and generals! Volunteers will be rewarded—Asura hunters receive one hundred taels of silver and monthly pay of twenty taels; Pure Mind cultivators receive five hundred taels and eighty taels monthly, plus a residence and farmland!”
The crowd erupted.
Li Xuan blinked in confusion, scanning the crowd until his gaze locked onto a young man standing apart.
He wore a moon-white silk robe under a light mist-green outer gauze garment. Silver-threaded floral embroidery subtly decorated his cuffs and collar. A jade belt hook hung at his waist, along with a deep emerald ring. He looked like a refined merchant, yet carried an unmistakable air of composure.
Scented with sandalwood and faint plum fragrance, he exuded calm intelligence.
Li Xuan approached and cupped his hands.
“I am Li Xuan.”
The young man turned and returned the greeting gracefully.
“Chu Wanran. What brings Brother Li here?”
Li Xuan lowered his voice:
“I don’t understand what ‘Asura’ and ‘Pure Mind’ mean. Could Brother Chu explain?”
Chu Wanran looked surprised.
“You’re not from around here, are you? You don’t even know this?”
Then he explained:
“Asura refers to those with heaven-shaking physical abilities who hunt rift beasts. Pure Mind cultivators are those who can guide and purify the chaotic energy within Asuras, calming their rampaging states.”
“Pure Mind cultivators are like the breath of the earth—they restore sanity and stabilize Asuras. Extremely rare. Precious beyond measure.”
Li Xuan nearly choked on his bun.
“This is just Hunters and Guides!”
So even after transmigration… it’s still the same job, just renamed.
He kept a calm expression.
“I see. Thank you for the explanation. I’ve been living in seclusion for years and know little of the outside world.”
Chu Wanran smiled faintly.
“In troubled times, ignorance is sometimes a blessing. The realm is in chaos—rifts appear without warning. Even the court is desperate for talent.”
Li Xuan silently agreed.
“Guides are rare everywhere, huh… but if I reveal my abilities, I might get dissected or forcibly recruited. Better stay low-key.”
Then he asked:
“What kind of ruler is this Prince?”
Chu Wanran smiled slyly, covering half his face with his fan.
“Judging people is hard, but look around.”
He gestured toward the city.
“Clean streets, prosperous markets, people tired but not starving. That says enough.”
Then he pointed at the reward notice.
“Five hundred taels, plus land and house—he clearly values talent.”
He sighed dramatically.
“Too bad I’m not a Pure Mind cultivator. Otherwise I’d already be lining up for that reward.”
Li Xuan blinked.
“Wait—you earn five hundred taels a month?”
Chu Wanran only smiled, not answering.
Then he looked at Li Xuan.
“You, Brother Li, have extraordinary bearing. If you truly have talent, why not try?”
Li Xuan thought:
“Not bad. This guy has good instincts.”
Out loud, he said:
“Then I’ll give it a try. Could you guide me there?”
Chu Wanran immediately waved his fan.
“No rush! Since we hit it off, why not join me at Meixiang Tower first? Good wine, good food—my treat!”
Free food.
Li Xuan’s eyes lit up.
“Let’s go right now!”
In his mind:
“New world, new friend… this survival route is actually going smoother than expected.”