Chapter Forty: Arrival at the Liang Estate

Five days later, Su Yang and Li Shanshan finally entered the territory of Central Province. Central Province was vast, occupying one-fifth of the entire Xuantian Continent. Beyond the Great Xia Empire, the Wangyue Sect, and the Xuantian Sect, countless other forces and clans of varying sizes stood across the landscape.

Shadowy conflicts occurred frequently. However, compared to the chaotic and mixed influences of You Province, Central Province remained relatively peaceful and stable under the formidable authority of the Great Xia Empire.

"So, we have finally arrived in Central Province. This really took quite some time," Su Yang remarked, looking at the city before him.

The past five days had not been particularly comfortable for Su Yang. Because Li Shanshan followed him like a shadow, he could not enter the Stone World to cultivate. He could only communicate with Senior Great Sage through his consciousness, occasionally asking about the status of the Purple Electric Mad Lion and the Poison Butterfly Spirit Crystal Lizard. Although the two beasts did not get along, they had become surprisingly harmonious since entering the Stone World. Su Yang knew that if it weren't for the bloodline suppression of Senior Great Sage, they would have likely wreaked havoc. Still, it was for the best; it allowed them to focus on their cultivation.

As for Li Shanshan, the young girl was simply baffling. Throughout the journey, Su Yang had been the one to initiate conversation, boast, and teach her combat techniques. Li Shanshan followed his instructions implicitly. Whatever Su Yang told her to do, she did, and even at night, she would wait for him to fall asleep before she allowed herself to rest. Su Yang didn't know what to say, hoping only to reach Central Province quickly so he could take her to the Liang Estate to find her aunt and then part ways at the Xuantian Sect.

"Is this Central Province? It's so big," Li Shanshan finally spoke up on her own.

"This is likely just the outer city of Central Province. We are still some distance away from your aunt's place," Su Yang said after checking the map given to him by Li Beiye.

"Hmm," Li Shanshan replied softly, standing behind Su Yang like a dependent fledgling.

The two walked toward the city. Although there were city guards, they did not stop them; the crowd was simply too dense to inspect everyone. By dusk, Su Yang and Li Shanshan finally arrived in front of the Liang Estate. Unlike the area outside the city, the two guards standing at the gate possessed the cultivation of the Fifth Grade of the Three Profound Realm, which spoke volumes about the strength of the Liang Estate.

"This is it. Why don't you go?" Su Yang stretched and said to Li Shanshan.

Li Shanshan nodded and walked toward the guards. "The Liang Estate is a restricted area. Trespassers keep away!" one of the guards immediately blocked her path.

Su Yang stood ten meters away. He could not hear what Li Shanshan said, but he saw one of the guards trot into the estate. While they waited, the sound of galloping horses approached from the distance. Su Yang looked toward the noise and saw a dozen powerful steeds charging toward the estate, forcing everyone in their path to scatter.

"Hyah!"

As the handsome young man on the lead horse was about to trample through without regard for Su Yang, Su Yang narrowed his eyes. Just as he prepared to strike, the man pulled the reins, and the horse stopped right in front of him, its breath puffing onto Su Yang's face. Feeling the heat, Su Yang moved a few steps away, ignoring the man's expression and focusing only on Li Shanshan, who was watching him.

"Where did this brat come from? How dare he block our Young Master's path? Don't you know this is the Liang Estate?" A voice rang out from another rider, accompanied by the whistling sound of a whip.

*Snap!*

Su Yang’s expression did not change. He reached out his right hand and caught the black whip. The attacker tried to pull it back but could not move it an inch. Su Yang smiled, gave a gentle tug, and the man was sent flying off his horse. Being a cultivator, he managed to land without a direct crash, though he stumbled in a very disheveled manner.

"How dare you strike in front of the Young Master? You're tired of living!" The man, feeling humiliated, unleashed his spiritual energy and launched himself at Su Yang like a cannonball.

"Hmph!"

Facing the attack, Su Yang remained motionless. A flash of killing intent crossed his eyes, and he threw a punch.

*Boom!*

The two fists collided, and a figure was instantly sent flying, followed by a miserable shriek. The sudden commotion drew the attention of those around the estate.

"Damn, who is that guy? He actually dared to commit violence in front of the Liang Estate?"

"If I'm not mistaken, that handsome youth on the horse is the Young Master of the Liang Estate, right?"

"...It really is him."

"We're in for a show now. Attacking a servant in front of the Young Master? That guy isn't going to have a good end."

Discussions erupted. The man who had been sent flying was now writhing on the bloody ground like a loach, looking quite comical.

"To commit violence in front of the Liang Estate—what audacity! Men, kill him on the spot!" the handsome youth said with a dark face.

In an instant, the experts on the other horses charged toward Su Yang. Su Yang lifted his eyelids, ready to strike, when a beautiful woman walked out from the gates of the Liang Estate. "Stop!"

Her voice, like a lion's roar, forced the attackers to halt and land on the ground in confusion. The handsome youth, seeing someone intervene, was about to grow angry, but upon seeing the woman, he hurriedly dismounted. "Manager Yu, why are you doing this?"

The woman looked at Li Shanshan, then at Su Yang, and finally at the youth. "Young Master, this person is a friend of my niece. I hope you can overlook this; they are new to Central Province and unaware of the rules of the Liang Estate."

"Hmph! You're lucky, brat. If not for Manager Yu pleading for you, I would have made you pay." The youth clearly respected the woman, so he merely glared at Su Yang and walked toward the estate.

When he caught sight of the porcelain-doll-like Li Shanshan, he froze in his tracks, his eyes nearly popping out. "Manager Yu... is she your niece?"

"Yes, her name is Li Shanshan. She is the daughter of the City Lord of Yebei."

"So... so cute."

"Young Master, you should enter the estate. Your martial arts instructor has been waiting for some time."

"No, I want to go with her."

Li Shanshan, seeing the youth staring at her, kept her expression neutral, but her hands nervously gripped the hem of her clothes. From a distance, Su Yang sighed to himself, "Being too attractive is really not a good thing."