Hearing they had a detailed map, Lin Yun decided to start planning. ’If I can really get my hands on the Anti-Aging Grass,’ he thought, ’Lu Bingning, Lan Xi, and my mother would be thrilled. After all, what woman doesn’t care about her appearance?’

"May I borrow the map for a look?" Lin Yun asked the trio.

At his words, Wangcai retrieved the map from his Space Ring. It was impossible for the three of them to enter the heart of the Imperial City Mountain Range anyway, so there was no harm in letting Lin Yun have a look. ’If he can actually make it in,’ Wangcai reasoned, ’we might be able to tag along and score some leftovers.’

Their map was very detailed, clearly marking the location of the Anti-Aging Grass, but even Lin Yun frowned deeply upon seeing it.

Although he had never explored the entire Imperial City Mountain Range, Lin Yun had heard plenty about it back at the academy.

Home to Yanhuang Academy, the Imperial City Mountain Range served as the most common training ground for its disciples.

The academy had deliberately left the entire mountain range untouched. The powerful figures at the academy hadn’t eliminated the Demon Beasts within, precisely so they could be used to temper the students.

’That’s a place where high-level Qi Sea Realm students go, and even for them, it’s extremely dangerous,’ Lin Yun thought with a soft sigh, weighing his options.

Like the Opening Realm, the Qi Sea Realm was divided into nine layers. In the Qi Sea Realm, however, the gap between each layer was enormous, especially at two major thresholds: advancing from the Third Layer to the Fourth, and from the Sixth Layer to the Seventh.

The First through Third Layers of the Qi Sea Realm were considered the Early Stage, the Fourth through Sixth Layers were the Mid-Stage, and the Seventh through Ninth Layers were the Late Stage. Based on Lin Yun’s current combat power, he could contend with those in the Early Stage of the Qi Sea Realm, but he would have a hard time against the Mid-Stage and couldn’t hope to win a head-on fight.

As Lin Yun pondered, Wangcai and the others didn’t dare make a sound to disturb him. After a full fifteen minutes, Lin Yun grit his teeth and decided to go for it. He had already come across this opportunity; he wasn’t going to just give up.

Having made his decision, Lin Yun looked at the trio. "I’m going to give it a try and see if I can find an opening. What about you? Do you want to come with me?"

Since they were the map’s owners, Lin Yun felt obligated to ask their intentions. He would also have to guarantee their safety if he could, but only on the condition that his own survival wasn’t at risk.

"I’ll go," Chen Xin replied first, a flicker of adoration in her eyes as she looked at Lin Yun.

With Chen Xin’s agreement, Wangcai and Li Ji quickly followed suit. Seeing that all three intended to follow him, Lin Yun explicitly spelled out the dangers.

"The area with the Anti-Aging Grass is a training ground for the academy’s Late Stage of the Qi Sea Realm disciples. The Demon Beasts there are formidable—there might even be Tier Three Demon Beasts. It’s incredibly dangerous. You could lose your life. You need to consider this carefully."

"I’m not afraid," Chen Xin replied decisively, her eyes fixed on Lin Yun. Her gaze seemed to say, ’I know you’ll protect me.’

It was easy to see from her expression that she had taken a liking to Lin Yun. It was only natural; he was so young, a student at the esteemed academy, and possessed such high combat power.

Watching the smile on Chen Xin’s face, Wangcai and Li Ji felt a sour pang of jealousy. Their feelings for her were obvious, so watching her openly show her affection for Lin Yun naturally made them feel resentful.

"Alright. Since everyone has decided, let’s get moving," Lin Yun said, cutting the moment short. He had no desire to get entangled with Chen Xin.

Lin Yun’s reaction made Wangcai and Li Ji feel a little better. At least his attitude was clear—he wasn’t interested in Chen Xin.

With Lin Yun in the lead, the group of four set off toward the location marked on the map. Along the way, Lin Yun didn’t even have to lift a finger against any Tier One Demon Beasts they encountered; Little Ape could kill them instantly.

Besides, Little Ape had developed a discerning taste. It completely looked down on Tier One Demon Beasts, not even giving them a second glance after killing them in a single blow.

"The little guy is so cute! And so strong," Chen Xin exclaimed. She had been sticking to Lin Yun’s side the entire journey, and after seeing Little Ape in action for the first time, she had become fascinated by it.

A creature no bigger than her palm could instantly kill a Tier One Demon Beast, and it could even do the same to a Tier Two Demon Beast, unless it was one of the high-tier ones.

"GROWL... GROWL..." Seeing Chen Xin reach out to hug it, Little Ape let out a few dissatisfied growls from its perch on Lin Yun’s shoulder. Other than Lin Yun, it detested being held by anyone else.

"Goodness. Such a little thing, but what a temper," Chen Xin pouted, seeing Little Ape’s disdainful expression.

Throughout the journey, Chen Xin walked side-by-side with Lin Yun, while Wangcai and Li Ji trailed behind. Though they were filled with jealousy, they could only share helpless, bitter smiles.

What could they do? As the saying goes, comparisons are odious. Lin Yun was about the same age as them, yet he was already at the Eighth Layer of the Opening Realm, with combat power comparable to a Qi Sea Realm Martial Artist.

On the Celestial Spirit Continent, where strength was revered above all, it was perfectly understandable for a woman to be attracted to a man like him.

Fortunately, they could also tell from Lin Yun’s reactions that he had no interest in Chen Xin, which put their minds at ease.

Without rushing, the four of them followed the directions on the map, finding a safe place to rest each night.

After three straight days of travel, the four finally reached the core region of the Imperial City Mountain Range. From this point on, they had to be on high alert. The weakest Demon Beasts here were high-tier Tier Two, with combat power comparable to a Late Stage of the Qi Sea Realm Martial Artist.

From here on out, Lin Yun could no longer rely on Little Ape alone.

Remaining vigilant, Lin Yun took the lead, with Chen Xin following close behind. The group’s pace slowed considerably.

"Lin Yun, do you think we’ll run into any Tier Three Demon Beasts?" Chen Xin asked worriedly, sticking close behind him.

Hearing this, Lin Yun gave a small smile. "It’ll be fine. We don’t need to be afraid even if there are. As long as we’re careful and don’t make a commotion, Tier Three Demon Beasts won’t show themselves easily."

Hearing his words, Chen Xin instinctively grabbed the hem of his clothes. In that moment, Lin Yun seemed like her guardian deity.

As Chen Xin clung to him, Lin Yun could only shake his head helplessly. He had already tried to tactfully mention he had someone he loved, but she just didn’t seem to get the hint.

He didn’t have the heart to be too blunt with a girl and hurt her pride.

’Have I gotten even more handsome? Sigh... being this handsome is a sickness,’ Lin Yun thought smugly. If Wangcai and Li Ji knew what he was thinking, they’d probably try to kill him for real.

Handsome, my ass. His combat power was just a bit high, that’s all. Just look at him—a dark, scruffy kid. How was that handsome in any way?

Lin Yun might have been acting smug, but his focus hadn’t relaxed in the slightest. His senses covered their entire surroundings, missing nothing.