After several days of travel, the group of four finally arrived in Northwind City.
Compared to Spirit City, Northwind City was hardly worth mentioning. Located in a cold and remote borderland, its development and standard of living were far inferior.
Even so, Bibi Dong's curiosity was piqued.
"So this is the city where you went to school, junior brother?"
"That's right," Gu Han nodded, recalling his days in this city. But thinking about it carefully, there wasn't much worth reminiscing over—his life had been consumed by reading and cultivation, dull and repetitive.
"But weren't you planning to go back to your village? Why did we come to the city instead?"
After glancing around the city and finding nothing particularly exciting, Bibi Dong's initial enthusiasm faded. Only then did she remember why they'd come in the first place.
Originally, they could've gone straight to Qinghe Village, bypassing the city entirely. But Gu Han had insisted on making a stop in Northwind first. At the time, no one had questioned it, but now she brought it up again.
"Senior sister, when I lived here before, Grandpa Markel from the local Spirit Hall and Brother Rentao both helped me a great deal. I wanted to come back and visit them."
"I see," Bibi Dong nodded. "That's certainly something worth doing."
Neither Yue Guan nor Ghost found this strange. If they were in his shoes, they too would want to thank the people who had supported them during difficult times—and perhaps offer some help in return.
"In that case, let's head straight to the Northwind Spirit Hall."
Having seen the grandeur of the main Spirit Hall in Spirit City, returning now to the branch hall in Northwind—even though it was still ornate and elegant—lacked the awe-inspiring impact it once had.
Indeed, after witnessing something greater, even things that once impressed you begin to pale by comparison. The shift in perspective changes your heart.
After passing through the guards stationed at the hall's entrance, the four of them stepped into the main lobby.
"May I ask what brings you all to the Spirit Hall today?" a staff member asked, almost out of habit.
Gu Han smiled and waved upon seeing the man. "Brother Rentao, it's me—Xiao Han!"
"Xiao Han? You've come back?"
Lu Rentao finally took a good look at him and his face lit up with surprise and delight.
"Brother Rentao, I've reached Rank 30. I'm on my way to the Icebound Forest with Uncle Yue Guan and Uncle Ghost to hunt for my third soul ring. I just wanted to stop by and visit you and Grandpa Markel."
"You've reached Rank 30? Haha! I knew it—Xiao Han, your talent is truly exceptional!"
Hearing that Gu Han had reached Rank 30 filled Lu Rentao with even more joy. When they had first helped him, it was with the mindset of investing in a promising young talent. But after a few years of living together, he had genuinely come to see the boy as his younger brother.
Now, knowing Gu Han was about to become a Soul Elder after obtaining his third soul ring, he couldn't be prouder.
"By the way, who are the people behind you?"
Lu Rentao's gaze shifted to the three standing behind Gu Han—his eyes briefly widened as he caught sight of Bibi Dong. Her beauty stunned him momentarily, almost ethereal.
But a second later, he remembered his own girlfriend and quickly looked away.
"Oh, right, let me introduce you," Gu Han said, glancing at the others before gesturing toward them.
"Senior Sister, Uncle Chrysanthemum, Uncle Ghost—this is Brother Rentao, the one I've spoken to you about."
"Brother Rentao, this is my senior sister, and these two are Uncle Chrysanthemum and Uncle Ghost. All of them have taken great care of me."
Gu Han deliberately left out their titles and identities. After all, to someone like Lu Rentao, the truth would be far too shocking. Revealing their real status would only make him anxious and overly formal.
That would defeat the entire purpose of coming back to visit.
Gu Han's acceptance as a disciple of Qian Xunji hadn't been made public; only a handful of people were aware of it.
"I see. It's a pleasure to meet you all. Thank you for looking after Xiao Han."
Yue Guan and Ghost both nodded politely, while Bibi Dong just smiled and shook her head.
"It's nothing—he's taught me plenty as well."
"Oh, right! Xiao Han, I heard you were taken to Spirit City to study under one of the top figures of the Spirit Hall. How's that going? Are you adjusting well?"
Lu Rentao recalled how he and Bishop Markel had gone to Dragon City for business, hoping to drop by and visit Gu Han, only to be told the boy had already been taken away by an influential figure from Spirit City.
They'd been both shocked and delighted. Who would've thought someone like Gu Han would catch the eye of a high-ranking individual?
Now that he was standing right in front of him again, Lu Rentao couldn't help but ask.
At the same time, he cast a cautious glance at the two men beside Gu Han—especially Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo. Could these two be the high-ranking individuals from Spirit City? For them to escort Gu Han on a soul ring hunt, they had to be at least Soul Kings, right?
The two simply nodded politely in response, showing no offense.
"Don't worry, Brother Rentao. Spirit City is wonderful, and the learning environment there is great."
"But let's talk about that later. Where's Grandpa Markel? I have something I'd like to give the both of you."
Gu Han was planning to pass on a copy of the advanced meditation technique from the Spirit Hall. Only a select few within the Hall had access to it.
The version that Markel and Lu Rentao were using was only slightly better than the ones commonly circulated outside.
Of course, Gu Han wasn't about to tell them that the advanced meditation method he was offering was actually an improved version of the nameless technique manual he cultivated himself—one that had even better results.
"Oh, that's right—Markel is in his office. Come, I'll take you to him."
Though curious about what Gu Han intended to give them, Lu Rentao didn't ask further. Instead, he led the way to Bishop Markel's office.
Bibi Dong followed silently, her bright, curious eyes observing their interactions.
Yue Guan and Ghost did not accompany them. Their identities were too prominent—being present might make others uneasy.
However, their spiritual awareness remained active, constantly scanning their surroundings. Though they didn't expect any danger, with the Spirit Hall's Holy Maiden present, they couldn't afford to lower their guard.
At the office door, Lu Rentao knocked lightly.
"Come in," responded a voice from within—aged, yet filled with vigor.
Lu Rentao pushed open the door and called out as he stepped inside, "Lord Markel, look who's come back!"
Inside, Bishop Markel was hunched over his desk writing something. Hearing the voice, he looked up to find Lu Rentao standing beside none other than Gu Han—and a beautiful young girl he didn't recognize.
"Grandpa Markel!"
Gu Han greeted him with a bright smile.
"Xiao Han? Didn't you go to Spirit City? Why are you back?"
Markel's reaction mirrored Lu Rentao's—he dropped his pen in surprise and rose to his feet.
~~~
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