"You just say it," Gu Yueqing said, her expression turning serious. "Because we failed to protect you properly, you almost fell into the hands of the Black Lotus. I’ve been at a loss about how to make it up to you."

"That incident isn’t your fault. Who could have predicted the Black Lotus would use such underhanded tactics?" Bai Feng waved his hand dismissively, not wanting to dwell on the matter. "What I need is for you, Senior Sister Gu, to help me shoot an advertisement to promote our upcoming product."

Since Yu Yao's shop was located in Xuan Guang City, he would prioritize the launch there. Thus, he needed to think about how to attract customers from Xuan Guang City.

Coincidentally, Gu Yueqing, as the daughter of the city lord, was not only beautiful and well-built but also quite powerful. She was well-known in Xuan Guang City, and even in the nearby cities, her name was recognized.

No one could promote the product better than her.

"That’s easy," Gu Yueqing replied without hesitation, nodding in agreement. "When do we do the... advertisement?"

"No rush for now. Besides the advertisement, I’d like you to take the product and show it around in crowded places," Bai Feng laid out his plan. "Afterward, if you need to set up any formations or want a new portable array plate, just let me know. I can help you make it for free."

Gu Yueqing felt a bit tempted, but she shook her head. "No, no, it’s just a small task."

"Actually, I might create some other interesting items for sale in the future, so I’ll definitely need your help again," Bai Feng countered, shaking his head. "I can’t let you work for free."

Seeing Bai Feng insist, Gu Yueqing nodded in agreement. "Then I won’t be polite. If you need anything in the future, just ask me."

"Let me explain what our product is..."

...

As Bai Feng explained the recording device to Gu Yueqing, City Lord Gu and the others observed the scene.

Seeing Bai Feng getting along well with her daughter eased the worry that had been hanging over her for the past few days.

It was understandable for her to be concerned; after all, something had happened to Bai Feng on her territory. Although there had been many unexpected situations, the fact remained that she hadn’t protected him well.

Not to mention whether Bai Feng would blame them, even a slight negative impression would be detrimental. After all, a genius like Bai Feng in array formations was someone they needed to be on good terms with.

City Lord Gu withdrew her gaze and smiled at Chu Ningyan and the others. "Young people really have lively minds. Who would have thought a simple recording stone could be used so creatively?"

Chu Ningyan sighed. "I just wish he would focus more on his cultivation."

"No, I think Bai Feng's approach is quite good," Liu Meng shook her head. "You might not know the expenses of an array master. Without a steady income, one ends up like me, running around building arrays for others, which is even more of a waste of time."

"Alright, alright, I know it hasn’t been easy for you these past few years," Chu Ningyan waved her hand in resignation. "I was just saying it casually."

"Then let’s talk about something else interesting," City Lord Gu suggested with a smile, eager to change the subject. "I recently heard about something intriguing. Have you all heard of Chunqiu?"

Liu Meng paused, her hand with the chopsticks stopping mid-air as she leaned forward slightly. "Do tell."

"I only learned about it while investigating the demonic path recently. I initially thought it was the work of demonic cultivators, but it turns out it originated from Qinghong City. Strangely, no one knows who Chunqiu is, and many speculate that there must be some connection to the Bai family in the area."

Liu Meng nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, I remember that he seems to have quite a reputation locally, yet there’s no news about him. The only ones capable of keeping such a low profile would be the Bai family."

"Exactly. I wonder which young member of the Bai family is researching this. But I must say, the artwork is quite impressive," City Lord Gu continued with a smile. "I recently acquired two volumes. Would you like to take a look together?"

At that moment, Chu Ningyan furrowed her brow, looking puzzled. "What is Chunqiu?"

Liu Meng glanced at her friend, who had grown up in the sect, and waved her hand dismissively. "It’s nothing, just an ordinary little art book. You wouldn’t be interested."

"Is that so?"

Chu Ningyan felt something was off.

Meanwhile, Liu Meng continued speaking to City Lord Gu. "There are too many people here; it’s better not to discuss this matter openly. Let’s talk about it privately later."

"Master Liu is right," City Lord Gu nodded, realizing the sensitivity of the topic. "Let’s talk about something else. I heard there’s been trouble in the Eastern Continent again."

"Is it another conflict between cultivators and the Eastern Dynasty?"

City Lord Gu shook her head. "No, it seems the young emperor passed away suddenly not long ago. Because it was so unexpected, no successor was chosen, and now several princes and princesses are vying for power. Meanwhile, the cultivators in the Eastern Continent seem to be plotting something as well."

"I remember the royal family in the Eastern Continent has dragon blood, right? If I’m not mistaken, only those with the strongest bloodline among the same generation can become emperor," Liu Meng pondered for a moment. "For someone with dragon blood to die in the palace, it must involve someone from within the royal family."

Chu Ningyan nodded. "It seems the Eastern Continent is about to descend into chaos."

---

**Chapter 131: I Have a Feeling Someone Wants to Harm Me**

"Mom, it hurts..."

"It’s okay, it’s okay, it’ll be over soon." A beautiful woman with dragon horns gently comforted the girl bound to a chair, tears glistening in her eyes as she reached out to stroke the child’s head, which had only one small horn left. "Don’t worry, I will take you away."

Boom!

Suddenly, flames erupted in the once peaceful room, and the girl bound to the chair stood outside the building, her eyes wide as she instinctively moved toward the burning structure.

But in the next moment, a woman scooped her up and hurried toward a nearby carriage. The girl clung to the woman’s shoulder, reaching out with her small hand toward the burning building. "Mom..."

"I’m sorry, but I can’t go with you anymore." The beautiful woman stood amidst the flames, which formed a massive wall to block the enemies in black. She turned her head, glancing at her child from afar, murmuring softly, "You must stay far away from the Eastern Continent, far from this painful prison."

Then she looked back at the black-clad figures, a glimmer of hatred in her eyes. "I won’t let you harm my child!"

The flames surged high, engulfing her and the black-clad men, and the burning building seemed unable to withstand it any longer, collapsing with a thunderous crash, everything buried beneath the flames.

"Mom!!!"

A handsome young boy with short hair jolted upright from the ground, reaching up to touch his aching head, realizing that everything had just been a dream.

He had left the Eastern Continent for over half a year, yet the night he escaped felt as vivid as yesterday.

"Is it already dawn?"

He looked up at the window, noticing the sun had risen, warm rays filtering through the broken window, illuminating the abandoned temple that had no one to worship it.

Reflecting on the turmoil of the past six months, he had finally escaped the Eastern Continent, but his uncle hadn’t let him go, sending people to chase him into Zhongzhou. The Dragon Mother, who had fled with him, had died at the hands of those pursuers while trying to protect him.

Now, although he had evaded the chase and hidden his identity in the Northern Region, he was left with no family.

Though his mother had hoped he would stay away from the Eastern Continent and never return, how could he suppress the hatred in his heart?

One day, he would definitely return to the Eastern Continent and eliminate everyone responsible for his mother’s death and the Dragon Mother’s demise!

The boy felt the pain in his head lessen. He got up and pushed open the decayed wooden door, heading toward the nearest city.

For now, the most pressing matter was to fill his stomach; only by eating well could he continue his quest for revenge.

He reached into his pocket, a bitter expression crossing his face. The journey had nearly depleted his funds, and it seemed he would have to stay in Xuan Guang City for a few more days, figuring out a way to earn some money.

Fortunately, there was still some time before the major sects began recruiting disciples. He could take this time to gather information about them.

As he entered Xuan Guang City, pondering what he could do, the crowd gathered in front of Yu Linglong caught his attention. He approached and saw a notice posted on the wall that read:

"Yu Linglong is hiring! Knowledge of array formations is preferred, but no experience is necessary. We provide training for two weeks before starting work, with generous pay!"

The boy blinked in surprise. Was this how they recruited employees in the Northern Region? What a strange method.

He remembered that Yu Linglong was quite famous in the Northern Region, so the pay must be good!