Chapter 15: The Ancient City of Azure Phoenix

After purchasing a sword, I returned with Blue Moon. In the afternoon, with nothing to do, I secluded myself in my room to practice the basic body-forging technique. As I circulated my true energy through my body, I discovered my bones had become tougher than before. I hadn’t even had time to rejoice when, as the true energy passed through my dantian, it was blocked by a mass of black energy.

I tried to force the true energy through it, but the moment it touched the black mass, pain shot through my whole body. Defeated, I had no choice but to give up. At dusk, I lay alone on the grass outside Phoenix Blue City, a streak of red glow painted the horizon, and a gentle breeze whispered by. Staring at the dim sky, I thought of Yu Realm and the others. Xu Qinghuan, that woman so similar to Liu Tingting—how was she faring? Unknowingly, it had been three days since my arrival in Phoenix Blue City. Xiao Xiangzi wanted me to join Sword Demon Sect. I didn’t want to go, at least not yet. I needed to consolidate my strength; besides, I already had a master. Speaking of which, I hadn’t returned for days—my master must be worried… Why think so much? I should practice the soul-forging technique. I closed my eyes, seated on the grass, silently channeling my true energy. The moves and methods from the book surfaced in my mind. After half an hour of circulating true energy, a surge of power erupted from within me. Had I advanced? Clenching my fist, I struck at the air, the blow slicing with a whistling wind. I could feel the force behind it. I had indeed advanced—three stages at once, straight to Intermediate Martial Artist, first stage. Elated, I strode toward Phoenix Blue City.

The city was as lively as ever. Fishmongers shouted, cloth sellers vied for attention. Inside the city, I came upon a broad square surrounded by crowds. I stepped forward to look. The front rows were packed, but my height gave me an advantage: I easily saw the banner hanging on the platform, its bold, vigorous characters skillfully rendered. It read: Phoenix Blue City, Bluestone Square, Martial Arts Tournament, to be held in three days. A tournament—looks like excitement ahead. I’d better find someone to learn more.

“Brother, do you know anything about this Martial Arts Tournament?” I asked.

The man glanced at me. “Young man, you’re not from Phoenix Blue City, are you? Every three years, the city holds a tournament known to all. Even famous sects and towns like Sword Demon Sect, Spirit Moon Pavilion, Snow Mountain Gate, Sun Moon City send people to register, hoping to showcase their strength in the triennial tournament. Some come to learn from others, to make up for their own shortcomings. In short, the tournament draws many. That's all—I’m off to register.” He rubbed his hands, greed gleaming in his eyes, heading toward the arena with the eagerness of a man who hadn’t seen a woman in years upon finding a beauty in his bed. I decided to ask about the registration procedures—could someone as weak as me sign up? Approaching the registration desk, I saw a young woman seated behind a table, brush in hand, writing neat, elegant characters: Zhang Daniu, Junior Martial Artist, Martial Skill: Lifting Mountains. Even junior martial artists could register; it seemed I could too.

“Miss, may I sign up?” I inquired.

“Miss? Who are you calling Miss? Let me tell you—” She looked up at me, perhaps finding me pleasing to the eye, for her demeanor softened, eyes sparkling as she coyly asked, “Handsome, what do you want to know?”

“I’d like to register, and learn about the rules.”

“Oh, is that so? Wait for me after work and I’ll tell you. Do you have time? Let’s find a place to talk alone.”

For some reason, her manner struck me as odd. I decided to wait until she was free to ask properly. Nearly an hour passed, the crowd dwindled, and the young woman packed up her writing materials, walking toward me.

“Handsome, what do you want to know?” she asked.

“Handsome?” I asked, puzzled.

“People in your era don’t get it—it’s a compliment,” she replied.

“A compliment? Our era? Are you not from here?”

“Of course not. I’m from another time and space. In my era, there were no martial skills, no fighting. We lived on a blue planet.” Her face revealed longing.

“A blue planet? You mean Earth?”

“How did you know?” She was clearly surprised, her little mouth forming an ‘o’.

“I also know your era is the twenty-first century—the age of technology.” My heart raced. I never imagined I’d meet someone from my own time and space here. Did I have a chance to return?

“How do you know?”

“I’m an Earthling too.” That simple sentence seemed to touch a nerve she’d kept taut. In that moment, she was like a child deeply wronged, tears streaming down her face. She didn’t care about the townspeople; she threw herself into my arms. As I breathed in the subtle fragrance from her, my eyes grew moist as well.

“Look, what are they doing?”

“Isn’t that the girl in charge of registration?”

“Shameless.”

“Doing such things.”

“She should be paraded through the streets.”

“Scandalous pair.”

“Shameless.”

Damn it! I’ve put up with you long enough! I stepped forward, head held high. “Who said that just now? Step forward!” No one responded; I stood among the crowd like a fool.

“Well, well, to do such things in broad daylight, truly a shameless pair,” a young man dressed in finery walked over with a malicious grin.

“Are you the city administrator? Even if you are, you can’t meddle in others' private affairs.”

“Honestly, I didn’t understand what she said—did anyone else?” he continued.

I shielded the young woman behind me, glaring at him. “Move aside!”

I didn’t want a scandal erupting across the city. I could bear it, but the girl still needed to live here. Who knew the young man would insist, darting in front of me, saying, “You want me to move? How dare you speak to me like that? Do you know who I am? Let me tell you, my father is—”

My answer was a heavy punch. I didn’t care who his father was—whether he was Li Gang or anyone else, I’d still throw that punch without hesitation. Clutching his nose, he said, “You brat, just wait!”

Paying him no mind, I quickly led the Earthling girl out of Phoenix Blue City. Outside the city, she kept holding my hand, not letting go; I had no choice but to comply. If she didn’t mind, why should I?

“Earthling, can you tell me how you came here?” I asked.

“We haven’t introduced ourselves yet. My name is Chen Yu. And you?” she replied.

“Li Yunfei.”

“So, how did you arrive here?” Chen Yu asked.

“I think I was the one asking you.”

“Oh, well, it’s all the same. You go first,” Chen Yu said.

I smiled and recounted everything. As she listened, Chen Yu’s expression grew more and more astonished.

“I never expected you to be a police officer. Aren’t police supposed to be strong and muscular? You look so thin,” Chen Yu teased, mischievously.

I forced a smile. “This is called lean muscle. Now tell me about yourself.”

And so, Chen Yu began to narrate her story.

“Chen Yu, I didn’t understand this afternoon’s lesson. Could you help me?” asked a domineering-looking boy.

“I’m busy. Go ask someone else,” Chen Yu replied, striding out of the school without looking back.

It turned out Chen Yu was a student at the most renowned university in XX City. Though not the campus beauty, she ranked in the top ten school-wide and had countless admirers.

That night, Chen Yu walked home alone. Two middle-aged men approached her; one circled behind and pressed a cloth over her nose. She lost consciousness, and when she awoke, she found herself lying on grass. Surveying her surroundings, she noticed the houses and the people’s attire were strange. She went to a crowd and grabbed someone at random, asking, “Excuse me, are you filming a movie? Where’s the camera?”

Her words drew the crowd’s attention; everyone stared at her.

“Wow, look, she’s not even wearing pants!”

“Hey, what pale legs!”

Chen Yu glanced at herself—she was only wearing a short skirt. Was it really such a big deal?

“Come home with me, stop gawking,” a middle-aged woman dragged a man by the ear past Chen Yu. The man kept looking back, reluctant to leave his wife’s side.

“Where am I?” Chen Yu muttered to herself.

Just then, a woman in her twenties walked over, took off her oversized coat and draped it around Chen Yu, then led her away from the crowd.