Chapter 50: Return to Shuofeng City
After a few days of travel, the four finally arrived at Shuofeng City.
Compared with Spirit City, Shuofeng City was insignificant. It was a bitterly cold borderland, and the people's livelihood was far inferior to that of Spirit City.
Even so, Bibi Dong was full of curiosity.
"Is this the city where my junior brother went to school?"
"Yes."
Gu Han nodded, recalling his days in this city. But when he thought about it carefully, there wasn't much worth remembering. After all, he spent most of his time reading or cultivating. It was a dull, routine life.
"But Junior Brother, weren't you planning to go back to the village? Why are we in the city instead?"
Bibi Dong looked around for a while. After discovering that the city wasn't anything special, her brief excitement faded, and she remembered the real reason they came here.
Originally, they could have bypassed the city and headed straight to Qinghe Village. But Gu Han insisted on coming to the city first. No one had questioned it then, but now that she recalled it, she couldn't help but ask.
"Sister, when I lived here, Grandpa Markel and Brother Rentao from the Spirit Hall helped me a lot. I want to come back to visit them."
"Is that so?"
Bibi Dong nodded. "Then I definitely have to meet them too."
Yue and Gui didn't think much of it. If they were in his shoes, they too would want to express gratitude to those who helped them when they were weak. It was only natural to care for such people in return.
"In that case, let's go directly to Shuofeng City's Spirit Hall."
After witnessing the grandeur of Spirit City's hall, looking back at this local Spirit Hall, it still seemed majestic—but it no longer carried the same sense of awe.
Sure enough, once you've seen better, even things that used to impress you begin to pale in comparison. Your mindset shifts, almost unconsciously, and comparison becomes inevitable.
After passing the guards, the four entered the hall.
"Excuse me, what brings you to the Spirit Hall?"
The receptionist's tone was routine and indifferent.
Gu Han smiled as he saw who it was and waved. "Brother Rentao, it's me—Xiaohan."
"Xiaohan? Why are you back?"
Lu Rentao was stunned for a moment. When he recognized Gu Han, his expression brightened in surprise.
"Brother Rentao, I've reached level 30. Now I'm going to the Frozen Forest with Uncle Yue and Uncle Gui to hunt for a soul ring. I wanted to visit Grandpa Markel and you on the way."
"You've reached level 30? Haha! I knew you had talent!"
Lu Rentao's face lit up with genuine joy. At first, they helped Gu Han as an investment in a potential genius. But over time, he had grown to see the boy as a younger brother.
Now, hearing that Gu Han had reached level 30 and would soon become a true soul master, he was sincerely happy for him.
"By the way, who are these people behind you?"
Lu Rentao finally noticed the three people accompanying Gu Han. The sight of Bibi Dong made him freeze for a moment—he was stunned by her beauty.
But he quickly thought of his girlfriend and wisely looked away.
"Oh, right. Let me introduce you, Brother Rentao."
Gu Han turned and gestured toward the group.
"Senior Sister, Uncle Yue, Uncle Gui, this is Brother Rentao I mentioned before."
"Brother Rentao, this is my Senior Sister. These two are Uncle Yue and Uncle Gui. They've always treated me very well."
Gu Han didn't reveal their identities. The truth would have been too much for Rentao to handle. If he knew who they really were, he would probably become overly formal and cautious, which wasn't what Gu Han wanted for this reunion.
After all, very few people knew that he had become Qian Xunji's disciple.
"I see. Nice to meet you all, and thank you for taking care of Xiaohan."
Ju and Gui simply nodded. Bibi Dong smiled and shook her head gently.
"It's nothing. My junior brother has actually taught me a lot."
"Xiaohan, I heard the big shots from Spirit City took you in to study. How is it over there? Are you used to it?"
Lu Rentao recalled that during a trip to Longcheng with Bishop Markel, they tried to visit Gu Han. But they were told he had been taken away by influential figures from Spirit City.
They had been surprised and delighted back then. Now, seeing him again, those memories came flooding back.
He couldn't help but glance at the two men behind Gu Han. Were they the big shots from Spirit City? Accompanying Gu Han to hunt a third ring—surely, they must be Soul Kings?
The two noticed his gaze and simply responded with warm nods, remaining low-key.
"Don't worry, Brother. Spirit City is great, and the learning environment is excellent."
"But enough about that. Where's Grandpa Markel? I brought something for you both."
Gu Han intended to give them a copy of the Spirit Hall's advanced meditation technique—a version only accessible to a select few.
Markel and Rentao currently practiced a meditation method slightly better than what was publicly available. This new one was vastly superior, though Gu Han had subtly enhanced it based on his own cultivation insights.
Naturally, he had no plans to mention that part.
"Oh, right. Bishop Markel is in his office. Come with me."
Lu Rentao was curious about what Gu Han had brought, but he held back and led the way.
Bibi Dong remained silent, watching their interaction with big, curious eyes.
Yue and Gui didn't follow. Their presence was too imposing and might frighten the ordinary people here.
Still, their spiritual senses stayed alert. Though the Saint of the Spirit Hall was present, vigilance was second nature to them.
When they arrived at the office door, Lu Rentao knocked.
"Come in."
An elderly but strong voice came from inside.
Lu Rentao opened the door. "Lord Markel, look who's back!"
Markel had been writing at his desk. He looked up, saw Gu Han, and paused. There was also a young girl beside him whom he didn't recognize.
"Grandpa Markel."
Gu Han greeted with a smile.
"Xiaohan? Weren't you in Spirit City? Why are you back?"
Markel, like Lu Rentao, was surprised and delighted. He put down his pen and stood up.
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(End of this chapter)