The transition from the oppressive, mist-laden silence of the Black Mist Forest to the burgeoning sounds of civilization was jarring. One moment, Gù Tiānháo and Lin Xiao Yue were navigating through ancient trees and damp earth, the next, the distant clang of a blacksmith's hammer and the faint murmur of voices reached their ears. The mist began to thin noticeably, revealing a well-trodden path leading towards rough-hewn wooden palisades and a guarded gate – likely Maplewood Town, or a settlement of similar size on the forest's edge.
As they approached the outskirts, the path widened, and they saw other figures – weary-looking hunters carrying game, merchants leading pack mules laden with goods, and occasional cultivators identifiable by their bearing or the quality of their attire. Lin Xiao Yue visibly relaxed, the tension draining from her shoulders now that the immediate danger of the forest was behind them. She turned to Tiānháo, her expression filled with sincere gratitude.
"Young Master, I… I truly don't know how to thank you enough," she said, her voice soft but earnest. "If it weren't for you, I dread to think what might have happened with those Horned Rabbits. My home is just a small village nearby, but the town gate is just ahead. " She hesitated for a moment, looking down at her worn sandals before meeting his gaze again, a hopeful, shy light in her eyes. "Will… will our paths cross again, Young Master?
"Tiānháo regarded her calmly. Her gratitude seemed genuine, and her presence hadn't been overly burdensome. However, his path was one of secrecy and rapid advancement; associating closely with an ordinary village girl carried potential complications he preferred to avoid for now. "The world is large, fate is unpredictable," he replied evasively but not unkindly. "Take care of yourself, Lin Xiao Yue. Stay out of the deeper parts of the forest.
"Understanding dawned in her eyes, perhaps mixed with a flicker of disappointment, but she nodded gracefully. "I understand. Thank you again, Young Master. May your journey be safe. " With a final bow, she adjusted her herb basket and turned towards a smaller path leading away from the main town entrance, presumably towards her village.
Tiānháo watched her go for a moment before turning his attention back to the town gate. He pulled the simple hood of his cloak further over his head, obscuring his features, and consciously suppressed his cultivator's aura, projecting the image of an ordinary, perhaps slightly weary traveler. He needed to avoid recognition, especially from anyone associated with the Gu family or its rivals. The guards at the gate gave him only a cursory glance as he paid the small entry fee and passed through.
The town bustled with activity, a chaotic symphony of shouting merchants, haggling customers, crying children, and the general din of a border settlement thriving on trade from the forest. It was a world away from the deadly quiet he had grown accustomed to. Ignoring the various stalls selling cheap trinkets or common foods, Tiānháo scanned the area, his gaze sharp despite his lowered head, searching for the signs indicating the market district where cultivators and serious traders conducted their business. He mentally reviewed his inventory – beast cores, hides, tusks, herbs – and the list of items he needed: specific supplementary ingredients for the Meridian Opening Pill, and a sturdy cauldron. Time to turn potential into power. He moved purposefully through the crowded streets, heading towards the heart of the town's commerce.