After leaving Vermilion Bird City, Chu Feng set his sights on the White Tiger Mountain Range. The reason was simple: the Xuan Wu Mountain Range was occupied by Xuan Wu City, the very territory where Gong Luyun's family resided. If Chu Feng's identity were exposed, he would likely meet a grim end. Without absolute strength, he naturally couldn't go there rashly.
Although the White Tiger Mountain Range was also dominated by the White Tiger Villa, the villa wasn't its sole overlord. As Chu Feng had learned, besides the White Tiger Villa, many other villas shared the range's resources. This made it comparatively easier for him to blend in.
Since the journey was long and he hadn't informed anyone in Vermilion Bird City of his departure, Chu Feng went to a post station after leaving the city to purchase a batch of swift horses. Traveling on foot would exhaust even his ample Spiritual Energy.
"Dear customer, our horses here are all fine steeds. Each can cover a thousand li a day. Especially this Ferghana Horse—it's astonishingly fast, easily covering eight thousand li a day. It's the king of horses!" the post station attendant boasted, pointing to a tall, red stallion.
"Eight thousand li a day, easily?"
Chu Feng was skeptical. The horse was indeed a deep red, sturdier and more robust than others, comparable to or even better than the prized steeds in Purple Gold City and other cities. It was clearly a fine horse.
However, its eyes held a trace of wildness, and its haughty gaze toward Chu Feng even carried a hint of disdain. It seemed like an untamed wild horse that wouldn't allow someone to ride it easily.
"Customer, you think I'd lie to you? It truly is a fine horse, subdued by several martial cultivation experts working together. However, its wild nature remains. If you aren't a martial expert yourself, you truly couldn't handle it," the attendant quickly explained.
"Oh, so it really is a wild horse." This piqued Chu Feng's interest even more, sparking a desire to tame it. "How much for this horse? I'll buy it!"
"Customer, you're sure you want to buy this Ferghana Horse? It's not cheap!"
Hearing Chu Feng intended to buy it, the attendant was taken aback. He had only introduced the horse to show the post station's impressive stock, never expecting Chu Feng could afford it. The price was far beyond what an ordinary person, let alone a plainly dressed young man like Chu Feng, could pay.
"Do I look like I'm joking?" Chu Feng smiled faintly.
"Uh, to be honest with you, our ordinary horses cost several dozen silver taels. Better ones go for one gold tael. As for this Ferghana Horse... the price is much higher than those," the attendant said mysteriously.
"How much exactly?" Chu Feng grew impatient. In the past, he might have worried about money, but now he was genuinely wealthy, at least compared to these commoners.
"Heh, one Spirit Pearl!" The attendant held up a single finger, grinning.
"What? A Spirit Pearl? That's equivalent to a hundred gold taels! A horse worth that much?"
Before Chu Feng could react, many onlookers exclaimed. Their interest piqued, they crowded around, carefully examining the Ferghana Horse to see what made it worth such a sum.
Ignoring the curious stares, Chu Feng simply smiled. A Spirit Pearl was truly a drop in the bucket for him now.
"A fine horse like this, one Spirit Pearl is worth it." But before Chu Feng could speak, a gruff voice suddenly cut in.
Looking over, a group of burly men approached slowly. Leading them was a bearded fellow, his upper body bare, revealing muscular arms crisscrossed with startling saber scars. He had just spoken.
Seeing them, everyone quickly stepped aside. Their appearance alone marked them as martial cultivators, and obviously not the kind to trifle with.
"Attendant, this Ferghana Horse is mine!" The bearded man tossed a gleaming Spirit Pearl to the attendant.
The attendant caught it, beaming with delight. He never imagined the horse would sell for such a fortune. But then, Chu Feng spoke up.
"Wait. According to 'first come, first served,' I haven't even said I won't buy it. How can you sell it to someone else?"
"Young man, I can see you're a cultivator too. But you heard the price—one Spirit Pearl! Think carefully, can you really afford it?" The bearded man eyed Chu Feng with a mocking smile, his gaze filled with contempt. His companions burst into laughter, thinking it ridiculous for this kid to compete with their boss for the horse.
Even the surrounding onlookers began whispering, thinking Chu Feng couldn't see the situation clearly and shouldn't offend such a group.
Ignoring their gazes, Chu Feng slowly raised his hand toward the Universe Bag at his waist.
"Heavens... could that be the legendary Universe Bag?" someone suddenly cried out.
"What? A Universe Bag!" Instantly, all eyes fixed on Chu Feng's waist.
A Universe Bag was an extremely precious item, only affordable to those with immense wealth—a true mark of a wealthy young master. Was this youth really one? But why would a wealthy young master come here to buy a horse?
"Hmph, that's no real Universe Bag. It's just a pouch made to look like one. The genuine article doesn't look like that," the bearded man sneered.
"Oh, it's a fake. I thought it was real."
"Sigh, today's youth are so vain. Using fake goods just to impress others—how shameful."
After the bearded man's remark, the crowd sighed, their curious glances toward Chu Feng turning to disdain.
Ignoring the chatter, Chu Feng's hand touched the Universe Bag. A strange light flashed, and in his palm appeared two gleaming Spirit Pearls.
Holding the pearls, Chu Feng tossed one to the attendant. "One Spirit Pearl for the Ferghana Horse. The other is your tip."