Chapter Six: Former Classmates

"Young Master Xu, there's no need to be surprised. Many prodigies react the same way when they first see this object," Zhang Chang said, noticing Xu Zhe's expression. He smiled slightly and explained respectfully, "In fact, this item is called a bicycle, also known as a single bike."

Do I need you to tell me that?

If not for my respect for elders and children, I'd have rolled my eyes at you.

Xu Zhe took a deep breath and asked, "Who made this thing?"

"This was crafted by Master Liu Bi, who is also one of the prodigies. Back then, he joined the Immortal Arsenal Pavilion and brought many revolutionary innovations to the Qingci Continent. This bicycle is one of them," Zhang Chang replied, a trace of emotion flickering across his face.

"Originally, cultivators like us at the Foundation Establishment stage lacked the strength to fly with tools. But once this bicycle appeared, everything changed. Not only does it consume extremely little spiritual energy, but it's also incredibly fast. The one I have is a classic Ferrari model. Compared to other bicycles, it consumes even less spiritual energy, goes faster, and is equipped with a Wind Element Shield—not only does it block the wind, it can also withstand dozens of attacks from Foundation Establishment cultivators."

Ferrari series? And a classic model?

Xu Zhe's lips twitched. He didn't know Liu Bi—probably some girl's boyfriend in his class—but the guy truly brought something remarkable, blending Earth's technology with the cultivation civilization of this world.

He stepped forward to examine the bicycle. Its appearance was much like the old-fashioned bikes of Earth, but the frame was covered in intricate array patterns.

Most striking was the pedal design, which, via the arrays, could convert most kinetic energy into spiritual power. Then, the converted spiritual power, combined with a bit from the rider, activated the flight and shield arrays.

Liu Bi, you genius!

"How about I ride and you sit in the back?" Xu Zhe offered.

"Young Master Xu, although it greatly reduces spiritual energy consumption, it still requires spiritual energy to start. You…" Zhang Chang looked troubled and smiled wryly.

"…"

Xu Zhe fell silent.

Ah, to think I was once an Immortal Emperor!

He quietly moved forward and ultimately sat on the back seat of the bicycle.

Zhang Chang pressed the pedal, and the bike soared upward without any need for a takeoff run. It was surprisingly stable.

They ascended skyward, and soon, dozens more bicycles appeared behind them, ridden by a group of young men, pedaling hard to follow.

"Don’t worry, Young Master Xu. They're from our Prodigy Pavilion, secretly guarding you just now," Zhang Chang explained.

"…" Xu Zhe didn’t want to say a word.

No matter how he looked at it, the entire scene was simply too bizarre to accept.

An hour later, Xu Zhe was carried out of the mountain range, and ahead, the outline of an ancient city began to emerge on the ground.

The city walls were mottled and weathered; "Tianhe" was carved above the gate. This was Tianhe City.

From above, he could see the buildings within the city: green-tiled roofs, white horse-head walls, and streets paved with stone slabs.

The scene finally looked normal.

Xu Zhe smiled. Among the survivors of the plane crash, several were from the civil engineering department. Had those guys not brought modern architecture from Earth?

Soon, the group landed in front of the city gate.

Zhang Chang quickly dismounted, holding the bicycle and walking it slowly. According to him, flying was forbidden within the city, and cycling wasn’t allowed either.

Xu Zhe understood, but he was still sitting on the back seat—couldn’t he get off?

"Young Master Xu, you don't need to get off. As a prodigy, your status is distinguished; you may remain seated. The rules are the same as those for carriages. Just consider it as sitting in a carriage," Zhang Chang hurriedly explained when he saw Xu Zhe about to dismount.

Xu Zhe was speechless. So exalted? He’d rather be in a carriage.

Still, he got off and walked through the city gate.

Once inside, seeing the rows of ancient houses with green-tiled roofs lining the street, Xu Zhe fell silent again.

Glass windows? Fine, that's acceptable.

But through those windows, he could see sofas and refrigerators inside—what’s going on?

Alright, he could barely accept that.

But the problem was, every household had a television, broadcasting various dramas. Was he going mad?

Suddenly, Xu Zhe stopped in front of a shop.

The shop’s owner, dressed in a scholarly blue robe, was lounging on a sofa with crossed legs, holding a bottle of cola. Not Pepsi, not Coca-Cola, but a brand called Eternal Life.

The television was airing a commercial, starring a familiar face.

"One bottle refreshes your mind, two bottles grant treasures from secret realms, three bottles bring immortality. Eternal Life Cola, beloved by the Blade God, tastes superb!"

The person on screen was an old classmate, Li Chunggong.

His face had matured, hair grown long and tied up with a crown, wearing a white crane robe—elegant and poised, but his expression was cold. One hand gripped a blade, the other held a cola, reciting the advertisement.

Xu Zhe was stunned.

"Young Master Xu, that's called a television. Also invented by the Immortal Arsenal Pavilion," Zhang Chang patiently and warmly explained.

Do I need you to introduce a television?

If not for my respect for elders and children…

Enough. This time, you’re getting an eye roll!

Unable to hold back, Xu Zhe rolled his eyes and pointed at the person on TV. "Why is Li Chunggong starring in this?"

"Young Master Xu, you may not know, but when Blade God Li first entered the world, he was somewhat unsuccessful. His heart was set on the way of the sword, but… cough, eventually he switched to the blade and stunned everyone. In just a thousand years, he became the foremost Blade God of Qingci Continent," Zhang Chang sighed softly. "But few know how arduous his journey was. The greater his talent, the more rare treasures he needed. So, Blade God Li teamed up with Apothecary Dong to develop Eternal Life Cola—refreshing in taste, capable of cleansing the marrow, and even prolonging mortal lifespans. It was an instant hit, allowing him to exchange for more rare treasures and rise to become Blade God."

Apothecary Dong?

Wasn’t she the girl from the pharmaceutical department whom Li Chunggong relentlessly pursued back in university?

Xu Zhe paused, then smiled gently.

Suddenly, he felt a surge of anticipation for this world. It was supposed to be just another cultivation domain, like the Celestial Realm—thinner spiritual energy, weaker powers—but everything else seemed profoundly changed by the arrival of his old classmates.

"In contrast, they changed the world, while in the Celestial Realm, I never changed anything—not even myself." Xu Zhe shook his head and walked on.

Everything he saw made him feel as if he were dreaming.

Earth’s modern civilization intertwined with the ancient culture of cultivation. At times, he felt he’d returned to Earth; at others, he remembered he was still in the world of cultivators.

Before long, led by Zhang Chang, Xu Zhe arrived at the Prodigy Pavilion.

The Prodigy Pavilion looked like an ordinary inn, though guarded heavily. It only hosted prodigies, not other cultivators. However, if a prodigy allowed, others could enter to pay a visit.

Zhang Chang was a competent innkeeper, and also the perfect steward. He quickly made all arrangements and settled Xu Zhe in.

After washing up, Xu Zhe adapted to local customs and put on a brand new crane robe.

His hair was still short, but at least he looked the part of a cultivator.

On the table in his room lay dozens of guest invitations, sent by various powers.

Many wanted to meet him.

Zhang Chang had carefully sorted the invitations.

They fell into three categories: first, those related to his old classmates; second, those from prominent sects; and third, those from weaker factions or commercial advertisers.

Xu Zhe sat on the sofa. After Zhang Chang brought him an Eternal Life Cola and left the room, Xu Zhe picked up the stack of invitations.

He started with the first category—those related to his old classmates.

He glanced through the covers. There was one from the Jade Pool Sanctuary, founded by Lin Keyi, his former girlfriend and campus beauty; others came from Li Chunggong, Wang Jianguo, and more.

"Jade Pool Sanctuary, a force founded by Keyi—what a wonderful name!"

Xu Zhe smiled as he picked up the invitation from Jade Pool Sanctuary.

He opened it and began to read.

Soon, the smile on his face faded, and his brows gradually knitted together.