Chapter 217: 181 Chapter 217: 181 The next day, at noon.
Outside the academy gate.
A sleek, sapphire-blue sports car stopped on the road next to the South Gate Intersection.
Situ Qingyin stood by the car, in stark contrast to the traditional outfits Su Yuan had seen her in before.
She was wearing a shirt, denim shorts, and a light green jacket, looking beautiful, elegant, and refreshing.
“Xingcan Group’s limited edition Star-330 from two years ago!
They say only 2000 were released nationwide.
I never thought I’d see one at the academy gate today!”
A burly sophomore student returning from an off-campus task stared at the blue sports car beside Situ Qingyin, unable to take his eyes off it.
His companion clicked his tongue: “Old Qin, your focus is off.
The key is the girl standing next to the car!”
“She is indeed very pretty.
I wonder if she’s a student of Southeast Media University or a top student at Demon Capital Wen Hua University…”
A limited edition car paired with a uniquely charming young girl.
Situ Qingyin standing at the academy gate drew a lot of attention from the students coming and going.
Before long, a handsome young man walked briskly out of the academy.
Seeing Situ Qingyin, his face showed clear astonishment.
“Sorry to keep you waiting,” Su Yuan greeted.
“Your outfit today is quite different from usual.”
Situ Qingyin smiled, “Since we’re going out, it’s more convenient this way.
How is it?
Is it okay?”
“Not bad.
Fresh and professional, easy to move around in.” Su Yuan nodded and then looked at the blue sports car.
“Is this your car?
Are we driving to the airport?”
“Yes, get in!”
After they got in the car, Situ Qingyin reminded, “Fasten your seatbelt and sit tight!”
Su Yuan watched as Situ Qingyin’s hands gripped the steering wheel, a hint of excitement flashing in her eyes, causing him to feel a sudden unease.
“You can drive well, right?” Su Yuan asked.
“Of course!”
Situ Qingyin responded confidently and then hit the accelerator, roaring off…
Two days later at noon, over fifty people rode bronze-level Yellow Camel Beasts across the Taishan Plain, north of the Great Flame.
Outside the group, several people on Fierce Running Horses scouted the front and flanks.
“Brother Su, it’s rare to see young people like you traveling so far to the Black Snow Country.
Many young Star Card Masters rarely leave their city, let alone the country.
You two are quite impressive!”
At the rear right of the group, a man in his forties casually chatted with a young couple nearby.
A young man with silver pupils smiled and said, “The Great Flame is vast and rich with resources.
Black Snow Country is far away.
We wouldn’t have come all this way if it weren’t for some ‘specialties.'”
The young man and woman were Su Yuan and Situ Qingyin from North Pole City.
Within the Great Flame, sea and land routes are maintained because the dangerous zones are controlled locally.
However, outside of Great Flame, there are no transportation services to other countries.
Maintenance is difficult, and the demand is low.
Ordinary people seldom travel abroad, and Star Card Masters can travel independently.
The Lower Third Level Star Card Masters might use star beasts to conserve strength and star power for unexpected situations.
By Shining Star Level, traveling long distances at high speeds isn’t a problem, making it convenient to go anywhere.
In North Pole City, there are “stations” specialized in facilitating inter-country travel.
Su Yuan and Situ Qingyin were traveling with one such group from the Gale Station, heading to Black Snow Country.
Although the fare was 40 cent star stones per person, they had two gold-level experts and over ten silver-level ones escorting them, ensuring high safety!
As long as they avoid dangerous zones along the route, they usually encounter no trouble.
The man speaking was named Ji Ping, a silver middle-stage Star Card Master.
Ji Ping used to be a senior coach at a martial arts club in a third-tier northern city.
With limited talent, his lifetime cap was likely gold level at most.
Given his situation, staying at the martial arts club would ensure a comfortable and risk-free life.
However, over a year ago, Ji Ping’s son also successfully awakened his Soul Card.
So, Ji Ping resigned from his coaching position and began traveling between the Great Flame Country and other countries to make quick money in a couple of years to give his son a good start.
Su Yuan said, “Uncle Ji, regularly traveling abroad has its risks.
If you’ve earned enough money, it’s best to retire early.”
For lower third-level Star Card Masters, international activities are risky.
Besides beasts attacking in the wild, miscreants specifically target these traveling groups.
Being robbed of possessions is minor; losing one’s life is serious.
The northern Great Flame has many organizations and gangs, more numerous than in the west.
Isolated targets are more likely to attract ill-intentioned people.
Joining a station’s group, escorted by their experts, is convenient, safe, and easy.
That’s one of the reasons why Su Yuan and Situ Qingyin traveled with the station.
Ji Ping shook his head and sighed, “You’re right.
But Star Cards and Star Devices require money.
My son did well and got into Zhangzhou Academy this year.
I’ve resolved to buy him a Blue Star Card!”
It was July, and the college entrance exam results had already been released.
Tanzhou Academy, ranking thirteenth nationally, wasn’t far from North Pole City and was considered excellent.
Su Yuan thought for a moment, “For academy students, self-reliance is more important.
Getting an extra Blue Card early on might not fundamentally change things.”
For a Star Card Master, while Star Cards are crucial, perseverance and unwavering determination are key to continued progress.
Ji Ping pondered over Su Yuan’s words.
Over the past year, many had advised Ji Ping to return.
Most were experienced Star Card Masters, so Ji Ping hadn’t given it much thought.
But hearing this from a genius like Su Yuan from Demon Capital Academy made Ji Ping reflect deeply.
Situ Qingyin also said, “Uncle Ji, I think if your son knew, he’d probably not want you doing such grueling and risky work for a Blue Card.”
Ji Ping was surprised, “Miss Situ, how did you know I haven’t told him about my overseas work?”
“You’ve hinted at it in several ways just now…”
Situ Qingyin smiled and looked into the distance.
“Putting myself in his shoes, if it were me, I certainly wouldn’t want my parents doing this.
A family’s safety is paramount.
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Any accident would be the biggest blow.”
Su Yuan noticed a hint of sadness in Situ Qingyin’s eyes, although her expression remained unchanged.
Su Yuan remembered that Situ Qingyin had mentioned her family suffered a catastrophe early on, and that Yang Yifeng saved them.
Now, with only her and Situ Bai left in the Situ Mansion, coupled with her previous words, it wasn’t hard to deduce her parents had perished early in that disaster.
Ji Ping was lost in thought and didn’t notice Situ Qingyin’s change in demeanor.
However, her words left Ji Ping somewhat shaken.
After some contemplation, Ji Ping seemed to make a decision.
“Alright, after this trip, I’ll find a job in Tanzhou City.
I can earn money while keeping an eye on my son’s progress at the academy!”
Both Su Yuan and Situ Qingyin nodded and smiled at his resolve.
Though Yellow Camel Beasts had limited speed, their stamina and endurance were high, making their overall pace quite swift.
In two days, they had covered more than half the journey, entering the mountainous area from the Taishan Plain.
“Be cautious.
We’ve reached Qiuyun Mountain ahead!”
At the front, a gold-level expert from the station named Yang Chunhua, riding a Gale Horse, loudly reminded.
This was Yang Chunhua, the station captain for this trip, possessing gold middle-stage strength.
The vice-captain, Zhao Zongsheng, had gold early-stage strength.
Hearing Yang Chunhua’s words, Ji Ping beside Su Yuan, who had been dozing, woke up, patted his face, and became alert.
“Brother Su, Miss Situ, we need to stay vigilant,” Ji Ping whispered.
Su Yuan asked, “Uncle Ji, is Qiuyun Mountain very dangerous?”
Su Yuan had checked the records before setting out.
Qiuyun Mountain was a low-stage danger zone, with a maximum threat from gold-level star beasts, which were rare.
However, the Gale Station often used this route and was familiar with star beast distribution, having mapped a relatively safe path.
Even if they encountered a gold-level star beast unexpectedly, the station had two gold-level experts.
Besides…
Su Yuan glanced toward a refined middle-aged man at the front of the group, who had concealed his aura but was evidently at the gold level.
Ji Ping moved his Yellow Camel Beast closer to Su Yuan, saying quietly, “The danger isn’t just from beasts but also from people.”
“Qiuyun Mountain’s complex terrain and towering forests, right on the border between the Great Flame Country and Black Snow Country, make it an ideal spot for ambushes.”
Su Yuan looked at the rugged mountains ahead and asked, “Uncle Ji, have you ever been ambushed in the past year?”
“Yes, three times in total.
Twice en route to Yanluo Country and once to Dragon Gate City.
On this route from the Great Flame to Black Snow Country, I’ve traveled four times without trouble.
During those three ambushes, the station guards resolved the first two, but I lost everything in the last one.
In that instance, the station had one gold-level and seven or eight silver-level guards.
The ambushers were from the Black Tiger Gang in Black Wind Domain, with three gold-level and over ten silver-level members.
The station’s gold-level guard was surrounded and killed, and the rest didn’t dare resist, obediently handing over their space rings…”
Ji Ping’s eyes reflected fear and gratitude as he recalled the ordeal, still haunted by the memory.
“Since then, I’ve been willing to pay more for larger stations, and haven’t had further trouble.”
Su Yuan nodded, scanning the surroundings…