The Return of Stars to the Jianghu

Chapter 102 Numerous martial artists and cultivators gather in Lanting County

Under He Shihui's tutelage, Ji Mi made rapid progress, and within three months he had become an eighth-rank martial artist.

On this day, He Shihui summoned Ji Mi to his room.

“Ji Mi, I’ve seen your progress over the past three months, and I’m very satisfied,” He Shihui said.

"Thank you for the compliment, Master," Ji Mi said, bowing slightly.

“Your swordsmanship has now reached a certain level of proficiency; it’s time to let you go out and gain some experience,” He Shihui said.

"Experience?" Ji Mi asked, somewhat puzzled.

“That’s right. Training is essential for martial artists. In addition to cultivating internal strength and swordsmanship, they also need to train their mental state. Only by improving their mental state can they advance further in their cultivation,” He Shihui explained.

"Disciple understands." Ji Mi nodded.

“I plan to take you with me on this training trip to Lanting County. We might be going to another world. The news has reached Dugu Xin; it says he went to another world through the time tunnel in Lanting County,” He Shihui said.

"Another world?" Ji Mi was somewhat surprised.

“That’s right, it’s another world. Our Floating Life Continent is actually just one of thousands of continents. Besides the Floating Life Continent, there are other continents. Sometimes, space-time tunnels appear between these continents, which can lead to other continents,” He Shihui explained.

"Oh, I understand." Ji Mi nodded, her heart filled with anticipation.

"This training may be somewhat dangerous, so you should be prepared," He Shihui reminded him.

"This disciple is not afraid of danger," Ji Mi said firmly.

“Okay, it’s settled then. We’ll set off tomorrow,” He Shihui said.

The next day, He Shihui took Ji Mi and set off for Lanting County.

They encountered all sorts of martial artists, some kind, some evil, some powerful, and some weak.

Ji Mi also witnessed all kinds of sword techniques, including fast sword, slow sword, heavy sword, and light sword.

He constantly observed, pondered, and practiced, and his swordsmanship became increasingly refined.

A month later, they finally arrived in Lanting County.

Lanting County has been bustling with activity these days, as if it has returned to its former prosperity, with people coming and going in a lively atmosphere.

He Shihui brought Ji Mi to an inn in the county town to rest.

"Master, what should we do next?" Ji Mi asked.

“Let’s go and inquire about the time tunnel first, see if we can find any clues,” He Shihui said.

“Okay.” Ji Mi nodded.

So He Shihui took Ji Mi to Lanting County to inquire about information.

They asked many people, but didn't get any useful clues.

"Master, did we come to the wrong place?" Ji Mi said with some disappointment.

"Probably not. Rumors are usually very accurate. Let's look again," He Shihui said.

So they continued to inquire about information in Lanting County.

Finally, in a small alley, they encountered an old man.

"Are you looking for information about time tunnels?" the old man asked.

"Yes," He Shihui said, cupping his hands in greeting. "May I ask if you know anything, senior?"

“I know, I can tell you,” the old man said.

"That's wonderful, thank you very much, senior," He Shihui said, cupping his hands in thanks.

"However, you must agree to one condition," the old man said.

“Please speak, senior,” He Shihui said.

“I have a grandson who has been kidnapped. I would like to ask you to help me find him,” the old man said.

"Don't worry, senior, we will do our best to help," He Shihui said.

So the old man took them to his home and told them that his grandson had been taken away.

It turns out that the old man's grandson was a gifted martial artist who had been targeted and captured by an evil force.

The old man had been searching for his grandson, but had not found him.

He heard about the time tunnel and thought that perhaps his grandson had been taken to another continent, which is why he came here to inquire about the news.

He Shihui and Ji Mi were both filled with anger after hearing the old man's words.

They decided to help the old man find his grandson, while also searching for clues about a time tunnel.

And so they began their search.

They ventured deep into Lanting County, where they encountered all sorts of dangers and challenges.

However, they did not give up and persisted.

Finally, they found the old man's grandson in a cave.

They successfully rescued the old man's grandson and brought him back to the old man's home.

The old man was moved to tears when he saw that his grandson was safe and sound.

He thanked He Shihui and Ji Mi for saving his life and told them the clues to the time tunnel.

The former site of Lanting County is now a ruin.

“It really could be here? This place has been searched thoroughly, but there are no clues,” Ji Nian said.

“That old man might just be repeating hearsay. Even if the clue is false, we should still save his grandson, shouldn’t we? We’re already here, let’s look for him,” He Shihui said.

They began searching the ruins for clues to a time tunnel.

This ruin was once a prosperous place in Lanting County, but now only broken walls and desolation remain.

They searched every corner meticulously, leaving no stone unturned.

However, they searched for a long time but found nothing useful.

"Master, have we been scammed?" Ji Mi asked, somewhat disappointed.

"Probably not, that old man doesn't seem to be lying," He Shihui said, frowning.

“But we’ve searched for so long and haven’t found anything,” Ji Mi said.

“Let’s look again; perhaps we’ve overlooked something,” He Shihui said.

So they continued their search.

Just when they were about to give up, He Shihui suddenly discovered a stone slab.

He walked over, turned over the stone slab, and discovered a hole.

"There's a hole here!" He Shihui exclaimed in surprise.

"Really? Let's go in and take a look!" Ji Mi said.

So they went into the cave.

The cave entrance was pitch black; you couldn't see your hand in front of your face.

They took out torches and lit up the way ahead.

Ahead lay a long passage, with stone walls on both sides.

They walked deeper and deeper into the passage.

After walking for an unknown amount of time, they finally reached the end of the passage.

Ahead stood a massive stone gate, its surface inscribed with strange runes.

“This should be the entrance to the time tunnel!” He Shihui said.

"Then how do we open it?" Ji Mi asked.

“These runes should be the key to opening the stone gate; we need to find a way to decipher them,” He Shihui said.

So they began to study the runes on the stone gate.

These runes were extremely complex, and it took them a long time to finally decipher their secrets.

They pressed the runes one by one in the correct order, and the stone door finally opened slowly.

"We did it!" Ji Mi cheered.

They stepped through the stone gate and saw a dazzling light ahead, as if a whole new world awaited them.

Filled with excitement and curiosity, they stepped into the time tunnel.

Instantly, they felt a strong wave of dizziness, as if the whole world was spinning.