I Start with a Mysterious Island

"CHIRP, CHIRP..."

On a scorching summer day, the chirping of cicadas outside the window rose and fell in waves. Even with the window closed, the sound still found its way inside.

It was already mid-August. In a little over a month, the sweltering summer would be over, followed by the cool autumn Lin Li loved most.

After returning from the wilderness and having lunch out, Lin Li came home, took a quick shower, and went to his bedroom for a short nap.

2:30 PM.

"Yawn~" Lin Li emerged from his bedroom after his short nap, scratching his hair as he yawned.

He walked into the bathroom, and the sound of running water immediately followed. SPLASH.

A few moments later, Lin Li walked into the living room, feeling refreshed after splashing his face with water.

He glanced at the clock on the living room wall. A thought crossed his mind, and in the next instant, he vanished completely.

In the vast, boundless Spirit Realm, within the lands of the Chu Kingdom—an area larger than the continent of Asia—an outsider from the Otherworld appeared in a quiet alley of the bustling Dongwu City.

Lin Li, dressed in a black martial arts uniform, materialized in the same alley from which he’d been forced to flee while being pursued.

"Dongwu City, I’m back..." Lin Li muttered.

Just as he was about to leave the alley and wander around Dongwu City...

Suddenly, Lin Li noticed posters plastered on the walls of the quiet alley—all bearing his own likeness.

The portraits were strikingly lifelike, the work of an exceptionally skilled artist.

’A wanted poster?’

"Anyone who finds the person in the portrait, or has clues regarding the person in the portrait, please find Wang Xiaoliu at Number 6, Willow Lane, East District.

If the lead is verified as valuable, a reward of thirty to fifty thousand Copper Coins will be given."

Lin Li frowned as he read the words on the notice aloud, finishing the last line.

’Wang Xiaoliu? I don’t know anyone by that name! Besides, I’ve only had a passing encounter with a few people in this world. We were just strangers who met by chance; there’s no reason for anyone to be looking for me!’

’This Wang Xiaoliu person posted these notices to find me, and he’s willing to pay thirty to fifty thousand Copper Coins as a reward. He must be really determined to find me... Could it be...?’

Lin Li pondered for a moment, and the image of an arrogant and insolent young man suddenly appeared in his mind.

’Could it be that neurotic punk with the surname Zhou? ...It has to be him. I can’t think of anyone else.’

’Last time, that Zhou guy came looking for trouble, but it all came to nothing when the city Guards showed up to maintain order.’

’He must still hate my guts. So after he got away, he had this servant of his, Wang Xiaoliu, plaster these notices everywhere to find me. He’s looking for a chance to get his revenge!’

The more Lin Li thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. He muttered in annoyance, "How can there be such a psycho in this world?"

After some thought, Lin Li decided to take the initiative and pay another visit to that neurotic young man surnamed Zhou. This time, relying on his cultivation that had just broken through to the Second Order Middle Stage, he would teach the guy a harsh lesson.

With a thought, a bamboo hat woven from bamboo leaves, complete with a black veil, appeared in Lin Li’s hand.

He had bought this hat online a while ago, not expecting it would come in handy so soon.

After putting on the hat to hide his face, Lin Li quickly walked out of the alley.

’Number 6, Willow Lane, East District? Uh... I don’t know the way! And I can’t use my phone for GPS in this world. What do I do now?’

Just as he stepped out of the alley, Lin Li realized he had a serious problem: he knew the address but had no idea how to get there.

He looked around at the bustling street and spotted a kind-faced old woman in the crowd. He quickly walked over to her.

The old woman was carrying a vegetable basket. She had just finished her shopping and was on her way home when a man wearing a bamboo hat that obscured his face reached out and stopped her.

"What do you want?" the woman asked, eyeing the man who had stopped her with a wary expression.

She thought to herself that if this man tried anything suspicious, she would immediately scream for help from the passersby.

Lin Li hadn’t expected the old woman to be so cautious. He was taken aback for a second before quickly explaining himself.

"Hello, Ma’am. I’m not a bad person. I’m new here and don’t know my way around Dongwu City. I just wanted to ask for directions."

Hearing that the man in front of her was just asking for directions, the old woman let out a sigh of relief. "Oh, just asking for directions! Where are you headed?"

"Number 6, Willow Lane, in the East District. Do you know how to get there, Ma’am?" Lin Li asked.

"You’re going to Willow Lane! It’s simple. Just walk straight down this street. You’ll see a station up ahead. Take the 501 bus for about six stops, and you’ll be there."

The woman pointed in a direction and gave Lin Li very detailed instructions on how to get to Willow Lane.

However, after listening to the old woman’s explanation, Lin Li, the one asking for directions, was completely dumbfounded.

’Station? Bus? Did I hear that right? How can there be stations and buses in Dongwu City? I thought this was supposed to be like an ancient world from Blue Star, so where did these modern words suddenly come from?’

The old woman couldn’t see Lin Li’s stunned expression. After giving directions and seeing him stand there silently, she asked, "Young man, did you get all that?"

"Yes, I got it. Thank you, Ma’am." Snapping back to his senses, Lin Li quickly thanked the kind woman.

"You’re welcome. It was no trouble at all. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be on my way."

"Goodbye, Ma’am."

Watching the old woman’s retreating back, Lin Li scratched his cheek and then started walking in the direction she had pointed.

As the only city within a 300-kilometer radius and boasting a population of several million, Dongwu City was an essential stop for passing caravans.

Caravans heading to other cities would stop here for a few days after their long journey.

During this time, the caravan members would rest and recuperate before setting off again, as well as restock their depleted supplies of food and water.

At the same time, the caravans would also sell some of their goods in the city’s markets.

And sure enough, on his way to the station, Lin Li saw several dust-covered caravans hurry past him.