As dawn broke, the group set out from the dilapidated temple, their sights set on LongFeng City. The journey was long and arduous, but as the sun climbed high in the sky, the majestic city finally came into view. Its towering walls, bustling streets, and vibrant markets were a far cry from the quiet wilderness the trio had known all their lives.

  Li YiTing led the way, her confident stride a stark contrast to the cautious steps of Chen Yi, KuiFong, and MeiEr. As they approached the city gates, the sights and sounds overwhelmed the senses of the country bumpkins, their wide-eyed wonder betraying their inexperience.

  "Remember," Li YiTing whispered, "we must blend in and avoid drawing attention. Keep your magic hidden and follow my lead."

  The trio nodded, though their expressions suggested they were more likely to blend in with a parade than the city's regular inhabitants.

  The first obstacle came in the form of a bustling market. Stalls lined the streets, their vendors hawking wares with fervent enthusiasm. KuiFong, ever the curious one, couldn't resist inspecting a stall laden with exotic fruits.

  "What's this?" he asked, holding up a spiky, vibrant orange fruit.

  The vendor grinned, launching into an enthusiastic sales pitch. "Ah, good sir! That is a dragonfruit, said to bestow the strength of a dragon upon those who eat it!"

  KuiFong's eyes widened with excitement. "A dragon's strength? I'll take three!"

  Li YiTing intervened just in time, gently guiding KuiFong away from the stall. "Don't buy everything you see," she advised, suppressing a smile. "We need to conserve our resources."

  MeiEr, meanwhile, had found herself fascinated by a street performer conjuring flames from his hands. "Can we do that?" she whispered to Chen Yi, her eyes sparkling with wonder.

  Chen Yi shook his head, his expression a mix of amusement and concern. "Focus, MeiEr. Remember why we're here."

  The next challenge presented itself in the form of city transportation. Used to traveling on foot or by horse, the trio was baffled by the sight of a bustling carriage station. Li YiTing attempted to explain the intricacies of hailing a carriage, but it soon became clear that theory and practice were worlds apart.

  KuiFong, eager to impress, attempted to hail a carriage by waving both arms wildly. The carriage driver stared in bewilderment before shaking his head and moving on. "You're scaring them," Li YiTing chuckled, stepping in to demonstrate the proper technique.

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  As they finally secured a ride, the trio marveled at the city's architecture. The buildings were tall and imposing, adorned with intricate carvings and colorful banners. Street vendors called out their wares, and children darted through the crowds, their laughter filling the air.

  Their destination was a modest inn near the city's edge. Li YiTing had chosen it for its relative obscurity, a place where they could lay low and gather information without attracting undue attention. However, as they entered the inn, something felt... off. The innkeeper, an elderly man with kind eyes, greeted them warmly but seemed unusually attentive, almost protective.

  "Welcome, travelers," he said, his voice soft but deliberate. "You’ll find safety here. Rest easy." His words carried a weight that made the group exchange curious glances.

  Once settled in their room, Li YiTing began her lesson on city life. "There are a few things you need to know," she began, her tone both patient and amused. "First, never stare too long at anything. It makes you look like a tourist."

  KuiFong nodded earnestly. "Got it. No staring."

  "Second," Li YiTing continued, "try not to draw attention to your magic. The city is full of eyes and ears, and we don’t want to risk exposure."

  MeiEr raised her hand as if she were in a classroom. "What if we need to use our magic to protect ourselves?"

  Li YiTing smiled. "We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. For now, let’s focus on blending in."

  Later that evening, as the group prepared to turn in for the night, there was a soft knock at the door. Li YiTing opened it cautiously to find a young woman standing there, her face partially obscured by a hood. She handed over a small parcel and whispered, "From the Princess. She sends her regards."

  Before anyone could respond, the woman disappeared into the shadows of the hallway. Inside the parcel, they found a map of the city marked with safe zones and a note written in code: "Stay vigilant. Allies watch from afar."

  Chen Yi frowned, examining the map. "She’s been watching over us," he said quietly, his voice tinged with gratitude. "Even here."

  KuiFong scratched his head. "How does she manage all this without getting caught?"

  "She has her ways," Li YiTing replied cryptically, her lips curling into a faint smile. "Let’s just say Princess XiuLan isn’t someone who sits idly by when injustice reigns."

  The mysterious gift added an air of intrigue to their stay. Over the next few days, the group noticed subtle signs of assistance. A shopkeeper discreetly lowered prices when they purchased essentials. A street urchin pointed them toward shortcuts that avoided crowded areas. Even the innkeeper offered cryptic advice about avoiding certain districts after dark.

  "These aren’t random acts of kindness," Chen Yi observed one evening as they discussed the strange occurrences. "Someone is helping us—someone who knows we’re here and what we’re trying to do."

  Li YiTing nodded thoughtfully. "Princess XiuLan’s network runs deeper than we imagined. We should trust this—for now."

  Despite their suspicions, the group decided to accept the help cautiously. They knew better than to question such fortune in a city teeming with danger. Instead, they focused on adapting to their new environment and preparing for the challenges ahead.