Seven figures cut low through the sky, all draped in black robes, their faces hidden behind masks.
Each radiated the terrifying pressure of the Peak Golden Core Realm, while a faint, sinister, impure aura clung to their bodies.
The shadowy figure at the centre finally spoke, his voice low and cold.
"I have received news."
He paused briefly, then continued,"Those Corpse bastards… have been annihilated."
One of the black-robed figures flying beside him spoke up, his youthful voice tinged with shock.
"What did you say…?"
He then let out an arrogant laugh before continuing,"Heh… those useless trash deserved it. Still, anyone capable of killing them in this backwater region can't have a simple background."
The others in black robes nodded, their gazes flicking toward the figure at the centre.
The shadowy man's eyes stayed forward as he spoke calmly,"That is not our priority. First, we obtain what we came for. After that… we leave. No involvement beyond that."
The others exchanged glances, clearly not expecting such an order.
The same young figure spoke again, curiosity creeping into his usually arrogant tone."We've flown all this way without using teleportation formations or flying boats. On top of that, you insisted we all come. Is there some kind of heavenly treasure we're after?"
The shadowy figure's voice turned icy."Watch your mouth. Say another unnecessary word, and you'll lose your life."
He continued, his tone grave."Ever since the incident with the Clamor Family, the sect has kept him on a tight leash. If it weren't for his background, he would have been executed long ago."
"So we can't use teleportation formations or flying boats," the young man muttered. "Otherwise, they might catch our trail."
After a brief pause, the shadowy figure spoke again."Once we obtain what we need, he will head to the Central Continent. If we follow him there, we're bound to come across great opportunities."
His eyes turned cold and sinister."So we must get that no matter what. And be warned, there are people of unknown origin in this countryside. Even Mo Xuan fell at their hands. So remember this..."
His gaze fixed on the man who had spoken earlier."Do not provoke anyone. Not cultivators. Not factions."
He emphasised each word."And not even fucking mortals."
The other black-robed figures nodded solemnly, their expressions hardening.
Even the previously arrogant speaker fell silent, muttering,"Fine…"
An old man, with an exceptionally long white beard, strolled along the bustling street.
He wore light golden-yellow robes, embroidered with delicate yellow roses.
With his hands clasped behind his back, he gave off the faint impression of a wandering immortal, though the smug smile on his face ruined the illusion entirely.
From time to time, passersby would turn for a second glance at the otherworldly old man, whispering amongst themselves.
Su Wen and Du Yue followed closely behind him.
Du Yue wore a bright, cheerful smile as she thought about all the new robes she had bought, while Suzume, perched atop Su Wen's head, was equally gleeful, admiring the soft muffler wrapped around her neck, which only made her look even more adorable.
Su Wen, on the other hand, felt a sharp pang in his heart as he sent his Soul Sense into his storage ring and checked the remaining spirit stones inside.
After walking for a while, they arrived before a massive tower-like building.
Two stone dragons coiled majestically at its entrance, their eyes gleaming with a faint spiritual light.
Above the doors hung a broad plaque painted in deep azure, bearing the elegant white characters:
Treasure Tower
They entered the main hall and were immediately greeted by the attendants.
Su Wen took out his silver token engraved with five rings, the one he had received from the Pill Tower, and handed it over casually.
He then cast a light glance at the old man, who was proudly gazing at the ceiling with his hands clasped behind his back.
"This senior is not someone you can afford to offend," Su Wen said calmly."If he needs anything, charge it to this token. And… do not even think of deceiving him, unless you wish calamity upon yourselves."
The attendant stiffened and nodded hurriedly, accepting the token while stealing a cautious glance at the old man in golden-yellow robes, who surveyed the hall as if inspecting them all.
Without saying more, Su Wen held Du Yue's hand and, with Suzume perched atop his head, walked toward the upper floor where cultivation and attack techniques were displayed.
He had a clear purpose in mind.
He needed to find a Soul Attack Technique for Du Yue.
Now that she had stepped into the Soul Sea Realm, she could refine Soul Qi within her consciousness.
However, without a corresponding soul technique, she had no proper way to wield that power and it would merely accumulate without purpose, like stored ammunition without a weapon.
In battle, she would be unable to unleash its true potential, leaving its only use to be the passive nourishment of her Pure Soul.
He turned to the attendant, his tone calm."Do you have any Soul attack techniques here?"
The attendant, a middle-aged man with sharp eyes, raised his eyebrows in genuine surprise.
Soul techniques were exceedingly rare and expensive, and very few cultivators dared to tread the path of soul cultivation.
Before reaching the Soul Sea Realm and refining Soul Qi, soul attacks were not particularly effective.
Mostly, only cultivators with the protection of a strong background pursued soul cultivation.
After a brief pause, the attendant immediately nodded with respect."We do, Esteemed Young Master. Please, follow me."
He turned and led them past shelves filled with Spiritual Cultivation and Body Cultivation methods, deeper into the floor.
The surroundings grew quieter and more dimly lit as they entered a secluded section dedicated to specialised and exceptionally rare disciplines.
Just then, the entrance of the Treasure Tower stirred.
A figure appeared, striding in as if he owned the place, drawing every gaze in the hall.
As he crossed the threshold, his four horse-like legs shimmered faintly and folded into two human ones, his body shifting effortlessly into a form suited for indoor spaces.
Horse-like ears twitched proudly atop his head, and his slightly pointed face held an expression that radiated pure superiority.
Brown hair framed sharp brown eyes, and a tiny nose ring caught the light with a faint glint, while the aura of an Early Golden Core cultivator radiated from him.
Two women clung to his arms, dressed in daring, revealing outfits, swaying with every step in exaggerated, flirtatious charm.
Every step he took, and the way the women clung to his arms, made it clear he was a spoiled young master with a powerful background.
The attendants straightened instinctively, forcing polite expressions, though the faint trace of disgust in their eyes couldn't be entirely hidden.
He cast a disdainful glance around the hall, curling his lips into a smirk."Bring out your finest Grade 3 treasures for these two beauties."
The women giggled, pressing closer to him, their voices soft and sweet, dripping with practiced adoration.
He clicked his tongue in approval."Anything they want, give it to them."
With a lazy flick of his wrist, he tossed a silver token to the nearest attendant, not bothering to see where it landed.
/** Check out the post chapter notes **/
Check out this version (It may need some minor editing):
After walking for a while, they arrived before a massive tower-like building.
Two stone dragons coiled majestically at its entrance, their eyes gleaming with a faint spiritual light.
Above the doors hung a broad plaque painted in deep azure, bearing the elegant white characters,
Treasure Tower
The old man suddenly stopped.
He turned around and stared at Su Wen with a sinister smile.
Su Wen froze.
He stared back at the old man, and after a second, his eyes narrowed and he smiled meaningfully.
Su Wen gently placed Suzume over Du Yue's shoulder, then stepped forward.
Du Yue and Suzume exchanged confused glances at their interaction.
As they were about to enter the pavilion, Su Wen spoke loud enough for the attendants to hear,
"Senior Immortal… you specifically journeyed all the way from the Central Continent to cultivate and spread the Dao among the mortals of our humble Eastern Continent!"
The attendants, and even the chief steward, turned to look outside.
Su Wen paused meaningfully, letting the silence build before continuing in a dignified tone,
"…And this Treasure Tower is one of the most important foundations supporting the cultivation and development of the entire Southern region of the Eastern Continent."
He continued,
"Senior Immortal, you said the Grand Elder of the Treasure Tower wished to meet you to discuss future resource distribution plans for the Eastern Continent… Please look around as you wish and let me know if there is anything you require."
The attendants and chief steward exchanged shocked glances. Everyone knew how massive the Treasure Tower was, and meeting an elder meant you were no ordinary person.
They looked at the two of them suspiciously, wondering if they were some scammers trying to fool them.
The old man placed both hands behind his back, chin lifted in a perfect imitation of an aloof celestial sage.
A conman's confident smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
He glanced around lazily before nodding to Su Wen.
"Go about your own matters. No need to concern yourself with this Immortal."
He added lightly,
"Before even entering the city, with but a single thought, I perceived all the Heavenly secrets."
Everyone inside stared at them in disbelief.
Su Wen immediately bowed slightly and said in a respectful tone,
"Senior Immortal, your divine abilities are unparalleled. This junior has been rude, please forgive me. I shall not disturb your mortal cultivation any further."
Then he turned to the chief steward, who had been quietly watching them with wary eyes.
Su Wen slipped a silver token into his hands, the token engraved with five black rings and radiating the aura of a wealthy young master.
He spoke without changing his expression,
"If Senior Immortal needs anything, charge it to this token without hesitation. Do not worry about the cost…"
His expression then turned serious.
"But… do not even think about deceiving him. Otherwise, this entire city may face calamity."
The steward nodded, but his expression remained calm, as if he weren't taking them seriously.
"As you wish, Young Master! Leave all that to us!"
Du Yue, sensing her husband's intention, decided to play along.
She released her dense Early Golden Core realm aura as she entered the main hall, her hands folded neatly in front of her.
A calm, cold aura radiated from her, yet there was something more, an air as if an immortal had descended onto the mortal plane.
Her cheerful smile was gone, replaced by an indifferent expression.
Everybody froze.
Even Su Wen and the old man halted mid-action.
No one in the hall dared meet her gaze.
Gulp!
Su Wen gulped as looked at her, but strangely, he felt this was also her true self, although completely opposite to her cheerful, clingy side.
The old man glanced at her, his eyes momentarily lost in thought.
Finally, after a few seconds, Su Wen spoke, trying to keep his voice calm.
"Wife… let's go."
He then glanced at the chief steward again.
This time, cold sweat beaded the steward's forehead as he sensed her aura.
Though still not entirely convinced, he began to believe in them, and so spoke in an even more respectful tone than before.
"Y-Young Master… don't worry. Please, leave it all to me…" he swallowed nervously.
Su Wen nodded, composed and graceful, and took Du Yue's hand, leading her toward another floor where cultivation techniques were stored.
The manager remained frozen until they vanished from sight, then immediately shouted to the attendants:
"Serve them carefully! Do not offend them in the slightest!"
He then rushed personally to attend to the old man.
The old man grumbled, feeling as though the limelight had been stolen from him.
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Do you think I should go with the second version, where the old man and Su Wen play along to get some discount, or the first one, which is just simple and empty?
I personally love the second version more, but I was lacking a little confidence, so I thought I'd leave the decision to you guys.
I will keep the poll active for the next few days!
Also, with the second version, I can promise a lot of amazing moments, especially with the addition of a few more characters to the team.
I have a lot of things in my life to worry about, like fixing the bass in my Mazda 3. Cough… let me know in the comments.
**/