Chapter 88 Why did you accept the proprietress's drink when you returned to the city?
After leaving Fire Mountain, Bai Ye and his group continued their journey across the boundless sea of sand.
For the next six months or so, there was endless fighting. During this long journey, Bai also witnessed many tragic scenes.
What impressed her most was a small, unnamed team. Bai also saw the distress signal, but the distance was too far. By the time they arrived, the team had been wiped out.
Not even bones were left behind; the only clues are the bloodstains on the sand, indicating that a battle had taken place there.
During this time, they also encountered other sand-hunting teams. Some teams could get along amicably, while others could only be fought until they became friendly.
Overall, there are still more normal people.
"I've seen you sitting here on the bow of the boat all day." Huo Lan leaped down to Bai Ye's side and followed her gaze to the boundless desert dyed golden red by the setting sun.
She sat down next to Bai Ye and asked softly, "Is it because the sand hunt is about to end? Are you reluctant to leave this desert?"
Bai didn't turn around; his gaze remained fixed on the distance. "A little bit, I guess! But more than that, I feel a sense of melancholy and regret for those who can't go back."
Her voice carried a hint of maturity and growth, "This past year or so has been an unforgettable experience for me."
Huo Lan placed her hand on her shoulder and comforted her, "Not only for you, but for any young cultivator who has ventured into the Sand Hunt, this is a rare opportunity for cultivation."
Bai also said, "Actually, before I came here, I really thought this sand hunt was just a stage for young cultivators to make a name for themselves. Who knew it would be a meat grinder."
"The land of Xizhou has never needed useless empty shells. We'll be back in Blazing Fire City tomorrow, so let's get some rest tonight." After saying this, Huo Lan stood up and walked into the cabin.
"Okay," Bai responded, and went back to rest with her.
......
The skies above Blazing Fire City have been unusually noisy lately, with spirit boats or flying magical artifacts frequently passing over the city and eventually landing on the wide square in front of the city lord's mansion.
Every returning group, weary from their journey, was greeted with cheers from the city's residents. No one would criticize these cultivators for breaking the rules of Blazing Fire City and flying within its walls.
This is respect for heroes, and it is also the glory that everyone deserves.
Bai also held Jiaojiao in his arms, leaning against the railing of the boat, looking down at the bustling Blazing Fire City.
The city of Blazing Fire before them was completely different from when they first arrived. Colorful prayer flags hung on both sides of the long street, fluttering in the scorching wind.
Undeterred by the scorching sun, the children chased after the low-flying spirit boat, cheering and their cheerful laughter echoing through the streets and alleys.
Many residents also generously tossed chilled liquor at the low-flying spirit boat.
The monks laughed as they caught the strong liquor, broke the mud seal, and tilted their heads back to gulp it down, filling the air with its aroma.
Bai followed suit, casually catching a jar of strong liquor. The jar was ice-cold to the touch, apparently it had been chilled.
She lifted the mud seal, and the rich, intense aroma of the wine immediately wafted out.
"Thanks!" Bai raised his glass to the tavern owner who had tossed him the wine jar, eliciting a smile from the man, whose eyes sparkled with charm.
She tilted her head back and gulped down a large mouthful of chilled liquor. The cool liquid slid down her throat, instantly invigorating Bai, and all her fatigue seemed to vanish with that one sip.
I don't know why, but I felt a chill down my back, as if someone was watching me.
Huo Lan's face was as cold as frost as she glared at the stinky tiger who had been lamenting the passing of spring and autumn yesterday, but was now flirting with someone as soon as he entered the city.
So many people threw wine at her, but she only caught the wine jar thrown by the pretty proprietress, clearly attracted by her looks.
"Ahem...would you like some too?" Bai handed over the wine jar, feeling a little guilty.
"Drink!" Huo Lan snatched the wine jar and tilted her head back to gulp it down.
The clear, cool liquor slid down the rim of the jar, refracting colorful light in the air. The liquor flowed so fast that a little spilled from the corner of her lips and trickled down her fair neck.
"Drink slowly, no one will take it from you." Bai also took the empty wine jar, and then put his arm around her waist, pulling her into his embrace.
She hadn't forgotten that Zhong Jiuli's alcohol tolerance was really not good. If she were to get drunk and act crazy in front of everyone, the scene... she was afraid she would be held accountable later.
"Hmph~" Huo Lan's cheeks flushed slightly, and she leaned weakly into Bai Ye's arms, her hazy gaze looking down at the cheering crowd. "You underestimate your sister too much. Do you think I would get drunk so easily?"
"How could that be!" Bai gently coaxed her, "Sister Zhong has a huge capacity for alcohol; she can drink a thousand cups without getting drunk."
"You stinky tiger, at least you have some sense." Huo Lan's voice was soft and sweet, with a hint of drunken humming, but she hadn't forgotten what she was angry about just now.
She grumbled and asked, "Why did you accept the wine from the proprietress?"
"I just picked it up casually," Bai said with a helpless smile. "Everyone was throwing wine up, so I just picked up a jar."
"But you still raised your glass to her, making the proprietress beam with joy."
Bai didn't want to get entangled with the drunkard, so he simply covered her incessant mouth and changed the subject, saying, "Look how enthusiastic everyone is, doesn't it resemble the scene of a victorious army returning to its capital, with thousands of people welcoming it?"
The scenes in the TV dramas she used to watch, where armies returned, soldiers rode tall horses, entered the city gates, and the people lined the streets to welcome them, were probably like this.
However, this is the cultivation world, so the people not only lined the streets to welcome them, but also thousands of spiritual lights bloomed in the sky, and petals and streams of light transformed from spiritual energy kept falling from the sky, plunging the entire city into a frenzy of celebration.
"Waaah." Huo Lan protested, sobbing softly in her arms.
"Stop fooling around, we'll be at the city lord's mansion soon."
The spirit boat swept past the jubilant crowd and hovered smoothly above the city lord's mansion.
Bai, supporting the slightly tipsy Huo Lan, flew off the spirit boat.
As soon as the group disembarked from the spirit boat, a servant rushed out of the city lord's mansion with a big smile and said, "Welcome back, Young Master Ye! The city lord has prepared a banquet to welcome you all. Please come in and have a drink."
"Thank you for your trouble, City Lord," Ye Rugo replied with a smile.
"You flatter me. It is you all who have truly worked hard. Going out of the city to exterminate the monsters and protect the peace of this region, everyone in Blazing Fire City is grateful." The attendant spoke earnestly and stepped aside to lead the group inside.
The vermilion gates of the city lord's mansion were wide open, and a red carpet stretched from inside the gates all the way to the square in front of the palace, looking especially festive under the blazing sun.
Bai also helped Huo Lan along the way, carefully examining the city lord's mansion.
The mansion was likely built without any consideration for aesthetics, focusing solely on practicality. The thick stone walls and towering towers clearly indicate it could be transformed into a military fortress at any time.
It seems that all the houses in Blazing City are like this: rough, unrefined, but very sturdy.
It is likely that these unsightly but sturdy houses were built so that, one day, when the beast tide breaks through the city gates, the people in the city could have a chance to survive.
"We've arrived! The city lord has been hosting this banquet for several days now, and many cultivators have been drinking here ever since they returned. Please take your seats quickly. The wines served are all spirit wines specially sourced by the city lord, which will greatly benefit your cultivation." The attendant smiled and gestured for everyone to take their seats.
Bai also looked up and saw that this place used to set up the banquet should have originally been a martial arts training ground, and the weapon racks were still placed in the corner and had not been moved.
Nearly a hundred round tables were set up on the wide and flat training ground, most of which were already full of people. Many cultivators paid no attention to their bleeding wounds, and were only concerned with drinking and laughing loudly with their companions.
This year's sand hunt must have been an unforgettable memory for these young cultivators. Now that they have returned alive, they should certainly celebrate and drink to their hearts' content.
As soon as Bai Ye and his entourage took their seats, servants filed in, carrying plates of steaming, exquisite dishes.
A white jade-like plate held carefully cooked spirit beast meat and various fresh fruits, along with a large pot of chilled spirit wine, the aroma of which filled the air.
"I want to eat chicken legs!" Jiao Jiao whispered in Bai Ye's ear, her little eyes gazing longingly at the golden, glistening roasted spirit chicken in the center of the table.
Before Bai Ye could even make a move, the round-faced girl from the Fire Fox Squad stepped forward with a smile and held out her hand to Jiao Jiao, "Come on, let me take you to eat. I'll get you two chicken legs so your little Ye can have a peaceful meal, okay?"
"Okay!" Jiaojiao agreed readily and happily jumped into the girl's arms.
Without Jiaojiao's interference, Bai was finally able to calm down and take care of Huolan. She poured a cup of tea and held it to Huolan's lips, "Are you still dizzy? Have some tea to calm your head?"
Huo Lan took a small sip of tea from her hand. After drinking a small cup of tea, the alcohol in her eyes dissipated, and she regained some clarity.
They were all cultivators, and if they really wanted to get rid of the effects of alcohol, they only needed to think about it to dispel the effects and instantly become sober as usual.
But if that were the case, then the pleasure of drinking would be lost. Isn't the point of drinking to achieve that slightly tipsy, hazy moment of clarity?
That way, we wouldn't have let down the tavern owner's kindness.
Seeing that she was truly awake, Bai was relieved. She picked up the wine pot and poured spirit wine for herself and Ye Rugo, saying, "Fellow Daoist Ye, let's have a toast."
Ye Rugo raised her glass to clink with hers, "Cheers!"
Bai tilted his head back and drank the wine in his cup to the last drop. The surging spiritual energy slid down his throat, flowed to his limbs and bones, circulated once, and then converged into his dantian.
"As expected of the spirit wine prepared by the city lord, one sip is enough to sustain me through a whole night of meditation and cultivation," Bai sighed softly.
Before he could finish speaking, a whooshing sound came from behind him.
Bai didn't even turn her head. She just slightly turned her body, and the wine cup that came flying with a strong wind grazed her hair and hit the stone wall not far away with a crisp "crack".
The once noisy training ground fell silent instantly, and all the cultivators cast gossipy glances their way.
Bai slowly put down his wine cup, stood up, and looked back at the person who had attacked him.
She narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing the other person's flushed face, her tone tinged with uncertainty: "A big flea?"
"You despicable and shameless scoundrel, how dare you show your face in front of me!" The young master of the Hundred Refinements Sect roared and slammed his palm on the table.
With a loud crash, the drinks and food on the table spilled all over the floor.
He moved with lightning speed, instantly appearing in front of Bai Ye, the gust of wind he created lifting the ends of her hair.
Without a second thought, Bai kicked out. She didn't use any spiritual power in this attack, nor did she use her full strength.
The main concern was that they might accidentally kick someone to death, since this was the city lord's mansion and they had to give the host some face.
Over the past year, she and Huo Lan have been inseparable, cultivating the Star Body day and night. She has already lit up forty-eight stars within her body. Now, even without using any spiritual power, she can kill a Nascent Soul cultivator with a single punch using only her physical strength.
With a muffled thud, the young master of the Hundred Refinements Sect, who had been so aggressive and provocative, was sent flying backward like a kite with a broken string, even faster than when he arrived, crashing into the weapon rack in the corner.
The wooden frame instantly shattered, and long and short swords scattered all over the ground.
Under the gaze of so many eyes, the young master of the Hundred Refinements Sect turned as red as blood. He grabbed a short sword and held it in his hand, his eyes bloodshot as if he were about to breathe fire.
"Shameless scoundrel!!!"
"Don't yell so loudly!" Bai Ye picked at his ear with a helpless expression. "Fighting isn't about who can shout the loudest."
"Aaaaah, I'm going to kill you!" The giant flea completely lost its mind, roaring as it charged at Bai Ye once again.
Bai also felt that this scene was strangely familiar. Hadn't it just happened a moment ago?
Without even moving an inch, she raised her foot again and kicked out at almost the exact same angle.
Everyone saw a figure flash by, and the young master was once again sent flying backwards without any suspense, crashing into the same spot.
The surroundings were completely silent, and everyone was dumbfounded.
The servants waiting nearby exchanged glances, hesitant about whether to step in and mediate. After all, neither of these two belonged to a powerful faction.
Just as the tension was reaching its peak, a clear voice, tinged with a touch of authority, came from outside the training ground, breaking the stalemate within.
"It seems you all haven't had enough fun in the sand hunt?"
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a tall woman slowly stepping into the training ground.
Facing the intense gazes of hundreds of people, she walked with composure, showing no sign of urgency. Each step was extremely steady, as if the ground beneath her feet was not bluestone but a staircase leading to the throne, exuding an aura of profound and majestic grandeur.
Bai was also observing the mysterious city lord. Judging from his appearance alone, the man was extremely young, only in his early twenties, with jade-like skin and delicate features, like a figure who had stepped out of a painting.
Seemingly noticing Bai Ye's direct gaze, the city lord raised his eyes and glanced over indifferently.
Her eyes were deep, with a detached and scrutinizing gaze that seemed to penetrate one's heart. Under such gaze, Bai unconsciously straightened his body and restrained his previous nonchalance.
"You stinky tiger!" Huo Lan muttered softly, pressing against her lower back.
Bai quickly tightened his back even more. Oh no, was his wife jealous again?
She wasn't really looking at other women, was she...?
Isn't everyone watching? It's normal for cultivators to be curious since this city lord rarely makes an appearance.
The city lord's gaze swept past Bai Ye and landed on Huo Lan behind her. A hint of a smile appeared in his originally indifferent eyes.
She didn't deliberately display any imposing aura, yet an invisible pressure emanated from her, causing everyone present to breathe more heavily. Only when her expression relaxed slightly did the crowd gasp for air, like drowning people surfacing.
"I suppose you all don't know me yet," she said slowly, her voice carrying clearly throughout the training ground. "Then let me introduce myself."
"My name is Ling Xuan."
Everyone bowed and clasped their hands in greeting, loudly proclaiming, "Greetings, City Lord Ling!"
The voices of hundreds of people converged in one place, creating a deafening roar.
Ling Xuan nodded slightly in return, saying, "No need for such formalities, everyone!"
"I shouldn't have disturbed your enjoyment of the wine today, but it seems there's some personal grudge between Young Master Bai and that young friend?"
Hearing the commotion, the young master, who had been blocked by the crowd, immediately pushed his way through the crowd and rushed to Ling Xuan's side. He then began to make false accusations, "Lord City Lord, this is a shameless scoundrel!"
He pointed at Bai Ye, his voice trembling slightly with rage, "I was also going to participate in the sand hunt, but I had only just entered the Lama Desert when I fell victim to this shameless villain. This man, seeing the money, took advantage of my unpreparedness, attacked me from behind, knocked me unconscious, robbed me of everything, and left me to die in the sand."
“That’s right, Lord Ling!” Several cultivators who were traveling with Young Master Bai chimed in, “When we saw Young Master Bai, he was lying naked on the sand, looking extremely pitiful.”
The young master, who had been speaking passionately and eloquently, fell silent the moment he heard the words "naked." The muscles on both sides of his face twitched unnaturally, his cheeks turning red and then black, whether from anger or shame, it was hard to tell.
Lord Ling glanced at the ferocious-looking Young Master Bai, then looked at Bai Ye, who had been standing quietly in the distance without uttering a word, and asked with a smile, "Oh? Is this really true?"
“Absolutely true!” Young Master Bai said through gritted teeth, “That thief must still be carrying magical artifacts and spirit weapons belonging to my Hundred Refinements Sect.”
Bai, who was engrossed in watching the spectacle, suddenly froze.
Oh no!
She really still has it! The things she stole before are still stored in her storage ring.
All eyes turned to her, taking in her momentary embarrassment and awkwardness. Seeing her expression, everyone present was immediately convinced.
It seems that this little white-haired girl really did steal Young Master Bai's things; no wonder he went crazy as soon as he saw her.
Any cultivator present would go mad if they had all their magical treasures and storage rings stolen in the desert.
"Don't be guilty!" Huo Lan's voice rang in her mind. "It's just a trivial matter, why are you panicking!"
"Ahem!" Bai cleared his throat, suppressing the slight unease in his heart, raised his eyes to meet the gaze of the City Lord Ling, and said loudly, "That's right, I did take his things!"
"You all heard that, didn't you? She admitted it herself." Young Master Bai was so excited he almost jumped up, his hand trembling as he pointed at Bai Ye, as if he were about to summon his patriarch and the city guards to kill her on the spot.
"Stop yelling!" Bai waved his hand impatiently, interrupting his shouting. "I took his things because I had no other choice."
"At that time, he joined forces with several old monsters whose cultivation was far superior to mine to attack me and my friends. I could only choose to weaken his fighting power as much as possible."
Bai shrugged helplessly, "Besides, I hate it when people flaunt their wealth in front of me. It's really infuriating that he keeps pulling out these treasures one after another."
Everyone agreed with this statement! Everyone hates opponents who are armed to the teeth when they fight; ugh, shameless.
"You're talking nonsense!" Young Master Bai roared angrily, "You clearly just robbed it by force!"
"I told you to shut up!" Bai turned his head and looked at him expressionlessly.
Blinding lightning surged from her body, and Bai's aura suddenly changed, becoming like a sharp sword drawn from its sheath, fierce and incomparable.
"Fine!" She completely lost her patience, her voice lazy but carrying a chilling murderous intent. "I don't want to explain anymore, I'll just kill you."
Before she finished speaking, she transformed into a bolt of lightning, appearing in front of Young Master Bai in a flash.
Before anyone could even see how she made her move, they only heard Young Master Bai let out a short, miserable scream.
When everyone looked over, they saw that the little white-haired man was holding the young master in one hand, lifting him into the air like a chick.
"Waaah!" Young Master Bai's face flushed red, his eyes widened, staring intently in the direction of the city lord, his eyes filled with confusion and bewilderment.
Didn't he already return to the city? How could he be bullied on his own turf in Blazing Fire City?!
"So annoying! I'll eat a lightning ball and have some peace and quiet!" Bai Ye's palm erupted with lightning, and a purplish-black lightning ball instantly condensed.
Before the city lord could stop her, she shoved the crackling ball of lightning into the young master's wide-open mouth.
With a crackling sound, the lightning ball exploded in the young master's mouth. Blinding lightning bolts emanated from his entire body.
Everyone stared wide-eyed as they watched the young master's hair snap back from the electric shock, his body emitting blue smoke.
This little white-haired guy looks like he's only at the Nascent Soul stage, so how come he's so powerful in combat?
Only then did the city lord seem to snap out of her reverie. She coughed lightly, her voice unreadable, "Young friend, your behavior before me shows you don't take my Blazing Fire City seriously!"
"Hmph!" A cold snort came from the horizon.
"Does she even respect my Hundred Refinements Sect?" An extremely domineering aura followed the voice.
Everyone looked up and saw a tall and strong figure fall from the sky like a meteorite, crashing into the center of the training ground.
With a loud "boom," the entire training ground trembled violently, and the protective array set up on the training ground was automatically activated by this force.
The newcomer slowly straightened up, carrying a heavy sword almost as tall as a person on her back, and strode towards Bai Ye.
Upon seeing Bai Duanhong, the young master, his body shrouded in black smoke, grasped at a lifeline and shouted with all his might, "Auntie, save me! Auntie, kill her! I want to kill her!!"
Bai Duanhong glanced indifferently at her good-for-nothing nephew, making no attempt to hide the disdain on her face. She then reached behind her and unsheathed the heavy sword.
With one hand raised, the sword tip pointed directly at Bai Ye, and his voice was like muffled thunder as he spoke, "You brat, how dare you insult even the young master of my Hundred Refinements Sect!"
Bai raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised that they were actually relatives.
However, upon closer inspection, the two do share some similarities in their features, both possessing tall and upright statures, and muscular physiques that exude power.
Of course, in her opinion, Bai Duanhong's muscles were more attractive. That young master Bai seemed to have developed muscles in his head too; he didn't seem very bright.
Before Bai could reply, the city lord spoke first, looking in the direction where Bai Duan Hong was standing, "Master Bai, will your Bai Lian Pavilion compensate for this floor?"
"Pay up!" Bai Duan Hong replied in a gruff voice, "But I have to deal with this brat first."
Bai was a little embarrassed by Bai Duanhong's glare, but she forced a smile and greeted her, "Master Bai, what a coincidence! Are you here to deliver a sword?"
"Skillful!?" Bai Duan Hong snorted coldly, and thrust his heavy sword into the ground, causing the ground to tremble again!
I came here specifically to find you!
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Author's Note: My girlfriend and I had a fight today, and she blocked me. In a fit of anger, I blocked her back. But that didn't stop me from working six pages a day. I'm such a diligent editor! [Dog head with rose][Dog head with rose][Dog head with rose]
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