Qiu Zhang said that the strange city was near the Western Border. At the speed of the three of them flying on their swords, they flew back and forth across the Western Border several times, until dawn, before finally finding the place Qiu Zhang had described. It was a very small city, more like a small town, nestled deep in a remote mountain forest, adjacent to a large swamp. The town was surrounded by mountains on three sides, without even city walls, and was not very prosperous.
If Qiu Zhang hadn't been here before, they wouldn't have noticed this place. However, the town was quite crowded and bustling with people. The group subconsciously used their divine sense to probe, but found nothing strange. Moreover, there was no spiritual energy fluctuation within the town, meaning it was just a town for ordinary people.
The three exchanged a glance before flying down and landing near the small town. Whatever was inside, they had to go in and search. So, they headed straight into the town.
Perhaps because this place is too remote, the city gate was rather deserted, with no one coming or going, and not even any guards. There was only a hastily written character "丰" on the city gate, which should be the name of the city.
Youyou glanced at the city name and walked straight inside. Just as she crossed the city gate, her heart sank inexplicably, as a faint, chilling aura rushed towards her.
She suddenly stopped, but the feeling vanished in an instant, almost like an illusion.
"What's wrong?" Seeing her suddenly stop, Feng Rong immediately turned around and asked.
Youyou glanced at the two of them. "It's nothing, maybe it's just my imagination!"
Without giving it much thought, she continued walking into the city. The next moment, the lively cries of vendors reached her. Compared to the calm at the city gate, the city was bustling with people, and there were many stalls set up along the streets.
Perhaps because outsiders rarely visit, the appearance of the three immediately attracted the attention of people on the street. Many people turned to look at them, their eyes full of curiosity and amazement. Feng Rong and Yuan Qi were already stunningly beautiful, and if they were so in the immortal sect, they would naturally attract even more attention in the mortal city.
She hadn't expected that, compared to the two men, most eyes were fixed on her. If the looks they gave the two men were of amazement, then the looks they gave her were of delight. Most people glanced at the two men first, then, upon unexpectedly seeing her, instantly regarded the two men as yesterday's news, and couldn't look away from her.
A chorus of excited and surprised voices immediately followed.
"It's a noble lady! A noble lady has gone out!"
"Whose daughter is this? She looks unfamiliar to me."
"Of course she's unfamiliar! I think she just entered the city. This noble lady must have just arrived in Fengcheng!"
"It's been many years since a noble lady has come to Fengcheng. This is wonderful! I wonder how long she will stay?"
"Quickly, help me check if I've arranged my things neatly. Maybe the lady will come to my stall to buy something soon."
"Pah! Shameless! Am I looking at your stall or at you? A lady of noble birth would never go there! Look at mine!"
"Ahhhh, she's coming this way! Look, look!"
Youyou: "..."
She hadn't been to Fancheng in a long time and had almost forgotten how much mortals adored noble ladies.
She sighed, forced to continue walking despite the curious and excited stares from everyone on the street. But the further she walked, the more people seemed to gather ahead. The already bustling street became even more crowded. Upon closer inspection, she realized many of them were the same people she had seen at the city gate. She wondered where they had come from, as they circled back in front of her, pretending to be casual as they passed by her again and again.
Youyou was somewhat speechless. Fortunately, the city wasn't very big. Qiu Zhang said they had stayed at an inn in the city before. They didn't walk far before they saw the inn, and the three of them went straight inside.
"Hello, innkeeper, we'd like to stay here!" You You said, knocking on the counter.
The innkeeper, who was working on his abacus, replied, "Would you like a superior room, sir, or..." He looked up, his words caught in his throat, his eyes widened, and he stammered, "Esteemed...esteemed...esteemed lady, please...esteemed! Please come in, please come in!"
The innkeeper threw down his abacus and strode out, beaming from ear to ear. He vigorously rubbed his hands on his clothes, pointed upstairs, and greeted her, "Don't worry, esteemed lady, we have the finest rooms prepared especially for you. Please come upstairs!"
"No need for all that trouble, a regular room will do." You You shook her head and pointed to the room next to the stairs on the second floor, saying, "That one will do, plus the one next to it." It was the room Qiu Zhang had stayed in before, and they could go in and check it out.
"How could I possibly allow that!" The innkeeper shook his head firmly, looking troubled. "How could I let such a noble lady stay in an ordinary room? If word got out, everyone would despise me, and my inn's reputation would be ruined." Then, as if remembering something, he added, "Don't worry, noble lady, our superior rooms are all free. Please feel free to stay here, and just let me know if you need anything!"
"Uh..." Wait, there are such rules? Even noble ladies get VIP treatment based on their gender.
You You was exasperated, but seeing the innkeeper's serious expression, as if he genuinely worried that she wouldn't stay in a superior room—it seemed like a major taboo—she had no choice but to agree. Fortunately, there were three of them; Feng Rong and Yuan Qi booked the room Qiu Zhang had stayed in.
Youyou followed the innkeeper to the third floor of the inn. Compared to the downstairs, the entire upstairs consisted of only one room, which was very spacious and fully equipped. It was almost like a regular home.
She had only been sitting for a short while when Feng Rong and Yuan Qi came up.
"How is it?" Youyou asked.
“The room is normal,” Yuan Qi replied. The two of them had just checked the room where Qiu Zhang had stayed. “It’s just an ordinary guest room. There are no formations or spiritual energy fluctuations inside. It doesn’t look like it has been tampered with.”
"If that's the case, then how exactly did the soul beast disappear from the room?" Youyou carefully recalled what Qiu Zhang had said earlier. "It couldn't have left without even informing Qiu Zhang, could it?" Soul beasts are much more sensible than Fenze.
“Perhaps his disappearance has nothing to do with this inn,” Feng Rong replied. “When I came in just now, I specifically used my divine sense to examine everyone in this inn, and they didn’t react at all, which proves that they are just ordinary mortals and have not cultivated.”
"What do we do now?" We finally got here, but we have no clue where to start. Where are we supposed to find a soul beast?
“Let’s stay here for a while and see what happens,” Yuan Qi suggested. “Perhaps we can find some clues elsewhere.”
You nodded; this was the only option now.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
