We'll meet sooner or later.
Before long, the three of them sat around a square table in the corner of the inn. On the table was a pot of tea and a plate of melon seeds. They seemed relaxed, but in fact, they were all listening to the storyteller's tale with their own thoughts.
It seems that the stories passed down in each place bear a distinct regional imprint. In Huaicheng, at the foot of Cangmin Mountain, the legend of a divine healer saving lives is told.
Within Huaiyang City lies the illustrious reputation and glorious deeds of Tianyan Mountain.
"If we're talking about the number one sect in the world today, then it has to be Tianyan Mountain!" The storyteller's voice was loud and clear, filled with pride. "For thousands of years, the champions of every Immortal Sect Competition have all come from the Tianyan Mountain sect!"
He paused, looked around at the audience, and continued to embellish: "What's even more remarkable is that the sect leader of Tianyan Mountain has broken through the Tribulation Transcending stage and entered the realm of half-immortal! Reaching the level of half-immortal means that he is only one step away from true ascension!"
"For the past hundred years, our Huaiyang City has been blessed by Tianyan Mountain, enjoying favorable weather and abundant harvests, and has never experienced a day of unrest! The Immortal Sect Grand Competition being held here is the perfect opportunity for Tianyan Mountain to demonstrate its strength as a major sect to the world!"
"fart!"
No sooner had the storyteller finished speaking than a clear but disdainful rebuttal suddenly rang out, shattering the atmosphere of admiration that had just been created.
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw a young man in a light blue robe sitting at a table not far away, his face full of disdain. "Tianyan Mountain boasts and brags, how dare it claim to be the number one sect in the world? It has only just touched the half-immortal realm, and it really thinks it is invincible?"
His words were sharp and merciless: "You think winning a few titles in the Immortal Sect Competition is something to brag about? Thousands of years ago, before Cangmin Mountain declined, when did it ever become the place of a disciple from Tianyan Mountain to win the title in the Immortal Sect Competition?"
The young man in blue's words stirred up a storm, and the inn was immediately abuzz with discussion. Some echoed his sentiments, arguing that Tianyan Mountain was indeed being too ostentatious. Others immediately stepped forward to refute him, defending Tianyan Mountain's prestige.
"Exactly! To dare claim to be the best in the world is utterly shameless!"
"Tianyan Mountain's strength is undeniable; who can surpass it now?"
"Qingyun Mountain is just keeping a low profile, not declining! Open your eyes and see for yourselves!"
For a time, the inn was filled with noise and debate, making it quite a lively place.
Yun Qian watched the lively scene with great interest while leisurely munching on sunflower seeds. This was her first time truly stepping into the mortal world, and compared to the year-round cold and quiet Cangmin Mountain, the bustling world full of life felt particularly novel to her.
Moreover, neither she, nor Baichuan, nor Qin Wu knew much about the other sects in the cultivation world. Being able to glean some clues from these rumors circulating in the streets was a decent way to learn about them.
Although Yun Qian remembered the original plot, things hadn't always unfolded exactly as described in the book over the years. Since variables existed, she needed to thoroughly understand the current situation of the various immortal sects. After all, Yun Qian was never good at fighting unprepared battles.
In the original book, every sect in the cultivation world that was considered prestigious, including Tianyan Mountain and Qingyun Mountain, coveted Cangmin Mountain. This descent from the mountain was destined to be anything but peaceful.
The argument inside the inn continued.
The three did not participate, but listened quietly and attentively to the arguments from all sides, trying to piece together a picture of the outside world.
"The little sword on the girl's head is quite unique."
Suddenly, a gentle male voice came from behind, very close.
Yun Qian was suddenly startled, her mind instantly filled with alarm bells! She hadn't even noticed when someone had appeared behind her! They had arrived late, and the location they chose was secluded, rarely frequented by passersby. Even with her mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivation, she hadn't sensed them beforehand, demonstrating that the person behind her possessed unfathomable cultivation, far surpassing her own!
Not only Yun Qian, but Qin Wu and Bai Chuan also tensed up at the same time.
Qin Wu's hand, which had been resting on the edge of the table, instantly moved to the hilt of the sword. He was sitting opposite Yun Qian and could see the person behind her clearly. It was a man wearing a light blue robe, with handsome features and gentle, bright eyes. At this moment, he was looking at Yun Qian's hair with pure curiosity, without any hostility on his face, as if he was really just attracted by that small black sword ornament.
"I was just curious and meant no harm. Young brother, you can take your hand off the sword now." The man's tone was natural, even somewhat relaxed. As he spoke, he casually sat down in the empty chair to Yun Qian's left and poured himself a cup of tea with practiced ease.
Qin Wu stared intently at him, not relaxing his gaze for a moment. The slightest movement from this man would send his sword flashing from its sheath.
However, this person was far too relaxed. He didn't care at all about Qin Wu and Bai Chuan's wary state, nor did he care that he had taken a seat without the host's permission. Instead, he continued to examine the small sword on Yun Qian's head with great interest, his gaze focused.
Yun Qian still held the uneaten melon seed in her hand. Her expression remained unchanged, but several thoughts were already swirling in her mind. She turned her head slowly and deliberately to look at this uninvited "neighbor".
The moment our eyes met, a strange sense of familiarity rose from the bottom of my heart without warning.
When the man saw her looking at him, he smiled gently at her, his eyes crinkling.
She felt like she had seen him somewhere before... But for the past hundred years, she had lived deep in the Cangmin Mountains and had almost no contact with the outside world. Where did this sudden sense of familiarity come from?
Upon closer inspection, this person's features were exquisite and flawless, his face elegant and handsome, and his eyes exuded a gentle and warm aura, like the melting snow in early spring.
Where exactly does it feel familiar? Yun Qian frowned slightly, her doubts deepening.
Before she could figure it out, the person in front of her feigned surprise and said, "I know I'm good-looking, but you don't need to stare at me like that, do you?"
If it were an ordinary woman, she would probably be blushing with embarrassment at such teasing. But Yun Qian was no ordinary person. Her expression remained unchanged as she calmly withdrew her gaze, gently placed the melon seed in her hand back on the table, and said in a calm and even tone, "It's just a little trinket passed down from my sect. I don't know why it has caught your eye, young master."
“This is no ordinary object.” The man rested his elbow on the table, propped his chin on his hand, and looked at Yun Qian with bright, smiling eyes, as if they were filled with starlight. “And you, young lady… are no ordinary cultivator either.”
Yun Qian was indeed extraordinary, and the seemingly inconspicuous little black sword on her head was no ordinary object either.
The person who can see this unusual thing at a glance must be no ordinary person themselves.
Bai Chuan coughed lightly a few times at the right moment, breaking the delicate atmosphere, and interjected in a gentle voice: "Huaiyang City is now full of heroes, how many of them are ordinary cultivators? I think you, young master... are no ordinary person either."
Judging from his relaxed and at ease demeanor, as if he were in his own backyard, one could tell that he was no ordinary person.
Over the past century, Bai Chuan and Qin Wu have grown rapidly and are now both Nascent Soul stage cultivators. Even they cannot fathom the depth of this person's abilities, which shows that his cultivation level must be above theirs. That is why he is so confident and fearless, completely disregarding their vigilance.
"Of course I'm unusual." The man readily admitted, but his gaze remained fixed on Yun Qian, not shifting an inch.
His attention seemed to be completely drawn to Yun Qian, and his undisguised curiosity was almost overflowing.
Bai Chuan exchanged a glance with Yun Qian, then slowly took out a clean handkerchief and held it to his lips. He coughed a few more times, and his face seemed even paler.
Qin Wu also withdrew his hand from the sword hilt, picked up his teacup and took a sip with a cold face, as if the tense situation had never happened.
The tacit understanding between the three members of the sect is sometimes enough with just a glance.
They began to go about their own business, some drinking tea, some coughing, some admiring the scenery, trying to drive away the uninvited guest with this silent neglect.
However, this man showed no intention of leaving. He leisurely took a sip of tea, and spoke again, his voice still gentle: "My name is Lin Huaiyu. May I ask if we could become friends?"
He had noticed Yun Qian and her companions ever since they entered the inn.
The reason was simple: the moment he caught a glimpse of Yun Qian, his heart inexplicably began to race, and it pounded for a long time.
This unprecedented and unusual feeling filled him with immense curiosity and even a hint of excitement. So, Lin Huaiyu casually found an excuse to sit down next to Yun Qian.
Using that unusual little black sword, he would approach her and explore the source of his unease.
"You still haven't told me your name," Lin Huaiyu added. He seemed to have little interest in Baichuan and Qin Wu, his target being Yun Qian alone.
Bai Chuan and Qin Wu exchanged another glance. Suddenly, Bai Chuan coughed even more violently, his breathing becoming unsteady. He weakly said to Yun Qian, "Senior Sister, I... I should go upstairs to take my medicine."
Lin Huaiyu's purpose is unclear, but he is clearly after Yun Qian. Since he's refusing to leave, they should find an excuse to leave first.
Qin Wu immediately received the signal, his face was cold but his tone was concerned: "Second Senior Brother's cough has recently relapsed, so it is indeed not advisable for him to sit for long periods of time."
“Yes,” Yun Qian readily agreed, stood up, took Bai Chuan’s arm, and gave Lin Huaiyu a slightly apologetic smile. “Young Master Lin, my junior brother is not feeling well and needs to rest, so I won’t keep you company any longer.”
Before the words were finished, Yun Qian and Qin Wuyi, one on each side, "supported" the seemingly weak Bai Chuan, and although their steps appeared slow, they quickly left this place of trouble.
The three men politely, yet with a touch of awkwardness, left Lin Huaiyu alone. Watching them depart, Lin Huaiyu felt no anger, but instead chuckled softly, downing the remaining tea in her cup and murmuring to herself, "It's alright, we'll meet again sooner or later..."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
