253: This... restaurant in Tianzhen City is really good!

After Cui Beihe's respectful words fell, a figure slowly walked out from outside the tavern, dressed in a blue robe, with a folding fan gently creating a breeze in his hand.

Seeing the newcomer, Cui Beihe slowly turned around, as if he had a reliable backer, and a cold smile appeared on his lips.

Initially, when the Cui Family learned of this news, their high-ranking members collectively fell into a strange state of shock.

No one had expected that Lingzhen Mountain, a transcendent force regarded by Formation Masters of Lingxuan Province as a Holy Land of the Formation Dao, was merely a subordinate branch of the Eastern Region Academy!

Thus, when the powerhouses of the Eastern Region Academy negotiated with the Cui Family and informed them of this matter...

After discussion, the Cui Family's high-ranking members chose to abandon their status as a top force in Tianzhen City and instead joined the Eastern Region Academy's camp.

“Tianzhen City is not just the Wang Family... who can invite external help.”

Cui Beihe's gaze swept around the tavern, passing over the Wang Family members, lingering for a moment on the Ox-headed demon, and finally landing on the White-robed Youth.

“Young Master Shang is a Prodigy of the Eastern Region Academy!” Cui Beihe said.

Even if this White-robed Youth's origin was unknown and he displayed such astonishing Formation Dao talent, even if he was the Mountain Lord of Lingzhen Mountain's Disciple, then... what of it?

Compared to a Prodigy of the Eastern Region Academy, he was still considerably inferior.

Among the Wang Family Elders, some exchanged glances, all showing a slight surprise.

Even if the Formation Masters of Lingxuan Province focused solely on studying the Formation Dao and didn't concern themselves with the major affairs of the Eastern Region, they still knew the name of the Eastern Region Academy as a Holy Land!

The Cui Family had actually invited a Prodigy from the Eastern Region Academy? Just for the qualification to cultivate on Lingzhen Mountain?

What a grand gesture!

Instantly, deep worry filled the hearts of the Wang Family Elders; although they knew the White-robed Youth was a Prodigy, the other party...

After all, he was a Prodigy of the Eastern Region Academy!

“Later, regardless of Lingzhen Mountain's rules, take Young Master, Young Miss, and this Lu Gongzi away.”

At this moment, the remaining Wang Family Elders in the tavern exchanged glances and made a decision in an instant.

The Eastern Region Academy was definitely not something they could handle.

“Eastern Region Academy...”

Wang Yanran took a deep breath, her ample chest rising and falling slightly, her beautiful eyes filled with shock.

This was the Holy Land in the hearts of Eastern Region Cultivators; the Cui Family had actually invited such a person this time?

“Lu Gongzi... can he win?”

“Heh, a guaranteed win!”

Wang Zejing's face was beaming with an expectant and confident smile, and he chuckled.

That was Peak Lord Lu! That was Peak Lord Lu, who had caused a storm throughout Qingxuan Province with his Formation!

How could a mere Prodigy of the Eastern Region Academy compare?

Wang Yanran glanced at her silly smiling younger brother, remained silent for a moment, then tilted her snow-white neck and sighed.

“I hope so...”

...

Meng Lang's expression under his Ox-headed demon mask was slightly puzzled; given the hostile relationship between Lingzhen Mountain and the Eastern Region Academy, he wouldn't believe...

The other party was simply here to pay respects and observe.

Eastern Region Academy?

Hearing this, Lu Bai looked at the youth who walked into the tavern with an arrogant posture, and a curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.

This...

An old acquaintance!

The so-called Prodigy of the Eastern Region Academy in Cui Beihe's mouth was none other than Shang Hai, whom Lu Bai had met in Liuyun City!

“This is really... quite a coincidence!”

...

“Just by revealing my identity as from the Eastern Region Academy, the Cultivators of Lingxuan Province are all shocked... Sigh~”

Feeling the subtle atmosphere in the tavern, Shang Hai fanned himself, revealing a smile.

“Indeed, this Lingxuan Province is much more suitable for me than that wretched place, Qingxuan Province.”

Since leaving Qingxuan Province, he had escaped the shadow cast by that White-robed Youth, mended his shattered state of mind, and used this opportunity to enter the Nascent Soul realm!

As long as he didn't encounter that person from Dao Asking Sect, Shang Hai felt his life was incredibly wonderful; he was still the Academy Prodigy revered by Cultivators!

Even when he entered, Shang Hai felt somewhat light-headed, immersed in his own world, not even bothering to spare a glance for the other Cultivators in the tavern.

After a while, he finally walked up to Cui Beihe, snapped open his folding fan, and said with a smile.

“Brother Beihe, what requires my assistance?”

During this time, he had grown very close to the Cui Family, and he and Cui Beihe even called each other brothers; Shang Hai also greatly enjoyed being looked up to.

“To be honest, Brother Shang, that White-robed Youth is simply too much...”

Cui Beihe sighed, then recounted the previous events to Shang Hai, adding fuel to the fire.

In his mind, he had already imagined the scene that would unfold, so much so that the smile on his face became even brighter.

“Hmm?”

But Shang Hai didn't listen to anything he said afterward; the moment Cui Beihe first spoke the words “White-robed,” his body instinctively tensed up.

This Prodigy of the Eastern Region Academy seemed to... suffer from a condition called White-robe phobia.

“No, that's not right!”

But then, after hearing Cui Beihe's string of complaints, Shang Hai breathed a sigh of relief.

He had overreacted.

In Shang Hai's impression, that Wen Jian Peak was indeed a Prodigy, but only in terms of the Dao of the Sword.

The White-robed Youth Cui Beihe spoke of was skilled in the Dao of Formation, and should be someone from Lingzhen Mountain; these two were not the same person.

Thinking of this, Shang Hai relaxed, smiled faintly, and intended to take on this matter.

“Formation? Brother Beihe, rest assured and leave this matter to me; this Tianzhen City's...”

Then... he followed Cui Beihe's line of sight and saw the somewhat familiar, smiling White-robed Youth, as if struck by lightning.

Hmm?

Hmm!!!

Shang Hai: ヾ(｡ꏿ﹏ꏿ)ﾉﾞ

Wait! How is he here???

And so, in the frozen atmosphere of the Tianzhen City tavern, Shang Hai, sweating nervously, his trembling hands barely able to hold his folding fan steady.

But even so, he forced a smile.

“This Tianzhen City's... this Tianzhen City's tavern is really good!”