167: Entering Zhenyuan City, the Drunken Immortal's Trouble Arises!

Chen Xu straightened his worn-out Daoist robe, suppressed his cultivation aura firmly to the Early Stage of Soul Transformation, and then blended into the stream of people heading toward the city gate.

The closer he got to the city gate, the more oppressive the atmosphere became.

On the wide official road, a long, snake-like queue had formed.

Most of these people were ragged Loose Cultivators or merchant caravans dragging goods.

Everyone wore a cautious expression, not even daring to breathe loudly.

At the city gate, two rows of Guards clad in black armor held long spears, their fierce gazes fixed on every passerby.

These Guards were all actually at the Nascent Soul Stage!

And the small squad leader sitting on a grand armchair, legs crossed, in charge of collecting taxes, was an even stronger expert at the Middle Stage of Soul Transformation!

"Next!"

The squad leader waved his hand lazily.

An old man carrying a medicine basket walked up tremblingly and handed over two Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

"Snap!"

The squad leader didn't even look, directly lashing the old man with a whip, tearing his skin and flesh as he rolled onto the ground.

"Old thing, are you blind? The city entry tax has long since increased! It is now ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones per person!"

"M... My Lord, it was only two the day before yesterday..." The old man clutched his wound, begging painfully, "This old one's basket of herbs is only worth five Spirit Stones; I truly cannot afford it..."

"Cannot afford it? Then get lost to the mines to dig and pay off your debt!"

The squad leader snorted coldly and waved his hand.

Two vicious Guards immediately rushed up, grabbed the old man without a word, and dragged him toward a prison wagon nearby.

The prison wagon was already stuffed with Cultivators who couldn't pay the tax, their faces ashen.

A commotion rippled through the crowd; many showed anger in their eyes, but upon seeing the arrow tower on the city wall, they could only force their rage back into their stomachs.

This was the rule of Zhenyuan City.

This was the tyranny of the Lin family.

Chen Xu blended into the crowd, watching this scene with cold eyes.

He did not intervene.

Such things were likely happening here every single moment.

Killing these few Guards was easy, but it wouldn't solve the fundamental problem.

Soon, it was Chen Xu's turn.

He stepped forward, his face wearing a perfectly measured expression of humility and flattery.

"Name, background, why are you entering the city?"

The squad leader glanced at Chen Xu, seeing his ragged clothes and cultivation level of "only" the Early Stage of Soul Transformation, a trace of disdain flashing in his eyes.

"I am Han Li, a mere Loose Cultivator."

Chen Xu cupped his hands and casually made up a name. "I heard that Zhenyuan City is about to hold a grand ceremony, so I came... I came to broaden my horizons and, by the way, sell some ancestral crafts."

"Crafts?"

The squad leader sneered and looked Chen Xu up and down. "With your poverty-stricken appearance, what kind of crafts could you have? You aren't here just to mooch off food and drink, are you?"

"My Lord, you jest."

Chen Xu wasn't angry; he reached into his sleeve and fumbled around for a moment.

Then, he "cautiously" handed over a small cloth bag.

The squad leader took the bag and weighed it in his hand; his previously impatient expression changed instantly.

He opened the bag and saw that it contained twenty Medium-Grade Spirit Stones!

This was a huge sum! It was equivalent to two thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones!

"Ahem."

The squad leader calmly tucked the bag into his robe, his fierce and malevolent face instantly becoming "amiable."

"Hmm, you seem like an honest fellow. Since you are here to do business, then go on in."

He tossed a wooden temporary identity tag to Chen Xu and waved for him to pass.

"Many thanks, My Lord."

Chen Xu took the tag and, with Xiao Hei in tow, walked swaggeringly into the city gate amidst the envious, jealous, and hateful gazes of the surrounding crowd.

Problems that could be solved with money were not problems to him.

Moreover, sooner or later, he would make the Lin family spit these Spirit Stones back out with interest.

Passing through the thick city gate tunnel, the scene before his eyes suddenly opened up.

A wave of clamor rushed toward him.

The wide street was broad enough for ten carriages to travel side by side, lined with shops on both sides, with treasure light soaring into the sky.

Medicinal Pill pavilions, Artifact Refining shops, Talisman stores... the various signs were dazzling, making one's eyes spin.

On the street, Cultivators were as thick as a weave.

There were Sword Cultivators stepping on Flying Swords, beast-taming Cultivators riding exotic beasts, and Young Masters from noble families sitting in luxurious palanquins.

Prosperity.

Extreme prosperity.

But beneath this prosperity, Chen Xu smelled a scent of decay and blood.

He saw that most of the shop entrances hung the Lin family's flags.

He saw the patrolling law enforcement teams unscrupulously demanding "protection fees" from the small vendors on the roadside.

He saw, in the shadows of the corners, several pairs of greedy eyes staring at the Storage Pouches of passersby.

"What a... disgusting city."

Chen Xu whispered to himself.

Soon, Chen Xu, with Xiao Hei, leisurely wandered to the busiest section in the city center.

Looking up, before him stood a magnificent nine-story tower, the gold-lacquered sign inscribed with three sweeping characters — "Drunken Immortal Tower."

This was the largest money-sink in Zhenyuan City and the most well-informed distribution center for all kinds of news.

"Shoo, shoo, shoo! Where did this beggar come from? Is this a place you can enter?"

Just as he reached the entrance, a sharp-mouthed, monkey-cheeked waiter came up to meet him, waving a rag in his hand, trying to drive him away with a look of disgust, especially when he saw the mangy dog drooling behind Chen Xu, he even covered his nose.

Chen Xu was not annoyed; with a hint of mockery in his cloudy old eyes, he reached into his robe with a withered palm and casually tossed a Medium-Grade Spirit Stone, which landed in the waiter's arms.

"Though I am poor, I can still afford the wine money. What, afraid I'll skip out on the bill?"

The waiter caught the Spirit Stone, his eyes instantly going straight.

This one Medium-Grade Spirit Stone was worth half a year of his wages!

His disgusted face instantly blossomed like a flower, his back bent immediately, and he said obsequiously: "Oh my, honored guest, you jest!"

"Please, honored elder, come inside! This dog... ahem, this spiritual pet is also welcome! I will arrange a private seat for you right away!"

Chen Xu snorted and walked inside swaggeringly with his hands behind his back.

Xiao Hei rolled its eyes at the waiter very arrogantly and followed behind with a gait that didn't recognize any relatives.

The hall was already packed, and the sounds of clinking cups and exchanging toasts rose one after another.

Chen Xu chose a slightly secluded corner to sit down, ordered two pots of the signature spirit wine "Drunken Immortal Brew," and asked for a few plates of sauce-marinated meat made from high-level Yao Beast meat.

With the wine and food served, Chen Xu poured for himself and drank, seemingly tasting the wine, but in reality, his ears twitched slightly, and the noisy discussions around him flowed clearly into his ears like a hundred rivers returning to the sea.

"Have you heard? The scale of this centennial ceremony hosted by Tianbao Pavilion is unprecedented!"

At the next table, two middle-aged Cultivators wearing brocade robes were talking in lowered voices.

"Need you ask? It is said that for this ceremony, the Lin family has spent a fortune, even bringing out those treasures they have kept at the bottom of the box for many years."

"Heh, the Lin family has no choice. Haven't there been rumors lately that they suffered a great loss in that Secret Realm? They urgently need to recoup funds."

"Shh! You can't say that carelessly; be careful of ears behind the walls!"

One of them looked left and right, his voice dropping even lower: "However, having said that, the grand finale treasures of this auction are indeed tempting."

"Besides a few Top-Grade ancient treasures, I heard there is also the legendary 'tai xu realm stone'!"

Chen Xu, who was just picking up a piece of sauce-marinated meat to feed to Xiao Hei, paused slightly in his movements.

tai xu realm stone!

It really exists!

Chen Xu felt settled in his heart, but on the surface, he remained calm, continuing to listen to the conversation between the two.

"Although the tai xu realm stone is precious, it is used for setting up cross-Realm teleportation arrays; those of us at the Soul Transformation Stage Loose Cultivators can only watch the excitement. What I am truly interested in is the other grand finale item."

"Oh? You mean that fragmented map?"

"That's right! It is said to be a fragmented map of an ancient immortal mansion, containing secrets that lead to higher Realms... If one could..."

Just as the two were chatting more and more excitedly.

"Bang!"

A loud noise!

The originally noisy hall instantly quieted down, and everyone looked toward the entrance in astonishment.

A group of young Cultivators in gorgeous clothing strode in, each one haughty and arrogant, with noses pointed to the sky.

The leader wore a purple-gold Qilin robe, with a Top-Grade beautiful jade hanging at his waist; although his face was handsome, his long, narrow eyes revealed undisguised sinister and arrogant looks.

Behind him followed two black-clad Guards, their bodies exuding the powerful aura of the Early Stage of Soul Transformation.

Their gazes were like lightning, coldly sweeping across the hall.

More importantly, on the chest of this group's robes, a dark red "Lin" character was embroidered.

In this Zhenyuan City, this character represented the heavens.

"Young Master of the Lin family! It is Lin Tianci!"

Someone recognized the newcomer and exclaimed in a low voice, their tone full of wariness and fear.

Lin Tianci looked around the hall, his brows slightly furrowed, and he took out a snow-white handkerchief to cover his nose and mouth, as if the air here made him feel sick.

"Really, any stray cat or dog is eating here; it stinks to high heaven."

He tossed the handkerchief on the ground and waved his hand impatiently: "Clear the place. This Young Master is hosting distinguished guests today and doesn't want to see this eyesore trash."

As soon as his voice fell, the group of lackeys behind him immediately rushed up and began to barbarically drive away the diners.

"Get out, get out, get out! Didn't you hear Young Master Lin's words?"

"If you don't leave, we'll break your legs!"

"This table is ours; get lost quickly!"

Although the Cultivators who were still eating were angry, once they saw it was the Lin family's Young Master, they all dared to be angry but dared not speak.

Who didn't know that this Lin Tianci was a notorious Devil King? Offending him, let alone not being able to make a living in Zhenyuan City, whether one could walk out of the city gate alive was a question.

"That is my Spirit Stone; you haven't given me change yet!"

"Don't push! I'm leaving, aren't I!"

The hall was immediately in chaos, tables and chairs overturned, and bowls and dishes shattered.

Just at this moment, Lin Tianci's gaze suddenly landed on a female Cultivator at the next table.

Although the female Cultivator was in plain clothes, she couldn't hide her beautiful appearance; she was just about to stand up and leave when she was blocked by one of Lin Tianci's subordinates.

"Yo, this little lady is quite pretty."

Lin Tianci stepped forward, the folding fan in his hand flirtatiously lifting the female Cultivator's chin, a flash of lewdness appearing in his eyes: "Since we met by fate, why not stay and have a couple of drinks with this Young Master? As long as you serve this Young Master comfortably, rewarding you with a few Top-Grade Spirit Stones is not an issue."

The female Cultivator, filled with both shame and indignation, suddenly turned her head and shook off the folding fan, her voice trembling as she said, "Please, Young Master Lin, show some self-respect!"

"Self-respect?"

Lin Tianci acted as if he had heard a joke, laughing heartily, "In Zhenyuan City, my word is the rule! Asking you to pour wine is me showing you respect, don't be ungrateful!"

As he spoke, he reached out to grab the female Cultivator's wrist.

Seeing this, the surrounding diners lowered their heads and quickened their pace to leave, terrified of getting involved.

This kind of drama, where he forcefully seized women, was not the first time Young Master Lin had done it; who dared to interfere?

However, amidst this chaotic scene where everyone was in a panic and looking out for themselves.

In the corner of the hall, there was a spot that seemed completely out of place.

There, an old man wearing a tattered gray robe was leisurely pouring wine into his own cup.

His movements were slow and steady, his expression indifferent, as if all the clamor around him had nothing to do with him.

At his feet, that mangy dog was lying on the ground, gnawing on a large bone with great relish, not even bothering to glance at the fierce-looking Lin family Guards.

This strange scene quickly caught the attention of the Lin family members.

After all, in a flock of sheep fleeing in panic, the sudden appearance of an old ox calmly grazing was simply too conspicuous.

"Hmm?"

Lin Tianci released the trembling female Cultivator, turned his head, and locked his cold gaze onto Chen Xu in the corner.

In his life, he hated two types of people the most.

One was those who were richer and more powerful than him, and the other was those who dared to act calmer than him while he was present.

The old beggar before him clearly belonged to the latter, and was the type of "arrogant pauper" that infuriated him the most.

"Whose old dog is that? Are your ears deaf?"

Lin Tianci pointed at Chen Xu, his tone chilling.

A Guard nearby who wanted to show off immediately let out a sinister laugh and strode over.

"Old thing! My Young Master told you to get lost, do you want to die here?"

The Guard walked to the table and, seeing Chen Xu still drinking to himself, immediately flew into a rage.

He was a Cultivator at the Early Stage of Soul Transformation, accustomed to running rampant in the city, so when had he ever been ignored like this?

"Smack!"

The Guard slammed his hand onto the table, shaking the wine pot until it jumped.

"I'm talking to you! Deaf?"

Only then did Chen Xu slowly put down his wine cup and lift his head slightly.

He glanced at the Guard, then looked at the playful-looking Lin Tianci in the distance, and said in a hoarse voice, "Young man, don't be so hot-tempered. This wine isn't finished yet; it would be a pity to waste it."

"Drink your grandfather!"

The Guard felt insulted, roared, extended his palm-leaf-sized hand, and reached directly for Chen Xu's shoulder.

This claw contained the spiritual power of the Soul Transformation Stage; if it landed, let alone an old man on the verge of death, even a piece of refined iron would have its shoulder blades crushed.

He wanted to throw this old thing out like a dead dog to entertain the Young Master.

The diners around who hadn't managed to run out yet couldn't bear to watch and closed their eyes.

However, the sound of bones breaking that they expected did not come.

Just at the moment the Guard's fingers touched Chen Xu's robe.

Chen Xu's gaze suddenly changed.

In his previously murky old eyes, a flash of purple-gold light suddenly appeared.

"Hum!"

The Guard only felt as if his palm had touched a piece of black ice that had remained frozen for eternity.

It was as if he had reached into an endless abyss of thunder.

An indescribable, immense terror surged through his fingertips and instantly rushed into his Sea of Consciousness!

In his mental world, the hunched old man before him disappeared.

Replaced by a supreme god-demon standing between heaven and earth, bearing the galaxy on its back!

The god-demon just indifferently looked down at him.

That gaze was like a tangible mountain, crashing down!

"Ah—!!!"

A scream exploded from the Guard's throat.

There was not a trace of pain in this scream.

It was entirely pure, extreme fear!

The burly man with the cultivation of the Early Stage of Soul Transformation instantly rolled his eyes back, his body trembling violently like a sieve.

Immediately after, with a "thud."

His knees went weak, and he knelt directly in front of Chen Xu.

A foul, pungent stench quickly spread.

He had actually been scared into wetting his pants!

"This..."

The entire Drunken Immortal Tower fell into instant silence.

Everyone widened their eyes, looking at this scene in disbelief.

No one had seen what happened.

That old man clearly hadn't even lifted a hand, nor had he even emitted any spiritual power fluctuations.

How did that fierce-looking Guard suddenly kneel down?

And in such a disgraceful way?

"Trash! What are you doing?!"

In the distance, Lin Tianci's expression changed abruptly, a mix of shock and rage.

His own personal Guard was actually kneeling to an old beggar?

This was simply slapping his face hard!

"Get up! Kill him! I want to tear him into ten thousand pieces!"

Lin Tianci roared, a brutal aura rising from his body; he closed his folding fan, turning it into a sharp blade, and was about to rush up and attack himself.

"Young Master! Wait!"

Just then, a gray-robed old man who had been standing half a step behind Lin Tianci, silent as a shadow, suddenly flashed into position, blocking Lin Tianci.

This old man had a withered face and sunken eyes, but the aura he emitted was several times stronger than those two Guards.

Peak of the Nascent Soul Stage Late Phase!

This was the expert steward the Lin family had specially sent to protect this spendthrift Young Master.

"Uncle Fu, why are you stopping me? This old thing dared to humiliate my Lin family's people!"

Lin Tianci's face was twisted.

The old man called Uncle Fu ignored his Young Master's roaring, instead staring with a grave expression at Chen Xu, who was sitting in the corner.

Cold sweat had already seeped onto his forehead at some point.

Just a moment ago, he had also felt that fleeting trace of aura.

Although faint, although obscure, that sense of oppression originating from the depths of his Soul made him, an old Jianghu veteran who had licked blood off the edge of a blade for a hundred years, instinctively feel a fatal threat.

This seemingly ordinary old man was definitely not simple!

It was very likely he was an old monster who had hidden his cultivation!

Furthermore, to be able to silently shock a Soul Transformation Cultivator into an idiot with just his Divine Thought, this kind of means... it was terrifying to think about!

"This... Fellow Daoist."

Uncle Fu took a deep breath, bowed slightly to Chen Xu, his tone filled with probing and vigilance: "My Young Master is young and frivolous, and has offended you."

"However, this Drunken Immortal Tower has indeed been reserved by my Young Master. If it is convenient for you, Fellow Daoist, please move elsewhere. Today's wine bill will be covered by my Lin family."

These words seemed polite, but were actually needles hidden in cotton.

It both provided a way out and brandished the Lin family's reputation.

Lin Tianci looked at his steward in disbelief: "Uncle Fu, you..."

Uncle Fu just shook his head slightly, stopping him with a stern look.

The Great Ceremony was imminent, the city was a mix of dragons and snakes, and the family head had given a thousand instructions and ten thousand warnings.

Never provoke a strong enemy of unknown background at this time.

Chen Xu gently swirled the wine cup in his hand and drank the last drop of wine.

He slowly stood up and brushed the non-existent dust off his robe.

"The Lin family? Such great prestige."

Chen Xu said calmly.

He didn't even glance at the Guard who was still twitching on the ground, and with Little Black, he walked slowly toward the door.

When passing by Lin Tianci, Chen Xu's footsteps suddenly stopped.

He tilted his head slightly, his murky old eyes locking gazes with Lin Tianci for an instant.

"Young man, the road is long. If you walk the night path too often, be careful... of meeting a ghost."

After speaking, a meaningful smile appeared on Chen Xu's face. He took a Medium-Grade Spirit Stone from his bosom and, with a "ding" sound, casually flicked it onto the table beside him.

"The wine money, keep the change."

Subsequently, man and dog walked out of the Drunken Immortal Tower with composure, under the gaze of countless eyes filled with awe and fear.

Until Chen Xu's figure completely disappeared at the end of the street.

The atmosphere in the hall, which had been suppressed to the extreme, eased slightly.

"Bastard! You bastard!"

Lin Tianci was trembling with rage, kicking the table beside him into pieces. "Uncle Fu! Why did you stop me? This old immortal is so arrogant, does my Lin family really fear a mere Loose Cultivator?!"

Uncle Fu looked at the Spirit Stone on the ground, his expression shifting.

"Young Master, this person is unfathomable. The Divine Sense pressure from just a moment ago made even this old servant feel palpitations. With the Great Ceremony imminent, it is not advisable to create extra complications."

"Are we just going to let it go?!" Lin Tianci gritted his teeth.

"Of course not."

A trace of viciousness flashed in Uncle Fu's eyes. "I have already memorized his aura. In this Zhenyuan City, no one has ever been able to escape once targeted by the Lin family. After the Great Ceremony ends, we will find out his background, and then..."

He made a throat-slitting gesture.

Lin Tianci felt slightly relieved and spat viciously. "Old thing, consider yourself lucky for running fast! Don't let me catch you next time!"

However, this pair of master and servant did not know.

Just at the moment they brushed past each other earlier.

A purple-gold rune had already silently attached itself to the back of Lin Tianci's neck.

Then it slowly seeped into his skin.

...

At this moment, Chen Xu had already blended into the bustling crowd.

He was not in a hurry to return to the inn, nor did he care about the Lin family's subsequent reactions.

Because in his eyes, that Lin family Young Master was already a "living dead man."

The reason he left a Divine Sense mark with that glance just now was not only for revenge, but also because he had sensed an extremely special spatial fluctuation on Lin Tianci.

"It seems that the secrets hidden on this Lin family Young Master are more than I imagined."

Chen Xu thought to himself, his mood becoming very pleasant.

This trip to Zhenyuan City, even without counting the tai xu realm stone, this big fish alone was enough to make the trip worthwhile.

"Next, it's time to attend to business."

Chen Xu looked up toward the very center of the city, at the magnificent tower that soared into the clouds, built entirely of glazed glass, and radiating ten thousand zhang of precious light.

Tianbao Pavilion, which was also the venue for the auction three days later.