265: Murong Qianye's meeting

Juyan City truly lived up to its reputation as the third great city of the north. Its bustling atmosphere far surpassed any town Qin Feng and the others had seen before.

The city walls were built from locally produced crimson "Fire Vein Rock," towering ten zhang high, majestic and thick, gleaming under the sunlight with a luster that blended metallic strength and scorching heat. The city gate was a hive of activity with streams of traffic and pedestrians. Besides the usual merchants and Martial Artists, there were many men clad in heavy leather armor, exuding a fierce and capable aura with a distinct military style, as well as numerous Cultivators with slightly reddish skin and faint heat rising from their bodies, clearly practicing fire-attribute Cultivation Techniques.

As soon as they entered the city, a wave of noise and heat washed over them.

The streets were wide enough for several carriages to travel side by side, paved with polished blue stone slabs worn shiny by countless wheel ruts and footprints. Shops lined both sides of the street, their banners fluttering. In stark contrast to the tranquil mountains and forests where Medicine King Valley was located, most shops here were related to "fire," "weapons," or "Ore."

The most eye-catching were the dazzling array of weapon shops and Medicinal Pill stores.

Outside the weapon shops, samples of various weapons like sabers, spears, swords, and halberds were often hung, glinting coldly. Many weapons naturally bore flame patterns or faintly emitted a crimson glow, obviously incorporating locally produced fire-attribute Ore. Shop assistants energetically hawked: "Come take a look! Hundred-fold refined steel swords tempered by Earth Fire! Enchanted with fire-System Runes, power doubled!" "Family heirloom craftsmanship, custom fire-attribute divine weapons up to Earth Rank, delivery in three months!"

From the Medicinal Pill stores wafted a strange medicinal aroma mixing sulfur, metal, and plants. Display windows showcased pill bottles and jade boxes of various colors, with labels reading "Fire Spirit Pill," "Lava Vein Protection Powder," "Fire Avoidance Pill," "Earth Fire Body Refining Ointment," and so on. These were mostly pills assisting fire-attribute Cultivation, resisting high temperatures, or refining the Physical Body. Though expensive, they still attracted a steady stream of customers.

Besides these, there were shops specializing in selling various strange Ores, fire-attribute Yao Beast Materials, even Earth Fire ignition devices, and forging tools, dazzling the eye. The air was filled with the clanging of metal forging, the roaring of furnace fires, the cries of vendors, the conversations of Martial Artists, mixed with the faint heat emanating from the depths of the earth's veins, painting a vibrant, rough-hewn, and scorching picture full of life and vitality.

"Wow, this place... is really lively!" Xia Ya, carrying her giant shield, looked around curiously, especially interested in those intimidatingly shaped giant weapons and heavy armor.

"Fire-attribute resources are indeed abundant." Ji Ruxue's cool eyes swept over those pills, assessing which types might be useful for Qin Feng's injury recovery.

Xiao Chun was drawn to a shop selling various fire-attribute Spiritual Plants and strange crystals. Plants growing near volcanic lava held great research value for her.

Qin Feng felt the dense fire-attribute spiritual Qi in the air, and the remnant Hunyuan True Essence within him seemed to stir slightly. His gaze swept over the street, noticing many Martial Artists with not-weak auras, among whom even faint Divine Thoughts at the Martial King level swept by. Clearly, Juyan City was a place where dragons and tigers hid.

The four of them traveled along, not drawing too much attention, trying to blend into the crowd. They first strolled along the city's main streets to familiarize themselves with the environment, then found a clean, tidy, medium-sized inn named "Cloud-Coming Lodge" in the relatively quiet western district. They took two adjacent superior rooms: Qin Feng and Tao Yuanyi in one, Xiao Chun, Ji Ruxue, Xia Ya, and Cold Peach Blossom in the other.

After settling in, everyone washed up briefly, then gathered in Qin Feng's room to discuss the next steps. Juyan City was just a stopover; their target was the Imperial Capital. However, this place was rich in information and resources. Perhaps they could stay for a day or two to replenish supplies and inquire about the latest routes and news regarding travel to the Imperial Capital.

As dusk fell, lanterns were lit. Juyan City's night was equally bustling, with many taverns, gambling dens, and even underground arenas opening for business, brightly lit.

There was still some time before the System refreshed at the zi hour. Qin Feng was about to let everyone return to their rooms to rest while he meditated briefly.

Just then—

"Tap, tap, tap."

The door was gently knocked, unhurried.

Tao Yuanyi, being closer to the door, stood up and asked, "Who is it?"

From outside came the respectful yet slightly nervous voice of an inn attendant: "Esteemed guests, there are several distinguished guests downstairs who say they are... old acquaintances of yours. They wish to invite you down for a chat."

Old acquaintances? Qin Feng and Tao Yuanyi exchanged glances, seeing confusion and wariness in each other's eyes. What old acquaintances did they have in Juyan City?

"Do you know the names of the visitors?" Tao Yuanyi asked solemnly.

"This... I don't know, but those few have an extraordinary bearing. The leader is a gentleman in purple robes, and there's one wearing a mask... They directly found the manager and specified your room." The attendant's voice grew even lower.

Purple robes? A mask? Qin Feng's heart jolted violently! An ominous premonition surfaced. He quickly signaled Tao Yuanyi with his eyes while gesturing for Xiao Chun, Ji Ruxue, and Xia Ya in the room to be on guard.

"Understood, we'll be down shortly." Tao Yuanyi dismissed the attendant.

The door closed, and the atmosphere in the room instantly turned tense.

"Purple robes... a mask... Could it be..." Ji Ruxue's face changed slightly, thinking of the Blood-Filled Tower's attire style and certain habits of its higher-ups.

"Blood-Filled Tower? How could they be here? And coming to find us?" Xia Ya clenched her fist.

Qin Feng took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down: "If it's fortune, it can't be avoided; if it's misfortune, it can't be escaped. Since they've come knocking, hiding is useless. Let's go down and see. Everyone, be careful. Play it by ear."

Everyone nodded, each checking their soldiers carried by the body (carried weapons). Qin Feng tightly gripped the ink plum sword, the heavenly silkworm jade thread garment quietly activating.

The group descended the stairs with wary expressions.

Most of the tables and chairs in the inn's ground floor hall had been cleared away, leaving only a square table and three chairs placed in the center.

Three people sat by the table.

In the main seat facing the stairs was a middle-aged man wearing dark purple brocade robes with subtle blood-red Mandala patterns embroidered on the collar and cuffs. His face was handsome, yet it carried the authority of long-standing high status and a trace of elusive weariness. His eyes were deep as an ancient well as he leisurely sipped tea. This was precisely the master of the Blood-Filled Tower—Murong Qianye!

To his left sat a man wearing a half silver mask, revealing only a cold, hard jawline and thin lips. His aura was obscure and profound. This was one of the deputy masters of the Blood-Filled Tower, codenamed "Golden Mask," with Late-stage Martial Sovereign cultivation!

What made Qin Feng and the others' pupils constrict sharply was the person sitting to Murong Qianye's right, head lowered, face complex, not daring to meet their gaze—it was none other than Ye Wuyou!

How could she be with the Tower Master and Deputy Tower Master?! Could it be... In an instant, the hairs on Qin Feng and the others' necks stood on end as if facing a formidable enemy! Xia Ya instinctively moved to shield Xiao Chun. Ji Ruxue's fingers had already reached for the dagger in her sleeve. Tao Yuanyi locked his aura onto the Silver-masked Deputy Tower Master. Qin Feng stared fixedly at Murong Qianye.

The air in the hall seemed to solidify. The innkeeper and attendants had long since hidden themselves somewhere. Only a few lanterns in the corners burned quietly, casting elongated shadows of the two sides in confrontation onto the walls.

Murong Qianye seemed not to feel the almost tangible hostility and Killing Intent. He gently set down his teacup, lifted his eyelids, and calmly swept his gaze over Qin Feng and the others, finally resting on Qin Feng's face. The corner of his mouth lifted into a faint, seemingly smiling curve.

"Qing Xue, we meet again. As for the Qin Feng lad behind you, and the others... this is our first meeting. No need to be nervous. Sit down and have some tea, how about it?"

His voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable magnetism, as if everything was under his control.