165: Biyun City

These words happened to strike a chord with Lin Yan. The smile on his face immediately lost some of its formality, replaced by a more genuine and honest expression.

"Senior, you flatter me too much. It actually makes me a bit embarrassed." He slightly raised his head, appearing somewhat arrogant.

[Name: Lin Yan]

[Cultivation: Qi Refining Ninth Layer]

[Spiritual Root: Five-Element Mixed Spiritual Root]

[Physique: None]

[Aptitude: Jiazi Qi Refining]

Chen Xuan lowered his gaze slightly, looking at the information popped up by the Samsara Heavenly Dao Eye. He hadn't expected that the first group of people he encountered upon arriving in the Profound Realm would have issues.

However, he had no intention of getting involved. His earlier act of saving them was solely to gather information. Now that he had some leads, the life and death, fortune and misfortune of these people were no longer his concern.

"By the way, Senior! May I ask where you came from? Why did you appear in this desolate wilderness?"

Chen Xuan casually fabricated a lie and said, "To be honest, the three of us are not from here. We were previously on a flying boat with our Sect, on our way to visit the Yin Shen Sect, when we encountered an attack. In the chaos, we accidentally got separated from our Sect and ended up here by chance."

Lin Yan listened with an understanding expression and didn't think too much about it. He immediately suggested, "In that case, Senior, why not come with us to Qingfeng Village and stay for a few days? When I return to the Sect, I can ask my Revered Master. He has lived for nearly a hundred years and has seen much of the world. He might know the whereabouts of the Yin Shen Sect."

Chen Xuan thought for a moment but didn't agree directly. Instead, he continued to inquire, "Besides Qingfeng Village, are there any other towns or Sects nearby?"

"Yes! Senior, yes."

Lin Yan quickly nodded, pointing westward, "About eighty li in that direction, there's Biyun City. It's the liveliest town in this area. You can try asking for information there!"

Biyun City!

Going there might be better for gathering information. As for following this group back to the village, Chen Xuan felt it would be too inefficient.

Chen Xuan cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for the information, Fellow Daoist. The three of us plan to try our luck in Biyun City first, so we won't accompany you back to the village. If there's an opportunity in the future, we'll trouble you again."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yan and his group all showed expressions of regret.

After all, having a Senior like Chen Xuan with such profound cultivation by their side was equivalent to an extra layer of security. Now that he was leaving, it inevitably made them feel less confident. But Lin Yan didn't try to persuade him further. He just sighed and forced a smile, "Since Senior has already made plans, I won't keep you. Please be careful on your journey, Senior!"

He paused and added, "If you encounter any trouble in the future, Senior, you can go two hundred li east to the Qinglan Sect to find me. Although I'm just an Outer Sect Disciple, I will definitely not refuse to help where I can!"

Chen Xuan was taken aback. This kid is quite considerate.

"Alright, thank you for your kind offer, Fellow Daoist."

After bidding farewell to Lin Yan and his group.

After parting ways with Lin Yan and his group, Chen Xuan took Mu Wanqing and Xiao Lingxian and swiftly headed toward Biyun City.

"Revered Master, I didn't expect the Profound Realm to be so impressive. That group we just met has only been cultivating for a year or two, and they're already almost at the Foundation Establishment Breakthrough." Mu Wanqing exclaimed in amazement.

Since chatting with Ye Hao and Junior Brother and the others, she had gained a bit more understanding of common knowledge in the cultivation world.

Not to mention anything else, just take the Yin Yang Sect, with whom we've had past grievances. If an ordinary Disciple in that Sect wants to touch the threshold of Foundation Establishment, it's impossible without ten to twenty years of diligent effort. Those with poorer Aptitude might even be stuck in the Qi Refining realm for their entire lives, unable to even get close to Foundation Establishment.

Chen Xuan's steps didn't stop as he calmly said, "Foundation Establishment may seem close to them, but they might never cross that threshold in this lifetime."

"Ah, Revered Master, why do you say that?"

Based on their cultivation speed, they should reach Foundation Establishment in another year or two.

Xiao Lingxian slightly narrowed her eyes and softly asked, "Revered Master, do you think there's something wrong with that group?"

Chen Xuan gently shook his head, his tone calm, "Whether there's something wrong or not has nothing to do with us. It was just a chance encounter; there's no need to delve deeper."

He paused and added, "Right now, the most important thing is to find the location of the Yin Shen Sect and reunite with Qi Yue and the others as soon as possible."

After all, there were many things waiting for him to do. After reuniting with Qi Yue and the others, they still needed to find a place with beautiful scenery to relocate the Sect.

Recalling the days in the Lesser Exquisite Grotto-Heaven, although that Daoist temple was dilapidated, the surrounding mountains and waters were elegant and tranquil.

Xiao Lingxian softly "mm-hmm"ed in acknowledgment.

Mu Wanqing blinked her clear, watery almond-shaped eyes and instinctively turned to look in the direction where Lin Yan and his group had left.

Since Revered Master didn't want to talk about this, she found another topic to continue the conversation. This Yellow-Skirts Girl seemed to have an endless stream of words. Her crisp voice rose and fell beside them, which actually dispelled some of the boredom of the journey.

Eighty li of mountain road was nothing for Chen Xuan and the other two; they covered it in a moment.

Soon, a green city wall appeared before the three of them. It wasn't very large, even smaller than East Stone Valley in the Eastern Region.

There were quite a few people coming and going at the city gate, but most of them were Mortals.

"Revered Master, where should we go to gather information now?" Mu Wanqing softly asked from the side.

Chen Xuan glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, "Use your own brain."

Mu Wanqing thought for a moment and gave a few answers, "An inn, a tavern, and... hey, there are quite a few people ahead. Should we go take a look?"

Chen Xuan sighed lightly.

Xiao Lingxian added from the side, "Senior Sister, the best place to gather information is naturally the City Lord's Mansion."

Mu Wanqing suddenly realized and laughed, "I just didn't have time to say it out loud."

After asking for directions, Chen Xuan and the other two quickly arrived at the entrance of the City Lord's Mansion in Biyun City.

The two Cultivators guarding the gate were casually observing the passersby, but as soon as their eyes fell on Chen Xuan, they immediately became more serious.

Although they couldn't discern the cultivation levels of Chen Xuan and the other two, they could tell from their demeanor and clothing that they were definitely not ordinary people.

After Chen Xuan stated his purpose, the guards quickly went inside to report. Not long after, a slightly plump figure hurried out from the direction of the main hall. He wore a dark blue brocade robe with a jade belt patterned with dark designs around his waist, and his face was adorned with a gentle smile.

"Honored guests from afar, the head of the household has gone out on business. If you don't mind, why not rest in the side hall of the mansion and have a cup of hot tea while you wait?"

Chen Xuan was about to refuse when he suddenly frowned, then nodded, "In that case, we'll trouble you."

Mu Wanqing and Xiao Lingxian, who were beside him, didn't know why their Revered Master had suddenly changed his mind, but they obediently followed behind without asking further.

"You're too polite, Young Master!" The steward said as he led the three inside, introducing himself, "My surname is Ding. I'm the steward of the City Lord's Mansion. You can call me Steward Ding."

Passing through two moon gates planted with magnolias, Steward Ding led the three to an elegant upper room.

After the three were seated, Steward Ding bowed and said sincerely, "According to the head of the household's instructions before leaving, if all goes well, he should return by noon tomorrow. As soon as he returns, I will immediately notify Mr. Chen. I won't delay your matters."

"If you have any needs, feel free to instruct the servants in the mansion."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xuan thought for a moment, then casually took out a lustrous Green Porcelain Jade Bottle from his sleeve. He raised his hand and offered the bottle to Steward Ding, his tone plain but not impolite:

"A small token of appreciation for our intrusion. Please accept it, Steward Ding."

Steward Ding was taken aback. After a few polite words, he accepted the bottle and left the courtyard.

"Then I'll thank Mr. Chen on behalf of the mansion! Please rest, the three of you. I'll take my leave now." After saying this, he bowed again and quietly exited the courtyard, leaving the space to Chen Xuan and the other two.