327: Can you tell me about it?

The three of them found a small table and sat down. Zhou Yan ordered a few more dishes. Before the food was served, he looked at Bai Ling, who had a face full of surprise, and Xuanyuan Qingyao, who was currently popping snacks into her mouth one after another.

"Fellow Daoist Bai, I forgot to tell you just now."

"Actually, Qingyao arrived yesterday, looking quite travel-worn. When I asked her what happened, she only said she had picked up some good things and fallen down on the way."

"But hearing what you said, I now understand what she went through."

Bai Ling was even more bewildered upon hearing this.

"What's the situation? Weren't you being hunted by a group from the Spirit Race?"

"How do you dare to come over so openly? Aren't you afraid of being blocked on the road?"

Xuanyuan Qingyao looked perfectly calm.

"When they chased, I ran. When they chased again, I ran again."

"Later, I got tired of running and realized I had already reached the Northern Border."

"After that, I sold some of the things I picked up in the Secret Realm on the Black Market, which indeed quickly attracted some people's attention."

"I found an opportunity to shove the tracking Magic Treasures they were using back to them, and then no one chased me anymore. After that, I ran all the way here."

Hearing her say this, Zhou Yan and Bai Ling finally understood.

Despite her somewhat dazed appearance, this person was truly shrewd.

She sold a batch of stolen goods to exchange for resources and left another batch to draw fire. The Black Market has its own special ways of handling stolen goods, but those looking to rob her wouldn't find it so easy to deal with, and it would inevitably take some time.

And this happened to divert attention away from her.

She had even gone out of her way to lure the highwaymen; her methods were so practiced that it seemed to have become a habit.

Bai Ling, however, felt even more dejected.

He had originally thought he had arrived quite early, but it turned out he wasn't even as early as someone who was being hunted.

It seemed he had indeed slackened; he would definitely have to do extra training when he got back.

The dishes were soon all served.

Looking at the table full of high-grade, aromatic Spirit Food, Bai Ling was just about to express his admiration when Xuanyuan Qingyao had already swept through them like a whirlwind.

Under their helpless gazes, Zhou Yan had no choice but to order another set.

The three of them chatted and strolled through the Commercial Street, and before they knew it, a day had passed.

Afterward, the three of them split up.

Zhou Yan went to the competition venue and began the final arrangements with several Elders.

Meanwhile, Xuanyuan Qingyao went to get some good rest to prepare for the upcoming competition.

As for Bai Ling, he began to wander aimlessly and soon saw a Disciple who had just finished moving goods and was coming out of the venue to rest.

Judging by the clothing, he seemed to be an Inner Sect Disciple, so Bai Ling stepped forward to strike up a conversation.

"Fellow Daoist, may I ask if you are an Inner Sect Disciple of Qingxu Grotto-Heaven?"

Bai Ling's luck was good; he had encountered a highly popular Inner Sect Disciple of Qingxu Grotto-Heaven right from the start.

The other person sized up his clothing and manner of speech, and combined with the current situation, quickly guessed that this was a guest from an external Sect. Thus, he pushed the goods to the side, clapped his hands, and walked over.

"I am an Inner Sect Disciple of Qingxu Grotto-Heaven, Fan Wujiu."

"You look unfamiliar, Fellow Daoist. Are you here to participate in the Three Sects Martial Competition?"

Seeing the other person's friendly tone, Bai Ling took the opportunity to strike up a conversation while handing over a bottle of Spirit Wine he had bought from the Commercial Street.

"Fellow Daoist, I just arrived at your noble Sect today. Since I'm about to participate in the competition, I don't know much about your Sect's recent situation and wanted to ask if there's any fresh news."

"Don't worry about me having ulterior motives. I am a Butian Pavilion Disciple, and this is my identity token."

Fan Wujiu had just become wary when he saw the other person hand over even his token. On it was written "Bai Ling," and the style was indeed that of a Butian Pavilion Inner Sect token. It was just that the other person didn't seem very old, yet the token looked quite aged; he must be skilled in the art of maintaining a youthful appearance.

After dispelling his doubts, he looked at the bottle of wine. This was Spirit Wine produced by the Commercial Street established by the Saint. A single pot cost over a hundred thousand Spirit Stones. Even if he was a Nascent Soul Cultivator, it would usually be painful to drink.

His eyes darted around, and he quickly took it and stuffed it into his sleeve.

"Ahem, feel free to ask anything. Since we are friendly Sects, there's nothing that can't be said."

The two of them quickly started chatting. Fan Wujiu was indeed a model Senior Brother, carrying a natural affinity for caring for juniors when he spoke; Bai Ling's words were pleasant to hear, and he himself loved to inquire, so the more the two chatted, the more they hit it off.

Before long, the major and minor events of Qingxu Grotto-Heaven over the past year had been discussed thoroughly. The two of them almost wanted to become sworn brothers on the spot.

Midway through the conversation, Bai Ling felt that just talking was a bit dry, so he took out another pot of wine, filled two cups, and began drinking with Fan Wujiu.

Fan Wujiu originally wanted to decline because the potency of Spirit Wine is not easily dissipated, and drinking could easily lead to mistakes.

But when he saw that this wine also came from the Commercial Street and was still quite expensive, he ultimately couldn't resist and started drinking with Bai Ling.

Perhaps getting a bit tipsy, Fan Wujiu looked around. Although no one was in sight, he still felt it wasn't safe, so he pulled Bai Ling over and lowered his voice.

"Brother Bai, you and I hit it off immediately. I'll tell you some things that usually can't be said. However, this place is too conspicuous; let's find a quiet corner."

When Bai Ling heard there was more gossip to be had, his interest grew even higher. The two of them immediately began looking for a suitable place for a private talk.

At the same time, the final arrangements at the venue were also being carried out intensely.

The Grand Elder and the Sect Master coordinated the overall situation, the Third Elder arranged personnel scheduling, and Zhou Yan made final adjustments to the part he was responsible for.

Originally, the competition's process followed the old precedents of the Butian Pavilion, but when the Elders saw that the Commercial Street managed by Zhou Yan was quite innovative, they casually asked him if he had any suggestions.

Although Zhou Yan didn't propose a revolutionary plan, he did have ideas on optimizing the experience.

For example, setting up a competition canteen to supply Spirit Food could both promote business and demonstrate the Sect's magnanimity.

At the same time, he installed large screens in the canteen and various resting areas to live stream the events in real-time, and additionally added segments such as opening and closing performances.

These didn't change the competition format but made the event as a whole appear more complete and thoughtful. Moreover, Taiyi City had its own factories, so many materials could be directly sourced, which was both convenient and economical.

Having just finished the final rehearsal, everyone was preparing to finish work and rest in order to welcome the Elders of various Sects tomorrow.

Yes, the Elders and Disciples did not arrive together.

Most Disciples of the Butian Pavilion and Liyan Holy Land grow up within their Sects and only go out for experience once they reach the Nascent Soul Stage. Qingxu Grotto-Heaven is the opposite, encouraging Disciples to venture out before the Nascent Soul Stage and only focusing on cultivation within the Sect afterward.

Therefore, Disciples of various Sects often set out from different locations, and only the Elders set off together.

Also, because the people being received were different, the arrangements were divided into "Elders meeting Elders, Disciples meeting Disciples." This was precisely why Zhou Yan went to receive Bai Ling and Xuanyuan Qingyao.

Just as everyone was preparing to leave the field, a Disciple suddenly discovered that a few Microphones were missing and couldn't help but complain.

"Stuff produced in the East Territory is such a hassle. Clearly, a single Sound Transmission Technique could solve it, yet they insist on using equipment."

"It's so easy to lose; the bit of magic power saved isn't even worth the effort of finding it."

"It seems I'll have to suggest to the Saint that it's better to just use magic power for sound transmission."

"But where did I put them last... seems like a small room? The Utility Room?"

He scratched his head, intending to start searching from the first possible place.

Meanwhile.

"Brother Bai, let's do it here."

Fan Wujiu led Bai Ling into a Utility Room.

"The competition rehearsal should be about over. At this time, the Utility Room will definitely be empty. Let's chat here."

Bai Ling nodded with a bit of a buzz and went in with him. The two of them casually moved some boxes to sit on and continued their idle chat while drinking.

As luck would have it, right under the box they were sitting on, those few missing Microphones were being pressed.

Due to the pressure, the Microphones' switches were triggered.

At this moment in the venue, everyone was about to leave and pack up when they heard a clear voice echoing throughout the entire field.

"I've just arrived, so I don't really have anything special I want to ask about. If I had to say, I'm quite interested in your Sect's Elders and the Saint."

"Brother Fan, tell me about it."

Everyone was stunned, and immediately after, another voice spread throughout the venue.

"No problem, feel free to ask anything. I will tell you everything I know without reservation."

As soon as these words were spoken, the Grand Elder's face instantly darkened, because he was all too familiar with this voice—it was that of his foolish Disciple, Fan Wujiu.