Ask for a drink

The next morning!

Zhong Qing, accompanied by Qilin Xiao Hei and Little Ga, continued their journey.

The group traveled through the air.

Looking down, mountain ranges undulated below, layer upon layer, stretching endlessly.

They were filled with a sense of ancientness and vicissitude.

In the distance, some mountain ranges resembled white tigers soaring, others sleeping serpents, and still others great eagles spreading their wings.

Every mountain range was extraordinarily unique.

Some mountain ranges even seemed to be nurturing ancient Vicious Beasts.

At the same time, within the mountains, some Human Race figures could vaguely be seen.

Although dangerous, the great mountains were also filled with various Opportunities and good fortune. Clearly, these people were all there for treasure hunting.

This was not uncommon.

Since leaving the Mystic Realm Mine, Zhong Qing had seen many treasure hunters along the way.

Among them, there were not a few teams of companions who fought fiercely over a single Spirit Medicine.

Nor were there a few who ruthlessly killed their companions in order to seize the Opportunity they had found.

Although the Central Continent was a land of outstanding individuals, producing many Prodigies.

But what he had seen and heard these past few days made Zhong Qing understand that behind this prosperity and flourishing lay an even more bloody and cruel Law.

...

After half a day, the three left the mountain boundaries.

Signs of human activity appeared in the distance.

Seeing the increasing density of human habitation ahead, Qilin Xiao Hei said loudly, "Master, to avoid unnecessary trouble for you, I should temporarily hide!"

Zhong Qing nodded.

Kirin's special identity meant that he would attract countless gazes the moment he appeared.

Although he wasn't afraid of trouble, he disliked it.

If it could be avoided, it was best to avoid it.

Soon, Kirin transformed back into a totem, wrapping around Zhong Qing's hand.

As Kirin disappeared, Little Ga looked pitifully at Zhong Qing: "Master, I want to go in too!"

Zhong Qing picked up the little fellow with one hand and tossed him directly into the totem space.

Zhong Qing, now alone, subconsciously took a swig of wine, only to find that the wine given by Wu Zhao's three brothers earlier was already empty.

He glanced down from the clouds and saw a wine shop on the ancient road.

The wine shop was small, a pavilion built from ancient wood and straw mats.

It could be seen that outside the wine shop, many people were waiting around, indicating good business.

Zhong Qing moved, descending from the clouds.

Such an entrance, if it were in the Eastern Region, would certainly cause a stir.

However, this was the Central Continent.

Due to its unique environment, people living in the Central Continent, once they reached adulthood, even those who had never cultivated, possessed a thousand jin of Divine Power.

Moreover, the practice of Cultivation was prevalent in the Central Continent.

In a crowd, if you casually threw a brick, you would most likely hit a Cultivator.

For Cultivators descending from the sky, it was as common as eating and drinking here, not surprising at all.

Therefore, Zhong Qing's arrival did not attract much attention.

At most, some people, seeing his extraordinary temperament and handsome appearance, expressed a small gasp of admiration.

But that was all.

Just as Zhong Qing was about to step into the wine shop to buy wine.

The voice of the waiter came from inside.

"Sirs, I am terribly sorry, our shop's wine is already sold out."

"The shopkeeper has already sent people into the city to get more stock."

"Wine will only be available tomorrow at noon. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and we hope you will bear with us."

As soon as these words were spoken, curses erupted from the scene.

Most of the people appearing on this ancient road were those returning from explorations in the great mountains.

With no village ahead and no inn behind.

Only this wine shop could replenish their wine supply.

Now, hearing there was no wine, some people were naturally quite displeased and in a very bad mood.

But the waiter's humble and apologetic smiles left them with no Opportunity to vent their frustration.

One by one, they left with sullen faces.

Zhong Qing followed the crowd out of the wine shop.

Just as he was about to ask for directions to a nearby city.

"From your appearance, young brother, you came to buy wine. Now that the wine shop has no wine to sell, if you don't mind, why don't you come over for a drink?"

Just then, at the entrance of an inn opposite the wine shop, a middle-aged man invited Zhong Qing.

Inns were the most common places in the Central Continent.

Built by local Sect forces, they were specifically for the rest of specific people.

Similar to the official inns of Zhong Qing's previous life.

Of course, in this Chaotic Land, there was no Dynasty control.

Or rather, some places indeed had Kingdoms.

But the authority of Sects completely surpassed that of royal power.

Those who could stay in an inn were not ordinary people.

Clearly, the middle-aged man who invited Zhong Qing had a status significantly higher than ordinary people.

Many people who came out of the wine shop showed more or less respect on their faces when they saw him.

Zhong Qing confirmed again: "Your Excellency, are you calling me?"

The middle-aged man smiled: "Indeed!"

"May I ask if young brother would honor me with his company for a drink?"

"Of course!"

Zhong Qing also smiled.

Someone inviting him to drink, he naturally couldn't ask for more.

The inn was very large!

It had seven stories!

It was built right by this ancient road, opposite the wine shop.

It was extremely grand.

There were pavilions, towers, and even gardens with rockeries and flowing water.

There were resting areas, entertainment areas, and even Dao discussion areas...

Zhong Qing was led into a pavilion.

On the pavilion table, there were rare fruits and fine wine.

The middle-aged man smiled: "My name is City Lord Gu Yan."

"May I ask what young brother's name is?"

As he spoke, he casually filled a cup for Zhong Qing.

"Zhong Qing!"

Zhong Qing was not polite and immediately drank it all.

"Brother Zhong, I saw you descend from the clouds earlier, and you possess an extraordinary aura. Are you a highly skilled Disciple from some great Sect?"

"You've misjudged this time."

"I am not a highly skilled Disciple from any great Sect."

"I merely come from a small Sect with an unremarkable reputation."

Zhong Qing did not treat himself as an outsider at all.

After one cup, still not satisfied, he filled another for himself.

This demeanor did not displease City Lord Gu Yan at all; instead, it made him smile even more broadly.

"Brother Zhong is truly a man of genuine character."

"In the vast sea of humanity, meeting each other is a kind of fate."

"And for those who meet and can form a connection, it is even more wonderful."

"The moment I saw Brother Zhong, I felt you were no ordinary person."

"Even if your background is not high, as long as you have lofty aspirations, one day, you may well carve out a world for yourself and achieve great accomplishments."

"Then I'll take your auspicious words!"

Zhong Qing smiled.

They say wine is a Sharp Weapon for making friends.

After a few cups, the two strangers gradually became acquainted.

After some conversation, Zhong Qing's performance made City Lord Gu Yan think even more highly of him.

Neither servile nor overbearing, neither hasty nor impatient.

His words and actions were unconventional, yet remarkably steady.

This suited his temperament very well.

Moreover, after some conversation, City Lord Gu Yan discovered that.

No matter whether he discussed astronomy, geography, or even Cultivation, the other party could answer fluently.

Could this be a Disciple cultivated by an unknown small Sect?

City Lord Gu Yan was not entirely convinced.

...