136: Chapter 136 Chengyue City

The sun was high in the sky as a streak of sword light descended before Chengyue City.

The frosty white glow in Xia Yingying's left eye slowly faded away.

"Alright, we've arrived."

Yue Xinxi's voice carried a sense of powerlessness.

"Thank you, Sister Xinxi."

Xia Yingying felt very embarrassed and dejected.

Even though she had reached the Foundation Establishment Stage, she still got lost in the sky just like she used to on the ground. Getting lost in the air was even worse!

"Focus on completing the Sect mission first. We've already been delayed on the way, and it wouldn't be good to drag it out for too long."

The voice in her Sea of Consciousness brought Xia Yingying back to her senses.

"Mm."

Xia Yingying composed herself and looked up at the city before her.

The city wasn't grand in scale; its greyish-blue walls bore the marks of time's erosion, yet it now radiated a vitality as if having survived a disaster. People came and went through the city gates, and though it wasn't as bustling as it once was, it was still well-ordered.

Upon entering the city, Xia Yingying's gaze was immediately drawn to a stone monument standing in the center of the gate square.

That was the erosion suppression monument!

The body of the monument was carved from greyish-blue spiritual jade, engraved with profound and complex runes, and was currently emitting a soft yet resilient hazy halo.

This halo was like a giant translucent bowl inverted over the city, enveloping all of Chengyue City and a small area nearby.

Outside the halo, most of the erosion qi drifting in the air was blocked. Although there was still erosion qi inside the city, it was significantly less, comparable to a typical Sect's Protective Sect Array.

"Look quickly, the erosion suppression monument's light is bright again! It's all thanks to the Immortals from the Moonshadow Sect for repairing it in time!"

"Yes, yes, that ghost tree root almost destroyed the monument last time. It was terrifying! If it weren't for the Immortals, we would..."

"I heard this year's taxes have been reduced by another ten percent! Sect Master Ling is truly a living deity, fighting Erosion Beasts and caring for us Mortals..."

"Exactly! Those other Immortal Revered Masters don't care whether we live or die. Encountering the Moonshadow Sect is the blessing of our Chengyue City!"

Along the streets, the discussions of the commoners reached Xia Yingying's ears.

Hearing their heartfelt gratitude and praise for her Revered Master and the Moonshadow Sect, Xia Yingying felt a warmth in her heart. Her round almond eyes curved into crescents, and a deep sense of pride welled up within her. Her Revered Master was truly amazing!

Humph!

In the Sea of Consciousness, although Yue Xinxi remained stubborn, she had to admit it.

Though this flirtatious Sect Master was lecherous beyond measure, when it came to protecting his territory and treating Mortals well... he was indeed a hundred times better than those other high-and-mighty Sects that viewed the mundane world as ants.

Xia Yingying fixed her gaze on the tallest building in the city and arrived at the City Lord's Manor. The manor wasn't large but was heavily guarded.

Entering the side hall, Xia Yingying found two people already waiting inside.

On the left was a woman dressed in green martial attire. She had an upright posture, and her brow carried a hint of the sharpness and caution unique to a Loose Cultivator. Her cultivation was around the first level of Foundation Establishment.

On the right was a woman in a fiery red dress. Her eyes were lively and spirited, revealing a spicy temperament. Her cultivation was at the second level of Foundation Establishment.

Neither side knew each other, and at this moment, they were both observing the newly arrived Xia Yingying with curiosity and scrutiny.

This young girl looked the youngest and had a temperament as pure as a mountain spring, yet she emitted the distinct fluctuations of the Foundation Establishment Stage.

"Tsk, two Loose Cultivators."

Yue Xinxi's cold voice rang out in the Sea of Consciousness, filled with her habitual wariness.

"Yingying, be careful. You never know what people are thinking. Who knows what they're planning? Keep your distance later!"

Xia Yingying's heart tightened slightly. But then, she remembered she was now a Disciple representing the Moonshadow Sect to take on a mission, and the Sect token at her waist felt heavy.

She took a deep breath and tried to straighten her small back, making herself look less timid.

"Sister Yue, they... don't seem like bad people," Xia Yingying responded softly in her Sea of Consciousness.

In Xia Yingying's perception, the two women's auras lacked malice or greed, and their soul light was clear; they were clearly not wicked people.

"Hmph! You can know a person's face but not their heart! Your Physique's perception sometimes..."

Yue Xinxi wanted to argue further, but thinking of the miraculous nature of Xia Yingying's Physique, she lacked confidence and could only snort coldly, "In any case, be careful in everything!"

Just then, a capable and efficient-looking woman walked quickly into the side hall.

She had a pleasant face and the composure of a leader, but her brow was clouded with a hint of lingering fatigue. Her cultivation was only at the seventh level of Qi Refining.

Her gaze quickly swept over the three people in the hall. When it brushed past the unique Moonshadow Sect token at Xia Yingying's waist, her eyes visibly brightened, and she immediately showed a sincere and slightly apologetic smile.

"I apologize for the lack of a proper welcome upon the arrival of the three Fairies."

She first bowed solemnly to Xia Yingying, keeping her posture very low.

"This young Fairy of celestial grace and jade-like quality, is that a Moonshadow Sect token at your waist? I am the City Lord of Chengyue City, Lin Wan. I am truly sorry; the situation was critical before, so in addition to sending a request for help to your noble Sect, I also posted notices in the city to invite assistance."

Lin Wan pointed to the other two women in the hall.

"These two Fellow Daoists are Cultivators who came after seeing the notice."

Lin Wan looked at Xia Yingying again and asked gently, "May I ask how I should address the young Fairy of the Moonshadow Sect?"

The three pairs of eyes fell on Xia Yingying. Her small face flushed slightly as she tried to steady her mind and returned the greeting somewhat awkwardly.

"Xia Yingying, Disciple of the Moonshadow Sect."

She specifically mentioned her Sect, puffing out her small chest a bit, trying to display the demeanor of a Moonshadow Sect Disciple.

"So it is Fairy Xia!"

Lin Wan's smile grew even wider, clearly placing great importance on the person from the Moonshadow Sect.

She turned to the two female Cultivators, her attitude equally polite: "I have yet to ask for the names of you two Fellow Daoists?"

The woman in red spoke first, her voice crisp and loud with a touch of frankness: "City Lord, you're too polite! I'm Zhao Hongyi. We were passing through, and the rewards and resources in the notice happened to be what we needed."

The woman in green bowed slightly, her voice cold and concise: "Ye Qinglan, Loose Cultivator." Short and to the point.

Lin Wan nodded with a smile: "So it is Fairy Zhao and Fairy Ye."

"The three of you have arrived just in time. I'll have to trouble you three Fairies this time."

She then explained: "The troublemaking Erosion Beast is entrenched deep in Beiyue Mountain, twenty li to the north. Its strength is roughly at the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment. This beast is cunning and stays in its nest. If you three Fairies go together, you can look out for one another, which would be safer."

Lin Wan's tone became even more sincere: "Please rest assured, regardless of which Fairy kills the beast or if it's a joint effort, Chengyue City has already prepared the appropriate rewards. Spirit Stones, Medicinal Pills, or any Materials you need—just ask, and we certainly won't let you lose out."

Having said that, Lin Wan called for a female guard who had been waiting outside. The woman was dressed in light armor, looked heroic and spirited, and had a steady aura; she was clearly a Cultivator as well.

"Commander Diao, you will guide the three Fairies to the entrance of Beiyue Mountain."

"Yes, City Lord!"

Commander Diao cupped her fists and accepted the order.

She turned and bowed to Xia Yingying's group, making a "please" gesture with a steady gaze: "Fairies, please follow me."

Xia Yingying nodded, feeling a bit more at ease.

Zhao Hongyi grinned at her and said boisterously, "Don't be afraid, little sister. Big sister will look out for you!"

Ye Qinglan only gave her a slight nod as a greeting. The three of them then followed Commander Diao out of the City Lord's Manor.