Chapter One, the inn's firewood room is warm as spring

Time flies, and the news of Halley's Comet passing over the Kyushu continent has become a mere anecdote. Few are aware that the world they inhabit once came perilously close to destruction

Could it be the Wang family from Lingnan Province? I have heard that peculiar individuals emerge from that family, which seems fitting.

Why not go to the Shengjing Immortal Gate instead of coming to the Lingjian Sect to seek a master? Although the Shengjing Immortal Gate has not held the Ascension Conference for a long time, it is not so difficult for the descendants of the Shengjing royal family to join the sect.

In the lobby, there is no shortage of extraordinary individuals from the princeling class, and Wang Lu's reputation quickly spread in hushed tones.

At this moment, the talented youth gathered in Lingxi Town, and Hai Yunfan had information on anyone with even a slight reputation or special skill. However, this young man before him was someone he had never heard of. Logically speaking, the extraordinary reasoning and barrier-breaking ability alone indicated that he was not an inconspicuous individual. As he thought of this, Hai Yunfan increasingly felt that this person was unfathomable. It was rumored that among those gathered here were not only the sons of worldly nobility but also the descendants of immortal cultivation families. Could it be...?

Hai Yunfan was not far from the counter, and his gaze quietly glanced at the register, just in time to see that person's name

Even Hai Yunfan could not help but ask: "Did you know all of this in advance?"

I have never heard of Wang Lu.

The two bodyguards hesitated to speak, and upon seeing this, Wen Bao sighed inwardly. They seemed to want to persuade him to apologize, but as the son of a grand national master, his status in the Canglan Kingdom was even above that of the crown prince. Now, he was actually expected to bow his head to a village girl, which was difficult for him to accept

The young man raised his eyebrows, sensing that the atmosphere was off, and then cleared his throat.

Lingxi Town serves as a transit point between the Lingjian Mountain Gate and the mortal realm. Under the protection of the mountain gate, every blade of grass and every tree is not to be harmed by outsiders, let alone the innkeeper's wife. In recent days, there have been those who do not heed warnings; the head of the bodyguards of the Crown Prince of Yan caused a disturbance while intoxicated and was beheaded by a passing Lingjian cultivator. The Crown Prince himself was subsequently kicked back to his country, never to be employed again. Compared to the great Yan Kingdom, which occupies half of Youzhou, the Canglan Kingdom is indeed a mere small nation, especially considering that the son of the national master is far inferior to a Crown Prince.

However, this is no longer of great importance; a voucher for accommodation in a superior room is not particularly significant. What truly matters is, who exactly is this young man?

Alright, a room is available. Please wait a moment while I have someone prepare it for you

The term "Wind Whisper" stands alone as a somewhat literary expression, but when paired with the words "Real Person," it refers to a renowned and unparalleled master in the realm of immortality cultivation.

Is the national master really that impressive? Even your emperor would be treated the same way! I have already said that this place is fully booked; do you not understand human language? Now, the princes of the Great Ming are all honestly squatting in the woodshed, yet you, the natives of this insignificant little country, wish to force your way into the main hall? Is this not deserving of a slap? Does the country of Canglan have no sense of propriety?

That young man does not have a normal mind; he spent an entire day running around both inside and outside the town for this accommodation voucher! Moreover, from beginning to end, no one told him that such persistence would yield a reward! What reason does he have for this?

The prince, who was looking for trouble, let out a cold laugh: "Then why don't you tell us how it will be sent to us?"

The news of the Lingjian Sect holding the Ascension Conference has spread across the Nine Provinces for three years. Those aged twelve and under, with no other conditions imposed, find this far more lenient compared to other sects that scrutinize family lineage back to eighteen generations. As a result, aspiring youths from all over the world have taken action upon hearing the news, including villagers from remote mountain villages, sons of wealthy families, and even princes from various nations. The allure of the immortal path is simply too strong; everything in the mortal realm pales in comparison.

Bang

Fortunately, the young man promptly changed the subject

The activities in Lingxi Town are clearly stated on the flyers distributed at the town entrance, which I have also examined in detail, but there is no mention of any accommodation vouchers.

People come from all corners of the world, holding high positions; although they are young, they have seen and heard everything new. However, when they listen to the young man recount the origin of this accommodation voucher, they can only feel it is incredible

Wang Lu

... ...

The hall fell silent for a moment, and then someone stood up to stir up trouble.

Do not make a scene in front of my store

Standing at the entrance of the store, Wen Bao took several deep breaths, gradually calming his emotions. He chose not to dwell on the humiliation he had just experienced, nor did he look at the malicious and mocking gazes from those around him—these young men, who also came from noble backgrounds, could usually maintain a good demeanor at home. However, in the absence of elder supervision and surrounded by rivals, they spared no effort in attacking their competitors.

Upon hearing this, the members of the royal faction in the hall were left speechless. The old man at the entrance of the town spoke in a vague and rambling manner, taking nearly half an hour just to introduce the town's main gate. Who has the time to listen to him recount the entire story of the town

This time, the members of the princeling faction have calmed down somewhat, as there is nothing that can be done in the face of infidelity

He has grown up without ever being hit by his father, yet unexpectedly, he was slapped hard by an innkeeper's wife!

The young man raised his eyebrows: "What is the need to know in advance? With a massive task chain laid out before us, any qualified adventurer would proceed all the way to the end!"

Alas, your discussion is one-sided; you still do not know whether the person is using their real name or not

It is not that simple. Afterward, you need to go to Liu's Dim Sum Shop, where the owner will inform you that the mille-feuille has already sold out. If you inquire further, you will learn that the teahouse owner bought ten portions of mille-feuille all at once. Proceed to the teahouse, where the owner is busy playing chess with a customer. At this moment, do not bother him about the mille-feuille; instead, discreetly offer him advice to help him win. Afterward, you will receive a portion of mille-feuille for free. Take the mille-feuille to the elderly man at the entrance, who will give you a letter of recommendation. With this letter, you can find the town mayor, who will ask you to collect materials... Then go to the tailor's shop... After that, head outside the village... Then... Afterward, go to the tailor's shop... Then head outside the village... After that... Finally, hand the copper ring to the elderly man at the town gate, and you will receive a lodging voucher.

Before Wen Bao could finish speaking, he saw the boss's wife furrow her brow, her figure moving like the wind as she delivered a swift kick. The two bodyguards, despite their impressive martial skills, were caught completely off guard, watching helplessly as the young master was kicked away like a sandbag, rolling down the slope in a tumble.

Did you not say there are no upper rooms? I, the young master, have spent a thousand taels of silver and still have no place to stay, not even a woodshed. What right does he have to occupy the upper room

However, when it comes to temperament, how can the present members of the princeling faction be any less? After a brief moment of astonishment, resentment once again surged.

Madam Boss, please provide an explanation

At this point, the boss lady also confirmed, "That's right, I came here with the prize ticket in hand, and you bunch of useless people should just keep quiet."

The people of Cangxi Prefecture are concerned with only one matter: the Ascension Conference of the Lingjian Sect, which has been interrupted for nearly a century, will take place early next month. It remains to be seen which talented individuals will emerge victorious.

The situation is not as you imagine it

Then ... ... you have to buy him a mille-feuille? He will give you a lodging voucher?

Hai Yunfan furrowed his brows; the boy's tone was so self-evident, as if only a fool would fail to understand. However, he indeed did not comprehend.

The young man smiled and said: "How could I clearly tell you what the next link is? You need to comprehend it yourself. After the old man finishes telling the story, he will cough a few times and say he is thirsty; at that moment, you should bring him some water to drink"

At this time, there is just over a week until the conference, and Lingxi Town at the foot of Lingjian Mountain is already overcrowded. As a transit station between Lingjian Mountain and the mortal realm, Lingxi Town has a permanent population of only a few hundred, but the transient population has now exceeded ten thousand. At this moment, not to mention the few inns that are few and far between, even the area next to the public restroom has been set up with tents, serving as a makeshift accommodation.

Hai Yunfan shook his head: "At that time, I also provided water."

Because the proprietress at the counter is also smiling, her smile is far more sincere than his, and in front of that smile stands a boy who appears to be around eleven or twelve years old, dressed in an unremarkable manner.

Then one must ask, but what dissatisfaction is there? The elder would reply, there is no dissatisfaction, I just suddenly remembered the thousand-layer cake from Zhendong Liujì

The Cloud Tai Empire is one of the most powerful nations on the Jiuzhou Continent, and Hai Yunfan is the most outstanding among the many offspring of the emperor. At the age of ten, people believed that one day he would displace his elder brother from the position of crown prince

If this accommodation voucher is a deliberate design of Lingxi Town, then the designer must be a fool, at least with some serious mental issues. Who could possibly conceive such an outrageously complicated procedure? Even someone as intelligent and meticulous as Hai Yunfan could only follow along to the second step before being unable to proceed. Yet there are still at least a dozen more steps waiting to be completed, each more absurd than the last

Hai Yunfan: "Indeed, that is why I instructed my servant to share a portion of the provisions I carry with me."

Hai Yunfan frowned: "... ... And then?"

or is it the Wang family of Shengjing

In front of the inn, three figures flew out and tumbled into a ball on the ground. Among them, two tall individuals, with blood streaming from their noses, shouted curses incessantly

Supported by two individuals, a young man with short brown curly hair, clearly of a young master status, was both bleeding from his nose and gazing with an incredulous and dazed expression at the coldly smiling innkeeper inside the door.

Who would have thought that this second prince would abandon an empire to come here in search of immortality

The Lingjian Sect has a sparse population and operates discreetly. When it comes to sect influence, it is not only inferior to the four top sects but also seems to fall short compared to the average first-rate sects. However, the five major sects shine with a dazzling reputation that is hard to overlook, and it has been a long time since the cultivation world held an Ascension Conference.

When Wen Bao entered the inn, a smile had already appeared on his face, but the smile lasted only a moment

Even the Spirit Sword Sect should adhere to reason

The foremost sect in the realm of cultivation, the Shengjing Immortal Gate, occupies the territory of Zhongzhou; the Kunlun Immortal Mountain, renowned as the origin of cultivation; the Wanfa Gate, known for its unparalleled collection of immortal texts and its reputation as a cultivation museum; the Junhuang Mountain, held by the strongest military in the Nine Provinces; and then there is the Lingjian Sect, which, despite lacking in personnel, funds, heritage, and lineage, is inexplicably included among the five major sects by the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance

The young man then said: "Then the old man would say, after drinking water and looking at the pictures in the book, he actually feels hungry."

Little girl, my master is the Grand Master of the Canglan Kingdom, how dare you treat us with such disrespect

However, the proprietress behind the counter has flushed cheeks, resembling an impending volcanic eruption

The young man patiently explained, "Because this reward is hidden and will not be given to you on the spot"

I do not have an affair with the boss's wife

The boy said, "He can say thank you, but it is evident that he is not enjoying the food."

As the speech concluded, the only sound left in the hall was the hurried heartbeat of the group of princes.

Wen Bao immediately felt a sense of indignation at being betrayed in his feelings. A superior room!? Wasn't it just said that it was fully booked, and even the prince of the Ming Dynasty was staying in a thatched cottage? What is this superior room all about now?

The Crown Prince turned his head, and many people gasped in shock, for they had already recognized him as the Second Prince of the Yuntai Empire from Yunzhou, Hai Yunfan

How high is it? Lingjian Mountain is so high, residing at the peak of Lingjian Mountain, esteemed as the leader of a sect, this is Master Fengyin

The proprietress is a businesswoman, and a businessperson treats others kindly without being ruthless. This kick, though seemingly fierce, is actually gentle. Wen Bao does not feel much pain, yet his whole body is sore and numb, unable to move. He can only roll along the narrow slope outside the shop, rolling and rolling...

... ...

Immediately, someone ran out to watch, and beside the words "Ruijia Inn," the signature of the calligrapher was prominently inscribed as "Fengyin"

Hai Yunfan's gaze was resolute: "I have finished listening to the old man's story, but there is no next link."

Oh, the process is as follows: first, engage in conversation with the elderly gentleman distributing flyers at the town gate. He will narrate the story of this town and provide information about various facilities within the town, including hotels, inns, grocery stores, and so on. It is important to listen patiently until he finishes in order to trigger the next step.

The proprietress looked down upon such questions entirely, tilting her head and revealing a contemptuous smile that suggested the insignificance of the young man in terms of strategy.

After speaking, he turned and followed the waiter upstairs, his back exuding an indescribable elegance

With the protective inscription from the master of the Spirit Sword, the princes instantly became mere commoners, a group of individuals with disheveled appearances, no longer daring to speak out.

After a pause, he spoke again

The proprietress is not old; she appears to be only around fourteen or fifteen years of age. Dressed in a coarse cloth long robe and wearing a soiled apron, she carries herself with an air of pride akin to that of a princess

Another person echoed, "The rewards you mentioned have all been received by everyone, merely wooden carvings, amulets, and other souvenirs. However, I have never heard of any accommodation vouchers. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of people in this hall; why is it that only he can receive the prize voucher"

Lingxi Town is currently hosting the Ascension Conference with rewards for participants. One of the rewards is a lodging voucher for Home Inn.

However, this time, it was not only the treasure that was at stake; the others in the hall were also filled with indignation: "Madam Boss! What do you mean by this?"

As soon as these words were spoken, almost everyone had a thought cross their minds: Could it be that this person is having an affair with that young shopkeeper's wife?

With a large population and limited land, conflicts are inevitable, especially at the only reputable hotel in town, which has become a battleground for various factions

At that time, I had also finished listening

It is said that the Lingnan State and the Lingjian Sect have a deep-seated enmity, and the cultivation families will never allow their descendants to join the Lingjian Sect

The so-called Ascension Conference is essentially a grand ceremony for the recruitment of new disciples by cultivation sects. Joining a sect marks the beginning of one's cultivation journey, aiming directly at the path of immortality, leading to a divergence between the mortal and the immortal realms. This is what is meant by ascension. However, we are no longer in the era of ancient myths; in the current cultivation world, only the grand ceremonies of the five top sects are qualified to be called the Ascension Conference.

Wen Bao is a person of great national integrity, his anger rising to the point of fury, he shouted loudly: "How dare you insult our Canglan Nation!? Don't think that just because you live in Lingxi Town we are afraid of you! You..."

The boss's wife's atrocious attitude immediately incited public outrage, and it was evident that a collective incident was about to occur. A kind-hearted local passerby on the street pointed to the sign outside and said, "You outsiders, if your eyes aren't blind, take a good look."

Wen Bao felt both hatred and regret. He had known the rules of Lingxi Town before arriving. Participants were to gather in Lingxi Town before the start of the event, and family members of the registrants were not allowed to accompany them. A maximum of two bodyguards was permitted, and then... all rules of the town were to be followed

Listening to the noise in the lobby, the proprietress's professional smile instantly turned into a cold, icy glare: "What are you shouting about? If you don't want to stay, you can leave! Do you think I want to serve you useless people?"

However, the inner turmoil was difficult to quell, and the focus of resentment naturally shifted to the young man. As the saying goes, when a thousand point their fingers, the youth at the counter, with his brilliance concealed, turned around. One could see that he had delicate features and an ethereal demeanor. Although his silk long gown was not particularly luxurious, it was clean and neat, complementing his persona perfectly

Wen Bao, supported by the bodyguard, returned to the inn with a bruised and swollen face. Although he harbored a deep desire to see the innkeeper's wife suffer a thousand cuts, he remained silent, tacitly accepting his defeat.

One must comply, or else there is no way forward

If it were not for a few people traveling thousands of miles, exhausted to the point of confusion, and if the proprietress did not appear to be a rustic and fierce woman, they would not have been so impulsively stirred up in the shop. Now, it is uncertain whether the Lingjian Mountain gate is already aware of the situation, but the future is inevitably shrouded in a layer of shadow

However, in a large forest, there are all kinds of birds