Lingyao City, at the entrance of a rather rundown inn, stood two young cultivators clad in Dan Sect’s signature blue-green robes.
At their waists hung the unique flame-shaped tokens exclusive to the Dan Sect.
One of them wore a blank expression, while the other, shorter and sharp-eyed, looked arrogant as he gestured at the inn’s signboard.
“Are you sure? That Sect Master of the Hehuan Sect is in this inn?”
The disciple with the arrogant face and triangular eyes curled his lips, his voice thick with suspicion.
The two of them were young disciples of the Dan Sect’s Tianzi Hall, sent today by their elders to invite the Hehuan Sect’s Supreme Master, Tai Lingxuan, to Dan Sect for an important discussion.
“I’m not sure, but Master said it was this place. Anyway, let’s go in and ask around,” the slightly taller Dan Sect disciple frowned, his temperament more steady, though he couldn’t hide his dislike for this place.
“This inn is so shabby, I really don’t want to go in. Who knows how filthy it is inside.”
The shorter disciple snorted, making no effort to hide his distaste and disdain.
“Hehuan Sect, a third-rate little sect, truly not fit for the stage. They can’t even afford decent accommodations in Lingyao City, let alone buy property here.”
“It’s said that Hehuan Sect was originally remnants of the Demon Cult. Who knows what they did to suddenly become part of the righteous factions—disgraceful, honestly.”
“But… I heard all the disciples of the Hehuan Sect are born beauties. I wonder if that’s true. If so, maybe this errand will bring some unexpected rewards, heh heh…”
“All right, enough!”
The tall disciple shook his head, scolding sternly, “When we go in, watch your mouth! Tai Lingxuan, Sect Master of the Hehuan Sect, is a Nascent Soul expert. We can’t afford to offend her.”
“Hmph, just a Hehuan Sect Master, what’s the big deal?”
The short disciple jutted out his neck, snorting arrogantly.
“I’m a disciple of the Xuan Clan and a personal disciple of the Third Elder. For me to lower myself to deliver her a message is her honor! A woman from the Demon Cult, she probably only survived by doing all sorts of disgraceful things. Does she even dare show me disrespect?”
The tall disciple, seeing this, gave up on trying to persuade him, only shaking his head inwardly before stepping into the inn.
The short disciple curled his lips and followed right behind.
Inside the inn’s main hall, the light was dim.
The air was tinged with a faint smell of wine and cheap spices.
A few scattered guests sat at the wooden tables.
Upon seeing the two in Dan Sect robes enter, all glanced over with obvious concern.
“Hey, innkeeper!”
The short disciple bellowed as soon as he entered, with not a shred of politeness.
“I need to ask you about someone!”
The innkeeper recognized the jade tokens at their waists and quickly hurried over, bowing in deference.
“Sirs Immortal, what may I do for you?”
“We’re looking for a woman,” the tall disciple stepped forward to say.
“A woman… May I ask, are there any distinguishing features?”
The innkeeper looked a little troubled.
There were quite a few women staying in the inn.
“This…”
The two disciples exchanged glances.
Neither of them had ever met the Hehuan Sect Master and did not know her appearance.
“A beauty—a rare, peerless beauty,” the short disciple blurted after a moment’s thought.
His loud voice immediately drew a black, piercing gaze from a corner of the hall.
Chen Yuyang lifted his eyes, his heart stirring slightly.
A beauty—a peerless beauty…
Were they looking for Master?
The innkeeper was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized and nodded hastily with a fawning smile.
“Yes, yes, now that you mention it, in Room Jia-3, there’s indeed a lady cultivator of outstanding beauty…”
“Hey, innkeeper!”
Before the innkeeper could finish, a voice—somewhat youthful and laced with dissatisfaction—came from the corner of the hall.
“Staying at your inn, is it your policy to disclose guests’ information to just anyone who asks?”
The bystanders, curious, all looked over.
A boy of about fourteen or fifteen walked forward.
He was slightly slender, with black hair, dressed in plain white robes.
His features were proper and handsome, his brows holding a hint of composure beyond his years.
At this moment, there was a touch of coldness in the boy’s eyes.
This… this is…
The innkeeper, upon seeing Chen Yuyang, broke into a cold sweat.
He knew this boy, who had checked in a few days ago together with the beautiful lady in Room Jia-3.
This boy was clearly a cultivator as well.
For a moment, the innkeeper was caught in a dilemma, looking quite awkward.
“What are you supposed to be?”
The short disciple, frowning, stepped forward with his arms folded, looking down at Chen Yuyang from above.
“Dan Sect’s business is no place for a brat like you to meddle!”
Chen Yuyang glanced coldly at the sweating innkeeper, understanding that as a mortal, the man had his own difficulties and could not be blamed.
He chose not to trouble him further.
After a while, the boy slowly raised his gaze to the short disciple.
His black eyes were calm, but something in his look made the short disciple feel an inexplicable unease.
What’s with this kid’s gaze, why is it kind of… scary…
“And who are you people?”
Chen Yuyang asked.
The short disciple suddenly remembered the backing of both the Xuan Clan and Dan Sect, regaining his confidence and barking loudly:
“Hmph! Open your dog eyes and look clearly. We are inner disciples of the Dan Sect! While I’m still in a good mood, get lost. Don’t delay our business, or you’ll regret it!”
Chen Yuyang thought for a moment, then cupped his hands.
“So, it’s fellow Daoists from Dan Sect. I was blind. Since you have important business, I’ll not disturb you further.”
Though his words were polite, his tone and demeanor showed no sign of respect.
Having said his piece, Chen Yuyang immediately turned and headed upstairs.
The tall disciple glanced at Chen Yuyang’s departing back, but didn’t dwell on it, instead turning back to the innkeeper.
“Say again, what room is she in?”
The innkeeper, casting a furtive look at Chen Yuyang disappearing up the stairs, then whispered, “Jia-3, Jia-3.”
The two immediately made their way to the staircase.
Room Jia-3 was on the third floor, among the Jia-labeled rooms.
One in front, one behind, they began to climb the stairs step by step.
“Hmph, do you think with my status, it’ll be easy to hook up with one of those Hehuan Sect lady cultivators?”
The short disciple said as he walked, “I hear they all practice charm techniques—must be amazing in bed.”
Seeing the short disciple still on that topic, the tall disciple only shook his head, resigned to silence.
The other had the background to speak as he pleased, but he himself was not so free.
Suddenly, the short disciple paused, staring at the sign in the corridor.
“How come we’re still on the second floor?”
The tall disciple frowned as well—he clearly remembered they’d already climbed two floors.
Yet the sign at the stairwell read “Er” (Second) on a wooden plaque.
“Did we count wrong? Let’s keep going.”
They exchanged glances and continued upward.
After another flight, they immediately looked up at the sign.
“Si!” (Fourth)
“What the hell!” The short disciple’s eyes went wide.
“What the hell is this? We only went up one flight—how did we go straight from the second to the fourth floor? Where’s the third floor?”
The tall disciple said nothing, reaching out to touch the “Si” sign.
The wood felt rough and cold to the touch, unmistakably real.
“Something’s not right.”
The tall disciple’s expression darkened, a hint of wariness flashing in his eyes.
“This inn is strange. Let’s go back down and count again.”
In a hurry, they descended to the floor below and checked the sign on the wall.
“Er!” (Second)
“This is messed up!” The short disciple felt chills running down his spine.
“It’s broad daylight, are we seeing ghosts?”
The tall disciple took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm despite his confusion.
After thinking for a moment, he said, “You wait here. I’ll go up one floor and check.”
“All right.”
The short disciple, now much more subdued, nodded.
The tall disciple climbed the stairs alone, eyes fixed on the position of the sign on the wall.
“San!” (Third)
He felt a surge of relief and was about to call to his companion—when he looked down—
Only to see the space below completely empty.
The short disciple who’d just been there was now gone, not even a shadow left behind!
“Hey! Where did you go?” he called anxiously, but his voice echoed in the empty stairwell with no reply.
A chill swept up from his feet to his scalp.
He quickly turned and hurried downstairs, but the sign on that floor now read—
“Si” (Fourth).
The short disciple was completely gone!
“Where is he?!”
The tall disciple’s face went deathly pale, cold sweat pouring down his forehead.
He rushed up again.
But now, even the “San” (Third) floor above had become “Si”…
Meanwhile, the short disciple had waited for a long while in the same spot, but saw no sign of his companion coming down.
Anxiety crept in.
“What the hell is going on, still not down yet?”
He looked up the stairs, but saw no one, nor heard the slightest sound.
“Hey! What are you doing up there?”
The dead silence made him uneasy, so he shouted up the stairwell.
But only deathly silence replied.
Cold sweat soaked his back, goosebumps rose all over.
Swallowing hard, his heart thumped violently in his chest.
For a moment, he dared neither go up nor down.
After a moment’s hesitation, he bit his lip and decided to try one of the guest rooms on this floor.
Picking the Jia-labeled room, he kicked the door open with a loud bang.
Boom—
The door shattered instantly.
But the next moment, a powerful surge of spiritual energy erupted from within.
“Who dares intrude upon this one’s quarters!”
Bu Lingxuan, who had been chatting with Chen Yuyang, instantly turned furious, her spiritual energy forming a giant hand to seize the short disciple and suspend him in the air.
Just then, the tall disciple also rushed over in confusion, looking around in a daze.