Chapter 148: Amano Town

Page (1/3)
Zhongshan.
Tianye Town.
Yu Ye and Dang Guiyi did not arrive at Yun Chuan Peak as expected, but at Tianye Town, located a hundred miles south of Yun Chuan Peak. The town comprised several hundred households, with two streets running east to west. Though bustling with people coming and going, it retained the tranquility of an ancient town.
The teleportation array was set up in a courtyard at the eastern edge of the town, serving as a branch of Yun Chuan Immortal Sect, called Yunqi Branch Courtyard. The advantage of placing the formation here was obvious: first, it avoided the sect’s sacred lands; second, it was convenient for administration.
After leaving the branch courtyard, the two naturally strolled along the streets.
Dang Guiyi no longer strutted arrogantly, and Yu Ye lowered his head.
Cultivators were everywhere on the street—often disciples of the Immortal Sect dressed uniformly. Occasionally, sword lights flashed across the sky, sweeping divine senses that made one’s heart tense and forbade any carelessness.
Dang Guiyi quietly instructed Yu Ye that times had changed; out of respect for the sect’s presence, one should speak and act cautiously—this was called going along with local customs.
Yu Ye sensed Dang Guiyi’s fear.
Of course, he was afraid too.
It was said that Yun Chuan Immortal Sect was the largest sect in Zhongshan Kingdom, with several Golden Core masters stationed at the Daoist temple.
Jiao Ying was of Golden Core cultivation, but now only a faint remnant soul remained; even with only one-tenth of his soul power, he could easily break the restrictions of Foundation Establishment cultivators. Imagine how powerful the true Golden Core masters must be.
After wandering the streets for a short while, unwilling to roam recklessly, they found an inn to stay. Regarding joining the sect, Dang Guiyi was clueless. He planned to inquire further before making any decisions.
Perhaps because it was near the sect, the inn’s name was unusual—Immortal Arrival Inn.
It had an ancient and elegant gate tower, a courtyard with a unique design, over twenty stone rooms, and a few shops facing the street, forming the entire inn.
The inn had a strange rule: it only accepted cultivators and did not receive ordinary mortals. Therefore, the room fees were paid in spirit stones—one spirit stone could cover a month’s rent. Yu Ye borrowed two spirit stones and reserved two rooms, then they rested separately, arranging to meet again in the evening.
Yu Ye stayed in the room next door to Dang Guiyi, closed the door, and took out three small flags, a little absent-minded.
These three formation flags were a gift from Meng Qingqing, a woman like mist and rain...
After a moment of silence, Yu Ye activated the flags to seal the room. Since the guests were all cultivators, there was no hesitation in setting up formation arrays. The room’s furnishings were quite old but clean and tidy. He sat by the couch, took out a spirit stone to meditate on breathing techniques, but couldn’t help recalling a secret formula: the “Hidden Dragon Technique.”
When entering the inn earlier, he had encountered a small obstacle. The innkeeper was a Qi Refining cultivator whose level was unknown, and he was about to be kicked out. He had never seen a cultivator as an innkeeper and didn’t know what to do, so he tried to use the Hidden Dragon Technique to display a cultivation level equivalent to Qi Refining stage three, which allowed him to stay.
The Jiao Pill inside him could conceal cultivation and magical power. However, if he revealed his cultivation, other cultivators might see it as deception and it could cause trouble. Jiao Ying had been farsighted and taught him the secret formula of the Hidden Dragon Technique. This technique not only hides cultivation but can alter the apparent level of cultivation. With his Qi Refining stage three, he could impersonate a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Though he had mastered the technique, he had never tried it for fear of backfiring due to his weak cultivation. Unexpectedly, a method he had ignored now came in handy.
Yu Ye pondered the Hidden Dragon Technique for a while, then continued to study the Divine Dragon Escape Technique, but his mind was restless, and he frowned.
The relics of Qiu Bo and Feng Lao Qi, Nanshan, Bu Yi, the dying words of Gui Yuanzi, the lost heavenly artifact, the Nine Stars, Star Arrows, Star Sea, and so forth—various confusing pieces of information flooded in, intertwined and difficult to untangle. For the sake of these treasures, Yu Ye had suffered greatly, and many others had been harmed, not to mention the destruction of the Daze Dao Sect. After much effort, they had finally arrived here. Yun Chuan Immortal Sect lay just a hundred miles away. How could they uncover the truth? If they joined the sect, it would be like entering a tiger’s den—any slip could have unforeseeable consequences...
“Bang, bang—”
In the blink of an eye, half a day passed.
Yu Ye put away the formation flags.
The door opened, and Dang Guiyi came in.
Looking outside, night had fallen.
Dang Guiyi lit the candle on the table and sat beside him, curious: “Why so listless?”
Yu Ye didn’t answer but asked: “When will you return my spirit stones?”
“Oh, does our friendship not outweigh a few spirit stones?”
Dang Guiyi complained, then changed the subject: “Haha, I heard that in half a month, Yun Chuan Peak will open to receive disciples.” He stood up and waved his hand: “Let’s go—”

Page (2/3)
“Where to?”
“To the inn’s hall for food and drink, and to gather some information!”
Yu Ye stretched his legs on the bed and extinguished the lights.
Stepping out of the room, lanterns were lit in the courtyard. Following a flower-lined path, they arrived at the inn’s hall, similar to a tavern or dining place. It consisted of three adjacent rooms: one side had a counter, the other side had five or six tables, with seven or eight people seated. Men and women, all cultivators, with varying expressions and cultivation levels, but the atmosphere was calm—some drinking quietly, some lost in thought, some whispering softly.
“Waiter, two signature dishes and a jar of aged wine!”
Dang Guiyi shouted, drawing glances from those present. Quickly covering his mouth, he smiled awkwardly: “Haha, greetings, fellow Daoists. My brother and I are heading to Yun Chuan Peak and staying here for a few days. Please take care of us!”
No one responded.
Dang Guiyi didn’t mind, found an empty table, and called: “Junior brother Yu, please make yourself comfortable!”
Junior brother?
Yu Ye sat at the table, rolling his eyes inwardly.
Dang Guiyi smiled and lowered his voice: “Since we will soon join the sect, we are fellow disciples. I’m a few years older, naturally your senior brother.”
The waiter brought the food and wine.
“Junior brother Yu, please!”
Dang Guiyi filled two cups of wine.
Yu Ye lifted his cup and took a small sip. The wine was sweet and refreshing but lacked the usual sharpness and burn.
A man in his twenties stood up at the neighboring table and raised his hand: “Fellow Daoist, may I have the honor to drink with you?”
He was tall and handsome, with refined features and polite manners. His divine sense revealed a faint glow around him, indicating he was a Qi Refining stage four cultivator.
Yu Ye did not reply.
Dang Guiyi stood up: “Fate brings us together; please—”
The man smiled broadly: “I am Yu Fei, and this is my younger cousin Yu Xing. Greetings, fellow Daoists!”
A young woman next to him stood, dressed in simple white robes, with fair skin and delicate features, about eighteen or nineteen years old. She was also a cultivator, likely Qi Refining stage two. She spoke softly: “Yu Xing greets you both!”
Dang Guiyi puffed up his chest: “I am the heir of the Five Thunder Righteous Law, Dang Guiyi, and he is a scion from Wei Kingdom, Yu Ye...”
Before Yu Ye could speak, his name was announced. He stood and cupped his hands helplessly.
From now on, he could forget about hiding his name. Fortunately, few knew his true background—not even Dang Guiyi.
“Fellow Daoists, please—”
The four sat together, raising their cups and drinking, thus becoming acquainted and beginning to converse.
Yu Fei and Yu Xing came from an immortal cultivation family, true scions of a lineage. Under their elders’ orders, they intended to join Yun Chuan Immortal Sect for a promising path in cultivation.
“I heard you plan to go to Yun Chuan Peak, so my cousin and I came to make friends. Please guide us kindly!”
“Haha, no need for such formalities. We look forward to your care, Brother Yu. I toast to you and Sister Yu!”
“To friendship and shared drinks!”
In just a few words, Dang Guiyi became familiar with the Yu siblings.
Yu Ye kept his head down, silent.

Page (3/3)
“My brother and sister arrived a few days earlier and were rather bored. It’s fortunate to meet you. Where are you staying?”
“Immortal Arrival Inn.”
“We’re at the same inn. When free, let’s visit each other more. This is Junior Brother Yu...”
“Junior Brother Yu doesn’t speak much; don’t mind him. Brother Yu, is there a way to enter Yun Chuan Peak, like having sponsorship from a senior...”
“You may not know, fellow Daoist, Yun Chuan Immortal Sect is not a small sect; one must have a recommender to join. Our Yu family elders were once disciples of the sect, so it won’t be difficult...”
Since Yu Ye was reluctant to speak, he just lowered his head and drank. The wine was tasteless, and he felt gloomy.
After a short while, Dang Guiyi and Yu Fei finished their drinks and agreed to meet again another day. They rose to leave. Before leaving, Dang Guiyi reminded Yu Ye to settle the bill and secretly transmitted a message: “Keep track.”
“Keep track” meant adding it to the debt of spirit stones Yu Ye had borrowed earlier.
They hadn’t drunk or eaten much, yet had to pay the bill—and also settled the Yu siblings’ expenses. Because Dang Guiyi was treating, Yu Ye was the one paying.
Immortal Arrival Inn only accepted spirit stones.
Yu Ye silently took out two spirit stones and returned to his room alone.
In the darkness, he sat on the couch, still frowning and looking gloomy.
He wasn’t concerned about the spirit stones; what troubled him was what Yu Fei had said.
He had hesitated for a long time about whether to join the sect.
To uncover the root of the Daze calamity, the only way was to infiltrate Yun Chuan Immortal Sect. Becoming a disciple was undoubtedly a shortcut. Even if he later encountered Bu Yi or uncovered the truth, he could escape then. Besides, being alone in a foreign land with nowhere to stay, hiding in the sect was a practical solution.
But just as he made up his mind, a sponsor appeared.
Yu Ye was new here, unfamiliar with the land, and wanted to keep a low profile. Where could he find someone to vouch for him?
If joining the sect was impossible, he would have to seek other paths.
“Junior Brother Yu—”
A figure entered the room excitedly: “I arranged with Brother Yu to visit a few Daoists tomorrow. Huh, why is the light off...”
The candle was lit.
Dang Guiyi was about to continue when Yu Ye asked:
“Do you have a sponsor for entering Yun Chuan Immortal Sect?”
“Yes, Senior Bu Yi is a friend of my master...”
“I don’t.”
“Oh, it doesn’t matter. Once I join the sect, I’ll sponsor you next year.”
“Next year...?”