By the time darkness fell, the Flying Sword had nearly reached the outskirts of Star Luo City.
Xiao Yun did not press on. He circled at low altitude for a moment, identified the outline of the manor below, then slowed and landed outside its side gate.
He did not wait long at the entrance. Once the gatekeeper recognized his face, he hurried inside to announce his arrival.
The steward soon arrived and welcomed him into the front hall. He told Xiao Yun that the head of the family was away, having recently left to handle matters at the border. Before leaving, he had instructed the steward to receive His Excellency as an honored guest if he visited.
The steward prepared an exceptionally lavish dinner for Xiao Yun, who settled down to enjoy the food.
While Xiao Yun ate, the steward briefly updated him on recent affairs at the manor, then stepped aside to wait.
After dinner, the steward personally led him through two gates and stopped outside a quiet guest room. He pushed the door open and stepped aside, as though marking the threshold Xiao Yun was about to cross with his body so that he could check whether the furnishings and ventilation suited his preferences. Once Xiao Yun nodded, the steward made to withdraw.
Xiao Yun stopped him. He had already noticed the steward's condition: he was at the peak of the Soul Saint rank, just short of breaking through to Soul Douluo.
Since the man had treated him with such respect, he ought to offer something in return. He took a box containing a Mirror-Breaking Pill from his Storage Soul Tool and tossed it to the steward. "Take this pill when you get back. It can help you break through your bottleneck."
Overjoyed, the steward bowed again and