Upon entering Fengdu City, one quickly noticed how different it was from an ordinary city. There were no thriving trades of all kinds, only shops selling various cultivation resources, with the occasional restaurant in between. The rest were rows of dark, somber buildings. The city was nearly deserted and extremely quiet.
Even the most unusual things left traces to follow.
Wherever you went, city gates and taverns were hubs for gathering and spreading news. Naturally, people made their living by working those places.
Xu Yi had little trouble finding a broker. The man asked for two Incense Beads, but Xu Yi bargained him down to two Immortal Spirit Beads. After some running around, the broker found a more senior intermediary, then took his cut and left.
Xu Yi hosted a banquet at the nearby Pine Crane Restaurant to entertain the middle-aged cultivator named Zhen Ping.
The restaurant catered exclusively to cultivators and had every kind of ward in place to ensure privacy. Once the food and wine were served, the attendants withdrew.
After sharing a cup of wine to get things started, Xu Yi stated his request outright.
Zhen Ping was startled. He hurriedly set down his cup and cupped his fists. "Brother Lei, do you really mean it?"
Xu Yi had changed his appearance, so naturally he had changed his name as well. He was now going by Lei Chiyan, a name inspired by the Crimson Flame Thunder Monkey.
Xu Yi said nothing more. He simply took out the white Roving Official Seal. Zhen Ping's face lit up with delight, and he bowed solemnly. "So you're a man of distinction. Forgive me for failing to recognize a hero."
Zhen Ping was genuinely excited. He had been making his way in Fengdu City for many years, though he was no