Salt City

Early the next morning, Ye Xiu set off with Xiao Yi Xian.

The two flew north. Nestled in Ye Xiu's arms, Xiao Yi Xian watched the scenery below rush past.

"Master, how much farther is it to Jia Ma Holy City?"

"We'll stop in Salt City for the night first," Ye Xiu said. "Then it'll take a few more days of flying to get there."

"Salt City?" Xiao Yi Xian tilted her head, thinking. "I've heard of it. Isn't it Mo Clan territory?"

"Yeah." Ye Xiu nodded. "The Mo Clan has a lot of influence there, but that has nothing to do with us. We'll rest for the night and then leave."

Xiao Yi Xian gave a quiet "Oh" and didn't ask anything else.

After flying for half a day, they spotted a city in the distance.

Its walls were quite high and drab gray, and it was a little larger than Mo City. People streamed in and out of the gates: merchant caravans, mercenaries, and ordinary travelers.

Ye Xiu landed outside the city, dispelled his Dou Qi Wings, and walked toward the gates with Xiao Yi Xian.

Two rows of guards stood at the entrance, checking the people coming and going. But as soon as Ye Xiu landed, several guards looked up at once and stared at him.

They'd seen those fiery wings clearly.

Dou Qi Wing Transformation! Only those at Dou Wang or above could do that!

The leader of the guards paled and hurried over, bowing and scraping. "S-Senior! Are you entering the city? I'll show you the way!"

Ye Xiu glanced at him and waved a hand. "No need. I can go in on my own."

The guard captain didn't dare neglect him. At a glance, he spotted the Alchemist Badge pinned to Ye Xiu's chest.

Four silver ripples— a fourth-tier Alchemist!

He hurriedly put on a fawning smile. "Yes, yes! Please, Senior!"

Ye Xiu ignored him and walked straight into the city with Xiao Yi Xian.

Behind them, the captain wiped the sweat from his forehead and hissed at the guards beside him, "Keep your wits about you, damn it. Don't accidentally offend someone we shouldn't!"

The two found an inn and took two rooms.

After dinner, night fell.

Xiao Yi Xian knocked on Ye Xiu's door and poked her head inside. "Master, are we still cultivating tonight?"

Ye Xiu glanced at her. "Sure."

Xiao Yi Xian's face turned a little red. She nodded. "Okay."

"Come in."

The two sat cross-legged facing each other. Ye Xiu rested a hand on her shoulder and began circulating his Dou Qi.

The familiar gray Poison Dou Qi emerged from Xiao Yi Xian and flowed into Ye Xiu's body. After circulating once, it flowed back to her.

Xiao Yi Xian kept her eyes closed. Her cheeks were rosy, and her breathing was a little uneven.

An hour later, Ye Xiu withdrew his hand.

"That's enough for today. Go back and get some sleep."

Xiao Yi Xian opened her eyes, feeling warm all over. Her Dou Qi had improved a little. She stood up and smiled at Ye Xiu. "Good night, Master."

"Mm."

Early the next morning, Ye Xiu had just stepped out of his room when he saw the innkeeper standing by the stairs with an invitation in his hands and a fawning smile on his face.

"My lord! Someone delivered an invitation for you!"

Ye Xiu took it and read: "We respectfully invite Lord Dou Wang to honor us with his presence three nights from now, when the Great Elder of the Mo Clan celebrates his sixtieth birthday. Your attendance would be an immense honor for our clan, and we would all be deeply grateful!"

It was signed by Mo Lan, the Mo Clan's patriarch.

Ye Xiu raised an eyebrow.

Xiao Yi Xian came up behind him and peeked at the invitation. "Master, the Mo Clan's inviting you to a feast."

"Mm."

"Are we going?"

Ye Xiu tossed the invitation into his Storage Ring and smiled. "I wasn't going to bother with it, but since they've practically shoved the invitation in my face, I might as well look into it."

Xiao Yi Xian blinked in confusion. "So we'll stay in Salt City for three days?"

"No need." Ye Xiu said, "Three days is too long. We'll go tonight."

Xiao Yi Xian paused. "Tonight? But the feast isn't until three days from now."

Ye Xiu patted her head. "They invited a Dou Wang. If I really wait three days to show up, that's giving them too much face. Going tonight will give them a surprise."

Xiao Yi Xian nodded, only half understanding.

Whatever Master said went.

That evening, after nightfall, Ye Xiu left the inn with Xiao Yi Xian following behind him.

The Mo Clan Fortress was easy to find, right in the center of Salt City.

The Mo Clan's compound covered a large area, like a small castle. Its walls were tall and thick, and two rows of guards stood at the entrance, spears in hand.

As Ye Xiu approached the gate, the guards immediately grew wary.

"Stop! Who are you?!"

Ye Xiu said nothing. He simply showed them his fourth-tier Alchemist Badge.

The guards' eyes nearly bulged out of their heads.

A fourth-tier Alchemist?!

The guard in charge hurried over and addressed him respectfully. "Senior, may I ask what brings you—?"

"Did your patriarch send me an invitation today?" Ye Xiu asked.

The guard froze, then nodded vigorously. "Yes, yes! Are you Lord Dou Wang? This humble one failed to recognize you! Please wait while I report your arrival!"

With that, he dashed inside.

Before long, the fortress gates swung wide open, and a group of people came out to greet them.

At their head was a man in his forties, dressed in fine robes and wearing a broad smile.

"Goodness! We had no idea Lord Dou Wang would honor us with a visit. Please forgive us for not welcoming you sooner!"

He hurried over to Ye Xiu and clasped his hands in greeting. "I'm Mo Lan, patriarch of the Mo Clan. It's an honor to meet you, my lord!"

Ye Xiu glanced at him and nodded coolly. "You're too kind, Patriarch Mo."

Mo Lan noticed Xiao Yi Xian standing beside Ye Xiu and paused, but quickly recovered. "And this young lady is...?"

"My disciple," Ye Xiu replied casually.

Mo Lan hurriedly clasped his hands. "So she's your esteemed disciple! Please forgive my lack of manners. Welcome!"

Ye Xiu didn't stand on ceremony and strode inside.

Mo Lan followed beside him, speaking as they walked. "It's a great honor for the Mo Clan that you've come, my lord! The servants are preparing dinner. Please have a seat for a moment; it'll be ready soon!"

Ye Xiu waved a hand. "Don't trouble yourselves. I just came to take a look."

Mo Lan paused, but quickly smiled again. "Of course, of course. Whatever you say, my lord. Please, let's go sit in the reception hall."

They crossed the courtyard and entered the reception hall.

Ye Xiu took a seat beside the one of honor. Mo Lan sat opposite him, while several Mo Clan elders sat below them, each wearing a fawning smile.

"My lord, your visit to Salt City is a blessing for the whole city!" Mo Lan said with a smile. "How long will you be staying? If you have time, let the Mo Clan host you properly!"

Ye Xiu glanced at him without replying, then asked instead, "The Mo Clan's been quite busy lately, hasn't it?"

Mo Lan froze. "What do you mean, my lord?"

Leaning back in his chair, Ye Xiu spoke unhurriedly. "I haven't been out and about in a long time. I heard your Mo Clan has been doing a lot of business with the merchants in the desert lately?"

Mo Lan's expression shifted slightly, but he quickly recovered and smiled. "You're certainly well-informed, my lord. To be honest, the Mo Clan does have some dealings with merchants in the desert. The Tagor Desert is rich in rare resources, after all."

Ye Xiu nodded.

When Mo Lan saw that Ye Xiu said nothing, he felt inexplicably uneasy. After thinking it over, he ventured, "My lord, are you just passing through Salt City, or do you have something you need to take care of? If there's anything the Mo Clan can do for you, please don't hesitate to ask!"

Ye Xiu glanced at him, then suddenly smiled.

"I do have something to take care of, and it concerns your Mo Clan."

Mo Lan thumped his chest. "Just say the word, my lord. If the Mo Clan can help, we certainly will!"

If this let them befriend a Dou Wang and a fourth-tier Alchemist, the Mo Clan would come out ahead no matter what.

Ye Xiu smiled. "Good. Then hand over Qing Lin."