Yan City

Early the next morning, Ye Xiu and Little Doctor Fairy set off.

The two flew northward, with Little Doctor Fairy nestled in Ye Xiu's arms, watching the scenery below zip by rapidly.

"Master, how much longer until we reach Jia Ma Holy City?"

Ye Xiu replied, "We'll stop at Yan City for the night, then fly for a few more days."

"Yan City?" Little Doctor Fairy tilted her head in thought. "I've heard of it; isn't that the Mo Clan's territory?"

"Mm." Ye Xiu nodded. "The Mo Clan has quite a bit of influence there, but it has nothing to do with us. We'll just rest for the night and leave."

Little Doctor Fairy let out an "oh" and didn't ask any further.

After flying for half a day, a city appeared in their field of vision in the distance.

The city walls were quite high and dusty, looking larger than Mo City. People were coming and going at the city gate: merchant caravans, mercenaries, and traveling commoners.

Ye Xiu landed outside the city, retracted his Dou Qi Wings, and walked into the city with Little Doctor Fairy.

Two rows of guards stood at the gate, originally busy checking the people passing through. But the moment Ye Xiu landed, those guards all looked up at once, staring at him blankly.

They had seen those flaming wings clearly just a moment ago.

Dou Qi Wing Transformation! That was a skill only possessed by those above the Dou Wang realm!

The lead captain's expression shifted. He hurried over, bowing and scraping. "S-Senior! Are you planning to enter the city? Let this humble one lead the way!"

Ye Xiu glanced at him and waved his hand. "No need, I'll go in myself."

The captain dared not be negligent, his eyes instantly catching the Alchemist Badge pinned to Ye Xiu's chest.

Four silver ripples—a fourth-tier Alchemist!

He quickly smiled obsequiously. "Yes, yes, please, Senior! Right this way!"

Ye Xiu ignored him and walked straight into the city with Little Doctor Fairy.

Behind him, the captain wiped the sweat from his forehead and cursed in a low voice at the guards nearby, "All of you, be sharp! Don't go offending someone you shouldn't!"

The two found an inn and rented two rooms.

After dinner, the sky turned dark.

Little Doctor Fairy knocked on Ye Xiu's door and poked her head in. "Master, are we still cultivating tonight?"

Ye Xiu looked at her. "We can."

Little Doctor Fairy's face flushed slightly, and she nodded. "Mm."

"Come in."

The two sat cross-legged facing each other. Ye Xiu reached out to place his hands on her shoulders and began to circulate his Dou Qi.

That familiar gray Poison Dou Qi emerged from Little Doctor Fairy's body, was drawn into Ye Xiu's, circulated once, and was then fed back into her.

Little Doctor Fairy kept her eyes closed, her face flushed red, her breathing slightly erratic.

An hour later, Ye Xiu withdrew his hands.

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

Little Doctor Fairy opened her eyes, feeling warm all over, her Dou Qi having improved once again. She stood up and smiled at Ye Xiu. "Goodnight, Master."

"Mm."

Early the next morning, just as Ye Xiu stepped out of his room, he saw the innkeeper standing at the top of the stairs, holding an invitation with an obsequious smile.

"My Lord! Someone has delivered an invitation for you!"

Ye Xiu took it and read it. It said: Hoping for the honor of the Dou Wang's presence. Three nights from now, the Mo Clan's Great Elder will be celebrating his sixtieth birthday. We cordially invite you to attend. Your presence would be a tremendous honor for our Mo Clan, and we would be eternally grateful!

It was signed by the head of the Mo Clan, Mo Lan.

Ye Xiu raised an eyebrow.

Little Doctor Fairy leaned in from behind and glanced at the invitation. "Master, the Mo Clan is inviting you to a banquet."

"Mm."

"Are we going?"

Ye Xiu tossed the invitation into his Storage Ring and smiled. "I was too lazy to bother with this, but since they've shoved it right in my face, I suppose I'll deal with it."

Little Doctor Fairy blinked in confusion. "So we're staying in Yan City for three days?"

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

Little Doctor Fairy was stunned. "Tonight? Isn't the banquet three days from now?"

Ye Xiu patted her head. "They invited a Dou Wang. If I actually waited three days to show up, that would be giving them too much face. Going tonight will give them a surprise."

Little Doctor Fairy nodded, half-understanding.

Whatever Master said was fine by her.

That night, the sky turned dark.

Ye Xiu stepped out of the inn with Little Doctor Fairy following behind him.

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

The entire Mo Clan occupied a large area, resembling a small castle. The walls were tall and thick, and two rows of guards stood at the entrance, clutching long spears in their hands.

Ye Xiu walked up to the gate, and the guards immediately became alert.

"Halt! Who goes there?!"

Ye Xiu didn't speak; he simply flashed the badge of a fourth-tier Alchemist.

Upon seeing it, the guards' eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

A fourth-tier Alchemist?!

The lead guard hurried over, speaking respectfully, "Senior, may I ask...?"

"Did your clan head send an invitation to me today?" Ye Xiu asked.

The guard was stunned, then nodded vigorously, "Yes, yes, yes! You must be that Dou Wang master?! I am blind and failed to recognize you. Please wait a moment, I will go report this immediately!"

With that, he scurried inside in a flash.

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

The leader was a middle-aged man in his forties, dressed in a brocade robe with a face full of smiles.

"Oh my! I didn't know a Dou Wang master was gracing us with his presence! Please forgive my lack of a proper welcome!"

He walked up to Ye Xiu in a few strides, cupped his hands in a salute, and said, "I am Mo Lan, head of the Mo Clan. Greetings, Master!"

Ye Xiu glanced at him and nodded indifferently, "Clan Head Mo is too polite."

Mo Lan caught sight of Little Doctor Fairy beside Ye Xiu and paused for a moment, but quickly recovered, "And this is...?"

"My apprentice," Ye Xiu said casually.

Mo Lan hurriedly cupped his hands again, "So it is your esteemed disciple! My apologies! Please, come in!"

Ye Xiu didn't stand on ceremony and walked right inside.

Mo Lan followed beside him, speaking as they walked, "It is truly an honor for the Mo Clan that you would grace us with your presence! The servants are preparing dinner; please sit for a moment, it will be ready shortly!"

Ye Xiu waved his hand, "No need for the trouble. I just came to take a look."

Mo Lan was taken aback, but quickly smiled again, "Yes, yes, whatever you say, Master. Please, let us go to the living room to sit."

The group crossed the courtyard and entered the living room.

Ye Xiu sat in a chair next to the main seat, while Mo Lan sat opposite him. Several Mo Clan elders sat in the lower seats, each of them wearing a fawning smile.

"Master, your arrival in Yan City is a blessing for us all!" Mo Lan said with a smile, "I wonder how many days you plan to stay in Yan City? If you have time, please allow the Mo Clan to host you properly!"

Ye Xiu glanced at him without answering, instead asking, "The Mo Clan has been quite busy lately, haven't you?"

Mo Lan was stunned, "What does Master mean by that...?"

Ye Xiu leaned back in his chair and said slowly, "I haven't been out and about for a long time. I heard that your Mo Clan has been in close contact with merchants from the desert recently?"

Mo Lan's expression shifted slightly, but he quickly returned to normal and smiled, "Master is truly well-informed. To be honest, my Mo Clan does have some dealings with merchants from the desert; after all, the Tagor Desert has many rare resources."

Ye Xiu nodded.

Seeing that Ye Xiu remained silent, Mo Lan felt a strange sense of unease. He thought for a moment and probed, "Master, are you just passing through Yan City, or do you have business to attend to? If there is anything the Mo Clan can do for you, please do not hesitate to command us!"

Ye Xiu looked at him and suddenly smiled.

"I do have some business to attend to, and it happens to involve your Mo Clan."

Mo Lan patted his chest and said, "Master, just say the word! As long as the Mo Clan can help, we certainly will!"

Being able to befriend a Dou Wang who was also a fourth-tier Alchemist was a deal the Mo Clan could never lose.

Ye Xiu smiled, "Alright then, hand over Qing Lin."