Immortal Spirit City, Zhao Family
The torrential rain outside did nothing to dampen the liveliness within the estate. Spirit fruits filled the air with their fragrance, while the rich aroma of century-old wine permeated the atmosphere.
Zhang Tianming stood before the gates of the Zhao estate, already drenched to the bone.
Rain streamed down from his disheveled hair. His white robes were stained with mud, and he looked every bit like a beggar.
Looking at the familiar gates before him, he felt inexplicably uneasy. Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward, ready to enter.
Yet before he could approach, the guards stationed on either side of the gate crossed their weapons and blocked his way.
"Where did this beggar come from? Is this a place you should be?" The guard on the left waved him off impatiently, as though shooing away flies.
Zhang Tianming forcibly suppressed the humiliation in his heart. Brushing aside the wet hair stuck to his face, he revealed his features. "I'm Zhang Tianming. I'm here to see Ling'er."
The two guards took a closer look and recognized him. But instead of stepping aside, they both revealed looks of disdain.
"Oh, I was wondering who it was."
The guard on the right drew out his words, folding his arms as he looked Zhang Tianming up and down. "Isn't this the fake young master of the Immortal Spirit Sacred Land?"
He enunciated the words "fake young master" with particular clarity, his tone dripping with mockery.
Zhang Tianming's smile froze on his face. He had never expected that after losing his status as the Sacred Land's young master, even the gate guards of the Zhao estate would dare to trample on him.
"What's going on?"
A clear, pleasant voice came from inside the gates.
Zhang Tianming suddenly looked up