Present Node

Flowing Sand Market, the last settlement before heading west into the Sea of Death. Beyond the market lay an endless expanse of sand and grit.

A weathered three-story building, its exterior scarred by wind and sand, bore the sign: "Vast Sea's Number One Inn."

Papers, brushes, and other items lay scattered across the counter by the door. The proprietor was a woman dressed in a black skirt.

She looked about twenty-seven or twenty-eight, her features as lovely as a flower in full bloom, drawing frequent glances from passing guests.

Unfortunately, the expression on her face somewhat ruined the charm. Her snowy, delicate face was cold and indifferent, without the slightest hint of an innkeeper's hospitality, as if every customer owed her a hundred taels of silver.

"Innkeeper, a room and a meal."

A clear, pleasant female voice rang out, carrying a trace of distant aloofness, like the voice of an Immortal descending from the Ninth Heaven.

The woman in black did not even raise her head as she replied out of habit:

"Five taels of silver per night. Meals cost extra."

But immediately afterward, the proprietress sensed that something was off. She raised her head and saw a beautiful young woman with a sword on her back, dressed in white with black hair, her appearance almost ethereal.

Her pupils were a cold yet beautiful blue. Set against skin like fine jade, they shone as brilliantly as stars. Even Qu Jiuniang, with all her experience, found herself stunned by such beauty.

"Hey, innkeeper. Five taels of silver for one night? Is this some kind of highway robbery?"

Another voice rang out, drawing Qu Jiuniang's attention away from the beautiful girl.

It belonged to a companion who looked less than half her age. A long, thin ahoge stood straight up from the