Xia Wuyou's crying stopped suddenly, and he immediately got up from the ground, his movements astonishingly fast.
He wiped his face carelessly with his sleeve, and instantly restrained all his exaggerated emotions. Except for the redness of his eyes, his face had regained some respect and shrewdness, but under that respect, there was uncontrollable expectation and nervousness.
"Yes, yes, Special Envoy, please forgive me. It was my subordinate who lost his temper."
Xia Wuyou bowed to apologize and asked cautiously.
"I wonder what instructions Master Special Envoy has when he comes here this time? My subordinate Xia Wuyou has been stationed here for ten years. I know a little about the situation in this place for hundreds of miles. I will do my best to serve you!"
Gu Sheng took back the token and said calmly.
"I'm not Main Pavilion Special Envoy. I just passed by here by chance. I didn't come here for you."
When Xia Wuyou heard this, the expectant light on his face instantly dimmed a lot, but the look he looked at Gu Sheng was still extremely respectful.
The person who holds Pavilion Master Token, even if he is not Special Envoy, must be an extremely core and important figure in the Main Pavilion, and his status is far beyond that of the exiled Branch Store shopkeeper.
"That's it."
Xia Wuyou said quickly.
"Even so, if your Excellency has any request, Xia Wuyou will not hesitate to do anything! I wonder what you need, Your Excellency? Although our store is located in a remote place, we still have some treasures..."
"I need detailed information about the depths of Boundless Ancient City, especially the areas surrounding Hall of a Thousand Souls and Soul Burial Valley. The more detailed the better."
Gu Sheng interrupted him and directly explained his purpose.
When Xia Wuyou heard that Gu Sheng was not Special Envoy, the light of hope in his eyes instantly dimmed by half, but his respect did not diminish at all, and he bent even lower.
"Yes, yes, I understand! Don't worry, sir, regarding the information surrounding Hall of a Thousand Souls and Soul Burial Valley, our store... No, I do have it here! It has been collected and verified little by little over the years. It is a hundred times more sophisticated than those mass-produced goods outside!"
He immediately turned around and shouted sharply at a waiter behind the counter who was also stunned by what had just happened.
"What are you still doing? Go to the inner treasury quickly and get the jade slip sealed with 'Star Sinking Wood' on the top of Cabinet No. 3! Be smart with your hands and feet!"
The clerk woke up from a dream and rushed towards the back of the store.
Xia Wuyou smiled again and turned to Gu Sheng.
"My lord, please wait for a moment. The jade slip will be here soon. In addition to the information, my lord, going deep into the ruins of the ancient city is dangerous and unpredictable. Do you need to prepare any other items? Pills, Body Protection Talisman urns, or weapons?"
Although our store is small, we still have some bottom-of-the-pack items, so adults, feel free to ask! "
Gu Sheng thought for a moment and said.
"The 'Grain Abstinence Pill' prepared for three days must be of high quality. Ten bottles of 'Spirit Replenishing Pill' are also of high quality. 'Heart Calming Talisman' and 'Body Protection Talisman' have twenty bottles each. The higher the grade, the better.
Prepare a detailed topographic map from the outside to the depths of the ancient city, marking all known monster lairs, energy turbulence areas, and recent change points. The newer the better. "
"No problem! Leave it to your subordinates!"
Xia Wuyou patted his chest and agreed, then rubbed his hands again, with a flattering and somewhat pitiful look on his face.
"Sir... you see, although you are not Special Envoy, you hold Pavilion Master Token, and your status is extremely respected.
Can... can you please mention something to the eldest lady at your convenience, just say... just say that Xia Wuyou has worked hard in this damn place for ten years, with no credit but hard work. Day and night, I look forward to being transferred back to Great Desolation City, even as a sweeper! "
He said, his eyes turning red again.
"Sir, as you are going deep into a dangerous area, you must have someone running errands by your side, right? Although my subordinate's cultivation is shallow, he is still at the late stage of the sect realm and is familiar with the ruins of the ancient city. Why not... why not let my subordinate accompany you, saddle the horse in front and do the work of the dog and horse?"
Gu Sheng glanced at him, his tone flat.
"No need. Just have all the information and items ready. I'll pick them up early tomorrow morning."
The expectation on Xia Wuyou's face was completely shattered, but he didn't dare to disobey at all, so he could only nod his head repeatedly.
"Yes, yes! I obey your orders! I will be ready and waiting for you tomorrow morning!"
Gu Sheng said no more, turned around and walked out of the store.
Gu Yuan was still immersed in the shocking scene of Shopkeeper Xia kneeling and crying just now, his mind buzzing. It wasn't until Gu Sheng took a few steps that he suddenly came back to his senses and hurriedly trotted to follow.
After walking out of the Linlang Pavilion, the hustle and bustle of the market outside flooded into my ears again, and Gu Yuan felt that I had regained a sense of reality.
He secretly glanced at Gu Sheng beside him, only to feel that the fog shrouding this "big brother" was getting deeper.
Even Shopkeeper Xia, who was in the late Zong realm, was so scared that he knelt down and begged for mercy. He still had that "Pavilion Master Token"...
Gu Yuan's heart was beating fast and he didn't dare to think about it further.
"Find an inn to stay."
Gu Sheng's voice interrupted Gu Yuan's random thoughts.
"Huh? Oh! Inn!"
Gu Yuan responded quickly, his mind spinning rapidly.
"Brother, there are several inns in the camp, and the conditions are almost rudimentary. However, I recommend going to the one in the north, 'Laifu Inn'."
"Why?"
Gu Sheng asked.
"Because the shopkeeper of that inn is said to be a senior of the Heavenly Martial Realm!"
Gu Yuan lowered his voice with awe.
"Although no one has seen him take action, everyone says so. With him in charge, within a hundred feet radius of the inn, the risk of a 'Ancient Martial Artist Remnant Soul' attack at night will be greatly reduced!"
"Ancient Martial Artist Remnant Soul?"
Gu Sheng's eyes moved slightly.
"Yes!"
Gu Yuan nodded vigorously, with a look of lingering fear on his face.
"This is one of the most terrifying things at Boundless Ancient City! It is said that it was formed by the immortal obsession of the strong men who fell during the ancient war, mixed with the chaotic energy of this place.
They have no sanity, only the instinct to kill, and they have retained part of their combat experience and martial arts skills during their lifetimes, making them extremely powerful! The most important thing is that they ignore physical defense and specialize in divine souls!
A remnant soul in the early stage of a sect realm often needs three or four warriors of the same realm to join forces to barely resist or expel it. There is no place where a strong person can sit down, and it often happens that residual souls come into the house at night and suck their souls dry. "
He paused and added.
"So, the price of the inn in the camp is very different whether there is a strong person in charge or not. Although Laifu Inn is more expensive, it is safe and guaranteed."
"Just go to Laifu Inn."
Gu Sheng decides directly.
"You can stay here too and I'll pay for it."
Gu Yuan was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed.
"Thank you, big brother! Thank you, big brother!"
Being able to stay in a safe inn with a strong Heavenly Martial Realm man for free is like pie in the sky!
He quickly led the way.
"Brother, please come this way!"
The two passed through the still lively market and camp and came to a relatively secluded area in the north.
A three-story mixed stone and wood building stands in front of you, with a slightly old wooden plaque hanging at the door - "Laifu Inn".
It was consistent with the rough style of the camp, but the scale was significantly larger. There were two men with calm auras and bright eyes guarding the door. Their cultivation levels were at the peak of the Earth Martial Realm.
Walking into the lobby of the inn, it was quite spacious with more than a dozen rough wooden tables. There were already many warriors dining or chatting in low voices. The air was filled with the mixed smell of wine, meat and sweat.
Behind the counter, a skinny old man with a goatee and shrewd eyes was fiddling with the abacus. His aura was restrained, but the faint pressure he conveyed was even stronger than the two guards at the door. He was clearly a sect-level cultivator!
A man in a gray jacket with quick hands and feet came up to him with a professional smile on his face.
"Two guests, do you want to be a top-notch person or stay in a hotel?"
His eyes quickly swept over Gu Sheng, with an imperceptible scrutiny. When he saw Gu Yuan behind Gu Sheng, who was dressed in shabby clothes and had low cultivation, there was obvious surprise and confusion in his eyes. Obviously, it is quite rare for a low-level warrior like Gu Yuan to stay in a hotel with the magnanimity shown by Gu Sheng.
"Staying in the hotel, two bedrooms."
Gu Sheng said directly.
"Okay! It's ten yuan for a low-grade spiritual jade for one day, and twenty yuan for two rooms."
The guy quoted the price, which was indeed expensive for the campsite.
Gu Sheng casually took out twenty pieces of low-grade spiritual jade and placed it on the counter, then asked again.
"Is there a meal?"
"Yes, yes!"
The man put away the spirit jade and smiled a little more enthusiastically.
"Our store has freshly caught 'Ironclad Rhinoceros' meat, which is stewed with 'Crimson Sun Grass', which greatly replenishes energy and blood! There is also 'Qingfeng Rabbit' meat stir-fried with 'Jade Bamboo Shoot', which is tender and delicious! The staple food is Spirit Grain Rice and meat patties. What do you think, sir?"
"Bring two portions each and deliver them to the room. Prepare enough dry food and water for three days."
Gu Sheng ordered.
"Understood! I will make arrangements for you immediately!"
The clerk wrote it down, took two wooden plaques with the room number engraved on it, and handed them to Gu Sheng.
"Rooms No. 3 and 4 in Tianzi, the two innermost rooms on the left hand side of the third floor, are clean!"
Gu Sheng took the wooden sign and led Gu Yuan, who was still a little cautious, up the stairs.
The stairs and corridors were paved with thick wooden boards, which made a slight creaking sound when stepped on.
The third floor is indeed much quieter. There are two rooms at the end of the corridor. The house numbers are engraved with "" and "".
Pushing open the door of Room No. 3, the inside was much better than Gu Yuan expected.
The room is not big, but it is clean and tidy. It has a wooden bed, a square table, two chairs, and a wooden basin stand in the corner.
The window opens to the north, away from the hustle and bustle of the camp. Although simple, it can be considered luxurious in this ruined camp.
Soon, the waiter delivered a steaming meal.
There are two large pottery bowls. One bowl contains Ironclad Rhinoceros meat that is well-cooked, shiny, and exudes a rich meat aroma and a light herbal flavor. The other bowl contains bamboo shoot slices fried with pink rabbit meat. The aroma is fragrant.
There are also two large bowls of Spirit Grain Rice, which is crystal clear and full of spiritual energy.
"Please be patient, sir. Dry food and water will be delivered to you later."
The man put down his things and left.
Gu Yuan looked at the two obviously valuable dishes on the table, and his Adam's apple rolled unconsciously.
Ironclad Rhinoceros is a sect realm monster, Crimson Sun Grass is also one of the main materials for refining qi and blood elixirs, Qingfeng Rabbit and Jade Bamboo Shoot also contain spiritual energy, the cost of this meal is probably worth what he usually spends ten days and a half.
"Eat."
Gu Sheng sat down at the table, picked up the chopsticks, and spoke calmly.
"Huh? Me... I eat it too?"
Gu Yuan was a little flattered and pointed to another copy.
"Yeah."
Gu Sheng has started to move the chopsticks calmly.
Gu Yuan no longer hesitated, said thank you, sat down opposite, picked up the chopsticks, carefully picked up a piece of Ironclad Rhinoceros meat and put it into his mouth.
The meat melted in his mouth, and a hot and pure power of blood instantly melted in his body, making his whole body warm and dissipating a lot of the fatigue from running around during the day.
He took another bite of Jade Bamboo Shoot fried rabbit meat. It was fresh, crispy and tender, and the spiritual energy gently nourished the meridians.
Spirit Grain Rice is even more plump, and contains far more aura than ordinary food.
He ate very quickly, almost gobbling it down. On the one hand, he was really hungry, and on the other hand, the food containing spiritual energy was too rare for a low-level warrior like him, and he was reluctant to waste every bite.
The energy in the body seems to be more active with the nourishment of food.
Gu Sheng ate slowly and gracefully, as if he was just enjoying an ordinary meal.
When Gu Yuan had eaten more than half of the food in his bowl, felt warm in his belly, and even felt that the Earth Martial Realm double bottleneck that had been stagnant for a long time was showing signs of loosening, Gu Sheng put down his chopsticks.
He picked up the stoneware teapot on the table and poured himself a glass of water. His eyes calmly fell on Gu Yuan opposite, who was still immersed in eating.
"How many generations of your ancestors have been living here?"
Gu Sheng's voice was not loud, but it was like thunder, exploding in Gu Yuan's ears.
The chopsticks Gu Yuan was holding a piece of rabbit meat suddenly stopped in mid-air. He raised his head, with food still stuffed in his mouth, and looked at Gu Sheng blankly.
"... Ah? Brother, what did you say?"
Gu Sheng picked up the water glass and took a sip, his eyes were deep, as if they could penetrate people's hearts.
"You said that your ancestors have been making a living in this land for several generations, and you know some news about Boundless Ancient City inside and outside."
"Yes... yes."
Gu Yuan answered subconsciously, but his heartbeat began to accelerate.
"Your foundation is frivolous and your true energy is mixed and impure. You obviously relied on elixir resources to forcibly upgrade to the Earth Martial Realm second level."
Gu Sheng's tone was calm, but every word was like a needle.
"The warriors in this camp, as long as they have some family heritage, will not have such a bad foundation. If your family has a warrior heritage, you will never be allowed to practice like this."
Gu Yuan's face instantly turned pale, and the hand holding the chopsticks trembled slightly.
Gu Sheng continued, his eyes as sharp as a knife.
"More importantly, the technique you practice has a mysterious and tricky path, with a cold and deathly air. It is by no means a common technique circulated in the world. Rather, it looks like... something excavated from some ominous place deep in the ruins."
Snap!
Gu Yuan could no longer hold the chopsticks in his hand and fell to the table with a crisp sound.
His whole body was frozen in the chair, his mouth was slightly open, and he forgot to chew the food he was stuffed with. His eyes were filled with unparalleled shock and bone-deep panic!
His biggest secret was actually seen through by the other party!
Gu Yuan froze in the chair, his face as pale as paper, and fear surging in his eyes.
His (or her) biggest secret, the one that was buried deep in his heart and relied on for survival, was completely exposed by a few words from the person in front of him!
The other party's eyes were calm, but they seemed to have the power to penetrate everything, leaving her with nothing to hide.
"You... you..."
Gu Yuan's voice was dry and tight, and he could hardly speak complete words.