After wandering the streets of the Market Ward in this frontier region for over two hours and getting a small taste of its exotic customs, Li Ling and the others followed Wu Lin to the largest guesthouse in the city.
It had been founded by several human lineages with Foundation Establishment cultivators, who amassed wealth and gathered intelligence by receiving visitors from all quarters.
Such businesses serving the cultivation world were a major reason those lineages could thrive like fish in water along the border between humans and demons.
They had only just reached the third floor when they saw pedestrians running through the street outside, hurriedly clearing the way.
A cloudlike mass of vapor swept in, sending out myriad rays of rosy light and dazzling colors that spread across the street like brocade.
A large crowd of demon spirit monsters dressed in embroidered robes and assuming human appearances led the way, openly parading an imposing ceremonial escort.
Behind them came a succession of carriages drawn by all manner of demonic beasts, each personally guarded by a Great Demon with a Foundation Establishment aura.
In the middle of this procession, which resembled an emperor's entourage, an ornate carriage over ten feet across, as large as a small house, rolled slowly forward behind four enormous, fiery-red wolves. Its walls resembled painted murals, while its eaves, windowsills, and roof were carved and painted with dragons and phoenixes, adorned with gold and jade in the utmost extravagance.
"Hu Lao is here!"
Wu Lin's eyes lit up at the sight of the procession, and he spoke to Li Ling and the others.
"What an ostentatious display. Just what is this Hu Lao up to, swaggering through the streets like this?" Li Ling chuckled inwardly at the sight.
In the eyes of truly mighty experts,