Jing Wen stood atop Jia Yuan City's gate tower with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing down at this unfamiliar yet vibrant city.
A gentle breeze brushed past, fluttering his robes and sending his long black hair dancing in the wind.
The light of the rising sun fell across his sharply defined face, tracing its resolute contours.
"So this is Jia Yuan City," Jing Wen murmured, a flicker of curiosity and anticipation passing through his deep eyes.
Jia Yuan City was like a dazzling pearl set into the vast land.
It was a thriving place where cultivators and mortals mingled, and South Tomb Street, the heart of the city's southern district, was especially lively.
People streamed along the street, their hawking cries, chatter, and laughter weaving together into a vivid tapestry of everyday life.
Jing Wen strolled along South Tomb Street, taking in the city's distinctive atmosphere.
Not far away, an enormous residence spanning several acres caught his eye. A plaque bearing the words "Mo Residence" hung above its black-lacquered gates, exuding an air of antiquity beneath the sunlight.
Eight burly men in fitted martial attire stood on either side of the entrance. With their heads held high, chests squared, and eyes fixed straight ahead, they radiated the disciplined toughness of well-trained men, inspiring fear at a glance.
It seems the Mo Residence holds considerable power in Jia Yuan City, Jing Wen mused. After letting his gaze linger on its buildings for a moment, he turned toward the Xiang Family Restaurant across the street.
The Xiang Family Restaurant stood three stories tall, its carved beams and painted pillars lending it a magnificent air. It was well known throughout Jia Yuan City.
It was noon, and the restaurant was packed, with every table from the first floor to the third occupied.
The rich aromas of wine and food drifted outside, making passing pedestrians turn their heads, their mouths watering.
Jing Wen climbed the stairs to the second floor.
He found a seat beside a window overlooking the street and ordered several appetizing meat and vegetable dishes, along with a bottle of the renowned clear wine, Hundred-Mile Fragrance.
He lifted his cup and took a gentle sip. The mellow fragrance of the wine spread through his mouth, bringing a contented smile to his face.
Through the window, he gazed down at the bustling street. This was the first time since arriving in this world that he had observed his surroundings with such ease.
Though the Capital had been prosperous, Jing Wen had spent those days tormented by his inability to cultivate, leaving him in no mood to appreciate the beauty of the world.
Now, at last, he had the chance to slow his steps and savor the pleasures of life.
"This way, young master. Please sit here! Your dishes will be served shortly." Just as Jing Wen was immersing himself in this pleasant atmosphere, a waiter in a short white jacket led a blue-robed young man of twenty-seven or twenty-eight upstairs and showed him to an empty table beside Jing Wen's.
The blue-robed young man had regular features, thick brows, and large eyes, with a touch of heroic spirit in his bearing.
After sitting down, he habitually glanced around, and his gaze happened to meet Jing Wen's.
In an instant, an invisible pressure swept over him. His entire body tensed, as though a pair of piercing eyes had seen straight through him.
Cold sweat immediately broke out on his forehead, and his face paled.
Wh... who exactly is this man? The blue-robed young man was horrified. He had never before experienced the feeling of being seen through with a single glance.
That sensation filled him with utter terror.
Just as the blue-robed young man was about to get up and leave, another set of footsteps sounded from the stairs.
A young man in yellow came upstairs. He, too, sensed the powerful aura emanating from Jing Wen, and his expression shifted slightly.
The yellow-robed young man approached the blue-robed young man. They exchanged a glance, each seeing shock and unease in the other's eyes.
They exchanged a few hushed words, then rose and walked over to Jing Wen's table.
"My name is Zheng Xiao, and this is my brother, Zhao Yu," the blue-robed young man said, cupping his hands.
"We noticed your imposing bearing and extraordinary cultivation just now. You must be no ordinary man.
"My brother and I came over hoping to make your acquaintance and forge a friendly connection."
Jing Wen smiled faintly, his gaze sweeping over them. "Qi refining level twelve."
"You have a keen eye!" A flash of astonishment crossed Zheng Xiao's face before he forced a smile and cupped his hands. "My brother and I have come to attend the Ascension to Immortality Conference.
"We heard that this gathering will draw many powerful cultivators. If we have the fortune to face you in a spell duel, we hope you'll stay your hand."
As he spoke, he discreetly studied Jing Wen, trying to gauge his strength. Yet the man seemed like a fathomless pool, impossible to read.
This was an additional effect of the Breath Concealment Technique.
Jing Wen nodded slightly, lifted his cup, and took a small sip, letting the mellow fragrance of the wine spread between his teeth.
"I'm merely passing through Jia Yuan City and stopping here for a while. I haven't come to attend the Ascension to Immortality Conference."
His gaze was calm, carrying the detachment of someone who had seen through the ways of the world. Looking at the two men before him, he suddenly smiled again.
"If you fail to pass this Ascension to Immortality Conference, you may come find me in the Capital."
With that, he flicked his fingertip, and a Sound Transmission Talisman fluttered like a lively butterfly toward Zheng Xiao and Zhao Yu.
Zheng Xiao and Zhao Yu exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with confusion and hesitation.
Though they did not understand Jing Wen's intentions, the powerful presence he had displayed left them afraid to show the slightest carelessness.
"Thank you for your kindness!" Zheng Xiao reached out to accept the Sound Transmission Talisman, carefully put it away, and cupped his hands in another salute.
Neither dared linger any longer. They rose and took their leave.
As he stepped out of the restaurant, Zheng Xiao could not resist looking back. Jing Wen was still sitting leisurely by the window.
"Big brother, just where did this man come from?
"He saw through our cultivation the moment we met, then offered us a Sound Transmission Talisman and invited us to find him in the Capital." Zhao Yu's brows were tightly furrowed, his heart full of questions. His voice unconsciously dropped, betraying his unease.
Zheng Xiao stood rooted to the spot, his brows knitted tightly. After pondering for a long while, he said slowly, "There's something far too strange about him. While we were talking, his aura was as placid as a mortal's, yet a moment later, an invisible pressure seemed to sweep over us. He's unfathomable."
Zhao Yu clenched his fists, looking flustered. "Big brother, what should we do, then? This Sound Transmission Talisman..."
"Keep it for now." Zheng Xiao raised a hand to interrupt Zhao Yu and said gravely, "This Sound Transmission Talisman could be a chance to change our fates and climb onto a higher branch, or it could be a trap.
"Let's leave first. We'll see how things stand later."
Still shaken, Zhao Yu nodded and carefully put the Sound Transmission Talisman away.
Neither dared linger another moment, and they slipped into the bustling crowd.
Jing Wen watched their figures disappear around the street corner, his slender fingers gently stroking the rim of his cup as a thoughtful glimmer passed through his eyes.
"How interesting..."
He took a small sip of wine, its mellow fragrance lingering on his lips and tongue.
The sunlight outside the window was just right, gilding half his face with a pale golden glow.
Will this method actually work...? Jing Wen silently weighed the matter. If it succeeds, it could save me a great deal of trouble.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, looking across the bustling street toward the tall gatehouse of the Mo Residence in the distance.
"Since they came knocking of their own accord..." A barely perceptible smile curved Jing Wen's lips as he drained the remaining wine from his cup. "I might as well give it a try."
The wine slid down his throat with a faint burning warmth.
He set down his cup and gently tapped his fingertips against the tabletop, producing soft, rhythmic sounds.
Cultivating a force in the shadows was like laying a hidden piece on a chessboard.
Success would give him another source of aid; failure would do no real harm.
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