He passed through the city gates.
"..."
Ye Li followed the broad, stone-paved avenue toward the north of the city.
Kong Rong's soul returned to the Divine Ability space, while Ye Li transformed the Memory Scroll into a rolled-up scroll and concealed it in his sleeve, occasionally unfurling it to consult it.
Gaoyang City was indeed a prosperous sight.
Even late at night, the taverns and teahouses lining the streets remained brightly lit. The ancient city was a dazzling spectacle, with independent cultivators traveling in small groups, laughing and talking loudly.
With Ye Li's extraordinary hearing,
he occasionally caught a few remarks about the [Azure Current Secret Realm], though most of those discussing it were roadside cultivators with low cultivation.
That was hardly surprising.
After all, independent cultivators who truly intended to enter the Secret Realm and seize opportunities would hardly have the leisure to discuss it loudly in the streets.
Soon, however, Ye Li left the clamor behind.
The farther north he went, the fewer voices he heard.
By the time he reached the foot of the towering ancient tree, his surroundings were so quiet that hardly anyone was in sight, a clear indication of how exclusive this place was.
He looked up.
The Tree Court Inn was even more astonishing in scale than he had imagined.
Perhaps because it was late at night, and because of its steep prices, few guests were coming or going at the entrance.
"Business looks pretty slow..."
Ye Li murmured to himself.
Then he pushed open the door and stepped into the lobby.
Candlelight flickered inside, and a faint, soothing fragrance filled the air.
Some sort of formation must have been applied to the wooden floor beneath his feet, for his footsteps made no sound at all.
"...My lord, please come in."
Two