Hongxiu Inn.
"Is this all your inn has to offer? Bring out your most expensive dishes and teas!" Mu Heng said with disdain, glancing at the bamboo strips on the serving platter. He pointed to several of the most expensive dishes and instructed the Golden Toad beast beside him, "Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, Crystal Pork Jelly, Preserved Meats Steamed Together... and a pot of clear tea... Just bring out all your most prized dishes!"
Ye Ziling sat at the table, calmly drinking tea, unfazed by the astonished glances of others.
"So rich!"
"Are students of cultivation this wealthy?"
"Just look at the token on their waist, it's from Jiuling Palace. Do you think they lack money?"
...
The Golden Toad beast rubbed its hands together, smiling fawningly. "Please wait, honored guest, it will be ready soon... very soon..." With that, its face lit up, and it eagerly peered outside, calling out to the innkeeper, "Boss... we have a big customer!"
Normally, the inn catered to travelers on their journeys. Today, however, various cultivation sects were heading to Shaolin for the Immortal Examination mobilization meeting, resulting in a large influx of people and booming business.
The innkeeper emerged from the back hall, a genial smile on his face as he approached Mu Heng. He bowed courteously and said, "This way, honored guest. Please confirm the dishes first. We have a rule here, payment is required before the meal..."
While Mu Heng was momentarily away, a few tall men, seeing the beautiful woman drinking tea alone at the table, her gaze cool and aloof, grew bold. They pulled up stools and sat beside her, picking up the wine pot to pour her wine, their smiles full of ill intent.
Ye Ziling's eyes were calm. She propped up her chin and glanced at them sideways, ignoring them.
"Which immortal sect does young lady belong to? Since fate has brought us together, why not join us for a few drinks?" one of the long-faced youths asked, his gaze brazenly fixed on her fair face, subtly licking his lips.
This beauty was even more captivating than a celestial fairy!
Ye Ziling remained silent, picking up her wine cup and taking a sip with elegant and noble posture.
"Hey—why aren't you responding, girl? Do you know which sect we belong to? Ungrateful fool!"
The long-faced youth, seeing that she hadn't even given him a proper glance, became enraged and reached out to grab her slender wrist.
The corners of Ye Ziling's mouth curved slightly. She suddenly splashed the steaming hot tea in her hand, scalding the man's face.
"Sixth Senior Brother..."
"Sixth Senior Brother, are you alright?"
...
"You slut! How dare you treat me like this!" The long-faced disciple clutched his face, his skin reddened by the burn, and he continued to curse Ye Ziling.
The disciples behind him supported him, their eyes filled with murderous intent, glaring at her fiercely. They shouted, "You dead wench! Do you know who we are? If you offend us, how will your little sects survive in the cultivation world!"
The cultivation students present were all startled. They stopped their chopsticks and, seeing their blue robes, knew they were disciples of Cuiling Xuan. Frightened, they dared not speak.
Cuiling Xuan was one of the Four Great Immortal Sects, its disciples arrogant and narrow-minded. To avoid being targeted by them, they could only pretend not to see.
It was better to avoid trouble, especially with the mobilization meeting for the Immortal Examination approaching. It was best not to attract any problems.
Cuiling Xuan?
Ye Ziling's eyebrows flickered as she casually appraised them.
Ranked at the tail end of the Four Great Immortal Sects, yet so audacious?
They clearly didn't know the immensity of heaven and earth.
Ye Ziling curved her lips into a smile. The teacup in her hand split into several arrow-like shadows that cut through the wind, instantly sending the disciples behind her flying.
The disciples, still bewildered, fell to the ground in pain, clutching their chests and spitting out blood.
Tables and chairs overturned, fragments flying everywhere, causing chaos throughout the room. The beautiful woman stood in the center, pouring herself another cup of tea, her expression leisurely and contented.
"I have long heard that your sect's techniques are first-class. Now that I've tried them, they are nothing special."
Seeing the techniques clearly, the surrounding onlookers widened their eyes in disbelief, lowering their heads and whispering amongst themselves.
"...She didn't use talismans?"
"What kind of technique was that? Did you see her cast it?"
...
Initially, they had worried that she, a delicate woman, would not dare to resist. But her attack was so fierce!
Everyone knew that cultivation disciples could only unleash their techniques with the aid of talismans. Yet, what they had just witnessed seemed inconceivable—to be able to perform techniques without relying on talismans?
Soon, the crowd dispelled their doubts. This young lady, in terms of appearance and temperament, did not resemble an ordinary Immortal Examination candidate at all. Could she be from the Celestial Realm?
"You... you just wait for me!" The long-faced disciple ran out of the inn, shouting angrily. Before long, he returned with over a dozen disciples.
"Brothers! It's her! I only said a couple of words to her... and she seriously injured us!" The long-faced disciple was the first to accuse, pointing at Ye Ziling with rage.
"How dare you offend our Cuiling Xuan? I think you're tired of living!" With that, over a dozen disciples surged forward.
Ye Ziling gave a disdainful smile, holding a teacup in one hand, and with unparalleled might, she instantly repelled all the disciples several feet back.
"What kind of sorcery is this? Brothers, don't be scared by her!"
The dozen or so disciples attempted to rush forward again but were interrupted by a sweet and pleasant voice.
"Who is causing trouble here?"
Hearing the voice, everyone looked towards the doorway. A woman in a goose-yellow gauze dress, her face veiled, walked in gracefully, her hands on her waist.
Ye Ziling glanced at her lightly. The maiden wore a white veil, and her goose-yellow gauze dress accentuated her fine figure. Even seeing only her pair of bright, almond-shaped eyes, one could tell she was a charming beauty.
However, her waist was perhaps excessively slender, making her appear stiff and wooden.
"Who are you? Are you from the same sect as her?" The long-faced disciple asked arrogantly, his chin held high.
"Presumptuous! I am the direct master of Jiuling Palace. Who do you think I am?" The maiden's voice was as clear as pearls falling on a jade plate, enunciated perfectly, betraying no hint of the softness expected of a young lady.
Ye Ziling put down her teacup and lazily raised her eyelids. She saw the maiden standing tall and proud, putting on quite a show.
"Jiuling Palace..."
Everyone's gazes converged on the maiden. Jiuling Palace was a great immortal sect; even the people of the Celestial Realm gave way to them.
However, the Master of Jiuling Palace had been traveling the world for years and usually disdained to involve herself in the affairs of immortal sects. How could she personally grace such an event as the Immortal Examination mobilization meeting?
"Hahahaha... Master of Jiuling Palace? Do you think I'm stupid?" The blue-robed disciples burst into laughter. "First, what cultivation level does the Master of Jiuling Palace possess? Not to mention she's over fifty years old, your age probably can't even muster a fraction of her power! Second, the Master of Jiuling Palace has been traveling the world for years. Not to mention us, even the elders of the great immortal sects have never met her in person. How could she appear in such a place so easily?"
Ye Ziling stood to the side, her expression as calm as still water.
The blue-robed disciples didn't want to waste more time arguing with this impostor. They rolled up their sleeves, preparing to fight again. Just as they took a step forward, thick smoke suddenly billowed from their bodies.
"Fi-fire!"
"Damn it! Who? Who's playing tricks on us from behind!"
"It's burning! What kind of sorcery is this?"
...
The Immortal Examination students inside scattered. The surroundings were in disarray.
"Fire! Run for your lives..."
"Someone... help put out the fire!"
...
Shortly after, a golden talisman appeared in mid-air, then dropped and burned to ashes.
Seeing the familiar technique, Shen Yueru hurriedly pulled off her veil, revealing a pretty face, and looked behind her with surprise. "Ling Shixiong!"
Ye Ziling followed her gaze and saw Ling Xi leaning by the doorway, his dark eyes shining brightly, a golden talisman held between his fingers.
"Miss Ye, long time no see."
He casually raised an eyebrow, a faint smile playing on his lips. His handsome and extraordinary face became even more captivating and alluring under the firelight.