Chapter 104: Lying Low in the Small City, Undercurrents Surging

The horizon turned a pale white.

Su Yun brought Shen Ying into this small city named "Qinghe".

The city was not large, only about ten miles in circumference; the city walls were built of ordinary bluestone, with vines crawling over some parts.

The city gate was wide open, and a few guarding Cultivators were leaning against the wall base yawning.

Their cultivation was only at the Qi Refining Level 3 or 4, and seeing someone coming, they just glanced lazily, not even bothering to interrogate.

Su Yun understood in his heart.

In such a border small city, where fish and dragons mixed, the number of Loose Cultivators entering and leaving every day was as numerous as ox hair; the guards had long since become numb to it.

The two walked along the main street.

The shops on both sides of the street had just opened, breakfast stalls were steaming, and a few Loose Cultivators at the Qi Refinement Stage were squatting on the side of the road eating noodles.

In the distance, the clanging sound of blacksmithing could be heard; it should be a Magical Artifact shop doing business.

Everything looked very ordinary.

But Su Yun knew that this was just a facade.

The Central Region was the territory where the Seven Great Immortal Sects entrenched themselves, full of experts and strict rules.

In a border small city like Qinghe, while loose on the surface, no one knew how many eyes were watching in the dark.

He needed to find a place to settle down first and figure out the ways of this place.

"Young Master," Shen Ying said in a low voice, "Two streets ahead, there is an inn called 'Yue Lai Ju'. Your subordinate… has been here before."

Su Yun nodded.

"Lead the way."

Yue Lai Ju was a three-story building with green bricks and dark tiles, with two red lanterns hanging at the entrance.

The innkeeper was a middle-aged man in his forties with a Qi Refining Level 9 cultivation, his face smiling like a flower:

"Two guests, are you dining or staying at the inn?"

"Staying at the inn," Su Yun said, "I want two premium rooms."

The innkeeper's eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly:

"Yes, yes, yes! There are two rooms on the third floor facing the street, spacious and bright, twenty Low-Grade Spirit Stone per day, including three meals."

Su Yun did not bargain and directly paid the Spirit Stone for ten days.

The innkeeper smiled even more brilliantly and personally led them upstairs.

The room was indeed not bad, cleaner than imagined, with windows facing the main street and a wide view.

Su Yun stayed in the room for a while, and after Shen Ying was settled, he took her downstairs.

"Let's go out and take a look around."

People were coming and going on the street.

Su Yun walked slowly, but his gaze swept over every corner.

Medicinal Pill shops, Magical Artifact pavilions, Talisman shops, Spiritual Plant workshops… everything that should be there was there, but the scale was not large, and the storefronts were old, obviously business was average.

He walked into a Medicinal Pill shop.

The shop was cold and clear, and a skinny old man was dozing on the counter.

Su Yun knocked on the counter.

The old man woke up and rubbed his eyes:

"What do you need, guest?"

"Do you have any Medicinal Pill for cultivation at the Foundation Establishment Stage?"

The old man sized him up, looked at Shen Ying behind him, and his eyes lit up slightly:

"Yes, yes, yes! Please wait a moment, guest!"

He drilled into the back room and didn't come out for a long time, holding several jade bottles in his hands.

"This is the Gathering Yuan Pill, for Foundation Establishment Stage, ten pills per bottle, one hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stone."

"This is the Peiyuan Pill, the effect is better, eight pills per bottle, one hundred and fifty Low-Grade Spirit Stone."

Su Yun picked up a bottle to look, then put it down.

The quality was average, far worse than what he used in the Southern Region.

But he didn't say anything and casually bought three bottles of Gathering Yuan Pill.

The old man beamed with joy and said repeatedly:

"Go slowly, guest! Come again next time!"

Walking out of the Medicinal Pill shop, Shen Ying said in a low voice:

"Young Master, this medicine…"

"I know," Su Yun said indifferently, "But I have to put on an act."

He continued to walk forward.

Passing a Magical Artifact shop, he suddenly stopped.

At the entrance of the shop, a little girl was squatting.

She looked about eight or nine years old, wearing old clothes washed white, skinny to the bone, and was staring eagerly at the Magical Artifacts hanging in the shop.

She watched very carefully, without blinking.

Su Yun glanced at her, didn't care, and continued walking.

But after walking a few steps, he suddenly stopped.

Not right.

That little girl's body…

Has a Spiritual Root.

And it's not an ordinary Spiritual Root.

His Divine Sense probed out quietly.

Sure enough.

Inside the little girl's body, there was an extremely weak but extremely pure Spiritual Qi fluctuation.

That is a natural Spirit Body.

Although it hadn't awakened yet, that Aura could not escape his perception.

Su Yun turned back and looked at the little girl.

She was still squatting there, looking at the Magical Artifacts, her eyes full of longing.

A middle-aged woman walked over, pulling her arm:

"Er Ya, let's go! What are you looking at? Are those things something you can look at?"

The little girl was pulled away, looking back every step.

Su Yun watched her disappear into the crowd, thoughtful.

"Young Master?" Shen Ying asked softly.

Su Yun withdrew his gaze.

"Let's go."

That night.

Su Yun sat cross-legged on the bed, turning the Jade Slip he had confiscated from Zhao Wuji in his hand.

This was given to him by Shen Ying—basic information about the major forces in the Central Region.

Seven Great Immortal Sects: Xuanyang Sect, Heavenly Sword Pavilion, Yuxu Palace, Purple Mansion, Hehuan Sect, Medicine King Valley, Divine Weapon Villa.

Xuanyang Sect was Zhao Wuji's Sect, famous for fire-type Cultivation Technique, and its strength was in the middle of the Seven Great Immortal Sects.

Heavenly Sword Pavilion, the Holy Land for Sword Cultivator, everyone was a battle maniac.

Yuxu Palace, good at Talisman and Formation, mysterious and unpredictable.

Purple Mansion, specializing in lightning techniques, with explosive combat power.

Hehuan Sect… this one Su Yun looked at twice more.

Dual Cultivation Sect.

It is said that there are equal numbers of male and female Disciples, specializing in the Dao of Yin and Yang harmony.

He touched his chin.

Interesting.

Continued reading.

In addition to the Seven Great Immortal Sects, there were countless small and medium Sects, families, and Loose Cultivator Alliances.

The headquarters of the Immortal Alliance was set in Yuxu Palace.

The order to hunt him down was issued from there.

Su Yun put down the Jade Slip and fell into deep thought.

His current location was Qinghe City.

Qinghe City belonged to a "three-no-care" zone, nominally under the jurisdiction of the Xuanyang Sect, but the Xuanyang Sect was far away from here, and the real managers were a few local forces in the city.

The largest was a local Family called the "Zhou Family".

The Old Ancestor of the Zhou Family was at the Mid Golden Core Stage, and it is said that he was in seclusion to impact the Golden Core Late Stage.

There were three Elders at the Peak Foundation Establishment in the Family, more than a dozen at the Early and Middle Foundation Establishment Stages, and over a hundred clansmen at the Qi Refinement Stage.

In a small place like Qinghe City, the Zhou Family was the local emperor.

Su Yun narrowed his eyes.

The Zhou Family.

It was a good Breakthrough point.

The next day.

Su Yun took Shen Ying to the market in the west of the city.

The market was much livelier than the main street, with Loose Cultivators setting up stalls everywhere, selling everything—Spiritual Plant, Ore, Talisman, broken Magical Artifacts, and even selling Spirit Beast cubs.

Su Yun wandered aimlessly, but his eyes were always paying attention to the surroundings.

Suddenly, his footsteps stopped.

Not far ahead, a young man wearing the Zhou Family's attire was bullying an old man setting up a stall with a few lackeys.

"Old thing, it's time to pay the protection fee this month!"

The old man knelt on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly:

"Young Master Zhou, this old man really didn't sell anything this month, please give me a few more days…"

"Grace period?" The young man kicked over the old man's stall, "Do you think my Zhou Family is a charity?"

The few lackeys next to him burst into laughter and went up to stuff the things on the old man's stall into their arms.

The people around dared not speak out, and lowered their heads one after another.

Su Yun looked at this scene, his mouth slightly raised.

He walked up.

"This Young Master Zhou, it is better to be forgiving when possible."

The young man was stunned and turned to look at Su Yun.

"Who the hell are you? Meddling in my Zhou Family's business?"

Su Yun smiled.

"A passing Loose Cultivator. Just can't stand it."

The young man looked him up and down, seeing that he was dressed ordinarily and had no Aura on him, he immediately sneered:

"Can't stand it? I'll let you not stand it!"

He waved his hand, and the few lackeys immediately surrounded him.

The people around retreated one after another, afraid of being implicated.

Shen Ying's face changed, and she was about to step forward.

Su Yun raised his hand to stop her.

He looked at the Young Master Zhou, still smiling:

"Young Master Zhou, are you sure you want to do it?"

Young Master Zhou felt his scalp tingle from his smile, but relying on his Family's power, he still braced himself:

"Do it! I'll take responsibility if you kill him!"

The few lackeys swarmed up.

Then—

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Three muffled sounds.

The three lackeys flew backward at the same time, hitting the wall, sliding down softly, and passed out directly.

Young Master Zhou's eyes widened, and before he could react, a palm was already pressed on his shoulder.

The palm was light, but like a mountain, pressing him so he couldn't move.

Su Yun leaned into his ear, his voice very light:

"Young Master Zhou, can we speak a step away?"

Young Master Zhou trembled all over and nodded desperately.

Half an hour later.

East of the city, outside the Zhou Family mansion.

Su Yun looked at the imposing mansion, thoughtful.

That Young Master Zhou was named Zhou Ming, the eldest grandson of the Zhou Family's third branch, who had no status in the Family, idled all day, and took a few lackeys to bully vendors.

Su Yun didn't kill him, just let him go back to pass a message:

Tomorrow night, the head of the Zhou Family, at the Sanli Slope outside the city, for a chat.

Of course, the way of passing the message was not very friendly—Su Yun left a trace of Blood Fiend Power in his body, which would break his Meridians if not resolved within three days.

Zhou Ming ran away with his tail between his legs.

Shen Ying stood behind Su Yun and said in a low voice:

"Young Master, the Old Ancestor of the Zhou Family is at the Mid Golden Core Stage, we…"

"I know," Su Yun smiled, "That's why I invited him out."

Shen Ying didn't understand, but didn't ask again.

The next evening.

Sanli Slope outside the city.

The setting sun dyed the hillside golden.

Su Yun stood with his hands behind his back, his robe blowing slightly in the evening wind.

Shen Ying stood behind him, looking nervous.

In the distance, several streams of light swept over.

In the blink of an eye, they landed on the hillside.

The leader was an old man with gray hair and beard, wearing a black robe, with a deep Aura, exactly the Old Ancestor of the Zhou Family, Zhou Yuankui.

Behind him followed three Elders at the Peak Foundation Establishment, and seven or eight clansmen at the Middle Foundation Establishment.

The Formation was not small.

Zhou Yuankui's gaze fell on Su Yun, narrowing his eyes slightly.

"You are the one who kidnapped my useless grandson?"

Su Yun smiled.

"Senior Zhou misunderstood. Junior just asked him to pass a message and didn't hurt him."

Zhou Yuankui snorted coldly.

"Didn't hurt? What about the Blood Fiend Power in his body?"

Su Yun said indifferently:

"A little trick. As long as Senior is willing to listen to a few words from Junior, that trick will naturally be resolved."

Zhou Yuankui stared at him for a long time, then suddenly laughed.

"Interesting. An Early Golden Core, and you dare to invite me to meet alone, and bring so few people. Aren't you afraid that I will take you down directly?"

Su Yun also laughed.

"Senior might as well try."

The atmosphere froze instantly.

The three Elders behind Zhou Yuankui already had their hands on their Magical Artifacts, ready to strike at any time.

But Zhou Yuankui didn't move.

He stared at Su Yun's eyes for a very, very long time.

Then, he asked suddenly:

"Are you that Su Yun wanted by the Immortal Alliance?"

Su Yun raised his eyebrows.

"Senior knows me?"

Zhou Yuankui sneered.

"I don't know you, but I know your portrait. The Immortal Alliance's wanted order has long spread throughout the Central Region. That Zhao Wuji of the Xuanyang Sect took people to the Southern Region to catch you, but the whole army was wiped out. I was still wondering what kind of ability that kid had to kill Zhao Wuji, a Peak Golden Core."

He paused, his gaze becoming deeper.

"Now that I see the real person, I believe it."

Su Yun didn't speak.

Zhou Yuankui suddenly waved his hand.

The three Elders behind him were stunned, but still took a few steps back with the people.

Zhou Yuankui stepped forward two steps, face to face with Su Yun.

"Speak. What do you want to do by finding me?"

Su Yun looked at him and smiled suddenly.

"Senior is straightforward. Then Junior won't beat around the bush."

"I want to borrow a place in this Qinghe City from the Zhou Family to stay for a while."

Zhou Yuankui raised his eyebrows.

"Are you crazy? The people from the Immortal Alliance are looking for you everywhere. Staying in Qinghe City, isn't that throwing yourself into the net?"

Su Yun shook his head.

"The most dangerous place is the safest place. The people from the Immortal Alliance must think I will hide or escape to more remote places. I won't."

"I will stay in this small border city and stay openly. By the time they react, I will have stayed enough."

Zhou Yuankui was silent for a moment.

"Why should I help you?"

Su Yun looked at him, word by word:

"Because I can help the Zhou Family become the only Family in this Qinghe City."

Zhou Yuankui's pupils shrank.

Su Yun continued:

"Besides the Zhou Family, there are the Zhao Family, Wang Family, and Li Family in Qinghe City. Although the three families are not as good as the Zhou Family, if they join forces, they can compete with the Zhou Family. Senior must have been troubled by this for many years, right?"

Zhou Yuankui didn't speak.

Su Yun smiled.

"I can help Senior solve this trouble."

Zhou Yuankui stared at him, his eyes flickering.

After a long time, he spoke:

"What do you want?"

Su Yun said indifferently:

"What I want is very simple. A quiet courtyard, an inconspicuous identity, and—the protection of the Zhou Family."

"In exchange, I will help the Zhou Family wipe those three families out of Qinghe City."

Zhou Yuankui gasped.

He certainly knew how dangerous the young man in front of him was.

A person who could kill a Peak Golden Core would find it easy to wipe out those three families.

But the problem is…

"What exactly do you want to do?" He asked in a deep voice.

Su Yun looked at him, his smile still gentle.

"I said, I just want to find a place to stay for a while."

Zhou Yuankui stared into his eyes, wanting to see something from them.

But those eyes were clear to the bottom, and there was nothing.

Or rather, nothing could be seen.

For a long time.

Zhou Yuankui took a deep breath.

"Okay. I will trust you once."

"But remember, if you dare to do anything harmful to the Zhou Family, I will risk my life to drag you to die together."

Su Yun smiled.

"Senior, rest assured. I have no malice toward the Zhou Family."

"I just… want to settle down in the Central Region."

Zhou Yuankui looked at him deeply, turned and left.

The few Elders behind him followed quickly.

Soon, only Su Yun and Shen Ying remained on the hillside.

Shen Ying breathed a long sigh of relief and said in a low voice:

"Young Master, do you really trust that Zhou Yuankui?"

Su Yun smiled.

"Trust or not doesn't matter. He needs me, and I need him. Just taking what each other needs."

He turned and walked toward the city.

The afterglow of the sunset spilled on him, pulling his shadow very long.

Shen Ying looked at his back and asked suddenly:

"Young Master, you just said you would help the Zhou Family wipe out those three families… how to wipe them out?"

Su Yun didn't look back.

"Take it slow."

"Start with their women."

Shen Ying was stunned.

In the moonlight, Su Yun's figure went further and further away.

That small city was full of lights.

The new game has just begun.