### Chapter 270: Turbulent Tianhai City
Tianhai City wasn’t too far from the Xuantian Sect; just a short ride on a Spirit Boat, and you could catch a glimpse of the city’s outline, hidden among the mountains like a shy teenager peeking from behind a curtain.
The Spirit Boat gracefully glided across the lush mountains and finally reached the city’s outskirts.
But that’s where the fun ended.
It turned out that the Immortal Alliance’s branch in Tianhai City had recently imposed strict entrance and exit controls due to a spate of unusual and violent incidents within the city. Folks claimed to have seen monster-like creatures, resembling humans but decidedly not, sneaking around at night and attacking livestock. And the eeriness? Those poor creatures showed up later with their bl**d completely drained, leaving behind deep, twisted bite marks.
Initially, everyone shrugged it off as the work of occasional monster beasts coming down from the mountains. After all, who hasn’t seen a monster buffet on a chicken or two in the Cultivation Realm?
But when innocent civilians started getting attacked, panic set in.
Thus, the local Immortal Alliance had to kick things into high gear – ramping up patrols and setting up checkpoints to thoroughly check every person coming in or going out of the city, just in case.
After enduring several tedious identity verifications and item checks, Yun Zhonghe and his companions had to hop on horses to enter the jurisdiction of Tianhai City.
Flying Spirit Boats had been grounded, but don’t worry! They set up a horse rental service near the checkpoint. And let’s just say, it was so affordable it felt like they were practically giving horses away—three sturdy steeds for only a few hundred silver coins! Rent was even cheaper!
After getting used to the jaw-dropping prices at the Xuantian Mansion, Yun Zhonghe felt a bit out of place among these bargain-basement prices. It was a whole different world out there.
As they rode slowly along the road to the center of Tianhai City, their pace was leisurely. After all, they were just handling a small matter and had all the time in the world.
Even though the atmosphere was a bit grim due to the recent strange happenings in the city, they found the view quite delightful.
Every now and then, they heard warnings from the checkpoint, reminding passersby not to linger outside the city too long, lest they encounter those bizarre events out in the wild.
But, with a Yuan Ying Cultivator in their midst, they didn’t sweat it.
Along the way, Su Xinghe sighed, “Feels like strange happenings are on the rise. The Cultivation Realm seems a bit off lately.”
Yun Zhonghe nodded.
Although they were training at the Xuantian Sect, news about the Cultivation Realm trickled down to them, and it appeared that things outside weren’t too peachy.
And the smaller the place, the weirder the problems seemed to be.
Fortunately, he had checked in with home. His mother reported that Cangzhou City was quite peaceful. His father, Yun Zhongtian, had opted to stay at home, sensing the turbulence in the world.
Cangzhou City had a peak Yuan Ying cultivator from the Immortal Alliance and a family head at the Yuan Ying stage keeping things in check, so trouble wasn’t a big worry.
But compared to Cangzhou, Tianhai City clearly lacked a strong presence. Most families in the city barely lingered at the First-Rate level. As it turned out, the most prominent family in Tianhai City—the Chen Family—was only rated a Second-Rate family.
The tier of a family isn’t just a self-proclaimed title; it comes from strict standards set by the Immortal Alliance. You need vast wealth and enough strong cultivators backing you up to climb the ranks.
Rumor has it, the Chen Family had been thriving in recent years, particularly benefiting from the recent boom in essential oils, one of their main products. That market frenzy had filled their coffers to the brim, allowing them to recruit talents and bolster their strength.
Su Xinghe boldly claimed, “I reckon the Chen Family might just become Tianhai City’s first Third-Rate family.”
“Uh-huh? They’re still a Second-Rate family? But…that senior is definitely at the Yuan Ying stage!” Su Xiaoxiao suddenly sensed something was off.
Yun Zhonghe frowned at this. If that senior came from the Chen Family, then their strength must be more than just a typical Second-Rate family.
After all, families that could raise Yuan Ying cultivators weren’t your average bear.
Su Xinghe nodded slightly, “Maybe the Chen Family used to be at their pinnacle long ago, like our Su Family too, once a Fourth-Rate family before gradually declining. But with their earlier background, they’d still have some talents in the bloodline. That senior might’ve awakened some special talent and left for a sect to hone their skills, which is why they couldn’t keep their daughter around.”
Yun Zhonghe internally agreed with Su Xinghe’s reasoning.
The three rode on, savoring the rare break from chaos. Occasionally chatting, occasionally reflecting, they soaked in this fleeting peace.
As they rode, Yun Zhonghe’s gaze suddenly shifted, but he kept up the facade, laughing and joking with Su Xiaoxiao and Su Xinghe.
Ever since leaving the sect, the Book of Prophecy occasionally sent a shiver down his spine.
It had been a while since the Book reacted strongly; it was almost forgotten. Perhaps it was because Yun Zhonghe wasn’t the protagonist? The Book seemed to be out of sync with him, unable to fully recharge its powers, causing its responses to grow fainter. Even attempts to peek into his future through it were a bust.
Like a gadget in low-power standby mode, it only flickered back to life under specific circumstances.
Now, it was sending him subtle warnings that piqued his wariness.
After a while, taking advantage of an excuse, Yun Zhonghe decided to temporarily leave the group, slapping a concealing talisman on himself.
Soon, he identified someone trailing them.
Yun Zhonghe had intended to apprehend them for questioning, but the assailant was no ordinary foe. They struck with the coldness of a dark omen, using a skillful killer move laced with shadowy energy, stirring up chilling winds that surged towards him, all while boasting a golden core cultivation level.
Yun Zhonghe had no choice but to slay them swiftly.
What was he supposed to do? The guy was gunning for his life, and given their higher cultivation level, he wasn’t strong enough to subdue them without a struggle.
Capturing someone a level above you was far trickier than just taking them out.
When Su Xinghe and Su Xiaoxiao rushed over, attracted by the sounds of battle, they froze at the sight of the body.
“Yun Zhonghe, what have you done?” Su Xinghe’s face darkened rapidly as she sensed the ominous aura lingering in the air, gritting her teeth, “Demon Cultivator?”
Demon Cultivators were evil practitioners, a wretched bunch with no scruples, willing to resort to whatever vile means necessary.
Yun Zhonghe nodded gravely, “Seems like they’ve been on our tail since we left the sect.”
Su Xinghe’s brow furrowed. “But didn’t the Immortal Alliance check everyone? How did they get in?”
Yun Zhonghe shrugged. He wasn’t worried about that; after all, demon cult tactics were notoriously sneaky—they could have some special way of bypassing checks.
But why were they after him?
Were they sent by the mastermind controlling that demon puppet that attacked him at the Xuantian Sect?
Unlikely!
If it were that puppet master, they wouldn’t send a handful of Golden Core-level demon cultivators to their deaths, especially since the puppet had Yuan Ying-level combat capability.
Maybe it was a different faction’s demon cultivators just causing mayhem.
Things have been a bit wacky lately, and who knows what kind of monsters might pop up?
Perhaps these demon cultivators simply wanted to attack disciples of noble sects to make a statement or seize some coveted resources and treasures.
Bottom line? Yun Zhonghe didn’t feel sympathetic towards these demon cultists.
k*ll and move on.
After that, Yun Zhonghe quietly documented everything with a recording stone to leave solid evidence.
Once they were in the city, he’d report it to the local Immortal Alliance branch, urging them to stay alert and prevent these demon cultists from wreaking havoc.
…
Just as Yun Zhonghe and the others finished recording their evidence and walked away, someone approached the freshly slain man, glancing down at the body and whispering, “Didn’t think they’d be so strong, able to k*ll someone a level above them.”
In moments, another figure appeared beside him, a smirk curling on their lips: “After all, they are disciples from the Xuantian Sect. It’s to be expected they have some skills. Let it go; we don’t want to stir up trouble. They’re not easy targets either. We received orders from above, but there’s no need to go all out for a dead person.”
“You’re right.” The first figure nodded, seemingly agreeing with their companion’s view.
The two chatted for a bit, seeming unconcerned about their fallen colleague, then swiftly vanished into thin air.
As for the dead? No one cared.
As for their mission… no rush. They hadn’t received any urgent commands to capture anyone, so why tip their hand and attract unnecessary trouble?
Strike when there’s an opportunity; if not, don’t push it.
…
As they continued, Yun Zhonghe couldn’t help but glance behind them.
Not sure who those folks were.
But whatever. They chose to leave; he couldn’t be bothered.
Who knows, maybe those guys really were just out for easy targets and retreated when they faced them, a hard nut to crack.
However, this encounter served as a wake-up call for Yun Zhonghe.
Thus, he suggested to Su Xiaoxiao and Su Xinghe, “Before we enter the city, I think we should disguise ourselves a bit, especially regarding our identities. It’s best not to reveal who we really are.”
Su Xiaoxiao and Su Xinghe agreed instantly, finding Yun Zhonghe’s advice quite sound.
Before long, they quickly came to a consensus and began preparing their disguises.
Not long after, they finally arrived at the bustling Tianhai City.
The streets buzzed with life, vibrant and lively, completely ditching the eerie vibe they’d felt upon entering.
Although, in terms of overall strength, Tianhai City might fall short compared to Cangzhou City, it surprisingly had a strong commercial vibe.
Shops lined both sides of the street, showcasing an array of goods—from intricate paper crafts to silks and gourds—making it a feast for the eyes.
The streets were alive with chatter—the shouts of vendors mixed with the laughter of passersby created a lively market atmosphere.
They even spotted quite a few thriving essential oil shops. Ever since essential oils became the craze in the Cultivation Realm, Tianhai City had made quite a name for itself.
Everybody knew that the Chen Family dominated essential oil production, boasting exclusive and refined techniques. Their oils were not only top-notch but also reasonably priced, drawing customers far and wide. Whether cultivators or mortals, countless souls trekked to Tianhai City just for a bottle.
If it weren’t for the weird incidents that had occurred recently, the crowds would probably be even larger.
Dressed in a moon-white brocade robe, with a golden crown holding back his hair, Yun Zhonghe exuded an air of sophistication. He toyed with a black gold folding fan, enhancing his already carefree demeanor. He didn’t seem like a disciple of a celestial sect, but more like a scion who had escaped from some wealthy household, radiating an aura of nonchalance.
To match him, the Su sisters had undergone quite the makeover. Clad in pure white robes, their exquisite features and otherworldly grace shone through beautifully. Each carried a long sword on their back, disguising themselves as sword cultivators.
Along the way, young girls behind veils couldn’t help but flock to this charming youth, eager to chat him up.
Gotta hand it to Yun Zhonghe; his outfit suited his yellow-haired persona to a tee, radiating playful charm. With that rich boy vibe, how could the girls resist? They’d shyly toss their handkerchiefs toward him.
Each time Yun Zhonghe returned a handkerchief, smiling at the girls, they’d blush hilariously beneath their veils.
Su Xiaoxiao quietly pursed her lips, intrigued.
On the side, Su Xinghe jumped next to Yun Zhonghe, a glint of mischief in her eyes, teasing, “Who would’ve thought that Yun Ge would be such a hit with the ladies? At this rate, I wouldn’t be surprised if all the girls in Tianhai City are swooning over you.”
Her words carried a playful tone but also acknowledged his charm.
Just as Su Xinghe finished her teasing, a raucous sound of galloping hooves and the roars of Spirit Beasts echoed from a distance.
Everyone turned to watch as a battalion of Spirit Beasts thundered down the street, stirring up dust clouds with an aggressive momentum.
Leading the pack was a boy riding a Qi Refinement stage striped tiger. The tiger, impressively muscular and fearsome, barreled through the streets, unbothered by the terrified pedestrians and merchants.
The boy, riding the tiger proudly, exuded arrogance, completely ignoring the frightened onlookers.
When his eyes landed on Yun Zhonghe’s trio decked out in their fine attire, he scoffed derisively, dismissing them as unworthy of his attention.
He clearly thought he was too good for the rented horses beneath him.
With no intention of slowing down, he charged straight ahead, nearly colliding with a close-by Su Xiaoxiao.
Yun Zhonghe’s eyes sharpened coldly.
The boy attempted to pass by when suddenly, a streak of sword light descended from above!
“Looking for trouble?” Yun Zhonghe barked, swiftly seizing Su Xiaoxiao’s shoulder and yanking her into his embrace. With a flick of his wrist, a dazzling sword beam shot from his hand like a shooting star.
With a single stroke, he severed the boy’s striped tiger’s head.
bl**d splattered everywhere, the enormous form of the tiger collapsed, throwing the boy off balance and crashing to the ground with a thud.
“Young Master!”
The boy’s attendants gasped in shock, rushing toward him.
Among them, a scarred middle-aged man glared at Yun Zhonghe, his expression darkening as he scowled, “Who dares attack a member of the Chen Family inside Tianhai City?!”
Yun Zhonghe chuckled heartily.
With his fabricated identity set as a playboy, this was his chance to put on a show.
Clearing his throat, he decided to play it cool, casting a challenging smile at the middle-aged man. “Spare me your sermon; You know old Yang? I’ve seen much worse during my escapades!”
Time to show these clueless folks what a real playboy looks like!
Yun Zhonghe let out a snicker, glancing at the furious boy as he taunted, “Kid, have you never been disciplined? You think everyone’s gonna pamper you like your daddy? Little brat, if we weren’t in the city, I’d have chopped your head off!”
“You…”
The furious boy was flushed with rage at those words, while the scarred middle-aged man stepped in front of him, flashing a hint of wariness and respect.
Clearly, the scarred man had some sense, detecting the exceptional status of Yun Zhonghe, especially with the two breathtakingly beautiful sisters beside him. He couldn’t help but wonder how someone like him managed to attract such beauties—this guy seemed way more than just an ordinary chap.
Considering that Tianhai City had recently flourished due to its essential oil business, he couldn’t risk offending any potential big shots.
He thought carefully and decided it was best to stabilize the situation rather than needlessly provoke this man.
Thus, the scarred man took a deep breath and, suppressing his irritation, bowed with cupped fists, “Young Master, my apologies. My young master acted rashly and collided with you. He may have lost his tiger, but we can settle matters amicably. Can we get your name so we can acknowledge you, oh great sage?”
“Name doesn’t matter; I’m just Meng Yao from Suzhou City!” Yun Zhonghe replied with a cheeky grin, playing it cool. “Heard of me? Want to see if you can handle Meng Yao?”
Meng Yao was the very guy who’d bullied Su Xiaoxiao a while back, eventually being “encouraged” out of the Xuantian Sect by Su Xinghe.
Today, Yun Zhonghe decided to leverage his name and reputation.
“Meng Yao?!”
At the mention of that name, the scarred man was taken aback, rapidly sorting through his mental file of information. His expression shifted, “Aren’t you the one who was kept under wraps in the Meng Family back in Suzhou City…you got out?”
Yun Zhonghe widened his eyes, “Do you think I need to report my departure to you? Just because we’re both Foundation Establishment peak doesn’t mean we’re on the same level. Even if there are Golden Core cultivators out there, I’d wipe the floor with them. You wanna pick a fight, come at me!”
Around them, a growing crowd began to stir, their curiosity piqued.
With so many eyes on them, Yun Zhonghe pulled Su Xiaoxiao closer. She couldn’t help but let out a shy squeak, her cheeks turning a lovely shade of pink.
Yun Zhonghe thought, “Gotta play the role well. If I nearly hurt my beautiful damsel, killing a mere mount is nothing!”
His tone, dripped in mockery and arrogance, followed.
The Meng Family was no slouch; their grasp was formidable and not to be taken lightly. Even though Meng Yao had left the Xuantian Sect, he still had an uncle managing things back there, which meant they were not to be trifled with.
However, the Chen Young Master wasn’t backing down, arrogant as ever. He hadn’t even heard of “Meng Yao.” The middle-aged scarred man wasn’t surprised, given how spoiled the young master was, interacting mostly with locals who had little knowledge of the wider world.
What he didn’t realize was just how much stronger a Meng Yao was, having been groomed in the Xuantian Sect.
Quickly, he shut the boy up, addressing Yun Zhonghe in a serious tone. “Let’s avoid further misunderstandings. My young master meant no harm; losing that tiger is regrettable, but perhaps we can get past this, Meng Brother?”
“Scarred Uncle!” the boy grumbled, displeased. They’d spent a fortune taming that tiger; of course, he wasn’t happy it was dead.
“It’s all good—mistakes happen,” the scarred man reassured him, narrowing his eyes. “Just take it slow moving forward, alright?” His words had a touch of caution and discipline.
Though grudgingly, the boy quieted, sensing he faced someone formidable.
The scarred man took a deep breath, stifling his irritation as he saluted Yun Zhonghe. “Brother Meng, this misunderstanding is on us. Soon, we will come to formally apologize to show our sincerity.”
Yun Zhonghe sneered, his eyes sparkling with disdain. Exhaling, he pulled Su Xiaoxiao in closer and turned to Su Xinghe as they strolled away. “No need! I’ll just drop by your Chen Family to get an explanation. Hmph! Had it not been for the fact that we’re in town and it wouldn’t be wise to brawl, this wouldn’t end so simply.”
“…”
The scarred man stood there, silently draining of color. The boy seethed with rage, his fists trembling but said nothing.
…
On the sidelines, even as Yun Zhonghe strolled away, onlookers clustered, gossiping away.
The commotion was hard to miss; everyone had witnessed the drama firsthand.
Some scoffed at Yun Zhonghe’s arrogance, while others held him in awe.
But amidst the crowd, a girl stood frozen, her eyes wide.
“I found it! Finally… found it!”
The girl locked her gaze on the direction Yun Zhonghe and his friends disappeared, excitement written all over her face before zipping off after them.
…
As far as Yun Zhonghe, Su Xiaoxiao, and Su Xinghe were concerned, once the crowd quieted down, they headed for a nearby inn to settle down first.
“Yun Brother, just now…”
Su Xiaoxiao’s heart raced, still beating like a drum. Her cheeks glowed pink, not fading from the previous embarrassment.
Everything had unfolded too suddenly; Yun Zhonghe’s bold actions left her slightly frazzled.
Yun Zhonghe scratched his head sheepishly. “Sorry, didn’t mean to make it awkward.”
“N-no, it’s alright! If it’s you, Yun Brother… it’s totally fine.”
Su Xiaoxiao lowered her head, her long lashes trembling, hardly hiding the complex emotions fluttering in her gentle gaze.
Su Xinghe shot a glance from the side, a mischievous smile creeping onto her lips. “Looks like when Yun Brother gets fired up, it clearly shows how important sister is in your life, right? I saw the way you looked at her, only Su Xiaoxiao is in your eyes!”
That little rascal was clearly an expert at playing matchmaker!
Immediately, Su Xiaoxiao went red, hurriedly trying to cover her sister’s mouth. “Shhh! You can’t just say stuff like that!”
But Yun Zhonghe nodded enthusiastically, “Absolutely! You’re incredibly important to me; I won’t let anyone harm you, no matter who they are!”
Yun Zhonghe’s steadfast gaze sent Su Xiaoxiao’s heart racing, a warm current flooding her senses, wrapping her in sweetness.
Su Xinghe couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy at this moment.
But she was sensible; first, she’d facilitate her sister’s chance. Having already shared a kiss with Yun Zhonghe, she decided to refrain from stealing the spotlight this round.
“Don’t worry, sister! I’m all in for your happiness!”
As Su Xiaoxiao discerned the gleam of encouragement and expectation in her sister’s eyes, an odd sense of confusion washed over her. It felt as if her sister might conjure trouble again.
Thus, she hurried to change the topic, wanting to discuss something serious. “Um, Yun Brother, those were Chen Family folks we just tangled with… Aren’t we putting ourselves in a sticky situation? I mean, the Chen Family does wield considerable power in Tianhai City.”
Yun Zhonghe flashed a smile. “Being overly polite can make you seem like a soft target; people might think they can bully you. Sometimes, being a bit brash and showing off your strength can solve problems more effectively.”
Yun Zhonghe had clearly put in some thought.
They had come to Tianhai City primarily to check on Chen Leling, the daughter of their senior. If Leling was living happily within the Chen Family, best to leave it be; but if her treatment there was anything like Su Xiaoxiao’s suffering back home…
Yun Zhonghe felt they needed to exert a bit more pressure. After all, it seemed that the Chen Family wouldn’t easily let her go otherwise.
The actions of Master Qin had given them a great example.
Though they still weren’t entirely sure how Master Qin had pulled it off, they had gleaned some vital lessons from his strategies.
Su Xinghe nodded in agreement. “So Yun Brother means that tomorrow we’ll visit the Chen Family and address today’s events, giving them a sense of our strength. But also, we need to tread carefully and leave them a way out. That way, if we want to take Leling with us, they won’t make it hard on us.”
Upon hearing Su Xinghe articulate that view, recognition flared in Su Xiaoxiao’s eyes, glimmering with admiration!
Impressive! Yun Zhonghe never failed to pick up on crucial points and react swiftly.
Only he could think of this so quickly during a conflict, whereas Su Xinghe wouldn’t have picked up on it as sharply.
With a newfound glimmer of interest, Su Xinghe regarded Yun Zhonghe.
Given that the Su Family was currently navigating a tumultuous period, they desperately required a capable leader to steer their ship.
Su Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but imagine, if Yun Zhonghe were to lead the Su Family, they might just overcome their challenges.
But would Yun Zhonghe even be interested in taking over?
Eh, who cares? All they needed to do was make him part of the family!
