Translator: CinderTL

"Enter!" Song Wen commanded in a deep voice. "I have some questions for you. I have no ulterior motives."

Seemingly terrified by Song Wen’s stern tone, the maid trembled violently, abandoning any resistance as she stepped into the courtyard.

Song Wen raised his hand and pointed at the courtyard gate, which slammed shut, activating the courtyard’s built-in restriction formation.

He then flipped his hand and produced a hundred high-grade spirit stones, which floated toward the maid.

As the spirit stones approached, the maid’s earlier fear vanished completely, replaced by a burning greed in her eyes.

How could a mere Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator remain unmoved by a hundred high-grade spirit stones?

"Senior, this junior will serve you well," she said, fumbling to untie the sash around her waist.

Song Wen’s expression darkened further, becoming as cold and deep as a sunless, bottomless pool.

"Stop!" he snapped. "I told you, I have no ulterior motives. Answer my questions, and these spirit stones are yours."

The maid’s hands froze mid-motion. She looked up at Song Wen, slightly bewildered.

"Before I entered the shop, did three male cultivators arrive ahead of me?" Song Wen asked.

"Yes!" the maid nodded.

"Which courtyard are they staying in?" he pressed.

"Courtyard No. 37," she replied.

"Have they been staying here for a while, or did they just check in today?" Song Wen asked.

"They’ve been here for half a month," the maid replied.

Song Wen waved his hand, and the spirit stones cascaded down.

The maid hurriedly spread her hands to catch them one by one.

"Thank you, Senior!" she exclaimed, joyfully stuffing the spirit stones into her storage pouch.

"You may leave now. Remember, don’t mention anything about this conversation to anyone," Song Wen warned.

As he spoke, the courtyard gate creaked open.

"Junior takes her leave," the maid said, bowing before turning to leave.

But just as she stepped out of the courtyard gate, she paused, turned back, and asked, "Senior, do you truly not require any service?"

"No!" Song Wen replied coldly.

The maid shook her head in disappointment and continued walking away.

Once she was gone, Song Wen closed the courtyard gate again.

He worried that the maid might reveal his inquiries about Jing Bei and his companions, which could reach their ears and expose his identity. This identity was now compromised, and he couldn’t stay in this courtyard any longer.

Song Wen donned a cloak and a steel mask.

In this disguise, only cultivators at the Body Integration Stage or higher could see through the cloak and mask to discern his true appearance.

Body Integration Stage cultivators weren’t just anyone; it was highly unlikely this inn would have any.

Song Wen opened the courtyard gate and strode out of the inn.

Notably, he hadn’t checked out of the courtyard.

As a result, no one at the inn knew that the Nascent Soul Stage cultivator who had just checked in had already quietly left.

Song Wen soared into the sky and swiftly departed Great Tan City.

After traveling over ten thousand miles, he landed in a dense forest.

Removing his cloak and mask, he altered his appearance once more.

Soon, a young cultivator in the mid-stage Divine Transformation Stage emerged from the forest and headed back toward Great Tan City.

Upon returning to Great Tan City, Song Wen checked back into the same inn, specifically Courtyard No. 36, which was separated from Jing Bei and his companions’ Courtyard No. 37 by a mere ten-zhang-wide open space.

Entering the courtyard, Song Wen didn’t go inside the house. Instead, he sat down at the stone table in the courtyard.

He remained there for the entire night. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

The next morning, activity finally stirred in Courtyard No. 37.

Jing Bei opened the courtyard gate and stepped out.

However, Fu Hongwen and Fu Kaiyu didn’t appear with him.

Jing Bei stood at the gate, glancing around cautiously before floating out of the inn.

Song Wen found this behavior odd. Jing Bei’s furtive glances gave him the impression of someone with a guilty conscience.

However, it was only natural for a core disciple of the Divine Blood Gate to feel uneasy appearing openly in Great Tan City.

Song Wen remained seated on the stone bench, refraining from immediately following Jing Bei.

Fu Hongwen and Fu Kaiyu were still in the courtyard, and Jing Bei might return soon.

Moreover, if Song Wen left immediately after Jing Bei, it would easily arouse the suspicions of Fu Hongwen and Fu Kaiyu.

As Song Wen had predicted, Jing Bei returned to Courtyard No. 37 as the sun began to set.

Over the next two days, Jing Bei left early each morning and returned late in the evening.

Song Wen couldn’t help but wonder where Jing Bei was going and what he was doing.

The following day, Song Wen left the inn before Jing Bei did, crossing the street to a restaurant.

At the waiter’s greeting, Song Wen took a seat by the window overlooking the street, ordered a few dishes, and began eating while observing the inn’s entrance across the street.

About fifteen minutes later, Jing Bei emerged from the inn, blending into the bustling crowd. He strolled leisurely, looking every bit the idle wanderer.

Song Wen summoned a servant, settled the bill, and left the restaurant, keeping a discreet distance behind Jing Bei.

He had initially assumed Jing Bei’s outing must be for some urgent matter.

However, Jing Bei behaved like a rogue cultivator who had never seen the world, entering every establishment—Spirit Herb shops, mystic treasure stores, luxurious restaurants, and even brothels. He even paused to examine street-side stalls.

To avoid being detected, Song Wen constantly changed his appearance. After the fifth transformation, he lost interest in tailing Jing Bei and returned to Courtyard No. 36 at the inn.

Having gained nothing that day, he couldn’t help but wonder if the shops Jing Bei had entered held some hidden significance.

In the following days, Song Wen abandoned his surveillance and remained obediently in the courtyard.

Since Jing Bei returned to Courtyard No. 37 every day, there must be a reason. Fu Hongwen and Fu Kaiyu clearly held some value to him.

By keeping watch over these two, Song Wen could ensure Jing Bei wouldn’t escape.

Time flowed slowly.

In the blink of an eye, Song Wen had been staying at the inn for half a month.

One evening, Jing Bei had yet to return, but Fu Kaiyu left the courtyard and departed from the inn.

Song Wen abandoned his stakeout and followed suit, leaving the inn as well.

Fu Hongwen remained at the inn, but as merely a nascent soul cultivator, he would inevitably be left behind if Jing Bei and Fu Kaiyu made any moves. Bringing him along would only be a burden.

Watching Fu Kaiyu’s receding figure high in the sky, a sharp glint flashed in Song Wen’s eyes.

Judging by his direction, Fu Kaiyu was likely heading out of the city.

Song Wen soared into the air, choosing a slightly different path than Fu Kaiyu, but keeping his attention fixed on the latter.

Less than a thousand miles outside the city, Jing Bei suddenly appeared from nowhere and joined Fu Kaiyu.

Without pausing, the two continued onward, their escape light accelerating in the same direction.

Song Wen suddenly realized that their destination was Cultivation Sun City, the Fu Clan’s stronghold.

Now that he knew their destination, Song Wen abandoned his pursuit and instead accelerated to full speed, intending to intercept them ahead.

(End of the Chapter)

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