Was this city actually built by Wan Wantong?
Did Wan Wantong move their main base to the mortal realm and plan to stir things up in the Northern and Southern Spiritual Regions?
The cultivator leading the investigation on this matter was none other than Yao Yuchang, the second elder of Sansheng Peak from the Qingshuang Sect in Xuanyi Domain. He was one of the ten cultivators sent from the cultivation world to the mortal realm to investigate the Shiji incident alongside He Yi.
Previously, it appeared that a large-scale operation had been conducted across nearly every sect and royal family in the mortal realm to arrest over ten thousand of Wan Wantong's spies. The operation seemed massive, but in reality, everyone was extremely cautious to avoid alarming those spies, so there were no obvious movements on the surface.
Thus, the nine other cultivators from the cultivation world had no idea about the events that transpired last month in the mortal realm.
They were still enjoying the flattery and adulation of the mortal realm in their respective areas, occasionally assigning investigation tasks to the sects and royal families under their jurisdiction. From time to time, they would ask about some details regarding the old campaign against the Shiji faction.
After all, they had only recently left the Dead Spirit Lands a few months ago, and they needed to recuperate.
It wasn't until the recent uproar about Lingxian Sect and Xiushui City spread throughout the mortal realm that they couldn't ignore the rumors any longer.
A few days ago, Yao Yuchang contacted He Yi, who was investigating in the direction of Pusi Kingdom, to ask about the situation in Xiushui City.
However, He Yi didn't directly tell him anything but instead advised Yao Yuchang to gather the other eight cultivators and come to Xiushui City, stating that there was something important to discuss and that it would be better to meet in person rather than communicate through voice transmission talismans.
Yao Yuchang, considering He Yi's status, believed it was likely a serious matter, so he contacted the others and arranged for everyone to visit Xiushui City when they had the time.
Unlike the Dead Spirit Lands, where they were reluctant to use their spiritual power, now that they were in the mortal realm, traveling was much easier. Despite being spread out across different locations, all of them were at least in the Golden Core or Nascent Soul stage and possessed flying ships or swords, making the journey quick and effortless.
They hadn't set a specific time to meet, nor did they tell He Yi exactly when they would arrive, thinking they could just contact each other once they got there.
Yao Yuchang had just arrived in Xiushui City and hadn't yet contacted He Yi or the other eight cultivators. As soon as he entered the city, he was told not to use offensive spells, and initially, he thought it was just nonsense, a ploy to fool the ignorant locals.
But to his surprise, when he attempted to cast a spell, it backfired, leaving him scorched on the outside and tender on the inside.
Fortunately, the spell he used was weak, so the backlash wasn't too severe. Once he snapped out of his confusion, a simple healing spell was enough to heal his injuries.
Nevertheless, he was curious.
His spell hadn't been particularly powerful, yet the city's defensive array had blocked it. What if he unleashed his full strength? Would this protective array still hold?
Gazing at the bustling, vibrant city before him, Yao Yuchang felt a tinge of excitement.
However, he restrained himself. If this was indeed Wan Wantong's newly built base in the mortal realm, the strength of its protective array would surely be formidable. Even if he gave it his all, it would be akin to throwing an egg against a rock—futile.
Yao Yuchang strolled through the streets for a while, but his interest quickly waned.
This was clearly a backward city. The goods sold by shops and street vendors were either mundane items or things suited for low-level cultivators, many of which were scraps even low-level cultivators wouldn't bother with.
As he wandered, he shook his head in disdain. "As expected of the poor mortal realm. Even with a city protected by a defensive array, its core remains impoverished."
Bored, Yao Yuchang soon lost interest and took out a voice transmission talisman to send a message to He Yi: "I've arrived. Where should we meet?"
After sending the message, he felt a bit restless. As a dignified Nascent Soul stage cultivator, he couldn't just sit on the curb and wait for He Yi, could he? Glancing around, he noticed a lively teahouse nearby and decided to step inside.
This teahouse was called Xiushui Hu Clan Teahouse, and it was quite famous in the city.
It had been around even before the city was built, and the two storytellers inside were members of the original Hu Clan from Xiushui Village. Though their storytelling skills were mediocre, the teahouse was well-known for the fresh and unique stories they told, most of which couldn't be heard anywhere else.
Moreover, most of the stories were about Lingxian Sect and the world of cultivators.
For ordinary people who had never encountered cultivation, these stories were incredibly captivating.
Thus, whether it was during the village days or after the city was established, Xiushui Hu Clan Teahouse remained a must-visit spot for travelers. People would come here to sit, drink tea, and listen to stories about strange beasts, magical treasures, and secret realms. It was all very entertaining.
The teahouse was always packed, with many customers even paying to share a table with others, while some crowded by the door just to listen.
When Yao Yuchang entered, he was lucky enough to find a recently vacated seat in the corner.
However, he would have to share the table with some mortals.
Yao Yuchang's face darkened slightly, but he restrained himself. After all, this was Wan Wantong's territory. Sharing a table with mortals? He had already entered the mortal realm; what did a moment of discomfort matter?
With that thought, he begrudgingly sat down but immediately cast an isolation spell to keep the mortals around him at bay.
Annoyed by their presence, he didn't even pay attention to what the storytellers on stage were saying. When the tea server came to pour his tea, Yao Yuchang casually tossed a spirit stone into the server's hands. "Take it, and don't bother me again."
He didn't care whether the teahouse accepted spirit stones or not.
For a moment, he wondered if the server might not recognize the spirit stone and insist on being paid in gold or silver.
But to his surprise, the server examined the stone briefly, then beamed with joy, bowing and thanking Yao Yuchang profusely before tucking the stone away and cheerfully moving on with the teapot.
Onstage, the storyteller was in the midst of an exciting tale, and the audience erupted in applause. But to Yao Yuchang, the noise was just grating, so he cast a soundproofing spell, finally finding some peace and quiet.
"Why hasn't He Yi responded yet?" Yao Yuchang muttered irritably.
Since he was already waiting, he figured he might as well contact the others too.