Sky Wind Mountain Range periphery.
Lin Che shielded Yingying behind him, his gaze landing on the lotus jade pendant at Ye Qingyan's neck. The pendant was crystal clear, with golden flowing light at its center—seven-tenths similar to the lotus mark that had once appeared on Yingying's forehead.
His heart skipped a beat. Suppressing his excitement, he asked as calmly as possible: "Miss Ye, excuse me—where did that jade pendant come from?"
Ye Qingyan lightly touched the pendant, a trace of surprise flashing between her brows. She hadn't expected Lin Che to ask about this first. She replied indifferently: "This is something I've worn since childhood, a gift from my master. She said it suits my constitution. Why, is Young Master Lin interested in this pendant?"
Disappointment swept through Lin Che's eyes, but his face showed nothing. He shook his head: "Just thought the pendant's style was unusual. Asked casually."
[Host lying skill: Average. Ye Qingyan suspicion +20. Recommendation: Host's acting needs improvement. Practice micro-expressions before lying next time.]
Ye Qingyan's beautiful eyes narrowed as she studied Lin Che, clearly not buying it. Her voice was cold: "Young Master Lin seems to have something on his mind, yet you're being evasive. Could this pendant have something to do with your sister?"
Lin Che's heart tightened, but his expression remained unchanged, deflecting: "Miss Ye jokes. My sister and I just arrived—how could we have any connection to Floating Flower Palace items? Rather, I'd like to ask what happens if Yingying and I refuse to go with you to Floating Flower Palace?"
[Topic shift success rate: 67%. Ye Qingyan's curiosity piqued.]
Ye Qingyan pondered for a moment, her tone indifferent but warning: "Young Master Lin should have no sect or family protection, right? Heaven Profound Sect's disciples died by your hand—they'll find out eventually. Without Floating Flower Palace's protection, you two siblings won't be able to move an inch in Canglan Realm. Any Golden Core cultivator could end your lives."
She continued, eyes sweeping over Yingying and the silver moon wolf king: "Besides, you can protect yourself, but not necessarily her. Though Floating Flower Palace isn't a top-tier sect, sheltering one or two geniuses is more than sufficient."
[Threat assessment: Moderate. Ye Qingyan's words 89% true. System recommendation: Temporarily compromise, retreat to advance.]
Lin Che fell silent, seemingly weighing pros and cons, finally nodding slowly: "Fine, I agree to go with Miss. But Yingying must stay by my side, and Floating Flower Palace cannot force her to do anything."
Ye Qingyan nodded slightly, her tone rarely softening: "Naturally. Floating Flower Palace never forces people."
---
Three days later, the three of them and one wolf arrived at Tianwind City.
This was the largest cultivation city on Canglan Realm's periphery. The majestic city gates rose ten zhang high, cast entirely from black obsidian, covered with defensive formations that flowed with faint golden light under the sun. A long queue formed at the city gate. Cultivators riding flying swords descended from the sky, merchant caravans on beast carts slowly entered, and one could even see several massive spirit beasts carrying goods, led by beast tamers into the city.
[System Prompt: Detected third-tier cultivation city. Spiritual qi concentration: 500× Tianmen Village's. Commercial prosperity: Extremely high. Recommendation: Host may sell loot here to replenish resources.]
Lin Che led Yingying by the hand, following Ye Qingyan through the city gates. Upon entering, the clamor of voices and dense spiritual qi assaulted them. The streets were wide enough for eight beast carts side by side, paved with azure jade slabs, each engraved with small spirit-gathering formations. Walking on them, one could feel wisps of spiritual qi entering their body.
Shops lined both sides of the street, their signs dazzling:
"Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion—Acquires all heavenly materials and earthly treasures, fair prices, no cheating young or old!"
"Spirit Beast House—Tier 2 spirit beast cubs on big sale, first come first served!"
"Drunken Immortal Tower—Golden Core chef in charge, greatly nourishing, welcome to taste!"
Yingying's eyes widened, especially when she saw the "Drunken Immortal Tower" sign. Her little nose twitched, as if smelling food aroma, and she quietly swallowed.
[Little Sister appetite +30. System recommendation: Host may consider selling some loot and treating little sister to a feast.]
Ye Qingyan saw Yingying's curious appearance, rarely speaking up to explain: "Tianwind City is one of the three major cultivation cities on Canglan Realm's periphery. Merchants, auction houses, restaurants, pill pavilions—you can find everything. If you two settle down in Floating Flower Palace later, you can often come here to purchase necessities."
As she finished, a commotion suddenly erupted ahead.
A group of people in uniform white robes, with Heaven Profound Sect's emblem embroidered on their chests, strutted arrogantly down the street center. Their leader was a Golden Core stage cultivator, followed by a dozen Qi Condensing disciples, wherever they passed, pedestrians hurriedly made way.
[Warning: Enemy force detected! Heaven Profound Sect patrol team passing by. Team leader: Mid Golden Core stage. Threat level: Extremely high. Recommendation: Host immediately lower presence to avoid detection.]
Lin Che's pupils shrank. He subconsciousively pulled Yingying behind him while circulating his aura-concealing technique, suppressing his Golden Core aura to late Qi Condensing stage.
Ye Qingyan glanced at him, transmitting her voice: "No need to worry. With me here, they won't touch you."
She stepped forward, slowly releasing her late Golden Core stage pressure, rivaling the Heaven Profound Sect team leader's aura. When that leader saw Ye Qingyan, his expression changed. He cupped his fists: "So it's Floating Flower Palace Saintess, my apologies."
Ye Qingyan's voice was cold: "When did Heaven Profound Sect start meddling with my Floating Flower Palace's guests?"
The cultivator looked at the Lin siblings, wanting to speak, but ultimately fearing Ye Qingyan's strength. He coldly snorted and led his team away.
[Conflict resolved. Heaven Profound Sect suspicion +10. Ye Qingyan favorability +20.]
Lin Che relaxed, gaining clearer understanding of Ye Qingyan's strength. One sentence forcing back a Heaven Profound Sect patrol—Floating Flower Palace's standing in Canglan Realm was higher than he'd imagined.
Before a luxurious inn called "Cloud Come Inn," Ye Qingyan stopped: "Rest here first. I'll go to the station to gather intelligence, you two siblings don't run around."
Lin Che nodded in agreement. Once Ye Qingyan's figure vanished around the corner, he immediately said to Yingying: "Yingying, prepare to run."
Yingying was stunned: "Brother, aren't we going to Floating Flower Palace with Miss Ye?"
"Can't trust her now." Lin Che lowered his voice. "Her reason for protecting us is too flimsy. I must first understand the grudge between Floating Flower Palace and Heaven Profound Sect, and why she values you."
He turned to the silver moon wolf king: "Big White, follow!"
The wolf king growled, shrinking to normal wolf size, following closely behind the two.
Lin Che led Yingying into the crowds, weaving through streets and alleys, soon vanishing into the depths of the city.