Conversing with intelligent people was quite effortless. The cold and stern expression on Yun Zong's face slightly thawed. "People from Tianyan Sect have come, inviting Shangxuan Sect to discuss strategies for dealing with the demon beasts. Master wants me to go, and I'd like to invite you to accompany me."

Zhou Yin remarked, "Is Shangxuan Sect out of people?"

Yun Zong said, "Since you've already decided to stay, you're part of Shangxuan Sect. Besides, with the current chaos here, I'm sure you wouldn't be happy to continue staying. I believe by the time we return, that old fox of a master will have handled everything. As for the final reason, can I say that cooperating with you feels quite smooth?"

Zhou Yin raised an eyebrow. "When did I ever say I wanted to stay?"

Yun Zong suddenly smiled. "We've been together for so long. I at least have that bit of tacit understanding."

Zhou Yin glanced at him. "I have a question I'm interested in."

"Hmm?" Yun Zong responded.

Zhou Yin asked, "That hairpin was originally meant for your ex-fiancée?"

Yun Zong: "..."

On Zhou Chen's side, he gleefully retrieved the reply from the crane's beak and happily opened it to read.

The reply contained only two words: Got it.

Zhou Chen suppressed the urge to vomit blood, put away the letter, and walked to the window. With his hands behind his back, he gazed outside, his posture tall and handsome, his bearing as lofty as a pine.

The lord is indeed an ancient divine beast. His every action and appearance is elegant and peerless, the maid Liang Jiang thought to herself. Her admiration for Zhou Chen surged like an endless river.

I must redouble my efforts and write a letter so earth-shattering that it will move Ah Yin to tears upon reading it, Zhou Chen resolved in his heart.

July 14th.

Yun Zong's group set out for Tianyan Sect.

Although the leader was Qingying, the peak master of Yuheng Peak, she knew that Yun Zong was highly regarded by Old Daoist Qinghe. Perhaps in the future, he would inherit the mantle and become the next sect leader.

Therefore, Qingying didn't dare neglect or slight Yun Zong. She consulted with him on everything and sought his opinions. Moreover, Yun Zong would always involve Zhou Yin each time. As this continued, the people of Shangxuan Sect learned that the sect leader had recently accepted a Core Formation cultivator as his disciple, who was equally favored.

Shangxuan Sect was located in the eastern part of Canghe, while Tianyan Sect was in the central region of Xiling, spanning nearly the entire nation of Canghe. As a result, the journey was extremely long and arduous. While it wasn't an issue for Nascent Soul cultivators like Qingying, the accompanying disciples below the Core Formation stage couldn't endure such prolonged consumption of spiritual power.

"Master, there's an inn up ahead. Why don't we stop and rest for a bit?" a young girl said in a delicate voice. She was Qingying's great-granddisciple, named Wan Qingqing. As her name suggested, she was lively, cute, and also greatly doted on by Qingying.

Qingying nodded and made a gesture. The disciples of the three generations cheered and flew towards the inn.

On the border between Canghe and Xiling, there was a desert region. This inn was built on the edge of the desert and served as an important passage for merchants traveling between the two countries. As a result, business was extremely prosperous. When Qingying's group arrived, the first floor hall was already bustling with people, nearly filled to capacity.

Among these people, there were merchants and errand runners from all over, naturally mixed with some cultivators of varying cultivation levels at first glance.

The experienced innkeeper immediately recognized that this group possessed an extraordinary bearing. Not to mention Yun Zong and Zhou Yin, even Qingying, a Nascent Soul cultivator with a lifespan of nearly a thousand years, had a beautiful appearance that looked no older than thirty, radiating brilliance.

"Esteemed immortals, please come inside!" The innkeeper personally came out to welcome them, inwardly lamenting. What kind of day is it today? Why has another group come?

"Do you have any vacant rooms? We need twenty top-grade rooms!" Wan Qingqing said, tossing a gold ingot onto the counter. People from major sects had always been extravagant.

"Hehe, immortal, immortal, what unfortunate timing!" The innkeeper smiled apologetically, looking troubled. "As you can see, there are so many people in the hall who arrived earlier than you. There isn't a single vacant room left!"

Just as Wan Qingqing was about to say something, Qingying interjected, "Forget it. If that's the case, let's find lodging elsewhere."

With that, she turned to leave. The innkeeper quickly said, "Esteemed immortals, please wait a moment. The weather outside is unfavorable, and a windstorm is about to start. Why not wait a bit before leaving? Within a few hundred miles of here, apart from our inn, there are no other establishments!"

Qingying glanced at the others and saw that the young disciples with shallow cultivation all showed signs of fatigue. She could only nod and say to the innkeeper, "Alright then, we'll rest here for a while."

The boss was overjoyed and eagerly led them to the only empty table, smiling and saying, "We don't charge for the main hall here. If you order tea, you only pay for the tea and snacks."

How could one table be enough for everyone to sit? Seven or eight people were crammed in, packed tightly. The male disciples consciously gave up their seats to their elders and fellow female disciples, while they sat on the ground.

The Shangxuan Sect group had about twenty to thirty people, and it was clear at a glance that they were not to be trifled with. Others who eyed the young and beautiful female cultivators didn't dare to come over and court death.

However, Zhou Yin did not sit down and walked straight to the door.

Outside, the sky was azure, and the sand was yellow. It didn't look like there were signs of a storm, but upon closer inspection, there was a faint gray-yellow haze on the distant horizon, making it appear hazy and unclear.

"What's wrong?" Yun Zong walked to his side at some point.

"July 14th, the Yin of Heaven and Earth," Zhou Yin said. "Be careful at night."

Author's Note:

Setting reminder:

1. Poxue Hairpin: Everyone still remembers, right? When Zhou Yin went to Lingzhou, in a shop, the owner tried to sell him the Poxue Hairpin, but Yun Zong appeared and bought it. This chapter clarifies its use. He originally intended to give it to his fiancée as an engagement gift, but his attitude was not enthusiastic, and she ran off with someone else. How pitiful.

2. The seven peak masters of the Shangxuan Sect have been mentioned before, but you may have forgotten. Here's a summary:

Shangxuan Sect's Sect Leader, Tianshu Peak - Qinghe Zhenren (relatively tactful, knows how to deal with people)

Kaiyang Peak - Daist name Qingwei, real name Ge Yu (currently out on a mission, sent by the Sect Leader to help the Canghe's ruler fight demon beasts)

Tianquan Peak - Daist name Qingheng, real name Qiu Xianyun (suspected of killing Qingxuan, currently confined)

Tianxuan Peak - Qingxuan (deceased, cause of death unknown)

Tianji Peak - Qingyan

Yaoguang Peak - Qingyuan (cultivation fanatic, Huang Wenjun's master)

Yuheng Peak - Qingying (female, the leader of the delegation visiting the Tianyan Sect this time)