A stream of daylight spilled into the inn, revealing the warm glow of flickering candlelight and the rich aroma of hearth-cooked delights.
The air buzzed with spirited conversations, and the rustic interior unfolded like a canvas, its low wooden beams overhead adorned with aged banners depicting a three-legged crow.
Weathered oak tables spread across the stone-flagged floor, illuminated by the soft daylight streaming through small, leaded windows.
Pewter goblets and elegantly simple plates awaited guests, catching the glow in a dance of reflections. The room held a timeless quality, accentuated by the strains of a minstrel's lute, whose melodies merged with the lively chatter.
Throughout the hall, daylight played upon the heads of various beasts mounted on the walls. Scents of roasting meats, simmering stews, and freshly baked bread filled the air.
Seated around an oak round table carrying bowls of mouth-watering dishes were a group of five, three female and two male cultivators, each of them draped in navy blue robes.
At this moment, they delighted in their feast, engaging in numerous discussions. Often, they would glance towards another table in the distance, which was packed with groups of men wearing black robes.
"The Bloodlust Sect disciples are as overbearing and crude as ever, looking at us like a bunch of dogs. It seems this year's entrance exam will be even more hectic than the last. My only wish is that we don't get caught up in any troubles," remarked a brown-haired and fair-skinned woman donning blue robes, shooting a glance towards the table in question.
"Zhang Lihua, stop looking in their direction; it'll only rile them up even more. Instead, think about the mission. If the rumors are true, then it'll be a lot harder this year."
The one named Zhang Lihua reluctantly turned her glare back to her food. Another woman at their table asked, "You're talking about the influx of geniuses, right? In our Serenity Wolf Sect, we've already gotten three promising disciples!
The number one being Zhuo Yue, who has already reached the fifth level of Qi condensation at the age of 15!" Her eyes twinkled, and her expression was filled with delight.
"Hmph, Without the help of the sect elders, how could he reach that realm so quickly? If he couldn't achieve a feat like that, even with all those resources given to him, he'd be a waste! It would've been better for me to receive the Condensed Essence Vital Pill." A round-and-big bellied navy-robed man retorted, his eyebrows linked together to form a deep frown.
"When we return to the sect, I should give him a few pointers; I'm sure he would appreciate a lesson from a senior." He continued with a smirk.
"Are you sure you shouldn't be the one receiving pointers from him? With how long you have been stuck in the eighth level and at the rate he's advancing, he may catch up to you soon." One of the other women remarked, with her slender fingers, she cleared the loose strand behind her ear, causing her golden blonde hair to sway slightly.
The sounds of wolfwhistling spread through the inn.
"Senior sister Wang Xinran Jests, I'm solidifying my foundation in preparation for the next breakthrough." The fat man said to the beautiful woman, his face twisted with a fake smile.
He itched to retort; however, her realm was higher than his, being at the peak of Qi condensation—the ninth level.
The hazel-eyed beauty gave no reply, continuing her meal, which only added to the tense atmosphere.
Silence enveloped their table, and in the background, hearty laughter and the sounds of cups being slammed against tables reverberated out.
"I'm sure there'll be a few geniuses here we can nag from the bloodlust sect; the heavens will favor us over those beasts." Another male said anxiously, trying to ease the mood.
At that moment, the door to the inn opened, revealing a raggedly dressed, raven-haired young man. In his arms, wearing similar attire, was a young girl with a frightened expression.
The moment the stinking beggar staggered in, the cultivators ceased their arrogant banter, their eyes narrowing in disdain.
"Look at this fucking mess, must've rolled in garbage before waltzing in here," sneered one, spitting on the floor for emphasis.
"Ugh, I thought dogs weren't allowed inside."
"With those rags, he probably owes himself money."
"Someone give it crumbs and let these things scramble."
"A thousand spirit stones for anyone who can remove this vermin from this one's eyes."
Tongue clicks and noises of spitting filled the ears of all who were in the inn; even the workers screwed their faces and whispered.
"Hmph, let's see how those righteous sect bastards will bless this trash."
Ignoring the hateful glares, Zhihui swaggered towards the table with the Serenity Wolf disciples. Seeing him, they adorned their faces with puzzled looks, covering their noses.
Like a fish on a hook, the beggar's gaze jumbled to the steaming food blessing the table. His eyes took on a gray hue, which disappeared shortly. Zhihui inhaled deeply and yelled at the top of his lungs.
"OH KIND AND GENEROUS IMMORTALS, PLEASE SAVE THIS BEGGAR'S SISTER!"
Silence permeated through the entire inn as shocked looks filled the room. Zhihui's voice was extremely loud; like a protestor with a loud speaker, his voice drummed within their ears. Even those lingering outside the inn stopped their actions to observe what went on.
"A beggar walked into the inn," said one of the passersby outside. People began to gather around, low whispers resounding soon after.
Inside the inn, like a pulled bowstring, everyone's attention was drawn to the beggar, who at the moment had tears streaming down his eyes without stopping.
"Heh, those righteous sect bastards, let's see how they'll help this trash."
"Good, how will they eat with that stench around them?"
"But surely they won't chase him away? After all, these are the saints who claim to be ever so more kind than our bloodlust sect, saying that they follow the heavens."
The black-and-crimson-robed cultivators smirked, looking at the serenity sect disciples with disdain.
Wang Xinran bit her bottom lip, a frown dawning on her face as thoughts ran through her mind. The moment this beggar walked in, she couldn't help but feel apprehensive. Something told her that this beggar wasn't simple.
However, Zhihui had the concealment arts paired with his training as a beggar, which gave him a lower and less noticeable presence. In their eyes, he was a mortal.
She discarded the useless thoughts and began to contemplate. This was a chance; if she accepted to help him despite the stench around and the discomfort, they would keep the sect's image as a righteous sect.
Their mission here was to poach potential recruits of the bloodlust sect before their entrance exam, and by sticking to their sect's principles, maybe some might be moved and switch sides.
"How can I help her?" Wang Xinran asked with a gentle smile.
Zhihui smirked inwardly and, with a quivering voice, said, "She's starving; I'm useless and can do nothing but plead that you kind immortals rescue her from hunger."
Wang Xinran reached for a bowl and spoke, "Here let-" However, she was suddenly interrupted by Zhihui's shout:
"PLEASE KIND IMMORTALS, SHE'S DYING!" He pleaded, his hands cupped together and a dejected expression on his face.
"To offer a starving kid a meager bowl How heartless.. Serenity's sect's disciples are not as magnanimous as they seem." One of the black-robed cultivators said it sarcastically, in a loud voice.
"Ayia, it's not that they are heartless; it's that the poor monks aren't far apart from the beggar; they simply cannot afford to feed more!"
The remarks continued, and Wang Xinran gritted her teeth before gesturing for Zhihui to sit.
"The heavens have not forsaken me; thank you, kind immortals. Oh, how will I ever repay this debt?" Zhihui lamented, secretly beckoning a waiter to come over.
The middle-aged man in an apron walked ahead with a confused expression, but seeing Wang Xinran's nod, he leaned in to allow Zhihui to whisper in his ear.
When he heard what the strange beggar whispered, the waiter's eyes grew wide, shooting a glance at the blonde woman, who responded with a reluctant nod.
As the waiter left while hastily noting Zhihui's order, the round-bellied man at their table glared at the beggar. Zhihui returned his gaze with a cheeky smile, then snatched the man's bowl.
"YOU-" When the man saw this, he felt an urge to smash the beggar's head, and if not for Wang Xinran's heavy gaze on him, he would have.
Zhihui then began to feed the young girl on his lap, whose mind still couldn't believe what she was seeing.
Hunger took over, and Mei Lin began to eat, feeling the warm soup soothe her whole body—nothing short of bliss. She forgot about everything happening around her and continued savoring the meal.
The ocean-eyed beggar chuckled, taking in the heavenly aromas. 'It's been so long since my last proper meal. Fourteen years since I came, fourteen years without a burger or pizza'
Remembering food from his past life, Zhihui heaved a deep sigh, his face full of melancholy.
The anger-fueled man with a face only a fire spirit could love did not share the same nostalgia.
"Scum that doesn't know its place, don't think you can still leave here alive." He muttered under his breath, wearing a scornful look.
As the words echoed through Zhihui's mind, an evil glint flashed in his eyes.