The road to the city was smooth, with the setting sun painting the sky in hues of gold, the afterglow of dusk gently illuminating Yuling City. The horse carriage approached slowly, and the towering city walls, covered in creeping moss, seemed to tell tales of ages past.
Apart from ordinary citizens and merchants, there were also many martial artists armed with swords, and various carriages formed a long line entering the city.
As they entered Yuling City, the winding cobbled streets stretched ahead, with shops lining both sides, flags fluttering in the breeze, and numerous willow-lined alleys.
The clamor of voices surrounded them, as crowds bustled about the streets, vendors shouted boisterously, energetically selling their goods; meanwhile, wandering heroes beat drums and performed their skills, attracting many onlookers.
The city guards patrolled with weapons in hand, maintaining order to prevent any altercations among the martial artists.
Thin wisps of smoke rose from various courtyards, gradually shrouding the city in a twilight haze. A few children, who had been playing in the alleys, were called home for dinner.
This town, being next to one of the foremost sects in the martial world, was bustling and lively, rivaling even the larger county and state cities.
The coachman stopped the carriage in front of an inn with flying eaves and red-painted carved railings. He then arranged rooms for Yun Shou Zhenren and Bai Yichen and ordered a table of fine dishes from Lingzhou for them.
After all, the journey had been long, crossing two states, and it was hard to find good meals on the way. With a major battle ahead, they needed to restore their strength.
Not long after, dishes such as pigeon, roasted duck, and braised trotters were served one after another. Bai Yichen savored them with great pleasure, but his movements were not coarse; rather, he exuded a touch of elegance acquired over the years.
This left Yun Shou Zhenren impressed.
After the feast, Bai Yichen had bathed and changed clothes, comfortably resting on a soft bed in a private room.
During the journey, Bai Yichen had visited the contact point for the Twelve Zodiac and acquired the time and location for their gathering.
"Tomorrow night at the second watch, in the northern red maple forest of Yuling City, where a single oil lamp lights."
He also left a signal to indicate that he, the Qing Si, would definitely be attending.
However, it is a pity that Yan Beiliu left a secret message for him, informing that the Rabbit of the Zodiac had chosen not to participate in this gathering, leading to mutual non-assistance.
Upon receiving this news, Bai Yichen recalled that the upcoming birthday banquet for Qing Song Zhenren would surely be a chaotic affair, with both Heishi and members of the Twelve Zodiac likely to infiltrate and stir up trouble. Although Yukun Mountain had some defenses in place, it would be difficult to manage everything under these circumstances.
Rather than continue like this, it would be better to...
Bai Yichen noticed the water clock indicating the appointed time had arrived. He picked up a package and gracefully slipped out of the window, arriving outside the inn where Yun Shou Zhenren was already waiting.
The two exchanged glances but did not speak, allowing Yun Shou Zhenren to lead the way as they headed towards the magnificent Yukun Mountain, shrouded in clouds and mist.
Whether it was the fire-using monk taking the lead or their actions in the middle of the night, both were strategies suggested by Yun Shou Zhenren to evade Heishi's surveillance.
Otherwise, given Yun Shou Zhenren's status and connections, there would have been no need to stay in Yuling City; he could simply send a formal invitation, and the higher-ups from Yukun Mountain would have come down to greet him.
At that time, they could have stayed in the mountain's lodgings, discussing profound matters and quietly awaiting the banquet.
At this time, the night was deep, and the dew was cold. Moreover, Lingzhou was situated further north, and the journey through the mountains was revealing the early signs of frost.
Fortunately, both Bai Yichen and Yun Shou Zhenren were innate experts and were not much affected by the chill.
Led by Yun Shou Zhenren, the two twisted and turned along the winding mountain paths, leaping over the array of buildings.
Finally, after avoiding several rounds of night patrol disciples, they arrived at a layered terrace that was empty and appeared to require no oversight.
Upon the terrace stood a grand hall that rose high against the mountainside, with a roof covered in peacock blue glazed tiles, shimmering with colorful reflections in the moonlight. This was the Zijin Treasure Hall of Yukun Mountain.
Bai Yichen could already vaguely sense a powerful aura emanating from within, deep and tranquil, yet overwhelmingly profound.
"Let's go. I believe Brother Qing Song has already sensed my presence," Yun Shou Zhenren said, changing from his earlier concealed demeanor and striding toward the hall. Bai Yichen followed closely behind.
"Creak!"
Accompanied by a heavy and low sound, the door opened.
Beneath three altars, in the central axis of the hall, sat an elderly man with a youthful face and white hair, dressed in simple attire that harmonized with nature.
The old man had been meditating but suddenly opened his bright and penetrating eyes. A clear voice then rang out: "Friend Yun Shou, why have you come here at such a late hour?"
How formidable!
Those eyes seemed almost to emit a faint electric light, a sign of the mastery level that only a grandmaster could reach.
Bai Yichen recalled that during their journey, Yun Shou Zhenren had introduced him to four prominent innate masters in the martial world.
He mentioned that among the current martial artists, one from the Daoist sect was Qing Song Zhenren, one from the Buddhist sect was Master Tian Bei, and there was also a cunning figure from the Left Path and a commanding officer from the Great Xia Dynasty's pacification department.
Those like the Wheel Turn King, who had not been clearly confirmed as reaching innate perfection, were not included in this list.
Though Qing Song Zhenren was the oldest among them, he was also the strongest, able to compete for the top position.
Seeing him now, it was evident that what was said was not false.
"Eh? Who is this young friend? He has already reached the innate realm at such a young age!" Qing Song Zhenren's eyes flashed with surprise.
"Haha, this is my Dao Child Shaochong from Xuan Zhen Guan. He is only sixteen this year!" Yun Shou Zhenren said proudly.
Upon hearing this, Bai Yichen stepped forward to bow in greeting.
"You are truly a rare gem, young friend, with a smooth and profound aura. It doesn't seem like you practice the 'Innate Pure Yang Technique' of your sect. Could it be...?" Qing Song Zhenren exclaimed in admiration.
Yun Shou Zhenren continued with pride, "That's right, Shaochong practices the 'Huangting Yinshi Zhenjing' left by our first ancestor!"
"Indeed, indeed! The Heavenly Source has successors!"
Seeing Qing Song Zhenren so humble, Yun Shou Zhenren couldn't help but feel a bit bashful about his earlier demeanor.
He spoke up: "Shaochong still needs to experience some trials. However, the young friend here has already achieved significant success and is a leader among the younger generation in the martial world."
"It's a pity that Zhen Tai will not return to the mountain for another two days; otherwise, he would surely have the chance to meet young friend Shaochong."
Qing Song Zhenren smiled contentedly but did not refute this.
This Zhen Tai was the person previously mentioned, the Daoist from Yukun Mountain who had attained innate mastery at just over twenty.
It was said that he was born with exceptional gifts, possessing hidden extraordinary meridians. Except for the Ren and Du meridians, the remaining six, including the two perilous ones, were all naturally connected.
Such talent, in Bai Yichen's impression, could only be slightly inferior to the Martial Dao Sacred Body that connected all hundred meridians.
In terms of physical talent alone, he was perhaps even stronger than Bai Yichen, who bore the "martial genius" talent.