Mythical Cultivation

Wu Ming resolved to adapt to the local customs and fully experience the mundane world he hadn't experienced in a long time. He strolled along, his gaze drifting over the shops and signs. Soon, a restaurant called "Yingbinlou" came into view. The restaurant was magnificent, with carved beams and painted buildings. Two large red lanterns hung at the entrance, exuding a festive atmosphere.

Wu Ming stepped into the restaurant and was immediately greeted by a smart waiter with a smile on his face: "Sir, are you staying here or just stopping by?"

Wu Ming smiled slightly and replied, "I need to stop by. Please find me a quiet place."

The waiter nodded hurriedly and said, "Okay! Sir, please follow me upstairs." Then he led the way, leading Wu Ming upstairs. Along the way, the waiter shouted, "A room on the second floor is available..."

Wu Ming leisurely ordered some of the restaurant's signature dishes and waited eagerly for them to be served. Soon, one dish after another, each bursting with color, aroma, and flavor, arrived. Wu Ming took a deep breath, savoring the alluring aroma. Then, picking up his chopsticks, he picked up a bite and slowly chewed it. As his taste buds were fully stimulated by the delicious flavor, a satisfied smile gradually spread across his face, and he secretly exclaimed, "This taste is truly as good as its reputation!"

Wu Ming, who hadn't savored food so quietly for a long time, was completely immersed in this wonderful experience. After savoring each dish carefully, he gave these delicacies high marks without hesitation.

At the same time, Wu Ming quietly spread his powerful spiritual awareness in all directions. Instantly, every movement within a hundred-meter radius, centered around him, crystal-clear in his mind. The first-floor hall was filled with a diverse crowd. Some were ordinary folk, chatting and laughing with family and friends; others were wandering knights, feasting on wine and meat, or whispering to their companions about their recent discoveries. However, Wu Ming paid little attention to their conversation, as he could glean no useful information from it.

Just as Wu Ming was about to withdraw his spiritual consciousness, a conversation from a private room on the second floor suddenly caught his attention. He focused his attention and discovered that the speaker was in the next room. An old man spoke in a deep voice, "I heard that a while ago, a terrible disaster occurred in Zheng City! The entire western part of Zheng City was reduced to ruins. The scene was horrific. It is said that this disaster was caused by a fierce battle between several Jindan-stage ancestors."

Sitting opposite the old man was a middle-aged man. He frowned when he heard this and asked in surprise: "Zhengcheng? Isn't that the territory of the Zheng family, one of the four major families? You know, there are members of the Zheng family distributed in several cities nearby. Moreover, the Zheng family has always been the largest immortal cultivation family in this area of ​​thousands of miles, and its strength is extremely strong. Who is so bold as to cause such trouble on the Zheng family's territory?"

"I heard that someone got into big trouble this time and actually provoked the Qingyun Sect! You know, that is a well-known holy place for cultivation in our entire Qingjiang County!" The old man said solemnly.

Upon hearing this, his companion frowned and asked suspiciously, "How can you know so much? Did you hear it from someone else? Zhengcheng is nearly a thousand miles away from our Baiye City, and you haven't been away from home lately!"

The old man smiled mysteriously and explained in a low voice, "Hehe, you don't understand the situation. Don't underestimate me, a mere cultivator at the fourth level of Qi Refining. My cousin's daughter is something special! She successfully entered the Qingyun Sect many years ago and later had the honor of becoming the eighth concubine of a Qingyun Sect deacon. It was she who informed my cousin of this news through a message. Furthermore, she specifically instructed us to avoid any involvement with the Zheng family, lest we be implicated in this crisis! So, you must keep this matter a secret and not leak it. After all, I don't want anyone else to know about this connection between me and the Qingyun Sect!" After speaking, the old man's face revealed a deliberately low-key expression.

"Oh? The sect has actually taken action? And even the Zheng family's land has been reduced to ruins? No wonder the sect would issue such a dangerous mission! I guess those powerful monks have been wiped out. In this case, there is no need to worry about it anymore." After hearing this shocking news, Wu Ming couldn't help but think to himself.

Now that the situation was clear, Wu Ming felt that it was pointless to continue staying here and listening to other people's discussions, so he decisively turned around and left the reception building, and walked quickly towards the place where the sect disciples were stationed in the county town, ready to find out the details of the situation.

Soon, Wu Ming arrived at a quiet, elegant courtyard shaded by green trees. He approached and gently knocked on the door, identifying himself to the person who opened it. Then, guided by the young disciple, Wu Ming finally met the owner of the courtyard.

The young man enthusiastically introduced Wu Ming, "Junior brother, this is our sect's inner sect senior brother stationed here—Senior Brother Xiao Changfeng!"

Wu Ming hurriedly stepped forward respectfully, bowed and said, "Greetings, Senior Brother Xiao Changfeng!"

At this moment, Xiao Changfeng, who was sitting at the head of the table, nodded slightly and responded with a smile, "Junior brother, there's no need to be so polite. It's just... I don't see how you look. I'm not sure how I should address you."

Wu Ming quickly clasped his fists and bowed again, then humbly replied, "Brother, my name is Wu Ming. Since my strength is still relatively limited, I spend most of my time cultivating within the sect and rarely venture out. Therefore, it's not surprising that you haven't seen me. I hope you'll take good care of me in the future!"

"Wu Ming? Hmm... I seem to have some impression of you. Oh, by the way, aren't you the Wu Ming who had some disputes with Liu Qingquan in our sect a few months ago? I have heard something about this matter." Xiao Changfeng patted his forehead lightly, and suddenly recalled an interesting story that a fellow disciple had mentioned to him a few months ago.