Volume 1, Chapter 27 – Linyuan City

The three demon kings quickly chose their respective peaks, then hurried off to arrange their cave abodes and make the most of this rare opportunity to cultivate.

After stabilizing her cultivation, Liu Ruyan also took her leave and returned to her residence to continue comprehending the Samsara Dao Scripture.

The area soon fell silent, leaving only Gu Han and little A-Yao, who was still intently absorbing spiritual qi.

Gu Han did not disturb A-Yao.

She walked to the edge of Yaochi and quietly observed the changes in the lake.

The fusion with the immortal-grade spirit vein seemed to have imbued the already beautiful and spiritually rich waters with an indescribable, ineffable charm.

If cultivators with water spiritual roots trained here for an extended period, the benefits would be unimaginable.

“System,” Gu Han called inwardly.

【I am here, Host.】

“The young woman I sensed earlier seemed rather extraordinary. Pull up her information.”

【Name: Gu Luoli】

【Age: Twenty-three】

【Background: Originally an ordinary mortal woman, she was regarded as an ill omen because she was born with Innate Double Pupils. She was accidentally discovered by the Holy Lord of Qingyun and accepted as his disciple. After suffering severe injuries in an accident, she was cast aside as a discarded pawn.】

【Potential: Hidden Ten-Star. Due to a Dao injury and issues with her cultivation technique, it currently manifests as seven-star potential.】

【Cultivation: Early Foundation Establishment, formerly early Golden Core.】

【Physique: Innate Double Pupils, unawakened.】

【Condition: Dao foundation severely damaged and continuing to deteriorate.】

【Special: Carries the remnant soul of Yun Miaoyi, an eighth-grade alchemist at the Mahayana realm.】

“Hidden Ten-Star potential! Innate Double Pupils!”

Gu Han’s eyes flickered.

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“And she even has the remnant soul of an eighth-grade alchemist?”

On the Canglan Continent, alchemists were divided into nine grades, with the first grade being the lowest and the ninth the highest.

An eighth-grade alchemist could already refine top-tier pills that were immensely useful even to cultivators at the Tribulation Transcendence realm, and thus enjoyed an exalted status.

Even if only a remnant soul remained, its alchemical experience and knowledge were priceless treasures.

Gu Luoli’s circumstances were practically the template of a protagonist.

In particular, Gu Han had heard plenty about “Innate Double Pupils” in all kinds of novels before transmigrating.

Those born with double pupils were all exceptional talents among humanity, peerless geniuses who might not appear even once in ten thousand years!

For such talent to be buried, and for her to be on the verge of death because of a Dao injury, was truly a pity.

As for the Qingyun Sacred Land, Gu Han vaguely remembered it from the geographical jade slip she had purchased.

It seemed to be a hegemonic force in the Southern Region, with several Mahayana ancestors presiding over it.

For Gu Luoli to have become its Holy Maiden, her fortune and talent were indeed extraordinary.

“System, where is she now? What is her condition?”

【Gu Luoli is currently moving northwest. Her destination is Linyuan City, approximately eight hundred li from here.】

“Linyuan City…”

Gu Han thought for a moment. It seemed to be the largest city where cultivators gathered within several thousand li, far more prosperous than Wanshan City.

A faint smile curved Gu Han’s lips.

What Yaochi Immortal Palace lacked right now was a professional capable of supporting the Alchemy Pavilion.

And Yun Miaoyi was practically a future Pavilion Master of the Alchemy Pavilion delivered straight to her door!

Someone with a protagonist template really was different…

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“A-Yao.”

Gu Han turned and looked at the little girl who was cultivating.

“Master-Mommy!”

The moment A-Yao heard her voice, she opened her eyes, her small face rosy.

“Master needs to go out for a while. Cultivate properly while I’m gone, understand?”

Gu Han gently reminded her.

“Master is going out again?”

A-Yao looked a little disappointed, but she soon smiled again.

“Then Master-Mommy has to come back soon! A-Yao will miss you!”

“All right.”

Gu Han smiled and stroked her head, then sent Liu Ruyan a voice transmission with a few instructions.

A moment later, her figure flickered and vanished from the spot.

Linyuan City.

As the largest gathering place for cultivators within several thousand li, Linyuan City was far more prosperous than Wanshan City.

Its walls, dozens of zhang high, were constructed from massive blocks of obsidian. Runes flowed across their surface, forming a sturdy defensive formation.

The city gates were broad, and the stream of people was dense. Cultivators, mortals, and merchant caravans came and went without end.

The air carried a mixture of scents from spiritual herbs, medicinal pills, and demonic beast materials, along with the distinctive clamor of the mortal world.

Gu Han appeared in a forest not far outside the city.

With a thought, spiritual power circulated around her body. Her moon-white dress transformed into a high-quality white brocade robe, its wide sleeves fluttering lightly.

She now looked every bit like a handsome, elegant young man.

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Her snow-white silver hair lost all its luster and turned into thick, jet-black locks, which she tied up with a simple white jade hairpin.

Her eyes shone like stars, and every glance carried a naturally carefree, unrestrained air.

He raised a hand, and a folding fan appeared in his grasp. With a snap, he opened it and strolled leisurely toward the gates of Linyuan City while gently fanning himself.

After paying the entrance fee, he entered the city.

The streets within were even broader. Their surfaces were paved with lapis lazuli, smooth as mirrors and wide enough for several carriages to travel side by side.

Rows of pavilions lined both sides, with soaring eaves, interlocking brackets, carved beams, and painted rafters.

A dazzling variety of shop signs filled the streets, faint treasure light glimmering from within.

“Hundred Herbs Pavilion,” “Divine Arms Workshop,” “Myriad Talismans Tower”…

There were also lavishly decorated restaurants from which faint music drifted, as well as… pleasure houses.

He soon headed for the most prosperous district in the western part of the city.

The moment he reached the entrance of a place called Drunken Spring House, an extravagant blend of cosmetics, wine, and incense washed over him.

Several beautiful women in revealing clothes stood at the entrance, laughing sweetly as they solicited customers.

When they saw Gu Han’s extraordinary bearing and strikingly handsome appearance, the eyes of two women immediately lit up. They swayed their hips as they came forward to greet him.

“Oh my, what a handsome young master! You look unfamiliar. You’ve never visited our Drunken Spring House before, have you?”

Gu Han’s expression remained unchanged, though her feelings were rather complicated.

In her previous life, when she had been an overworked corporate drone, she had only ever seen places like this on television.

Now, not only was she seeing one with her own eyes, but two women were also welcoming her so enthusiastically. It felt… genuinely strange.

Yet out of pure curiosity, she did not refuse.

She had nowhere else to go at the moment anyway, so she might as well experience it once.

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“Ahem!”

She coughed lightly and forced herself to remain calm.

“Arrange a private room for me. Bring a table of your finest food and wine, and call over your most skilled musician.”

“Yes, yes! This way, Young Master!”

The madam was a perceptive, attractive middle-aged woman. Seeing Gu Han’s wealthy attire and composed bearing, she immediately led her upstairs in person and brought her to a private room on the third floor.

The room was elegantly furnished and filled with the mild scent of incense. Its window faced the busiest street in the city, offering an excellent view.

Before long, the food and wine were served. A pot of spirit wine wreathed in spiritual qi released an enticing aroma.

A quiet, delicate-looking young woman entered gracefully with a pipa in her arms and gave Gu Han an elegant bow.

She then sat quietly to one side and plucked the strings with slender fingers. A melodious tune slowly flowed through the room, accompanied by her gentle singing.

Gu Han poured and drank by herself. Through the carved wooden window, her gaze seemed to sweep casually over the bustling crowd below.

“Listening to music, drinking wine, with a beauty keeping me company… What a wonderful place!”

“What a pity… I can never do that again…”

Gu Han sighed softly to herself and stopped dwelling on it.

Her divine sense silently spread outward, perceiving everything within Linyuan City.

She was waiting for the severely injured young woman with Innate Double Pupils, Gu Luoli.

Judging by the System’s guidance and Gu Luoli’s traveling speed, she would arrive here by evening at the latest.

“Once a Holy Maiden, now an abandoned disciple… Innate Double Pupils… and the remnant soul of an eighth-grade alchemist…”

The corners of Gu Han’s lips lifted slightly, and a trace of amusement flashed through her eyes.

“Come quickly, my dear disciple…”