Chapter 142: The Fluttering Blue Robes

Mootian City.
Risheng Inn.
Inside a guest room, Yu Ye sat cross-legged on a couch.
He exhaled a breath of stale air and slowly opened his eyes.
It was already morning.
Outside the window, the morning light was bright and beautiful. The guest room was fully furnished and appeared no different from an ordinary inn, except that an invisible barrier enveloped the surroundings.
They had arrived in Mootian City last night and, under the guidance of Dang Guiyi, had checked into this place.
The Risheng Inn was not cheap, but it was worth the price. It had special rooms designated for cultivators, where formations could be set up to prevent outside disturbances, making it suitable for quiet meditation or secluded healing.
Since arriving in Qizhou, Yu Ye had been either rushing along the road or facing danger, leaving little time for rest. Now was the time to pause and recuperate for a few days, regaining his strength before setting out again.
Yu Ye waved his hand lightly, and before him appeared a jade slip and three jade rings.
The jade slip contained a classic text, The Scripture of Ten Thousand Beasts. The scripture included pictorial and textual names of various fierce beasts and spiritual creatures, as well as techniques for beast taming.
The so-called beast taming technique was similar to the way livestock were domesticated in the village: one had to perform rituals and refine the beast to subdue it, making it obedient and easy to command.
Of the three rings, two contained dead snakes, insects, birds, and beasts, while the third was a Beast Taming Ring housing two demonic salamanders. He had originally intended to discard the three rings but had been too busy. After reading the beast taming technique, he suddenly changed his mind.
Yu Ye picked up the Beast Taming Ring.
The two fierce demonic salamanders inside were sound asleep. Moreover, the ring was filled with spiritual energy and a strong scent of blood. The spiritual energy came from the spirit stones placed inside earlier, and the bloodiness from the demonic salamanders themselves. According to the Scripture of Ten Thousand Beasts, these salamanders were highly poisonous and vicious. Their ferocity and ugly appearance made even wolves and tigers wary of them.
Carrying the two demonic salamanders as companions, if he encountered a strong enemy, wouldn't he have two fierce allies?
However, demonic salamanders were bloodthirsty, violent, and difficult to tame. They needed to be refined with精血 and bound with spells to lock their souls and control their life and death, making them obedient.
Yu Ye closed his eyes and concentrated his spiritual awareness.
His spirit passed through the ring, revealing the two salamanders lying in darkness.
Each was a monstrous creature over two zhang long, covered in scales and claws, with long jaws full of sharp teeth, inspiring fear at first sight. Following the beast taming technique, he used his spirit to penetrate the brain of one salamander. Its spirit sea was unlike a human’s—small and narrow, within which a flickering light was discernible: the imprint of its master’s magical power.
“Ah—”
Before his spirit could touch the light, a sharp pain struck his brow, causing him to cry out and suddenly open his eyes.
At the same time, a sigh echoed in his mind: “Alas, overestimating yourself!”
“Oh?”
“You are using the spirit of a Qi Refinement stage three cultivator to challenge the spirit of a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator. It’s like striking a rock with an egg—only asking for trouble.”
“Enough, I’ll just throw away the Beast Taming Ring to avoid harm from these monsters.”
As Yu Ye was about to give up, he heard, “Monsters still have their uses. It would be a pity to discard them. Perhaps I can lend you a hand…”
“How so?”
“You’ve been in Qizhou for only a month and have faced countless dangers. The days ahead will be even harder. Fortunately, my original spiritual awareness has recovered to ten percent. Although slight, it surpasses that of a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Perhaps I can help you subdue the two demonic salamanders.”
The voice was hesitant.
Yu Ye did not hesitate and nodded in agreement. Moments later, he gathered his spirit again. As his spirit entered the spirit sea of one salamander, a tiny figure darted toward the flickering light. The figure was delicate, clad in flowing azure robes. Before he could make out details, it vanished like a shooting star.
Yu Ye’s spirit dared not approach. Soon, the light shattered, followed by a voice:
“The other monster…”
Yu Ye quickly withdrew his spirit and plunged it into the spirit sea of the second salamander. Again, a fleeting figure appeared, then the spirit imprint collapsed. A figure in blue approached, and just as Yu Ye tried to see its face, it dissipated, saying, “Be careful in the days ahead…”
A faint aura followed the spirit back into his body, sinking swiftly into the Qi Sea’s Dragon Core.

“Jiaoying—”
Yu Ye could not help but call out.
But whether in the spirit sea or the Qi Sea, there was no more movement, and the light surrounding the Dragon Core dimmed slightly.
Using spiritual awareness drained the strength of the soul. Jiaoying was but a remnant soul, obviously gravely injured.
Yu Ye felt a pang of guilt. Meanwhile, the two demonic salamanders in the ring had awakened. Without the restraint of the spiritual imprints, they began fiercely attacking each other. He hurriedly gathered his spirit again, attempting the refining rituals…

Three days later.
Yu Ye sat wearily on the couch.
It had taken three full days to subdue the two demonic salamanders. After countless failures and repeated attempts, he finally succeeded.
This was largely thanks to Jiaoying’s full assistance.
Previously, her spiritual illusion had appeared, perhaps revealing her true form. Sadly, it was fleeting, just a glimpse of flowing azure robes. He hoped that as his cultivation advanced, he could restore her soul and body soon.
Yu Ye picked up the Beast Taming Ring and inspected it closely.
After the salamanders’ violent frenzy, they had calmed and were once again sound asleep. From the original owner’s knowledge and the Scripture of Ten Thousand Beasts, although the salamanders were low in intelligence and violent, they could develop beast cores and gradually grow stronger.
He decided to keep them, treating them as two extra helpers or killers. If he encountered strong enemies, hopefully they would be useful.
Yu Ye slipped the Beast Taming Ring onto his right thumb, then took out a spirit stone and began to regulate his breathing. After three days of toil over the two beasts, he was thoroughly exhausted.

“Bang, bang—”
Just then, someone knocked on the barrier. Then he heard Dang Guiyi shout, “Friend Yu, come with me and broaden your horizons—”
Yu Ye shook his head and waved his hand to dispel the barrier.
The door clattered open, and Dang Guiyi entered. He stood tall with chest out and back straight, his long sleeves billowing with wind, smiling broadly. After three days of secluded cultivation, he looked fully recovered.
“Let’s eat and drink our fill first, then we’ll visit the Treasure Pavilion.”
“The Treasure Pavilion?”
“You’ll see when we get there. Hm, you look unwell…”
“No matter!”
Compared to Dang Guiyi’s lively spirit, Yu Ye appeared listless but forced himself to follow him out of the room.
Their guest room was in a separate courtyard.
Exiting the courtyard led to a spacious garden. The sun was near setting; dusk had not yet fallen, but lanterns had already been hung around the garden, prominently bearing the name Risheng Inn.
The two walked through the garden and entered a small building facing the street.
This was a place for guests to drink and dine, but it was not called a tavern—it was called a wine house. Ascending the stairs to the second floor, the elaborately carved beams and pillars were brightly lit, filled with bustling figures.
Yu Ye felt dazzled.
Dang Guiyi went straight to the counter, pointed at the menu on the wall, and gave instructions to the manager, then led Yu Ye to a wooden table. The wine cups and chopsticks were all made of jade and exquisitely crafted. Over ten tables were nearly full, and among the patrons were several Qi Refinement stage cultivators.
Dang Guiyi tapped the table and said contentedly, “I dislike mountain delicacies, preferring river fresh. What about your taste? Any preferences?”
Yu Ye waved his hand.
There were also expensive inns in the Great Marsh, but none had such luxurious wine houses.
“Ha, don’t be so formal. This meal’s on me, so enjoy yourself!”
Dang Guiyi was a stingy man, counting every spirit stone, but since arriving in Mootian City, he had suddenly become generous.

Shortly after, the dishes arrived: a pot of fish soup, several plates of delicacies, and a pot of aged wine.
Dang Guiyi held the pot and poured wine, gesturing, “Friend Yu, please—”
Yu Ye lifted the cup and took a small sip. The fragrance lingered on his lips and teeth, the taste sweet and mellow, the wine potent yet smooth. He nodded and drained the cup, then took up the jade chopsticks to sample the dishes—also excellent in color, aroma, and flavor.
“How is it?”
“Good!”
“How does it compare to the food and wine back in Weiguo?”
“Ah… good!”
“Please, drink more—”
Dang Guiyi kept urging, but Yu Ye focused on eating and drinking.
In no time, he was full and satisfied. A waiter brought hot towels and warm soup. Dang Guiyi wiped the oil from his face with the towel, rinsed his mouth with the soup, tossed a silver coin on the table saying, “Keep the change,” then rose and strode out proudly.

Leaving the wine house, they stepped onto the street.
Night had fallen; lanterns flickered along the bustling street filled with people.
Yu Ye didn’t know where to go, so he followed Dang Guiyi, who walked with hands behind his back and an arrogant stride.
After several hundred zhang, they turned right into an alley, leaving the lively street behind. The surroundings quieted. About a hundred zhang ahead, a lantern hung by a gate bore the characters “Treasure Pavilion.”
Dang Guiyi stopped and said mysteriously, “Follow me—”
The gate swung open, unobstructed.
Before reaching the courtyard, two imposing men suddenly blocked their path.
“My surname is Dang; his surname is Yu.”
Dang Guiyi gave their names with a showy flourish, flipping his palm to produce a silver ingot from thin air.
The two men accepted the silver and respectfully said, “Two venerable immortals, please—”
Passing through the courtyard, a large house appeared ahead.
The house had four doors, all wide open. Lanterns hung under the porch. Above the lintel hung a wooden plaque carved with three large characters: Treasure Pavilion. The open doors and the surroundings seemed shrouded in a faint, ethereal force.
Yu Ye hesitated underfoot.
Then he heard Dang Guiyi send a voice transmission: “The rule here is to pay a deposit upon entry, ensuring free passage in and out. Rest assured, friend Yu!”
Following the stone steps, they entered the house.
Inside was spacious and lofty, exquisitely furnished and brightly lit. Wooden desks and tables stood in the center, with rows of wooden shelves on either side, displaying various antiques. Near the shelves were mats with wooden tables, where over ten people sat cross-legged.
Yu Ye’s gaze swept across the room, his heart skipped a beat.
Among the more than ten seated individuals, though of varied ages, appearances, and attire, half were cultivators, each clearly not weak in cultivation.
“Ha ha, greetings, fellow cultivators!”
Dang Guiyi raised his hand in salute to the group, then walked to a wooden table and sat down. Seeing Yu Ye rooted in place, he hurriedly said, “Friend Yu—”