Chapter 258: Eight Directions Food Tower

In the tense, sword-drawn atmosphere.

The small building's door opened once more.

Everyone turned to look, and immediately saw a tall youth in black robes step out with a leisurely gait.

He casually returned the jade box to Lin Jingyi, then calmly swept his gaze over the crowd, whose faces were grim.

Then, without uttering a word, he summoned the Red Cloud.

His figure slowly rose into the air, flying toward the outside of Great Qian at a leisurely pace.

"..."

Hou Wanshan paused for a moment, not quite understanding what Shen my lord was thinking.

After taking the magical treasure, why not hurry back to the Wumiao, or stay a while longer in Lizhou, but instead stride so boldly before so many eyes... and depart toward the outside of Great Qian?

Wasn't this plainly inviting others to snatch it?!

As expected, those few Slain Hunyuan Masters, after a brief moment of stunned silence, all instinctively suppressed their emotions.

Like beasts before a hunt, they did their utmost to conceal the greed in their eyes.

"Uh."

Lin Jingyi inexplicably felt this scene seemed somewhat familiar.

Then he cast a sympathetic glance at those few Masters.

The Red Cloud in the sky moved as if taking a stroll, seemingly afraid others might not keep up; it even paused for a moment in the sky, just to let everyone clearly see where it was going.

"I have other matters; I must take my leave first."

A short-tempered, short man turned and walked toward the edge of the crowd.

But a companion beside him yanked him back, whispering, "Can you use your brain?"

Setting aside other things, even the Lizhou General up there hasn't moved yet; it's obviously a trap. Add to that the black-robed youth's clumsy acting, and he truly thinks he's playing us fools.

Outside Great Qian.

Shen Yi stood with hands at his sides atop the Red Cloud, with Lady Qinghua beside him.

They waited quietly for a while.

He turned to look back and found the sky still utterly empty.

He had originally hoped to earn some extra money, but it seems there's no chance for that now.

"They are probably still inquiring about your background."

Lady Qinghua seemed very familiar with these cultivators and said softly, "When traveling abroad, such an overly obvious opportunity is something few dare to attempt."

Everyone wants to snatch an easy gain, but they also cherish their lives.

Shen Yi withdrew his gaze, raised both palms; his long ten fingers appeared empty, but upon closer inspection, one could discern cold light flowing within.

Cold Jade Mysterious Silk Hands.

Is this truly a magical treasure?

Shen Yi clenched his fist, barely feeling its presence.

Although he had never seen many fine things, judging by the reactions of the others, it must be an extremely precious treasure.

"Never mind, I won't wait anymore."

Shen Yi lowered his hands and let Lady Qinghua lead the way ahead.

Once completely outside the bounds of Great Qian, the environment beyond was entirely different.

Within sight, there was no sign of human life, nor any roads.

A slight deviation in direction could mean being ten thousand li away from the destination.

According to the travelogue he had previously read, the Eight Directions Food Tower lies west of Great Qian, within a valley not particularly large.

The valley is filled with various rare treasures and precious herbs, which they gather to prepare all kinds of medicinal delicacies.

Though called a Food Tower, in the eyes of other powers, it is more akin to a Pill Sect.

A single medicinal delicacy is comparable to a supreme-grade treasure pill.

Thus, it is deeply favored by many powerful beings.

"If that cultivator's cave dwelling truly lies within Eight Directions Valley, Lady Qinghua probably... there should be quite a few who know."

Lady Qinghua had visited once before, so the information she possessed was certainly far more detailed than what was in the books: "Although they do not provide meals and delicacies to just anyone, they also have no habit of turning others away at the door. Calling themselves a Food Tower, they never participate in cultivator conflicts."

"Precisely for this reason, the Food Tower has many friends, including formidable cultivators like True Person Xuan Jian, Nie Jun, so others generally dare not cause trouble within."

Speaking thus, Lady Qinghua looked at Shen Yi: "Even without revealing your Golden Body, with your cultivation, you would still be a distinguished guest at the table."

"I understand."

Shen Yi knew she was reminding him.

When traveling abroad, what must be hidden should be hidden, and what must be displayed should be displayed.

Only with sufficient strength can one truly participate in certain matters and also save oneself much trouble.

As his words fell, red light surged within Shen Yi's skin.

Having broken through to Slain Hunyuan so long ago, only now that he had left Great Qian could he finally stop concealing his cultivation.

His figure suddenly accelerated, streaking across the sky.

Within the brilliant valley, a nine-story, bright red pagoda-shaped tower stood.

It was not overly luxurious, but it appeared quite festive.

Unlike Great Qian, where the imperial court and Wumiao held control, this was a place of utter disorder.

No need for array formations to hide; yet it could still be so high-profile. This alone was enough to prove the Eight Directions Food Tower's profound foundation.

At this moment, the place was bustling with voices, looking incredibly lively.

Red clouds swept across the sky, followed by a figure in black robes landing at the entrance of the great building, who then retracted his Dao Infant.

The two young servants lifted their eyelids slightly.

A True Person of the Zunhunyuan Sect arriving would never be treated with neglect, no matter where it was.

But their behavior at this moment could hardly be called enthusiastic; they listlessly said, "If you are here for a meal, please go to the third floor to find Miss Mei; if you are here for other matters... please take a seat on the first floor."

"..."

Lady Qinghua floated in the air, nervously glancing at her master.

She had never imagined that the Eight Directions Food Building would now disregard even True Persons.

"Mm."

Shen Yi nodded slightly, revealing nothing unusual.

He stepped forward and walked inside.

He saw that the interior was a world of its own; within the incredibly spacious hall, two or three hundred small tables were scattered about.

Lady Qinghua paused, startled.

She finally understood why the two young servants had such an attitude.

She saw that nearly all of these two or three hundred tables were occupied, yet no single table had food on it; everyone had vaguely formed several factions, glaring coldly at one another.

Among them, the cultivators radiating Hunyuan energy were too numerous to count on one's fingers.

A fine food building, yet now it was filled with the smell of gunpowder.

This was not merely a case of many people knowing about it... it was almost packed.

Shen Yi raised an eyebrow and casually found a table in a corner to sit down.

Those who had been staring at him quickly averted their gaze when they realized he was alone.

Until another group of five people strolled in.

Everyone's faces changed slightly, then they all rose together: "We greet Elder Zhang."

The leader wore a black long robe, appeared to be in his prime, and had a black beard.

Behind him were three others similarly clad in black robes, with only an old man in grey short clothes standing out as somewhat incongruous.

"Xuan Guang Cave."

Lady Qinghua reminded softly.

Shen Yi sat in the corner and did not rise, so no one noticed him.

He calmly glanced at the grey-robed old man.

Hanging at the other's waist was a Jin Langyu talisman.

Mobilizing Hunyuan True Persons from Great Qian to resist demons and monsters, and they had come all the way to the Eight Directions Food Building.

Everyone loudly claimed connections, including more than a dozen True Persons, yet Elder Zhang kept his eyes straight ahead, appearing calm and self-possessed.

Just then, a graceful figure in a red dress slowly appeared on the stairs.

She frowned, glanced at the people from Xuan Guang Cave, and said softly, "True Person Nie is dining upstairs; please, everyone, keep quiet."

These words seemed to carry some spiritual technique.

In an instant, the entire hall became so quiet that the sound of a needle dropping could be heard.

"..."

Elder Zhang's eye twitched; he no longer stood in place but led his group up the stairs quickly.

He then turned back and said coldly, "Guard this spot; do not let anyone disturb me... and Elder Nie while we dine."

Hearing this, the grey-robed old man merely nodded silently, then took his position at the stair entrance.

"Having a Hunyuan True Person guard the door..."

"What magnificent grandeur."

Although they were blocked downstairs.

The many cultivators felt no dissatisfaction; instead, they looked on with full faces of awe, their hearts shaken beyond words.

Truly Xuan Guang Cave; what a grand gesture.

(End of this chapter)