Chapter 1773: Neglecting One

Ye Liuyun walks out of the Xuan Yuan Building, sighing to himself, "The stored flower light is gone! I'll go to the tavern to gather news, planning ahead for the future!"

Thinking of this, he rushes to the tavern, finds a corner in the first‑floor hall, drinks by himself, and eavesdrops on the idle chatter of the various patrons.

The most often heard by Ye Liuyun are the four beauties of the Royal City: one is Xuan Yuan Ling, the other three are Prince's little princess He Lian Xiu, Hua Xiangyuan of the Warm Fragrance Pavilion, and Deputy Leader Xiao Yunfang of the Imperial Guard.

Next is the dispute between Prince He Lian Qiang of the Royal Mansion and Xuan Yuan Yu over Hua Xiangyuan.

Ye Liuyun also learns that Xuan Yuan Yu, in order to get close to Hua Xiangyuan, stays at the Warm Fragrance Pavilion almost every day.

The other bits of information are merely scattered tidbits about some great families within the Royal City.

To gather enough information, Ye Liuyun will need to keep coming here often.

After sitting in the tavern for two hours, he returns to the Royal Mansion, preparing to go back to cultivation.

The gate guards of the Royal Mansion, after checking his Token, tell him that next time he leaves the Royal Mansion he must wear the uniform issued by the Royal Mansion.

As Martial Cultivators who fought in the Foreign Tribe war, they have no right to wear ordinary clothes and wander freely in and out of the Royal Mansion.

It's only because Ye Liuyun and his companions are newcomers and unfamiliar with the rules that the guards give them a pass.

Moreover, these people may one day become fellow guards, so the guards are a bit lenient with them.

Ye Liuyun thanks the guards, returns to his quarters, has everyone change into the military attire supplied by the Royal Mansion, and then goes back into the Xuan Kong Shi to cultivate.

Ye Liuyun and his clone immediately begin absorbing the power within the Thunder‑Jarring Pearl.

This Thunder‑Jarring Pearl, like a Lightning‑Summoning Stone, is a material that stores thunder and lightning energy.

Moreover, it can directly convert thunder‑and‑lightning power into Primordial Power.

Thus, although the Thunder‑Jarring Pearl is small in size, what it stores is the very Primordial Power of thunder and lightning, a concentrated essence.

And it can be used repeatedly, so Ye Liuyun thinks that no matter how much money is spent to buy it, it's extremely worthwhile.

After Ye Liuyun and his clone have completely absorbed the thunder‑and‑lightning power of the Thunder‑Jarring Pearl, they put the pearl away and continue to comprehend other realm crystals.

However, by dinner time the next day, Ye Liuyun once again leaves the Royal Mansion and rushes to the tavern.

After sitting in the tavern for two hours he hurries to the Warm Fragrance Pavilion, continues drinking and watching performances, and only after another two hours does he return to the Royal Mansion.

Ye Liuyun also notices a guard silently following him, but he just smiles, ignores it, and does whatever he needs to do.

After Ye Liuyun returns to his quarters, his Royal Mansion guard goes to report to Zhang Wencai.

After the report, the guard adds, "This guy seems a bit… neglectful of his proper duties!"

Zhang Wencai merely smiles and shakes his head, "He's just stockpiling resources for himself! But the Royal City isn't a place for his reckless antics!"

The next morning, Zhang Wencai goes to find Ye Liuyun, ominously reminding him that the waters of the Royal City run deep, warning him not to act rashly.

Ye Liuyun simply agrees to everything.

Yet that night, he still goes out whenever he needs to, showing no change.

Moreover, after going out he changes clothes, taking off his military uniform.

Zhang Wencai is also puzzled, not knowing who Ye Liuyun intends to target by going out.

That evening, the Warm Fragrance Pavilion is unusually lively, holding an auction for the right to listen to Hua Xiangyuan's instrument performance.

It is said that Hua Xiangyuan's skill with the instrument is divine, capable of making listeners linger endlessly.

Some even, while listening, break through realms.

Therefore, merely to participate in the auction for this slot requires a deposit of one hundred Crystal Stones.

Although Ye Liuyun cannot currently produce a massive amount of Crystal Stones, he still has a few million of them.

So he also joins this auction.

At this auction, Ye Liuyun not only sees Xuan Yuan Yu, but also four of his Eight Great Vajras.

These four stand by Xuan Yuan Yu's side, vigilantly scanning the surroundings.

Among them, one is at the early stage of the Fourth Realm, two are in the mid‑late stage of the Third Realm, and one is in the late stage of the Second Realm.

Xuan Yuan Yu's own realm is also not low; it is actually early Fourth Realm, but he conceals it, displaying only a mid‑Third Realm level.

None of this escapes Ye Liuyun's Golden Pupil.

When the auction begins, Hua Xiangyuan steps forward and plays a short piece.

When Ye Liuyun sees Hua Xiangyuan, he is even more astonished.

Because Hua Xiangyuan turns out to be a mid‑Third Realm Monster Beast.

Ye Liuyun is not entirely sure of her species, but through her Primordial Core he can confirm without doubt.

However, she wears a hidden‑aura treasure around her neck, which masks her well.

"How interesting!"

Ye Liuyun becomes interested in this Hua Xiangyuan as well.

Moreover, he can see that Hua Xiangyuan's instrument technique is the Art of Musical Law, which shares similarities with Su Miaoyin's cultivation method.

She herself also primarily practices illusion techniques.

Because as soon as she plays, the Ten Thousand Gods Command in Ye Liuyun's Sea of Consciousness releases a faint glow, keeping him clear‑headed and not fooled by the illusion.

Thus Ye Liuyun is the only one in the venue who remains clear‑headed.

Even Xuan Yuan Yu and the Fourth‑Realm "Vajra" beside him are somewhat affected by her music.

Hua Xiangyuan only dabbles briefly, merely to pique the guests' interest.

Then the auction resumes, and Hua Xiangyuan steps back.

The two spots closest to Hua Xiangyuan are naturally bought by Xuan Yuan Yu and He Lian Qiang, and no one dares to contest them.

The others only vie for the remaining ten spots.

Ye Liuyun purchases a slightly rearward spot for a price of one million Crystal Stones.

Afterwards, all the participants are escorted to the water‑pavilion terraces on the back floor.

The four Vajras beside Xuan Yuan Yu stay within a step of him, and Ye Liuyun cannot yet find a chance to act.

These few people were also very vigilant; Ye Liuyun wanted to plant a divine sense mark on them but had no chance, so he could only wait until the time when they listened to the qin to look for another opportunity opportunity.

The environment in the water pavilion was actually not bad; Ye Liuyun poured his own drink and drank while enjoying the scenery.

He Lianqiang then started picking a fight with Mysterious Origin Yu: 'Some people just rely on having a few stinky bucks at home, not knowing the immensity of heaven and earth, and still want to compete with this Prince for food!'

He had inherited the Prince's title, and naturally felt himself superior to others.

'A mere Prince's title! Things that can be bought with money aren't something you earned yourself—what are you getting all worked up about!'

Mysterious Origin Yu was even more direct.

'Hmph, neither of you are legitimate heirs, yet you still have the nerve to come out and embarrass yourselves!'

He Lianqiang said disdainfully.

That remark of his, however, hit Mysterious Origin Yu's sore spot.

'He Lianqiang, don't think I don't dare to kill you!'

Mysterious Origin Yu threatened with a grim face.

'You dare to try making a move?'

He Lianqiang was also unwilling to show weakness.

Ye Liuyun couldn't be bothered to listen to what they were saying; he simply searched everywhere for Hua Xiangyuan's whereabouts.

In a compartment of the water pavilion, he found Hua Xiangyuan, who was inside bathing and changing clothes.

That compartment had a formation that allowed one to hear and see everything outside, while those outside could not see what was inside.