Chương 209: Leader?

"Did you feel that?" I asked the others quietly once we were through.

"The formation scan? Yes," Su Yue nodded.

"Standard procedure, though more sophisticated than most city checkpoints. It's looking primarily for demonic cultivation signatures and spatial distortion artifacts." I exhaled in relief. Basic detection formations wouldn't identify the more unusual aspects of my cultivation, as long as I kept them properly concealed. Inside the gates, Wuqi City revealed itself in all its chaotic glory. The streets nearest the entrance were packed with vendors, mercenaries, and cultivators from various sects.

Unlike imperial cities with their carefully regulated commercial zones, Wuqi seemed to operate on a more opportunistic principle so wherever space allowed, commerce flourished. The air was thick with a mixture of scents: medicinal herbs, cooking food, metal being forged, and underlying it all, a faint ozone-like quality that I attributed to the proximity of spatial disturbances.

"First order of business is securing lodgings," Liu Chang declared, navigating through the crowded street.

"During peak seasons like now, accommodations become both expensive and scarce."

"Does Azure Peak maintain any properties here?" I asked, knowing that larger sects often kept permanent residences in strategic locations. Liu Chang shook his head.

"We had a small compound on the second tier, but it was destroyed during an incident five years ago. Something about a spatial beast breaking through the valley containment. The sect decided it was more economical to use commercial lodgings than rebuild."

"The Jade Lotus Inn is usually reliable," Su Yue suggested.

"Clean rooms, reasonable prices, and they have privacy formations installed."

"Good thinking," Liu Chang agreed.

"It's in the central district, away from the main markets but close enough to the major guild halls." As we made our way deeper into the city, I took the opportunity to observe our surroundings more carefully. Unlike the relatively homogeneous architecture of sect compounds, Wuqi City displayed a fascinating diversity of building styles which was evidence of its history as a crossroads for cultivators from across the Eastern Continent.

Some structures featured the sweeping, curved roofs typical of imperial construction, while others displayed the stark, angular designs favored in the northern territories. Interspersed among these were buildings of distinctly unusual character: homes and shops that seemed to bend at impossible angles or featured doors and windows positioned in ways that defied conventional spatial relationships.

"The architectural anomalies are adaptations to localized spatial distortions," Azure explained in my mind, having noticed my interest.

"Rather than fighting against the unstable dimensional properties, the builders incorporated them into the designs. Quite ingenious, actually." We turned onto a slightly wider street that appeared to serve as one of the main thoroughfares. Here, the crowd was even more densely packed, forcing us to slow our pace considerably.

"Sect disciples are everywhere," I observed, noting the diverse insignias and uniform styles.

"More than I expected."

"The competition for the Moonlit Dew Flower has grown more intense in recent years," Liu Chang explained, sidestepping a hurrying messenger.

"As cultivators push their breakthroughs earlier, more reach the bottleneck between Qi Condensation and Elemental Realm while still young enough to capitalize on the gains."

"The locals don't seem particularly pleased with the influx," Su Yue noted, inclining her head toward a group of merchants who were watching the passing cultivators with barely concealed resentment. She was right. Now that I was paying attention, I noticed the distinct separation between visitors and residents. The locals moved through the crowded streets, giving wide berth to groups of sect disciples. Their expressions ranged from cautious neutrality to outright suspicion.

"Can you blame them?" Liu Chang replied quietly.

"Every harvesting cycle brings wealth to the city, but also destruction and occasional casualties. The major sects pay reparations when necessary, but gold and spirit stones don't replace loved ones." This sobering observation gave me a new perspective on our presence here. To us, this was a mission, challenging but ultimately a stepping stone in our cultivation journey. To the residents, we represented both opportunity and threat.

As we navigated deeper into the city, the crowd thinned slightly, the buildings growing taller and better maintained. We had reached what appeared to be a more affluent district, with shops displaying higher-quality goods and fewer street vendors cluttering the walkways.

"The Jade Lotus should be just ahead," Su Yue said, pointing toward a four-story building with pale green walls and a distinctive curved roof adorned with lotus-shaped ornaments. The establishment looked well-kept but not ostentatious, exactly the kind of place that would appeal to cultivators seeking quality without excessive luxury.

"Let's hope they still have vacancies," Liu Chang murmured as we approached the entrance. Inside, the inn was tastefully decorated with polished wood furnishings and subtle formation-enhanced lighting that created a calm, welcoming atmosphere. A reception area occupied the front, staffed by a middle-aged woman with the efficient bearing of someone used to dealing with cultivators.

"Welcome to the Jade Lotus," she greeted us with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"How may I assist you?"

"We require accommodations for approximately one week," Liu Chang stated.

"Three separate rooms if available, preferably with basic privacy formations." Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. The woman's expression turned apologetic.

"I'm afraid we have limited availability due to the harvest cycle. We have only one room left with standard privacy formations, though it is our larger suite with separate sleeping areas." Liu Chang glanced at us questioningly.

"It's fine with me if it's fine with you both," I offered, pragmatic about the situation. While I would have preferred the extra privacy of a separate room, sharing a suite was far better than being turned away entirely. I could always set up more formations for some extra privacy. We both glanced at Su Yue to see if she was okay with the arrangement.

"It's fine with me," Su Yue agreed.

"Better than searching elsewhere."

"We'll take it," Liu Chang decided, turning back to the innkeeper.

"What's the rate?"

"Thirty spirit stones per night for the suite, inclusive of basic amenities and formation maintenance," she replied.

"Payment in advance." Liu Chang didn't bother negotiating the clearly inflated price which was another indication of just how competitive accommodations became during these peak periods. He produced the required ninety spirit stones and placed them on the counter. If Wei Lin were to witness this, I was certain he would take back my honorary Wei Clan member status…

"We'll also require information about the city's current dynamics," Liu Chang added.

"Particularly regarding other sect activities and access routes to Black Mist Valley. Azure Peak compensates well for useful intelligence." At this, the innkeeper's demeanor shifted slightly, becoming more genuinely engaged.

"I can arrange for our city guide to provide orientation this evening, if that would be suitable? He's quite knowledgeable about... current events." The emphasis on her last words made it clear that this "guide" was likely an information broker, which was someone who specialized in gathering and selling intelligence about the city's happenings.

"That would be acceptable," Liu Chang agreed.

"We'll meet with him after we've settled in." The innkeeper nodded and handed over a jade key inscribed with formation patterns.

"Suite 402, top floor, eastern corner. The privacy formations are activated by channeling qi into the door seal upon entry. Meals can be taken in the dining hall on the ground floor or delivered to your room for an additional charge." With our lodging secured, we followed a young attendant up a series of increasingly narrow staircases to the top floor.

The suite proved to be more spacious than I had anticipated: a central common area with comfortable seating and a small workshop table, connected to three separate sleeping alcoves, each with its own privacy screen. Large windows offered a view of the city's middle tier and, in the distance, the ominous edge of Black Mist Valley.

"This will serve our needs," Liu Chang declared after a brief inspection of the space. He activated the room's privacy formations, causing a subtle ripple of energy to wash over the walls.

"Now we can speak freely."

"First impressions?" Su Yue asked, setting her travel pack down and stretching subtly.

"The city is more crowded than my last visit," Liu Chang observed.

"At least twice the number of sect disciples, possibly more arriving daily. Competition for the Moonlit Dew Flower will be fierce."

"I counted representatives from at least seven major sects just on our walk here," I added.

"Five Elements, Black Palm, Heavenly Jade, Morning Star, Infinite Sword, Green Willow, and what looked like a small group from the Northern Ice Palace." Liu Chang raised an eyebrow, looking impressed.

"Good observation. The Northern Ice Palace rarely sends disciples this far south. Their presence suggests the flower's value has increased even beyond my estimation."

"Something I'm curious about," I said, moving away from the window to join them at the table.

"Why doesn't any team simply enter the valley early and camp near the flowering location? Wouldn't that give them an advantage?" Liu Chang smiled at the question.

"A logical thought, but there's a reason no one does it. The Black Mist Valley doesn't permit such simple strategies."

"The mist itself is the primary barrier," Su Yue explained, tracing patterns on the table with her finger.

"It's much stronger most of the month, so much so that it's nearly impenetrable." Liu Chang nodded.

"As the full moon approaches, the mist actually weakens significantly, allowing for entry. Right now, attempting to push through would cost tremendous energy with little benefit. The spatial fluctuations would tear apart formations, drain cultivation bases, and likely trap anyone foolish enough to try."

"Even if a team managed to establish a camp," Su Yue added, "maintaining position in the valley for days would be nearly impossible. The constant spatial shifts would eventually catch even the most careful cultivator off guard."

"So that's why everyone waits for the optimal window," I said.

"Exactly," Liu Chang confirmed.

"A day or two before the full moon is typically the earliest safe entry point. Which is why the city fills with cultivators now because everyone is positioning themselves for when that window opens."

"That brings us to an important point," Liu Chang continued.

"Ke Yin, this is technically your mission. Su Yue and I volunteered to assist, but I want to be clear that we don't intend to step on your toes. This should remain your mission to lead." The statement caught me by surprise. As the youngest and lowest-ranked member of our impromptu team, I'd assumed Liu Chang would naturally take command.

"I…thank you, Senior Brother Liu," I replied, genuinely appreciative of the gesture.

"I admit I wasn't expecting to lead, but I welcome the opportunity." In truth, the prospect of leadership was both daunting and exciting. In my previous life, I'd rarely been in positions of authority. In this one, I hadn't yet had the chance to test those skills. While unfamiliar territory, it felt right somehow like it was a necessary step in my journey.

"Do you have any initial thoughts on our approach?" Su Yue asked. I took a moment to organize my ideas before responding.

"I think our best strategy might be somewhat indirect. Based on what we've seen of the competition, a direct confrontation would be unwise." Liu Chang nodded encouragingly.

"Go on."

"I propose that when we enter the valley, you two create an opportunity, maybe a diversion or controlled conflict with other sect disciples, while I secure the flower. If possible, we should acquire something similar-looking to replace it with. That way, we could potentially retrieve the flower without anyone immediately realizing it's been taken." Liu Chang's eyes glinted with approval.

"Substitution rather than confrontation. Clever. It plays to our strengths while minimizing unnecessary risk."

"It also preserves our relationship with other sects," Su Yue noted.

"If they don't know we have the genuine article, we avoid becoming everyone's target." Which was exactly why I thought of it. I knew that whoever secured the flower would have a very dangerous journey back home, I would rather not have blood-thirsty cultivators on our trail, especially higher-level cultivators. After all, whilst those above the Qi Condensation Realm couldn't participate in the mission due to the restrictions imposed by the Black Mist Valley, it didn't mean they couldn't steal the flower later.

"We'll need to refine the details as we learn more about the specific flowering site and competing teams," I added, "but that's the general approach I believe would serve us best."

"A solid foundation," Liu Chang agreed.

"Senior Brother Liu," I said, "since you have existing connections here, perhaps you could meet with the innkeeper's information broker? We need to know what's changed since your last visit, and most importantly, identify the biggest threats to our mission." Liu Chang nodded.

"Meanwhile," I continued, "Senior Sister Su and I can survey the markets. We should look for materials that might help us in the valley: spatial anchors, illusion detection tools, and perhaps something that could serve as our substitution decoy."

"The herb markets close early," Su Yue reminded us, rising from her seat.

"We should head there first."