Mistveil Town — Song Manor
Inside the villa, there was only a single bedroom, a kitchen, and a large hall used for official purposes. As they entered the bedroom and saw the bed, Ye Kaishan immediately leapt onto it and lay down.
The bed was spacious, large enough to accommodate two or three people. Song Yan sat on the other end, opposite Ye Kaishan.
"Tomorrow marks the beginning of the disciple competition," Song Yan said calmly as she looked at him. "Until then, if you'd like, you can explore the town." A small smile touched her lips.
"Yes, I was about to bring up the same thing." Ye Kaishan sat up and added, "If the competition is tomorrow, why don't we look around the town together?"
Song Yan chuckled softly and met his gaze. "To be honest, I really wanted to walk around the town with you. But I have work to do—preparations for the competition and overseeing the arrangements."
"The sects, clans, and families from various regions have already arrived. It would be disrespectful if I didn't attend to them."
She paused, then added with a hint of regret, "I had originally planned to take you with me, but it'll be nothing but meetings with the elders of different sects and clans. I doubt that would interest you."
"Well, that's a shame. If not now, then maybe next time," Ye Kaishan said calmly. With that, he hopped off the bed and began channeling his space laws to teleport.
"Wait a minute!" Song Yan stopped him just before he vanished.
"What's wrong?" Ye Kaishan halted the teleportation and turned to her, curious.
Song Yan summoned her soul ring and pulled out a pouch adorned with intricate patterns and the character for "Song" engraved on it. She tossed it toward him.
Ye Kaishan caught it mid-air. "What's this?" he asked with a slight frown.
"It contains some spirit stones. Use them if you want to buy anything," she replied evenly.
He nodded, tossed the pouch into his private space, and prepared to teleport again. But before vanishing, he said, "I'll probably be back by night."
And with that, he disappeared into thin air.
Song Yan exhaled and murmured to herself, "Now, I should complete my official work."
She mentally reviewed her responsibilities. Let's see... if I remember correctly, there will be five members representing three sects and two clans in the competition—aside from myself.
I wonder if Song Tao has made the necessary preparations... She should have informed them by now, Song Yan thought, her expression turning solemn.
After resting for a short while, she stood up, left the bedroom, and stepped into the courtyard.
Nearby, Song Tao was sleeping peacefully in her chair.
"Song Tao..." Song Yan called coldly.
"W—Who… who is calling me?!" Song Tao jolted awake, muttering a curse under her breath—only to see Song Yan standing before her.
"Milady! Do you need something?" she asked quickly, her tone changing instantly.
"Have you informed the sects and clans who came to recruit disciples?" Song Yan asked with a calm but firm voice.
"I've sent word of your arrival. They should be here soon," Song Tao replied, bowing her head.
"Good. And what about the recruitment competition?" Song Yan continued.
"I've already arranged everything. The preparations should be complete by noon," Song Tao answered respectfully.
Song Yan simply nodded. "If there's nothing else, I'll be in my room. If anyone comes, receive them in the hall. I'll meet them there," she instructed calmly.
"And one more thing…" Her eyes sharpened as she looked at Song Tao. "Starting this year, for the next three years, your allocated resources will be reduced by half."
"B—but M—Milady, why?" Song Tao stammered, panicked.
Song Yan stopped walking and glanced at her from the corner of her eye. Her gaze was icy cold. A chill ran down Song Tao's spine as she looked away, unable to meet her eyes.
"You don't know?" Song Yan's voice dripped with sarcasm, before hardening into anger. "Don't assume that just because the clan isn't stationed here, no one will find out."
"You may be the steward of this town, but don't think you can get away with stealing resources, demanding more than your allotted share, beating the townsfolk when they couldn't meet your demands, and even renting out the official-use villa."
"I'll be confiscating all the resources you've stolen from the town," she finished coldly.
Song Tao bowed deeply, beads of sweat dripping from her forehead. "B—But, Milady—"
"Don't give me excuses. They're meaningless. The punishment I've given is already lenient, considering your previous merits," Song Yan said icily.
"I won't pursue this matter further, but if I find you've stolen again…" She paused, her eyes flashing with killing intent.
"I—It won't happen again!" Song Tao said quickly, trembling as the chilling aura soaked into her bones.
"Good." Song Yan turned and entered her room.
After a few moments, Song Tao looked up and exhaled in relief. They said the Matriarch's daughter wasn't talented—then what was that pressure and killing aura?
"It's like standing in front of a demoness…" she whispered in fear.
"S—Sigh. Years of effort, gone to waste. Which bastard informed her? It must've been one of the townspeople…" she thought, her face twisting in frustration.
Meanwhile…
Ye Kaishan teleported onto the roof of a pavilion.
"Hmm, where should I go now?" he mused, gazing down at the street below.
The streets were crowded—full of young cultivators from nearby villages and towns. None of them appeared to be over the age of twenty. Both male and female cultivators filled the roads, and many seemed to be in the Soul-Breaking Realm.
So it's a recruitment event for dao companions... Then the competition must be a duo format, Ye Kaishan guessed, thoughtfully placing a hand on his chin.
Looks like tomorrow's competition will be quite lively, he thought with a faint smile.
He began wandering through the market. Store after store sold only cultivation materials—spirit herbs, pills, weapons, talismans.
After some time, he reflected, The town is prosperous, but it's not ideal for ordinary people without a trace of cultivation—whether male or female. If a woman isn't a cultivator, she can still live peacefully doing her work. But for men, it's not so easy. Without power, wealth, or family, they're simply forgotten by the town.
There were houses, pavilions, and basic facilities, but the disparity in living conditions was obvious.
Eventually, he reached the familiar corner where he and Song Yan had once shared tea, near where the beggars used to gather.
"Hey, young man! Why don't you try one of my dishes?" a middle-aged man suddenly called out.
Ye Kaishan turned. The man was smiling warmly at him.
"What are you selling?" he asked calmly.
"Nothing fancy—just meat buns! Here, try one." The shop owner handed him a steaming white bun.
Ye Kaishan took a bite. "Hmm… not bad," he murmured, surprised by the rich flavor. The filling, a meat paste, had an unexpectedly exquisite taste.
"Haha! I've been selling meat buns for twenty years. That's not ordinary meat—it's from second-tier spirit beasts!" the shop owner said proudly.
"So, how many should I pack for you, sir?"
"Pack five," Ye Kaishan replied as he continued chewing.
"Sure! Just a moment, my friend." The vendor packed the buns neatly. "That'll be two spirit stones."
"Here." Ye Kaishan handed him the stones.
Suddenly, a voice yelled from the side of the shop, "Hey, you beggar! Who gave you permission to eat my leftovers?!"
Ye Kaishan turned. In front of him, a group of cultivators—both male and female—had surrounded a young girl about his age, around twenty.
"What's going on over there?" he frowned, stepping forward.
But before he could approach, a hand gripped his arm from behind.
"My friend, don't go there," the shop owner said in a hushed tone. "They're cultivators. We normal folks shouldn't interfere."
"They only came for the recruitment competition," the man added with worry.
Ye Kaishan smiled faintly. "Don't worry. I'm just checking, not interfering."
"Alright… but stay back. Don't get too close," the shopkeeper warned.
With a nod, Ye Kaishan moved behind the crowd, his ears catching the rising commotion.
He saw a girl with disheveled hair and torn, mud-stained clothes lying helplessly on the ground. Crimson blood trickled down her forehead.
Around her stood a group of cultivators.
"Who gave you permission to eat that?!" a girl with straight hair and sword-sharp eyes shouted at the beggar girl.
She and three others had surrounded her, forming a tight circle.
"Don't you know your place?" the sharp-eyed girl sneered, then viciously kicked the girl on the ground.
"Ahhh…" The already weakened girl coughed up blood from the force of the blow.
"We're cultivators," another girl said mockingly, addressing the sword-eyed one. "Our duty is to eliminate evil. So, can't we just eliminate this vile beggar? She dared to steal our food!"
"Hmph… Maybe you're right. Should we just kill her?" the girl with sword-sharp eyes replied with a chilling smile.
She drew her blade from the sheath at her waist and stepped forward, her intent murderous as she advanced on the bloodied girl.
Watching this unfold, Ye Kaishan frowned.
Just because she ate some leftovers, they seriously injured her... and now they're trying to kill her?
Should I stop them? he wondered.
But…
I don't want to attract attention, he reasoned silently. Still... I can use space laws without revealing myself.
A faint smile curled on his lips as he formed a thought.
He silently channeled his power.
"Space Laws—Release."