Chapter 148: Entering Home Inn Again

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Although Lei Xiang was disappointed that, despite all his efforts, he hadn’t found the way to the Floating Island, he still arrived as promised near the Ru Family Inn. He had agreed to do a favor for Tian Rui, and besides, he was curious to see what kind of immortal artifact she sought. Of course, Lei Xiang did not appear in his true form; instead, he used the third stage of the Laughing Proudly Under Heaven Technique combined with the wondrous transformations of the Hundred-Change Phantom Eye to alter his appearance. Lei Xiang was confident that without full mastery of the Golden Core stage, no one could discern his true identity.

About a hundred zhang from the Ru Family Inn, there was a modest teahouse. Lei Xiang sat in a private room there, ordered a pot of Yuqian Maojian tea to savor slowly, then took out a peanut-shaped magical artifact. He split half of the “peanut shell” open and began to speak into it, “Tian Rui, I’m waiting for you at the Tianxiangyi Teahouse, a hundred zhang outside the Ru Family Inn.”

After a while, the “peanut shell” hummed softly, and Tian Rui’s voice came through, “Something came up and delayed me. Wait two more days, and I’ll arrive.” Lei Xiang shook his head helplessly and continued drinking his tea.

Two days later, in the same private room at Tianxiangyi, a red-haired young beauty sat opposite Lei Xiang. Her demeanor was elegant, like a lady from a noble family, yet she was none other than the artifact spirit Tian Rui. “Young Master Lei Xiang, you are very faithful to your word. I was delayed due to a small issue in shaping my body, but fortunately, I managed to come. Now, let’s discuss our main matter.”

Lei Xiang was astonished to see Tian Rui take on human form. He couldn’t imagine what substance she used to create her physical body. “Very well, you say that this thing has been constantly summoning you nearby. What exactly is it, and how do we find it?”

Tian Rui smiled gracefully. “Young Master Lei Xiang, forgive me, but I cannot reveal that secret. However, if you follow me, there will be great benefits for you—immense benefits, even to your Nine Treasure Lotus Staff and Blue Lotus Plate. You decide whether to join.”

Lei Xiang smiled faintly. “Can I not go? Haha. Since I promised, I will go. But where are we headed?”

Tian Rui nodded slightly. “First to the Ru Family Inn, then from there we’ll seek the treasure.”

The Ru Family Inn? What treasure could it possibly hold? Lei Xiang had already seized the Core Formation pill and materials of the Ever-Changing Trace; the Laughter Fang organization must hate him to the bone. How could he dare return to the Ru Family Inn? He wondered, if Wisdom Tooth and Clear Snow had already returned there, wouldn’t going back be walking into a trap?

Tian Rui revealed a row of pearly teeth in a smile. “We won’t let them recognize us. Besides, even if they do, so what? Haven’t you sensed my power has surpassed yours? A two-against-two match, we won’t be at a disadvantage.”

Blue light flickered in Lei Xiang’s eyes as he sensed the overwhelming spiritual power within Tian Rui, startled by her rapid progress. He nodded lightly in agreement, then drew out the Nine-Nine Shooting Immortal Spear, loading two improved black crystal bullets before setting off with Tian Rui.

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Disguised as a decrepit old man, Lei Xiang looked utterly mismatched walking beside Tian Rui. In his original world, people would have said it was like an old ox courting a young cow. Fortunately, the cultivation world had fewer taboos, and a woman thousands of years old could still appear maiden-like. Thus, the two smoothly arrived at the Ru Family Inn.

Suddenly, a voice echoed in Lei Xiang’s mind: “Young Master Lei Xiang, how is it you? Where are you headed?”

Who could recognize Lei Xiang?

His heart tightened, but his expression remained unchanged. From the tone, there was no malice. When he slowly turned around, his mind finally relaxed. Behind him stood a middle-aged man with a wispy goatee flowing over his chest, carefully stroking his beard with his thin hand as he looked at Lei Xiang.

Yang Jian!

No wonder he recognized Lei Xiang so easily. After all, he had entrusted a drop of his essence and a fifth of his soul to Lei Xiang, now confined by the Spiritual Wind Technique in a corner of his consciousness. Clearing his throat, Lei Xiang pulled him aside to a secluded spot and softly asked, “How did you get here? Did you send Chen Zhi back? Any changes in the Dongyue Kingdom?”

Yang Jian bowed slightly. “Reporting to you, Young Master Lei Xiang, I have safely delivered Chen Zhi. The Dongyue Kingdom has seen no major changes, except your disciple Oxford has successfully formed his Core Formation. He is now the head of the Hongji Foundation Academy and has been ennobled by the current ruler as the Eternal Residence Marquis, with his descendants inheriting the title for generations.”

Mentioning Oxford, Lei Xiang immediately thought of that freckled adolescent. Now he had matured and reached Core Formation in such a short time; evidently, the artificial brain implanted in him was highly successful.

Suddenly, Lei Xiang’s face grew stern. “Since you completed your mission, you should have contacted me. Why come here instead?”

Yang Jian’s goatee twitched upward. “I came to find you after finishing my task, but hearing you had gone to the Crystal Jade Kingdom, I hurried here. The closer I got, the more I felt a strange joy—pure and heartfelt. At first, I thought it was because I would meet you, but then the feeling exceeded normal bounds, as if drawn by a powerful force. Following that sensation, I arrived here and found you already present. Now I don’t have to look for you.”

Seeing Lei Xiang silent, he tentatively asked, “Young Master, why have you come here? Your cultivation is now inscrutable, and your power has increased greatly. Surely you haven’t formed your Nascent Soul so soon? That would be truly extraordinary.”

Lei Xiang ignored the flattery, frowning deeply in thought. Testing showed Yang Jian spoke truthfully. After all, a fifth of his Nascent Soul was in Lei Xiang’s control; he wouldn’t lie. But if what Yang Jian said was true, it was strange indeed. Such a humble place as the Ru Family Inn concealed so many secrets. Both Tian Rui and Yang Jian had strong sensations; something here was summoning them?

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He didn’t know how long he had been lost in thought, even missing when Tian Rui came to find him.

Suddenly, her urging voice rang out: “What are you spacing out for? Hurry and find a way to the entrance. My feeling has grown stronger; the person must be inside the Ru Family Inn. Your spiritual sense is the strongest—help me search.”

Lei Xiang finally snapped back to awareness, answering, “Don’t worry, I’ll use my spiritual sense to investigate now, but be cautious. If we encounter someone like Wisdom Tooth, we will be discovered. Oh, by the way, I forgot to introduce you. This is a friend I met in another country, Yang Jian. He is also a Core Formation cultivator and very reliable. He will join us.”

Tian Rui sized Yang Jian up, honestly disliking him, especially his tuft of goatee. But since Lei Xiang was confident, she had no objection. The real question was how to divide the spoils afterward.

Before she could ask, Lei Xiang interjected, “Yang Jian is only helping us. I will give him a share later; you don’t need to handle that separately. Now, both of you protect me—I’m beginning the search.”

Seeing no objection from Yang Jian, Tian Rui agreed. Lei Xiang sat cross-legged and cautiously released his spiritual sense, conducting a thorough sweep of the Ru Family Inn inch by inch. Now at the late Core Formation stage, no one except beings like Wisdom Tooth or Clear Snow could detect his spiritual probe.

After about an hour of searching, they found nothing. Every corner of the Ru Family Inn was scrutinized except for two places: a guest room in the northwest corner of the second floor, which had never been opened, and the front reception area where Wisdom Tooth always sat.