C11 Xi Warlord Ziyu

Lin Yun forked over fifty taels of silver at the Mystic Moon Sect's logistics department for a swift steed. His plan was to gallop through the night at breakneck speed to the Northern Prefecture Pass for his Spirit Alchemist certification.

But harsh reality quickly taught him that horseback riding wasn't as effortless as it looked on TV. After a series of failed attempts to mount, Lin Yun finally subdued the spirited horse using sheer strength and managed to learn the basics of riding.

The Northern Prefecture Pass lay to the southeast of the Mystic Moon Sect. He wasn't sure of the exact distance, but he knew that if he kept heading in that direction, he couldn't go wrong.

Lin Yun lost track of time, but as the sky began to brighten, he realized they had been traveling for quite a while. His horse was panting heavily beneath him when a massive city wall loomed into view. Iron chains secured the solemn, ancient black iron gates, effectively isolating the city from the outside world. A golden signboard boldly declared the name: Northern Prefecture Pass City.

"At last, I've made it!" Lin Yun's spirits lifted at the sight. His overnight journey had finally brought him to his destination. Back in his mountain village, Lin Yun was just a poor scholar, unfamiliar with the world's splendors. He had never set foot in the Northern Prefecture Pass until Qin Yutong brought him to the Mystic Moon Sect.

Yet, the scholar's memories proved useful; without them, Lin Yun might have never found his way here.

"Who goes there? How dare you attempt to enter the city at this hour?" Lin Yun was about to dismount and enter the Northern Prefecture Pass when two muscular, formidable guards at the gate challenged him. Both were martial cultivators of Power Refinement Grade Nine.

Lin Yun marveled inwardly at the city's grandeur; even the gatekeepers possessed such formidable skills.

"I've lost my way and seek rest within the Northern Prefecture Pass for a short while. I hope you can grant me this," Lin Yun said, opting not to engage the powerful guards directly. Storming the city gates was out of the question—not only was he unsure of his ability to do so, but it would also surely incur the wrath of the Great Qin Dynasty. The last thing he needed was to become a fugitive.

"The laws of the Great Qin Dynasty forbid anyone from entering the city after curfew," the guards stated sternly.

"But dawn is breaking. Surely you can make an exception and let me pass?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Yun discreetly slid two hundred-tael banknotes into the guards' hands with a sly grin. "Perhaps this could persuade you?"

"We'll make this one-time exception."

After pocketing the banknotes, the guards exchanged a glance and allowed Lin Yun to enter, maintaining an air of integrity throughout the exchange.

"Thank you," Lin Yun muttered under his breath, a cold smirk on his face. Money's allure was irresistible.

Arriving at the Northern Prefecture Pass just as the day was dawning, Lin Yun found the streets deserted. He had no intention of loitering and set out to find an inn. It wasn't long before he spotted the Wind and Cloud Inn.

"Hello, I'd like to book a room," Lin Yun said as he led his horse through the inn's entrance.

To his surprise, the inn's attendant apologized, "Regrettably, all our rooms have been reserved in advance. You might try another inn."

"But yours is the only inn open at this hour. Where else am I supposed to find accommodation? I only need a room for the night. Surely you have one available?"

Lin Yun's brow furrowed slightly as he pulled out a banknote worth a hundred taels of silver and handed it to the waiter. "Is this enough?" he inquired.

The streets were as he described: cold and deserted before dawn, with only the Wind and Cloud Inn still open for business while other inns had closed their doors. Weary from his travels, Lin Yun had no desire to seek out another place to stay.

Yet the waiter hesitated at his offer, prompting Lin Yun to produce a few more banknotes.

"It's no use, no matter how much you offer," the waiter explained with a wry smile. "The person who reserved all the rooms is someone we simply can't afford to cross."

At that moment, the sound of footsteps echoed down the inn's corridor, and a tall figure emerged. He was strikingly handsome, clad in a white robe, with a posture that was nothing short of regal. His piercing gaze was so intense that it was difficult to meet his eyes—a young man who naturally commanded attention.

"What an intimidating presence!"

Lin Yun was not taken aback by the man's looks, but rather by the profound and mysterious aura that enveloped him like a vast ocean. Although Lin Yun's own cultivation was modest, he could tell that this man's skills were of an exceptionally high caliber. He was, without a doubt, a formidable master.

It appeared that this was the man who had reserved all the rooms at the Wind and Cloud Inn.

"Waiter, please prepare a basin of hot water for me," the young man requested calmly. "And after sunrise, assist me in purchasing thirty Water Cloud Pills from the Spirit Medicine Alliance."

The waiter nodded promptly and then urged Lin Yun once more, "You should really find another inn to book a room."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yun couldn't resist addressing the young man, "Brother, are you looking to purchase Water Cloud Pills?"

Despite being unable to secure a room at the inn, Lin Yun was not about to let slip any chance to accumulate points. The Water Cloud Pills that the young man sought were of Grade Two—a type of pill that Lin Yun's system could certainly refine with success.

At Lin Yun's proposition, the white-robed young man turned around, visibly surprised.

"I have a sufficient supply of Water Cloud Pills to sell to you, at a price that's sure to be more affordable than what you'd find on the market," Lin Yun offered with a confident smile.

"I require top-grade Water Cloud Pills, not the inferior kind without any pill patterns," the young man responded coolly.

"Rest assured, my Water Cloud Pills are of excellent quality," Lin Yun assured him with a light laugh. Though he was unfamiliar with the term "pill pattern," he had unwavering faith in his cheat device's capabilities. Without hesitation, he instructed his system to refine a Water Cloud Pill right there and then.

Moments later, Lin Yun tossed the freshly crafted pill to the white-robed youth for inspection.

The youth examined the pill with astonishment. The Water Cloud Pill, with its rich fragrance and pale blue hue, bore two distinct pill patterns, confirming its status as a Grade Two pill. Moreover, he had never before seen pill patterns as vividly defined as those on the pill Lin Yun had just presented.

"This is of exceptional quality," the youth thought, taken aback. While the Water Cloud Pill was only a Grade Two pill and not exceedingly difficult to refine, a Spirit Alchemist capable of producing such superior quality was certainly no ordinary individual.

"Does the pill meet your standards?" Lin Yun asked, noting the youth's silent, awed expression, a flicker of concern crossing his mind. Had his cheat device failed him?

"Is this Water Cloud Pill your handiwork?"

The young man in the white robe managed to steady his emotions before inquiring, "How many more of these Water Cloud Pills can you provide?"

This was Lin Yun's moment.

Upon hearing the question, Lin Yun had the system produce another twenty-nine Water Cloud Pills. He then wrapped them in a cloth and, to the white-robed youth's amazement, handed them over.

The youth examined the thirty nearly identical, superior Water Cloud Pills with a sense of disbelief.

These were pills of the highest quality!

How could anyone handle them so carelessly, wrapping them like trash in a mere cleaning rag?

"It's time for payment."

Lin Yun extended his hand, his face breaking into the earnest smile of a trustworthy merchant.

"How much for one Water Cloud Pill?" The white-robed youth, a flicker of joy in Lin Yun's eyes making him uneasy, hesitated as he spoke. He hadn't brought much silver with him on this outing with his sister, but he knew the exceptional quality of the Water Cloud Pills would work wonders for her healing. He couldn't just walk away.

"The going rate is around one hundred and ninety silver per pill," Lin Yun replied with a chuckle. "But I can see you're no ordinary individual—you carry yourself with distinction. You must be in dire need of these pills. Since fate has brought us together, I'm willing to let them go for one hundred and fifty silver each, provided you allow me to stay a few days at this inn."

The white-robed youth was clearly a formidable cultivator, his power immeasurable.

If Lin Yun could gain his assistance for a bit of silver, there was no way he'd come out at a loss in this transaction.

"Only one hundred and fifty taels per Water Cloud Pill?" The youth was momentarily dumbfounded.

He had braced himself for a price of two hundred and fifty taels each, given the outstanding quality of the pills, which could easily fetch three hundred taels on the open market.

Yet here was Lin Yun, offering a discount just to secure lodging.

"Such generosity deserves a response in kind. I shall uphold the honor of the Xi Warlord," the youth declared, a note of respect in his voice. "I agree to two hundred taels per pill and will purchase all thirty. I, Xi Ziyu, gratefully acknowledge your kindness."

"The Xi Warlord?" Lin Yun echoed, momentarily taken aback.

But it wasn't long before he realized the gravity of the situation, as the waiter, who had been eavesdropping on their exchange, was so startled he collapsed to the floor. The look he gave Xi Ziyu was now filled with awe and reverence.