Cultivating To Immortality

Zhao Huaiyuan did not feel there was anything wrong with his attitude.

As Mortals, whether you are a farmer, a fisherman, or even a member of the imperial family, if you displease these Immortals, a single Spell can result in your demise.

As the City Lord of Yunxi City, he had previously welcomed and entertained many Immortal Masters from the Cave Abyss Sect and Profound Origin Sect.

Their speech, demeanor, and expressions all conveyed a disregard for Mortals.

In their eyes, Mortals truly seemed to be like ants or insects.

However, this Immortal Master who arrived this time seemed to be a bit different.

The City Lord’s wife personally helped to refill the teacups, while the little girl hid behind the woman, secretly observing Song Yan.

"Immortal Senior, please wait a moment. I have already sent a servant to inform Senior Su Li, and he should be here shortly."

"Alright."

"Immortal Senior has traveled a long way and must be tired from the journey. The servants in the manor have already prepared a banquet..."

"That won’t be necessary."

Song Yan declined; he did not enjoy such social gatherings with clinking glasses.

Moreover, no matter how lavish a Mortal banquet was, for a Cultivator, it only added to their troubles.

Just at this moment, Liu Xincheng, the Cave Abyss Sect’s Su Li who resided here for a long time, finally arrived.

He was not very old, in his early thirties, not yet forty, with a Qi Refining fifth-layer cultivation.

Upon seeing Song Yan’s dark robe, he showed a look of shock.

"This... this Senior, having traveled a long way, I, Liu, failed to meet you, and I am truly ashamed."

Liu Xincheng’s posture was unusually low, and Zhao Huaiyuan observed everything.

He was able to sit in the City Lord’s chair of Yunxi City, so his ability to read expressions was extremely high.

Young in age, with an extraordinary demeanor, and without any arrogance in his words.

He wore dark clothes that he had never seen before, and most importantly, according to Liu Xincheng’s reaction, this was likely a Disciple of extremely high status within a Sect.

He secretly made a mental note.

Song Yan shook his head: "There’s no need to mind these formalities. My name is Song Yan."

Liu Xincheng felt a slight relief in his heart, thinking that this Senior was easy to talk to, and quickly responded: "Yes, Senior Song."

He immediately took out a Jade Slip from his qiankun bag and handed it to Song Yan.

"Senior Song, this is the record of all reception affairs and the Mortal industries within Yunxi City since March of last year."

"North of the Eastern Post Road in Yunxi City, there is a gathering place for Loose Cultivators, formed by several declining Cultivation families, but it does not affect the reception affairs."

Song Yan nodded and accepted the Jade Slip.

City Lord Zhao Huaiyuan seized the opportunity and cautiously asked: "Senior Song, you must be tired from your journey. Why not stay in the manor for a few days?"

"Although Yunxi City cannot compare to an Immortal blessed land, there are a few scenic spots worth seeing."

As he spoke, he had already instructed his servants to prepare a banquet.

Whether the Immortal Senior would honor them with his presence was the Immortal Senior’s business.

As for making preparations, that was a reflection of his, Zhao Huaiyuan’s, sincerity.

"No need, City Lord, I appreciate your hospitality. However, I still need to discuss Sect matters with Senior Brother Liu later, so I’m afraid I won’t have time to attend the banquet."

"Moreover, I do not intend to stay here long. Once the inspection is complete, I will leave."

"At most, two or three days."

After repeated refusals, Zhao Huaiyuan quickly put away his thoughts: "Yes, yes, yes."

"This place is not suitable for discussion. Senior Song, why don’t you come with me to the annex for a talk?"

Song Yan nodded: "Very well."

Although he did not wish to stay long, the inspection could not be too perfunctory.

If he were to take it seriously, then one day for reviewing accounts, two days for moving around, at least three days would be needed.

During this period, he could only stay in the City Lord’s manor.

Fortunately, it was quite peaceful here.

Inside the annex where Liu Xincheng resided.

The sound-insulating Formation was operating, isolating their conversation within.

"Brother Liu." Song Yan did not directly review the contents of the Jade Slip. He slowly opened his mouth and asked: "According to the managing Senior Brother in the Sect, there is also a Su Li of the Profound Origin Sect in Yunxi City."

"Yes..."

Upon hearing this question, Liu Xincheng immediately replied, but his expression was a bit unnatural.

"The Profound Origin Sect Su Li, named Su Li, usually resides in the East Annex. These past few days, he should have gone to Qing Valley to investigate the crow demon calamity."

Song Yan asked again: "Recently, there have been some frictions between our Sect and the Profound Origin Sect. I wonder if this has affected the Su Li’s important duties?"

"This... not yet."

Song Yan hummed, and his Divine Sense entered the Jade Slip to review it.

Liu Xincheng was a bit uneasy at the side.

Should he tell Senior Song about that matter?

He gritted his teeth.

No, no, there’s no conclusion yet. If there’s still no news after today, it won’t be too late to report it then.

Song Yan indeed looked very carefully, mainly because it was his first time conducting an inspection.

The reception affairs and industry records in the Jade Slip were well-organized, and many small matters were also handled personally by Liu Xincheng.

Yunxi Prefecture City’s jurisdiction included nine counties and townships, including Linxi County and Qingzhang Township. Each county and township also had a Su Li stationed there: four from the Cave Abyss Sect and five from the Profound Origin Sect.

After a careful review, there were no major problems. Song Yan only casually raised a few minor issues.

In the Jade Slip, the records for other areas were relatively complete, but the records for two places were missing for several days, and some recent business records were also very brief.

One of these places, called Qing Valley, was particularly so.

"This Qing Valley..."

Before he could even ask the question, just mentioning the name Qing Valley made Liu Xincheng’s clasped hands tremble slightly, and his breathing quickened a bit.

Song Yan saw this, raised an eyebrow, and asked to himself: "Why are the records for Qing Valley less complete than other places?"

Liu Xincheng feigned composure and slowly said: "Senior Song, the Su Li of Qing Valley was temporarily away for a few days recently. I... I temporarily helped manage it."

"Su Li, the Su Li of the Profound Origin Sect, also helped out."

"Oh?"

A Profound Origin Sect Cultivator helping a Cave Abyss Sect Cultivator — this was the first time he had heard of such a thing.

But then again, it made sense. As for any Mortal enmity between Sects, as long as it didn’t concern oneself, one could simply stand by and watch.

"Hmm..."

Although he was a Su Li, he was still in the Mortal world.

It was normal to have to leave for a while if a family member was seriously ill or passed away.

Although Song Yan was suspicious, he still nodded on the surface.

"Remember to fill it in by then. The Senior Brother who comes next time might not be as easy to talk to as I am."

"Besides that, are there any other important matters I need to bring back to the Sect?"

"Uh... no, nothing."

"..."

Song Yan paused for a moment, and there was a silence in the room.

"Alright."

He didn’t bother to dig deeper. If something couldn’t be elicited the first time, asking a second time would only make the other party more resolute in their denial.

Anyway, he still had to conduct on-site inspections, so wasting time with evasiveness was pointless. It would be quickest to go and see for himself tomorrow.

It was getting late, so Song Yan decided to return to his lodging to rest.

He ultimately declined Liu Xincheng’s invitation to a banquet and was led by a servant from the manor to the small courtyard arranged by the City Lord.

"Immortal Senior, I will wait here. If you need anything, please just command me."

"No need, you may go back."

The servant in the manor was not insistent. Immortal Seniors mostly preferred peace and quiet, and the steward had told them this beforehand.

However, he felt a little regretful in his heart.

What an honor it would be to serve an Immortal Senior.

Which of these Mortals hadn’t dreamed of receiving a favor from an Immortal, becoming a Martial Forest expert, or even embarking on the Immortal path?

There had been precedents for this in the past.

"Yes."