In Zhu Xian, people start to rise from plundering entries

Her words reminded Su Han that he was also hungry.

Although cultivators can abstain from grains, they are not completely without food, especially after excessive consumption of energy. Food is an important way to replenish vital energy.

"Let's go downstairs and get something to eat, and find out what news we have," Su Han said, getting up.

"Great!" Biyao jumped off the bed with joy.

Su Han walked next door and gently knocked on the door.

A moment later, the door opened, and Lu Xueqi was already standing behind it.

She had already bathed and changed, still dressed in white with a veil covering her face, but her hair was slightly damp and she carried a faint fragrance, clearly indicating that she had just finished meditating.

"Senior Sister Lu, shall we go downstairs and have some vegetarian food?" Su Han asked.

Lu Xueqi nodded.

The three of them went downstairs and found a quiet table in a corner of the inn's lobby to sit down.

We ordered a few light dishes and a pot of tea.

There were quite a few guests in the lobby, and several tables of江湖豪客 (jianghu heroes) were engaged in loud conversation.

Su Han and the other two listened intently, hoping to glean some useful information.

Initially, they mostly dealt with trivial matters of the martial arts world, feuds between sects, or the observations of merchants.

Then a group of people at the next table, who looked like merchants, lowered their voices and started talking about something strange.

"Have you heard? Old Wang's house in the west of the city was haunted a few days ago!"

"Really? Such a thing can happen in Heyang, right under the emperor's nose?"

“It’s absolutely true! Old Wang said it himself. He said that when he got up in the middle of the night, he saw a white shadow floating around in the yard. It had no feet! It scared him so much that he was sick for several days!”

"Sigh, this world is not peaceful. I came from the south a few days ago and heard that strange things have happened in several villages there. In some villages, the whole people are having the same nightmare, and in some villages, livestock are dying suddenly for no reason. It's very strange!"

"That's right! I've also heard that in some remote wilderness areas, you can hear the sounds of ghosts wailing and wolves howling at night, and some people have even seen ghostly soldiers passing by!"

Shh! Keep your voice down! You can't just say things like that!

……

Su Han, Lu Xueqi, and Biyao exchanged a glance.

Although these folk tales are often exaggerated and embellished, there is no smoke without fire, and they may not be without reason.

The turmoil of the Netherworld Journey and the imbalance of the Underworld's order seem to have begun to permeate the human realm.

Just then, they overheard several men carrying weapons discussing something at another table.

"Tell me, what exactly happened with that strange celestial phenomenon in the northwest a few days ago? I heard that experts from several sects went to investigate."

"Who knows? There was thunder and lightning, and some people even said they saw the Gates of Hell open! Maybe some powerful being is undergoing tribulation?"

"Tribulation? I don't think so. It seems that both Qingyun Sect and Tianyin Temple have sent elders there, so things are probably not simple."

"Recently, things haven't been peaceful in Heyang City. I've heard that many unfamiliar faces have arrived, including monks, Taoists, and people in strange clothes. I'm afraid something big is about to happen."

……

Upon hearing "Qingyun Sect" and "Tianyin Temple," Lu Xueqi's eyes narrowed slightly.

Su Han said in a low voice, "It seems that the commotion at the Netherworld entrance has indeed attracted the attention of all parties."

Biyao pouted, "They came really fast. Luckily we slipped away early." Just then, a commotion suddenly broke out at the entrance of the inn.

Several young disciples dressed in Qingyun Sect attire escorted a handsome young man with an extraordinary demeanor and a touch of arrogance as he entered.

The young man's gaze swept across the lobby, and when he saw Lu Xueqi in the corner, his eyes lit up, and a look of surprise appeared on his face. He quickly walked over.

"Junior Sister Lu! It really is you! I didn't believe it when I heard you had come to Heyang City at the other courtyard, but I didn't expect to actually meet you here!"

The young man's voice was gentle, with a hint of eagerness.

Su Han and Bi Yao both looked at Lu Xueqi.

When Lu Xueqi saw the person who had arrived, her brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. She stood up and gave a curtsy in a calm tone: "Senior Brother Qi."

The person who arrived was none other than Qi Hao, the prized disciple of Cangsong Daoist, the head of the Dragon Head Peak of the Qingyun Sect.

He is also recognized within the Qingyun Sect as one of the most promising young talents who have the best feelings for Lu Xueqi.

Qi Hao smiled and said, "Junior Sister Lu, there's no need for such formalities. You've had a long and tiring journey, why didn't you stay at the villa, but instead came to this inn?" His gaze then swept over Su Han and Bi Yao, who were sitting opposite Lu Xueqi.

When he saw Su Han, a hint of scrutiny and doubt flashed in his eyes.

When he saw Biyao, although she tried to conceal it, Qi Hao's cultivation was not weak and his eyesight was also extraordinary. He vaguely sensed that this woman's aura was different and she did not seem to be a righteous person. His brows immediately furrowed.

"Junior Sister Lu, who are these two...?" Qi Hao's tone carried a hint of inquiry and a barely perceptible wariness.

The atmosphere in the inn's lobby became somewhat subtle due to the arrival of these Qingyun disciples and Qi Hao's question, which clearly carried a scrutinizing tone.

Su Han remained calm, but a chill ran through him; he knew trouble was brewing.

Biyao's lips curled slightly, revealing a look of anticipation as she observed Qi Hao and the aloof Lu Xueqi with great interest.

How Lu Xueqi introduces them will directly determine how things develop.

All eyes were on Lu Xueqi.

Lu Xueqi felt Qi Hao's gaze, as well as the subtle stares from those around her, but her cool and aloof expression showed no emotional fluctuation.

She glanced at Su Han, then at Bi Yao who seemed indifferent, and after a moment's thought, spoke in a clear voice: "Senior Brother Qi, this is Fellow Daoist Su Han, who has helped me."

She didn't mention the Netherworld, only saying "the kindness of helping," which both clarified that Su Han was not an enemy and avoided unnecessary explanations.

Upon hearing this, Qi Hao's gaze towards Su Han softened considerably, even becoming somewhat polite. He cupped his hands and said, "So it's Fellow Daoist Su. I am Qi Hao from the Dragon Head Peak of the Qingyun Sect. Thank you for helping Junior Sister Lu."

Su Han stood up and returned the greeting: "Senior Brother Qi, you're too kind. It was nothing, not worth mentioning."

Qi Hao nodded, then turned his gaze back to Bi Yao, his eyes still filled with doubt and scrutiny: "And who is this young lady...?"

Lu Xueqi paused for a moment, her tone remaining calm: "This is Miss Biyao, who is also traveling with us."

This introduction is very vague; the phrase "fellow traveler" neither clarifies the relationship nor identifies the individuals.

Biyao stood up and bowed to Qi Hao with a smile, her voice sweet and clear: "This humble woman, Biyao, greets Senior Brother Qi. I have often heard Sister Xueqi mention that Senior Brother Qi is the most outstanding young man in the Qingyun Sect. Meeting you today, I can see that he truly lives up to his reputation."

Her words were clever; she picked up where Lu Xueqi left off, deliberately acted as if she were very familiar with Lu Xueqi, and even flattered Qi Hao.

Lu Xueqi frowned slightly upon hearing this, but under the watchful eyes of everyone, she couldn't very well refute them.

Qi Hao was stunned by Bi Yao's words, especially the phrase "Sister Xueqi," which left him utterly astonished.

Lu Xueqi was aloof and rarely showed affection to her fellow disciples, let alone allow a woman of unknown origin to address her so intimately. (End of Chapter)