Although he was unhappy, he didnât wear a gloomy expression or look dejected.
For him, at least thereâs hope in sight.
Finding Wanyan is just a matter of time.
Cang Lan from the Sea of Clouds patted Lin Kewuâs shoulder and laughed, "Kid, there will be a chance. The selection competition has just started today, there are still six days to go, nearly ten thousand people waiting."
"Hmm."
Lin Kewu nodded.
Beside him, Yang Xi and Luo Mi were very curious about who Lin Kewu was trying to find. Outside the Martial Arts Arena, it was noisy, so neither had asked Lin Kewu about it.
Now that theyâre on the Beast Vehicle, itâs much quieter, itâs time to ask.
"Senior Brother Lin, who are you looking for?"
"Arenât you from Bright Mirror Lake?"
Their questions came out without hesitation.
Lin Kewu smiled awkwardly, "Just a friend."
"Yes, a friend... the friend he likes." Cang Lan from the Sea of Clouds bluntly uncovered the pretense and then burst into laughter. The Mountain Dog also sensed the joyous atmosphere and barked along.
Cang Lan from the Sea of Clouds laughed and tried to pet the Mountain Dog, but it swatted his hand away with a paw.
"Not allowed to touch." Cang Lan from the Sea of Clouds smiled helplessly, glanced at the misaligned power and appearance of the large yellow dog, and then started teasing Lin Kewu, "Kid, whatâs there to be embarrassed about? Itâs normal to have your crush at Xuanse Lake."
"Hehe... the old City Lord was right, itâs indeed someone I like." With Cang Lan from the Sea of Clouds revealing the truth, Lin Kewu didnât hide it anymore.
"Wow, Senior Brother Lin is impressive, the girl he likes is actually at Xuanse Lake."
Yang Xiâs words purely stirred things up.
Because thereâs more to it.
"In that case... Senior Brother Lin, why donât you treat us to a meal, celebrate you finding your crush in advance."
"I agree." Luo Mi quickly chimed in, "Youâve been saying youâd treat us at the Sect, but nothing ever happened."
"Iâll treat after I meet her."
Lin Kewu grinned, then stuck his head out of the Beast Vehicle window.
Seeing the group still chattering about some misfortune, Wen Ping spoke up, "Letâs find an inn nearby to stay at, itâll be convenient to head to the Martial Arts Arena tomorrow... Cang Lan City Lord, letâs go to the nearest inn."
"Alright."
Cang Lan from the Sea of Clouds nodded.
In a moment, the Beast Vehicle stopped outside an inn named Soul Suppressing House. Cang Lan from the Sea of Clouds intended to ask the waiter at the entrance if there was room available, but before he could speak, the waiter responded.
"We have rooms!"
Cang Lan from the Sea of Clouds swallowed his question.
Helplessly, he turned to Wen Ping for advice.
"Sect Leader Wen, shall we stay here?"
Wen Ping agreed while stepping off the Beast Vehicle, "Alright, weâll stay here tonight."
"Please, inside." The waiter quickly greeted with a smile, and just as Cang Lan from the Sea of Clouds was about to enter, the waiter turned around, "Driver brother, park the Beast Vehicle in the backyard and Iâll guide you."
Driver?
Cang Lan from the Sea of Clouds was taken aback.
His eyebrows twitched, staring angrily at the waiter, he fiercely said, "Do I look like a driver?"
The Half-Step Mountain Suppression aura instantly crushed the waiter like a giant mountain.
The waiterâs face turned pale, and the people inside the inn hurried out upon hearing the commotion, one taking charge of the Beast Vehicle, while another quickly apologized, "Apologies, senior, it was a thoughtless remark."
Cang Lan from the Sea of Clouds still glared at them.
Because no one had ever called him a driver before, which was an insult to him.
Just as he was about to unleash his fury, Yang Xiâs voice came from inside, "Old City Lord, the Sect Leader is asking what type of room youâd like?"
"Forget it."
Seeing Yang Xi call him, Cang Lan from the Sea of Clouds had no choice but to suppress his anger.
Thereâs no point in wasting time with these people.
"Humph."
With a flick of his sleeve, Cang Lan from the Sea of Clouds entered the house.
As he left, the few waiters finally breathed a sigh of relief, thinking to themselves: What kind of Sect is this, where even the drivers are Half-Step Mountain Suppression, itâs truly terrifying, almost brewed a disaster.
"Letâs go."
"Back to work."
The few of them nervously went back to their tasks.
However, even though the incident passed, todayâs memory would stick with them until their dying breath.
...
Under the night sky.
Mountain and Sea City was still immersed in a sea of excitement, because as long as one reached the Body Refining Realm, they could go seven days without sleep. Therefore, in Mountain and Sea City, all shops remained open.
Lin Kewu and the others were different, already lying in bed, dreaming.
On the street at midnight, three young women in blue walked gracefully, their steps light, their postures charming. All three were around their twenties, in their prime.
Enhanced by the night, the three women looked more stunning than during the day, and wherever there are beautiful women, there are men who admire them. Hence, surrounded by distinguished young men.
A youth with bright eyes and teeth held a Long Sword, staying close to one of the women. Perhaps he knew that talking about other matters wouldnât bring him closer to her, so he spoke on topics she couldnât ignore.
"Qingyi, Iâve found out that tomorrow, Elder Kui from our Qi Bing Academy will select disciples. Elder Kui is one of the Inner Courtyard Elders at our academy and also my uncle."
"Your uncle?" The woman named Qingyiâs eyes lit up, "Can you say a few good words for me?"
The young swordsmanâs lips quickly curled into a smile, his eyes passing a trace of pride.
"Iâve already mentioned it to him, tomorrow as long as you take the stage, heâll choose you. However, Inner Courtyard or Outer Courtyard, this hasnât been decided yet. I donât know your specific situation, so itâs hard to say."
"I can enter the Inner Courtyard, Iâm only 26 years old and already at the Body Refining Thirteenth Layer. Brother Kun..." Qingyiâs voice softened, and her hands were already wrapped around the swordsmanâs arm.
"This, letâs discuss later, weâll find an inn and talk slowly." The young swordsman didnât immediately comply, but the suggestion to visit an inn implied more.
Qingyi was taken aback, didnât immediately nod in agreement, then glanced at her two companions, Su Ran and Wanyan, who were chatting merrily with other men, "Su Ran, Wanyan, are you going to the Inner Courtyard or Outer Courtyard?"
"Donât be silly, Wanyan is 24, at the Thirteenth Layer, obviously the Inner Courtyard." The woman named Su Ran responded.
Wanyan nodded.
"Tomorrow Iâll definitely try my best to be selected by an Elder."
"Good luck!"
While the two women were encouraging each other, the young swordsman spoke.
"Forgive me for being straightforward, Wanyan, your talent is indeed impressive. But understand, everyone participating in this selection competition is exceptionally talented. This Three-star Influence isnât Bright Mirror Lake, the Inner Courtyard has extremely high standards for disciples. You... honestly, are a bit strained."
"No worries, leave it to me, as if only Kun has connections at Qi Bing Academy." The young man beside Wanyan patted his chest, shouted loudly.
As if afraid others wouldnât hear.
"Senior Brother Lin."
Wanyan was instantly delighted.
Sheâd known this person for half a month, aware heâs an Inner Courtyard Disciple at Qi Bing Academy, but unaware he had connections there. If someone helps, getting into the Inner Courtyard would be sure.
Just as she was about to express her gratitude, Qingyi laughed from the side, "Wanyan, actually this guy told me earlier. He assures youâll get into Qi Bing Academy... this guy, shy to say it himself, now suddenly bold."
Qingyiâs words drew laughter from the dozen or so companions.