Chapter 369

Chapter 369: Invitation from the City Lord

After sitting for a while, the Young Man suddenly entered again to report that someone was requesting an audience outside the inn.

You You nodded. Moments later, the Young Man returned with a Golden Core female who appeared to be a steward.

"I’m Zhang Wei, steward of Qinghong City, paying respects to the esteemed Master." She bowed respectfully toward You You. "The city lord learned of a Nascent Soul Master’s arrival and specifically sent me to receive you."

"Receive me?" You You blinked. She’d heard Qinghong City’s lord was a peak Nascent Soul cultivator, but they’d never met. Why would the city lord send someone?

"Indeed." The steward’s smile deepened. "The Jingling Institute’s Holy Spirit Ceremony approaches. Our city’s Selection concludes today, and chosen cultivators depart for the capital tomorrow. The city lord wished to ensure you wouldn’t miss the schedule."

Understanding dawned – they mistook her for a Holy Spirit Ceremony participant! This aligned perfectly with their plan to infiltrate Jingling Institute.

"But doesn’t the ceremony require passing Selections first?" she asked. They’d considered blending with other participants but missed the month-old registration deadline.

"You honor us with modesty." The steward chuckled. "Our Selection identifies outstanding talents. A Nascent Soul Master like yourself naturally bypasses trivial competitions."

So Nascent Soul status granted privileges? Unexpected, but she wouldn’t refuse this opportunity.

"Then I’ll trouble Steward Zhang." You You stood promptly.

The steward seemed surprised by her immediate compliance, hastily guiding them outside. A Spirit Ship awaited at the inn’s entrance – an extravagant gesture considering the lord’s mansion lay merely half a city away.

At the mansion, they met the city lord – a middle-aged woman mirroring the steward’s politeness. Though her cultivation surpassed You You’s facade, she exchanged pleasantries until dusk before urging rest for tomorrow’s journey.

The next morning revealed a dozen cultivators in the hall. Two Nascent Soul beginners stood among them, one visibly unstable like a fresh breakthrough. You You’s displayed mid-Nascent Soul cultivation made her the group’s strongest except the city lord.

"May your journey prosper!" The city lord wasted no time, summoning a massive Spirit Ship dwarfing the previous vessel. Though only ten selected cultivators boarded, accompanying servants filled the ship. You You’s companions Feng Rong and Yuan Qi blended seamlessly.

"You Daoist Friend arrived recently in Qinghong?" A smiling Nascent Soul cultivator approached. "I’m Gu Sixuan from nearby Dongjiang. The surname You seems uncommon here."

"I’m from distant Zhenyan Town," You You replied. "Travel delays made me late."

"Ah, no matter for a Nascent Soul Master!" Gu Sixuan gestured toward a meditating woman. "Liang Yu here’s the city lord’s sister – Qinghong’s rising star."

The pale-faced Liang Yu struggled to stabilize fluctuating spiritual energy. Gu Sixuan sighed. "She rushed her cultivation breakthrough for this ceremony. Our region lacks high-level cultivators, and Jingling Institute bars repeat participants. Without fresh talent, we’d face humiliation."

You You nodded. This "holy ceremony" clearly served as intercity rivalry. Her presence conveniently bolstered Qinghong’s three-Nascent Soul delegation.

Three days later at Chixing Country’s capital, the reason for Gu Sixuan’s anxiety became clear. Other delegations boasted minimum Nascent Soul members, even including a God Transformation Stage expert. Qinghong’s group with seven Golden Cores drew mocking glances.

After three days awaiting other cities’ arrivals, a Divine Master finally led the combined delegation toward Jingling Institute.