Upon entering the city gates, Lu Yi immediately noticed the stark contrast between the inside and outside of the city walls.
Outside the walls was barren and desolate, but inside was unexpectedly bustling and lively.
The voices of street vendors hawking their wares filled the air. On either side of the street were elegant shops, including fabric stores, cosmetic shops, pawnshops, and jewelry stores.
Pedestrians crowded the streets. However, upon seeing the three-riding strange unicorn-like spirit horses, their faces changed, and they quickly made way.
'Judging by the unusual horses, these people can't be ordinary,' many seemed to think.
Bai Yulong, riding his unicorn spirit horse, grinned and said with a hint of excitement, "Tsk tsk, mortal cities are so different from our sect. Much more vibrant."
Even Jiang Fan nodded slightly in agreement. While White Cloud Sect had beautiful scenery, it was filled with cultivators and naturally felt colder and more austere.
At that moment, Bai Yulong's handsome face showed a peculiar smile as he said, "By the way, how about we visit the brothels later? I'm telling you; the girls there have sweet voices and are very understanding, completely different from the senior and junior sisters in our sect."
Jiang Fan froze, a strange expression flashing across his ordinary face. He glanced at Bai Yulong. "You've actually been to such places?"
Lu Yi also looked at Bai Yulong strangely. "Senior Brother Bai Yulong, I wouldn't have guessed. With your righteous appearance, you're actually fond of frequenting brothels?"
Bai Yulong's face turned red under their questioning gazes. "So what? My cultivation technique doesn't require me to maintain purity! Why can't I go?"
He even cast a sidelong glance at them, mocking, "What about you two? Don't tell me you're still virgins?"
Jiang Fan chuckled, saying, "What's wrong with that? Cultivators shouldn't be ruled by worldly desires."
'No, I do have quite a few worldly desires...'
Lu Yi thought to himself. However, since he had awakened his golden finger, he felt that, while he might not pursue saintesses, he should at least seek out some stunning beauties, like his Second Senior Sister or Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang.
Otherwise, wouldn't he disgrace all the transmigrators before him?
Lu Yi maintained a serious expression. "I think Senior Brother Jiang Fan is right."
Jiang Fan smiled. "See? Even Junior Brother Lu agrees."
Bai Yulong's mouth twitched as he snapped his folding fan shut. "Hmph! You two really don't understand the pleasures of life."
Jiang Fan shrugged indifferently, while Lu Yi couldn't help but feel a bit curious.
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'So, what exactly are the pleasures of life?'
He almost wanted to ask Bai Yulong for advice but quickly dismissed the thought, shaking his head.
'No, I can't be so unambitious!'
The three chatted as they followed the main road and soon arrived at the palace.
The guards outside the palace stiffened when they saw the three.
A middle-aged man, who appeared to be the officer in charge, hurried over and respectfully asked, "Are you three immortals from White Cloud Sect?"
Lu Yi nodded and smiled. "Yes, we were sent by the sect to assist the King of Mohe."
Hearing this, the middle-aged man immediately bowed deeply. "The king has instructed us to bring any immortals from White Cloud Sect directly to him. Please follow me!"
The three rode their spirit horses into the palace, following the man until they arrived outside a grand hall.
A group of people stood at the entrance, led by a middle-aged man in a golden robe. Beside him was a pale, gray-haired elder and several others.
Lu Yi's eyes swept over them and deduced that the middle-aged man was the king of Mohe, and the gray-haired elder, who had a Qi Refining Level 10 cultivation but appeared injured, was likely the kingdom's Grand Advisor.
The others included two cultivators, also at the Qi Refining stage but with lower cultivation, and a few younger individuals who appeared to be princes.
The King of Mohe quickly approached, cupped his hands, and said, "Mo Ling greets the three immortals from White Cloud Sect."
The gray-haired elder also cupped his hands. "Li Qing greets the three senior brothers."
The others followed suit. "Greetings, immortals!"
The three dismounted, and Lu Yi smiled. "No need to be so formal, Your Majesty. We were sent by the sect to deal with the demonic cultivator."
Bai Yulong looked surprised as he stared at Li Qing. "You called us senior brothers?"
Li Qing showed a nostalgic expression and explained, "I was once an outer disciple of White Cloud Sect in my youth. However, I failed to enter the inner sect, and after leaving, I eventually joined Mohe Kingdom and became its Grand Advisor. Since you are all inner disciples, you naturally outrank me."
The three immediately understood.
Outer disciples of White Cloud Sect had a time limit. Those who failed to reach Foundation Establishment had to leave. Some became mortal representatives for the sect, some stayed as servants, and others left to explore the world.
Li Qing was one of many such disciples.
Hearing his story, the three smiled.
"So, you are Junior Brother Li Qing." Knowing he was a former sect member made them feel closer.
The King of Mohe, seeing their warm attitude, relaxed and smiled. "The three immortals must be tired from the journey. Please rest for a few days. If you need anything, just let me know."
Bai Yulong's eyes lit up. "That sounds great."
Jiang Fan gave Bai Yulong a side glance and said, "Ignore him. We're here for a mission. Tell us about the situation."
Bai Yulong stiffened and gave Jiang Fan a resentful look before turning to Lu Yi, hoping for support.
Lu Yi smiled. "Senior Brother Jiang Fan is right. Let's hear about the mission first."
Bai Yulong sighed in disappointment. "Fine."
The King of Mohe nodded and said, "In that case, let us discuss this inside. The Grand Advisor can explain the details."
The three followed them into the hall.
After sitting down, Li Qing began, "It started four months ago. People began disappearing frequently in the capital. At first, the numbers were small, but the perpetrator grew bolder, and the disappearances increased. About a month ago, I tracked the demonic cultivator and fought him. We both suffered injuries, but I have yet to recover, while he resumed his crimes. I am the only one at Qi Refining Level 10 here, so the king had no choice but to seek help from White Cloud Sect."
The three exchanged glances, their faces darkening.
Bai Yulong snapped his fan shut. "Abducting people to refine flesh and blood for cultivation—such demonic cultivators deserve death."
Jiang Fan frowned. "Four months... Many must have died, right?"
The king sighed bitterly. "This year's drought drove many refugees to the capital. With so many beggars and vagrants, it was hard to track the missing. Only when the culprit began targeting civilians did we finally find clues."
Lu Yi recalled the refugees at the gates and sighed inwardly. They thought entering the city meant safety, but who would have guessed there was a man-eating demon inside?
Mortal lives are truly hard.
At that moment, Lu Yi had a thought—would helping the refugees trigger a mission reward?