First dispatch of the day! Before them lay a large town, which, in the surrounding area, could practically be considered the most bustling settlement around!

The biggest hotel in town was the Phoenix Perch Tower! Legend held that during one dynasty or another, an imperial concubine had once dined here, “As for this township itself, it was called Phoenix Virtue Town.

At this moment, the Phoenix Perch Tower was nearly packed to capacity! When Jun Mo Xie and Qian Xun walked in, only one table in the main hall remained empty; it seemed the previous guests had just left, and it had only just been cleared… In the hall, more than half of the occupants were clad in martial attire, swords strapped at their waists, the bearing of seasoned Jianghu figures.

Jun Mo Xie couldn't help but be surprised at a glance. Among these people, there were actually several experts at the Heaven Profound level!

A sweeping glance revealed at least three or four of them… For the current Young Master Jun, individuals at the Heaven Profound tier were long past being significant, or even relevant. However, in the mundane world, a Heaven Profound master was at least a regional heavyweight!

Seeing a gathering of Heaven Profound powerhouses was exceedingly rare, even virtually unheard of… Yet, here, in this rather remote location, in a town of modest size, there sat three or four Heaven Profound cultivators who clearly did not belong to the same faction, all dining in the same establishment, “And furthermore, they were coexisting peacefully, each one quiet… silently eating their own meals, drinking their own wine… showing absolutely no signs of provoking trouble.” When did these fellows all become so docile? Moreover, between two of these Heaven Profound experts, there was an evident enmity, discernible purely from the hostile glares exchanged between them.

Their accompanying servants were even more agitated, almost at the point of drawing blades, yet despite the palpable resentment, both principals were forcefully restraining their tempers and the attitudes of their subordinates… The conclusion was quite clear: neither wished to instigate conflict here… The Jianghu… when did it become so polite? The scene unfolding before them, though lacking in overt excitement, possessed an astonishing depth that left Young Master Jun stunned and genuinely unable to comprehend… Jun Mo Xie and Qian Xun slowly took their seats, and immediately a waiter approached to greet them: “Esteemed Young Master… Madam, may I ask if you possess an invitation?” “An invitation?

What invitation?” Jun Mo Xie asked back in surprise. What was the meaning of this today?

Asking about an invitation just to have a meal! In contrast to the bewildered Young Master Jun, the great Qian Snake King beside him had her cheeks flushed crimson by the waiter’s address of ‘Madam,’ bowing her head in a mixture of shyness and delight… “Ah, ah, “If the Young Master does not have an invitation, then please, sir, order your dishes.” Receiving the negative reply, the waiter showed no hesitation or disrespect, still replying diligently, bowing slightly, and presenting the menu… But Young Master Jun was clearly even more perplexed: What kind of service was this?

If you don’t have an invitation, you get to order? Did that mean if you did have an invitation, you wouldn't need to order?

“Hmm, an invitation,” Jun Mo Xie mused, “Perhaps some local dignitary or nobleman is celebrating a birthday and instructed the proprietor of this establishment to diligently attend to those with invitations, with the bill settled collectively afterward—it must be that.” It seemed Young Master Jun’s conjecture matched a portion of the actual situation, but the main element was entirely off the mark! “Waiter, are there any quieter private rooms?” Jun Mo Xie frowned, looking at the chaotic hall.

“My apologies, esteemed Young Master, this humble establishment truly has no private seating available…” The waiter bowed apologetically. ‘Then we’ll stay here,” Qian Xun murmured softly.

The waiter’s address of ‘Madam’ had filled her with such sweet happiness that she cared little about anything else at this moment… “Very well,” Jun Mo Xie casually ordered a few light dishes, and perfunctorily ordered a pot of wine. The waiter puckered his lips and took the menu away… He had initially thought these two, given their exquisite attire, must have distinguished backgrounds—such guests were the delight of any establishment.

Who would have thought the man would only order two dishes of watery vegetables, utterly underwhelming. “What a disgrace!

If I could bring such a delicate lady out with me… I wouldn’t even mind spending every coin I’ve earned in my lifetime on the food, I’d be perfectly content!” The genuine miser! It was unimaginable that the world-renowned Lord of Evil, Jun Mo Xie, Young Master Jun, would be sincerely branded a miser by a mere waiter on the eve of establishing his own manor—how capricious are the ways of the world!

Just then, the sound of thunderous hoofbeats suddenly erupted, approaching rapidly from afar, halting abruptly at the front door of the tavern! Immediately, the sound of measured footsteps followed, and several middle-aged men, escorting a man and a woman, appeared at the entrance.

The man was a robust figure clad in purple silk, who strode in first, head held high! Jun Mo Xie’s brow furrowed: Another Heaven Profound master!

And one at the peak of Heaven Profound! What was going on today?

“Fortress Master Sima, I didn't expect you to be here too! We can travel together.” From among the seated guests, several people rose to greet him in succession.

That Fortress Master Sima smiled faintly and nodded. Several others, being quite perceptive, quickly yielded a large table to him.

The Fortress Master Sima accepted without ceremony, merely cupping his hands in thanks before moving over to sit down. As soon as he was seated, he pulled out a small, square object, roughly the size of a palm, seemingly cast from violet copper, and slapped it onto the table!

As Fortress Master Sima revealed this copper plaque, his gaze swept across the entire hall, and a triumphant expression appeared on his face… Just as the man expected, following the appearance of the purple object, streams of envious eyes shot toward their table. One man chuckled dryly: “Fortress Master Sima is indeed Fortress Master Sima, it’s actually violet copper color!

Heh, you truly make us brothers envious.” Fortress Master Sima’s purplish face displayed an indescribable smugness, but he merely cupped his hands and replied: “Not at all, not at all. This is merely the countenance shown to me by the Lord.

In truth, how could this Sima be worthy of holding a violet copper invitation?” “You are too modest, too modest! Fortress Master Sima speaks too humbly.

How could the Lord issue an invitation incorrectly? It is only right and proper that Fortress Master Sima holds the violet copper,” A chorus of voices spoke together.

“Hahaha,” Fortress Master Sima could no longer contain his inner pride and laughed heartily. The young lady accompanying Fortress Master Sima had remained silent since entering, but her eyes were fixed intently on Qian Xun’s gown, her expression filled with longing, as if she wished to devour Qian Xun’s attire with her gaze alone!

It must be said that fashionable attire, regardless of the dynasty or the region, represents an irresistible, paramount temptation for any woman! Especially the long dress Qian Xun was currently wearing—a vibrant emerald green that instantly brought forth a feeling of pleasing aesthetics upon sight.

It was elegant yet not lacking in grace, dignified yet not without playfulness, luxurious yet possessing reserve. Though the color was brilliant, it was by no means jarring!

The style of the dress appeared simple at first glance, but upon closer inspection, it was utterly captivating! Only by observing it carefully could one discern that both the cut and the color combination were the results of unique ingenuity and master craftsmanship!

Just sitting there, she already possessed perfect poise, radiating a brilliance that dared not be met directly! The entire garment was almost devoid of ostentatious decoration, save for three small white diamonds set upon the soft sash cinching the waist, and on the chest, a subtle phoenix pattern was subtly woven with dark thread!

But it was precisely this indistinct, veiled quality that made it even more appealing! Especially when worn, it set off the wearer as if she were a celestial fairy, pure, noble, and utterly unattainable!

Who among women would not desire such an outstanding garment? Watching, the woman’s admiration grew, and her reluctance to part with the sight intensified, her eyes revealing a blazing, greedy longing.

Finally, unable to control her desire, she leaned over and whispered a few words into Fortress Master Sima’s ear. Fortress Master Sima’s expression froze slightly, and he couldn't help but turn his head to glance towards Jun Mo Xie and Qian Xun’s table.

Upon seeing Qian Xun, the Fortress Master’s eyes inevitably revealed a look of intense astonishment! When he entered, he truly hadn't noticed, nor had he expected, to encounter such a rare beauty in this nearly remote location!

Then he observed that although both were richly dressed and carried an air of distinction, they were both mere youths, and a thought stirred in his mind. He surmised they must be the children of some noble house or perhaps a young couple traveling for pleasure.

“However, with my peak Heaven Profound cultivation, there are truly few people within several thousand li that I cannot afford to offend!” “Esteemed Young Master,” Fortress Master Sima said, making a reserved bow, his expression conveying that speaking to him was an immense favor being bestowed, “This Sima Shang offers his respects.” “Oh… Fortress Master Sima, may I ask what concerns you?” Jun Mo Xie raised his eyes slightly, asking in a tone he believed to be quite mild. Young Master Jun truly did not wish to bother with these minor figures from remote areas, “So, Young Master Jun felt he was already being quite ‘amiable and approachable.’ If Jun Mo Xie were to announce his identity as the ‘Lord of Evil,’ it would be far beyond amiable!

This Fortress Master Sima would likely faint from fright immediately, and upon waking, would brag about it for the rest of his life… If he remembered it in the next life, he’d probably continue bragging: The venerable Lord of Evil once spoke to me personally in a very, very kind tone…” But Sima Shang didn't know this now, so… So Fortress Master Sima felt deeply displeased. Who is this fledgling brat?

Damn it, why is he so arrogant? What a significant figure I am… I took the initiative to speak to him, and he dares to have such an indifferent attitude, even dismissive?

Truly conceited! It wasn't just Fortress Master Sima; the others watching also shot looks of extreme astonishment when Jun Mo Xie spoke: Is this kid too bold?

That is Sima Shang, a supreme master at the peak of Heaven Profound, only a single step away from the Divine Profound realm! Setting aside those far off, within a thousand li, absolutely no one can afford to offend him!

And this young upstart dares to speak to him with such an attitude! It looks like this kid is about to meet trouble… (To be continued.

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