Chapter 338: Chapter 338: Pathfinding Stone

"Let’s go inside," Ye Xuan said to Jin Lin at his side, walking slowly toward the steps of the Celestial One Inn.

"What do you think you’re doing?" several of the inn’s guards demanded. They retreated a few steps in alarm, exchanging frightened glances, too scared to advance.

"I’m here for a room. Does your inn not accept guests?" Ye Xuan asked calmly.

"You must be joking, good sir. We are the Celestial One Inn. We open our doors to all guests. Of course we have rooms." A middle-aged man dressed like a shopkeeper hurried out of the inn, a smile on his face.

The man was stout with a round belly, and his eyes crinkled into a smile, making him appear harmless. But his body contained a shocking aura. He was clearly a Tier Five Martial Sect expert—and a Tier Five Peak Martial Sect at that.

’The Celestial One Inn must have some serious backing.’

’To open an inn this large in the heart of Black Stone City is surely beyond the means of any ordinary faction.’

"What are your rates?" Ye Xuan asked.

"Sirs, our inn has three tiers of rooms: Human Grade, Earth Grade, and Celestial Grade. The Human Grade rooms are one thousand Profound Coins a night, the Earth Grade rooms are two thousand Profound Coins a night, and the Celestial Grade rooms are five thousand Profound Coins a night. Which tier would you be interested in?"

"I’ll take two Celestial Grade Rooms."

With a flick of his right hand, Ye Xuan sent two Profound Tickets shooting toward the Shopkeeper like throwing knives.

WHAP!

The Shopkeeper caught them, and a terrifying force instantly shot out from the Profound Tickets, making his insides churn. His feet instinctively started to retreat, but just as suddenly, the force vanished without a trace, as if it had never been there at all.

"That’s twenty thousand Profound Coins. Ten thousand is a down payment for the rooms. Consider the other ten thousand a cleaning fee for your entrance. That should be more than enough!"

"It is, it is," the middle-aged Shopkeeper said, nodding repeatedly as he suppressed the shock and horror in his heart.

Earlier, he had witnessed Jin Lin make his move from inside the inn. He knew Jin Lin’s strength was astonishing and no weaker than his own, so he hadn’t paid much mind to Ye Xuan.

In his mind, Ye Xuan was likely some family’s young master, with Jin Lin acting as his bodyguard.

But now, he realized he had been mistaken. The fact that the mere act of Ye Xuan tossing the Profound Tickets could throw his vital energy into turmoil was something no ordinary person could accomplish.

’Which faction do these two belong to? Why have I never heard of them? What is their purpose for coming to Black Stone City?’

Though several thoughts flashed through his mind, the Shopkeeper’s face remained fixed in a smile. "This way, sirs. Please, come in."

He personally led Ye Xuan to the inn’s most luxurious Celestial Grade Room. As expected, the five-thousand-Profound-Coin-a-night Celestial Grade Room lived up to its reputation. The interior was incredibly lavish, with furniture made from the finest agarwood. It had a reception hall, a cultivation chamber, a bathing chamber—all the essentials—and even came equipped with a small refinement room.

"Not bad," Ye Xuan said, nodding in satisfaction.

"Is there anything else I can do for you gentlemen?"

"No. We’ll call you if we need anything."

"Very good." The Shopkeeper quickly withdrew.

Of the two rooms, Ye Xuan took one for himself, putting Jin Lin and Mo Cong in the one next door.

Jin Lin was reluctant at first, but when he heard there would be a fight that night—and that he would be treated to delicious food—he immediately started drooling with excitement. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Mo Cong, who was standing nearby, couldn’t help but shudder. ’This golden-haired guy doesn’t have some kind of special fetish, does he?’

The chilling thought made Mo Cong’s face turn pale with fright.

While Ye Xuan and his companions were taking it easy, the entirety of Black Stone City was being plunged into a storm.

News that two mysterious youths had purchased the Seven-Colored Chaotic Soil from the Treasure Pavilion with a massive amount of Spirit Medicine—and had captured Young Master Mo Cong—swept through the city like a wildfire.

The Mo family!

A middle-aged man in a luxurious brocade robe sat upon a grand armchair. His hair was coiled in a topknot, and his sharp, handsome features radiated an effortless authority.

Before him, several elders with impressive auras knelt on the floor, their expressions deferential.

This was the Patriarch of the Mo family, one of Black Stone City’s great clans: Mo Chengtian, a Tier Six Martial Venerable.

"Patriarch, Hu Biao and his men have confessed everything. The young master promised them the position of captain in the Mo family guard in exchange for testing those two youths and, if possible, stealing their Storage Rings."

Hearing the elder’s report, Mo Chengtian remained expressionless. "Have you found the young master’s whereabouts?"

"Our informant at the Celestial One Inn reports that the two youths booked two Celestial Grade Rooms. The young master is with the golden-haired one. As for the details... because the Celestial One Inn is a property of the Sky Empire’s Murong family, our informant didn’t dare push his luck. However, based on the captors’ earlier words, the young master’s life shouldn’t be in danger, at least not before tomorrow," the elder reported respectfully.

"Have you found out who these two are?" Mo Chengtian asked, his pace unhurried, making his thoughts impossible to divine.

"Not yet. Our investigation shows they only arrived in Black Stone City this morning. They went directly to the Celestial Treasure Pavilion and purchased the Seven-Colored Chaotic Soil, after which the young master had his conflict with them. We have not been able to determine their identities."

"However, the golden-haired youth consistently addresses the black-haired one as ’Your Highness.’ Therefore, I speculate he might be a Prince from a nearby kingdom," the elder elaborated.

Mo Chengtian nodded, remaining silent for a moment before looking down at the assembled men. "Well, elders? What do you think we should do?"

The elders exchanged a look. One, a ruddy man with fleshy jowls, shot to his feet and said angrily, "Patriarch, is there any question? These people dared to harm the young master of the Mo family! If we don’t capture them, we’ll become the laughingstock of Black Stone City!"

"The Third Elder is right. The Celestial One Inn may be the Murong family’s business, but their foundation is in the Sky Empire. Here in Black Stone City, they’ll have to give the Mo family some face."

"Let’s seize those two and show everyone in Black Stone City that the Mo family is not to be trifled with!"

"Right now, the young master’s safety is paramount. I also believe we must act swiftly. Let’s rescue him first, and then we can sort everything else out."

One after another, the elders spoke up, all in agreement that they should strike like lightning to rescue Mo Cong.

Mo Chengtian watched them all calmly. He knew exactly why they were so eager. First, they wanted to curry favor with him. Second, they wanted the Seven-Colored Chaotic Soil those two youths possessed.

"Elders, I’ve heard that these two clashed with Steward Liu from the Treasure Pavilion. Yet, to this moment, the Tianya Commerce Association has made no move. Do you know why that is?" Mo Chengtian asked calmly after everyone had spoken.

The elders were all taken aback. Frowning, one asked, "Does the Tianya Commerce Association know who they are?"

"That can’t be right. If they knew, Steward Liu from the Treasure Pavilion would never have started a conflict with them."

Mo Chengtian snorted, a cold smirk touching his lips. "The Treasure Pavilion is waiting to play the fisherman, using our families as their stalking horse. Besides, do you really believe a Prince from some minor kingdom would have the wealth to casually purchase a Tier Seven treasure?"

The elders’ brows furrowed. ’Does the Patriarch mean they’re Princes from an empire?’

"Patriarch, I’ve already checked the information on all the Princes from the major empires on the Dream Realm Plain. None of them match this youth," the elder in charge of intelligence reported.

"And even if they aren’t from one of the major empires, do you think just anyone would dare to run wild in my Black Stone City?" Mo Chengtian’s gaze was cold, his thoughts unreadable.

"Then, Patriarch... the young master’s safety is the priority. We aren’t actually going to trade Spirit Medicine for him, are we?" The elders were confused, unable to grasp Mo Chengtian’s intent.

"If those two truly have the strength to back up their demands, then paying the ransom wouldn’t be unacceptable. But first... we’ll see if they have what it takes." A smile played on Mo Chengtian’s lips, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes. "This time, I will meet them myself."

"And what about Hu Biao and his men?" an elder asked for instructions.

Mo Chengtian shot him a cold glance. "Do I need to tell you what to do?"

"Yes, sir." The elder’s heart trembled as he respectfully withdrew.

A moment later, a massive procession surged from the Mo family estate, advancing imperiously toward the Celestial One Inn. Soon, hundreds of armor-clad Martial Artists wielding sharp weapons had surrounded the entire building.

"Patriarch Mo, it’s been a while. I wonder, to what do I owe the pleasure of you and your men surrounding my Celestial One Inn?"

The portly Shopkeeper stepped out from the inn, a cold light in his eyes.

The Mo family might be the local powerhouse in Black Stone City, but his Celestial One Inn was backed by the Murong family, a great clan of the Sky Empire. They were not an existence a mere Mo family could provoke.

"Shopkeeper Wu, you’re being too serious. I’m sure you already know why I am here. Step aside. Another day, I will be sure to visit the Celestial One Inn personally to apologize," Mo Chengtian said calmly, a terrifying pressure beginning to emanate from him.

The portly Shopkeeper clearly knew he couldn’t stop Mo Chengtian. He squinted and said, "There’s no need for a special apology. Those two guests were already aware you would be coming, Patriarch Mo. They only hope you won’t tear down my humble inn in the process. It would be difficult for me to explain that to my family. Patriarch Mo, please, be my guest."

The portly Shopkeeper clasped his hands and stepped aside, clearing a path.

"Let’s go. We’re heading up."

Mo Chengtian led a few elders into the Celestial One Inn. Guided by Shopkeeper Wu, they soon arrived outside Jin Lin’s room.

"My Highness says the Patriarch of the Mo family is to enter alone."

A nonchalant voice called out from within the room as the door creaked open.

"Patriarch..." The group of elders stared at the open doorway with menacing glints in their eyes, their tone questioning.

"You wait out here. I’m going in alone."

Mo Chengtian glanced at the elders behind him. As a Tier Six Second Layer Martial Venerable, he was the strongest in the entire Mo family. Among the other elders, only two had reached Tier Six First Layer Martial Venerable; the rest were all Tier Five Peak Martial Sects.

’If a fight breaks out, I alone will be more than enough.’