"I didn’t expect to meet Young Master Li Yuan here!"
Spotting Wang Li Yuan with two other Wang family heirs at the same inn, Yun Yan Tian couldn’t help but be surprised.
"What a coincidence! Have you eaten yet? My companions and I just arrived and haven’t had dinner.
If Young Master Yan Tian and Miss Yan Shuang don’t mind, would you care to join us for a meal downstairs?" Wang Li Yuan asked warmly, a smile gracing his lips.
"An honor," Yun Yan Tian replied. The cordial invitation left him little room to refuse, and, besides, this was an opportunity to glean more information about the Dan Ding Sect Ruins.
After all, Wang Li Yuan had entered the ruins the previous year and returned with a fateful treasure. Whatever he had found, however, was a secret closely guarded by the Wang family, known to no outsiders.
"Ha! Excellent! Young Master Yan Tian, Miss Yan Shuang, this way, please," Wang Li Yuan said cheerfully, personally leading them to the dining hall.
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As they settled at a table, Yun Yan Tian couldn’t resist his curiosity. "Last year, you ventured into the Dan Ding Sect Ruins, didn’t you, Young Master Li Yuan?"
"That’s correct," Li Yuan replied, nodding casually. "It’s a shame that you and Miss Yan Shuang weren’t there. With your skills, I have no doubt that both of you would have reaped bountiful fortunes."
The Wangs were well aware that news of Li Yuan’s foray into the ruins and his subsequent gains was no secret within the circles of noble families. The event had long since been the talk of the cultivation world. There was no point in hiding it—at least, not entirely.
"I see. And how dangerous were the ruins?"
"Dangerous?" Li Yuan sipped his tea thoughtfully. "I wouldn’t call it overwhelming danger, but there were plenty of demonic fiends and other foul beings lurking inside. One has to tread carefully.
"Some of these creatures were formidable enough to rival Qi Refinement cultivators. I’ve heard of rogue cultivators being wiped out entirely by such threats." He paused, leaning forward slightly. "But the more significant danger wasn’t the creatures—it was the other cultivators.
"Especially the ones from Wu Kingdom. Many of our fellow countrymen met their ends at the hands of Wu cultivators last year."
The faint glint in Li Yuan’s eyes as he spoke hinted that there was more to the story, secrets he wouldn’t reveal to just anyone.
"Thank you for the insight, Young Master Li Yuan," Yun Yan Tian said, raising his cup slightly in acknowledgment.
"Think nothing of it. Just common courtesy," Li Yuan replied with a faint smile before leaning back in his chair. "If you’re worried about safety, however, might I propose an alliance?
"If we work together, we can better fend off potential threats. And as for any treasures we uncover, we can split them evenly—fifty-fifty."
Yun Yan Tian’s brows furrowed slightly. "Is that how the other families handle things?"
"For the most part, yes," Li Yuan confirmed. "Some prefer to operate alone, but most form temporary alliances. Strength in numbers, as they say. After all, danger often comes from those walking beside you."
"Indeed," Yun Yan Tian said, his voice steady, though a flicker of distrust passed through his eyes. The Wang family was no stranger to scheming, and Yun Yan Tian was well aware of their history of covertly targeting the Yun family.
"Perhaps you don’t trust me?" Li Yuan asked, feigning hurt.
"Not at all," Yun Yan Tian replied, his tone light. "I was merely reflecting on the dynamics of such partnerships. So much could go wrong when dividing spoils, don’t you agree?"
Li Yuan’s lips quirked into a knowing smile. "Then, what do you propose, Young Master Yan Tian?"
"I only plan to explore the outer regions of the ruins with my sister. We aim to test our luck—nothing more. Venturing deeper into the ruins is far too risky, and survival is our foremost concern."
"That’s… a wise approach," Li Yuan admitted. "The outer regions are certainly safer, though they’ll also be more crowded with rogues and rival cultivators. Competition will be fierce."
"Even so, it’s better than risking life and limb for uncertain gains."
"Fair enough." Li Yuan raised his cup. "I respect your caution, and I hope both our parties find fortune within the ruins."
"To fortune," Yun Yan Tian agreed, raising his own cup before downing its contents.
As the conversation drifted to lighter topics, Yun Yan Tian discreetly gathered what information he could. He learned that the top three noble families—Yue Clan, Lin Clan, and Lu Clan—had sent their most talented heirs. Familiar names resurfaced: Lin Tian Sheng, the sword prodigy; Ye Xiao Lin, the fiery strategist; and Lu Shang Lin, a formidable but often overlooked contender.
But what caught his attention most was the news that the Xia family, which had abstained the previous year to observe, had now sent four heirs, each boasting considerable strength.
The stakes were high, and the players formidable.
After the meal, Yun Yan Tian and Yun Yan Shuang excused themselves, retreating to their quarters to prepare for what lay ahead.
"I didn’t expect to see you here, Young Master Li Yuan!"
Yun Yan Tian’s voice carried a trace of surprise as he spotted Wang Li Yuan and the two Wang family heirs entering the same inn.
"What a coincidence! Have you two eaten yet? My companions and I only just arrived and haven’t had the chance to sit down for dinner.
If you don’t mind, perhaps we could share a meal together?" Wang Li Yuan said, his tone as warm and inviting as ever.
"An honor," Yun Yan Tian replied, masking any hesitation behind a polite smile. Rejecting such an invitation would not only appear discourteous but might also squander a valuable opportunity. After all, Li Yuan had ventured into the Dan Ding Sect Ruins last year, emerging with untold secrets and treasures. This dinner might offer a chance to learn more.
"Excellent! Please, follow me," Li Yuan gestured with a grin, leading them downstairs.
Seated at a modest wooden table, the air filled with the faint scent of roasted meat and spiced wine, the conversation quickly turned to matters of intrigue.
"You ventured into the Dan Ding Sect Ruins last year, didn’t you, Young Master Li Yuan?" Yun Yan Tian began casually, his tone laced with curiosity.
Li Yuan nodded, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Indeed, I did. It’s a pity we weren’t traveling together back then. With your skills, I’m certain you and Miss Yan Shuang would have reaped great rewards."
There was no need to deny it. The Wang family’s gains from the ruins had already become common knowledge among the cultivation families. Concealing it would serve no purpose.
"What dangers did you encounter within the ruins?" Yun Yan Tian asked, his voice lowering slightly as though the shadows themselves might overhear.
"Dangers?" Li Yuan repeated, sipping from his cup thoughtfully. "The ruins are home to countless fiends and spectral entities, many of which are stronger than the average cultivator might expect. I’ve heard tales of rogue cultivators being annihilated by a single demon capable of rivaling Qi Refinement experts.
"That said, the greatest threat isn’t the creatures." He paused, his gaze hardening. "It’s the other cultivators. Especially those from Wu Kingdom. Last year, many of our own countrymen fell to their treachery."
Yun Yan Tian’s expression remained neutral, but his mind worked furiously, piecing together the fragments of information.
"Thank you for sharing this insight, Young Master Li Yuan," he said with a respectful nod.
"It’s nothing," Li Yuan replied with a dismissive wave. Then, as if an idea had just occurred to him, he leaned forward slightly. "If you’re worried about safety, perhaps we could form an alliance? Working together, we can watch each other’s backs. Any treasures we find can be split evenly—fifty-fifty."
"And is that how most alliances within the ruins are formed?"
"For the most part, yes," Li Yuan admitted. "Some prefer to operate solo, but the risks are far greater that way. Strength in numbers, as they say."
Yun Yan Tian chuckled softly. "Of course. But isn’t there a danger in dividing spoils? Disputes over shares can lead to conflict, can they not?"
Li Yuan’s smile thinned, his eyes narrowing imperceptibly. "Perhaps you don’t trust me, Young Master Yan Tian?"
"Not at all," Yun Yan Tian replied smoothly. "I was merely reflecting on the challenges such arrangements might present."
"Then what is your decision?"
"I appreciate the offer, but my sister and I do not plan to venture deep into the ruins. We aim to remain on the periphery, test our luck, and return safely. This journey is as much about survival as it is about opportunity."
"Ah, a wise choice," Li Yuan remarked, raising his cup in acknowledgment. "The outer regions are indeed safer, though you may find the competition there… intense."
"Better intense competition than reckless risk," Yun Yan Tian countered with a polite smile.
"Well said," Li Yuan conceded. "Then I wish you both good fortune."
"To fortune," Yun Yan Tian echoed, draining his cup.
As the conversation shifted to lighter topics, Yun Yan Tian quietly gathered more intel. He learned that the Three Noble Clans were sending their most promising heirs: Ye Xiao Lin from the Canglan Ye Clan, Lin Tian Sheng from the Wangyue Lin Clan, and Lu Shang Lin from the Chuanyin Lu Clan—each a formidable rival.
Even more intriguing was the Xia Clan’s newfound interest. Having abstained the previous year, they now sought to make up for lost time by dispatching four heirs, their cultivation levels ranging from the fifth to the seventh tier of the Embryo Breath realm.
Once dinner concluded, Yun Yan Tian and Yun Yan Shuang excused themselves, retreating to their quarters to prepare for the days ahead.