After being chosen by the Ice Queen

Gu Yan changed into a dark blue cloth robe, carefully wrapped the knife with thick cloth, and carried it on his back, looking like a wandering swordsman.

Jinbao, perched on the shoulder, used a simple illusion, so to an ordinary person it would just look like a pet mouse with slightly brighter fur.

Half a month had passed since Gu Yan left Cuiwei Ridge. After inquiring along the way, he decided to head east first. The coast of the East Sea has been the subject of many legends since ancient times, a place of treacherous storms and chaotic spiritual energy; perhaps he could find clues to the leak in the sky there.

On this day, he arrived at a large city called Linyuan in the eastern part of Qingzhou. This city was adjacent to the Grand Canal, where water and land routes converged, and merchants gathered there. The city walls were towering. Before even entering the city, Gu Yan could sense countless demonic energies lurking within.

"Boss, this is Lin Yuan City." Jinbao whispered in Gu Yan's ear, "I heard that this place is different from other places. There are quite a few demons living in the city openly. Fox demons are the most numerous. The most famous place in the city, 'Lan Yue Lou,' is run by fox demons. Many of the girls there are foxes, and they are very beautiful!" As it spoke, its little eyes darted around.

"Fox demons living among humans?" Gu Yan raised an eyebrow. That was indeed rare. The Dragon Tiger Dynasty was founded on Taoism, with officials stationed in all directions, and the demon race was mostly suppressed. Such large-scale peaceful coexistence could only be due to the special power of this place, or there must be a deeper reason. Perhaps we could find out some news about the East Sea here.

After paying the entrance fee, they stepped into Lin Yuan City. The streets were wide, lined with shops, and pedestrians thronged the area, their cries of vendors filling the air. Sure enough, Gu Yan clearly sensed that among the passersby, one or two out of ten carried a faint demonic aura.

Most of them are relatively gentle demon races such as foxes, cats, and sparrows. Most of them have fully transformed into human form and are no different from ordinary people. A few with shallow cultivation still have furry ears or tails, but no one is surprised or alarmed, as they have obviously become accustomed to it.

"Truly a wondrous place," Gu Yan thought to himself. Following Jin Bao's directions, he headed towards Tianshui Ward, the most bustling area in the city, where Lan Yue Tower was located.

As night falls and the lanterns are lit, Lanyue Tower, a five-story wooden building with flying eaves and brackets, carved beams and painted rafters, is adorned with red lanterns. The faint sounds of string and wind instruments drift in, mingling with the scents of perfume and wine.

As Gu Yan approached the building, he felt several gazes fall upon him. Two graceful young women in green robes greeted him at the entrance. They were beautiful, with captivating eyes, and each had a fluffy orange tail swaying gently behind them—they were two fox spirits whose forms were not yet fully formed. Their gazes swept over Gu Yan, lingering for a moment on his swirling, shimmering hair, a flicker of surprise crossing their faces before they replaced it with professional, sweet smiles.

"Young master, you look unfamiliar. Is this your first time visiting our Lan Yue Pavilion? Please come in!"

Gu Yan nodded slightly and stepped into the building. The hall on the first floor was extremely spacious. In the center, on a high platform, dancers were gracefully performing to music. Below the platform, tables and chairs were set up, filled with guests of all kinds. Merchants, scholars, martial arts heroes, and demons of varying degrees of transformation mingled together, clinking glasses, joking and laughing, creating a lively atmosphere.

Gu Yan's gaze swept across the building, taking in the dense demonic aura. Looking around, he saw that most of the maids and bar girls were foxes; some swayed their tails gently, some had only fox ears, and some even possessed a subtle, alluring glint in their eyes. Many guests seemed to relish this, clearly having come specifically for this exotic charm.

His arrival attracted some attention. Although he tried his best to conceal his aura, some fox demons with keen senses still turned their attention to him. Some of the more powerful ones glanced at the knife on his back, seemingly lost in thought.

Just then, a burst of unrestrained laughter came from the largest round table on the east side of the hall.

A young man in fine clothes was surrounded by five or six exceptionally beautiful women. He was almost too handsome, with rosy lips and white teeth, and a naturally charming and dashing air about him. Holding an ivory folding fan, he was flirting with the women around him, his arms around one on each side. This caused laughter and delight throughout the table, drawing sidelong glances from guests at several nearby tables.

Noticing Gu Yan's gaze, the young master also looked up. Their eyes met, and a hint of surprise flashed in the young master's eyes. He gently closed the folding fan in his hand and whispered an instruction to a maidservant dressed in a pale yellow dress beside him.

The fox spirit nodded, gracefully walked towards Gu Yan, curtsied, and said in a sweet, gentle voice, "Young master, my master, seeing your extraordinary bearing, has specially invited you to a private room for a chat, to enjoy tea and music. Would you do me the honor?"

Gu Yan was about to ask someone for information when he saw this situation. After a moment's thought, he nodded and said, "Please lead the way."

The fox-woman smiled sweetly and led Gu Yan around the noisy hall, up the stairs, to an elegant private room on the third floor. The room was exquisitely furnished, incense was burning, and the window offered a view of the street scene below and the lights of the canal in the distance.

"Please have a seat, young master. I will go and fetch you." The fox-woman withdrew.

Gu Yan sat down by the window. Jinbao jumped off his shoulder and squatted on the table, sniffing the air. "Boss, the demonic energy here is so strong, especially that young master who invited us. His demonic power is incredible!"

"It's alright, we'll play it by ear."

A short while later, the curtain rustled softly, and the young man in brocade robes who had been downstairs entered alone, smiling and gently waving his folding fan: "Brother, I apologize for the intrusion in inviting you. My name is Bai Jin, greetings."

"Gu Yan."

Gu Yan stood up and returned the greeting with clasped hands.

Bai Jin waved her hand, indicating that there was no need for formalities, and sat down opposite Gu Yan. Her gaze swept over him, and she smiled, "Brother Gu, you look unfamiliar. Are you new to Lin Yuan? And..." Her smile deepened slightly, "Brother Gu, your aura is unique, and this sword is quite interesting. May I ask where Brother Gu comes from, and where you are going?"

"A hermit in the mountains and fields, I travel far and wide, broadening my horizons." Gu Yan said calmly, "Passing through this blessed land, I heard of many wondrous things happening on the shores of the East Sea, so I came to see for myself. You have lived here for a long time, so you must be very knowledgeable."

"The East Sea?" Bai Jin paused, a glint of surprise flashing in his eyes. "That's a good place, but also a very dangerous one. It's treacherous, teeming with monstrous beasts, and contains ancient, perilous secret realms. What does Brother Gu wish to seek in the East Sea? An opportunity? Or... a way out?"

"Why do you say that, Young Master Bai?"

Bai Jin chuckled and poured himself a cup of tea: "Brother Gu, there's no need to be nervous. I've seen many extraordinary people in my Lan Yue Lou business. Brother Gu's aura is obscure and difficult to understand, he possesses great power yet has a clear purpose, unlike ordinary travelers... It reminds me of some rumors, rumors about extraterrestrial visitors."

A visitor from outer space! This Bai Jin really does know something.

"It seems I was right? Don't worry, I have no ill intentions towards Brother Gu. On the contrary, perhaps we can exchange information. Brother Gu wants to know about the Eastern Sea Heavenly Leak, and I am very interested in the inheritance you possess. Of course, I have absolutely no covetous intentions."

Gu Yan was silent for a moment, then asked, "How does Young Master Bai intend to 'exchange resources'?"

"Simple." Bai Jin tapped his palm lightly with his folding fan. "I'll tell Brother Gu a path to the 'Misty Region Deep in the East Sea,' one of the known areas most likely to be close to the 'Heavenly Leak' phenomenon. In exchange, Brother Gu only needs to tell me whether the nourishment of this blade was done with snakes or dragons. And, Brother Gu, have you ever cultivated any special techniques related to the Yin of Time?"

Gu Yan quickly weighed his options. The path information was exactly what he needed, while the other party's question, although involving his own secrets, was not the core issue, and the other party seemed to only be seeking confirmation of some kind of speculation.

"This blade has indeed drunk the blood of a serpent and a dragon, and obtained its essence," Gu Yan said slowly. "The cultivation method I practice is also related to the aura of yin and darkness. As for whether it involves time, my cultivation is too shallow to touch upon that."

"As expected! It is... the ancient and malevolent aura hidden within the blade, and the obscure and incomprehensible aura emanating from you... Have you come into contact with the power of Zhuyin? Or something of the same origin?"

She actually named Zhuyin in one breath! Gu Yan was shocked, and his gaze towards Bai Jin suddenly sharpened.

Bai Jin realized his lapse in composure and quickly regained his composure: "Brother Gu, please don't be offended, I meant no harm. It's just... my Qingqiu Fox Clan has a long history, and ancient books have recorded some scattered legends about Zhuyin. My clan happens to have an ancient relic that is somewhat related to this kind of power, but it has never been able to be activated. Meeting Brother Gu today is truly an unexpected joy."

The Qingqiu Fox Clan? Gu Yan recalled the demon clan forces that Team Leader Wang had mentioned before.

"Young Master Bai wishes to entrust me with the task of investigating that relic?"

"Exactly." Bai Jin readily admitted, "If Brother Gu is willing to help, I can not only provide detailed sea charts and routes, but also some secret intelligence about the depths of the East China Sea. In addition, my Qingqiu Fox Clan has some industries and connections along the coast of the East China Sea, which can provide you with convenience."

"Where is the relic? Is there any risk in investigating? What do you need me to do?"

"The relics are located near Lin Yuan City, in a secret vault of my Qingqiu clan. The investigation will be led by Brother Gu. You only need to try to contact and communicate with the relics using your own aura. We will protect you from the sidelines and have no intention of forcing you. The risks... are not clearly recorded in the ancient texts, but they should not be life-threatening. At most, you may suffer a backlash or find nothing at all," Bai Jin said sincerely. "Brother Gu can come with me to the other courtyard to see the relics first before making a decision. Even if you are unwilling to try, I can give you some information from the sea charts as a token of our friendship."

Gu Yan pondered for a moment and nodded: "Alright. Let's look at the belongings first."

"Great!" Bai Jin smiled, her smile blooming like a spring flower, exuding charm and forgetting to hide it, which made Gu Yan slightly startled. She realized it herself, coughed lightly, and resumed her young master demeanor.

"We shouldn't delay, how about we go tonight? Although Lan Yue Lou is nice, it's still noisy," Bai Jin suggested.

Gu Yan said there was nothing wrong with it.

A moment later, the two left through the back door of Lan Yue Tower and boarded an inconspicuous carriage. Jin Bao slipped into Gu Yan's sleeve, and the carriage drove out of the city.

"Brother Gu, the journey to the East Sea is fraught with danger. Besides the storms and monsters, we must also be wary of the Imperial Navy and certain powerful demon forces that monopolize the route. Furthermore, in the depths of the East Sea, spacetime is often disrupted, and there are rumors of mirages appearing. It is difficult to distinguish between truth and falsehood, so we must also be extra careful."