Courtyard Check-in: Starting with a Small World of Cultivation

April 30th, 5:30 AM, Beijing Railway Station.

As dawn broke, a number of travelers had already gathered in the station square. Farmers carrying loads on shoulder poles, workers with luggage on their backs, cadres in Zhongshan suits, and a few blond-haired, blue-eyed foreigners were all present. The whistles of steam locomotives echoed through the morning mist, and the air was filled with the mixed smells of coal smoke and cooking oil from breakfast stalls.

Chen Yu stood at the entrance of platform three, carrying a canvas bag. Today, he was wearing a slightly worn blue overall and a liberation cap, looking like an ordinary worker on a business trip. The bag contained a few changes of clothes, dry food, a water bottle, and important items: the Demon-Slaying Sword (disguised as a wooden stick), various talismans and pills, Seven-Star Communication Talismans, and three "Invisibility Talismans" hastily made by Jingxu.

"Chen Yu." A cold voice came from behind.

Turning around, Ye Gucheng had already arrived. This swordsman from the East Sea Sword Sect was wearing a gray Zhongshan suit today, but it still couldn't hide his sharp and piercing aura. He carried a long, rectangular cloth bag, which clearly contained his sword.

"Senior Ye." Chen Yu clasped his hands in greeting.

"Wen Ruoxu hasn't arrived yet?" Ye Gucheng frowned, clearly disliking waiting.

As soon as he finished speaking, Wen Ruoxu walked out from the crowd, waving a folding fan. This middle-aged Confucian scholar from Tingtao Academy was wearing a blue long gown with a black mandarin jacket over it today, looking like a schoolteacher from an old era.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, both of you." Wen Ruoxu smiled. "I just bought a copy of the Tianjin Daily outside the station. You can read the news on the way."

The three of them had their tickets checked and entered the station. The train bound for Tianjin was a green-skinned hard-seat carriage, and the carriage was packed with people. Their seats were in the middle of the carriage, and opposite them sat two elderly women who were also going to visit relatives in Tianjin, chatting away.

The train slowly started moving, and the street scenes of Beijing outside the window gradually receded. Looking at the familiar hutongs, gray walls, and locust trees, Chen Yu suddenly felt a pang of reluctance. His trip to Tianjin was uncertain, and his wife and children were waiting for him at home.

"Young friend Chen seems to have something on his mind?" Wen Ruoxu put down his newspaper, his eyes sharp.

"It's nothing, just a bit curious since it's my first time in Tianjin," Chen Yu said, trying to cover it up.

Ye Gucheng closed his eyes to rest, but Chen Yu could sense that the swordsman's spiritual awareness was constantly being released, alert to any movement around him.

As the train left Beijing, the view outside the window transformed into fields of farmland. In late April, the winter wheat on the North China Plain had already turned green, and a few peach trees were dotted among the fields in bloom.

"Tell me the plan," Ye Gucheng suddenly opened his eyes. "What will we do after we get to Tianjin?"

Wen Ruoxu took out a hand-drawn map from his pocket and spread it on the small table: "Tianjin Port is divided into the new port and the old port. The cargo ship of the Tiandao Alliance should be docked at the No. 3 pier of the new port, which is a foreign trade terminal and is relatively less managed. My people have already found out that the ship is the Panamanian-flagged 'Starfish,' and it is nominally transporting 'industrial equipment.'"

"When exactly will it arrive in port?"

"It's 3 PM today. The unloading time should be after 8 PM, when there are fewer dockworkers, making it easier for them to tamper with the cargo."

Chen Yu looked at the map. Pier No. 3 was located in a remote area, surrounded by warehouses, which was indeed suitable for a covert operation.

"How do we get in?"

"I have a way." Wen Ruoxu put away the map. "Tingtao Academy has a branch in Tianjin, and the dean is my senior brother. He can help us get work permits from the port authority so we can enter the dock under the guise of security checks."

"Is it reliable?" Ye Gucheng asked.

"Absolutely reliable," Wen Ruoxu said confidently. "My senior brother doesn't know anything about the cultivation world; he just thinks we're investigating smuggling."

The train arrived at Tianjin Station at nine o'clock in the morning. Stepping out of the station, Chen Yu immediately felt the difference between this port city and Beijing—the air was more humid and carried the smell of the sea; the streets were more crowded, with rickshaws, bicycles, and cars mixed together; the architectural styles were also more mixed, with Western-style buildings and traditional Chinese courtyards coexisting.

Wen Ruoxu led the two into a tricycle: "To Quanyechang."

Quanyechang was the commercial center of Tianjin, a six-story French-style building surrounded by shops and bustling with people. The three of them sat down in a private room on the second floor of a nearby teahouse, which served as the Tianjin liaison point for Tingtao Academy.

"My senior brother will be here soon." Wen Ruoxu ordered a pot of Biluochun tea. "Let's have some tea and rest first."

The tea had just been brewed when the door to the private room opened, and an elderly man in his fifties, wearing round glasses, walked in. He was dressed in a gray long gown and carrying a briefcase; he looked like an ordinary intellectual.

"Ruoxu, who are these two...?"

"This is Comrade Chen Yu, and this is Comrade Ye Gucheng. They are both from Beijing," Wen Ruoxu introduced. "This is my senior, Li Wenqing, the dean of the Tianjin branch."

Li Wenqing shook hands with the two men and sat down opposite them: "Ruoxu mentioned in his letter that you wanted to investigate smuggling at the port?"

"Yes," Chen Yu replied. "We suspect a shipment of contraband is about to enter the country through Pier 3, and we need to go in and take a look."

Li Wenqing adjusted his glasses: "Pier No. 3 is a foreign trade terminal, and the management is very strict. However... I have a student who works at the port authority, and he can help you get temporary work permits. But you can only stay at the pier for a maximum of two hours; staying any longer will arouse suspicion."

"Two hours is enough," Ye Gucheng said.

"Okay, I'll make the arrangements right away." Li Wenqing stood up. "You guys rest here for now, I'll come pick you up at two o'clock this afternoon."

After Li Wenqing left, Wen Ruoxu whispered, "My senior brother is just an ordinary person and doesn't know anything about the cultivation world. So when we take action later, try not to reveal your cultivation level in front of him."

"clear."

At 2 p.m., Li Wenqing returned on time, bringing three work permits and three sets of port authority uniforms.

"Your work badges identify you as security inspectors. Change into your uniforms and come with me to the dock. Remember, keep quiet and just follow me."

The three changed into dark blue uniforms and put on work hats. Chen Yu's Demon-Slaying Sword was wrapped in cloth and hidden inside his uniform. Ye Gucheng's sword was disguised as a measuring tool.

Tianjin Port is about 20 kilometers from the city center, a half-hour drive away. Along the way, Li Wenqing described the situation at the dock: "Pier No. 3 mainly handles loading and unloading machinery; there aren't many workers there usually. This afternoon, a Panamanian-flagged ship will indeed be docking; its name is 'Starfish'."

"What is the ship owner's background?" Wen Ruoxu asked.

"It's registered as a Hong Kong trading company, but the actual controller is unknown." Li Wenqing lowered his voice. "The port authority said that this ship has come three times in the past six months, each time carrying 'industrial equipment,' but no one has ever seen what the equipment is."

Suspicious. Chen Yu and Ye Gucheng exchanged a glance.

As the car arrived at the dock, a huge gantry crane, mountains of containers, and forklifts shuttling back and forth came into view. The sea breeze was stronger, carrying a heavy smell of engine oil mixed with seawater.

Li Wenqing showed his identification, and the gatekeeper let him through. The three of them followed him into the dock area.

Pier No. 3 is located on the westernmost side of the dock area and is relatively secluded. When they arrived, the "Starfish" had already docked. It was a 10,000-ton cargo ship with rust on its hull, looking quite old.

On deck, several crew members were busy at work. Chen Yu quietly extended his spiritual sense, and his heart tightened—these crew members were no ordinary people! The lowest among them was at least at the third level of Qi Refining, and two of them had even reached the sixth level of Qi Refining!

They really are from the Heavenly Alliance!

"Dean Li, what brings you here?" A middle-aged man in a captain's uniform disembarked from the ship and greeted him with a smile. The man had a ruddy complexion and a friendly smile, but Chen Yu could sense that he was a cultivator at the seventh level of Qi Refining!

"Captain Wang, these three are safety inspectors from Beijing. They are here to conduct a routine inspection of the cargo," Li Wenqing said in a businesslike manner.

A strange glint flashed in Captain Wang's eyes, but he quickly regained his smile: "Welcome, welcome! But the cargo hasn't started unloading yet; it'll have to wait until 8 PM."

"We can take a look at the cargo hold first," Ye Gucheng said coldly.

"This...isn't that against the rules?" Captain Wang said with difficulty. "The cargo hold is currently sealed and can only be opened when the customs officers arrive."

Just then, Chen Yu's spiritual sense suddenly detected a strange energy fluctuation deep within the cargo hold! The fluctuation was cold and powerful, definitely not ordinary cargo!

"Then let's wait until tonight," Wen Ruoxu suddenly said. "Dean Li, let's go back first and come back tonight."

Captain Wang breathed a sigh of relief: "Alright, I'll be waiting for you all here at eight o'clock tonight."

After leaving the dock and getting back into the car, Li Wenqing asked, puzzled, "What's wrong? Weren't we supposed to be doing an inspection?"

"We've discovered some problems and need to prepare," Wen Ruoxu said vaguely. "Senior brother, you should go back first; we'll handle it ourselves tonight."

Although Li Wenqing was puzzled, he didn't ask any further questions. He left the car with them and took the bus back to the city.

Inside the car, the three remained silent for a moment.

"The things in the cargo hold are not simple," Ye Gucheng said first. "I can sense the fluctuations of at least three magical artifacts, and... the smell of blood."

"I sensed it too," Chen Yu nodded. "And all those crew members were cultivators."

"It seems the Heavenly Alliance is transporting something very important this time," Wen Ruoxu pondered. "They'll definitely be on high alert when we unload at 8 PM. We need to find a way to sneak in."

"Fake Man Number One," Chen Yu mentally connected the dots, "Any discoveries near the docks?"

"Master, there are at least fifteen members of the Heavenly Dao Alliance scattered around the dock. In addition, there are two Qi Refining Level 8 experts in the dock's office building; they should be their leaders."

"Can't we find out exactly what's in the cargo hold?"

"It's difficult. The cargo hold is shielded by an array, so spiritual sense can't penetrate it. But judging from the energy fluctuations, it might be... a living thing."

A living creature? Chen Yu's heart sank. What kind of living creature was the Heavenly Dao Alliance transporting?

At 5 p.m., the three of them found a small hotel near the pier to stay in. The room was on the third floor, with a window facing the pier, allowing them to observe the situation.

Wen Ruoxu took out a small telescope from his bag and began observing the movements of the "Starfish". Ye Gucheng sat cross-legged on the bed, wiping his sword. Chen Yu entered his small world and seized the time to cultivate.

At seven o'clock in the evening, the sky gradually darkened. The lights on the dock gradually came on, and searchlights were also turned on around the "Starfish". Chen Yu saw a new group of people coming to the dock. They were all dressed in workers' clothes, but their movements were agile, and they were obviously people from the Heavenly Dao Alliance in disguise.

"It's about to begin." Wen Ruoxu put down his binoculars. "How do we get in?"

"I have a way." Chen Yu took out three invisibility talismans from his pocket. "These are invisibility talismans, they can last for fifteen minutes. We'll use them to blend in."

Ye Gucheng took the talisman and examined it carefully: "It's well-made. Did you draw it?"

"It was painted by Master Jingxu."

At 7:30, the three left the hotel and quietly arrived at the outer perimeter of the dock. After using invisibility talismans, their figures gradually became transparent and finally disappeared into the night.

"Stay close to me," Chen Yu whispered, and took the lead in climbing over the wall.

While remaining invisible, the three swaggered towards Pier No. 3. Several patrolling members of the Heavenly Alliance encountered along the way, but none of them noticed them.

Unloading has begun in the cargo hold. Several "workers" are carrying wooden crates out of the hold; the crates are not large, but they look heavy. The crates are sealed with tape that reads "Precision Instruments".

But Chen Yu's spiritual sense could perceive that what was emanating from the box was not the coldness of machinery, but... the fluctuations of life! Moreover, those fluctuations were filled with violence and pain!

"Open one and take a look," Ye Gucheng transmitted his voice.

The three men quietly approached a wooden crate that had just been unloaded. The crate was placed on a flatbed cart, and two guards were stationed around it.

Chen Yu gestured to Wen Ruoxu to draw attention away from the crowd. Wen Ruoxu understood, picked up a stone, and threw it into the distance.

"What's that sound?" A guard turned around alertly.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Ye Gucheng quickly pried open a corner of the wooden crate. What peeked through the crack wasn't mechanical parts, but... a blood-red eye!

Those eyes were filled with madness and pain, and the pupils were eerie vertical pupils, unlike human eyes!

Ye Gucheng's expression changed, and he immediately closed the wooden box. But it was too late—a low roar came from inside the box!

"Who?!" The guard turned around immediately.

They've been exposed! Chen Yu made a decisive decision: "Retreat!"

The three turned and ran. But suddenly more lights came on around the dock, and more than a dozen figures emerged from the shadows, surrounding them!

Leading the group was an elderly man with white hair, dressed in a black Tang suit, and carrying a dragon-headed cane. His cultivation level was—Ninth level of Qi Refining!

"The three of you, now that you're here, don't be in such a hurry to leave." The old man's smile was sinister. "I am Zhao Wuji, a protector of the Heavenly Dao Alliance, and I have been waiting for you for a long time."

Zhao Wuji! Protector of the Heavenly Alliance!

Chen Yu's heart sank. They'd fallen for a trap! It was a snare!

Ye Gucheng drew his sword, its blade gleaming like snow: "If you want to fight, then fight!"

Wen Ruoxu also put away his folding fan and took out a judge's pen from his sleeve.

Chen Yu gripped the Demon-Slaying Sword, unleashing his full spiritual power. Although his cultivation at the eighth level of Qi Refining was insufficient against Zhao Wuji, he had no way out at this moment.

Zhao Wuji laughed: "Commendable courage. But...did you think I had prepared just these people?"

He clapped his hands. From the cargo hold came a cacophony of screams! Wooden crates burst open, and twisted figures crawled out—

Those were half-human, half-beast monsters! Some had wolf heads and human bodies, some were covered in scales, and some had fleshy wings on their backs! Their eyes were blood red, their mouths were drooling, and they emitted inhuman howls!

"A demonized human!" Wen Ruoxu exclaimed in shock. "The Heavenly Dao Alliance is actually researching this!"

A demonized human is a monster created by implanting the bloodline of a demon beast into a human body. It possesses the power of a demon beast and the intelligence of a human, and is a forbidden technique among forbidden techniques in the cultivation world!

Zhao Wuji said smugly, "These are the first batch of finished products. Today, let's use your blood to test their power."

With a wave of his hand, more than a dozen demonic beings pounced on the three of them!

At the same time, sirens suddenly sounded outside the dock! More than a dozen military vehicles rushed into the dock, and fully armed soldiers jumped out of the vehicles!

Yang Jianguo got out of a jeep, holding a megaphone: "Listen up, you inside! You are surrounded! Drop your weapons and surrender!"

Officials have arrived too!

The situation instantly turned into a three-way battle!

Chen Yu cleaved aside an oncoming demon with a single sword strike and shouted to Ye Gucheng and Wen Ruoxu, "Take advantage of the chaos and run!"

But Zhao Wuji had already locked onto him: "Chen Yu, you're not getting away today!"

The old man's figure flashed, appearing in front of Chen Yu like a ghost, and struck out with a palm!

The power contained in this palm strike was terrifying; the air exploded wherever the palm wind passed!

Chen Yu unleashed a full-force sword strike!

"clang--!"

Amidst a deafening crash, Chen Yu was sent flying backward, slamming into a shipping container and spitting out a mouthful of blood!

A strike from a ninth-level Qi Refining expert was simply beyond his ability to withstand!

Zhao Wuji approached with a sinister grin: "Hand over the Seven Star Key, and I'll spare your life..."

Before he could finish speaking, a streak of azure sword light descended from the sky, aiming straight for Zhao Wuji's back!

It's Jingxu! He actually came!

At the same time, a Buddhist chant could be heard from afar: "Amitabha!"

Master Liaokong appeared at the entrance of the dock!

The monk Huiming's loud laughter rang out: "Here I am! You bastards of the Heavenly Dao Alliance, take this beating from my staff!"

The Seven Star Alliance's reinforcements have arrived!

But Chen Yu's consciousness was already fading. His last sight was: Zhao Wuji's furious face, Jingxu's anxious eyes, and... a huge black shadow rising from the sea...

What is that...?

Darkness engulfed him.