Mountain Venerable and Sea Immortal

Haodu City was built along the ancestral veins of Qi and Lu, and was divided into three urban districts along the central axis of the Black Bird, with a well-organized and strict layout.

The outermost perimeter is the Lower City of Wanlingfang, its streets and alleys paved with ancient bluestone slabs, their patterns imbued with millennia of spiritual energy. On both sides stand ancient-style buildings of the Eastern Yi people, their eaves soaring upwards, bronze wind chimes hanging from the corners. The residences of various local Eastern Yi forces are arranged in a row, with the Black Bird Flag of the Hao Clan and the Mountain Flag of the Hao Clan fluttering in the wind. Most of the cultivators coming and going are local Eastern Yi disciples, dressed in various ancient-style clothing, some stopping to select spiritual materials, others conversing in hushed tones. The place is bustling yet orderly, full of the vibrant atmosphere of an ancient holy city.

Lin Yan followed closely beside Master Xuanyang, his eyes brimming with excitement at his first glimpse of the ancient capital of the Eastern Yi. This was the first time he had truly left Laoshan, bidding farewell to the azure sea and green mountains he had known day and night, and stepping into this sacred city that carried the cultural heritage of the Eastern Yi for millennia.

He was dressed in a plain white Taoist robe from Laoshan Mountain. He was tall and straight, with handsome features. He exuded a gentle warmth from the mountains and seas, yet also possessed a sharpness that came from years of battle. As he walked slowly through the streets and alleys, he attracted the attention of many cultivators around him.

Master Xuan Yang looked at the inquiry in his eyes and said calmly, "I will be entering the Xuan Yun Palace to discuss important matters of the alliance with the Hao and Hao clans. This will take at least half a day and at most a day. You don't need to stay at the guesthouse and wait idly. Just wander around Wanlingfang as you like, observe and listen more, get to know your fellow Dongyi people, and experience the local ley lines and culture. That will be the best training. Remember, act according to your ability, don't be reckless, and if you are in danger, crush your protective jade talisman."

Lin Yan bowed in agreement, his mind suddenly clear. After watching Xuan Yang Zhenren and the Hao Clan steward enter the central city and disappear into the clouds in the direction of Xuan Yun Palace, he concealed his sea energy, hiding his sharp edge under a peaceful sea energy, and strolled alone through the bustling streets and alleys of the market.

The surrounding scenery was unlike anything he had ever seen before: stalls displayed spirit jade engraved with ancient Dongyi runes, exotic herbs imbued with the spiritual energy of the Qi-Lu land veins, and ancient magical artifacts with simple and rustic designs; the stone walls along the street were painted with totems of black birds, golden crows, and mountains and seas, all exuding a profound ancient heritage. The clothing, tokens, and conversations of the cultivators passing by all carried a unique Dongyi charm, completely different from the coldness of Laoshan, filling him with wonder.

As Lin Yan approached a stall filled with ancient spirit jade, he stopped. Just as his fingertips were about to touch a piece of green jade engraved with a black bird pattern, a commotion suddenly erupted from the end of the alley. Accompanied by the sound of passersby hurriedly making way, an arrogant and domineering figure charged straight at him.

It was a young man dressed in brocade robes with an arrogant face. He was obviously a spoiled brat from a noble family in Dongyi. Behind him were two servants with fierce expressions. He was clutching a shimmering white jade pendant tightly in his hand. He rudely pushed aside the pedestrians blocking his way. His eyes darted around in a panic, and he rushed straight towards Lin Yan's direction, trying to use Lin Yan as a shield.

Behind the man in the brocade robe, a graceful figure in pure white followed closely, like a gentle breeze chasing the moon.

She was a woman dressed in a simple white long dress in the ancient style of the Eastern Yi people. The fabric of the dress was as smooth as flowing clouds, and the hem and cuffs were embroidered with delicate, pale gold black bird patterns. As she moved, the gold patterns flowed, making her seem like a celestial being descended from the heavens. Her figure was slender yet upright. Her black hair was simply tied up with a mutton-fat jade hairpin, with a few wisps falling beside her cheeks and being gently stirred by the breeze. Her eyebrows and eyes were exquisitely beautiful, her nose was straight and delicate, and her lips were red and moist. Her eyes were clear as autumn water, yet they also carried a touch of the unique cold majesty of the Hao clan. Her temperament was otherworldly, possessing both the gentle beauty of a woman and the valiant and sharp spirit of a cultivator.

She held three jade-white spiritual needles between her fingers, her body radiating pure and abundant spiritual energy. Her feet lightly touched the bluestone slabs, her figure as light as a swallow, each step leaving no trace of dust. Her movements were graceful yet powerful, and the surrounding noise seemed to fall silent at that moment, with everyone's eyes involuntarily falling on her.

The rich-robed playboy, driven to desperation by the pursuit, was enraged when Lin Yan blocked his way. Accustomed to his family's power and domineering ways, he disregarded the unfamiliar cultivator. A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes as he raised his hand, gathering a meager amount of spiritual energy, and pushed it directly toward Lin Yan's heart, attempting to push him away and escape.

"Get out of my way! Don't block my way!"

Lin Yan's eyes turned slightly cold. He shifted his feet and used the Laoshan Cloud-Stepping Technique, gracefully dodging the brutal attack. The man in the brocade robe, having exerted too much force, staggered and became even more enraged.

Before his opponent could launch another attack, Lin Yan had already closed in, his right hand forming a claw, his fingertips wreathed in pure, pale blue sea energy. With lightning speed, he aimed directly at the wrist of his opponent, who was clutching the jade pendant. The man in the brocade robe was only at the early Foundation Establishment stage, relying entirely on his family background for support. His actual combat ability was extremely poor, and he hadn't expected Lin Yan to be so swift. Caught off guard, his wrist was firmly gripped.

Lin Yan gently trembled the sea of ​​energy in his palm, dissipating the spiritual power around the man's body. The man cried out in pain in his wrist, and the white jade pendant in his palm immediately slipped from his hand and flew into the air. Before the jade pendant could hit the ground, the woman in white rose into the air, her clothes fluttering as if she were a fairy in mid-air. With a light wave of her hand, she steadily caught the white jade pendant.

When she landed, her figure was light and elegant, her black hair slightly swaying, and the sharpness of her pursuit faded from her cool eyes, replaced by a touch of moved gratitude.

Seeing his treasure snatched and having suffered a loss, the man in the brocade robe roared, his voice trembling with fear, "You dare interfere in my affairs? Do you know who I am! I am a member of a collateral branch of the Hao family, and no one in Haodu dares to stop me!"

Having said that, he beckoned to his two servants behind him, and the three of them gathered their spiritual power, intending to step forward and surround Lin Yan. Seeing this, the surrounding passersby quickly gave way, unwilling to provoke this spoiled brat from the Hao family.

Lin Yan's eyes were calm. He took a step forward, and a light blue sea aura slowly spread around him. He appeared gentle but had a calm and composed aura. He directly protected the woman in white behind him. In the blink of an eye, he subdued the servants who rushed to the front. His moves were swift and decisive. He didn't exert any effort and forced the three of them to retreat repeatedly.

Seeing that he was no match for the man in the brocade robe, his face turned pale. He uttered a few polite words and then, with his servants, slunk into the crowd and fled in panic.

The fighting subsided, the surroundings returned to their usual lively state, and passersby dispersed, their gazes towards Lin Yan filled with admiration. Lin Yan slowly withdrew his spiritual power, his inner energy receding, his expression remaining calm, as if he had merely quelled a trivial dispute.

He turned around and looked at the woman in white behind him. His eyes met hers unintentionally, and his heart stirred slightly for some reason.

The woman stepped forward slowly, her beautiful features filled with gratitude. Her eyes were clear, and she looked at him with a hint of surprise. She gently smoothed her slightly disheveled hair and bowed gracefully to Lin Yan. Her voice was clear and melodious, like a spring: "Thank you for your help, fellow Daoist. I am Hao Bailian. This natal spirit jade was forcibly taken by that Hao family disciple. If it weren't for you, we would have had to go through much more trouble today."

Lin Yan immediately returned the greeting with a cupped hand, his tone clear and bright: "It was nothing, fellow Daoist, you needn't take it to heart. It's truly inappropriate that such bullying behavior exists in Haodu Market."

Upon hearing this, Hao Bailian sighed helplessly, then her gaze fell on the Laoshan Daoist robe he was wearing, her eyebrows curving slightly: "Judging from your attire, fellow Daoist, you are a cultivator from the Laoshan sect? I had previously heard my elders mention Laoshan, a renowned sect in the East Sea. Seeing you today, fellow Daoist's demeanor is indeed extraordinary."

"My name is Lin Yan. I am very pleased to greet you." Lin Yan returned the greeting with a cupped hand.

She had heard the name Lin Yan before, and a faint warmth quietly welled up in her heart. She still spoke to him gently, neither being impolite nor acting as if they were strangers. Then, she took out a jade pendant from her waist, engraved with a black bird totem. The jade pendant was smooth and lustrous, radiating a gentle ancient spiritual energy.

She raised her hand and handed the spirit pendant to Lin Yan. Her slender, jade-like fingertips accidentally touched Lin Yan's fingertips. Both of them paused slightly, and a faint warmth quietly spread between their fingertips.

"This is the royal family's pass pendant of Haodu. With this pendant, one can freely enter and exit the outer perimeter of the central city of Haodu without being subject to many checks. It can also withstand an attack from a cultivator below the Nascent Soul stage. Consider this a small gift to thank you, fellow Daoist. I hope you will accept it."

Looking into her clear and sincere eyes, Lin Yan declined slightly before accepting the spirit pendant. He ran his fingertips along the black bird pattern on the jade pendant, clearly feeling the pure spiritual energy contained within it.

As the sun set, golden rays bathed the entire street, casting a warm glow upon the two figures. The surrounding bustle of the market, the tinkling of wind chimes, and the chatter of the cultivators seemed to fade into the background. The young man was handsome, and the young woman was stunningly beautiful.

Inside the Xuan Yun Palace, the discussions among the various forces of the Eastern Barbarians were quietly underway.