Chapter Thirty-Nine: First Arrival at Yunyou City

Cloudshade City, the premier city of the Valley, built by the Yun family, was a true first-tier metropolis. It was said the Valley was ruled by four families—Lotus, Lin, Wang, and Ye—but in the face of the dominant Yun family, these four paled in comparison.

Years ago, the Yun family patriarch established his sect here, and after several generations of growth, the city gradually formed, eventually encompassing the Valley Shadow Sect within its walls. The Yun family members generally developed only within their own sect, rarely allowing their descendants to join sects outside the Valley Shadow. Only the top ten sects of the Valley would ever see Yun disciples among their ranks, for, as the saying goes, strength joins with strength—merely a political maneuver of the Yun family.

Of course, the wedding of the Valley Shadow Sect’s young master was considered a momentous event across the entire continent. Though a sect like Owe Profound Sect barely warranted the Yun family’s notice, to showcase their status as the leading sect, not only did the top hundred sects send invitations, but even lesser sects with modest power did so.

The massive airship descended slowly, landing in a vast open field outside the city. Everyone followed Wei Zhen and stepped onto the land one by one. Shen Wan glanced around; this place was several times larger than the Capital Airport, yet even so, it was already packed to the brim.

As for the vehicles—whether floating in the sky or rolling on the ground—there was every imaginable kind, bizarre and extraordinary. Lids, chamber pots, screwdrivers, even excrement—anything Shen Wan could think of, he found a counterpart in his mind’s eye. He had to admit, the people of this world had truly astonishing imaginations.

Looking back at their own airship, Shen Wan could only conclude that Owe Profound Sect was relatively normal by comparison.

Third Elder Hanshanzi shrank the airship to palm-size and tucked it into his ring.

Wei Zhen stood among the crowd, scanning the surroundings. Not far off, a short elderly figure in white, accompanied by two young children, approached them slowly.

“Elder Wei, it’s been a while,” the elder greeted, hands cupped in respect, his face wreathed in smiles.

Wei Zhen recognized him at once, hurried forward, and returned the gesture. “Elder Wen, how have you been?”

“Very well, very well!” They patted each other’s shoulders, and Wei Zhen’s smile widened so much he could barely contain it.

Shen Wan, standing behind Wei Zhen, scrutinized the elder. He was short and stooped, reminiscent of the earth god from Journey to the West, though he bore no beard, but instead had two pale blue eyebrows. It was the first time Shen Wan saw blue eyebrows, piquing his interest further. On closer inspection, he realized the elder was actually an old woman.

Seeing his senior brother so familiar with her, Shen Wan swallowed hard. “Damn, these two have a story…”

Neither introduced the people behind them. They walked and chatted, heading straight for the city gate.

Second Elder Zhang Qi shook his head with a smile, gathering everyone to follow.

Outside the city gate, crowds queued to register entry. However, Wei Zhen and his group bypassed the throng, entering through a low side door.

The white-robed elder had the children hand each person a jade token, engraved with the character “Yun.”

“This is your proof of entry, and your permit to stay within the city. Don’t lose it.”

The children’s voices were rough and hearty, startling Shen Wan. He reckoned if you judged only by their voices and not appearances, you’d think they were at least forty or fifty years old.

Carefully storing the token, he kept his distance from the two “children.”

The elder arranged for them to stay at an inn on the southern edge of Cloudshade City—not quite the city center, but bustling nonetheless.

Back in his spacious, comfortable room, Shen Wan, who had spent the past days in the sky, only wanted to stretch his legs and wander.

He carried little luggage; the few odds and ends he handed off to Lin Bufan, since everyone had storage pouches and wouldn’t be weighed down.

He tossed his large blade onto the bed, then, not quite at ease, hid the Black Demon Blade beneath the blankets before leaving.

Wei Zhen was nowhere in the inn, likely off with the old lady for some private time.

Without his senior brother’s nagging, Shen Wan enjoyed rare peace.

He coaxed Lin Bufan out, pulled along his two female bodyguards, and—without notifying the elders—set off down the street, swaggering.

Hands clasped behind his back, Shen Wan strolled the streets for the first time since arriving in this world.

Owe Profound Sect, though large, was still just a sect, but here, Shen Wan felt even Tokyo or Bianliang paled in comparison.

Buildings gleamed with gold and jade, shops overflowed with wares, and crowds wore every manner of exotic attire—everything was new and fascinating to Shen Wan.

Though he tried to appear dignified, his naivety was impossible to hide.

So much so that Zhu Qianqing, dragging Han Yuechan, deliberately lagged behind, embarrassed to be seen with him despite her status as an elder. Shame, it seemed, knew no rank.

Lin Bufan dutifully followed Shen Wan, remembering Wei Zhen’s instructions to keep an eye on his mischievous junior brother.

Wei Zhen knew his brother was trouble, but Lin Bufan admired him immensely—so as long as the junior uncle was happy, he was glad to accompany him.

The four wandered, buying knickknacks—Lin Bufan paid for everything, since Shen Wan’s spirit stones were left at home as feed for Big Dumpling.

“Bang!”

“Bring out your boss!”

As they approached a shop, an angry shout erupted from within, startling Shen Wan into reflexively leaping two meters away.

Behind him, Zhu Qianqing covered her face. “How embarrassing…”

Inside, a young man was furiously pounding the counter, berating the clerk.

But the shop clerk stood straight and replied firmly, “Our Xianbao Pavilion has been established since Cloudshade City’s founding. Ten thousand years, honest with all, young and old. Sir, please do not spread rumors.”

“Rumors? I spent eighty thousand spirit stones and got nothing! I suspect you cheated!”

“Sir, please be careful what you say. I will contact the Cloud Banner Guards and see justice done!”

The clerk’s reply was unyielding, but the young man’s anger flared.

Pointing at the clerk’s nose, he snapped, “Trying to scare me with Cloud Banner Guards? I am Gu Zhiping, young master of the Ancient Gate! My father is Gu Daobian, Elder Wen of Valley Shadow Sect is my godmother. If you know what’s good for you, return my money, or else you’ll regret it!”

At his words, the clerk’s brows furrowed.

Ancient Gate, ranked fourth among the Valley’s top ten sects, was led by Gu Daobian, a mid-stage soul master of terrifying strength, and connected closely to many Valley Shadow Sect leaders.

A bead of sweat broke on the clerk’s brow. Though their shop was ancient, their status was low.

Even if the owner had ties to Valley Shadow Sect, could those ties compare to the Ancient Gate’s master?

His once-straight posture sagged, his throat went dry.

In the end, choosing peace over trouble, the clerk’s expression morphed into a strained smile.

Though the smile was forced, he chuckled, “Please calm yourself, sir. I failed to recognize your greatness and offended you. Please forgive me. I’ll count your spirit stones right away.”

His attitude flipped instantly; though the sycophancy was nauseating, Gu Zhiping found it pleasing.

He nodded in satisfaction, hands folded behind his back, and said arrogantly, “Hurry up, I’m busy.”

“Yes, yes!” The clerk replied hurriedly, about to count the spirit stones, when out of the corner of his eye he spotted a shadowy figure, hunched and eavesdropping on the steps outside.

Shen Wan, clad in a black robe, simply wanted to hear what the fuss was about—after all, he’d been startled and thought a little curiosity was harmless.

But the clerk’s pause caught Gu Zhiping’s attention; he raised a brow and followed the clerk’s gaze.

Their eyes met.

Shen Wan felt awkward, intending to retreat.

But upon seeing Gu Zhiping’s face, he recoiled another two meters in shock.

“Damn! Why do you have three eyes?!”

Gu Zhiping’s brows tightened. “Three eyes? Is that so strange?”

Feeling mocked for his appearance, his anger reignited. The Xianbao Pavilion issue was unresolved, and now this fool appeared. His temper flared anew.

Shen Wan had never seen someone like this. Back on Earth, he knew of the deity Yang Jian, but that was just TV makeup.

But this guy…

Zhu Qianqing pulled Han Yuechan farther back, unwilling to be associated with Shen Wan’s embarrassment.

“Who are you?” Gu Zhiping’s voice was low, clearly angry, and four guards appeared instantly around him.

Lin Bufan stepped in front of Shen Wan.

Tension snapped; both sides were on edge.

Shen Wan had no intention of causing trouble; he only wanted to watch, but now he’d angered someone.

Still, as an elder of his sect, to run away would disgrace his master.

Granted, his master had little sense of shame anyway.

Shoving aside Lin Bufan, Shen Wan stepped forward, raised his head, and said with disdain:

“My father is Shen Dabao, the First Blade of Jianming Street!”