Chapter 109: Qingyun Town

Twenty miles below the Qingyun Sect lies Qingyun Town.

A small street-side stall was crowded with onlookers. Sitting at a table were a man and a woman. The man was devouring his food without a shred of decorum, his entire body covered in terrifying, jagged scars. The woman, wearing a veil, sat quietly beside him. She possessed an ethereal temperament, like an immortal untouched by the dust of the mortal world, gazing at the man with a dazed expression.

"Bang!"

The man slammed his bowl onto the table and let out a long breath, revealing a face deeply marred by scars. This was Ye Wuya, accompanied by Jiang Xiaoxiao.

Amidst the stunned gazes of the crowd, he shouted, "Old man, bring me another bowl!"

"Holy crap, is this guy a monster? How can he eat so much?"

"Hey, brother, don't talk nonsense. That’s an immortal. I saw with my own eyes that he flew down from the sky!"

"Damn! Well, old man Lin is going to strike it rich. Having an immortal eat his food—his ancestors must be smiling down on him. If the immortal gives him even a little something, he’ll be set for life!"

Passersby whispered incessantly, each casting strange looks his way. This immortal was truly... uniquely ugly.

"Immortal, here is your noodles!"

A white-haired old man brought over a steaming bowl of noodles with great enthusiasm. Ye Wuya’s eyes lit up as he looked at the hand-shaved noodles on the table. He never expected to find someone in this world who knew how to make them. These were his favorite—the texture, the aroma! It tasted just like home. Ye Wuya could almost feel his mouth watering.

Though this food couldn't fill his stomach, it certainly satisfied his cravings. As for Jiang Xiaoxiao, she had long since realized the appetite of her ancestor. He had already consumed hundreds of spirit-infused fasting pills, and this bowl of noodles wasn't even worth a single one. Yet, because her ancestor had caught the scent of the noodles from high in the sky and insisted on coming down to eat, she had no choice but to accompany him.

After spending some time together, she discovered that Patriarch Ye Wuya not only lacked the airs of a high-ranking elder but was also a total foodie—a massive, bottomless foodie! It bears repeating: he was a massive foodie.

"Burp!"

Ye Wuya let out a loud, unrefined belch, still feeling as empty as if he hadn't eaten a thing.

Throughout the day, the old man kept cooking for Ye Wuya. It was his honor; their Qingyun Town was protected by the immortals of the Qingyun Sect, spared from the threat of demonic beasts. Moreover, his grandson had been chosen by the sect, which was his greatest pride. Whenever friends or relatives visited, he would boast about how his grandson would become an immortal, too.

"Immortal? Would you like more?" the old man asked respectfully, seeing Ye Wuya put down the empty bowl. His demeanor showed deep reverence for these heaven-defying, all-powerful immortals.

"Is there any left?" Ye Wuya asked with anticipation.

"Just a little!" the old man said after checking the kitchen.

"Then bring me another!"

"Right away, Immortal, just a moment!" The old man responded joyfully and scurried into the shop to cook.

Ye Wuya listened intently to the chatter of the crowd.

"Hey, have you heard? They say the immortals of the Lieyang Sect are going to fight the Qingyun Sect!"

"Is that true? Where did you hear that?"

"It must be true; I heard it too!"

"Sigh, I hope the Qingyun immortals win, otherwise there will be no one left to protect our little town..."

"It seems the Qingyun Sect has a good reputation in these parts," Ye Wuya thought with a knowing smile. But to think they were at odds with the Lieyang Sect—it seemed the Qingyun Sect was a potential ally. After all, Ye Wuya had already crossed paths with the Lieyang Sect; he had killed Lu Li, the disciple of one of their elders. That was not a grudge that could be settled with a few words.

"Haha, it seems this trip to the Qingyun Sect will be quite entertaining. I’ve never seen a sect war before!" Ye Wuya chuckled to himself.

"Immortal, if I may be so bold, are you heading to the Qingyun Sect?" A young man gathered his courage and stepped forward to ask.

"Yes, that is correct. I am headed to Qingyun," Ye Wuya nodded, glancing at the commoner. The man had no trace of spiritual energy—truly one of the countless masses.

"Then, Immortal..." The man was about to ask more, but seeing Ye Wuya raise his hand, he immediately fell silent.

Ye Wuya signaled for him to stop and said in a deep voice, "I know what you want to ask. I can tell you this: I am on the side of Qingyun!"

"Then, Immortal, is it true that Lieyang and Qingyun are going to war?" Another young man squeezed through the crowd to ask.

"Yes, it is true!" Ye Wuya nodded.

"Whoa..." The crowd erupted in chaos. Most had thought it was just a rumor, but with an immortal like Ye Wuya confirming it, the news was undeniable. They lived under the protection of the Qingyun Sect, and if the two sides clashed, they would likely become collateral damage. The immortals might be too busy fighting to care about them.

"Immortal, your noodles are ready!" the old man called out, bringing over a fresh bowl.

Ye Wuya took it and inhaled the fragrant, steaming scent with delight. He picked up his chopsticks and finished the bowl in a few bites, touching his stomach with lingering regret.

"Old man, bill please!" Ye Wuya shouted.

"No need for money, Immortal! Being able to serve you is my greatest blessing. How could I take your money? It wouldn't be right!" The old man waved his hands frantically.

"Xiaoxiao!" Ye Wuya reverted to his usual cold demeanor.

"Patriarch, I am here!" Jiang Xiaoxiao quickly stood and bowed.

"Pay the bill. Let's go! To Qingyun!" Ye Wuya said plainly.

"As you command, Patriarch," Jiang Xiaoxiao replied with her head bowed.

A blue longsword hummed, and with a "whoosh," it soared into the sky, carrying Ye Wuya away. Jiang Xiaoxiao pulled out a fist-sized, glowing stone, placed it on the table, and said to the old man, "My patriarch was very satisfied. This spirit stone is a gift for you. Pray to it daily, and it will keep you free from illness and grant you twenty extra years of life!"

With that, a gentle golden light enveloped her, making her look like a goddess descending to earth. She soared into the sky, following in Ye Wuya’s wake.

"Thank you, Immortal! Thank you for your grace!" The old man joyfully picked up the glowing spirit stone and knelt on the ground, bowing repeatedly in the direction where Jiang Xiaoxiao had vanished.