The girl's eyes lit up with surprise, then a touch of regret.
"Young master has quite the refined nose. That wine is called Golden Flame Immortal Brew. It's not on the menu, unfortunately. It's served only to special guests with ties to the restaurant owner."she said.
Xiao Wei let out a soft sigh. He was a wine lover in his previous life. Good wine was one of the few pleasures that had helped him survive. To hear that the best brew was out of reach—even now—was a minor disappointment.
"Understood. Then I'll take a seat on the first floor."Xiao Wei said calmly.
The girl bowed lightly and led him to a corner table, slightly removed from the main bustle. The table was polished and clean, the cushion comfortable. She handed him a menu, and Xiao Wei quickly selected a few dishes and a pot of the restaurant's second-best wine.
As he waited for the food, he leaned back, allowing the quiet hum of conversation to flow around him.
He wasn't here just to eat. He was here to listen.
All around, people spoke freely—about Kin City's markets, the strength of local clans, the movements of sect disciples, and other things.
Xiao Wei remained silent, sipping his wine slowly as he committed every useful detail to memory.
As Xiao Wei leisurely enjoyed his meal in the Drunken Restaurant, savoring the flavors that far surpassed anything he had tasted on the road, a familiar voice echoed in his mind.
'Brat, I want food too! And wine! I haven't tasted wine in centuries!'
Shadow Ming's voice rang out with an almost pitiful tone, as if he were a starved soul drifting in a desert.
Xiao Wei didn't even flinch. He picked up a piece of tender meat with his chopsticks, took a bite.
"Later."Xiao Wei replied in a whisper so soft it blended with the clatter of plates and conversations around him.
Shadow Ming groaned but didn't argue further—for now.
While eating, people eyes kept drifting toward the Xiao Wei in the blue robe. His handsome features, refined demeanor, and calm aura made him stand out like a crane among chickens. With his long black hair tied neatly, fair skin glowing under the lamplight, and elegant posture, he looked more like the noble son of a grand sect than a common traveler. Whispers spread, some filled with curiosity, others tinged with jealousy.
Xiao Wei paid them no mind.
He finished his food slowly, savoring every bite, then gestured for the server. When she arrived, he spoke with a faint smile.
"Pack two bottles of your best wine."Xiao Wei said.
The girl bowed respectfully, clearly treating him as an esteemed guest.
"At once, Young Master."the girl said.
Once the bottles were secured and placed carefully in the Storage Ring, Xiao Wei stood, paid the bill with a few Spirit Coins, and left the restaurant with a composed gait.
Returning to the Inn, Xiao Wei ascended the stairs to his room. He placed the wine bottles on the table and took a seat in the bed while Shadow Ming instantly come out from his shadow.
In a swirl of dark mist, Shadow Ming's figure materialized before him—tall and lean, with a blue spectral eyes.
The moment he appeared, Shadow Ming rushed to the table like a ghost starved of joy.
"Ahhh… finally!"Shadow Ming said dramatically, uncorking one of the bottles and taking a long swig straight from the mouth.
"Yes… I can taste it. Still not the same as before, but this… this is heaven compared to nothing."Shadow Ming as he gulped.
Xiao Wei smirked faintly and leaned back against the wall, folding his arms.
"Can you even get drunk in your state?"Xiao Wei asked.
Shadow Ming lowered the bottle and sighed theatrically.
"Sadly, no. Still… it's something."Shadow Ming said.
As Shadow Ming settled into the corner of the room with the wine bottle, Xiao Wei's expression turned serious. He closed his eyes, letting his mind drift back to the conversations he'd overheard earlier in the restaurant.
One topic had caught his attention above all others.
The Sword Pavilion.
He had heard whispers that one envoy from the Sword Pavilion would be arriving in Kin City within few days. Their purpose is to select talented individuals from the city's younger generation. Those chosen would be granted the opportunity to enter the Sword Pavilion's outer sect—a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for anyone seeking to rise in this world.
"Sword Pavilion…"Xiao Wei murmured.
If he joined the Sword Pavilion, they could offer him immense benefits. Resources, Cultivation Techniques and other things.
But he also knew that entering such a sect wouldn't be easy. The selection process would likely be brutal, designed to weed out the weak and test one's talent under extreme pressure.
Still, it was a tempting opportunity.
As he thought, his mind continued piecing together more of what he'd heard about Kin City.
Unlike Mo City, Kin City was not ruled by a clan. It was governed directly by a City Lord, a powerful Cultivator appointed by the Fu State, the ruling power in the region. This meant the city's authority came from the state, not from sects or family influence. The City Lord had command over the guards, taxes, and general order within Kin City.
Xiao Wei processed all of this quietly, his sharp mind sorting through every detail. He would need to navigate the city carefully. The last thing he wanted was to get caught in a conflict between factions before he had established himself.
With a deep breath, he sat cross-legged on the bed, he closed his eyes and entered a state of deep meditation.
Next day.
The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over Kin City. Its bustling streets were alive with activity—vendors shouting out their wares, merchants haggling over prices, and Cultivators roaming the markets for rare ingredients and valuable treasures. Amidst this lively scene, Xiao Wei walked calmly through the market square, his gaze scanning stalls for pill ingredients.
He was clad in a fresh blue robe that fluttered slightly with each step, his long black hair tied neatly behind his back. With a handsome face, sharp eyes, and a calm demeanor, he radiated the quiet confidence of someone both refined and dangerous. Several stall owners turned to glance at him, some curious, others cautious.
As he passed a shop selling dried herbs and alchemical roots, a sudden gasp drew his attention which sound familiar.
"Young man—wait!"
Xiao Wei turned his head, slightly narrowing his eyes.
The voice belonged to Old Ti, the Cultivator who had led the Dan Clan caravan from the outer forests to Kin City. The old man stood a few paces away, wide-eyed and stunned, staring at Xiao Wei as if seeing a ghost.
"Are you… Xiao Wei?"Old Ti asked, his tone uncertain.
A soft smile touched Xiao Wei's lips.
"What, can't you recognize me anymore, Old Ti?"Xiao Wei asked.
For a long moment, Old Ti didn't respond. His mind flashed back to the boy who had followed the caravan—a youth in torn clothes, covered in dirt and claw marks, looking more like a beggar than a Cultivator.
Yet standing before him now was someone entirely different. Regal, composed, and sharp-eyed, Xiao Wei looked like the heir of a prestigious sect, not a rogue traveler.
"Young Master Wei… forgive me. You've changed so much in just a day. I was momentarily confused."Old Ti finally said, straightening his posture and speaking with respect.
Xiao Wei nodded slightly. But he was also curious why is Old Ti's tone suddenly shifted from casual talk to formal politeness, it was not because he look different.
Old Ti clasped his hands together.
"If Young Master Wei has time, would you honor our Dan Clan with a visit? Our Matriarch would like to invite you for tea."Old Ti said politely.
Xiao Wei thought for a moment. He had planned to browse a few more stalls for ingredients, but he sensed that the invitation carried more weight than it appeared as he nodded.
"I have no pressing matters at the moment. Lead the way."Xiao Wei said.
Old Ti smiled and gestured with a respectful bow.
"This way, Young Master Wei."Old To siad and start guiding him towards the Dan Clan.
The Dan Clan estate was located on the western side of Kin City. Compared to the Xiao Clan, the Dan Clan's was little small.
Xiao Wei followed Old Ti through a tall gate bearing the Dan Clan crest—a blooming lotus. Along the way, they passed several Dan Clan members, both men and women, dressed in varying shades of green and white robes.
Xiao Wei try to sense there Cultivation but he couldn't sense the Cultivation levels of anyone around them.
Almost as if in response, Shadow Ming's voice echoed in his mind.
'Boy, you're too weak to sense there Cultivation. But I can because I was Martial King Cultivator in past. Anyway, all the people we passed just now are at the Ninth Layer of the Martial Master Realm… some are even in the Martial Grandmaster Realm. Not a single Martial Apprentice in sight.'
Xiao Wei's expression remained calm, but inwardly, he was shocked. So the Dan Clan was far more formidable than it appeared on the surface.