Chapter 1208 Within Qingyang City

The city gates of Qingyang City slowly closed behind us, causing the gilded patterns of the two characters "Qingyang" on the lintel to gleam slightly.

The scene inside the city gate was completely different from that outside the city—the ten-zhang-wide bluestone road was polished smooth as jade by the hooves of the spirit rhinoceros beast, and the glass wind chimes hanging from the eaves of the pavilions on both sides would attract the surrounding spiritual energy when they swayed in the wind, emitting a buzzing sound similar to the operation of low-level talismans.

Among the passersby, there were ordinary people carrying loads of spirit rice and selling them, as well as cultivators with flowing robes and refined auras. You could even see demonic beasts covered in scales chained up, obediently following behind their masters, clearly having undergone special training.

“Master, Qingyang City is one of the most prosperous cities within a thousand miles. The three major families have been operating here for over a hundred years, and their foundations are extremely deep.” Su Qingyao followed beside Liu Yang, her voice extremely low, but her gaze subtly swept across the shadowy corner of the street—where several hidden spiritual senses were scanning them, clearly the follow-up surveillance of the city gate guards. She secretly made a concealment gesture with her fingertips, but was frozen in place by a sudden look from Liu Yang.

"Stop with your petty schemes." Liu Yang's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable air of authority. "In Qingyang City, my spiritual sense is more effective than the protective formations of the three major families. If you dare to hold back again, you know the consequences."

Su Qingyao's heart skipped a beat. She quickly dispersed the spiritual energy at her fingertips, lowered her eyelids, and dared not move again. She had indeed intended to use the fluctuations of the Concealing Breath Technique to send a message to her old subordinates whom she was secretly contacting—her last hope of escaping Liu Yang's control. However, she hadn't expected to be discovered as soon as she made a move. She secretly glanced at Liu Yang and saw that his gaze remained fixed on the street ahead, seemingly unconcerned about the surrounding surveillance. Her apprehension grew even stronger: Just how wide was this man's spiritual sense range?

The two walked along the main street and soon came to a crossroads. In the center of the crossroads stood a tall white jade stele, on which were engraved the divisions of Qingyang City: "East Market Weapon Shop," "West Market Pill Pavilion," "Northern Region Family District," and "Southern Region Mortal District." The streets in the northern region were noticeably wider, and the cultivators passing by were of higher cultivation levels. Occasionally, one could see guards in uniform passing by in formation, their waist tokens engraved with the characters "Zhao," "Li," and "Wang."

"Let's go to Baibaoge first." Liu Yang withdrew his gaze and headed straight for the west side of the street. He remembered that Su Qingyao had mentioned that Baibaoge was the largest intelligence trading point in Qingyang City. Although it was not backed by any major family, it was so well-regulated and had such good intelligence that even the three major families had to give it some face.

As soon as they reached the entrance of the Treasure Pavilion, two shop assistants dressed in gray came up to them with perfectly timed smiles: "Are you two here to make a transaction? Please come upstairs. Our Treasure Pavilion has top-quality magical artifacts and pills. If you need any information, there are also people on the third floor who will assist you."

Liu Yang didn't speak, but simply tossed out a mid-grade spirit stone. The spirit stone traced an arc in the air and landed precisely in the waiter's hand. The waiter weighed it for a moment, then his eyes lit up: "Fellow Daoist is so generous! Please come to the private room on the third floor. I'll go and fetch the intelligence chief right away."

Su Qingyao followed Liu Yang upstairs, her steps hesitant. She had been to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion several times and knew that the intelligence officer on the third floor was an old man of unfathomable cultivation, rumored to be able to uncover even the secrets of the three major families. If Liu Yang were to actually obtain information about the Ice Thunder Token from here, her usefulness would likely be greatly reduced—would Liu Yang then simply kill her?

As soon as the two entered the private room on the third floor, footsteps sounded outside the door. An elderly man with white hair and beard walked in carrying a tea tray, placed the teacup on the table, and cupped his hands, saying, "I am Bai Song. May I ask what kind of information you wish to inquire about?" The old man's gaze lingered on Liu Yang for a moment, then swept over Su Qingyao, a subtle glint of something unusual flashing in his eyes, but he did not ask any further questions.

"What unusual activities have the three major families of Qingyang City, especially the Zhao family, been making lately?" Liu Yang picked up his teacup, his fingertips gently tracing the rim. "Also, what do you know about the 'Ice and Thunder Token'?"

Bai Song paused for a moment while holding the teacup, then smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist, your question is quite direct. The three major families have indeed been quite turbulent lately. The Zhao family transported a batch of cold iron from the far north last month, supposedly to forge high-grade magic weapons; the Li family is secretly contacting smaller families in the surrounding area, seemingly expanding their influence; the Wang family is the most low-key, with their patriarch, Wang Xiong, not leaving his residence for almost a month. As for the Ice Thunder Token..."

The old man changed the subject, lowering his voice slightly: "I've only heard rumors that the Ice Thunder Token is the key to opening the ancient secret realm. It appeared in the hands of the Zhao family's ancestor decades ago, and then disappeared without a trace. However, just three days ago, the Zhao family suddenly increased the number of guards to watch over the forbidden area, and even family members were not allowed to approach. It might be related to the Ice Thunder Token."

Liu Yang twitched his fingertips slightly and took out another mid-grade spirit stone, placing it on the table: "I also need to know the location of the Zhao family's forbidden area, as well as the cultivation level of the Zhao family elders."

Bai Song glanced at the spirit stones on the table, a hint of greed flashing in his eyes, but he still shook his head: "Fellow Daoist, it's not that I don't want to sell them to you, but the location of the Zhao family's forbidden area is a top secret. If I were to leak it, the Hundred Treasures Pavilion would be in trouble. As for the cultivation levels of the Zhao family elders, I can tell you—the First Elder Zhao Qian is at the peak of the late Foundation Establishment stage, the Second Elder Zhao Kun is at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, and the Third Elder Zhao Yun is at the early Foundation Establishment stage. These three are the core fighting force of the Zhao family."

Just then, a commotion suddenly erupted outside the private room, followed by the waiter's exclamation: "Young Master Li, you can't barge in! There are guests inside..."

"Get out of the way!" A haughty voice rang out, and the door to the private room was suddenly pushed open. A young man in a brocade robe walked in with four guards. His gaze fell directly on Su Qingyao, and his eyes widened instantly: "What a beautiful fairy! May I ask your name? Would you like to come back to the Li Mansion with me? I guarantee you will enjoy all the riches and honors."

Su Qingyao's expression changed, and she instinctively hid behind Liu Yang. She recognized this young man—Li Hao, the third young master of the Li family, a notorious lecher who, relying on the Li family's power, ran rampant in Qingyang City, and many cultivators had suffered at his hands.

Liu Yang put down his teacup, looked up at Li Hao, and said coldly, "Get out."

Li Hao shuddered at Liu Yang's gaze, then reacted angrily, roaring, "Who do you think you are? How dare you speak to me like that! Men, cripple this brat and take the fairy back with you!"

The four guards immediately drew their long swords, channeling their spiritual energy into the blades, and lunged at Liu Yang. These guards were all at the late stage of Qi Refining, considered experts by ordinary people, but they were like ants before Liu Yang. Liu Yang didn't even get up; he simply raised his hand, and an invisible wave of spiritual energy transformed into a shockwave, instantly sending the four guards flying, crashing into the wall and knocking them unconscious.

Li Hao turned pale with fright, took several steps back, and pointed at Liu Yang, saying, "You...you dare to hit someone from my Li family? My father will not let you get away with this!"

"Shut up." Liu Yang frowned slightly, then unleashed another burst of spiritual energy, silencing Li Hao and freezing him in place. Having done this, he looked at Bai Song, his tone flat: "Is the rule of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion to prevent guests from being disturbed?"

Bai Song, sweating profusely, hurriedly said, "Fellow Daoist, please calm down. I will handle this immediately." He stepped forward to release Li Hao's restraints, but whispered a few words in Li Hao's ear. Li Hao's angry eyes immediately turned into fear. He glanced at Liu Yang and scrambled away.

Watching this scene, Su Qingyao grew increasingly puzzled: What did Bai Song say to Li Hao? Why was Li Hao suddenly afraid?

Liu Yang seemed to see through her thoughts, but he didn't press her for details. Instead, he said to Bai Song, "Continue. Is there anything unusual near the Zhao family's forbidden area?"

Bai Song composed himself and said, “There is one unusual thing. The Zhao family’s forbidden area is located in Luoxia Mountain in the north of the city. At the foot of the mountain, there is a medicinal garden belonging to the Li family. Three days ago, the medicinal garden was suddenly sealed off by the Li family, who said they wanted to cultivate new varieties of spiritual herbs. However, when I sent people to investigate, there was no movement at all in the medicinal garden. It was more like they were monitoring something.”

"The Li family is monitoring the Zhao family's forbidden area?" Liu Yang raised an eyebrow; this was an unexpected discovery. The three major families have always been at odds. Could the Li family be also eyeing the Ice and Thunder Token?

Just then, Su Qingyao suddenly spoke up: "Master, I remembered something. Three years ago, I saw in an ancient book that there was more than one entrance to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Prison, one of which was near Luoxia Mountain. The Ice and Thunder Token is actually the key to control the entrance, not the key to open the secret realm."

Liu Yang looked at Su Qingyao with a scrutinizing gaze: "Why didn't you say so before?"

Su Qingyao quickly said, "I only remembered it when I heard about Luoxia Mountain! Ancient books also say that there is poisonous miasma of ice and fire in the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Prison. If you don't have the corresponding antidote, you will definitely die if you go in."

Upon hearing the words "Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Prison," Bai Song's expression changed drastically, and he abruptly stood up: "Fellow Daoist, you...you're looking for the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Prison?"

Liu Yang didn't answer, but just stared at Bai Song: "Do you know about the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Prison?"

Bai Song gave a wry smile, sat back in his chair, and said in a solemn tone, "When I was young, I went to the far north once and saw a record in an ancient ruin. The Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Prison is a sealed place from ancient times, where a giant ice and fire beast is sealed. If it is released, the entire Qingyang City will be doomed. The heads of the three major families have all known about this, so they have been working together to monitor Luoxia Mountain to prevent anyone from accidentally entering."

"A sealed behemoth?" Liu Yang frowned slightly. This was completely different from what Su Qingyao had said about a "secret treasure realm." Who was lying?

Su Qingyao's face turned pale, and she hurriedly said, "Master, I really only saw records of 'secret treasures' in ancient books, and I don't know about the seal! What Bai Song said might be false; he might be trying to stop you from going to find the Ice Thunder Token!"

Bai Song shook his head and said, "Fairy, there's no need to argue. Whether what I said is true or false, you only need to go to Luoxia Mountain to find out. The Li family sealed off the medicine garden probably because they have sensed something. Perhaps the Zhao family is already trying to open the entrance to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Prison."

Liu Yang was silent for a moment, then suddenly raised his hand, and a wisp of spiritual energy landed on Bai Song's shoulder: "If you dare to lie to me, there's no need for the Hundred Treasures Pavilion to exist." After saying that, he stood up and said to Su Qingyao: "Let's go to Luoxia Mountain."

Su Qingyao's heart tightened, but she dared not refute, and could only follow Liu Yang's footsteps. Looking at Liu Yang's back, she was filled with unease: Was what Bai Song said true? If there really was a giant beast in the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Prison, would Liu Yang use her as bait after opening the entrance? And what exactly did Bai Song say to Li Hao just now?

The two walked out of the store and had just turned the corner when they saw a dark figure emerge from the shadows—it was the same shop assistant from before. The assistant handed Liu Yang a slip of paper and whispered, "This is from Manager Bai. He said it would be useful to you."

Liu Yang took the note, unfolded it, and read the two lines written on it: "The Li family's medicine garden has a secret passage that leads directly to the Zhao family's forbidden area. Li Hao was intimidated by me with the matter of the 'Ice and Fire Beast' and will definitely report to Li Hong. Fellow Daoist, you can use the Li family's power to investigate the Zhao family."

Su Qingyao leaned closer and saw the contents of the note, her expression completely changing: Bai Song was actually helping Liu Yang? Why would he do that? Could there be some unknown grudge between Baibaoge and the three major families?

Liu Yang crumpled the note, a cold smile playing on his lips. He had initially thought it was just a simple treasure hunt, but he hadn't expected it to involve so many things—the Li family spying on the Zhao family, Bai Song secretly helping them, and that so-called "Ice and Fire Beast." It seemed that Qingyang City was far more complicated than he had imagined.

"Master, are we still going to Luoxia Mountain?" Su Qingyao asked cautiously.

Liu Yang shook his head: "I'm not going. I need to find a place to stay first." He needed time to sort through this information, and more importantly, to figure out who was lying—Su Qingyao or Bai Song. And what about the Li family? If, as the note said, Li Hong knew about the "Ice and Fire Beast," would he come looking for him?

The two arrived at a restaurant called "Qingyun Inn" and were about to go in when they saw a familiar figure come out from inside—it was the guard captain who had made things difficult for them at the city gate earlier!

The guard captain also saw Liu Yang, his expression changed drastically, and he turned to run, but Liu Yang used a burst of spiritual power to freeze him in place.

"Captain, what a coincidence?" Liu Yang walked over, patted the guard captain on the shoulder, his tone calm but tinged with coldness, "Just now at the city gate, you said you would 'treat us well,' now, it's time to keep your promise, isn't it?"

The guard captain was terrified and immediately begged for mercy: "Fellow Daoist, spare my life! I was blind and didn't recognize your greatness. Please, Fellow Daoist, have mercy and let me go!"

Watching this scene, Su Qingyao suddenly had a thought: Liu Yang never intended to let this guard captain go from the beginning. He deliberately waited until now to make his move. Was he planning to extract information from the guard captain in advance?

Liu Yang ignored the guard captain's pleas for mercy and simply said to Su Qingyao, "Take him to the inn's room. I have some questions for him." After saying that, he walked straight into the inn, leaving Su Qingyao and the trembling guard captain standing there.

Su Qingyao looked at the guard captain, then glanced in the direction of the inn, her heart filled with doubt: What exactly does Liu Yang want to do? It seems that from the moment he stepped into Qingyang City, he laid an invisible net, and everyone was in his calculations.