Chapter 75: Arrival at Black Water City

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“Senior Yu, another hour, and we’ll reach Black Water City,” said Chen Tian Dong cheerfully from the front of the carriage.

Yu Zhao nodded lightly. By her calculations, they should indeed be nearing their destination.

“Senior Yu, do you have a place to stay in Black Water City? Seven days from now, there will be a large auction. Many cultivators participating will have already set out, so most inns in the city might not have any vacancies,” Chen Tian Dong remarked with a touch of concern.

Yu Zhao paused. She hadn’t considered that detail.

Seeing her silence, Chen Tian Dong quickly added with enthusiasm, “Our Chen Family reserved rooms in advance. We happen to have one extra. If Senior Yu doesn’t mind, you could stay at the same inn with us.”

Yu Zhao chuckled quietly. It was clear the extra room wasn’t accidental. Black Water City’s accommodations would be in high demand due to the auction, and prices were likely steep. This room must have been specially arranged for her.

“Thank you,” she replied simply.

“Senior Yu, there’s no need to be so polite. You saved our lives. Compared to that, one room is nothing,” Chen Tian Dong said gratefully.

Not only had she rescued them, but she’d refrained from taking their Realm-Breaking Pills, despite knowing they carried such treasures. To Chen Tian Dong, this act reflected her noble character and integrity. Having such a connection with someone like her was a stroke of fortune for him and the entire Chen Family.

…

An hour later, the convoy arrived at the city gates of Black Water City. Everyone disembarked from the carriages.

Chen Tian Dong instructed six guards to take the sweating horses to the designated parking area outside the city, while the rest lined up to enter.

Yu Zhao stood amidst the bustling crowd at the gates, watching the lively scene, and silently appreciated her luck in encountering the Chen Family’s caravan. Without them, she might have ended up stranded on the streets.

Though the line was long, the process of entering the city was swift. In less than the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, Yu Zhao and the Chen Family passed through the gates and entered Black Water City.

The city was much like other cultivation hubs Yu Zhao had visited, but the upcoming auction had amplified its activity. The streets were teeming with people, creating an atmosphere of vibrant energy and chaos.

Having been to Black Water City before, Chen Tian Dong navigated the streets with ease. They weaved through three busy avenues, turned down several smaller alleys, and finally arrived at a four-story inn.

“Senior Yu, please!” Chen Tian Dong gestured excitedly.

Yu Zhao smiled slightly and stepped into the inn first, with Chen Tian Dong following closely behind.

…

The moment they entered, several gazes fixed on them.

The innkeeper, looking apologetic, pointed toward them and said to three men, “These guests are the ones who reserved the room. I’m sorry, but we truly have no vacancies.”

The three men turned their eyes toward Yu Zhao and the others. The leader had a plain appearance and an equally unremarkable demeanor, yet his attire—from head to toe—was an extravagant display of wealth, making him look like a newly rich merchant. His two companions, likely guards or servants, scrutinized Yu Zhao and her group with arrogant expressions.

Chen Tian Dong, experienced in travel, immediately understood the situation. The innkeeper’s gesture of deflecting the issue toward them didn’t sit well with him. He stepped forward, his face cold. “Check us in.”

The innkeeper, embarrassed, chuckled nervously and was about to process their reservation when the richly dressed man coughed. One of his guards stepped forward and said, “Our master has taken a liking to your room. Name your price.”

Chen Tian Dong didn’t spare them a glance and kept his gaze firmly on the innkeeper. “Hurry up, innkeeper. My companions are waiting to rest.”

The three arrogant figures’ faces simultaneously darkened.

“Hey! Do you even know who our young master is? How dare you ignore us! Be careful, or you won’t be able to bear the consequences!”

“Exactly! Hand over the room quickly, and our young master might just let this slide. Otherwise… hmph!”

The two guards spoke in tandem, their arrogance practically dripping from their words.

Yu Zhao found the situation amusing.

Not to mention the pompous young master, even his two guards weren’t as strong as Chen Tian Dong. Yet, they dared to act so haughtily in front of them.

Besides, if they were truly as formidable as they claimed, why would they need to snatch a room at a small inn off the main street? Plenty of people would rush to serve them if they truly had power.

It seemed more likely they came from a minor family, fostering such entitled offspring.

There was no need for Yu Zhao to step in—Chen Tian Dong alone could handle them effortlessly.

“We’re not giving it up. What are you going to do about it? Draw a line, and the Chen family will stand firm!” Chen Tian Dong sneered and clapped his hands.

At his signal, members of the Chen family, who had been waiting outside, streamed into the inn, filling the spacious first floor to capacity.

Each member of the Chen family caravan had been carefully selected—burly, imposing, and exuding an overwhelming sense of pressure as they gathered.

In contrast, the three arrogant figures now looked like feeble chicks before a hawk.

“This is a misunderstanding, just a misunderstanding. Ha-ha…” The young master wiped the sweat from his forehead, bending at the waist with a forced smile.

“A misunderstanding?” Chen Tian Dong’s grin didn’t reach his eyes. “A single word to dismiss my brothers? Are you looking down on us?”

The Chen family members glared angrily, with some even licking their lips menacingly.

The arrogant young master’s expression twisted in fear as he cursed his misfortune.

Damn it! He had run into lunatics!

Initially, he had planned to bluff and secure a couple of spare rooms in this remote inn. Instead, things had gone horribly wrong.

Seeing the menacing looks directed at him, and fearing they might have designs on his tender flesh, he trembled and shouted, “I’ll pay! I’ll pay compensation!”

Chen Tian Dong burst out laughing and gave the man a hearty slap on the shoulder. “That’s the spirit!”

The arrogant young master was on the verge of tears.

…

The brief episode caused by the trio soon passed.

The innkeeper personally escorted Yu Zhao and her group upstairs to their rooms.

At Chen Tian Dong’s insistence, Yu Zhao was given the best room of all those reserved.

After resting briefly in her room, Yu Zhao left the inn and headed toward the venue of the upcoming auction.

Participating in the auction required meeting certain conditions.

First, a sufficient deposit was necessary to qualify for entry.

Second, seating at the auction came at different price tiers, with varying levels of service.

Lastly, any items won had to be paid for immediately after the event. If someone bid but failed to pay, the auction house had its own methods of ensuring compensation.

Although Yu Zhao rarely attended auctions, Su Ming often spoke about them with a sense of pride, describing the events in great detail. Over time, Yu Zhao had gained a fair understanding of how auctions operated.

The Black Water City Auction was held within a bustling marketplace.

Yu Zhao didn’t need to ask for directions. Simply following the largest crowd soon led her to the auction venue.

“What! Sold out? It’s sold out already?”

“I traveled for a whole month to get to Black Water City, and now you’re telling me there are no tickets left? What’s the meaning of this?”

“I don’t care! If you’re hosting such a large auction, you should have prepared enough tickets! You’d better find me one!”

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