Chapter 12: Another Big Event?

  Pingjiang Prefecture—one of the most prosperous cities in the Rudy Kingdom—was still abze with lights even deep into the night. Colorful shop signs flickered under the glow of countless nterns. The air buzzed with merchants shouting their wares, the lively chatter of pedestrians, and the constant rattle of carriage wheels over stone streets. It seemed this city never truly slept.

  The streets bustled with people—nobles dressed in splendor, smiling merchants bargaining, and countless commoners strolling leisurely. Laughter often drifted through the night air, mingling with the scent of roasted food and fragrant tea.

  Seated inside the carriage, Xu Sanbao gazed out at the lively streets, her heart filled with awe. This city was even more vibrant than she had imagined—so different from the heavy, ancient atmosphere of Moling City. Pingjiang’s nights glittered with modern energy, temptation, and hidden dangers. *It’s just like the big cities from my previous world,* Sanbao thought to herself.

  The carriage slowly rolled deeper into the city and finally stopped before the **Restre Inn**.

  This was one of the most famous and luxurious inns in all of Pingjiang. Even at night, its entrance was crowded. Carriages and sedan chairs lined both sides of the grand doorway, and every guest that stepped in or out was dressed in finery, exuding an air of dignity and nobility.

  Sanbao and her companions disembarked and entered the inn.

  The lobby was spacious and resplendent, decorated with intricate carvings and elegant paintings. The floor was id with exquisite embroidered carpets, and the walls were adorned with famous ndscape scrolls. Several redwood tables and chairs were arranged neatly, each table bearing delicate porcein tea sets, their fragrances curling into the air. The guests moved about gracefully, exchanging hushed conversations or sipping tea, their every movement refined and composed. Servants bustled around carefully, attending to each guest with utmost respect. The entire hall radiated an atmosphere of understated luxury.

  "Miss, let’s go register first," Xiaon suggested.

  Sanbao nodded, carrying Sanhuabao in her arms as she approached the front desk, with Xiaon and Yuyu following close behind.

  Upon seeing them, the innkeeper immediately put on a warm smile and stepped forward courteously: "Welcome, young dies. It is our honor to serve you tonight." "Please, allow me to assist you with the check-in."

  Sanbao couldn't help but admire the service—it was as impeccable as a five-star hotel from her previous life. *This pce isn’t inferior to the top hotels from my world at all—if anything, it’s even more attentive,* she thought.

  After a smooth check-in, Yuyu went outside to supervise the handling of their luggage, while Sanbao and Xiaon found an empty table and sat down.

  Only then did Sanbao take a closer look at the inn’s lobby.

  It was bustling with all kinds of people—not nearly as serene and elegant as she had expected. In one corner sat a group of burly men cd in bck, each of them tall and robust, their clothing embzoned with the words "Wei Ping"—likely members of a martial arts guild or association. Their leader, a brawny man with a thick beard, had muscles bulging like mountains beneath his sleeves—clearly a master of martial arts, and likely at the peak of the Dark Strength stage.

  Sanbao recalled the knowledge she had learned as a child: In this world, aside from ordinary people, there were **Cultivators**, **Ability Users**, and **Martial Artists**.

  Cultivators and Ability Users measured their strength across seven ranks, each rank divided into early, middle, and te stages. The gap between each level widened significantly as one climbed higher.

  Martial Artists followed a different path: They advanced through five major stages—Bright Strength, Dark Strength, Pellet Strength, Grandmaster, and Supreme Grandmaster—each also divided into early, middle, te, and peak stages.

  Cultivators were ranked from first to seventh grade, with each breakthrough representing a leap in cultivation. Ability Users were categorized by their elemental affinities—metal, wood, water, fire, earth, light, darkness, and mental force—with their powers growing stronger as they advanced.

  Martial Artists honed their physical bodies through relentless training, while Cultivators refined their spiritual energy through ancient techniques, and Ability Users wielded elemental arts tied to their roots. Ultimately, whether martial artist, cultivator, or ability user, all sought to transcend mortality and reach the pinnacle—**the Earth Immortal realm**.

  Apart from the bck-cd warriors, Sanbao’s gaze swept across the rest of the hall.

  On another side sat two Taoist cultivators, quietly conversing. Their appearances radiated a strong Daoist aura—their faces calm and profound, as if immersed in the discussion of complex esoteric arts. From their demeanor, they seemed to be fellow disciples from the same sect.

  Nearby, at another table, sat a white-cd maiden accompanied by two richly dressed young men. The maiden seemed almost ethereal, bathed in a faint, holy light, as if she had descended from the heavens. Her bearing was elegant, her gaze cool and distant, untouched by worldly concerns.

  The two young men at her side were handsome and poised, exuding an extraordinary aura.

  Sanbao could tell at a gnce: These three were either cultivators or powerful ability users. Especially the white-cd maiden—the serene waves of energy emanating from her calmed even those nearby.

  Yet, the one who caught Sanbao’s true attention was the **bck-cd young master**—**the second son of the Tang family**.

  He sat at a distant table, seemingly savoring wine. His eyes occasionally swept the hall, pausing briefly whenever they nded on Sanbao.

  When their gazes met, a faint blush once again crept onto his face.

  Sanbao looked around and noticed something unsettling:

  Everyone in the hall seemed to be watching them. Some with wariness, some with indifference, others with barely concealed greed…

  *Is something about to happen here?* *Why are so many martial artists, cultivators, and ability users gathered together tonight?*

  Excitement bubbled in her chest. She could barely suppress the thrill rising within her.

  *Am I about to get caught up in another big event?*