C3 Immortal Realm

In the bustling restaurant of Cloud City, Ouchen Haoyang and his daughter watched as Bai Yu feasted voraciously, piling his plates high like a mountain. Bai Yu's formidable strength, along with his casual presentation of the prized Transformation-level Cloud Trail Deer Meat, led Ouchen Haoyang to suspect that he might be a hidden prince from a grand sect. Yet, Bai Yu's ravenous eating, as if he hadn't eaten in a year, caused Ouchen Haoyang to second-guess his initial impression.

"Ah, that's the life!" Bai Yu exclaimed, devouring the last morsel of meat. He reclined in his chair, licking his lips and savoring the moment. The restaurant's fare, though not quite on par with the wild game from the mountains, was irresistibly delicious. Bai Yu, who hadn't tasted seasonings in four hundred years, nearly swallowed his tongue in delight. After patting his stomach contentedly, he suddenly remembered the father-daughter duo sitting across from him. Catching their bewildered stares, Bai Yu coughed to cover his embarrassment and swiftly regained his usual aloof demeanor.

"My apologies for the expense," he said to them.

Ouchen Haoyang, the Royal City Lord, had no desire to criticize further. He acknowledged that there was much he could learn from Bai Yu's ability to swiftly alter his demeanor, a skill that rivaled even the city gate guards. Clearing his throat, Ouchen Haoyang inquired, "May I ask who your master is?"

The question brought the image of an elderly man to Bai Yu's mind, momentarily dampening his culinary euphoria. "He's just an old man," Bai Yu replied dismissively, not wishing to elaborate.

Ouchen Haoyang caught the hint of reticence in Bai Yu's eyes but maintained his composure. "No matter, we are not ones to pry. But what brings you to Cloud City?"

"I'm searching for someone," Bai Yu responded coolly.

"Who might that be?"

"Chen Daoran."

At the mention of the name, Ouchen Haoyang's face abruptly tensed. Bai Yu noticed the change and asked with concern, "Is there a problem?"

Realizing his reaction had been too revealing, Ouchen Haoyang quickly composed himself.

He took a deep breath to quell the astonishment within him. With a furrowed brow, he turned to Bai Yu.

"Do you know Chen Daoran?"

"I don't," Bai Yu replied, shaking his head. "But my master instructed me to find him."

Ouchen Haoyang sharply inhaled, his previously casual demeanor shifting to one of gravity. He bowed with his fists clasped before Bai Yu.

"Please forgive any offense. I had no idea!"

Bai Yu was puzzled by the reaction.

"What immortal disciple?"

At this, Ouchen Haoyang let out a wry chuckle, his manner of address changing.

"Little brother, please, no more jests... If your master is acquainted with Chen Daoran, the Sect Master of Star Cloud Sect, he must surely be of the Immortal Realm. Doesn't that make you an immortal's disciple?"

Bai Yu's eyes widened in sudden understanding. So that's why the elder had sent him to find Chen Daoran at the Star Cloud Sect. The man was the Sect Master himself. But what was this about immortals?

With his curiosity piqued, Bai Yu didn't hesitate to voice his question, which seemed to surprise Ouchen Haoyang.

"You're not familiar with immortals?"

Bai Yu shook his head. Despite four centuries of cultivation, he couldn't even lift the millstone next to the stone house at his full strength. And the elder, always boasting of his Divine King status, had never demonstrated his power beyond sending Bai Yu away from the mountain. Thus, Bai Yu's understanding of power levels and realms was rudimentary at best, let alone the concept of immortals.

Realizing Bai Yu's genuine lack of knowledge, Ouchen Haoyang assumed he had been so focused on his cultivation that he'd ignored the outside world. Without further ado, he began to explain.

"The Star Cloud Sect is one of the world's three great sects! And its Sect Master, Chen Daoran, is rumored to have ascended to the Immortal Realm!"

"From the Qi Refinement stage to the Tribulation Transcendence, in the eyes of immortals, such levels can be obliterated with a mere wave of their hand!"

"And Chen Daoran is one of the three remaining immortals in the world!"

"If your master knows Chen Daoran, he must be a figure of some renown. Perhaps he grew weary of worldly affairs and chose a life of seclusion."

Upon hearing that, Bai Yu's mind immediately wandered to the desolate Qing Hui Mountain. He nodded in agreement, contemplating Ouchen Haoyang's words. Immortals seemed to wield extraordinary power. He wondered, between the Divine Kings the old man constantly mentioned and these Immortals, who was more formidable?

Bai Yu appeared lost in thought, and Ouchen Haoyang's face radiated a look of smug control. He continued, "Bai Yu... may I address you as such?" Bai Yu gestured indifferently in response; titles and formalities were of little concern to him. Ouchen Haoyang, seeing this casual reaction, smiled even more broadly.

"So, Bai Yu, since you're seeking out Immortal Chen, do you plan to join the Star Cloud Sect?" Bai Yu's brow furrowed slightly at the question. He hadn't considered this before his journey. He had thought that finding Chen Daoran would be enough to learn what had befallen the elder and to offer his assistance. But now, knowing that Chen Daoran was one of the last three Immortals, he felt a twinge of apprehension about the audacity of his quest. In his past life as a salesman, he understood all too well the difficulty of reaching a company's CEO, especially one of a publicly traded firm, let alone the leader of a sect far more influential.

With this in mind, Bai Yu looked up at Ouchen Haoyang and nodded slowly. "My master didn't leave me with a direct means of contacting Chen Daoran. It seems I have no other choice."

Ouchen Haoyang stroked his chin, his expression one of vindication. He gently nudged his daughter forward, his smile unwavering. "Perfect timing. In seven days, the Star Cloud Sect will hold its initiation ceremony for new disciples. I've brought my daughter here to join the Sect. If you both go together, you can look out for one another."

Bai Yu's eyes drifted downward to Ouchen Mingyue standing beside him, her cherubic face beaming up at him. Despite her youthful appearance, Bai Yu had a hunch that her abilities were not to be underestimated, likely on par with his own during the full moon. "How could that be? Regardless, she is the daughter of the Royal City Lord."

Despite the heat of the argument, Bai Yu couldn't shake the feeling that Ouchen Mingyue's abilities were not particularly strong, almost on par with his own during his full moon phase. "How is that possible? After all, she is the daughter of the Royal City Lord," he mused. "Even if her skills are inferior, they couldn't be less than mine at full moon..." Shaking his head, he dismissed the ridiculous thought from his mind.

Bai Yu offered Ouchen Mingyue a warm smile and a nod. His striking features, even unadorned by lavish clothing, still managed to make her cheeks flush with color. After some more conversation, they made plans to reconvene at the restaurant in seven days to journey to the Star Cloud Sect together. With that, Bai Yu took his leave.

As he was about to depart, Ouchen Haoyang considerately handed Bai Yu ten thousand Spirit Stones, which left Bai Yu feeling somewhat sheepish. Watching Bai Yu's figure gradually fade into the distance, Ouchen Mingyue turned to her father with a puzzled expression. "Father, considering your status as the Royal City Lord..."

She couldn't help but wonder why her father was extending such courtesy to Bai Yu, who appeared rather unrefined. This question had been nagging at Ouchen Mingyue for some time. She found it hard to believe Bai Yu's claims. Could he truly be acquainted with Chen Daoran? If so, why had he been stopped by a guard?

​