Mortal: Fairy Song Yu has issued you a task.

Chapter 39 Mortal World

"While Baihao Yinzhen is excellent, it really doesn't hold up well to multiple infusions." Lin Jingchu said with a hint of heartache as he put the empty tea canister back into his storage bag.

In less than half a day, the two had finished several cans of their treasured spiritual tea.

"In that case, why don't we try Senior Sister's?" Song Yu made a gesture as if to take out spiritual tea from her storage bag.

Lin Jingchu spoke up, "Senior Sister, it's almost noon. I looked at the map before we set off, and there's a mortal town ahead called Linyun City. Why don't we go down and rest for a bit?"

Upon hearing this, Song Yu agreed: "Very well. It's a good opportunity to experience the everyday life and atmosphere of the mortal world."

High in the sky, the Azure Winged Boat hovered, then with a flash of light, it shrank to a length of ten feet.

Lin Jingchu changed into an ordinary brocade robe and stood on the shrunken bow of the boat.

Behind him, Song Yu had also changed into a white casual outfit, and her face was covered with a white veil, completely concealing her stunning beauty, revealing only a pair of clear, autumn-water-like eyes.

Moreover, the veil could block divine sense from probing, and even with Lin Jingchu's strong divine sense, it could not penetrate it.

……

"Selling candied hawthorns!"

"Freshly baked steamed buns, piping hot!"

A perfectly matched young couple entered the bustling town with the throng of people. The man was handsome and tall, with a commanding presence; the woman was slender and graceful, with an ethereal air. Passersby couldn't help but turn their heads to look at them.

Ignoring the stares, Lin Jingchu and Song Yu strolled along the long street, and soon a rather grand restaurant came into view.

Lin Jingchu turned to Song Yu and said, "Although mortal food is said to contain a mixture of spiritual energy, it's fine to try something new once in a while. Why don't we go in and give it a try?"

Song Yu naturally couldn't deny it, and the two entered the restaurant.

The waiter, quick-witted, approached with a forced smile: "Gentlemen, would you like a meal or a room?"

Lin Jingchu spoke first, saying, "A private room, all the signature dishes will be served, no need for wine."

"Alright, this way please, sir!" The waiter led the two to a private room on the second floor and bowed as he withdrew.

A short while later, several delicious dishes were placed on the table.

"Xipo pork, pickled fish, three-delicacy duck, and Mapo tofu are all our signature dishes. Please enjoy your meal and feel free to ask us for anything." The waiter finished his introduction and then left.

Only the two of them remained sitting opposite each other in the elegant room.

Song Yu then raised his hand to remove his veil, picked up his chopsticks and took a small bite, his brows and eyes relaxing slightly: "The flavor is complex and the aroma is strong. Compared with the dishes in Wangxianlou in the sect market, it has a unique earthly charm."

Lin Jingchu picked up a piece of Xipo pork and put it in his mouth. It was fatty but not greasy, and the rich aroma filled his mouth. After swallowing, he smiled and said, "Mortals don't live past a hundred years, and all they want is to be well-fed and comfortable. Unlike us cultivators, who only choose things rich in spiritual energy, they are much more carefree and at ease."

Song Yu chimed in, "Besides, most of the rare and precious natural materials with abundant spiritual energy are used for alchemy and weapon crafting. Who would be willing to waste them on the desire for food and drink?"

The two chatted idly, and the dishes on the table gradually dwindled to almost half.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

Lin Jingchu frowned, turned his head, and asked loudly, "What is it?" At the same time, he scanned the door with his divine sense and found that the person outside was not a waiter, but a burly man over seven feet tall.

"Haha, fellow Daoists, I apologize for disturbing you! I just noticed your extraordinary bearing and came to make your acquaintance."

"I sense he has mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation," Lin Jingchu said in a low voice.

After a moment's thought, Song Yu put his veil back on: "This trip is meant to be a learning experience, so it's fine to interact with others. Whatever his intentions, we should just be careful."

Upon hearing this, Lin Jingchu got up and opened the door.

The burly man laughed heartily, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "My name is Pei Meng, a wandering cultivator. I greet you two fellow Daoists. May I ask how you are addressed?"

Lin Jingchu was not short to begin with, but she still appeared somewhat "petite" next to this burly man.

"My name is Lin Feiyu, and this is my junior sister Li."

The burly man surnamed Pei's gaze swept quickly over the seated Song Yu: "So it's Fellow Daoist Lin and Fairy Li, a pleasure to meet you." He then turned and called out, "Waiter, bring two jars of fine wine, and a few more good dishes!"

After saying that, he strode into the private room as if he were a familiar friend, and casually moved an empty chair from under the window to sit down.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, please sit down. I am a rough man, please don't take offense."

"Not at all." Lin Jingchu laughed heartily and sat down again. "Brother Pei, that's true to your nature!"

The waiter was quick and efficient, and soon served all the food and drinks that the burly man surnamed Pei had ordered, then closed the door behind him.

"It is fate that we meet. I would like to offer you both a bowl!" The burly man surnamed Pei picked up the large bowl and drank it all in one gulp.

"I really apologize, but my junior sister is a devout follower of the sect and does not enjoy drinking. I'll keep you company." Lin Jingchu then raised his wine bowl.

"You two possess exceptional bearing; could you perhaps be from the Hundred Crafts Institute?"

"Brother Pei, you jest," Lin Jingchu waved his hands repeatedly. "How could we two be qualified to associate with such a prestigious sect? It was merely by chance that we became disciples of an unknown rogue cultivator. We had just finished the task assigned by our master and were about to return to report. But Brother Pei, judging from your solid foundation and lofty demeanor, could you perhaps be a scion of some cultivation family?"

"I'd love to!" sighed the burly man surnamed Pei. "I was originally a rustic warrior, but fortunately, a sage enlightened me, leading me to the Dao through martial arts. Enough of that, let's drink!"

"drink!"

The two of them continued eating bowl after bowl.

Even though it was just ordinary wine, after a few bowls, the two men couldn't help but blush. After a few rounds of drinks, they were already calling each other brothers and almost wanted to become sworn brothers.

Suddenly, the burly man surnamed Pei put down his wine bowl, his expression becoming mysterious: "Brother Lin, we've hit it off, so I won't hide anything from you. A few days ago, I discovered an ancient cultivation cave in Henglan Ridge, two hundred miles west of Linyun City. The cave is surrounded by poisonous miasma and multiple layers of restrictions, which I, a mere rough man, don't understand. But Brother Lin, you seem to be very knowledgeable and will surely be able to break through them. Why don't we go together, and we can split the treasures we find equally among the three of us!"

Lin Jingchu abruptly put down his wine bowl and sighed, "What a pity! My junior sister and I are carrying out our master's orders, and we absolutely cannot delay."

The burly man surnamed Pei frowned, "Brother Lin, why are you so stubborn? Judging from the signs, that cave dwelling was left by at least a Core Formation cultivator. If we miss this opportunity, it will be difficult to find another one! We might as well investigate first. If we can easily solve the mystery, that would be an immense stroke of luck!"

Lin Jingchu looked troubled. Song Yu, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up: "Senior brother, we have already spent a lot of time resting. If we return late, we may incur Master's punishment."

"I am truly sorry, Brother Pei. I will definitely come to find you again after I return to the mountain to report back."

"Since that's the case, I won't force you. I'll just find someone else to help." The burly man surnamed Pei shook his head, stood up, and took his leave.

Once the aura had completely dissipated, Lin Jingchu raised her hand and threw out several array flags, setting up a soundproof barrier: "Senior Sister, what do you think?"

"This person has ulterior motives." Song Yu's voice was soft, but it carried a hint of coldness. "Although he hides it very well, his evil intentions are revealed when he mentions the ancient cultivator's cave."

As soon as the burly man surnamed Pei stepped into the room, she secretly activated her spiritual connection from time to time to probe his emotional fluctuations.

"We shouldn't stay here any longer. Let's set off immediately." Lin Jingchu used his internal energy to expel the alcohol from his body.

The two quickly settled the bill and headed straight out of the city.