Two days passed in the blink of an eye.
Linjiang Prefecture City, Yuelai Inn.
On the second floor of the restaurant, a young man with a resolute face and upright figure sat by a window table, watching the flow of people on the street.
Besides the young man, there were three others at the table: a ruddy-faced, shiny fat man, a travel-worn middle-aged man, and finally, a young man with wide eyes curiously looking around.
These people were none other than Lin Sheng, Wang Dehai, Lao Zhou, and Xiao Shi.
"Gongzi, I have already inquired. The Yuanyang Beast Sect is in Yuanyang City outside the Fu City. That is where the Yuanyang Beast Sect's mountain gate is located."
The one speaking was Lao Zhou. He paused when he reached this point, glanced at Lin Sheng, and only continued when he saw no reaction from him.
"However, your subordinate also learned that the time for the Yuanyang Beast Sect to recruit Disciples has already passed. To join the Yuanyang Beast Sect, I'm afraid one must wait until the middle of next year when the mountain gate opens..."
"Middle of the year?"
Hearing this, Lin Sheng's face finally showed some reaction. He furrowed his brow slightly, but it quickly relaxed.
"I understand. I will be out for a few days tomorrow. You stay in the city for now, and we will make plans when I return."
"Yes."
Hearing Lin Sheng's words, the three responded in unison.
Around noon, Lin Sheng accompanied Lin Hong and Xie Guilan for a stroll on the street, purchasing some strange and unseen items before returning to the inn.
He did not delay further. After giving instructions to the two, he left the Fu City.
His Crimson Mane Horse galloped at full speed. It wasn't until sunset that a mountain city finally appeared in his sight.
Although its scale was not as grand and vast as Linjiang Prefecture City, it was quite imposing and had its own might, significantly stronger than Tongzhi County.
"This is Yuanyang City."
Looking at this complex of buildings primarily built around several mountain peaks, Lin Sheng muttered to himself.
This was different from the situation in a typical County Town.
The top forces in Linjiang Prefecture did not have their mountain gate headquarters within the Fu City. Instead, they established their sphere of influence outside the Fu City, centered around their mountain gate headquarters.
Because most of these top forces have a long history, many Disciples have also spread out and settled at the foot of the mountain gate. Over time, this has formed a city of considerable scale.
Yuanyang City came into being this way. Although it is nominally still under the jurisdiction of Linjiang Prefecture City, the Yuanyang Beast Sect is basically the power holder within it. The officials, city guards, etc., are mostly Disciples of the Yuanyang Beast Sect.
The Fu City side would not interfere much with this.
It can be understood that these cities formed by the top forces in the Fu City are autonomous regions of these top forces, and it is also a form of compromise from the Imperial Court towards these powerful Sects.
After all, even if Great Yan's national strength was prosperous and suppressed the various aristocratic families and Sects within its borders, the power of these Sects and families was also not to be underestimated. Even the Great Yan Imperial Family could not completely ignore these forces.
Outside Yuanyang City at this time, many caravans and peddlers could also be seen entering and leaving.
Clearly, the population in Yuanyang City was also quite large.
It wasn't until he entered the city with the flow of people that Lin Sheng realized he had underestimated the prosperity of Yuanyang City.
People came and went, with a constant stream of carriages and horses. Although it was not as bustling as the Fu City, it was still a rare sight of prosperity. Moreover, he noticed that the most common thing sold in the city was various types of beasts.
Before walking far, Lin Sheng saw several types of exotic beasts he had never seen before.
Among them were also some high-grade ordinary exotic beasts.
"As expected of the Yuanyang Beast Sect, the variety of exotic beasts in this city is vast, far surpassing Yangping Town."
He sighed in his heart, knowing well that what circulated on the market were basically ordinary goods or discarded ones from the Yuanyang Beast Sect. The truly powerful exotic beasts were definitely mostly within the Sect.
Among them, Lin Sheng also saw some figures dressed in yellow robes, with a two-headed snake beast emblem embroidered on their chests.
He noticed that after seeing these figures in yellow robes, the pedestrians on the street all showed expressions of envy and respect. Clearly, these yellow-robed people had high status, and Lin Sheng also knew that these yellow-robed people were Disciples of the Yuanyang Beast Sect.
Before coming, he had already collected a lot of information about the Yuanyang Beast Sect. This two-headed snake beast was its Sect emblem.
And these yellow-robed people were outer Disciples of the Yuanyang Beast Sect.
After glancing at these people for a few moments, he withdrew his gaze and quickly walked towards a luxurious building on the main street of the city.
Soon he arrived nearby. He looked up at the pavilion in front of him with a plaque bearing the three characters 'Yuanyang Pavilion'.
The pavilion was carved with dragons and phoenixes, surrounded by a hundred beasts, exquisitely crafted and magnificent.
This pavilion building was the Yuanyang Beast Sect's station in the city.
Normally, Sect Elders would be stationed here, responsible for external affairs.
The actual Yuanyang Beast Sect was located on several mountain peaks at the southern end of the city.
However, outsiders were forbidden from entering there. If one trespassed without permission, at best their martial arts would be crippled, their limbs broken, and they would be thrown out. More severely, they would be killed on the spot.
In front of the Yuanyang Pavilion, even more eye-catching than the imposing and luxurious building was a giant bear lying sprawled out.
This was a black giant bear whose size was even larger than an African elephant from his previous life.
Although the giant bear at this moment looked lazy, lying on the street with its eyes closed, motionless as if dead, upon getting a little closer, one could see its chest slightly rising and falling. Clearly, this was a living exotic beast, and a very powerful one at that.
Even though it was currently sleeping soundly, its entire body emitted an oppressive aura, making people dare not linger and instinctively stay away from this behemoth.
"This is... a Pseudo-Spirit Beast!! No, it might even be a Spirit Beast."
The moment he saw this giant bear exotic beast, Lin Sheng could tell that this beast was definitely not an ordinary beast.
It looked like a Pseudo-Spirit Beast, but more like a true Spirit Beast.
"As expected of the Yuanyang Beast Sect, what a grand gesture."
After staring deeply at this giant bear exotic beast for a long time, Lin Sheng finally couldn't help but sigh.
This was the first time he had truly faced a Spirit Beast at such close range.
At the same time, it made his resolve to join the Yuanyang Beast Sect even stronger.
Immediately, he stepped forward.
As if noticing Lin Sheng's movement, the giant bear, originally sleeping soundly, twitched its fan-like ear, and its eyelids opened a slit, its gaze falling upon Lin Sheng.
Instantly, Lin Sheng felt a chill, but fortunately, it was only for a moment.
Seemingly deciding that Lin Sheng posed no danger, the giant bear closed its eyes again, no longer paying attention to Lin Sheng.
"Who goes there? Halt."
Just as Lin Sheng walked towards the Yuanyang Pavilion, two yellow-robed Disciples already walked out from inside, looking at Lin Sheng and speaking calmly.
There was no ill will in their tone, but they were not particularly polite either.
"By someone's appointment, I wish to meet with Liu Xin."
Lin Sheng cupped his hands towards the two and spoke with a smile.
"By someone's appointment? Looking for Liu Xin..."
Hearing Lin Sheng's words, the two yellow-robed Disciples exchanged glances.
"What business do you have with Deacon Liu? Deacon Liu, as the deacon of the Beast Appraisal Hall within the Sect, is very busy on weekdays and cannot be met by just anyone. Furthermore, the deacon has instructed us not to trouble him if there is nothing important, so..."
After a slight hesitation, the two still asked. Their attitude towards Lin Sheng did not change.
After all, as the deacon of the Beast Appraisal Hall, Deacon Liu is often sought after by people wanting to purchase exotic beasts through him. Thus, the two were already used to it and naturally wouldn't be overly polite.
"It will not trouble Deacon Liu for too long. Please inform him, just mention the name Gongsun Shou."
Lin Sheng's face still held a smile. This time, however, he took out two banknotes and subtly placed one into each of their hands.
"This..."
The two accepted the banknotes quite naturally, not forgetting to quickly glance down at the denomination on them. When they saw the hundred taels denomination, a smile finally appeared on their faces.
"Since that's the case, we will inform him for you. However, whether Deacon Liu will see you, I cannot guarantee. You had best be prepared."
"Is that so? Very well."
Lin Sheng nodded in response.
Soon, the two outer Disciples hurried into the Yuanyang Pavilion.
Meanwhile, Lin Sheng waited quietly outside. It wasn't until more than two hours later, when the sky had gradually darkened, that someone finally walked out and beckoned to Lin Sheng.
"Deacon Liu is currently at a critical juncture in breeding beasts and needs to go into seclusion for a period. He is not seeing anyone. As for when he will come out of seclusion, we do not know. Therefore, you had best find lodging nearby for now. When Deacon Liu comes out of seclusion, we will convey your message."
After this outer Disciple came out and left this sentence, he said no more and turned back into the Yuanyang Pavilion.
"Seclusion?"
Lin Sheng frowned and didn't linger. He temporarily stayed at an inn nearby.
It is naturally not easy to enter a large force like the Yuanyang Beast Sect. Waiting for some time is normal.
At this time, on a mountain peak of the Yuanyang Beast Sect, a middle-aged man wearing a white robe with a two-headed snake beast embroidered on his chest was talking with a smile on his face to another man, also wearing a white robe but much taller and sturdier.
"Senior Brother Meng, rest assured. Among the beast seeds this time, I will definitely set aside a top-quality one for you..."
"In that case, thank you very much, Master Liu. There happens to be a small gathering in half a month, led by Elder Wang. At that time, Master Liu can go with this brother."
Hearing the tall and sturdy man's words, Liu Xin's face was filled with smiles, and he spoke repeatedly.
After the two exchanged a few more polite words, the tall and sturdy man finally took his leave.
Watching his figure disappear into the distance, the smile on Liu Xin's face still did not fade.
"If I can establish a connection with Elder Wang this time, my status within the Sect will improve in the future. I absolutely cannot miss this opportunity. I need to think about what gift would be suitable."
Liu Xin pondered in his heart.
Instead, he stepped towards the door and simultaneously instructed the Disciples outside the courtyard.
"This Master is going down the mountain for a trip. Bring more beast seeds."
"Yes, Master."
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
Every day, Lin Sheng would inquire at the Yuanyang Pavilion, but the reply he received was always that he was in seclusion and temporarily had no time.
It wasn't until the fourth day that there was finally news, saying that Liu Xin would come to the Yuanyang Pavilion today.
He waited until the sun was about to set before an outer Disciple finally led Lin Sheng into the pavilion.
Upon entering, Lin Sheng immediately felt several threatening auras.
However, within this Yuanyang Pavilion, he felt no less than several Blood Transportation Realm auras, and this was not all of the Yuanyang Pavilion.
Placed in a County Town, Blood Transportation Warriors, who would be considered top-tier in a county, were not uncommon here and were not considered rare.
"I wonder how many experts there are within the Yuanyang Beast Sect's mountain gate?"
He was also thinking in his heart as he walked.
Soon, he was led to a side courtyard.
In the courtyard, a middle-aged man in a white robe was sitting by a stone table, leisurely sipping tea.
"Deacon Liu, the person has been brought over."
The outer Disciple led Lin Sheng into the courtyard, bowed respectfully to the white-robed figure, and then withdrew directly.
In the courtyard, there was only Lin Sheng, the white-robed man, and a young Disciple behind him.
Liu Xin was not in a hurry to speak. He slowly finished the tea in his hand before finally turning his gaze to Lin Sheng.
"What is your relationship with Master Gongsun? How is he doing now?"
"This Junior once helped Senior Gongsun. Before his death, he told me that I could seek help from Senior when I came to Linjiang Prefecture City."
Lin Sheng cupped his hands towards Liu Xin and spoke neither subserviently nor arrogantly.
At the same time, he was carefully observing this Deacon Liu.
He could discern the other party's cultivation Realm; he was also at the Blood Transportation Realm. However, he was different from the Blood Transportation Warriors he usually encountered. His internal Qi and blood were clearly much more vigorous, far thicker than those like Black Bear. Furthermore, Lin Sheng could feel a strong threat from him.
He was much stronger than that Blood Demon Centipede.
"He is definitely not an ordinary Blood Transportation Warrior. Perhaps he is about to step into the Bone Transformation Realm."
This thought flashed through Lin Sheng's mind.
"Before his death? Is he already dead?"
Hearing Lin Sheng's words, Liu Xin's face showed some emotion. He looked up at the sky, and some memories flashed in his eyes.
He and Gongsun Shou joined the Yuanyang Beast Sect together since childhood, practiced martial arts together, and bred beasts together. They were more like brothers than just brothers.
However, 30 years passed. Due to differing philosophies, the other party had an upright character and offended a direct descendant of an Elder in the Sect, thus facing considerable ostracization. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, he left the Sect.
"Counting it, it has been almost ten years since we last met."
He murmured softly, but did not ask about the reason for his death. Instead, he spoke calmly, raising a finger towards Lin Sheng.
"Since you came to find me, speak. What is it? For Gongsun Shou's sake, I can help you once. Remember, only once."
Hearing this, Lin Sheng did not hesitate and directly stated his purpose.
"This Junior wishes to join the Yuanyang Beast Sect. I ask Senior for an introduction."
"Wish to join the Yuanyang Beast Sect? You may."
There was no surprise on Liu Xin's face. He seemed to have anticipated this request and nodded gently.
"I can introduce you. You can enter the outer Sect without an assessment. If you wish to enter the inner Sect, you will need an assessment and must meet the requirements."
"In that case, thank you very much, Senior." Lin Sheng cupped his hands in thanks again. The matter was smoother than he had imagined.
"You may go. Come here tomorrow morning, and someone will naturally guide you into the mountain."
Liu Xin waved his hand, seemingly having lost interest in talking.
Lin Sheng also took his leave discerningly.