That afternoon, Ian Song left Wendy Lin at the home of Yuna Zhou and her teacher, while he planned to enter the Inner City to investigate the rumors about the Sixth Prince and Lila Li.
After paying ten mid-grade spirit crystals, Ian Song smoothly entered the Inner City.
It must be said, those ten spirit crystals were well spent—the Inner City’s spiritual energy was truly dense. Maintaining an array of such scale consumed an enormous amount each day; no wonder they charged an entrance fee.
Moreover, compared to the Outer City, the Inner City’s environment was far more beautiful—less noise, more tranquility.
The buildings were exquisitely crafted and grand. From a distance, Ian could see the royal palace shrouded in clouds. Besides that, another eye-catching structure in the Inner City was the pitch-black Obsidian Light Tower, located within the Prime One Church’s main altar. It was the church’s iconic landmark, and legend had it the tower was actually an immortal-grade artifact—the sect-protecting treasure of the Prime One Church.
“Young master, is this your first time in the Inner City?”
Ian Song had barely entered the city for half a quarter hour when a short, sharp-looking man approached, asking with a flattering tone.
"What does that have to do with you?" Ian replied coolly.
Ian Song gave the man a quick once-over and replied in a calm tone.
Hearing this, the man hurriedly bowed and said respectfully, "Please don’t misunderstand, young master. I’m just a nobody trying to make a living in the Inner City."
“Oh? Then what do you want from me?”
The man continued, “Sir, you may not know this, but the Inner City is far more complicated than the Outer City. Most residents are high officials or even reclusive old monsters. It’s easy to offend someone powerful or their family if you’re not careful. I know how things work around here, so if you need anything done, you can have me handle it for a small fee. Otherwise, you’ll be in the dark and won’t get much done, right?”
Ian Song nodded to himself. The man was right—he really didn’t know much about the Inner City. Having a local ‘snake’ to help out would make things much easier.
“Show me around the Inner City and tell me about the place.”
“Alright, but about that…” The man rubbed his hands together, clearly hinting for a tip.
“Here you go!” Ian Song tossed him ten mid-grade spirit crystals.
Ten mid-grade spirit crystals in one go—Sam Niu was overjoyed. That was about a month’s income for him. Clearly, he’d met a generous young master.
After pocketing the crystals, Sam Niu became even more humble and respectful. “Sir, my name’s Sam Niu. If you don’t mind, just call me Third.”
Alright, Third, lead the way!
Sam Niu proved to be a competent guide. Over the next three hours, he led Ian Song around the Inner City, introducing which mansion belonged to which official, and which residence housed which old monster.
"Sam, find us a restaurant. Let's eat!" Ian Song ordered.
"Sure thing! Oh, young master, I know a place—good food, cheap prices!"
"No need!" Ian Song waved his hand. "Just take me to the best restaurant in the Inner City."
Sam Niu grinned. "Young master, the best restaurant in Inner City is Immortal Cloud Pavilion. It's pricey—the minimum is a hundred mid-grade spirit crystals for a meal, five hundred if you want a private room."
"Fine, lead the way. I'm not short on spirit crystals!" Ian Song urged impatiently.
Well, I guess I was worrying for nothing. He really isn't short on cash! Sam Niu thought to himself, then led Ian Song straight to Immortal Cloud Pavilion.
Immortal Cloud Pavilion was grand and luxurious, nine stories tall. From the sixth floor up, it pierced the clouds. Dining up there felt like being in the heavens.
Once they arrived, Sam Niu explained again, "Young master, the first and second floors are the main hall. Private rooms start on the third floor. Ordinary folks can only eat on the first four floors. From the fifth up, only Nascent Soul experts and VIPs are allowed. Would you prefer the main hall or a private room?"
"Fourth floor," Ian Song said directly.
"Alright!"
As soon as they reached the fourth floor, someone stopped them.
"Sir, the rules here say you have to pay first!" Sam Niu said awkwardly.
"Here. Prepare a table of the best food and wine!" Ian Song tossed over a pouch with a thousand mid-grade spirit crystals. The attendant's face lit up. "Right this way, young master!"
Soon, the two were led into a tastefully decorated private room.
"Would you like us to arrange some entertainment for you?" the attendant asked respectfully.
"What kind of entertainment do you offer?" Ian Song asked, playing the role of a carefree young master.
"We have song and dance, but our most famous act is Miss Cece's qin music," the attendant replied.
"Then order Miss Cece," Ian Song said with a wave of his hand.
A single performance by Miss Cece costs five thousand mid-grade spirit crystals, sir. Please pay in advance," the attendant said.
Without even blinking, Ian Song tossed over another five thousand mid-grade spirit crystals. Sam Niu was stunned—just for a song? This Immortal Cloud Pavilion really was expensive.