Huang'er was secretly alarmed upon hearing these words. Artifacts that could detect disguise techniques clearly existed. In fact, many powerful cultivators with strong spiritual sense didn't even need artifacts to determine whether someone had altered their appearance — it was hardly impossible.
However, the Indestructible Heavenly Capital pulling this move was truly a strategy of pulling the firewood from beneath the cauldron, making it virtually impossible for them to pass through Wanyi City.
Unless they could cultivate the ability to conceal their forms like the dragon race.
The two exchanged a glance, frustration evident in both their eyes.
Just as they brooded, a burst of noisy footsteps suddenly came from outside the main entrance, and a crowd of people surged in.
There were a good twenty to thirty of them. Most were uniformly dressed as warriors, and leading them was a middle-aged man in a blue robe who looked like a household steward.
These people radiated killing intent, their clothes bearing clear traces of fierce combat. Every face was etched with anxiety. Two warriors in the middle carried an improvised stretcher, with a figure lying upon it.
The other warriors flanked them on both sides, their expressions cold and vigilant. Their eyes swept the surroundings like hawks, clearly scanning for any possible threat.
The steward-like man strode forward and said to the attendant who came to greet them: "Quickly, prepare a premier room — the best you have!"
The attendant was clearly perceptive. Taking in their attire, he could tell these were no ordinary wandering cultivators. He promptly called out: "Honored guests arriving — prepare a Heaven-grade premier room!"
The steward grabbed the attendant's arm: "Don't bother calling it out. We'll take every Heaven-grade room you have."
The attendant was taken aback and gave a bitter smile: "Sir, I'm afraid that's not so easy. Quite a few Heaven-grade rooms have already been reserved."
The steward's brow furrowed: "Cancel those reservations. We'll pay double."
The attendant smiled ruefully: "Sir, it's not about the price. We simply don't operate that way. Those guests — it would be difficult for us to give them an explanation."
Dark lines of frustration appeared on the steward's forehead, but then something seemed to occur to him. He frowned: "Then reserve all the remaining ones."
"Very well, sir."
Seeing the customer's attitude soften somewhat, the attendant felt a measure of relief. He feared nothing more than powerful guests who refused to be reasonable — those were truly difficult to handle. After all, this was merely a dojo in Wanyi City, hardly capable of withstanding the pressure of a major faction. If they really decided to make trouble, it would be a serious problem.
"Wait!" As the attendant turned to leave, the steward called him back again.
"What further instructions does the sir have?" The attendant tensed once more.
"Are there any famous Pill Kings in Wanyi City?"
Pill Kings?
The attendant gave a bitter smile: "Sir, Wanyi City is merely a frontier town. A true Pill King would never condescend to stay here."
Wanyi City was prosperous indeed, but its prosperity stemmed from its favorable geographical location, not from any inherent prestige of the city itself. A true Pill King would have no interest in residing long-term in a place like this.
"Not a single one?" The steward's face darkened.
"There have been Pill Kings before, but most served only as guest consultants. They would visit occasionally, but no Pill King has ever been permanently stationed in Wanyi City."
"Are there any Pill Kings currently staying as guests in the city?" The steward asked, suppressing his anger.
The attendant shook his head: "Not that I know of, but you're welcome to inquire yourself. My station is too low — I may not be privy to the affairs of the upper echelons."
Pill Kings were matters of the upper echelons, far beyond what a mere attendant could know.
The steward waved him off: "Go, then. Have the premier room prepared as quickly as possible."
His expression was exceedingly grave. He turned back to glance with concern at the person on the stretcher, a flash of anxiety and deep worry crossing his face.
He then turned to his subordinates and ordered: "Go to every alchemy faction in Wanyi City and inquire whether any Pill King is currently in the city. If there is one, use whatever means necessary to bring them here. If necessary..."
A peculiar gleam shone in the steward's eyes. His men were sharp — they nodded in unison and hurried out.
Jiang Chen sat in the square, observing this group the entire time. He was inwardly astonished. Every one of these warriors possessed remarkable cultivation — they were clearly no ordinary fighters.
And the steward-like man, despite his servant's attire, was actually a Sovereign realm expert. The aura he inadvertently let slip made Jiang Chen's heart tighten with caution.
These people were absolutely not wandering cultivators.
Jiang Chen observed carefully, proceeding with utmost caution. Unable to determine their origins, he didn't dare probe too deeply with his spiritual sense. What if these people belonged to the Nine Yang Heavenly Sect or the Indestructible Heavenly Capital? Even if they weren't directly from those two sects, anyone with close ties to either of them would not be someone to trifle with.
Before long, the group's premier rooms had been arranged. The steward directed his men to carry the stretcher into one of the rooms, then stood anxiously at the doorway, waiting.
This commotion had clearly affected many of the wandering cultivators present, drawing quite a few onlookers.