Chen Ye casually took the four cloaks and handed them to his three disciples.
Since his current identity was Steward Chen of the Mao Family Caravan, he naturally had to follow the caravan’s rules, bringing along his entourage and receiving a share of the goods.
"Steward Chen, now that we’ve reached this place, you need not trouble yourself with guarding. When we reach the Qi Kingdom, I shall host a grand feast for you."
The old steward said with a respectful gesture and a smile.
"Sure thing."
Chen Ye responded casually. After putting on the cloak, he parted with the Mao Family group, closely following a cultivator from the Formless Ghost Collection.
The group left through the hidden passageway at the bottom of the warehouse, winding through the intricate underground waterways of Black Cliff City.
The Formless Ghost Collection, indeed the largest loose cultivator force of Yan and Qi, was quite familiar with Black Cliff City.
Despite the underground waterways being extremely complex and filled with numerous restrictions, to them, it felt no different from heading home.
They traversed stealthily in the dark underground corridors for half a day.
"We’re here. Once you exit, you’ll be in the territory of Qi Kingdom."
The Formless Ghost Collection cultivator leading the way finally stopped, coldly dropping a hint before his figure vanished back into the darkness without hesitation.
Chen Ye stepped forward, placing his palm on the stone door ahead, applying a bit of force.
"Creak——"
What lay before him was a dim and narrow secret chamber, with a few moonstones embedded in the walls emitting a faint yellow light. From the outside, faint human voices could be heard.
"Master, have we arrived in the Qi Kingdom?"
Jin’er curiously observed the nondescript secret chamber and asked in wonder,
"It seems much simpler than I imagined... If the cultivators of the Lingyin Sect knew about this secret passage, couldn’t they just invade directly through it?"
Laughing at Jin’er’s words, Chen Ye gently rubbed her head, patiently explaining, "You little girl, you think too lightly of sect wars. For a grand entity like the Lingyin Sect to step foot in Qi Kingdom, why would they need to sneak through such a hidden tunnel? How do you think Changqing County and Black Cliff City fell into the sect’s hands? There’s no need for secret passages; they could simply press forward with war vessels at the forefront, followed by esteemed ancestors paving the way, advancing straightforwardly."
After all.
In the cultivation realm, geographical advantage doesn’t matter much.
The most crucial aspect remains the battle between great cultivators on both sides.
Even with a Mountain Protection Array, if the upper echelon’s strength can’t compete, it ultimately becomes a mere turtle shell.
From beneath the cloak, Qing Jun poked out his fluffy head, his tiny nose twitching vigorously, his bright eyes lighting up:
"Master, Master! Qing Jun smells roast meat! Why is there a roast meat smell outside?"
Chen Ye glanced helplessly at the little gluttonous dragon.
Indeed, outside the secret chamber, faint sounds of bustling voices and the aroma of mixed wine and roast meat permeated the air.
"So, the exit of the Formless Ghost Collection’s underground passage is cleverly set within an inn’s secret chamber. It’s a well-executed strategy, hiding in plain sight."
Chen Ye understood, then pushed open the wooden door connecting the secret chamber to the outside.
"Creak——"
As the wooden door opened.
A wave of murky heat mixed with the scent of mediocre spirit wine, demon beast roast meat, and bustling human voices hit them.
"Damn it! Those lapdogs of the Emotion Crossing Sect are getting increasingly brazen, raising the toll by another twenty percent for getting in and out of the market. How are people supposed to live?"
"Shh! Keep your voice down! Do you want to die? Haven’t you heard about the upheaval over at the Celestial Abyss? The Emotion Crossing Sect is dragging loose cultivators everywhere to explore and serve as cannon fodder!"
"Heh, aren’t you afraid of the Holy Sect’s punishment for speaking so rashly?"
"What nonsense! The elder devil already fled long ago, and the Yellow Lion District has been abandoned. That Bai Susu of the Bai Family sneaked into Qi Kingdom not long ago, killing six workshop masters in a row—who dares to stay here?"