251: Chapter 249 Heavenly Class Armor

Yun Ming finished his meal and tea, then leaned back against his chair, gazing out the window. The sky had turned pitch black, and spirit lamps along the streets lit up one after another, illuminating the entire Tianyuan City as if it were broad daylight. In the distance, the golden roofs of the Imperial Palace shimmered in the night, and runes flowed across the body of the Heaven-Reaching Tower, making it look like a pillar of light reaching toward the heavens. He withdrew his gaze and called over the waiter.

"Open a room. I'll stay for a few days."

Before the waiter could respond, the innkeeper had already walked over from behind the counter. He was still clutching that folding fan, and the smile on his face was slightly fainter than before, replaced by a hint of seriousness.

"Guest, I'm not sure if I should say this."

"Speak."

The innkeeper lowered his voice. "The person you just offended is the clansman of Hall Master Zhao from Xuanming Hall. The Zhao family has considerable influence in Tianyuan City. It might be inconvenient for you to stay here. Their people are still in the private rooms upstairs. They'll inevitably be drinking and making a scene until midnight; why would you want to stay here?"

He paused, glanced at Yun Ming’s expression, and continued, "If you trust me, I can recommend a few places. If you have money, go to Paradise. That place is a true den of luxury and a real haven of peace. Once you're there, lying in a land of tender dreams, who could possibly find you? If you're short on funds, go to Chengen Street. That street is crowded and bustling, filled with all walks of life, a mixed crowd. Chaos has its benefits; the more chaotic it is, the easier it is to hide. Once you dive into that crowd, who would recognize an outsider Cultivator like you?"

Yun Ming picked up his teacup, finished the last sip of tea, and set it down. "No need. I'll stay here. Open two rooms for five days."

The innkeeper looked at him for a few moments and then smiled. That smile held no mockery or helplessness; it was a sense of relief, as if saying, 'I understand.'

"You're a straightforward guest. Then let me introduce our rooms. They are divided into three grades—Heaven, Earth, and Mortal."

"Mortal-Grade rooms are for four people, with bunk beds, sharing with unknown Cultivators. It costs ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones per day, meals not included. Suitable for Loose Cultivators who are short on cash. Earth-Grade rooms are single rooms, not large, but quiet. Ten Mid-Grade Spirit Stones per day, with one meal included. Suitable for ordinary Cultivators. Heaven-Grade rooms—" the innkeeper drew out his words, "Heaven-Grade rooms are on the top floor with an excellent view of the night scenery. The rooms are fully equipped with a Spirit Gathering Array, a Soundproofing Formation, and Soothing Incense. There is daily housekeeping, and you get twenty percent off when ordering food. It costs ten High-Grade Spirit Stones per day. Furthermore, for guests staying in Heaven-Grade rooms, this inn will ensure your safety. No matter who they are, no one dares to touch you while you're in one of our Heaven-Grade rooms."

Yun Ming took out one hundred High-Grade Spirit Stones from the map of mountains and rivers and placed them on the table. "Two Heaven-Grade rooms, five days."

The innkeeper's eyes lit up, but he didn't say much. He put away the Spirit Stones and took out two keys from behind the counter. The keys were tied with red strings, and wooden plaques hung from them, engraved with the words 'Heaven A' and 'Heaven B.'

"Heaven A, Heaven B. Top floor, opposite each other. Guest, this way please."

The innkeeper led the way personally, with the waiter following behind. Yun Ming walked in the middle, while Ah Yuan followed last, carrying the fox. The fox lay in her arms, its nine tails hanging down and swaying slightly, its eyes squinted as if it were dozing off.

The three of them went up the stairs. The stairs were made of redwood and covered with a thick carpet, making their footsteps completely silent. Several landscape paintings hung on the walls, all depicting scenes of Tianyuan City. Every few steps, there was a spirit lamp along the wall, casting a soft, gentle light. The second floor consisted of private rooms. The corridor was long, with closed doors on both sides. The door panels were made of red sandalwood and carved with exquisite patterns. Faint light peeked through the door cracks, and the vague sounds of conversation and laughter drifted out. Yun Ming didn't intentionally listen; the voices blended into a muffled hum, their contents indistinguishable. He had no interest in listening anyway.

Reaching the third floor, the corridor became even quieter. The carpet was thicker, the lighting softer, and a faint fragrance filled the air—not strong, but very elegant, like the scent of some spiritual wood. The innkeeper stopped at the end of the corridor, used a key to open the door to 'Heaven A,' pushed it open, and stepped aside.

"Guest, please."

Yun Ming walked in, stood at the entrance, and looked around.

The room was large, unexpectedly so.

This was no mere inn room; it was clearly an exquisite mansion.

He looked back at the corridor and then at the depth of the room, making a mental estimate. From the outside, the room appeared to be at most two zhang deep, but standing inside, it looked to be at least six zhang. This wasn't right.

"A Space Formation?" Yun Ming asked.

The innkeeper nodded, a hint of pride in his smile. "You have a keen eye, guest. Our inn specifically hired the best Formation Master in Tianyuan City to set up Space Expansion Formations in every Heaven-Grade room on the top floor. It expanded the original two-zhang depth to six zhang. A full threefold increase."

"Why not expand it tenfold?" Yun Ming turned around and looked at the innkeeper. "If it were tenfold, you could charge even higher room rates and make more money."

The innkeeper gave a bitter smile and shook his head. "You might not know, guest. A Formation Master capable of setting up Space Formations must be at least at the fifth rank. And those who can set up Space Expansion Formations are rare even among fifth-rank Formation Masters. In all of Tianyuan City, there are no more than three people who can do this. Their price—it's not something our Xianke Residence can afford." He paused. "A threefold expansion is already the highest level our inn can pay for. Anything higher isn't just a matter of Spirit Stones."

Yun Ming didn't ask further. At ten High-Grade Spirit Stones a night, he knew it definitely wasn't cheap. He didn't haggle, nor did he inquire about the Formation Master's rates. He wasn't a Formation Master and didn't need to worry about that.

After entering, there was a small hall furnished with redwood tables and chairs. A tea set sat on the table; the teapot was made of purple clay, and the cups were white porcelain with blue floral patterns. A bronze incense burner stood in the corner, with a coil of incense burning inside, emitting curls of smoke with that same elegant fragrance. Soothing Incense could calm the mind and assist in cultivation. To the left of the hall was a moon gate leading to the bedroom. The bedroom featured a large, carved redwood bed with light green curtains and neatly folded silk bedding. A spirit lamp sat at the head of the bed, its light adjustable to one's preference. At the foot of the bed was a soft daybed for resting. The floor was covered with a thick carpet, feeling soft underfoot, as if walking on clouds.

To the right of the bedroom was a sliding door leading to the bathroom. The bathroom was large, with a large circular bath in the center made of a single piece of green jade. The bottom was lined with pebbles, and the water was crystal clear, shimmering with a faint spiritual light. Beside the bath was a smaller pool of cold water for rinsing after bathing. A shower rack stood in the corner with several clean towels hanging on it. formation patterns were carved onto the bathroom walls to purify and recycle the wastewater. The water in the bath wasn't ordinary water but Spirit Spring water; soaking in it could slowly restore spiritual energy and nourish the Physical Body.

Yun Ming walked to the window and pushed it open. The night wind rushed in, carrying the coolness of early autumn and the city's hustle and bustle. From here, he could see most of Tianyuan City. Heavenly Street was brightly lit, teeming with carriages and people. The distant Imperial Palace was particularly striking in the night, its golden roofs reflecting the moonlight, making the entire palace look like a slumbering giant beast. The tip of the Heaven-Reaching Tower was lost in the darkness, but the runes on its body emitted a faint spiritual light, like a pillar of light connecting heaven and earth. Further away were the continuous mountain ranges, their silhouettes overlapping and appearing indistinct under the moonlight.

Yun Ming stood by the window for a while before turning back to the small hall. The innkeeper was still standing at the door, looking at him with a beaming smile.

"Guest, are you satisfied?"

Yun Ming nodded. "Not bad."

The innkeeper's smile deepened. "Then please rest early. If you need anything, feel free to call the waiter at any time." He pointed to a small bell by the wall. "Ring that bell, and the waiter will come up."

Yun Ming nodded.

The innkeeper's gaze fell on Ah Yuan and then back to Yun Ming, tactfully refraining from asking further. He withdrew with the waiter, gently closing the door behind them.

Ah Yuan stood in the small hall, holding the fox and looking around. Her eyes were wide, her mouth slightly agape, her face filled with astonishment.

"Mr. Yun... this room... it's so big..." she murmured, her voice carrying a sense of surreal dreaminess.

Yun Ming glanced at her. "Your room is opposite, Heaven B. Here's your key."

Ah Yuan took the key but didn't move. She lowered her head, looked at the key in her hand for a moment, and then looked up at Yun Ming.

"Mr. Yun, I... can I stay with you? I'm afraid to stay alone." Her voice was very soft, tinged with a hint of timidness. "I've never stayed in such a large room by myself. I'm scared."

Yun Ming was silent for a moment before taking the fox from her arms. The fox squinted, yawned, and rubbed its head against Yun Ming's palm. He handed the fox back to Ah Yuan. "Let Xue Ji accompany you. She's even fiercer than you; with her there, no one will dare come near."

The fox opened its eyes, glanced at Yun Ming, and then closed them again. Ah Yuan held the fox, hesitated for a moment, and then nodded.

"Then... alright." Holding the fox, she walked to the door, opened it, and went to the room opposite. She looked back at Yun Ming, her mouth moving as if she wanted to say something, but she swallowed her words. She entered the room and gently closed the door.

The corridor fell silent. Yun Ming stood at the door and listened for a while, confirming there was no movement from Ah Yuan's side before closing the door and walking back inside. He sat down on a chair in the small hall, leaned back, closed his eyes, and tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest. He hadn't taken tonight's events to heart. Xuanming Hall and the Zhao family had nothing to do with him. He hadn't come to Tianyuan City to cause trouble, but to live a quiet life. As long as they didn't come looking for trouble with him, he would act as if nothing had happened.

He opened his eyes and took out some Spirit Stones from the map of mountains and rivers to set up a simple Soundproofing Formation. Then he closed his eyes, and his mind sank into his Sea of Consciousness.

He had been accumulating draws for a long time. From the trial in Qingyao City until now, many things had happened, and he hadn't performed any draws. With ten draws a day, he had saved up for several months. Combined with what was left from before, he had at least five or six thousand draws. He decided to use them all tonight.

His mind sank into the sea of stars and entered the gacha interface. A galaxy poured down, and meteors streaked across the Void Realm. It had begun.