Several figures soared through the air. Before they even reached the canyon, they caught a whiff of sulfur. It was then that Niu You Dao understood why there was no sulfur in the canyon itself.
The group descended from the sky, landing before the entrance. Immediately, a wave of warm air washed over them. The atmosphere here was completely different from outside. A huge flow of people moved back and forth. However, quite a few eyes turned towards Niu You Dao and the others, for they still wore hats that covered their entire faces.
Sheer mountains flanked both sides of the gorge. They resembled steps on a ladder, and each step was a shop belonging to some sect or school.
As for the shops, they were similar to those in Zhaixing City.
Lady Pei and the others also frequently glanced at Niu You Dao. It was understandable that they wore hats outside due to the cold, but here?
The two groups proceeded towards the end of the canyon, where the Rainbow Inn was located. Its name came from the rainbow in the sky, which could always be seen if the sun was out.
The inn itself resembled a massive wall, lacking any particular aesthetic appeal. Only an arched dome stretched overhead.
Below the inn lay an arched bridge, which supplied the establishment with melted water. From above, water cascaded directly into the inn.
People constantly traversed both ends of the arched bridge. Black Peony, watching them, sighed. They themselves had once waited for their chance outside such inns, eventually finding Niu You Dao. Now, looking at such cultivators filled them with a pang of sorrow.
Upon reaching the inn's entrance, Niu You Dao and the others removed their hats.
As soon as they entered the inn, an employee warmly greeted them.
However, as was his habit, Niu You Dao surveyed his surroundings before settling in. And there, by chance, he saw someone and froze.
For Wei Duo was seated in one corner of the main hall. (Translator's note: I was stunned too). Wei Duo himself was equally surprised, yet he slowly rose. He seemed afraid to approach, but he couldn't not. So he respectfully walked over and politely said, "My L-L..."
"Scram!" Niu You Dao snapped, without bothering with pleasantries.
Wei Duo became flustered, but there was nothing he could do. He lowered his head and exited the inn.
Lady Pei, Black Peony, and the others exchanged bewildered glances. They had no idea what was happening.
Niu You Dao paid no mind to Wei Duo's appearance and approached the inn's counter.
Had he known who Wei Duo had arrived with, he certainly wouldn't have treated him that way.
"Sirs, my apologies. All rooms are currently occupied," the manager said apologetically.
"Please wait a moment over here. You may enjoy complimentary aromatic tea while I see if anyone will be checking out today."
Lady Pei asked, "Someone might leave?"
The manager smiled, replying, "At our inn, people check in and check out every single day. It's simply that the time of their departure is never certain."
"Young Master, we shall wait a bit then," Lady Pei told the girl.
The girl, in turn, pouted but remained silent. She understood that it was best not to display her temperament here.
Niu You Dao also understood his own situation, for he absolutely needed a safe place.
The group waited to the side. An employee quickly approached, serving them tea.
The girl suddenly declared, "When rooms become available, I'll be the first to move in!" This was her warning to Niu You Dao.
As soon as she said this, everyone tensed. After all, it was unlikely that so many rooms would become available simultaneously.
Lady Pei and the others would, of course, yield to the girl first, but Niu You Dao and his companions were not her subordinates.
Lady Pei looked at Niu You Dao and said, a little awkwardly, "Mister Li, what are your thoughts on this?"
Niu You Dao looked at the girl, who was provocatively staring at him, and said with a smile, "Young Master, perhaps we should make another bet?"
The girl asked, "On what?"
Niu You Dao replied, "The one who enters a room first, when one becomes available, wins. The stake: one million. Of course, if you don't have the money, you can always write an IOU!"
Lady Pei and the others were speechless. He was provoking their mistress again.
The girl was indeed offended again, yet she refused to back down. "I'm afraid you'll lose. Fine, a bet it is!"
Niu You Dao immediately leaned towards Black Peony. "Go to the counter and pay..."
"Shwsh!"
Before he could finish, a silhouette flashed to the counter. The girl appeared at the counter and exclaimed, "Manager, I'll pay for a room first! As soon as any rooms are free, give them to us immediately!"
...Lady Pei, Niu You Dao, and the others stared wide-eyed. This girl moved so quickly!
Niu You Dao, having approached Black Peony, said, "Go register. Use your real name. And when you register me, use Huangdi Dao!"
Black Peony was surprised, yet she turned and went to the counter.
At that moment, Lady Pei watched them warily. She understood that her mistress was not as clever as Mister Li.
At that moment, the girl could be seen skipping back, cheerfully. She looked proudly at Niu You Dao.
"Huangdi Dao? Where is Huangdi Dao?"
Black Peony stood before the counter, registering. And when she gave the employee the name Huangdi Dao, the manager, sitting further back at the counter, heard the name. He immediately raised his brows, rose, and approached Black Peony, asking.
Black Peony offered a wry smile. She was now ninety percent certain that Lord Dao would win the wager. This fellow truly did rake in money with his bare hands! He was utterly unlike anyone else!
Black Peony turned her head to Niu You Dao and nodded towards him.
"Mmm..." The manager gave Niu You Dao a meaningful look.
"Manager, as soon as a room is free, give it to us first," Black Peony reminded him before leaving.
The manager neither agreed nor refused, merely saying, "We'll see if there are any rooms." All the while, he stared intently at Niu You Dao.
Niu You Dao, seated, caught the manager's scrutinizing gaze from the corner of his eye. A faint smile played on his lips.
As soon as Black Peony had moved away from the counter, the manager left in an unknown direction.
"Lord Dao, I've registered," Black Peony whispered to Niu You Dao.
Niu You Dao whispered back, "He must have heard about me."
Those words calmed Black Peony. After all, a million was an immense sum!
"Since we're registered, why sit idly by? Perhaps we should go for a stroll?" Niu You Dao stood and suggested to Lady Pei.
Lady Pei didn't have time to reply before the girl stood, walked up to Niu You Dao, and said with a cold sneer, "Many rooms will become available while we're strolling. How will we know who won and who didn't then? You've truly thought this through!"
Niu You Dao smiled and said, "You are truly clever!"
To the girl, however, Niu You Dao's compliment felt like satire, especially when paired with his subtly mocking smile.
At that moment, a figure entered the hall with quick steps. As soon as he entered, he paused slightly, and Wei Duo followed behind him. It was Yuan Gang.
He looked around, spotted Niu You Dao, then immediately approached him.
The girl, who had been speaking with Niu You Dao, watched Yuan Gang approach.
Niu You Dao turned his head and froze. Then he turned his entire body.
As he approached, Yuan Gang was shedding his thick fur clothing and hat, handing everything to Wei Duo, who stood behind him. Clearly, he had just arrived from the postal station.
Niu You Dao noticed Yuan Gang's lips were blue. The fierce cold outside was simply too intense for ordinary people, and Yuan Gang was, after all, not a cultivator. Niu You Dao understood that Yuan Gang had been looking for him.
"Lord Dao!" Yuan Gang approached and greeted him.
The girl's eyes widened, staring at Yuan Gang. This man was like a carved statue. He had a handsome, yet aloof face. Beneath his clothes, the figure of an Apollo was apparent, a body brimming with explosive power.
A single glance at him was enough to feel the pure, masculine *yang* energy radiating off him. And this energy simply enveloped her!
Lady Pei's eyes also widened, and she looked at Yuan Gang with approval, thinking, "Handsome!"
However, she had a doubt: "This 'Apollo' called Mister Li 'Lord Dao.' Could that be his true name?"
Niu You Dao also scrutinized Yuan Gang and noticed that his demeanor had changed, becoming somewhat wilder. His body had also transformed. It contained colossal energy!
"Return to the room and wait for me!" Niu You Dao said calmly.
Yuan Gang didn't ask further questions, and Niu You Dao didn't ask him how they had ended up at the Rainbow Inn; it was as if he already knew Niu You Dao would arrive here.
They understood each other well and refrained from extensive conversation in front of others. Yuan Gang knew Niu You Dao would appear here, which was why he had left Wei Duo here.
Yuan Gang nodded, turned, and took Wei Duo with him. Niu You Dao narrowed his eyes, watching Wei Duo follow. He frowned.
The girl stared, spellbound, at Yuan Gang's receding figure.
Not long after, the manager returned. He quickly approached Niu You Dao directly and, cupping his hands, said, "May I presume to ask, are you... Mister Huangdi Dao?"
He treated Niu You Dao with extreme courtesy, which astonished Lady Pei and the others. For they knew the power that stood behind the Rainbow Inn...