The queue moved slowly but in an orderly manner. Lei Wen took the opportunity to gather more information. And who better to ask than their so-called savior?
He turned to the girl. "Excuse me, Miss. Do you know why there are so many people lining up to enter the city?"
The girl glanced at him and smiled. "Please, no need to call me 'Miss.' My name is Ling Yu."
Lei Wen and his companions exchanged glances before stepping in closer. Lei Wen introduced himself, "My name is Lei Wen. These are my companions—Lin Qian, Zhao Zhi, Xu Yun, and," he gestured toward Xuan Tian, who still sat off to the side, "that one over there is Xuan Tian. Nice to meet you."
He and the others saluted. Ling Yu returned the gesture.
"These people are here because of some rumors," Ling Yu continued. "I am too."
Lin Qian raised an eyebrow. "What rumors?"
Ling Yu's voice dropped slightly, as if sharing a secret. "For the last three months, a rumor has been spreading across the empire—that there's a way for regular humans to become cultivators!"
"What?!" All four of her listeners reacted in shock.
Ling Yu nodded eagerly. "You guys know about cultivators, don't you? Every human wants to be one! They're immortal, don't get sick easily, can fly, they're powerful—basically, they're like superhumans! Who wouldn't want that?" Her voice brimmed with enthusiasm. "But not all humans can be cultivators."
"You need to have innate talent, and then there's the matter of finding cultivation resources, a teacher, a sect, and the right cultivation method. The road is long!" Ling Yu continued, gesturing animatedly.
"And here, they say you can find everything you need to become a cultivator in this city! That's why people are flocking here," she finished, crossing her arms confidently.
"But," Xu Yun said weakly, "how can regular humans become cultivators? It's impossible. You need innate talent for that."
"Didn't I just say that someone found a way? That's why everyone is here!" Ling Yu huffed impatiently.
The four doctors exchanged uncertain glances, disbelief reflected on their faces. Ling Yu looked at them curiously. "You didn't know about this? Then why are you here?"
"We heard a plague hit the empire, and Baishan has been hit the hardest. We're traveling doctors—we thought we could help," Lei Wen explained.
"Where did you hear that from? Whoever gave you that information must have been lying to you," Ling Yu replied matter-of-factly. "You should be careful about who you trust."
"Take that back!" Xuan Tian's voice cut through the conversation like a blade.
Not knowing when he had moved, the five of them jumped in shock.
"Don't do that!" Ling Yu exclaimed angrily. "Don't scare me like that!"
Xuan Tian inhaled, as if calming himself. "Take that back. The one who gave us the information would never lie," he said in a lower, more controlled tone.
"But the information is not correct. He's still wrong," Ling Yu didn't back down.
Xuan Tian couldn't believe the surge of anger and hurt threatening to erupt within him. The one who gave us the information is Tianjun himself! How could he be wrong?!
I need to—I need to what?
Do I really want to argue with a harmless young human girl? Me? The one called God of War?
Xuan Tian's eyes widened in disbelief. He took a staggering step back.
"Xuan Tian Xiong!" Zhao Zhi caught him, steadying him. "Are you okay?"
Ling Yu tilted her head and gestured with her chin. "Is he also a doctor?" she asked Lei Wen, completely unfazed.
"No, he's not," Lei Wen answered, his eyes flickering toward Xuan Tian before turning back to Ling Yu. "He's our escort."
"Your escort?" Ling Yu's face showed utter disbelief. "I'd believe it if you said he was your patient!"
"What did you say?" Xuan Tian's voice boomed. "I certainly am not their patient! I am perfectly healthy, and I—"
Ling Yu cut him off mercilessly. "Well, you certainly don't look like an escort."
Xuan Tian took a step closer, his expression darkening. "What do I look like, then?"
"A patient! I just said it!" Ling Yu shot back, her tone just as firm.
"You—" Xuan Tian choked on his words, completely at a loss. He'd faced demon lords without flinching, but this girl's words hit harder than any blade.
"Children," Lin Qian, who had been silent until now, called out with a hint of amusement in her voice.
"What?" Both Xuan Tian and Ling Yu turned toward Lin Qian at the same time.
Lin Qian's smile broadened. "The queue has moved forward. We'll be up in a few more spots. Unless you'd rather stay here and keep arguing."
All of them, including Xuan Tian and Ling Yu, turned their gazes toward the queue. Lin Qian was right—it had moved forward quite a few steps.
Murmurs of impatience drifted from the crowd. "Move or get out of the line. Don't hold us up."
Xuan Tian took a deep breath—he felt like he'd been doing that a lot ever since meeting Ling Yu. He nodded at Lin Qian, then gestured for his companions to move forward. Without another word, he followed them, resolutely ignoring Ling Yu.
Ling Yu quietly followed behind them, grumbling, "I'm not wrong, he does look like a patient. Maybe he's just embarrassed that I said it out loud. That's my fault—I should apologize."
Xuan Tian heard every word. Even with most of his power sealed, he was still a powerful Celestial, his senses far sharper than any human's. He'd been insulted on countless battlefields, but somehow, being called a patient stung more.
He was about to turn and tell her there was no need to apologize when he heard her mumble to herself, "But wait, I was right about their information being wrong. They should be thanking me. We're even."
Xuan Tian gave up.
Their turn came at last. "What is your purpose for entering the city?" one of the soldiers asked in a systematic tone.
Lei Wen hesitated. He had originally intended to enter using his doctor's credentials, but now, he wasn't sure if the situation warranted a doctor's presence. He glanced at his companions, his gaze lingering on Xuan Tian.
Realizing Lei Wen's difficulty, Xuan Tian stepped forward and answered swiftly, "The same as the rest of these people."
The soldier continued absentmindedly, "How many in your group?"
"Six," Ling Yu's voice cut in before Xuan Tian could respond.
The soldier didn't seem to care. "No one is physically ill? Here's your entry permit. Without this, you cannot exit the city. That'll be six taels of silver." He handed the permits to Xuan Tian and held out his hand expectantly, waiting for the payment.