Translator: yikaii Editor: yikaii

Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou knew that despite Daoist Non-Speakers heroic demeanor, this battle was not going to be easily concluded.

In fact, the best course of action would have been for Daoist Non-Speaker to take them and flee the area. His decision not to do so implied he wasnt confident he could protect them from the ancient Unity Stages that had awakened.

Lu Yang performed a set of the Eldest Senior Sister Shape-Imitating Fist, attempting to summon Eldest Senior Sister. He found he couldnt use his spiritual power, not even able to transform.

The Lu Familys Shape-Imitating Fist truly was a spiritual technique.

Meng Jingzhou tested his current level: Although we cant use techniques, our physical strength hasnt changed much.

That was somewhat good news.

What time is it now?

Lu Yang recalled Rule 2, which mentioned Rule 2: From the hours of Hai (9pm-11pm) to Chen (7am-9am), thatched cottages and inn rooms with doors closed are absolutely safe. Everywhere else is dangerous.

From Hai to Chen is from 9 pm to 9 am.

When we crashed, it was the hour of Hai. Theres no one on the streets now; people must have gone home. We must find a place to stay, either a thatched cottage or an inn!

There were a few thatched cottages nearby with lights on. Meng Jingzhou knocked on a door, politely saying, Fellow villagers, we are cultivators who have strayed into this place. Please open the door and let us stay for the night. We will be deeply grateful and offer gold and spirit stones, whatever you choose!

Meng Jingzhou tried several houses, but not one opened their doors.

Lu Yang stopped him: Dont waste your effort. Have you forgotten Rule 6, which states that you absolutely must not open the door to knocking sounds? Commoner Town surely has more than just us; there are ordinary people too, who also need to follow the rules.

Rule 19: Townsfolk cannot reveal anything about the town to outsiders indicates Commoner Town has its natives.

Meng Jingzhou was about to say something when Lu Yang hushed him, signaling to be quiet.

Not far away, they heard the sound of footsteps, heavy and with large intervals between breaths, indicating a large size. The rhythm of the footsteps suggested four legs, or even more; Lu Yang didnt know what kind of monster this was.

Lu Yang could even see the monsters shadow around the corner.

Run! Lu Yang whispered, and they hurriedly fled.

Facing an unknown opponent without clear knowledge of their realm and capabilities was unwise.

They ran in the direction opposite the monster. The monster didnt notice them, and they quickly lost it.

They stopped to listen for any nearby movement, ensuring there were no monsters around, before cautiously walking on the streets and finding an inn.

The inn was brightly lit, with a person in white clothes lazily leaning on the counter and two travelers discussing which room to stay in.

Finally found an inn; Im exhausted. Give us two Tian (heaven) numbered rooms. A traveler slammed a silver ingot on the counter.

His companion quickly stopped him: Did you forget what was written on that paper? We cant stay in Tian numbered rooms!

Do you really believe that paper?

Better safe than sorry. The companion took the silver ingot, uneasy about the strange town and determined to leave first thing in the morning.

He politely asked the person in white for two Di (earth) numbered rooms.

The person in white took the silver without offering change, handing over three keys: One group can only rent one room. Di number 3 room has only three keys; all are yours now.

The traveler frowned; the inn was really overcharging for a Di numbered room.

Lu Yang warned them, Make sure to follow the rules on the white paper.

The travelers companion, remembering the rule about not easily believing strangers, was unsure of Lu Yangs intentions and quickly went upstairs.

Meng Jingzhou was about to ask for a Di character room when Lu Yang grabbed a piece of paper and pen from the counter and pulled Meng Jingzhou behind him.

Meng Jingzhou realized, recalling rule number fifteen, which stated, If you have questions inside the inn, ask the innkeeper; if outside, ask the apothecary, but do not speak to them.

Lu Yang wrote on the paper: Are you the owner of this inn?

The owner wrote back: Yes.

Lu Yang took out a silver ingot and wrote: Rent us a Dizhi room that hasnt had any deaths.

The owner handed over three keys marked Dizhi No. 4 room.

The two exchanged glances and went upstairs, noting that there were ten rooms on the second floor. Eight of them had black doors, and only Dizhi No. 3 and Dizhi No. 4 rooms had brown doors.

Dizhi No. 3 room was for the merchants, and Dizhi No. 4 room was theirs.

Entering their room, they only relaxed once seated on the bed, noticing their hearts were beating fast.

Hasnt your family ever told you about this kind of thing? Lu Yang asked.

Not at all. I had no idea Unity Stages ability was to modify reality and set rules. The few Unity Stage elders in my family spend their days raising birds, gardening, fishing, and cursing in the streets; they dont seem like theyre capable of this!

Lu Yang agreed, having never noticed such power among the Dao Seeking Sect elders.

He believed Eldest Senior Sister might possess such ability.

At least the prestige matched the power.

Footsteps sounded, light and seemingly human.

Knocking on the opposite room, the voice was gentle, with a very humble posture: Guests, have you gone to bed? The boss accidentally gave all three keys to you. I cant open the door. Ive prepared some dinner for you, its free. Could you please open the door so I can bring it in?

The guests in No. 3 room, wise to the strangeness, adhered to the rules and didnt respond.

The knocking grew louder and more intense, echoing throughout the corridor.

Guests, open the door!

Open the door!

Do you hear me asking you to open the door!

Believe it or not, Ill break down this door!

Dropping the disguise, the figure knocked violently, but fortunately, the door was of high quality and remained intact.

Failing to deceive the merchants, the figure reverted to its gentle voice: Then Ill leave the food at your door.

The merchants still didnt respond.

The figure repeated its tactic, knocking on Lu Yangs door, starting gently then increasingly becoming aggressive, revealing its true nature.

Still, no one was deceived.

Footsteps sounded as the figure left.

But those footsteps are too short, not like someone going downstairs or upstairs. Its still on the second floor! Lu Yang felt a chill.

He imagined a scene: the figure with hands on the walls, hiding on the ceiling, waiting for the merchants to relax and sneakily open the door to get the food, then dropping down on them

Not knowing whether the merchants shared his thoughts or were just cautious, they showed no intention of opening the door.

Lets sleep, Meng Jingzhou yawned, recalling the rule that one must sleep before the hour of Zi, or 11 PM.

He took a blanket from the closet, laid it on the floor, voluntarily taking the lower spot.

Then he blew out the candle, plunging the room into darkness, with the thin moonlight shining through the paper windows into the room.

Meng Jingzhou looked out the window, his heart stopping.

A black figure appeared outside the window, swaying left and right, as if clinging to the window sill, trying to peek inside.

The problem was, this was the second floor. How tall was this person?!

Check if the window is latched! Lu Yang suddenly shouted, remembering the rule about not opening windows!

After entering, they were only concerned with locking the door and forgot about the windows. Whether the windows were latched or not was unclear!

They moved quickly and found the window unlatched. They managed to latch it just before the figure could knock, seeing the humanoid black shadow through the window, their hearts pounding.

The two survived their first night without incident.

(End of the chapter)