The number of cultivators in the entire Immortal Burial Realm was not large—it could not even compare to a single large clan or sect in the outside world.
Yet... if any one of the many people here were to step outside at will, they would be a top-tier powerhouse, a single person equivalent to an entire sect!
Xiao Chen looked at the unassuming tavern before him. Plain and ordinary, it seemed just like one run by common mortals in a bustling town.
In fact, many other places in the town had caught his eye far more before arriving here.
For example...
The four high towers stationed at the town's four corners!
The tavern before him had only two stories. There was no telling how many years this weathered, rustic shop had been open.
Its name, however, came as somewhat of a surprise to Xiao Chen. Looking up at the characters inscribed on the wooden plaque, he murmured under his breath,
"Mortal Sojourner."
Sun Changlin smiled. "Good name, isn't it?"
Cao Yan frowned slightly and murmured softly,
"'Mortal Sojourner'... Does it mean that the cultivators who visit will eventually become immortals, and this place is merely a resting stop for their brief journey through the mortal world?"
Sun Changlin burst into hearty laughter upon hearing this, looking at Cao Yan with admiration.
Just then, a gracefully shaped, plainly dressed attractive woman smiled gently and said,
"That's right. It's more or less what it means.
"Old Sun, are these the two little fellows who arrived not long ago?"
Sun Changlin was in high spirits today. Pursing his lips in a grin, he said, "Indeed they are. Each of them is only in their thirties.
"Can't help but admit we're getting old."
Surprise flickered across Li Qingchan's face, and she remarked admiringly,
"The new generation really does surpass the old. We old folks just can't keep up anymore."
Sun Changlin smiled faintly and led the two toward the tavern.
Xiao Chen's nose twitched; before he even stepped close, he caught the intoxicating aroma of wine.
"Good wine!"
Li Qingchan stepped aside to clear the doorway. Cao Yan gave her a small smile and bowed respectfully.
Stepping inside, the two discovered that this modest tavern could actually fit over a dozen tables.
The ground floor was nearly packed, and faint, bustling chatter drifted down from the second floor.
Yet what piqued Cao Yan's curiosity was the decor.
It was plain—cluttered, even.
Handkerchiefs, broken blades, rings, necklaces...
All manner of miscellaneous items hung behind the counter, glinting with vibrant luster that made them look... quite pleasing to the eye.
Some seats were clearly empty, yet nobody sat in them.
Even when four patrons came together, one would rather stand while drinking.
Cao Yan and Xiao Chen's entrance drew the gazes of every drinker inside.
A gaunt, kindly-looking old man looked at Sun Changlin and teased,
"Old Sun, back for a drink? Don't need credit this time?"
Sun Changlin raised a hand proudly and barked back with a stiff neck and a laugh,
"I've got money today! Heh, not only can I clear my tab, but I can even treat someone to drinks!"
Surprise crossed the old man's face before it instantly melted into an obsequious grin. "Then how about treating me to a jug too?"
Still seemingly harboring a grudge, Old Sun put his hands on his hips and scolded,
"Last time I asked you to treat me, what did you old bastard say?
"'Oh, if you have no money, don't drink! Put it on credit!'
"I'm not treating you, just to tick you off!
"Lady Li, three jars of Red Dust Brew!"
Xiao Chen rubbed his hands together, already impatient.
Spotting an unoccupied spot, he moved to sit down.
Just as he was about to lower himself, his seat was pulled away, leaving him in a half-squat. He turned around, glaring unpleasantly at the young man who had yanked the stool away.
"Fellow Daoist, what is the meaning of this?"
A young man clad in luxurious purple robes glanced coldly at Xiao Chen.
"Scram and sit somewhere else. This seat isn't for you."
A chilling aura radiated from the young man; one look was enough to tell he was a formidable sword cultivator.
A surge of fury instantly flared in Xiao Chen's chest!
"What?
"Is bullying newcomers in style around here too?"
With that, Xiao Chen's eyes narrowed to slits, cold glints flashing within them as a dense, suffocating pressure faintly surged around him.
Cao Yan took two slow steps forward, stepping halfway in front of Xiao Chen.
The young man glanced at the two of them with indifferent eyes.
Yet he didn't argue with Xiao Chen, merely drinking his wine on his own.
The atmosphere grew tense in an instant, and many patrons watched the scene with keen interest.
Even Li Qingchan merely leaned on the counter, smiling as she watched.
Seeing this, Sun Changlin hurriedly stepped in to hold Xiao Chen back.
"No, no, no, you really can't sit there!
"Ah, blame me—all I could think about was treating you two to a drink, and I forgot to tell you the tavern's rules..."
As he spoke, the old man pulled the two toward the stairs to the second floor.
"Lady Li, send them up to us, will you?"
"Mm, go on up."
On the second floor, there were plenty of empty seats, with only a few tables occupied.
These patrons were quite familiar with Sun Changlin as well and greeted him with smiles.
Once the three were seated, Sun Changlin finally spoke.
"At Mortal Sojourner, certain fixed seats cannot be occupied."
Cao Yan frowned. "If they're clearly empty, why can't anyone sit there?"
Sun Changlin let out a long sigh. Hearing them, a middle-aged man at an adjacent table couldn't resist walking over with cup in hand.
"Elder Sun."
"Qingguo."
The resolute-faced man looked at Xiao Chen and Cao Yan, unable to hide his admiration either.
"You two young friends are truly dragons among men... To possess such cultivation and strength at such a young age."
In response to the man's praise, Xiao Chen and Cao Yan cupped their hands in return.
"Senior flatters us."
"Regarding those rules... please don't hesitate to enlighten us, Senior. We are newcomers and ignorant of things here; we'd hate to cross any lines."
In two sentences, Cao Yan brought the conversation straight back to their question.
Zhou Qingguo said softly, "This rule of Mortal Sojourner has been around for a very long time—in fact, not long after Lady Li opened the tavern, it was established.
"I imagine you must know a bit about our realm by now.
"Battles and slaughter almost never cease. Because of that, death is inevitable in the Seventh Domain.
"Whenever some valiant souls perish, the seats they used to occupy are engraved by Lady Li to preserve their place!
"It means: born of the immortals, sojourning briefly among mortals; though unknown to the world, immortalized in Mortal Sojourner!"
Cao Yan and Xiao Chen were hearing this explanation for the first time, and their hearts were deeply shaken.
Zhou Qingguo took a sip of wine and chuckled softly. "You should know that to ascend... we have waited for a very, very long time...
"Therefore, every guest in the tavern holds the utmost respect for this rule.
"Since we cannot go up, leaving our names in the mortal world is a good thing too. At least no one will forget us!"
Cao Yan understood. This was an obsession, a pillar of emotional solace.
To these people, it was more like a faith!
None of them wanted their own names and seats preserved one day, only to be disrespected.
Xiao Chen's tone grew solemn as well. "It was my rashness after all.
"Still... who is that guy in purple?"
Sun Changlin spoke in a low voice:
"The fellow regarded as most likely to take Youming's place and rise into the Eight Generals.
"The sword cultivator, Ye Mohan."
Cao Yan's brows knitted as he murmured, "No wonder he gave me such a dangerous feeling."
Chapter 1175