Que Qian was startled and quickly cast a spell to hide her tail. She covered her mouth and stuck out her tongue playfully. "Got a bit too excited."

Qin Shu laughed as they headed toward the city gates. "Sister Qian, where exactly is your clan uncle here in Tailai City?"

Que Qian shook her head. "I'm not sure. I haven't seen him in nearly three hundred years."

Three hundred years...

In the cultivation world, time was counted in centuries. Qin Shu, barely twenty by mortal standards, couldn't help but silently marvel at that number.

"No worries," Qin Shu reassured her. "Once we're inside the city, we'll find him. My sect has a branch here, and I can ask my senior brothers to help search."

"That would be wonderful," Que Qian replied gratefully.

At the city gate, entry required spirit stones. Knowing Que Qian had just taken human form and lacked them, Qin Shu paid for both of them.

Que Qian was even more touched. "Our clan always said humans were cunning, but you've proven them wrong."

Qin Shu smiled. "Every race has its bad apples, even foxes. You'll need to be careful when dealing with people."

Que Qian nodded earnestly. "I'll remember."

"I have some business to handle," Qin Shu said. "You can explore the city and look for your clan uncle. If you get tired, go wait for me at our sect's local branch."

"Alright."

After walking a few steps, Qin Shu turned back and whispered, "Remember to keep your tail hidden."

Que Qian was only at Qi Refining stage five — weak by the city's standards — and could easily be captured as someone's spirit pet.

After parting ways, Qin Shu went to search for Yan Yu Tower, the place the serpent had mentioned. Strangely, no one seemed to know of it.

She was beginning to suspect the serpent might have tricked her when an elderly man finally gave her a lead.

"Yan Yu Tower? Didn't expect a youngster like you to know of that," he said.

Qin Shu perked up and crouched next to him. "Grandfather, you know about it?"

He nodded and puffed on his pipe. "It's just an old nickname. That place caught fire long ago, but the rain put it out after three days. The smoke and mist earned it the name Yan Yu Tower."

"What's it like now?" Qin Shu asked.

"Never rebuilt. The whole street's cursed. Honest folk stay away."

"What street?"

"Tengshi Street."

Qin Shu smiled sweetly. "Thanks, Grandpa!" But as soon as she left, she immediately asked around for Tengshi Street's location.

At the entrance to the alley, Qin Shu finally understood the warnings. Despite the sunny sky overhead, Tengshi Street was gloomy and chilling.

She hesitated but figured the serpent wouldn't send her here to die... hopefully.

Upon entering, a cold seeped through her bones. She wrapped herself in spiritual energy to block it out and continued on.

Dilapidated buildings lined the alley. Broken shutters, boarded-up doors... and that eerie sensation of being watched.

Eventually, she stopped in front of a two-story wooden building with a partially collapsed roof.

"Liniang, are you here?!" she called out.

No answer. Just the sound of wind and shifting shadows.

"Liniang!" Qin Shu called again, twice more, but still nothing.

Perhaps they were gone. She sighed. "How sad. Gone without a trace..."

She turned to leave — only to step into a ripple of energy.

In an instant, the alley transformed. Bright, bustling market stalls replaced the eerie street. People laughed, vendors shouted, and life was vibrant.

At the top of the steps stood a beautiful woman in her thirties, who spoke lazily, "Were you looking for me?"

Her voice sent a shiver down Qin Shu's spine.

Behind her stood Yan Yu Tower, now perfectly intact, filled with cheerful guests and charming courtesans.

"You're Liniang?" Qin Shu asked, eyeing her cautiously.

"I am. Who are you, and how did you learn my name?"

Qin Shu knew this place reeked of danger. The less she knew, the safer she'd be.

Without hesitation, she took out the black token engraved with a serpent and handed it over. "I'm just a messenger. I was told to give this to you."

Liniang's expression froze. Her demeanor shifted to reverence as she stared at the token.

"Come inside," Liniang said softly. "Let's talk in private."

As they walked through the bustling crowd, Qin Shu noticed how people watched her with curiosity — but no one dared approach once they saw her walking with Liniang.

Inside the top floor, Liniang sealed the room with a water-like enchantment before turning back.

"Where is he now? And who are you to him?" Liniang asked, eyes sharp yet respectful. After all, anyone trusted by the Demon Lord must be important.



Chapters 110-113 can be watched by joining the Telegram group: https://t.me/likenovels