Faced with Ling Yunhe's invitation, Mo Tiange considered it carefully but still did not give a definite answer.
Although Ling Yunhe had spoken eloquently, one could know a person's face but not their heart. Agreeing just like that would be too risky.
Regarding this, Ling Yunhe felt quite regretful, but with good grace, he asked Mo Tiange to think it over some more.
Mo Tiange agreed. She wasn't necessarily refusing to go. After all, Ling Yunhe's status was right there. If he became the Sect Leader of the Jiuyan Sect, associating with him would make things much more convenient in Yunzhong. Even if he didn't become Sect Leader, knowing a Jiuyan Sect Elder would still be very beneficial to her.
After Ling Yunhe took his leave, Mo Tiange also left her cave abode and headed for the market district in Tianxue City.
Whether she agreed or not, she still had to give Ling Yunhe a reply. Since that was the case, she might as well go to Tianxue City first to gather some information, to see if what he said was true and if it was truly worth taking the risk.
The market district of Tianxue City was located right in the center of the city. The map in her hand, aside from the Ling family cave abode marker being fake, was all genuine. Following the map, Mo Tiange easily found the location of the market district.
The market district of Tianxue City also belonged to the Ling family. The moment Mo Tiange stepped into the market, she saw the huge 'Ling' character flag fluttering in the wind at the entrance. Since most of Tianxue City was Ling family property, it was normal for the market district to belong to them as well. This was a major source of spirit stone income; any cultivation family with some assets would be involved in market business.
However, the purpose of Mo Tiange's trip this time was the Tea House in Tianxue City.
So-called Tea Houses were quite common throughout Yunzhong. Their function was to facilitate cultivators in making acquaintances, forming friendships, and gathering information. When Mo Tiange first saw the Tea House marker on the map, she didn't quite understand it. It was only after asking Ling Yunhe that she learned the Tea House's purpose.
Because of this, Ling Yunhe became even more convinced that she was not a Yunzhong cultivator. Mo Tiange vaguely admitted that she was a cultivator from another continent overseas.
A rather plain-looking storefront, but the tall 'Tea' character flag above it shimmered with a faint, extraordinary light.
In Yunzhong, the 'Tea' character flags of Tea Houses had many nuances. The intensity of the spiritual energy imbued in them indicated the grade of the Tea House. If it only had faint spiritual energy, it meant it mainly catered to Qi Refining cultivators. If the Tea Flag was a spiritual tool, it indicated the presence of Foundation Establishment cultivators. If it was a magic tool, then one could find Core Formation cultivators within the Tea House. Of course, the Tea Flag could also be a magic treasure, which would mean a Nascent Soul cultivator was presiding over the Tea House. But Mo Tiange knew this was likely just theoretical. Magic treasures—even if Yunzhong's cultivation standards were somewhat higher than Tianji's—they weren't so high as to casually hang magic treasures outside, right?
The Tea Flag of this Tianxue City Tea House before her was clearly a magic tool, which meant one could find Core Formation cultivators within.
This wasn't strange either. Tianxue City was close to the Jiuyan Sect and was the territory of the Jiuyan Sect's Ling family. Naturally, there wouldn't be a shortage of high-ranking cultivators coming and going in the vicinity.
However, Mo Tiange still did not reveal her true cultivation level. Because for the matters she wanted to inquire about, being a Core Formation cultivator would actually be inconvenient.
"Esteemed Senior, are you alone?" The moment she reached the Tea House entrance, a low-level cultivator immediately came forward to lift the curtain, very attentively guiding her inside.
Entering the door, Mo Tiange looked up and around, feeling a sudden sense of openness, a world within a world.
From the outside, it looked like just an ordinary shop, but inside was a hall as large as a plaza.
The hall was arranged with several long tables and chairs, separated by plants and flowers, appearing orderly, spacious, and bright. Many cultivators of similar cultivation levels gathered in groups of three or five, chatting and laughing.
Mo Tiange swept a glance and found that the most numerous here were actually Foundation Establishment cultivators. Qi Refining cultivators weren't very many, and Core Formation cultivators were of course the fewest, estimated at only about ten people, and they were all in private rooms.
"Esteemed Senior, are you alone?" The attendant serving her asked again.
Mo Tiange snapped back to attention and nodded to him. "That's right."
The attendant smiled and continued, "Then are you looking for companions, or seeking to make friends?"
Looking for companions? Mo Tiange thought for a moment and replied, "I'd like to exchange insights with fellow cultivators of similar level."
"Oh, I see." The attendant explained, "Our Tea House charges one spirit stone. If you go about your own business, no other fees will be charged. If you need introductions to Seniors, or to find someone, etc., then additional fees apply."
Mo Tiange nodded to show she understood, took out a spirit stone, and handed it to him. The attendant immediately exchanged it for a waist token and handed it over, saying, "Esteemed Senior, please make yourself at home. If you need anything, just call for us."
Mo Tiange acknowledged, casually found an empty seat in the hall and sat down. The attendant brought tea and then left.
Sitting in the empty seat by the wall, Mo Tiange held her tea and slowly sipped it alone, her gaze occasionally sweeping over the others in the hall.
The cultivators here seemed much more enthusiastic than those in Tianji. She personally saw two cultivators who were complete strangers strike up a conversation and then chat very warmly. The soundproofing methods of these Foundation Establishment cultivators posed no difficulty for her. She clearly heard some cultivators discussing cultivation matters. Some insights that would be considered secret in Tianji, only shared between very close friends or sect members, they discussed without reservation.
She thought to herself, no matter what, this place Yunzhong had an excellent atmosphere for cultivation.
"Fellow Daoist..." Just as she was thinking, a voice sounded beside her ear.
Mo Tiange turned to look. It was a burly-looking mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator addressing her. "I wonder if Fellow Daoist is here to seek companions?"
Mo Tiange gently shook her head.
Seeing her shake her head, and noting her outstanding cultivation level, the burly man seemed unwilling to give up and asked another question. "Fellow Daoist has no interest in treasure hunting? We're only short one person."
Mo Tiange shook her head again, smiling. "I'm just here to rest for a moment and incidentally exchange insights with fellow cultivators."
Receiving a negative answer again, the burly man, though feeling regretful, ultimately did not pester her. He apologized and left.
This cultivator, even after being rejected, remained very polite and didn't cling obstinately. This made Mo Tiange feel quite at ease.
Next, several more people came to strike up a conversation. Two of them were also looking for companions; the others wanted to exchange materials. Mo Tiange still shook her head and refused.
"Fellow Daoist, may I sit here?"
Another voice sounded in her ear. Mo Tiange turned to look. This time it was a young-looking early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, looking somewhat shyly at her.
She thought about it. Sitting here... the meaning of these words was probably that he wanted to chat with her, right?
This was exactly what she was waiting for. She immediately nodded with a smile. "Of course."
Seeing her polite attitude, the young man was overjoyed. The cultivation level Mo Tiange was currently displaying was late-stage Foundation Establishment. Foundation Establishment was not Qi Refining; the difference in cultivation between early-stage and late-stage Foundation Establishment was huge. One late-stage cultivator was worth several early-stage ones.
The young man sat down. A passing attendant immediately brought tea and respectfully retreated.
"My surname is Tan, given name Dongchen. I'm from Qingzhou. May I ask how Fellow Daoist is addressed?"
"My humble surname is Qin, single name Wei, from the Outer Sea." Outer Sea was Yunzhong's term for other continents separated by vast seas, like Xiaoyang, Yuanzhou. She was from Tianji, which, in principle, could also be called Outer Sea.
Hearing this, Tan Dongchen's eyes lit up. "Fellow Daoist is actually from the Outer Sea? You must have very broad knowledge and experience."
Mo Tiange smiled but did not refute it. "I've just been to a few more places." She raised her gaze, looking at this young man. He was very young, only in his early twenties, with a shy expression, seeming not adept at social interaction.
Based on her own experience, Mo Tiange deduced that this young man was only at early-stage Foundation Establishment, his appearance didn't seem like he had taken something like a Beauty-Preserving Pill, and his mannerisms were quite green. He should have just recently established his Foundation, perhaps only in his thirties.
After some thought, she asked, "Fellow Daoist Tan is so young. Did you just recently establish your Foundation?"
Tan Dongchen widened his eyes in surprise. "How did Fellow Daoist Qin know?" This was an admission.
Mo Tiange smiled. "Just experience. The longer you live, the more you see."
"Oh..." Hearing her answer, Tan Dongchen looked somewhat disappointed. He had observed this female fellow cultivator for a long time before. She looked young, with a gentle and refined demeanor, sitting here quietly. Although not exceptionally beautiful, she still attracted the gazes of others.
He had mustered up his courage to come and strike up a conversation. He always felt that although this young lady was already at late-stage Foundation Establishment, she should still be very young, perhaps only seventy or eighty years old, so she wouldn't be much older than him... But Mo Tiange's words just now subtly hinted that she was quite old, dashing his hopes and leaving him quite disappointed.
However, no matter how disappointed, being able to exchange insights with a late-stage Foundation Establishment fellow cultivator was an opportunity he could only hope for, not something he could seek out. So, he quickly perked up and smiled at Mo Tiange. "Fellow Daoist Qin's insight is truly accurate. I did indeed just establish my Foundation not long ago and came out to travel."
Mo Tiange nodded with a smile, her gaze lingering on Tan Dongchen for a moment before asking again, "Fellow Daoist Tan has an extraordinary bearing. Are you from a prominent family?"
This question brought a hint of pride to Tan Dongchen's face. He nodded. "That's right. I am indeed a disciple of the Qingzhou Tan family."
Qingzhou Tan family. Mo Tiange was not from Yunzhong and knew nothing about this. But judging by Tan Dongchen's expression, it was probably a famous major family. So she seized the opportunity praised, "So that's how it is. Fellow Daoist Tan is from a prominent family, young and promising. It seems you are a talented youth."
"I dare not, I dare not." Hearing her praise, a shy smile appeared on Tan Dongchen's face again. "I'm nothing special within the family. I only established my Foundation in my thirties. My elder brothers and the like established theirs in their early twenties. I'm far behind."
"Ah? Really?" Mo Tiange raised an eyebrow, then smiled again. "Establishing Foundation in one's thirties is still quite rare. Even the elite disciples of major sects are probably only around that level, right?"
Tan Dongchen embarrassedly scratched his head, changing the subject. "Let's not talk about me. Fellow Daoist Qin, you're from the Outer Sea. Why did you come to our Yunzhong? I've never met anyone from the Outer Sea before."
"I came to travel," Mo Tiange said. "I just came from Beiji Island, arrived in Tianxue City not long ago. I heard Tianxue City has a Tea House, so I came to take a look, to exchange insights with fellow cultivators from Yunzhong. It might help my own cultivation." Looking at the young man, she smiled. "Since Fellow Daoist Tan is from a prominent family, I imagine your perspective is also extraordinary. I wonder if you would be willing to exchange insights with me?"