In the Luoyun mountain range, eight bandits were gathered around a bonfire, engaged in a heated discussion.
"Old Seven and Old Ten went to that girl's house last night and still haven't returned. Did something happen?"
"Last night, I heard a tiger's roar. I suspect Old Seven and Old Ten were eaten by that white tiger."
"Boss... that girl's white tiger is not to be trifled with. Are we still going to make a move? I don't want to lose my life!"
As the bandits discussed, they all turned their gaze towards a one-eyed man with a face full of scars and a thick, meaty complexion.
He was their leader, Long San.
Long San said in a deep voice, "That girl dug up the Bloodstone Ganoderma that we've been searching for for months. Are you really willing to give up?"
Hearing Long San's words, the bandits fell silent.
Three months ago, a celestial phenomenon occurred in the Luoyun mountain range, and countless demonic beasts vanished into thin air, attracting widespread attention.
Long San had received information through special channels that a demon king was guarding a hundred-thousand-year-old Bloodstone Ganoderma in the Luoyun mountain range. Now that the demonic beasts in the mountain range had largely disappeared, he surmised that the demon king had also vanished. Thus, he gathered a group of bandits to venture deep into the Luoyun mountain range in search of the Bloodstone Ganoderma.
However, as soon as they found the demon king's lair, they saw Ayu, riding a white tiger, leaving with the priceless Bloodstone Ganoderma.
Long San led the bandits to Ayu's residence, intending to rob and kill her. He sent Old Seven and Old Ten into the residence that night to gather information, but to their surprise, they waited until the next day and still saw no sign of their companions.
Bandit Number Three, unwilling to give up, said, "The other party is just a young girl, a cripple, and a tiger. We have eight people now, what are we afraid of? In my opinion, we should just rush in and kill them all!"
Long San immediately rejected this, "Impossible! I've observed that the white tiger possesses strength close to that of a demon king. Even if we attack together, we might not be able to defeat that beast."
Bandit Number Four asked, "Then what should we do? We can't steal, and we can't defeat them. Should we just sit here?"
Long San, however, smiled mysteriously and said, "I have a plan. Come here, you few, and listen to me..."
Everyone gathered around Long San, listening intently.
Occasionally, cold laughter could be heard from the woods, as if a sinister plot was taking shape.
...
Ayu's residence.
After eating the herbs Ayu had ground for her, Dingdang regained its spirit and set off, carrying Ye Ling and Ayu.
Originally, Ye Ling did not want to ride Dingdang with Ayu, but Ayu insisted. Moreover, Ye Ling's injuries had not healed, and he could not overuse his spiritual energy. In the end, Ye Ling could only agree to ride with Ayu.
It was strange, for Ayu, who lived in the mountains and forests her whole life, making a living by hunting and gathering herbs, always exuded a peculiar and captivating fragrance.
As Ye Ling sat with Ayu, he inhaled the body fragrance emanating from her, which even improved his spirits.
Although Dingdang was terrified and questioned its existence by Ye Ling, its strength was still formidable, possessing power comparable to the True Martial realm. Even carrying Ye Ling and Ayu simultaneously, its speed in the mountain forest was extremely fast, like a white lightning bolt.
As dusk approached, Dingdang carried Ye Ling and Ayu out of the Luoyun mountain range and onto a main road.
Ayu introduced to Ye Ling, "Tianren City can only be entered during the day. We definitely won't make it today. There's an inn ahead, so let's rest there for the night."
"Little Ye, you must be tired of eating my simple meals every day. Today, I'll treat you to something good and show you what a chef's skill is like!"
Ye Ling chuckled, "You're quite generous when it comes to praising others."
Ayu replied, "Of course, I always speak the truth. The chef at that inn has exceptional skills, famous for a hundred miles around. Many important figures from Tianren City even specifically come out of the city to eat at that inn."
Ye Ling smiled, "Hearing you say that, I'm becoming more and more eager to taste the chef's cooking. To be honest... your cooking is truly hard to describe."
Although Ye Ling had tasted all sorts of delicacies in the domain, he was also very curious about the culinary skills of people in the Nine Heavens Realm.
As for Ayu's cooking, Ye Ling felt it was not worth mentioning.
"Hmph!"
Ayu rolled her eyes but did not deny Ye Ling's words.
Although she cooked for Ye Ling every day, to be honest, her dishes were only barely edible.
Since Ye Ling was staying at Ayu's home and was seriously injured, unable to work, he felt too embarrassed to complain to Ayu.
The two chatted as they went, and soon arrived at the renowned "Youjian Inn."
However, this Youjian Inn was much quieter than Ayu had described; it was unusually deserted today, with only a few scattered guests.
Seeing the deserted inn, Ye Ling teased Ayu, "Is this the bustling inn you were talking about?"
Ayu's pretty face blushed, and she defended herself, "When I came here before, it was packed. Perhaps their business is just not good today? Can't they have a bad business day too?"
Ye Ling laughed, "Allowable, allowable! You're the boss!"
"Hmph!" Ayu gave Ye Ling another glare and dismounted from Dingdang.
A waiter from the inn quickly ran out, smiling as he asked Ayu and Ye Ling, "Two guests, are you here for a meal or to stay?"
Ayu said, "Book a room and order a table of good dishes. Be quick about it."
Ye Ling was surprised, "One room? Then what about me?"
Ayu said matter-of-factly, "Of course, you'll stay with me! The bed is big enough, and two rooms would be a waste."
Hearing Ayu's response, Ye Ling's mouth twitched.
Ayu ignored Ye Ling's protest and said to the waiter, "Do as I say!"
The waiter replied, "Alright! I'll arrange it right away! However, honored guests... we have a policy that pets and mounts are not allowed. Please allow me to take your mount to the backyard."
Ayu frowned, "There wasn't this rule when I came before. Dingdang has always stayed in the same room with me."
The waiter smiled, "Please understand, honored guest, we have changed our rules."
Ayu glanced at the sun, which was about to set. It was too late to find another inn, so she could only sigh and say to the waiter, "Alright, but please prepare ten pounds of beef, ten pounds of wild boar, and five pounds of venison for my Dingdang, along with two liters of fresh water. Make sure to take good care of Dingdang!"
The waiter smiled, "No problem! I guarantee to take excellent care of Master Tiger!"
With that, the waiter eagerly led Dingdang towards the backyard.
Ye Ling watched the waiter's retreating back, a hint of an inexplicable look flashing in his eyes.
He said to Ayu, "Ayu, this place... seems like a black inn."
Ayu: "Ah?"