After that, Ding Fan and He Qianyao started looking for an inn. Ding Fan evidently inquired a bit upon arriving at Dancheng. With only a few days left until the Great Alchemy Competition, it was clear they needed an inn to wait for a few days. During this time, Ding Fan also wanted to search for clues about the whereabouts of Zhou Ruoran and Gusu Qingwen, and hoped to gather some information about the Wild Wolf Gang.

It didn't take long before Ding Fan and He Qianyao found an inn, but upon entering, they realized it was already full. The two had no choice but to continue their search. They found several inns afterward, but the result was the same— all fully booked. Ding Fan didn't find this surprising at all. After all, the Great Alchemy Competition in Dancheng was considered a major event on the Donglai Continent.

There were certainly many cultivators coming, whether they were participating alchemists, cultivators seeking medicine pills, or ordinary spectators of the competition. At this moment, Ding Fan also noticed that the streets of Dancheng were bustling with hurried passersby, including many cultivators. With no other choice, Ding Fan and He Qianyao continued searching for an inn. Finally, Ding Fan found a very luxurious-looking inn on a bustling street.

The inn had several floors just from the exterior, and its entrance was exquisitely decorated with many courtyards visible, clearly an upscale establishment. At first, He Qianyao had some reservations about this inn, as it looked extravagant and was sure to be expensive. However, with Ding Fan's insistence, she followed him inside.

From Ding Fan's perspective, the cost of accommodation wasn't a concern at all, and he was quite satisfied with the place. Since they would be staying there for a few days, they naturally hoped for a good environment, especially for cultivation. Although Ding Fan was not particular about his cultivation environment and could even train under the roots of big trees, He Qianyao couldn't do the same.

Moreover, Ding Fan didn't want to stand out and attract attention. But with most inns being overcrowded, Ding Fan found staying under the roots of a tree much quieter. However, the inn they entered provided a notably tranquil atmosphere, and the decor was incredibly comfortable, making it quite suitable for living and cultivating. Therefore, Ding Fan was quite pleased with this place.

"Boss, two rooms!"

Ding Fan approached the counter of the inn and said to a middle-aged man dressed in lavish attire.

The middle-aged man was elegantly dressed and clearly a wealthy person. Upon hearing Ding Fan's request, he broke into a typical merchant's smile and said to Ding Fan:

"I'm sorry, dear cultivator. Our inn is exclusively for prestigious alchemists participating in the competition. Do you have an invitation to the Great Alchemy Competition?"

Ding Fan was taken aback by the man's words, surprised that the inn was not open to the public and only invited those participating in the Great Alchemy Competition. He then said:

"We are also cultivators here to participate in the Great Alchemy Competition, but we do not have an invitation."

The middle-aged man's eyes lit up considerably upon hearing that Ding Fan was there for the competition. His smile became even brighter as he respectfully replied:

"I see, since you are participating in the Great Alchemy Competition, I can recommend another inn for you. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate guests without an invitation. My apologies, I hope you understand."

Ding Fan was momentarily taken aback by the person's words. The expression of the middle-aged man didn't seem to carry any other meanings, but eventually, they couldn't stay at this inn. Ding Fan then directly asked:

"The inn you're recommending, how does it compare to this one?"

"That inn can't compare to ours, of course! You should know that our inn always accommodates esteemed alchemists and is considered the best in Dancheng— though the price is also quite hefty. But for alchemists, this is negligible. I hope next time you have an invitation for the Great Alchemy Competition and can stay with us."

The middle-aged man continued to smile as he spoke to Ding Fan. Having run this inn for many years, he had met many people. He was genuinely surprised that Ding Fan, so young, was already an alchemist, which suggested a limitless future.

However, the inn was a principled establishment with an agreement with Dancheng's official authorities. It was clear that alchemists without an invitation could not stay. Despite the inn's luxury, rooms were limited, and enough needed to be reserved for those with invitations. Otherwise, he couldn't explain it to the City Lord Mansion.

Therefore, while the middle-aged man was respectful to Ding Fan, there was no way to let him stay.

Hearing this, Ding Fan felt a bit at a loss. He liked the inn quite a bit overall, so he asked:

"How about I give you more Spirit Stones?"

The middle-aged man shook his head in some embarrassment and apologetically said:

"That's not possible. We have rules here. Those without an invitation, alchemist or not, cannot stay at our inn. My apologies, fellow cultivator."

Ding Fan heard the other party's words, and for a moment, he couldn't help but feel a bit helpless. Just then, Ding Fan suddenly remembered the jade plate that Master Nanyang had given him before. Just as Ding Fan wanted to take out the jade plate to give it a try, a young cultivator came down from the inn's staircase, speaking disdainfully to Ding Fan and He Qianyao:

"Isn't this Miss He? Coming to Dancheng without even an invitation! It's truly laughable..."

At this moment, the young cultivator looked quite good, wearing a yellow long robe. He walked up to He Qianyao, sarcastically taunting her. Clearly, this youth in the yellow robe naturally knew He Qianyao from before, and Ding Fan could see that their relationship wasn't that good; otherwise, he wouldn't be mocking the two of them at this time.

Ding Fan stood silently by the side, wanting to see what this youth in the yellow robe would do.

"Gao Lian, what are you doing here?"

At this moment, He Qianyao was stunned to see the youth in the yellow robe. It was evident that she knew this person. Back then, he was an inner sect disciple of the Dayang Sect and one of her many suitors. But this suitor was different, she still remembered clearly. Back then, for courting her, Gao Lian even colluded with the cultivators of the Wild Wolf Gang to capture her. She nearly paid a heavy price for this, and her father had learned of this matter and promptly expelled Gao Lian from the Dayang Sect.

He Qianyao didn't know what happened later, but to Gao Lian, those later events were unforgettable. Entering a sect like Dayang was extremely important for him, even if his methods of pursuing He Qianyao were wrong. But which young person never acted on impulse for love? Surely, being expelled from Dayang Sect was a severe punishment for him.

Since then, Gao Lian's love for He Qianyao turned into hatred. Apparently, he deeply hated He Qianyao and also Dayang Sect. However, the Dayang Sect was a very large sect on the Donglai Continent, and even if he hated them, there was nothing he could do. But when Gao Lian heard that the Dayang Sect was destroyed, he was extremely excited, as his deeply rooted hatred was finally avenged.

So, when Gao Lian accidentally ran into He Qianyao today, he couldn't help but feel very unfriendly, clearly wanting to pay her back for all the past grievances.

"He Qianyao, didn't expect you'd have your comeuppance today, did you? It's delightful indeed! But who would have thought you'd be with such a pauper! No cultivation, no wealth, simply a waste of a person, truly astonishing!"

At this moment, Gao Lian taunted He Qianyao with a heavy dose of sarcasm, while frequently glancing at Ding Fan. Clearly, he looked down on Ding Fan immensely.

"Gao Lian, don't spout nonsense here! My matters have nothing to do with you!"

He Qianyao, hearing Gao Lian's words, couldn't help but feel very angry and responded icily to him.

Ding Fan looked at the youth in the yellow robe, clearly feeling some anger. He hadn't done anything, yet even he was being insulted—this was simply unforgivable. However, Ding Fan said and did nothing, still waiting to see what the youth in the yellow robe intended to do.

"Miss He, aren't you wanting to enter this inn? Well then, if you want to enter, come with me upstairs and attend to me well as a maid, and that should be enough to let you in!"

At this moment, the vile words of the yellow-robed youth, Gao Lian, directed at He Qianyao, clearly intended to humiliate her as revenge for being expelled from the sect.

Slap!

A crisp sound was heard. Instantly, the yellow-robed youth felt his face swell up, indicating that the other's slap was extremely powerful, making him unable to retaliate!

The one who struck was Ding Fan!

"Anything else you want to say?" At this moment, Ding Fan looked coldly at the yellow-robed youth, evidently unable to tolerate any more. After all, he was entrusted by Sect Master He to take good care of He Qianyao, and now someone dared insult He Qianyao—Ding Fan couldn't endure this any longer.

The yellow-robed youth's mind was still blank; although he was quite a well-known alchemist, his cultivation was not impressive, only at Early Nascent Soul Stage so far, and Ding Fan's slap left him at a loss.

Gao Lian heard Ding Fan's words but didn't dare say anything; however, the malice in his eyes remained, and then he defiantly said:

"He Qianyao, even if I can't beat your boyfriend, you both will never enter this inn! Never in your life, and you boy, I'll remember your slap. Though I'm not your match, I'll make you pay, and I'll have you know I'm an alchemist personally invited by Dancheng, so hitting me is going against Dancheng itself. You won't even know how you died! And as for entering this inn? Never in your life!"

Gao Lian said angrily and viciously, convinced that even if Ding Fan's cultivation was slightly higher, he would never become an alchemist of such standing, never!