They finally reached the tower. As they ascended, the atmosphere shifted with every floor. On the lower levels, regular patrons sat drinking common tea, their voices a dull hum. But as they climbed higher, recognisable names, masters of the land like Tai Lu, Shen Ban, and Bai Lufong—came into view, sitting in quiet contemplation over expensive brews.
Finally, they reached the highest sanctuary. Li Fuang opened the heavy, ornate doors to where Master Bao sat.
"Master, I've brought the Young Master with me," Li Fuang's voice resonated against the ancient stones of the room.
"Mmm. I see." The old master stood, his light blue robes rustling. Despite the lingering ache in his chest from the earlier backlash, he smoothed his expression. "This old man welcomes the scion of the Azure Crane Clan."
Master Bao began to lower his head, intending to show absolute humbleness and respect to the representative of such a legendary lineage. But before he could complete the gesture, a hand caught his arm.
Lian had moved forward with a speed that left a faint afterimage, gently holding the old man up and stopping the bow.
"No, no, no... the pleasure is all mine, Sir," Lian spoke, his voice calm and melodic. He stepped back and gave the old man a perfect martial salute. "I have heard much of the Yin-Yang Sect's wisdom. It is an honour to meet a senior of your standing."
"Oh? He is quite humble," the old master thought, his eyes twinkling with surprise. "After seeing him fight in the street, I thought he might be another spoiled brat from a Great Family. His personality seems grounded... a rare trait for one so powerful."
"Young Master, please, sit," Master Bao said, gesturing to a seat prepared with a fresh cup of steaming tea. He poured the liquid with a steady hand. "If I may ask... the Azure Crane usually spends their days in the distant South. What brings a talent such as yourself here to Qangshi?"
"I hear the legacy members of the Azure Crane are quite rude, but this youth is different," Master Bao thought, his eyes scanning Lian's calm face. "In the street, he was like a death demon, but now his temperament is as tame as a lamb. Is this how they truly are, or is he an anomaly?"
"Ahh, about that, Master…" Lian paused, searching for the right form of address.
"It is Bao," the old man provided.
"Oh… Venerable Bao," Lian spoke.
The words seemed to strike a chord. Master Bao's face flushed a soft red, and he couldn't help but begin stroking his long white beard with a look of pure delight. To be called "Venerable" by a scion of the Crane Family was a compliment of the highest order.
"Well, you see... I was on a training journey with my master," Lian continued, his voice dropping slightly as if sharing a secret. "And for my final test, I was tasked with... well, Venerable Bao, this is embarrassing, but I need your help."
The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly.
"Mmm... I don't know what it is, but this young man is quite strange." The old man's thoughts took a sharp turn. "All the masters of the Azure Crane I've met are incredibly pretentious. Is he truly a member of that Great Clan, or is he pretending, using disguise, trying to gain my favour? If he asks me for something priceless, a Spirit Pill or a Secret Manual, I will know he is a scammer."
Master Bao shot Lian a sharp, calculating look, his friendly smile now masking a keen analytical mind.
"Go ahead, Young Master," the old man said, leaning back and placing his hands on his knees. "Tell me exactly what you need."
He waited, ready to catch Lian in a lie the moment he asked for a "treasure."
"You see, Master... I need a map of this region and the direction to my home," Lian spoke, his tone firm and certain. "My master... well, he drugged me and told me we would only meet again at the clan compound for my last trial."
"Trial... Mmmmm, now that I think about it." The old man's gaze flickered once more to the Azure Jade pendant at Lian's waist. "I did hear rumours that the Azure Clan sets out gruelling, near-impossible trials to determine the succession rank of their heirs. And the fact that he only asked for a map, nothing else, proves he isn't a beggar or a fraud. I must seize this opportunity to form a karmic bond with him."
"Oh, Young Master! It would be my utmost pleasure to help you," Master Bao spoke, his voice warm with a new level of genuine respect. He took a long, slow sip of his tea, his mind already calculating how to make himself indispensable to this Hidden Dragon.
"Oh, Young Master... could you perchance be participating in the Competition of Namings?" the old man asked, practically fawning over Lian now. His suspicion had completely evaporated, replaced by a desperate need to be part of whatever Great Event the Azure Crane family was planning.
"Competition of Namings? What is that?" Lian wondered. "It's best that I don't say too much. It sounds like an important event by the way he's acting. If I say 'yes' or 'no' directly, I might expose that I've been living under a rock."
"Uncle Bao... I'm afraid I can't tell you that," Lian said, his voice dropping into a respectful but firm whisper.
"Whoa!" Master Bao's heart skipped a beat. "It must be it! The fact that he refuses to tell me proves it's a top-secret trial! And he called me... Uncle Bao, I have to take this chance for Li Fuang's future!"
The old man's blood ran hot with excitement. "I understand, Young Master! I understand completely!"
He reached into his spirit ring and withdrew a large, shimmering parchment of high-quality spirit paper. He unrolled it across the table, pinning the corners down with jade weights.
"Look here, Young Master," the old man said, his finger trembling slightly as he pointed to a gold-leafed dot. "You are here, in Qangshi, the capital of the Baifung Prefecture."