Arriving in Baidi City, Lin Mo could immediately tell that it was far more developed than Yunxi City, which was closer to the lower realms.

This place was essentially a kingdom of cultivators—hardly any ordinary people could be seen.

Flying on swords was prohibited in Baidi City, so Lin Mo could only enter on foot.

The city guards were quite skilled at judging people.

For a group of Qi Refinement stage rogue cultivators trying to enter the city, their attitude was dismissive—demanding payment, checking their techniques briefly, and then carelessly waving them through.

But when they saw Lin Mo—his attire, demeanor, and distinguished appearance—not to mention that he had arrived by sword flight—

Their attitude instantly changed.

With warm smiles, they stepped forward respectfully. “Esteemed Daoist, may we see your identification?”

Lin Mo presented his Lin family credentials and was allowed to pass without issue.

The auction was scheduled for tomorrow, and since he had nothing urgent to do, he found an inn to stay at.

Even the inn’s waiter was a Qi Refinement stage cultivator, with sharp eyes and a keen sense of judgment.

He led Lin Mo to a private room on the second floor and politely asked, “Young Master, what would you like to eat?”

Glancing over the menu, Lin Mo noticed that all the dishes were made from spirit beast meat and spiritual herbs, with prices listed in spirit stones.

“Bring me your signature dishes, and the finest spirit tea you have.”

At this point, he wasn’t worried about money. Spending on himself never made him feel the slightest bit of pain.

This meal alone cost over a hundred spirit stones.

To put things in perspective—an outer sect disciple of Qingzhu Peak only received four spirit stones per month as a stipend.

This showed just how extravagant Lin Mo’s meal was.

As usual, he casually tossed a few extra spirit stones to the waiter.

This was his habit whenever he traveled.

Money can make ghosts work for you—never underestimate the power of a generous tip.

After all, in a city full of cultivators, even a lowly inn waiter would have sharp eyes and valuable insights.

These types of people could gather useful information, and sometimes even help avoid unnecessary trouble and danger.

Receiving the extra tip, the waiter immediately became more attentive, ensuring that Lin Mo was well taken care of.

It wasn’t long before his meal was served.

Just as he picked up his chopsticks to grab a piece of meat—

A familiar and irritating voice reached his ears.

“Look, isn’t that Senior Brother Lin?” Ye Kai pointed toward Lin Mo’s private dining area on the second floor.

Master Yuehua and Shen Ke’er also turned to look.

Lin Mo felt a headache coming on—why were these people clinging to him like sticky rice?

Master Yuehua led Shen Ke’er and Ye Kai up the stairs, naturally sitting down at his table.

Since the Lin family was based in Tianxing City, near Baidi City, it wasn’t surprising for them to run into him here.

She briefly explained their reason for coming.

Lin Mo sighed inwardly—looks like he wouldn’t be able to avoid them at tomorrow’s auction either.

Since they’d be seeing each other regardless, Lin Mo simply gestured to the waiter to bring extra bowls and chopsticks.

“Senior Brother Lin, you’re really eating well while traveling, huh?” Ye Kai remarked, eyeing the exquisite dishes on the table.

“Of course. Now that I don’t have to share my resources, life has never been more enjoyable.” Lin Mo smiled pleasantly.

Master Yuehua and Shen Ke’er’s faces both darkened.

Just then, the chatter of nearby diners caught their attention.

“Have you heard? Miss Jiang Yanran of the Jiang family reached the Golden Core stage two years ago, and recently, she was even accepted as a disciple by the Palace Master of Frost Palace!”

“Really?”

“Absolutely! Not only is Jiang Yanran breathtakingly beautiful, but she also has a Heaven-grade spiritual root. To achieve Golden Core formation at such a young age—and to even reach seventh-grade pill condensation—she’s already a peerless prodigy. Now that she’s under the Frost Palace Master’s tutelage, the Jiang family has officially gained the backing of a top-tier immortal sect.”

“That’s incredible! I wonder what kind of man could be worthy of such a woman?”

“Hah! You don’t know? Jiang Yanran already has an arranged marriage from childhood! Apparently, she’s engaged to some young master from the Lin family in Tianxing City.”

“Oh? That Lin family young master? I heard his talent is only dual spiritual roots, right?”

“Damn… That guy must have the luck of the heavens. What kind of dogshit fortune is that? To have such an incredible fiancée?”

The voices of the diners were full of jealousy and envy.

Shen Ke’er felt a wave of resentment in her heart.

Why was it that Jiang Yanran was blessed with such an extraordinary background and talent, while she herself was not?

Meanwhile, Ye Kai, just like the other diners, sighed and said, “Fate is truly unpredictable. A peerless genius like her marrying an unknown cultivator—what a pity. That Lin family young master sure is lucky.”

At that moment, Master Yuehua chuckled and said, “Mo’er also formed his Golden Core at just twenty-five years old. I’d say the Jiang family girl isn’t suffering too much in this arrangement.”

Ye Kai and Shen Ke’er both took a deep breath.

How could they not catch the meaning behind those words?

Shen Ke’er’s eyes widened like copper bells. “Master, are you saying that Senior Brother Lin is Jiang Yanran’s fiancé?”

Master Yuehua looked at her with slight confusion. “Ke’er, do you really not know anything about Mo’er’s background?”

Hearing this, Shen Ke’er lowered her head in shame.

What did she even know?

All these years, she had simply enjoyed the way her Senior Brother took care of her. She had never once taken the initiative to learn about Lin Mo’s background.

And now, not only were the other four peak flowers of Qingling Sect starting to stick to Lin Mo, but he also had a fiancée of such astonishing talent?

For some reason, she felt a strange discomfort in her heart…

Meanwhile, Ye Kai’s gaze darkened.

Lin Mo. Again.

Why was it always him?

Why did a woman of such extraordinary talent and beauty also have to be his fiancée?

Why was his luck so outrageously good?

Ye Kai clenched his fists, feeling an overwhelming sense of hatred and jealousy—he wanted nothing more than to tear Lin Mo apart.

But just then—

A voice suddenly echoed in his mind.

“You really despise this man, don’t you?”

The voice was soft and seductive, yet only he could hear it.

Ye Kai’s eyes flickered as he glanced at the ring on his right index finger and responded through his thoughts, “Senior, you saw through me.”

“Don’t call me senior—just call me Wanwan.”

“Don’t worry. You saved my life, so helping you out is no problem at all.”

“Since I’ll be staying in your ring for a while, I might as well do something for you.”

“For example… restoring your talent.”

Ye Kai’s heart leapt with joy at those words.

He immediately expressed his gratitude. “Thank you, Senior—”

“I told you, call me Wanwan!” the woman in the ring pouted playfully.

Ye Kai wasn’t stupid. He could sense that this woman had a certain interest in him.

He quickly corrected himself. “Thank you, Wanwan!”

This mysterious woman in the ring was none other than the red-clothed girl he had encountered beneath the tree.

He was lucky—the girl seemed to believe he was her lifesaver (or at least, that’s what Ye Kai thought).

After a brief conversation, Ye Kai learned that although she was a demonic cultivator, her status in the demonic realm was incredibly high.

The tides were turning.

This was his chance to rise again.

Meanwhile, Lin Mo sat there, calmly sipping his tea.

Suddenly, he felt a deep hostility directed toward him.

His gaze flickered toward Ye Kai.

This guy… really hates me, huh?

But why?

He didn’t owe Ye Kai anything. In fact, the original Lin Mo had treated him quite well in the past.

Lin Mo simply couldn’t be bothered to figure it out.

Right now, the only uncertainty in his mind was this—

In the original timeline, was Master Yuehua the one who actively tried to dig out his Golden Core?

Or was Ye Kai the one who orchestrated it behind the scenes?

At the very least, now that he had become Lin Mo, he needed to find out the truth.

More than anything, he wanted to see—

Now that he had replaced the original Lin Mo…

Now that he deliberately kept his distance…

Now that he no longer trusted Yuehua and Shen Ke’er…

Would that same betrayal still happen?