Xie Chengming’s eyes deepened with laughter; with Xia Mian’s words, he felt much more reassured in his heart.
Xia Mian indeed acted decisively. Shortly after leaving Gubei Town, she sent a message to Xia Liang, asking him to send someone to the auction house in Gubei Town to oversee things.
Receiving Xia Mian’s message, Xia Liang was so excited he almost jumped up; the Divine Clan had been in seclusion for so many years that their resources were nearly depleted.
When the Divine Clan was destitutely poor, Xia Mian effortlessly acquired an auction house for him, truly a blessing like providing a pillow to a dozing person or giving coal during a cold spell!
Upon receiving the message, Xia Liang wasted not a second and immediately dispatched the elites of the Divine Clan to the auction house in Gubei Town.
Since the battle with the Mystical Sects, Xia Liang understood that seclusion did not prevent others from eyeing the Divine Clan. To grow strong, they must assert their power through force!
While Xia Liang sent people to Gubei Town, Xia Mian left Gubei Town with Gu Zhi and the others.
Exiting Gubei Town, there was a main road leading north towards the Xuanmen Gu Family.
The thirty-mile journey wasn’t too far. The four were quite fortunate; upon leaving Gubei Town, they encountered a caravan of considerable size, with many tall horses pulling wagon after wagon of goods, presenting a spectacular sight.
Xia Mian and the others quietly halted their steps, stood by the roadside, and waited for the caravan to pass first.
The caravan leader saw Xia Mian and the three others traveling on foot and stopped, initiating a conversation and inviting them to accompany the caravan and hitch a ride.
Xia Weizhang stepped forward to negotiate, learning that their destination was the same, and he gladly accepted the leader’s invitation.
The four sat in the leader’s carriage while the leader drove, laughing heartily, "Are you all visiting relatives in Gu City?"
Xia Weizhang laughed and replied, "Yes, visiting relatives. Why are you taking so many goods to Gu City, big brother?"
If it was for trading, Gubei Town was the largest trade town in the Mystical World.
"The Gu Family trade fair starts in three days. We’re trying our luck to see if we can trade for something suitable," the leader laughed, "The things in big families are all good stuff, and if we could trade for some, our fates might even change."
The leader was entirely candid.
Hearing this, Xia Mian narrowed her eyes slightly. A trade fair?
The Gu Family can even hold its own trade fairs?
It sounds much more clever than other families.
"Every year, the Gu Family holds a trade fair, exchanging ordinary items from us normal folks for some good things to enhance our physiques, giving us ordinary people a chance to cultivate and improve," the leader spoke with admiration and appreciation for the Gu Family, "The Gu Family is a rare approachable family in the Mystical World."
After hearing the leader’s words, Xia Weizhang frowned slightly.
Is this Gu Family the same Gu Family he heard of?
Approachable Gu Family?
Has their Divine Clan been secluded for so long that they no longer understand the current dynamics of the Mystical Sects?
"The Gu Family is approachable?" Gu Zhi narrowed her eyes and couldn’t help but question.
The leader hesitated for a moment, frowning, "Do you doubt the character of the Gu Family?"
Gu Zhi lowered her gaze and perfunctorily replied, "No."
Approachable Gu Family? If the Gu Family had any good people, they wouldn’t have abused and humiliated her after her mother suffered backlash attempting to change the Gu Family’s fate!
If not for Qin Shuang, she might not have survived until now!
Suppressing a surge of emotion in her chest, Gu Zhi looked away to the distance.
There lay Gu City, the stronghold of the Gu Family.
The leader didn’t seem to notice Gu Zhi’s unease and continued jovially, "In Gu City, you must be cautious with your words and actions. Even if the Gu Family is magnanimous, those who have benefited from them may not be."
With that, the leader focused on driving the carriage.
Xia Mian thoughtfully pressed her lips together. The Gu Family truly knew how to play the game.
Through some small favors and advantages, they won over most people’s hearts, aligning many with the Gu Family. With prestige and public support, their advancement seemed smooth and inevitable.
Even before entering Gu City, Xia Mian had a general understanding of the Gu Family’s conduct.
Charitable on the outside, full of intrigue within. The grand structure stood, perhaps already rotting inside.
Xia Mian glanced at Gu Zhi, a hint of concern in her eyes.
Though Gu Zhi had been tirelessly cultivating these days, the gap left by previous setbacks was evident, and Gu Zhi’s cultivation still lagged behind the Xuanmen Gu Family’s younger generation.
Gu Zhi seemed to have realized this, and her mind was heavy with concerns.
However, Xia Mian couldn’t accompany her forever; what Gu Zhi had to face, she would eventually have to face.
The thirty-mile journey took the caravan over an hour; upon reaching Gu City, Xia Weizhang took out a few Spirit Stones, warmly expressing his gratitude for the ride.
The leader courteously accepted, then enthusiastically advised Xia Weizhang, "Almost all the inns in Gu City are Gu Family businesses, so be mindful of your words and actions when staying there, lest you unintentionally offend the Gu Family upon arrival."
Xia Weizhang promptly nodded in agreement.
After parting with the caravan, Xia Weizhang led Xia Mian and the others to find accommodation.
True to the leader’s words, almost all inns in Gu City were Gu Family businesses. Xia Mian and the others randomly chose one, and upon entering, they were warmly greeted as if the staff had ulterior motives.
"Miss Xia’s arrival in our Gu City brings great honor!" The innkeeper chuckled as he welcomed Xia Mian and the others, instructing staff to serve tea and water while continuously offering flattery.
The commotion Xia Mian caused in Gubei Town was so significant that even a blind or deaf Gu Family member would know some news.
Moreover, with Gu Zhi accompanying Xia Mian, how could the Gu Family not know what Xia Mian intended?
Unable to afford provoking Xia Mian, they could only extend the best hospitality!
As for Gu Zhi, if she wanted to stay with the Gu Family, let her stay!
After all, the Gu Family wasn’t a charity, so survival there depended on her own luck!
The innkeeper’s enthusiastic invitation led Xia Mian and the others to exchange glances without speaking.
"Miss Xia, are you visiting Gu City this time to observe our city’s trade fair?" the innkeeper inquired knowingly.
Xia Mian didn’t break the pretense, merely responding with a neutral ’hm’.
The innkeeper maintained a welcoming smile, "Miss Xia, your visit makes you an honored guest. Staying here is neglectful of such a distinguished guest. How about staying at the Gu Family?"
Xia Mian looked at Gu Zhi; upon receiving her affirmation, Xia Mian smiled and nodded, "Alright!"