He found an inn and checked in. Although Dongfang Ancient City was located in the northern desert, a million li away from Bieyang City, they were both on the Celestial Sphere. In this world, "Yuan Coins" were the universal currency in all places across the Celestial Sphere.
Mingzhi Tian didn't have Yuan Coins. He placed a silver ingot on the counter. The innkeeper was taken aback, then accepted it. "What kind of room would the guest like?"
Mingzhi Tian tentatively asked, "The best one, if possible?"
The innkeeper smiled and said, "Of course. Second waiter, take our distinguished guest to the Wan character room and serve him well!"
The second waiter rushed over. "Got it! Guest, please follow me upstairs."
Mingzhi Tian saw the innkeeper smiling, not asking for more money or giving him change. He was puzzled but followed the second waiter upstairs.
The second waiter led him to a superior room marked with the character "Wan," then served food and wine, politely saying, "Please enjoy your meal."
Mingzhi Tian settled down for the night. The next morning, the innkeeper settled the bill for him and even gave him three hundred Yuan Coins. It seemed the silver ingot from yesterday was quite sufficient.
As the saying goes, wealth should not be flaunted. News of his wealth, however it spread, led to Mingzhi Tian being targeted as soon as he left the inn.
Wearing ragged clothes, Mingzhi Tian, with his bag on his back, muttered in surprise, "Well, well? Even with my low profile, I'm being watched? They've got eagle eyes!"
He deliberately ducked into an alley. As he turned the corner, he quickly entered, and the three ruffians behind him hastily followed.
Mingzhi Tian had disappeared? As the three looked around, Mingzhi Tian reappeared behind them. "I've been waiting here. Are you blind? You dare covet my money? You're quite bold."
The three grinned lewdly. "Since you know, hand it all over!"
"Third brother, you go first."
Mingzhi Tian shook his head. They were just three cultivators at the early stage of the Small Heavenly Cycle. He kicked the charging third brother, sending him flying to the ground, frothing at the mouth. "How boring. Come on, all of you."
The eldest and second brothers were no different from the third brother; they too foamed at the mouth. Just a few petty thugs. Mingzhi Tian shook his head, stepped over their bodies, and walked away. "Trash."
Since being low-key was ineffective, Mingzhi Tian stopped being low-key! He went to a pawn shop to exchange gold and jewelry. However, the pawn shop didn't have enough Yuan Coins. They directed Mingzhi Tian to go to the Linglong Pavilion.
Mingzhi Tian slapped his forehead. "That's right, why didn't I think of that?"
Upon arriving at the Linglong Pavilion, Mingzhi Tian, in his dirty and tattered clothes, was immediately stopped by the doorman.
Mingzhi Tian scratched his head. "This is strange. Why didn't I see a doorman like you last time? Are you an imposter?"
The doorman made a face at him. "I was on vacation last time. No, why should I explain myself to a stinking beggar like you? Begone!"
Mingzhi Tian felt helpless and thought to himself, "If the quadruplets were here, it would be easy. They would surely recognize me."
He took out a crystal-clear pearl from his bag. "See what this is?"
The doorman was almost blinded by its brilliance! He quickly took the pearl from Mingzhi Tian's hand, showing his subservient tail, and bowed respectfully.
"Please, sir, come inside! Heh heh, what should I call you, sir?"
Mingzhi Tian puffed out his chest. "Call me Brother Tian."
The doorman's smile was so wide it seemed he hadn't smiled that much in thirty years. "Brother Tian! Lord Tian! Sir! Come, take your time, please come inside..."
Mingzhi Tian stopped. "Wait, didn't you just call me a beggar?"
The doorman quickly slapped himself. "My wretched mouth, speaking nonsense, saying all sorts of things! Sir, please don't hold it against this humble servant. Please come inside, please come inside..."
Entering the Linglong Pavilion, Yingzi walked towards him. This made Mingzhi Tian think of her three sisters, the identical quadruplets.
Yingzi seemed familiar at first glance, but he didn't think much of it. "What does our esteemed guest desire?"
The doorman returned to his post. Mingzhi Tian took out gold and jewelry from his bag. "I want to exchange them for some Yuan Coins."
Yingzi was a bit surprised, as Mingzhi Tian's attire didn't suggest wealth. However, this was an exchange, and they didn't inquire about one's background.