Immortal's Paradox

Lei strolled through the bustling streets of the city, humming a cheerful tune to himself as he casually chugged from the bottle gourd strapped to his side. The wine was cheap and strong, just the way he liked it. The city, named Lùfēng, buzzed with activity. Horse carts sped through the cobbled streets, merchants shouted about their wares, and the scent of roasted meat mingled with the aroma of freshly baked buns from street-side stalls.

The place had an old-world charm, with wooden buildings topped by curved roofs, their eaves painted with vibrant colors. Lanterns swayed gently in the evening breeze, casting a warm glow over the bustling streets. Despite the liveliness around him, Lei's thoughts were elsewhere.

Mao perched on his shoulder, his golden eyes lazily observing the chaos. "You're in quite a good mood for someone being hunted by one of the most powerful families in the region."

Lei grinned, wiping his lips with the back of his hand. "Gotta enjoy the little things, Mao. Life's too short to brood all the time."

"You mean life's too short when you've got a bloodthirsty family on your tail," Mao quipped, flicking his tail.

Lei's grin faltered slightly, but his steps didn't. He glanced at the passing carts and bustling crowd, his thoughts turning serious.

The Zhao family. He still had no solid leads on them, but they were undoubtedly hunting him. His first objective was clear: gather as much information about them as possible, particularly their movements and weaknesses.

Then there was his second objective. His body had been tempered significantly through combat and cultivation, but if he wanted to push his physique to the next level, he needed to scan more qi foundation realm monsters. Only by observing and adapting to their unique traits could he progress.

The third goal was to continue his journey to find the third plant for his alchemical experiment and locate the mysterious cave marked on the torn map.

And finally, he had to do all of this quickly. Time was not on his side. Every day he lingered increased the likelihood of the Zhao family catching up to him.

---

As Lei strolled through the crowded streets, he activated the Nanospirit's scanning capabilities.

Scanning… Filtering conversations and qi signatures. Prioritizing individuals with potential ties to the black market or information networks.

Lei wandered aimlessly, stopping occasionally to buy snacks or glance at merchant stalls. To any observer, he was just another traveler enjoying the city's vibrancy. But in reality, he was gathering intel, his ears attuned to the snippets of conversation the Nanospirit filtered for him.

After about an hour, the Nanospirit chimed. Target identified: Potential connection to an illegal information network. Location: Alleyway near the Red Lantern Teahouse.

Lei turned down a side street, heading toward the teahouse. The alleyway was dimly lit, the lanterns above casting long shadows across the walls. A wiry man leaned against the side of the building, his sharp eyes darting around nervously.

Lei stepped into a quiet corner and pulled out a strip of black cloth, tying it around his face to conceal his identity. The Nanospirit adjusted his voice to sound deeper and slightly gravelly, while masking his qi signature to prevent identification.

"Ready?" Mao whispered, his tone unusually serious.

Lei nodded and stepped into the alley. The wiry man looked up, his gaze sharpening as Lei approached.

"What do you want?" the man asked, his voice low and guarded.

"I hear you deal in information," Lei said, his modulated voice cold and detached.

The man tensed, but Lei's imposing aura seemed to keep him rooted. "Depends on what you're asking and what you're offering."

Lei leaned slightly forward, his posture relaxed but his presence heavy. "I need information on the Zhao family."

The man's face twitched slightly—a subtle reaction, but enough for the Nanospirit to pick up on.

Subject exhibits heightened tension upon mention of the Zhao family. Likely aware of their reputation or involvement.

"What's the payment?" the man asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

Lei reached into his storage ring and retrieved a small pouch of coins, tossing it to the man. "That's for your attention. The real payment comes next."

The man opened the pouch, his eyes gleaming at the sight of gold. "Go on."

"I have information about a certain cocoon near a village. And about the Zhao family's use of children for forbidden techniques, turning them into qi slaves," Lei said, his tone calm but laced with menace.

The man's composure cracked, his eyes widening slightly before he schooled his expression. Without a word, he darted into the building behind him, leaving Lei and Mao waiting in the shadows.

Mao hopped down from Lei's shoulder, sitting at his feet. "That was bold. You think he'll come back with what you need?"

Lei shrugged. "If he doesn't, he'll regret it."

After a few tense minutes, the man returned, carrying a scroll. He handed it to Lei, his hands shaking slightly. "This is all we have on the Zhao family's recent activities. But you'd better watch your back. They don't take kindly to people prying into their affairs."

Lei took the scroll, but he didn't leave immediately. Instead, he stared at the man, his modulated voice dropping into a more sinister tone. "That information I gave you is worth more than this scroll. I think you owe me."

The man hesitated, sweat beading on his forehead. "What else do you want?"

"An encyclopedia on herbal plants. One comprehensive enough for alchemy."

The man's face twisted in frustration, but he didn't dare argue. "Wait here."

He disappeared again, returning moments later with a thick, weathered book. Lei took it without a word, slipping it into his storage ring along with the scroll.

"Pleasure doing business," Lei said, his voice reverting to its neutral tone. Without another glance, he turned and walked away, Mao leaping back onto his shoulder.

---

Back in his room at the inn, Lei unrolled the scroll and began reading. It detailed the Zhao family's hierarchy, notable members, and recent movements. Most importantly, it listed locations where they were known to operate, giving him potential leads to avoid—or exploit.

The encyclopedia was equally valuable. As Lei flipped through its pages, he found detailed descriptions of plants, their properties, and their uses in alchemy.

"This will save me a lot of time," he murmured, scanning the book with the Nanospirit for future reference.

Mao curled up on the bed again, his eyes half-closed. "Not bad, kid. You're playing the game well. Just don't get cocky."

Lei smirked. "Cocky? Never. Confident? Always."

With a clearer picture of his objectives and new tools at his disposal, Lei felt a surge of determination. The clock was ticking, but he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.