Chapter 37: Way Station
The way station appeared just as the sun was beginning to set, its stone walls glowing orange in the fading light. It wasn't what I'd expected – instead of the simple rest stop I'd imagined, it was more like a small fortress town, complete with defensive walls and watchtowers.
"Home away from home," Wei Lin announced as we approached the main gates. "Well, if home was significantly smaller and occasionally infested with spirit beasts."
Two guards in Xiao Clan uniforms stood at attention by the entrance, their cultivation levels carefully suppressed but still noticeable to my spiritual sense – both at the Elemental Realm. They gave Wei Lin's merchant token a cursory glance before waving us through.
Inside, the way station was bustling with activity despite the late hour. Merchants hawked their wares from colorful stalls, travelers gathered around communal cooking fires, and a few cultivators sat in meditation near the walls, taking advantage of the station's protective formations.
"The formations here are interesting," I noted, examining the subtle energy patterns woven into the walls. "They're not just defensive – there's something else..."
"Trade protection formations," Wei Lin explained. "Prevents spiritual fluctuations that might damage cultivation materials. Can't have valuable merchandise getting ruined because someone decided to practice their techniques nearby."
Lin Mei was already drifting toward a row of stalls selling dried herbs and cultivation materials. "Look at these Nine-Heart Flowers! I've never seen them preserved so perfectly."
Wei Lin followed her gaze. "The preservation technique is decent, but the coloring suggests they're at least two months old. The potency would be significantly reduced."
"Still useful for basic medicine preparation," Lin Mei argued. "And look, they have Cloud Pearl Grass too!"