As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the sprawling landscape, Aksai glided through the air on his Lian Flying Sword.
The majestic White Mountain City came into view, nestled at the foot of towering snow-capped peaks. The city’s white stone walls glimmered in the fading light, reflecting the serene beauty of its surroundings.
There were various talismans and Essence Equations etched over the outermost city wall. It was clear that unauthorized aerial access to the city was not possible.
“This should be close enough.”
Aksai maneuvered his flying sword skillfully, descending gracefully toward the city gates. A few meters away from the entrance, he deftly leaped off the Lian Flying Sword, landing softly on the cobblestone road.
With a flick of his wrist, the sword obediently returned to his storage ring, its job done for now.
“I should ask around.”
Approaching the imposing gates, Aksai noted the two guards stationed there. They stood at attention, their uniforms pristine and their spears held firmly.
One of the guards, a tall man with a stern expression and a neatly trimmed beard, stepped forward to address him.
“State your name and purpose,” the guard said, his voice authoritative yet not unfriendly.
Aksai offered a respectful bow before speaking. “I am Aksai Alden Everwood, a Spirit cultivator from Emerald Cove. I seek entry into White Mountain City.”
The guard gave a nod of confirmation. “Of course, fellow cultivator Aksai. Welcome to White Mountain City,” he said, stepping aside and motioning for Aksai to proceed.
There was a reason Aksai disclosed his real identity. It was almost impossible to sneak into the city with a false identity because the city’s security protocols were strict.
Plus, cultivators seeking entrance had to sign a blood contract, which revealed their identity anyway. This simple binding contract required cultivators to follow a few dos and don’ts observed inside the city.
After signing the contract and paying the necessary entrance fee, an identity badge was created for Aksai, recording his physical description and his Spirit essence signature. Since no two cultivators had the same Spirit essence signatures, these identity badges couldn’t be faked.
Aksai could have used black channels to smuggle himself into the city, but that was almost always dangerous. Plus, his actions would have been limited to the outermost zone if he had entered the city illegally.
Aksai had a clear history as a Spirit farmer from Wuyum County. The only reason he wanted to keep his identity a secret was to avoid attracting trouble from enemies of the Alliance and a few island owners not on good terms with Emerald Cove.
However, on second thought, Aksai guessed that as long as he stayed put like a good old turtle, there would be nothing his enemies could do. After all, White Mountain City’s security was top-notch.
After completing the formalities, Aksai was allowed to enter the city. The bustling sight of the city welcomed him.
***
White Mountain City was a lively place.
Unlike the previous cities Aksai had been in, the White Mountain City completely consisted of the Spirit cultivator and there was no mortal in sight.
The streets were packed with vendors selling exotic herbs, elixirs, and artifacts. Buildings towered over him, their rooftops adorned with ornate carvings and fluttering banners.
The air buzzed with the chatter of merchants haggling and the laughter of children playing in the streets. Cultivators of all stages walked by, some dressed in elaborate robes, others in simple travel wear, but all radiating an aura of power.
Aksai couldn’t help but smile mirthlessly to himself as he started spotting many Spirit Refining Perfectionists like him. This city was a go-to place for all drifting cultivators after all. Especially for Spirit Refining Perfectionists like him.
Aksai wandered through the market district first. Stalls lined the streets, displaying an array of goods – shimmering Spirit Stones, rare alchemical ingredients, and exceptionally crafted weapons. He couldn’t resist stopping at a stall selling Spirit Beast pelts, admiring the vibrant colors and soft textures.
Moving on, he passed through a residential area. Houses here were more modest, built close together with small courtyards where families gathered. The aroma of home-cooked meals wafted through the air, making Aksai’s stomach rumble.
Aksai took a moment to admire the craftsmanship of the city. Intricate stonework, delicate wood carvings, and flowing water features were everywhere. Even the street lamps, glowing softly with captured fireflies, added to the city’s enchanting atmosphere.
As he wandered further, he stumbled upon a training ground where young disciples sparred under the watchful eyes of their masters. Their movements were swift and precise, each strike echoing with the sound of clashing metal and shouts of exertion.
Feeling a bit peckish, Aksai headed to a busy tavern. Inside, the atmosphere was lively, with patrons enjoying hearty meals and cups of fragrant tea or strong wine.
He found a seat by the window, ordered a plate of dumplings, and soaked in the vibrant life of White Mountain City. He then opened up a book that he had bought from a random book vendor earlier. It was an introductory book about the city in which basic information about its structure and specialties along with some of its history was written.
“This is indeed a city based on a 3rd order Spirit vein,” Aksai murmured to himself as he started reading through the book. According to the book, the White Mountain City was established by a drifting cultivator about 300 years ago on a 3rd order Spirit vein.
Of course, this drifting cultivator had become a Core Formation Expert by the time he decided to pull this off. He was the only Core Formation Expert who was not backed by any sect. As such, he decided to create his own organization and became the founder of White Mountain City.
This drifting cultivator was not inclined to associate himself with any big sect. Thus, he declared his domain to be a neutral zone. This was how the neutral zone Haan Di came to be.
This third-order Spirit vein was of ice nature. This was why the White Mountain which was at the core of the city was always covered in ice in every season.