The entryways into the city were incredibly wide, each one around ten li in diameter to accommodate the arrival and departure of large flying boats and battleships.
Black-robed figures maintained order at the entrance of each passageway. However, they were the minority, and most of the guards were actually puppets. These puppets handled everything from inspections to registrations with eerie efficiency. Some took on humanoid forms, others in beast forms, and several were constructed in odd shapes and sizes for specific functions.
As the intelligence reports suggested, puppets are the backbone of immortal cities. The immortals offload most of the routine work to them, and just have to supervise them. Wu Yuan observed.
Even mortals relied heavily on these puppets, what more the immortals themselves?
Flying boats passed through the entryways one by one, went through inspection, and were then guided by various puppets to their designated areas. When it was Wu Yuan’s turn, he felt a strange, invisible ripple of energy scanning his flying boat and himself.
An inspection array, perhaps? Wu Yuan thought.
A humanoid puppet appeared before him, directing his flying boat down an empty passageway.
Why is no one else using this entrance? Wu Yuan wondered, noticing that most boats turned to the left or right instead.
What’s going on? Wu Yuan was confused.
As his flying boat entered the city, Wu Yuan sensed an invisible force suppress his soul.
A soul suppression array? It limits the range of my Soul Force? Wu Yuan realized.
When sweeping through an area with Soul Force, one could perceive everything happening in that area. Naturally, the city would place restrictions on it. In important locations within large sects, even those at the Yuan Soul level found their abilities limited.
…
At the 87th entrance of Fengchuan City, within the military post of the immortal army, several figures were quietly cultivating in a spacious rest area.
“Attention, a Golden Core cultivator has been detected aboard an eighth-grade flying boat. The Golden Core cultivator’s identity is unknown,” a robotic voice suddenly echoed in the rest area.
“Hmm?” one of the figures murmured, breaking their meditation.
“A Golden Core cultivator? It’s been a long time since we last encountered one,” another figure remarked, their eyes widening in surprise.
“An unfamiliar one at that, how did they come to our Fengchuan City?” a third figure questioned, rising from their meditation position.
“Why didn’t they take the entrance for high-level cultivators?” The two black-armored soldiers and two black-robed figures were slightly taken aback by the announcement.
“Let’s go, we need to greet them quickly.”
“Hurry up and notify the captain,” another figure added, the four of them swiftly making their way out of the meditation chamber.
This was part of their duty. As a fifth-tier city, the puppets and detection array would handle most of the city’s entry verification tasks, and only very few tasks would be personally handled by the stationed cultivators.
The only exception was the arrival of a high-level cultivator.
Whenever a Golden Core cultivator showed up, they were personally greeted out of respect. Different cities had different standards for what constituted ‘high-level’. But for a city as ordinary as Fengchuan, a Golden Core cultivator was already considered high-level!
As for the Amethyst Cradle realm? They were the top powerhouses within the territory of Fengchuan City!
…
A low rumble echoed through the air as the flying boat slowly landed, guided by the puppet. Wu Yuan stepped out of the boat alongside Qiong Sea King, who was currently in his smallest form.
Hm? Wu Yuan was startled to find nearly ten figures waiting for him. The leader, a young man with a full head of silver hair and a squarish face, dressed in vibrant red robes, appeared to be in his 30s. Behind him stood soldiers in black armor and figures in black robes. freёweɓnovel.com
“Greetings, Superior!” the group bowed to him in unison. Their booming shouts gave Wu Yuan a fright.
However, Wu Yuan quickly realized that this was a typical ‘welcome ceremony’ in the various major cities of the Redmoon Immortal Continent for high-level cultivators.
The Fengchuan City’s inspection array’s detection abilities are no joke. Wu Yuan marveled.
Inspection arrays typically detected and measured one’s vital aura. Despite being only at the ninth-stage Qi Sea phase, Wu Yuan’s vital aura was strong enough to rival a first-stage Golden Core cultivator. Hence, the inspection array identified him as a Golden Core cultivator.
The silver-haired youth stepped forward with a warm smile. “Welcome to Fengchuan City, Fellow Daoist. I am Tu Chi, the captain of the Fengchuan City Immortal Army.”
“Thank you, Daoist Tu Chi,” Wu Yuan replied with a bow, following the standard etiquette he had learned from studying the virtual immortal slips.
Throughout the eons, the cultivators of the Redmoon Immortal Continent had developed their own set of social customs and etiquette. Among cultivators, power was the currency of respect, and it wasn’t a big deal if a stronger cultivator showed disrespect.
But for Wu Yuan, a newcomer to this world, it was important that he maintained a facade and concealed his origins as a loose cultivator from a worldlet.
Besides, Wu Yuan knew that most soldiers of the Redmoon Immortal Army stationed in fifth-tier cities were predominantly at the Qi Sea and Communion phases. To rise to the rank of captain, one had to have reached the Golden Core phase, and was not just an ordinary Golden Core cultivator.
“Fellow Daoist, I believe this is your first time in our Fengchuan City?” The silver-haired youth chuckled.
“Yes, I am just passing through,” Wu Yuan replied.
“Haha, then I must provide you with a proper introduction to our city,” the silver-haired youth laughed, “Please follow me, Fellow Daoist.”
“One moment please,” Wu Yuan flashed a polite smile, then stowed the flying boat about 100 meters behind him with a wave of his hand.
This sight elicited a hint of envy in the eyes of the black-armored soldiers and other figures present.
Golden Core cultivators were indeed of a different breed. Just how large of a storage artifact would be needed to store such a massive flying boat?
Wu Yuan and the silver-haired youth led the way, with the Qiong Sea King trailing behind, while the soldiers and custodians brought up the rear.
The two chatted as they walked, the silver-haired youth providing Wu Yuan with various details about Fengchuan City, such as its layout, entertainment venues, prominent families, and more. These were all insights that could not be obtained from the library. Wu Yuan made a mental note of each one.
Finally, as they were on the verge of entering the city, the silver-haired youth halted, turning to Wu Yuan with a courteous smile. “Fellow Daoist, I hope you have a pleasant stay in Fengchuan City.”
“Many thanks, Fellow Daoist,” Wu Yuan replied, cupping his hands respectfully.
“By the way, is your jiaolong spirit beast at the ninth-stage Communion phase?” the silver-haired youth inquired with a casual tone.
“That is correct,” Wu Yuan affirmed, puzzled as to why he would suddenly bring up the topic.
“Impressive,” the silver-haired youth commended, “While such a spirit beast may not be of much use to us, obtaining a second jiaolong to pull a chariot alongside this one would certainly make for a striking sight when journeying across the land, haha!”
“If there’s only one?” the silver-haired youth shook his head with a tinge of disappointment, “It somewhat dulls the grandeur.”
Wu Yuan merely smiled without responding, failing to grasp the other party’s intent.
“Daoist Li Xia, would you be open to selling this jiaolong spirit beast to me? I am prepared to offer 1500 catties of ethercrystal,” the silver-haired youth casually proposed, addressing Wu Yuan by the name he had provided during their exchange.
Wu Yuan was caught off guard. So this was his objective.
Behind the duo, Qiong Sea King’s eyes widened, and he glared at the silver-haired youth.
This wretched kid, first he wants me to pull a cart, and now he wants to buy me?
The group of black-armored soldiers and custodians following them were all astounded.
1500 catties of ethercrystal? Heavens! An ordinary piece of sixth-grade spirit equipment often fetched only one catty of ethercrystal!
“Haha, Daoist Tu Chi, you jest,” Wu Yuan grinned, his voice warm and easy. “This azure jiaolong has been my playmate since I was young. Our bond runs deep and cannot be broken.”
His offer was rejected? The black-armored soldiers and the custodians were shocked. It was already a very generous price.
“Daoist Li Xia, I believe I have already shown you my sincerity,” Tu Chi furrowed his brow slightly. “The value of a regular ninth-stage Communion spirit beast is merely 100 catties of ethercrystal, but due to the rarity of azure jiaolongs, I offered much more than the market rate.”
Wu Yuan smiled. He wasn’t wrong.
In the macrocosm, a ninth-stage Communion spirit beast was not too expensive, but Qiong Sea King was an exception. With his sixth-degree immortal root and mastery of ether art, his strength was extraordinary.
Furthermore, Wu Yuan had witnessed Qiong Sea King’s loyalty and dedication over the years. Why would he sell him off?
Wu Yuan wasn’t lacking ethercrystal either.
“Daoist Li Xia, I’m willing to go up to 2000 catties of ethercrystal. What do you say?” Tu Chi’s gaze rested on Wu Yuan. “I’m only offering such a generous sum because of my fondness for collecting jiaolongs. Let us not be too greedy, Fellow Daoist.”
2000 catties of ethercrystal. The soldiers and custodians held their breath. Such wealth was enough to buy their lives.
“I apologize.” Wu Yuan shook his head gently. Without waiting for a reply, he took to the skies with Qiong Sea King following close behind, disappearing into the city.
“Damn it!” The silver-haired youth’s expression was stormy, his voice dripping with venom. “Some ninth-degree immortal root trash dares to reject me?”
The group behind him exchanged glances, understanding what the silver-haired youth meant. The inspection array had evaluated that Wu Yuan exuded the aura of a first-stage Golden Core cultivator with a ninth-degree immortal root.
If he were a first-stage Golden Core cultivator with a sixth-degree immortal root, the array would have evaluated him as a fourth-stage Golden Core cultivator.
If he were a ninth-stage Qi Sea cultivator with a fourth-degree immortal root, he would be evaluated as a fourteenth-stage Qi Sea cultivator. [1]
Wu Yuan was evaluated to be a first-stage Golden Core cultivator, leading to two possible scenarios. Either he was among the weakest tier of first-stage Golden Core cultivators, or a Qi Sea cultivator with a remarkably powerful immortal root, with a vital aura equivalent to a higher cultivation phase.
However, neither the silver-haired young man nor the black-armored soldiers believed Wu Yuan could be such a prodigious talent. A third-degree immortal root was exceedingly rare.
Even a second-tier city that ruled over hundreds of millions of square li rarely produced such a prodigy, let alone the fifth-tier Fengchuan City. And such a peerless prodigy just happened to visit Fengchuan City?
After going to great lengths, I’ve only managed to acquire three azure jiaolongs. If I can obtain this one to make a set of four and present it at the ancestor’s 3000th birthday, I am certain to earn his favor. Tu Chi’s eyes gleamed with ambition.
There was obviously a reason behind his desire to purchase the azure jiaolong. As a Golden Core cultivator, his status was very high among qi refiners. However, as a member of the Tu Family, one of the top three families in Fengchuan City with several Amethyst Cradle Reverends and a Shambhala cultivator as their patriarch, his status paled in comparison.
Unless he managed to secure the support of his family, he was unlikely to reach the Amethyst Cradle phase in this life.
“Yang Hui, stay back. The rest of you are dismissed,” Tu Chi abruptly commanded.
“Understood.” The group quickly scurried away to avoid the wrath of their irritated leader.
Only the silver-haired young man and a black-robed custodian remained.
Without a sound, Tu Chi released his Golden Core mana to form a barrier around them, rendering it impervious to prying eyes or ears.
“Captain,” the black-robed custodian murmured.
“Mobilize the family’s power at once. Find out the location of Li Xia’s residence and the reason for his visit in my Fengchuan City. I want every detail of his movements and background,” Tu Chi’s gaze turned icy. “If there is any indication of his departure from Fengchuan City, alert me through the Redmoon Immortal Realm immediately.”
“Understood. I shall attend to it promptly,” the black-robed custodian swiftly departed.
1. not an actual stage (highest is ninth-stage), just a point of reference ☜