Crossing the Qinglan River, the terrain gradually rose, and the spiritual energy in the air seemed to become more concentrated. The official road began to see more travelers in a hurry, with a noticeable increase in the proportion of cultivators. Although most were still in the Qi Refining Stage, their attire and demeanor were no longer as shabby as in Green Stone Town. Occasionally, cultivators riding low-grade Demonic Beasts or using rudimentary Flying Artifacts could be seen whizzing past, drawing the attention of passersby.
Ye Chen and Wang Tiechui blended into the crowd, proceeding discreetly. Ye Chen had changed out of his gray Daoist Robe and was now wearing a simple blue cloth garment, further concealing his aura, making him appear no different from an ordinary low-grade Rogue Cultivator on a journey. Wang Tiechui's physique remained striking, but in the eyes of increasingly experienced cultivators, he was merely a Body Cultivator or naturally strong, causing no significant stir.
Ten Years later, a majestic, continuous mountain range resembling the spine of a giant dragon appeared on the horizon. The mountains soared into the clouds, with the mountainside above shrouded in misty spiritual fog. Vaguely visible were the upturned eaves of pavilions and towers, with cranes and spirit birds circling and dancing, exuding an immortal aura.
"Sky Spine Mountain Range... Flowing Cloud Immortal City lies beneath the Main Peak of this mountain range." Ye Chen read the record in the Jade Slip, his heart inevitably stirred. This was the first time since arriving in this world that he had truly approached one of the core areas of the cultivation civilization.
The closer they got to the mountain range, the denser the crowd became. The official road also became wider and flatter, paved with huge Bluestone Slabs, wide enough for ten horsemen to ride abreast. Along the roadside, Spirit Fields and Medicine Gardens began to appear, with cultivators using Spells to draw water for irrigation or driving Puppets to weed and catch insects. There were even tea houses, taverns, and small Market stalls built along the road, selling Talismans, Pills, low-grade materials, and more, creating a lively scene.
The air was filled with the fragrance of various spirit herbs and Pills, as well as the mixed Spiritual Power fluctuations emanating from the cultivators. The sounds of hawking, bargaining, and Magic Tools breaking through the air were incessant.
Wang Tiechui's eyes darted around in wonder, his honest face full of novelty. He kept close behind Ye Chen, afraid of getting lost.
Ye Chen remained vigilant. Although his Spiritual Sense was not widely extended, he was constantly aware of his surroundings. He noticed that the closer they got to the Immortal City, the more patrol teams of cultivators there were. These cultivators wore uniform, standard blue robes with cloud patterns embroidered on the cuffs, exuding a sharp aura. Their cultivation was mostly in the Late Qi Refining Stage, clearly the Enforcement Team of the Immortal City, maintaining basic order.
After another half-day's journey, a colossal city finally appeared at the end of their Vision.
The city walls, over a hundred zhang high, were entirely built from a milky-white "Flowing Cloud Stone," which flowed with a warm luster under the sunlight, resembling a celestial palace descended to the mortal realm. Runes flickered and Spiritual Light flowed on the city walls, clearly indicating an extremely powerful protective Great Array. The city gates were bustling with traffic, and the flow of people was like a weaving, divided into several lanes: one for Mortals, one for cultivators on foot, and special passages for those riding Demonic Beasts or using Flying Artifacts, all in good order.
Above the city gate, four large ancient seal characters were inscribed in a vigorous calligraphy—Flowing Cloud Immortal City! The characters contained Dao Rhyme, bringing a sense of peace to the mind upon viewing them.
"We've finally arrived..." Ye Chen took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart. He could feel that the Ascension Token in his embrace seemed to be drawn by the dense Spiritual Energy and Dao Rhyme of this place, emitting a warm sensation akin to joyful excitement.
The two followed the crowd towards the cultivator passage. At the city gate stood several guards with steady auras, all in the Late Qi Refining Stage, their gazes sharp as lightning, scrutinizing every entrant. Beside them stood a Jade Tablet, displaying entry requirements with Spiritual Power: entry required the payment of one Low-grade Spirit Stone, allowing a stay of one month within the city. Fighting was strictly prohibited, and violators would be severely punished.
Ye Chen silently took out two Low-grade Spirit Stones and handed them to the guards. The guards accepted the Spirit Stones, their gazes sweeping over Ye Chen and Wang Tiechui, lingering for a moment on Wang Tiechui. They asked no further questions and waved them through.
The moment they stepped through the city gate, it was as if they had entered another world.
Dense Spiritual Energy of Heaven and Earth washed over them, several times more concentrated than outside the city. A deep breath made them feel refreshed and invigorated. The streets were wide and clean, wide enough for dozens of carriages to pass side-by-side, paved with gleaming jade-green bricks. Pavilions lined both sides, with upturned eaves and painted beams, each with its own style, some ancient and grand, others exquisite and luxurious. Shop signs flickered with various Spiritual Lights, selling Pills, Magic Tools, Talismans, Formations, Spirit Beasts, Cultivation Method Jade Slips... a dazzling array that was overwhelming.
In the air, cultivators occasionally flew past on various Flying Artifacts such as Flying Swords, gourds, and jade shuttles, leaving trails of Flowing Light. There were also some luxurious beast-drawn carriages, pulled by rare Spirit Beasts, flying at low altitudes, showcasing the extraordinary status of their occupants.
The clamor, discussions, and shouts of shop assistants intertwined, forming a torrent of vitality and desire.
"Good heavens... this place is so big, so grand!" Wang Tiechui's mouth hung open as he gazed at the prosperous scene he had never imagined, muttering to himself.
Ye Chen's heart also surged. The scale and grandeur of Flowing Cloud Immortal City were far beyond that of Green Stone Town, even exceeding his previous imagination. This was truly a world belonging to cultivators.
He steadied himself. The immediate priority was to find lodging and inquire about the details of the Ascension Convention.
"Let's find a place to stay first." Ye Chen led Wang Tiechui along the main street towards the interior. He noticed that the closer they got to the city's core area, the more concentrated the Spiritual Energy seemed, and the more magnificent the pavilions became, clearly beyond their current means.
On a relatively quiet side street, they found a mid-range inn called "Cloud Arrival Residence." The inn had a serene environment and a simple Spirit Gathering Array, but the price was naturally higher, with a standard room costing five Low-grade Spirit Stones per day.
Ye Chen, currently quite well-off （ from the Cultivator Who Sat in Meditation's inheritance ）, booked two adjacent rooms. After settling in, he instructed Wang Tiechui to rest in the room and not to wander around, and then he went out onto the street again.
He needed to obtain more accurate information. Although the Ascension Convention was widely known, the exact start date, registration location, and requirements still needed confirmation. Furthermore, the threat from the Shadow Pavilion was like a sword hanging over his head, and he had to constantly monitor their movements.
At the street corner was a teahouse named "Wind Listening Pavilion." Most of the patrons were cultivators, making it a good place to gather information. Ye Chen entered, found a quiet seat by the window, and ordered the cheapest pot of "Calming Tea."
The teahouse was noisy, with cultivators talking loudly about various topics, from exploring Secret Realms and cultivation insights to Sect feuds and market trends.
Ye Chen quietly sipped his tea, his Spiritual Sense acting like an invisible sieve, filtering through the noisy information and capturing snippets related to the "Ascension Convention" and the "Shadow Pavilion."
"...I heard that the Azure Profound Dao Sect's disciple recruitment this year is stricter than in previous years..."
"...Indeed, it's said that several Elders from the Inner Sect will personally attend the selection..."
"...Ascension Token? Haven't seen that thing in decades! Holders can directly enter the final assessment, they're really lucky..."
"...'Shadow Pavilion'? They've been quite active in the Immortal City recently, seems like they're looking for someone..."
"...Hush, speak carefully! It's best not to inquire about the Shadow Pavilion's affairs..."
Useful information continuously flowed into Ye Chen's mind. He confirmed that the Ascension Convention would officially begin in half a month at the "Dao Seeking Plaza" in the center of the Immortal City. As for the Shadow Pavilion, they didn't seem to be acting overtly, but they were indeed operating in secret.
Just then, the discussion among a few cultivators at the next table caught Ye Chen's attention.
"Did you hear? A few days ago, someone found a tattered Beast Hide in the 'Ghost Market' on the west side of the city. It seems to record the location of an Ancient Cultivator's Cave Mansion!"
"Really? That Ghost Market, nine out of ten items are fake, and the tenth is a death warrant!"
"Heh heh, who knows? But it's said the Beast Hide is made of a special material, not easily faked, and it has already attracted the attention of several minor forces..."
"An Ancient Cultivator's Cave Mansion... If it's real, even a small leak from inside would be enough for us to benefit endlessly..."
Ancient Cultivator's Cave Mansion? Ye Chen's heart stirred. He remembered the Cultivator Who Sat in Meditation at the bottom of Dragon Fall Ravine. Such ruins often came with risks and opportunities. He urgently needed to improve his strength now, and any potential opportunity could not be easily dismissed.
"Ghost Market..." He silently noted down the place name. It was an underground trading venue that opened at night and was a mixed bag, perhaps a place to try his luck.
After finishing the tea in his cup, Ye Chen put down a few Spirit Stones and got up to leave Wind Listening Pavilion.
Flowing Cloud Immortal City, where opportunities and dangers coexist. The Ascension Convention is the clear path, while the Shadow Pavilion and the potential Ancient Cultivator's Cave Mansion are hidden whirlpools.
He looked up towards the direction of the city center, where the Spiritual Energy was most concentrated. A majestic palace complex loomed in the spiritual mist, which was the Azure Profound Dao Sect's branch here and the core of the Ascension Convention.
"Still half a month..." Ye Chen clenched his fist, a look of determination flashing in his eyes.
In this half a month, he had to improve himself as much as possible and figure out the movements of the Shadow Pavilion.
The prelude to the Immortal City had begun. The real challenge was just starting.