The Next Day — Blazing Sun Hall
Morning sunlight bathed the mountain peak in a warm golden glow.
The previous day, Scarlet had spent the entire day meditating in seclusion, carefully stabilizing her cultivation after breaking through to the Eighth Stage of Qi Refining.
By contrast, Raeshan had done absolutely nothing.
He spent the day reclining beneath the ancient willow tree, drinking tea, snacking on roasted melon seeds, and enjoying the peaceful scenery of Blazing Sun Hall.
To him, life was meant to be enjoyed.
Early that morning, Scarlet finished her meditation and walked into the courtyard.
Her aura was calm and steady, showing that her cultivation had completely stabilized.
She respectfully cupped her fists.
"Master."
Raeshan slowly opened his eyes and glanced at her.
"It seems you’ve finished stabilizing your cultivation."
Scarlet nodded.
"Yes, Master."
"My foundation is completely stable now."
"I’m ready to leave."
Raeshan smiled faintly as he stood up from his bamboo recliner.
"Good."
"It’s time."
He stretched lazily before looking toward the endless mountain range beyond Blazing Sun Hall.
"Let’s go explore the world."
With a wave of his hand, a streak of golden light shot into the air.
The Radiant Sky Sword hovered before them, its blade shining brilliantly beneath the morning sun.
Raeshan stepped onto the flying sword with practiced ease.
Scarlet quickly followed behind him.
"Hold on."
Before Scarlet could ask what he meant...
Whoosh!
The Radiant Sky Sword shot into the sky like a bolt of golden lightning.
As Raeshan and Scarlet left Blazing Sun Hall, the Tier-One Protective Formation activated.
The entire sect vanished from sight, concealed within the endless expanse of the Ten Thousand Mountain Range.
The surrounding landscape subtly shifted, hiding every trace of its existence.
To anyone passing by, it appeared as though Blazing Sun Hall had never existed in the first place.
...
A cool mountain breeze rushed past them.
Below, the Ten Thousand Mountains stretched endlessly toward the horizon.
Towering ancient forests blanketed the land.
Crystal-clear rivers wound through deep valleys like silver ribbons.
Waterfalls cascaded from towering cliffs into emerald lakes below.
Groups of spirit beasts roamed freely across the mountains.
Some hunted in packs.
Others rested beneath enormous ancient trees.
High above the clouds, majestic spirit birds spread their wings as they soared through the sky.
Scarlet’s crimson eyes sparkled with amazement.
"So beautiful..."
Although she had lived near the Ten Thousand Mountains her entire life, this was the first time she had seen them from the sky.
Everything looked vast and boundless.
Raeshan stood with his hands behind his back.
"This world is far larger than you imagine."
"The Eastern Desolate Land is only a small corner of it."
Scarlet silently engraved those words into her heart.
After flying for nearly an hour, the mountains gradually gave way to open plains.
A few hours later, an enormous city appeared in the distance.
Its towering walls stretched for several kilometers, standing like an unbreakable fortress between civilization and the wilderness.
Countless cultivators entered and left through the massive city gates.
Merchant caravans lined up outside the entrance.
Spirit beast mounts, flying beasts, and carriages filled the roads.
Raeshan looked toward the city as memories surfaced in his mind.
"White Crane City..."
According to the original owner’s memories, White Crane City had stood for thousands of years.
It was built at the edge of the Ten Thousand Mountains and the Phoenix Valley, serving as the first line of defense against spirit beast tides and wandering evil cultivators.
Despite facing countless invasions throughout its long history, the city had never fallen.
The reason was simple.
The Rennor Family.
For generations, the Rennor Family had ruled White Crane City as its City Lords.
With their powerful cultivators guarding its walls, they had protected the city for thousands of years, allowing it to stand firm against every threat.
Raeshan looked at the ancient city walls and smiled.
The Radiant Sky Sword slowly descended toward the gates of White Crane City.
As soon as they landed outside the city, Raeshan waved his hand.
The Radiant Sky Sword transformed into a streak of golden light and disappeared into his storage ring.
Scarlet looked around curiously.
Compared to the quiet mountains, White Crane City was bustling with life.
Cultivators from all walks of life passed through the city gates.
Some rode powerful spirit beasts.
Others traveled in luxurious carriages pulled by exotic creatures.
Street vendors loudly advertised spiritual herbs, medicinal pills, beast cores, and spirit weapons.
The air was filled with countless voices.
Scarlet couldn’t help looking around in every direction.
"So many people..."
Raeshan smiled faintly.
"This is only a border city. Truly prosperous cities are dozens of times larger."
Scarlet’s eyes widened slightly.
"This is only a border city...?"
The two joined the line entering the city.
At the entrance stood more than twenty armored guards.
Each of them emitted the aura of a Seventh or Eighth Stage Qi Refining cultivator.
Standing at the center was a middle-aged woman wearing silver armor.
She was a Foundation Building Realm cultivator.
The badge on her chest identified her as the captain of the city guard.
Her sharp eyes swept across everyone entering the city.
No one dared cause trouble.
When Raeshan and Scarlet reached the front of the line, the guard captain spoke calmly.
"Purpose of entering White Crane City?"
Raeshan replied,
"Travel."
The captain nodded.
"Two low-grade spirit stones per person."
Without saying another word, Raeshan took out four low-grade spirit stones from his storage ring and handed them over.
The captain inspected them before stepping aside.
"You may enter."
Raeshan nodded.
"Thank you."
He and Scarlet walked through the towering city gates.
The moment they entered, Scarlet stopped in her tracks.
Before her stretched a lively avenue paved with smooth white stone.
Rows of shops lined both sides of the street.
Spirit herb stores.
Weapon pavilions.
Alchemy halls.
Restaurants.
Beast-taming shops.
Countless cultivators walked through the streets, making the city far livelier than anywhere Scarlet had ever seen.
She unconsciously moved a little closer to Raeshan.
There were simply too many strangers.
Raeshan noticed but said nothing.
Instead, he glanced around leisurely.
"So..."
"Let’s see what White Crane City has to offer."
Master and disciple slowly disappeared into the bustling streets of White Crane City.
[Reader: When Raeshan descended near the gates of White Crane City, shouldn’t it have attracted everyone’s attention? He’s a Peak Spirit Core Realm cultivator. Why didn’t anyone notice him?
Author: Good catch... (ಠ_ಠ)
Raeshan actually descended quite a distance away from the city walls... not too far, but far enough to avoid drawing attention. He also concealed his cultivation, making it appear as though he was only at the Late Stage of the Foundation Building Realm.]
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