Wu Wang and Lin Suqing quietly slipped away from the Rabbit Tribe village in the dead of night. As they left, they deliberately covered their tracks as an ordinary Immortal accompanied by an ordinary Nascent Soul Realm cultivator would, heading towards a vast expanse of dense forests.
This Sanxian Daoist was indeed a bit too eerie! Penning books and theories, adept in formations, with unique insights into artifact refining—all contrasted against his cultivation in the Ascending Immortal Realm, creating a sense of 'distortion.'
Not to ntion, this Sanxian Daoist was quite familiar with several elders in the Rabbit Tribe village, appearing as if they were... a gang.
Even now, Wu Wang was beginning to suspect that the Sanxian Daoist was deliberately testing them. If his true identity was not a master from the Human Domain, then it was possible that he was a strong god from Heaven Palace trying to get close to them.
Although Wu Wang could not find any logical reason to convince himself of either speculation.
The two sat in a wooden boat, skimming over the pitch-black forest at a low altitude. Wu Wang's Immortal Consciousness probed all around, taking in the situation within a hundred-mile radius and keeping an eye on their trail to see if the Sanxian Daoist would directly follow them.
"Martial Uncle," Lin Suqing spoke telepathically, "what do you think could be wrong with this person?"
"It's unclear," Wu Wang replied, touching his necklace.
If the other party was truly a master, Mother should have reminded . So why...
"He's just an old cultivator at the Ascending Immortal Realm."
Cang Xue's voice suddenly resonated within him, invigorating Wu Wang and offering him a slight relief.
Cang Xue said, "Don't pay too much attention to this person. If he persists in bothering you, you can punish him a little."
"Mm," Wu Wang responded, feeling as if a weight had been lifted off his chest.
After speeding away with Lin Suqing for a while, they found a rather bustling human town and decided to stay there for the ti being, contemplating their next move.
They couldn't rush to the City above the Clouds—coordination with the Human Domain was essential. According to the plan, Elder Miao would visit the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion three tis. After three noisy attempts, she would still insist on going to the City above the Clouds to rescue Lin Qi. The whole process was a tug-of-war between the Human Domain and Heaven Palace's psychological defenses.
Damaging the opponent's pre-arranged formations during the constant tugging and finding their loopholes was the key to victory.
Wu Wang and Lin Suqing hid in this small town for a few days. They learned that it was within the territory controlled by a military family with the surna Zhao, complete with a nearby Spirit Stone Mine and no other anomalies. Taking advantage of the night, they slipped away discreetly, ensuring their movents seed erratic while, in reality, they were gradually drawing closer to the City above the Clouds.
「Jiuhuang City.」
Half a month after landing in the Southeastern Region, the two arrived at the largest town in the southern part of the region without incident.
Inside the flying wooden boat, Lin Suqing and Wu Wang each held one end of a wooden stick. They were telepathically discussing their next leg of the journey.
"Martial Uncle, if we can't find a suitable disguise in Jiuhuang City to go to the City above the Clouds, then I'm afraid we'll have to make up an identity," Lin Suqing said.
Wu Wang sighed. "I'm just worried that Heaven Palace might order a background check. That would be the most troubleso part."
"When the ti cos, we'll get a distant look," Lin Suqing chuckled. "If their scrutiny isn't strict, we'll go in. If it is, we'll slip away and think of another plan."
Wu Wang nodded and began to survey the distant Stone City. This place was built against a mountain and was easily defensible. It was surrounded by formations on all sides, with several formation traps visible outside the city.
Approaching the great city, about ten miles from the gates, one could feel a pressure descending from the sky. Clearly, there was a large no-fly formation in place. While Wu Wang didn't feel much from such force, Lin Suqing's face turned pale, and she was barely able to steady herself.
The two quickly descended in front of the city gates, lining up in the long queue to enter. People converged from all directions. So were Human Cultivators flying through the air, while others were groups of n and won riding fierce beasts, racing along the main road.
Wu Wang imdiately spotted a few citizens from the Feather Country, his eyes lighting up.
They look... well, quite distinctive. They're much like angels from the Western myths of my previous life, only these citizens of Feather Country are covered with short feathers from head to toe.
The citizens of the Feather Country skimd low across the air and flew straight into the city.
Lin Suqing, who had donned a veil, couldn't help but frown and telepathically complained to Wu Wang, "Don't the citizens of Feather Country need to queue?"
"They're just local bigwigs."
Wu Wang telepathically replied with composure and began estimating the defensive strength of this large city.
Given the number of experts I currently sense, as well as the various defensive arrangents in place, the Star Thunder Technique Crystal Ball I brought could level this place... and still have twenty percent left. I don't know if the strength in various places of the Human Domain is too formidable, or if this place is hiding its true power. If this is the overall standard of the City above the Clouds, I could very seriously announce that this is a 'land covered by truth.' Considering the overall strength of the Northern Wilderness and the Western Wilderness, the Southeastern Region is actually quite decent.
They continued forward, and finally, it was their turn to pay to enter the city. The currency in circulation here was Spirit Stones. Wu Wang had prepared several dium-quality Spirit Stones in advance. He held them in his hand, listening carefully to the questions asked of the few people ahead. The questions were simple: where they ca from, where they were going, and their purpose for coming here.
The gatekeeper, a mber of another race, sat behind a long table and shouted, "Next!"
Wu Wang, Spirit Stones in hand, stepped forward. His right foot had just lifted but not yet landed when suddenly a towering figure bumped into him from the side. The figure was over sixteen feet tall, with an extrely ferocious countenance. The most eye-catching feature was a nose resembling a wild boar's, along with two sharp tusks protruding from the sides of his mouth. The intense scent of blood seed to highlight the martial prowess of this non-human brute.
Wu Wang slightly furrowed his brow but stood still, acting as if he hadn't seen the man.
BANG!
With a muffled thud, the non-human brute was repelled as if he had bumped into a bridge pier. A thin layer of Immortal Light blocked him, keeping him three inches away from Wu Wang.
The protective Immortal Light—an Immortal Spell common in the Human Domain that I hadn't practiced before, rely brushing up on it before leaving.
Wu Wang smiled and took a half step forward. The protective Immortal Light rippled, and the brute was directly flung away, tumbling over a dozen tis on a nearby slope. The non-human brute scrambled up, his face dirty and his expression filled with shock. He glanced at Wu Wang, then promptly turned tail and ran without hesitation.
Whispers followed from behind.
"Is he an Immortal from the Human Domain?"
"Is it his first ti here? Doesn't he know that Immortals from the Human Domain can enter directly? Why squeeze in with us?"
"And that human woman—wow, even her silhouette looks elegant."
Wu Wang frowned and turned his head. The few otherfolk discussing this imdiately averted their gaze, their murmurs vanishing.
Ahead, the gatekeeper from the other race said sternly, "An Immortal from the Human Domain?"
"Yes," Wu Wang said, placing the Spirit Stones on the table. "For both of us."
Lin Suqing also stood next to Wu Wang.
The guard said, "Don't cause trouble here. How long are you two planning to stay in Jiuhuang City?"
"About three days," Wu Wang replied. "We've co in search of a friend."
"Go ahead," the guard said indifferently, then emphasized again, "Please refrain from causing trouble here. The rule in Jiuhuang City is that there must be no fighting within the city. We collect Spirit Stones from everyone precisely to hire experts to protect Jiuhuang City."
Wu Wang cupped his hands in a salute and said no more. He proceeded into the city with Lin Suqing, his Immortal Consciousness carefully spreading within the city's grand formation to observe the surroundings.
The dirty streets, the sowhat chaotic layout, the low stone houses visible everywhere... there's indeed a significant gap compared to the large cities in the Human Domain. And then there's this openly priced safety protection. This large city in the Southeastern Region is quite interesting.
Soon, Wu Wang's Immortal Consciousness found a particularly lively street. It was filled with brothels and gambling dens. Even during the dayti, many n and won were coming and going. Sweeping his Immortal Consciousness across the area, he saw that most of the won were from various otherfolk races; there were no human won in sight.
After a brief deliberation, I understand now. If a woman from the Human Domain were suffering in such a place, eight out of ten male Human Cultivators would stand up to rescue her. It's in our nature.
"Martial Uncle," Lin Suqing's graceful eyebrows furrowed as she asked telepathically, "Where shall we go next?"
Wu Wang said, "Let's see if there's sothing like a Bodyguard Agency, or one of those chain stores that are found everywhere."
"Alright," Lin Suqing agreed, beginning to search carefully around the area.
According to Wu Wang's original plan, they were ant to seek out so clans or tribes to 'exchange' identities with. However, as they traveled, Wu Wang found, sowhat speechlessly, that the clans and tribes in the Southeastern Region seldom interacted. There were hardly any rchant caravans, and there was little communication with the City above the Clouds.
There's no choice; the Southeastern Region has its own unique circumstances.
They had only walked a few hundred paces further when a tall building caught Wu Wang's attention. The building's exterior was black, seemingly forged from iron and stone. It had no windows from top to bottom, but was instead embellished with golden runes. A strange aura wafted toward them.
Moreover, a signboard hung above the building, inscribed with several large, powerfully stroked characters: DEMON SUPPRESSION SITE.
Underneath those four characters were two smaller ones: Tavern.
Wu Wang and Lin Suqing exchanged a look, both seeing the curiosity in each other's eyes.
Wu Wang chuckled. "A place with such exotic features is surely worth a visit."
"It looks a bit scary, though," Lin Suqing said.
"But there are custors coming and going," Wu Wang said with a smile. "Look, there are both n and won among the guests. This place can't be anything improper."
"Martial Uncle, shall we settle down here?" Lin Suqing asked.
"Let's go."
Wu Wang beckoned, and the two of them walked excitedly to the building. A pretty attendant imdiately stepped forward and bowed to them.
She said, "You both look unfamiliar. Is this your first visit to our establishnt?"
"Mm," Wu Wang replied casually. "You could say we were drawn by its reputation."
The attendant covered her mouth with a delicate laugh, glanced at Lin Suqing, and said with a smile, "You've co at the right ti! We just had a renovation ten years ago and added many new amusents. Please, co inside. Human Cultivators like yourselves can settle the bill with Spirit Stones when you leave."
The three of them stepped inside. Wu Wang imdiately noticed the intricacy of the formations here; it seed not much spiritual power was used, yet they sealed off a great part of Heaven and Earth. Upon entry, they saw two large screens. Behind them were small compartnts separated by curtains. People could be seen drinking tea and chatting in about half of these compartnts. However, due to the formations set up throughout the establishnt, it was very quiet overall, with only the sound of trickling water.
Since the outside light was blocked, the interior lighting was also ticulously arranged. Luminous pearls hung above the corridors, and the sides of the floor were lined with Spirit Stones that emitted a soft, white glow. The wall sconces were also exquisite artifacts, their craftsmanship eliciting admiration from Wu Wang.
It's unexpectedly comforting.
The attendant asked, "Would you like a premium room upstairs?"
Lin Suqing hurriedly said, "A standard room will be fine."
"Then please follow . It's Earth Room Three on the second floor." The attendant pulled a Jade Talisman from her sleeve, and Lin Suqing stepped forward to take it.
The attendant smiled. "This is the only token for entering the room's formation. The *only* one, mind you."
I don't quite understand, but I'll chalk it up to the tavern being keen on security, since this area is so chaotic.
However, monts after the two of them entered Earth Room Three…
Wu Wang froze on the spot. Lin Suqing's cheeks reddened visibly, and soon, a sound like 'CHI CHI' could be heard as steam seed to rise from her head.
This is a tavern, isn't it? No, that can't be right. Does the Great Wilderness even have *this* kind of tavern?
A cozy large bed, elegant decor, the bed's canopy painted with mandarin ducks playing in water... The two walls on either side were draped with curtains, behind which were faintly visible erotic murals that made one's blood race. There was a peculiar chair on the left and a large bathtub on the right. Gently sniffing, the wisps of blue smoke wafting from the Incense Burner emitted an alluring, suggestive fragrance.
In short, it's utterly incredible.
"M-Martial Uncle," Lin Suqing stamred, covering her blushing face. After hemming and hawing for a while, she finally squeezed out, "This... this is highly improper! It's against all decorum!"
"Hmph!"
Wu Wang calmly took half a step back. "You tidy up the room and extinguish that Incense Burner. I'm going to get so tea."
With those words, he took the Jade Talisman and turned to leave, moving with remarkable speed.
This damned God of Luck! Why does it always have to be like this!
Upon reaching the stairs, Wu Wang stopped. He saw an open window nearby, went over to it, and took a few deep breaths of fresh air, allowing the heat within him to gradually subside.
I really didn't expect to find such a place in the Great Wilderness. The proprietor here really knows their stuff. They've created just the right atmosphere, and those paintings are genuine masterpieces. And the formations, the magical artifacts I've seen along the way, the attention to detail in all the renovations—everything is ingeniously crafted and uniquely stylish.
Just then, footsteps and the laughter of two people could be heard approaching from the staircase.
A rough, slightly aged voice laughed, "Sanxian, you old dog! As the Second Shopkeeper, have you finally rembered to pay a visit? Didn't your last letter say you were off to the ends of the earth to enjoy the scenery before coming back here?"
A familiar voice responded, "I was waylaid en route; my ship was intercepted. I have no idea what's going on in the south—they're directly targeting rchant ships from the Human Domain. They will surely be hunted down and held accountable by the experts from the Human Domain."
Wu Wang turned, about to head back to his room to hide, but just then, the elder's voice continued, "It's just as well you ca. Our tavern in the City above the Clouds needs so refurbishing. Quit worrying about lifespan and all that nonsense. Enjoy yourself here for a while! There are none of those vexing ceremonial rules of the Human Domain, nor does anyone care about your cultivation level. Indulge in wine, sing at the top of your lungs, embrace won left and right—your old brother here will help you find your second spring!"
Wu Wang didn't care about the rest, but four words caught his attention: City above the Clouds.
A tavern like this also exists in the City above the Clouds?
The two figures were about to appear at the top of the stairs. Wu Wang turned, pretending he was about to go downstairs.
Then he heard the Sanxian Daoist sigh emotionally, "Don't even ntion it. I truly have no interest in such things. On my way here, I encountered a young Yuanxian Realm cultivator with exceptional talent. What's more, he adored the books I've written! The annotations he made in them... Hah, even I hadn't considered so of those points. You know, although my cultivation level isn't great, I'm sowhat of an expert in the Dao of formations. I was thinking of finding a successor for my formation techniques, and this young man was very much to my liking. But who would have known..."
"What happened?"
"He ran off in the middle of the night! I was careless, had a bit too much to drink, and lost him."
The Sanxian Daoist looked up with a face full of regret and let out a long sigh... then another... The old Daoist suddenly trembled, his expression turning to one of utter astonishnt.
Wu Wang stood at the landing, his brow slightly furrowed, staring at the Sanxian Daoist, trying to read sothing from the old man's face.
The white-haired elder next to the Sanxian Daoist seed puzzled. "Sanxian, why the overly dramatic expression?"
"It's him! The one who got away!"
The Sanxian Daoist grabbed the elder's arm. "Quick, help out here! Sing my praises! Tell him about my family fortune! And rember to ntion that I have no children, no disciples, and no Daoist companion!"
Wu Wang: ...
If I stay and interact with this Sanxian Daoist now, will people misunderstand and think I'm after the old Daoist's wealth? That's indeed a problem.
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