Chapter 274: Chapter Seven: Rainlan City

Inside the front cabin of the airship.

“The space of the Nine River Sacred Realm is incredibly stable—I can’t even fly, despite my spatial mastery,” Di Qing barely stabilized his physical form, already sensing the unique nature of the Nine River Sacred Realm.

Di Qing smiled: “The Nine River Sacred Realm is home to countless low-grade Hunyuan lifeforms and powerful beings from billions of worlds; the energy released in their battles is unimaginable, so the realm must be incredibly stable to withstand such carnage.”

Luo Feng nodded.

Even origin worlds impose power restrictions to preserve their stability.

“The Nine Rivers resemble chains, sealing the entire world—likely to enhance its stability,” Luo Feng began to understand the deeper meaning of the nine rivers.

“Indeed, because the world is so stable, even those who master space to the ‘semi-hunyuan level’ can only achieve extremely short-range spatial teleportation,” Di Qing chuckled. “Even my airship can only fly slowly.”

“It’s already fast enough,” Luo Feng praised.

His five avatar talents varied greatly; even his fastest for travel reached only three or four tenths of the speed of Di Qing’s airship.

A third eye opened on Luo Feng’s forehead—the secret technique “Mimicry of Life-Death Eye.” On the Origin Continent, he had long studied the Star Tower and extensively used the “Life-Death Eye,” gaining profound insight into both.

Most of Luo Feng’s secret techniques were created based on the deep patterns of the Star Tower. Yet the only technique he developed by deciphering the deep patterns of the “Life-Death Eye” was the “Mimicry of Life-Death Eye”—and even now, it continued to evolve over time.

“Hum.”

With the Mimicry of Life-Death Eye, Luo Feng’s observational ability, though not enough to escape the cage, ranked among the top among divine emperors.

“Hmm?” Luo Feng spotted, far in the distance, a faint pale-blue phantom creature merging into the void, hidden afar. The phantom creature stared at the approaching airship with clear hostility.

“Di Qing, be careful—there’s a low-grade hunyuan lifeform lying in wait ahead,” Luo Feng spoke.

Di Qing glanced at Luo Feng in surprise and laughed: “Luo He, your detection ability is incredible. I specialize in space and even with secret treasures, I barely detected that low-grade hunyuan lifeform—the ‘Qingyan Beast’—at such a distance.”

Though the airship appeared to move at normal speed, when nearing the Qingyan Beast, it suddenly accelerated by fifty to sixty percent, swiftly outpacing the creature. The Qingyan Beast couldn’t even chase.

“Low-grade hunyuan lifeforms faster than my airship are rare,” Di Qing said. “But our journey’s early stage is still simple. The middle phase requires crossing above the rivers—that’s when danger begins.”

…

Two days later.

The airship had fully merged into the void, as if part of it, flying above a river whose width stretched beyond countless billions of kilometers.

The Nine Rivers, viewed from the Infinite Hunyuan Space, were immense, sealing the entire world. Their true width was terrifying—even at the airship’s speed, it took half a day to cross.

Luo Feng observed with his Mimicry of Life-Death Eye.

“Luo He, how many low-grade hunyuan lifeforms can you detect?” Di Qing asked beside him.

“Three,” Luo Feng replied, projecting a simple regional map. “High above, a bird-like creature blends into the wind; another is hidden within a cloud mass; and here, on the water’s surface, a being lies in wait.”

“Impressive.”

Di Qing marveled: “I only detected two. You spotted three low-grade hunyuan lifeforms—your detection method is superior.”

Luo Feng silently sighed. If he carried the “Life-Death Eye,” his detection power might surge a thousandfold or ten thousandfold. But such a treasure was forbidden beyond the origin world—even bringing it out might attract unspeakable horrors.

Huh.

The airship flew cautiously, fully merged into the void, maintaining sufficient distance from the low-grade hunyuan lifeforms.

“Low-grade hunyuan lifeforms primarily dwell within the Nine Rivers, where sufficient energy sustains them. Even if they leave, they rarely stray far—returning to the rivers is quick,” Di Qing observed calmly. “Those lingering above the rivers merely hope for luck, waiting to encounter cultivators.”

“Aside from travelers like us, few dare cross above the rivers,” Di Qing smiled. “Don’t worry—these airborne hunyuan lifeforms are generally weak.”

“Truly powerful low-grade hunyuan lifeforms remain still unless they act. When they move, they always penetrate deep into cultivator territories—to hunt more effectively,” Di Qing said.

“How strong are low-grade hunyuan lifeforms?” Di Ming asked beside him.

“Though we call them ‘low-grade hunyuan lifeforms,’ they are still hunyuan lifeforms,” Di Qing said. “They are born beyond the cage, but their potential remains unfulfilled, making them weak.”

“Low-grade hunyuan lifeforms generally possess divine emperor-level strength,” Di Qing looked at Di Ming. “Even the weakest among them surpasses you slightly. Though their intellect is low, their vitality and physical bodies are extraordinarily resilient… killing even the weakest requires a divine emperor at the early stage of enlightenment.”

A divine emperor at the early stage of enlightenment, in all aspects, matches a hunyuan bloodline cultivator at the mid-stage.

“In the Nine River Sacred Realm, early-stage divine emperor enlightenment is a threshold—only those who reach it may join hunting parties,” Di Qing said. “Otherwise, no team will accept you.”

Di Ming and Di Fu exchanged glances.

Luo Feng felt pressure. His fusion technique of the eight branches of Life-Death Dao barely met the early-stage divine emperor threshold. The ultimate technique of Life-Death Dao was the true standard for early-stage divine emperors.

True early-stage divine emperor enlightenment masters could unleash any move at early-stage power—some forbidden or ultimate techniques even reached mid-stage divine emperor strength.

“Fortunately, I have five avatars—each an early-stage divine emperor lifeform, each with unique talents. Combined, they might rival an early-stage divine emperor enlightenment master.”

“I’m still too weak. What if I can’t even qualify to join a hunting team?” Luo Feng still felt uneasy.

Without the Life-Death Eye or the Star Tower, his power had indeed weakened drastically.

Huh.

Across the vast expanse above the river, the airship glided through the void, carefully maintaining distance from low-grade hunyuan lifeforms. Only one had glimpsed the airship’s true nature—and it was swiftly outpaced.

…

The Sacred Mountain lies at the center of the entire Nine River Sacred Realm, so to reach Rainlan City from the center, one must cross two rivers.

During this journey, Luo Feng witnessed Di Qing’s strength! Di Qing’s mastery of space through piloting the airship far surpassed Luo Feng’s ultimate Life-Death Dao techniques.

“Di Qing, have you reached mid-stage divine emperor?” Luo Feng whispered, wanting to know Di Qing’s strength—they were to become allies. If the gap was too great, cooperation was pointless.

“Mid-stage divine emperor enlightenment? Not so easily achieved,” Di Qing whispered back. “I became an early-stage divine emperor on the Origin Continent. Though the Nine River Sacred Realm offered more opportunities, helping me advance… I’ve only stepped one foot into mid-stage! I’ve glimpsed some mid-stage techniques. To fully become a mid-stage divine emperor enlightenment master, I still need much time.”

Luo Feng understood.

Di Qing had glimpsed some mid-stage divine emperor techniques and, with his secret treasures, could wield even greater power.

Luo Feng’s current strength still lagged far behind Di Qing’s.

“Once we reach Rainlan City, don’t rush into hunting,” Di Qing smiled at Luo Feng. “First, strengthen ourselves with Rainlan City’s resources—buy suitable items, choose fitting secret treasures. Only after full preparation should we begin hunting.”

They whispered to each other, deliberately excluding Di Ming and Di Fu.

“We’re almost there,” Di Qing gazed ahead. “Rainlan City!”

No sooner had he spoken.

The airship shot forward—and a vast city emerged in the distance.

Luo Feng, Di Ming, and Di Fu all stared intently.

Every single detail was clear!

It was a massive fortress-like city, its sky filled with countless colorful arrays, layer upon layer of protection, tightly shielding Rainlan City.

“Incredible arrays,” Luo Feng sensed from afar—thick, immovable, unshakable.

“Of the thirty-five cities in the Nine River Sacred Realm, all were built at great cost. These protective measures reflect different cultivation systems—many systems work together to guard this city,” Di Qing shook his head gently. “But low-grade hunyuan lifeforms are beings beyond the cage. Some of their talents are too unique—even with countless protective systems, we cannot block all of them.”

“Occasionally, low-grade hunyuan lifeforms still infiltrate Rainlan City and assassinate cultivators,” Di Qing said.

Di Fu and Di Ming grew solemn.

“Low-grade hunyuan lifeforms that infiltrate Rainlan City are one in ten thousand—extremely rare types,” Di Qing finished. The airship then headed straight for a towering city gate.

Hum!

As the airship neared the gate, a ripple descended upon it.

A hazy blue-robed man with a large beard materialized inside the airship. He looked at Luo Feng and the others, then smiled at Di Qing: “Di Qing, you brought three companions? And dozens of new cultivators?”

Di Qing nodded with a smile.

“The same rules apply to all thirty-five cities of the Nine River Sacred Realm,” the blue-robed man smiled. “One: After entering, you must rent a cave dwelling within three days, or be expelled. Two: The city protects all cultivators; each eon, you must pay one hunyuan crystal. If you fail to pay for one eon, you will be expelled. Three: Within the city, cultivators are forbidden from killing each other—violators are executed.”

“We need to record the identities of the three of you,” the blue-robed man said, looking at Luo Feng and the others.

“I am Luo Feng,” Luo Feng smiled.

Di Qing and the others knew Luo Feng had multiple names: “Silver River,” “Luo He,” “Luo Feng.”

“I am Di Ming.”

“I am Di Fu.”

The blue-robed man simultaneously split his consciousness to register the information of the cultivators in the rear cabin.

“These three will reside in my cave dwelling,” Di Qing smiled. “I’ll prepay one hundred eons of rent for them.” He handed over three hunyuan crystals.

The blue-robed man nodded with a smile: “Good. Luo Feng, Di Ming, Di Fu—their residence is your cave dwelling.”

Soon, all the cultivators completed their entry procedures, and Di Qing temporarily stowed the airship.

Huh.

Di Qing led Luo Feng and the others through the city.

“So many cultivators,” Luo Feng was stunned. Countless cave dwellings stretched before him; cultivators constantly flew through the air—hundreds of thousands visible at a glance. Their attire and aura differed wildly, clearly belonging to many cultivation schools.

“I’m already the weakest here,” Di Fu observed, his heart heavy. Why did some emperor-level and lord-level cultivators refuse to venture out? Why did they delay until their homeworld neared extinction?

Because they knew—in the outside world, they were at the very bottom.

In the Dark Sacred Realm, even the founding ancestors of two nations were ordinary and unnoticed.

“The third rule you mentioned—prohibiting cultivators from killing each other, violators executed,” Di Qing gazed down at the vast city, speaking calmly. “Don’t trust that rule too much! Rainlan City is self-governed by cultivators. To punish someone, you must first have sufficient evidence.”

“And many cultivation systems employ mysterious killing techniques—impossible to trace the true killer,” Di Qing said.

Luo Feng nodded.

For example, he could dispatch an avatar, changing form invisibly to assassinate an enemy.

“If the killer can’t be found, the case simply vanishes,” Di Qing looked at Di Fu and Di Ming. “For those of you with weak power, the safest method in Rainlan City… is to appear destitute.”

“Destitute?” Di Ming and Di Fu pondered.

“The rules are there! Without sufficient temptation, no one will risk attacking,” Di Qing said. “If you display wealth, death is near. But if you appear poor, you’re safe. You must adapt quickly.”

Di Ming and Di Fu nodded slightly.

As they spoke, Di Qing, Luo Feng, Di Ming, and Di Fu had flown into the inner city of Rainlan.

“Ahead is my cave dwelling,” Di Qing said calmly. “I’ll grant you two minor energy permissions—enough for slow cultivation. The rest will be split equally between me and Luo He.”

Di Ming and Di Fu listened obediently. Just being allowed to stay, with even a little energy permission, was more than enough.

“Luo He,” Di Qing looked at Luo Feng. “The rent for this cave dwelling is one hundred hunyuan crystals per eon. I’ll cover the first thousand eons. After that, we split it evenly. Of course, you may choose to rent another dwelling.”

(End of Chapter)