Chapter 246: Moyuan Immortal City

On the seventh floor of the Mirror Jing Xue Ge, the aroma of tea overflowed.

"I wonder what brings Daoist Long to our pavilion?" Gu Qingzhao asked as she poured him a cup of spirit tea.

She had also heard of this cultivator, who was famous and powerful throughout the State of Wei.

It was just that Daoist Long's movements were mysterious, and external knowledge about him was extremely limited.

After taking a sip of tea, 'Daoist Long' got straight to the point: "I intend to travel to the State of Liang. I heard your pavilion operates large merchant ships traveling between various nations, so I wish to board one."

"I see. As it happens, a merchant ship bound for the State of Liang will arrive here at the end of the month to exchange supplies; Daoist Long may depart with it then," Gu Qingzhao said with sudden realization.

'Daoist Long' said, "That is excellent. I wonder what the cost will be?"

"Hehe, Daoist Long is a standout among the cultivators of the State of Wei. With a fellow Daoist guarding our pavilion's merchant ship, we would be delighted; how could we possibly charge a fee?" Gu Qingzhao said with a faint smile.

Having said this, she handed a VIP token into his hand.

Since ancient times, the Immortal Realm has revered the strong; with 'Daoist Long's' reputation as the number one figure below the Jin Dan realm, he naturally received VIP treatment wherever he went.

Even a major power like the Mirror Jing Xue Ge showed its intention to build goodwill quite clearly.

"Daoist Long may stay in our pavilion for a few days; I will order someone to arrange a quiet, superior room for you."

"Then many thanks to Pavilion Master Gu." Qin Ming did not decline.

During the few days he stayed within the Mirror Jing Xue Ge, Qin Ming never went out, merely sitting in meditation to cultivate.

Seven days later.

A thousand-zhang giant boat slowly sailed into Canghai Yunze Xiancheng, docking at the city gate; atop its mast flew the unique emblem of the Mirror Jing Xue Ge.

Several thousand cultivators disembarked from the ship, each with a different appearance; some were carrying cargo, while others were rogue cultivators or sect disciples, likely having boarded the dharma boat elsewhere to reach the Yunze Xiancheng.

After all, Canghai Yunze Xiancheng was currently recruiting cultivators with extremely generous terms, attracting many rogue cultivators and outsiders.

"Daoist Long, you may now board the ship to depart for the State of Liang."

"Let me introduce you; this is Protector Huangfu Qi of our pavilion, who will also lead the team to ensure safety along the journey," Gu Qingzhao said, with the scholar-like Huangfu Qi standing beside her.

Huangfu Qi was deeply impressed by the legendary tales of the bearded giant before him, so he spoke very politely:

"Daoist Long, I have long admired your name."

"Hearing about someone a hundred times is not as good as seeing them once, hehe!"

"Fellow Daoist Huangfu overpraises me; it is merely an empty reputation."

Subsequently, Qin Ming and Huangfu Qi boarded the dharma boat together.

Once the Mirror Jing Xue Ge completed its supply exchange, many more cultivators heading to the State of Liang boarded the ship; the dharma boat slowly activated and embarked on its journey to the State of Liang.

Half a month later.

The Mirror Jing Xue Ge's dharma boat entered the territory of the State of Liang.

During the boat's advance, it encountered several attacks by beast herds, which Huangfu Qi led people to resolve.

Besides that, there were random inspections by law-enforcement cultivators of the State of Liang.

Recently, traces of demonic cultivators had also begun to faintly appear within the borders of various nations, causing all parties to increase their patrol efforts.

"Daoist Long, we have arrived in the State of Liang; this merchant ship's destination is Moyuan Yunze Xiancheng in the State of Liang."

"I wonder if you have a destination in mind?" Huangfu Qi asked with a smile.

Qin Ming pondered for a moment before replying, "I will also disembark at Moyuan Yunze Xiancheng."

Along the way, through the Shi Tian Shu, he had roughly learned about the situation in the State of Liang.

Moyuan Yunze Xiancheng was the largest Yunze Xiancheng in the State of Liang, and the power behind it was the hegemonic sect of the State of Liang, 'Profound Stream Valley.' This made it convenient for him to gather information.

Half a day later.

The dharma boat passed through a miasma fog that blocked out the sun and sky, arriving in Chuzhou within the State of Liang, a vast swamp.

Poisonous miasma permeated the swamp year-round; the fog acted like a natural moat, separating this place from the mortal world.

Various poisonous insects and fierce beasts lurked within; let alone mortals, even cultivators with slightly lower cultivation who rashly approached might lose their lives.

One hour later.

The Mirror Jing Xue Ge's dharma boat passed through the poisonous miasma swamp and entered a mountain range brimming with spiritual energy.

Not far away, a massive city nestled among layered peaks and ridges appeared in everyone's line of sight.

There was no division between an inner and outer city; instead, city gates were established in the east, west, south, and north directions.

Beneath the sky, a huge, blue-hazed third-grade great formation enveloped the entire Yunze Xiancheng.

"This is Moyuan Yunze Xiancheng. As expected of the number one sect in the State of Liang, its scale is actually more than twice that of Canghai Yunze Xiancheng," said 'Daoist Long,' transformed by Qin Ming, in a muffled voice.

Hearing this, Huangfu Qi smiled. "This Yunze Xiancheng was established thousands of years ago single-handedly by Yunxi Laozu, the founding ancestor of Profound Stream Valley. Having stood for thousands of years without falling, it ranks among the top Dacheng in the entire Southern Wild Immortal Realm."

"Furthermore, the spiritual vein environment in the core area of the Yunze Xiancheng is also a high-grade third-grade spiritual vein, no worse than that of Canghai Yunze Xiancheng."

"The cultivation resources within Moyuan Yunze Xiancheng are also richer than those in the State of Wei; there are even third-grade materials available for trade and sale."

"Therefore, it attracts many high-level cultivators who come for its fame; even many False Dan cultivators and True Persons of the Jin Dan realm choose to come here to trade and gather daily cultivation resources."

"Stationed within the city is Elder Yuheng of Profound Stream Valley, who possesses mid-stage Jin Dan cultivation; even True Persons of the Jin Dan realm would not dare to act recklessly within the city at will."

Hearing this, Qin Ming nodded.

Subsequently, the Mirror Jing Xue Ge's dharma boat docked at the east city gate of Moyuan Yunze Xiancheng.

"Brother Huangfu, thank you for your hospitality over these past days. I have matters to attend to, so I will take my leave here," Qin Ming said to Huangfu Qi in a muffled voice.

Hearing this, Huangfu Qi smiled. "Daoist Long is too polite; may we meet again by fate."

Huangfu Qi and he shared compatible temperaments; during the journey to the State of Liang, he had treated Qin Ming generously with fine wine and dishes, even going so far as to bring out a jar of Bai Yulin wine. After bidding farewell to him, Qin Ming came to the city gate, completed the identity verification and inspection, paid a sum of spirit stones, and entered the Yunze Xiancheng.

Just after passing through the city gate, he noticed that many cultivators had not paid spirit stones; upon asking, he learned that cultivators with temporary residency rights or property ownership in Moyuan Yunze Xiancheng did not need to pay spirit stones.

Following the main road, Qin Ming rented a cave dwelling with a third-grade spiritual vein environment in the northern part of the city, near the core area; the price was naturally exorbitant.

However, Qin Ming no longer cared about these few spirit stones; one must spend when necessary.

After settling down in Moyuan Yunze Xiancheng, Qin Ming, through several days of observation, discovered that many cultivators were appearing in the Yunze Xiancheng leading young disciples.

Nine times out of ten, these people had also come for the Profound Stream Valley's alchemy tower selection, held once every decade.

After all, which cultivator would not wish to join a great sect like Profound Stream Valley?

However, in the course of his inquiries, Qin Ming learned some highly unfavorable news.

Namely, he had arrived one step too late; Profound Stream Valley's disciple selection imposed extremely strict scrutiny on the identity and background of any recruit.

Furthermore, the disciples participating in this year's selection had already been registered and cataloged a year earlier.

Even if one successfully joined Profound Stream Valley, one still had to undergo a period of probation.

Qin Ming's plan to infiltrate using the True Demon Illusion immediately came to naught.

(End of Chapter)