Chapter 295: Moyuan Xiancheng

On the seventh floor of Jingxue Pavilion, tea fragrance filled the air.

"I was unaware that Daoist Long had graced our pavilion—what is your need?" Gu Qingzhao poured him a cup of spiritual tea.

She had heard of this renowned Wei Kingdom cultivator, famed for his formidable strength.

Yet Daoist Long's movements were elusive, and outside knowledge of him was extremely limited.

After sipping his tea, "Daoist Long" spoke bluntly: "I intend to travel to Liang Kingdom. I heard your pavilion operates large merchant ships between nations, so I wish to board one."

"I see. A merchant ship bound for Liang Kingdom will arrive here at month's end to exchange cargo—you may join it then," Gu Qingzhao replied with understanding.

"Daoist Long" said: "That is excellent. How much is the fare?"

"Hehe, Daoist Long, you are among the elite of Wei Kingdom cultivators. With you aboard our merchant vessel, we would be honored—how could we charge you?" Gu Qingzhao smiled lightly.

She then handed him a VIP token.

Since ancient times, the cultivation world has revered the strong; with Daoist Long's reputation as the top cultivator below Golden Core, he was naturally granted VIP treatment wherever he went.

Even a major force like Jingxue Pavilion made its goodwill unmistakably clear.

"Daoist Long may stay at our pavilion for several days—I will arrange a quiet, premium chamber for you."

"Then thank you, Madame Gu," Qin Ming did not refuse.

For several days within Jingxue Pavilion, Qin Ming never left, only sitting in meditation to cultivate.

Seven days passed.

A thousand-zhang giant vessel slowly entered Canghai Xiancheng, docking at the city gate, its mast bearing Jingxue Pavilion's unique emblem.

Thousands of cultivators disembarked, varied in appearance—some unloading cargo, others itinerant cultivators, still others from sects, likely having arrived via magical ships from elsewhere.

After all, Canghai Xiancheng was now recruiting cultivators with exceptionally generous terms, drawing many itinerants and outsiders.

"Daoist Long, you may board the ship and depart for Liang Kingdom."

"Let me introduce you—this is our Protector Huangfu Qi, who leads this journey to ensure safe passage," Gu Qingzhao said, Huangfu Qi standing beside her, dressed like a scholar.

Huangfu Qi held deep admiration for the legendary tales of this bearded giant, and spoke with great courtesy:

"I've long heard of you, Daoist Long."

"A hundred hearsays cannot match one sight—ha!"

"Protector Huangfu flatters me—mere empty fame."

Then Qin Ming and Huangfu Qi boarded the magical ship together.

After Jingxue Pavilion completed its cargo transfer, more cultivators bound for Liang Kingdom boarded, and the vessel slowly set off toward Liang Kingdom.

Half a month later.

Jingxue Pavilion's magical vessel entered Liang Kingdom's territory.

During the journey, the vessel was attacked multiple times by groups of demonic beasts, all of which were handled by Huangfu Qi and his team.

There were also inspections by Liang Kingdom's enforcement cultivators.

Recently, traces of demonic cultivators had begun appearing across nations, prompting heightened patrols.

"Daoist Long, Liang Kingdom has arrived. Our destination is Moyuan Xiancheng."

"Do you have a place to go?" Huangfu Qi asked with a smile.

Qin Ming pondered briefly, then replied: "I shall disembark at Moyuan Xiancheng."

Along the way, he had learned much about Liang Kingdom from the Shi Tian Rat.

Moyuan Xiancheng was the largest city in Liang Kingdom, backed by the nation's dominant sect, Xuánxī Valley. Perfect—he could gather information easily.

Half a day later.

The magical vessel passed through a sky-blocking miasma and entered Chuzhou in Liang Kingdom, a vast swamp.

The swamp was perpetually shrouded in toxic mists, forming a natural barrier that severed this land from the mortal world.

Poisonous insects and ferocious beasts lurked within; even mortals dared not approach, and low-level cultivators risking entry might lose their lives.

An hour later.

Jingxue Pavilion's magical vessel passed through the toxic miasma swamp and entered a mountain range rich with spiritual energy.

In the distance, a massive city nestled among towering peaks came into view.

It had no inner or outer city divisions—only four gates, one each to the east, west, south, and north.

Beneath the heavens, a vast blue third-rank formation enveloped the entire xiancheng.

"This is Moyuan Xiancheng—no wonder it's Liang Kingdom's top sect. Its scale is more than twice that of Canghai Xiancheng," Qin Ming, as Daoist Long, rumbled.

Huangfu Qi chuckled, "This xiancheng was founded centuries ago by Xuánxī Valley's founding ancestor, Elder Yunxi. It has stood for millennia and ranks among the greatest cities in the Southern Wastelands."

"Moreover, the core spiritual vein here is a high-grade third-rank vein—not inferior to Canghai Xiancheng's."

"The cultivation resources within Moyuan Xiancheng surpass those of Wei Kingdom—even third-rank materials are traded here."

"Thus, many high-level cultivators come seeking them, including numerous pseudo-Golden Core and true Golden Core cultivators who choose this city to trade and gather daily cultivation necessities."

"The city is guarded by Elder Yuheng of Xuánxī Valley, a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator—even true Golden Core cultivators dare not act recklessly within."

Qin Ming nodded upon hearing this.

Then Jingxue Pavilion's vessel docked at Moyuan Xiancheng's eastern gate.

"Protector Huangfu, thank you for your hospitality these past days. I have matters to attend to—farewell," Qin Ming rumbled to Huangfu Qi.

Huangfu Qi smiled, "Daoist Long, you're too kind. May our paths cross again."

Huangfu Qi and he had gotten along well; during the journey to Liang Kingdom, he had treated Qin Ming to plenty of wine and food, even producing a jar of Yulin Wine. After bidding farewell, Qin Ming reached the city gate, verified his identity, paid a sum of spirit stones, and entered the xiancheng.

As he passed through the gate, he noticed many cultivators had not paid spirit stones—upon asking, he learned that cultivators with temporary residence rights or property in Moyuan Xiancheng were exempt.

Qin Ming rented a third-rank spiritual vein cave dwelling in the northern district near the core zone, the price naturally steep.

But Qin Ming no longer cared for such spirit stones—he would spend what needed spending.

After settling in Moyuan Xiancheng, Qin Ming observed over several days that many cultivators brought young disciples into the city.

These individuals were almost certainly here for Xuánxī Valley's once-per-decade Dan Tower selection.

After all, which cultivator wouldn't wish to join a major sect like Xuánxī Valley?

Yet during his inquiries, Qin Ming learned a highly unfavorable piece of news.

He had arrived too late: the Xuánxī Valley's disciple selection process imposed extremely strict scrutiny on applicants' origins and backgrounds.

Furthermore, candidates for this year's selection had already been registered a year ago.

Even if one succeeded in joining Xuánxī Valley, a probationary period followed.

Qin Ming's plan to infiltrate using True Demon Illusion vanished instantly.

(End of Chapter)