Chapter 689: Tianlan

“Captain Shi, it’s been a long time.”

Qin Ming smiled faintly, and his figure instantly shifted.

He took on the appearance of Shopkeeper Lu. “This Elder Lu…”

Shi Jin’s mind churned with thoughts, piecing together recent rumors among cultivators and the excessive flattery shown to him by the Golden Core mid-stage cultivator Hua Tianxiong.

It was not hard to deduce that the young cultivator before him was none other than the famed Wangyue Zhenjun.

A true Nascent Soul powerhouse! Shi Jin had met Nascent Soul True Persons before, but Qin Ming was the first to evoke such a feeling in him.

Now he recalled carefully: over a decade ago, when he first met Elder Lu, the man was already at Golden Core peak.

The man had almost certainly returned to the Southern Wastes and quietly broken through to the Nascent Soul realm.

“So it’s Elder Lu—it’s truly you! Congratulations on your successful Nascent Soul formation! Your humble servant pays homage to Wangyue Zhenjun!”

“If you have any orders, please give them without hesitation!”

Shi Jin was both nervous and exhilarated.

After all, Nascent Soul powerhouses were known for their erratic temperaments—his life or death rested entirely on their whim.

Crushing him would be easier than squashing an ant.

He was exhilarated because he never imagined he, Shi Jin, would one day meet a figure of such stature in the cultivation world.

“Hmm, no need for formalities. I intend to travel to the Eastern Sea cultivation realm, and I’ll be taking your ship.” Qin Ming stated his purpose bluntly.

“You’ll be well rewarded upon completion,” added Hua Tianxiong beside him.

Shi Jin hurriedly replied: “Your grace, Wangyue Zhenjun, is beyond repayment—how could I dare ask for compensation?”

“To assist you is the greatest honor of my life!”

“Please, both elders, board the ship.”

Afterwards,

Qin Ming and Hua Tianxiong boarded the Black Sail.

Hua Tianxiong kept staring at the dilapidated vessel, even doubting whether it could safely deliver them to the Eastern Sea.

Yet when he saw the strangely shaped Fish-People crew, he was just as astonished as Qin Ming had been.

“Don’t worry—this Black Sail is famed for its speed. I’ve experienced it myself,” Qin Ming said coolly.

Hua Tianxiong’s face twitched, and he chuckled awkwardly: “Heh! Of course!”

Shi Jin arranged for Qin Ming and Hua Tianxiong each a top-tier guest cabin.

Afterwards,

The Black Sail plunged into the deep sea, surging like a great shark at incredible speed.

Hua Tianxiong stared in awe, his horizons broadened.

Qin Ming summoned Shi Jin again to inquire about the Eastern Sea cultivation realm.

“You’re aware of the Blood Realm’s descent, correct? What’s the situation here in the Eastern Sea?”

Shi Jin ordered servants to bring them fine wine and delicacies, then replied: “Your Eminence, I am well aware—I’ve even witnessed the void anomalies firsthand on an island.”

“The sect that descended into the Eastern Sea is the Ghost Realm Hall of the Blood Realm.”

“But the Eastern Sea cultivation realm is overall powerful, with Soul Transformation sects present—so the demonic descent has caused little disruption.”

“Soul Transformation sects? Are you referring to…” Hua Tianxiong exclaimed in surprise.

“Precisely—the Starry Palace. It governs the vast Eastern Sea cultivation realm. Besides the Soul Transformation elder who has stood for over two thousand years, there are said to be several Nascent Soul True Persons as well.”

“Beneath the Starry Palace are the Four Nascent Soul sects: Penglai Sect, Dongji Island, Ancient Sword Gate, and Crystal Palace—all with Nascent Soul True Persons residing within.”

“Below them, countless scattered cultivator families and island factions exist.”

Qin Ming nodded. “It seems the Eastern Sea cultivation realm is far stronger than the Southern Wastes or Great Jin.”

“Heh! And under the Starry Palace’s leadership, the Eastern Sea has formed the super-faction ‘Tianhai Alliance,’ which all must obey without question.”

“I’ve also heard the Tianhai Alliance is preparing to dispatch cultivators to aid other major realms in confronting the descent crisis,” Shi Jin explained.

After hearing Shi Jin’s words, Qin Ming sighed deeply.

‘The Southern Wastes really are impoverished—just one Nascent Soul hermit…’

‘Unlike other realms, where great sects abound and Nascent Soul sects are common—dealing with the descent is effortless.’

‘With Soul Transformation sects present, even demonic lords with half a brain wouldn’t dare wander into the Eastern Sea—they’re instantly deterred.’

‘And the sea clans’ beast beasts are extraordinarily powerful.’

‘Only at the final stage of the descent, when the void passage fully opens, can the Blood Realm’s Soul Transformation demonic sovereigns pass through.’

‘Right now, it’s unlikely—maximally, just Nascent Soul demonic lords.’

“What are your plans, Your Eminence?” Shi Jin didn’t know Qin Ming’s final destination.

Qin Ming paused to consider, then asked: “Where in the Eastern Sea cultivation realm is trade the most prosperous?”

“Naturally, it’s the Tianlan Xiancheng, built by the Tianhai Alliance on Kuixing Island.”

“Tianlan Xiancheng is the Eastern Sea’s central hub for trade and exchange, gathering nearly all major and minor factions of the Eastern Sea,” Shi Jin replied, pouring them spiritual tea.

“With enough spirit stones, you can obtain any rare resource.”

Qin Ming immediately decided: “Then we’ll head to Tianlan Xiancheng first.”

“Yes! I’ll instruct my crew at once!” Shi Jin’s eyes lit up sharply.

Qin Ming asked further: “By the way, I’ve heard the Eastern Sea cultivation realm will host a ‘Immortal Mansion Gathering’?”

“Correct. The Immortal Mansion Gathering is the Eastern Sea’s greatest event—even the sea clans attend.”

“It will be held on Longyuan Island in three years. If Wangyue Zhenjun intends to attend, there will be ample time,” Shi Jin said.

Qin Ming nodded.

Under Qin Ming’s orders, Shi Jin dared not slack off—he temporarily abandoned his pirate activities and sailed at full speed toward Tianlan Xiancheng.

…

…Six months later.

“Wangyue Zhenjun, we’ve arrived at Tianlan Xiancheng.”

The Black Sail surfaced; Qin Ming and the others stepped onto the bow.

During these past half-years, despite diving deep, the Black Sail had encountered several demonic cultivators who descended from the Blood Realm.

But they were all low-level demons, easily wiped out.

Gradually, a dark dot on the sea grew clearer and larger.

Even before they drew near, the colossal silhouette where the island met the sky radiated an astonishing aura that startled Qin Ming.

Hua Tianxiong was even more overwhelmed, utterly stunned.

Slowly,

A massive island rose like a pillar holding up heaven and earth, its main peak piercing the clouds.

Tianlan Xiancheng was built atop Kuixing Island, its upper levels filled with jade pavilions and immortal palaces.

Below and surrounding the central peak were dense clusters of buildings arranged in concentric terraces, meticulously organized.

Around Kuixing Island’s perimeter, numerous smaller islands dotted the sea like stars surrounding the center.

Such a scale of immortal city was unprecedented for Qin Ming—it could rightly be called a super-megacity.

The two colossal pillars standing at the island’s gate stretched endlessly into the clouds; between them loomed the massive light-gate for entering and exiting Tianlan Xiancheng.

The entire city was concealed beneath a fourth-rank supreme talisman array, invisible to the naked eye.

Only Qin Ming’s spiritual sense—equivalent to late Nascent Soul—could perceive a vast blue shimmering veil, countless high-rank runes drifting within, encompassing the entire city.

Under such a grand array’s protection, even late Nascent Soul cultivators or fourth-rank late-stage sea beasts could be easily repelled.

Near the massive gate of Tianlan Xiancheng, flying beasts, divine carriages, spiritual boats, and giant warships glowed with radiant light, streaking across the sky like trails of light into the gate.

At the island’s outermost edge, several major ports were established for ships to dock and enter.

The Devouring Rat quietly climbed onto Qin Ming’s shoulder, gazing at the awe-inspiring scene, his spirit trembling.

“I never realized the outside world was this magnificent.”

“How many spirit stones must it have taken to build this?”

Qin Ming nodded, deeply agreeing.

“Heh! This Tianlan Xiancheng was built over thousands of years by the Eastern Sea cultivation realm,” Shi Jin said with a smile.

“No wonder.”

Then Shi Jin shouted, ordering his Fish-People crew to accelerate toward Tianlan Xiancheng.

“Master Shi, aren’t you a notorious pirate on the Eastern Sea’s most-wanted list? Aren’t you afraid of being captured if you enter the city?” Hua Tianxiong asked, puzzled.

Shi Jin chuckled, proudly pulling a golden token from his sleeve, engraved with seal script.

“This is the Tianlan Token—possess it, and you may enter or leave freely.”

“Tianlan Xiancheng is open to all cultivators of the Eastern Sea.”

“Once inside, all grudges are suspended.”

“But once you leave Tianlan Xiancheng, no one intervenes—warrants remain active, bounties stand, and all factions act without mercy—everyone relies on their own strength.”

“I see.”

As they spoke, the Black Sail slowly docked at the outer port.

“Isn’t that the Black Sail? Good heavens, how many years has it been?”

“They say over a decade ago, the Black Sail wiped out the Lou Twin Demons—true or false?”

“Don’t pry. Watch out—you might catch the attention of those ruthless pirates.”

…

The entrance to Tianlan Xiancheng was lined with endless queues, carriages and horses thronging, crowds weaving like a tapestry.

Qin Ming led Hua Tianxiong and Shi Jin off the boat.

Shi Tianming instructed the crew to unload the cargo, using the opportunity to transport the looted goods into the city for sale.

“Greetings to both elders, and to this fellow cultivator.”

“Do any of you possess a Tianhai Permit? Are you here for long-term residence or a short stay?”

A man and a woman approached, both at the late Foundation Establishment realm.

Both wore golden-threaded magic robes, their chests embroidered with three wavy water patterns—the Tianhai Alliance guards at the city gate.

Seeing the presence of high-level cultivators, they immediately stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Hua Tianxiong and Shi Jin.

But Qin Ming, with his ordinary appearance, was entirely overlooked.

They sensed no magic power from him and assumed he was merely an attendant to the two Golden Core elders.

Mostly because Qin Ming did not wish to radiate Nascent Soul spiritual pressure wherever he went—it would be too shocking.

He had already probed with his spiritual sense; the only Nascent Soul True Person currently in this immortal city was one.

At that moment.

The spiritual energy nearby surged violently—a golden streak of light shot forth from the highest palace atop Tianlan Xiancheng’s main peak, slicing through the sky.

It vanished in an instant, landing directly before Qin Ming and the others.

The aura dissipated, revealing an old man in white robes, his face ruddy, wearing a feathered crown, exuding an aura of immortal grace.

A Nascent Soul-level magic power aura emanated from the old man.

Before the stunned gaze of all cultivators at the gate, the white-robed elder smiled warmly and bowed to Qin Ming, welcoming him:

“Surely, you are the True Person of the Moon Gazing from the Southern Wastelands? I have long admired your name!”

“Welcome, fellow cultivator, to Tianlan Xiancheng.”

(End of Chapter)