Chapter 175: Dingxiang City

The space was pitch-black, as if nothing existed at all!

Not a finger could be seen in front of the hand.

Boom…

He Pingsheng's will shifted, and a fire crow coalesced around his body; as it flew, it illuminated the surrounding blackness.

From the surrounding environment, he preliminarily judged this to be a cave.

He Pingsheng had been teleported into a cave; his first task was naturally to destroy the teleportation array.

After destroying it, he examined the surroundings, following the direction of the rocks for about several dozen zhang, until he saw a wall built of scattered stones.

"Huh…" He took a breath, staring at the stones and muttering to himself: "This must be the exit—there are clear signs of human sealing!"

He pulled out the black flag again, channeling his wood spiritual energy into it, instantly expanding the Nine Radiance Slashing Dragon Flag.

"Open!" He Pingsheng gripped the Nine Radiance Slashing Dragon Flag and thrust it sharply at the stone wall.

He didn't even use much force—the wall shattered under his raw power.

Outside light poured in, momentarily blinding him.

After a breath, once his eyes adjusted to the outside light, he stepped out of the cave.

Outside the cave was a sheer cliff.

Yes!

This cave had been carved into a ten-thousand-zhang precipice.

"Go…"

He Pingsheng was no longer the Qi Refining disciple he once was, who could only leap across cliffs; he waved his hand, summoned his flying sword, stepped onto it, and soared into the sky in an instant.

From high above, he looked down at this land—no human habitation, only endless, winding mountains stretching into the distance.

Mountains stretched in every direction, with no visible edge.

One after another, one range after another.

He Pingsheng didn't know which way to go, so he landed on the tallest, barren peak nearby.

No matter where he went, the first thing he had to do was change his robe.

He was still wearing the standard robe of the Grand Void Gate—clearly inappropriate.

After removing the robe bearing the Grand Void Gate's emblem, He Pingsheng donned plain clothes and took to the skies again, flying west.

Why west?

He didn't know!

He Pingsheng had simply picked a direction at random.

After flying for about two hours, endless mountains still stretched ahead, but now he could finally see people.

He Pingsheng noticed two Qi Refining disciples below, in a valley between the mountains.

He twisted mid-air, landed his flying sword beside them.

The two trembled in fear.

"P… Senior… disciple pays homage to the Senior!"

Anyone who could ride a flying sword was at least a Foundation Establishment cultivator—wasn't that a Senior?

"Hmm…" He Pingsheng nodded and said: "No need for formalities. I've just arrived here. May I ask, are there any cultivation sects or families nearby?"

One of the Qi Refining disciples shook his head and said: "There aren't any here, but southeast of here lies a large city. Have you heard of Dingxiang City?"

"Dingxiang City?" He Pingsheng frowned, then shook his head: "No, could you tell me more?"

The Qi Refining disciple said: "Dingxiang City is the seat of Dingxiang Commandery. Around it are many cultivation forces, and within the city there are numerous sects and families. You should go there!"

He Pingsheng asked: "How far is it?"

The man replied: "I don't know exactly, but if you fly on your sword, it won't take more than half a day to reach."

"Good!" He Pingsheng said: "Thank you!"

After asking for directions, He Pingsheng took to the skies again, heading southeast.

After flying for over an hour, he finally saw Dingxiang City, as described by the two Qi Refining disciples.

The mountains receded; ahead lay a vast plain, upon which stood a massive city—distant yet undeniably impressive.

He Pingsheng landed at Dingxiang City's West Gate.

It wasn't his choice—he was stopped by the city's patrol squad.

"Esteemed Senior, flying is forbidden within Dingxiang City. Please dismount and enter on foot!" A Qi Refining cultivator riding a flying beast politely instructed He Pingsheng to land.

He Pingsheng naturally had no objection.

There was no inspection at the gate—anyone could enter freely.

He Pingsheng walked into the city.

What puzzled him was that although this place wasn't nestled within mountains, spiritual energy was present here—and quite dense.

It seemed the city had its own spiritual vein.

He Pingsheng strolled slowly down the street, observing the shops and buildings on either side.

There were many people, but over ninety percent were ordinary mortals.

Among the cultivators, over ninety percent were Qi Refining disciples.

Foundation Establishment cultivators were rare.

Most of the buildings along the street were ordinary mortal residences.

As he walked deeper into the city, the buildings grew grander; near the core, the number of cultivators increased, and the structures lining the streets became spirit-teahouses, immortal inns, alchemy shops, artifact workshops, or direct merchant stalls.

He even spotted a few cultivation families here.

Some places looked like guilds at first glance, but upon closer inspection, their signs bore names like "【X】 Gate" or "【X】 Sect."

Clearly, they were sects.

He was truly amazed.

Could sects really be established within a city?

He Pingsheng finally stopped at the entrance of a place called the Dingxiang Guild.

A guild!

And it bore the name "Dingxiang"—this must be the official guild of Dingxiang City.

Buying things here should be reliable.

He Pingsheng stepped inside the guild.

Inside, it was bustling with cultivators; there were four or five clerks just assisting customers.

Before any clerk could approach, the shopkeeper himself rose from behind the counter and waved the clerk away: "You may go—I'll serve this esteemed guest myself!"

The shopkeeper was a thin, elderly man who smiled warmly at He Pingsheng: "Fellow Daoist, welcome!"

He Pingsheng assessed the man's cultivation base—Foundation Establishment, third layer.

No wonder he called him "fellow Daoist."

"Hello," He Pingsheng bowed slightly.

The shopkeeper asked: "What might you be seeking, fellow Daoist?"

He Pingsheng actually wanted to buy a map—to know where he was and how far this place was from the Daoxuan Alliance.

Could the Beast Taming Sect or the Grand Void Gate extend their influence here?

But he didn't want to reveal he was an outsider, so he said: "Lately, I've wished to travel and explore, but I'm still unfamiliar with Dingxiang City and its surroundings."

"So I'd like to purchase a map."

"Ah…" The shopkeeper said: "No problem… please follow me!"

Recently someone asked me if I have other books?

There is one—the first one I wrote wasn't good, but please read it; it's nearly three million words.

Title: 【Waste Grass Spirit Root】; also known as: 【Mortal Cultivation: Unleashing a Chaotic Talisman】.

Also a cultivation novel!