Chapter 90: Azure Wood Ancient City

Subduing the Azure Phoenix Feng Xi was an unexpected joy for Lin Xuan, but it also meant more responsibility and potential trouble. He sank his consciousness into the pocket-dimension magic treasure (imitation) to observe Feng Xi’s condition. Nourished by chaotic spiritual power and top-grade elixirs, its massive body was curled up in a corner of the pocket dimension. Its azure feathers were dim, and the residual star power in its wounds remained stubborn, but its foundation had finally stabilized, and it had fallen into a deep slumber to heal.

"Star Palace... sacrificing at the Star Tower, summoning the Ancestral Star..." Lin Xuan ruminated on the information Feng Xi had revealed, his eyes turning cold. To hunt down a top-tier divine bird and seize its origin just to stabilize a secret realm—how was such conduct any different from that of demons? The Star Palace successor’s methods were grand, yet their purpose was so base; it seemed this so-called transcendent orthodoxy was not a pure land on the inside.

"And that person who secretly triggered the spatial storm... the timing was so precise, it was definitely no accident. Were they aiming for the Azure Phoenix, or for that Star Palace successor? Or... were they aiming for me?" Lin Xuan’s mind was meticulous, running through every possibility. He felt vaguely that an invisible net was slowly tightening, and the Imperial Capital might be the center of the storm.

He composed his mind and stopped overthinking. When soldiers come, block them; when water comes, earth covers it—improving his own strength was the foundation. As he traveled, he continued to contemplate the fusion of the "Great Circle Star Scripture (Fragment)" and the Chaos Dao Seed. At the same time, he used his spiritual sense to nourish the embryonic form of his natal flying sword, which had been initially tempered with Geng Metal spiritual marrow, naming it the "Chaos Immortal-Slaying Sword Embryo." Though named "Immortal-Slaying," it actually contained the Dao of chaotic creation and destruction, capable of evolving continuously as he grew.

Several days later, the silhouette of a majestic city appeared on the horizon.

The capital of Qingmu Province—Qingmu Ancient City.

The scale of this city far exceeded Black Rock City. The city walls were a hundred zhang high, cast entirely from a spiritual wood called "Iron-Heart Wood" mixed with metal. It appeared a dark cyan color, with runes flowing across it, emitting a powerful aura of life and defensive spiritual light. The entire city was like a massive forest fortress, and many real ancient spiritual plants grew even on the city walls, lush and dense, with overwhelming spiritual energy.

As the core of Qingmu Province, Qingmu Ancient City was not only a political and economic center but also a gathering place for wood-attribute cultivators and an important hub for the trade of elixirs and spiritual materials. Before even approaching, one could feel the much denser wood-attribute spiritual energy in the air, as well as the torrent-like human presence and cultivator auras coming from all directions.

Lin Xuan descended from his flight several dozen miles outside the city and walked into the city with the flow of people. The guards at the city gate were strict, with inspections several times more rigorous than in Black Rock City, even requiring registration of one's background and cultivation base. Lin Xuan still registered under the identity of the Nascent Soul early-stage rogue cultivator "Mu Xuan," which did not attract much attention. After paying the entry fee, he successfully entered this bustling ancient city.

The scene inside the city was different from Black Rock City and other cities he had passed along the way. The streets were wide and clean, paved with bluestone slabs, and the buildings on both sides were mostly constructed of spiritual wood, with carved beams and painted rafters, elegant in style. Large potted spiritual plants could be seen everywhere, and some shops were even opened directly inside massive tree houses. The air was filled with a faint medicinal fragrance and the fresh scent of grass and trees, which was refreshing.

The quantity and quality of cultivators were also significantly higher; Golden Core cultivators could be seen everywhere, and there was no shortage of Nascent Soul cultivators. Occasionally, one could even sense a few obscure and profound auras far exceeding the Nascent Soul realm—presumably the Soul Transformation old monsters who guarded this city.

Lin Xuan had come to Qingmu Ancient City with two main purposes: first, to purchase some rare spiritual medicines that would help Feng Xi recover from its injuries, especially treasures that could neutralize and expel the residual star power in its body; second, to use the channels here to learn more about the recent movements in the Imperial Capital, especially information related to the "Star Palace" and the potentially existing "hidden hand."

He first went to the city’s largest elixir shop, "Hundred Herb Pavilion," where the variety of spiritual medicines was complete, and occasionally even ten-thousand-year spiritual medicines would appear. Lin Xuan reported several rather obscure spiritual medicines that were highly effective in dispelling heterogeneous star power, such as "Star-Cleansing Grass" and "Spirit-Melting Flower."

He was received by a Golden Core stage manager, who looked troubled upon hearing what Lin Xuan needed: "Senior, the few spiritual medicines you require are all extremely rare, especially the Star-Cleansing Grass, which needs to grow in a special place where star power and wood spiritual energy converge; it is rarely seen in a hundred years. This pavilion currently has no stock, but..." He changed the subject, "Three days from now, this pavilion will join the City Lord's Mansion to hold a large-scale auction. It is said that among the finale items, there is a five-hundred-year-old 'Star-Cleansing Lotus,' whose efficacy far exceeds that of the Star-Cleansing Grass. Perhaps it can meet your needs, Senior."

"An auction?" Lin Xuan’s heart stirred, "Do you know what other treasures there are?"

Seeing that Lin Xuan was interested, the manager enthusiastically handed over a jade slip containing the list: "This auction is grand in scale. In addition to the Star-Cleansing Lotus, there are several rare magic treasures, high-grade cultivation techniques, and some exotic items from the Southern Wilderness and unknown lands. This is a partial list; you may take a look first, Senior."

Lin Xuan’s spiritual sense swept over the jade slip. A few items caught his attention, especially a material labeled "Unknown Star Iron," described as containing strange star power and being indestructible, to the point that even the appraisers could not determine its specific origin or grade.

"Interesting." Lin Xuan nodded, "I will go take a look when the time comes." He paid some spirit stones as a deposit and reserved a private box for the auction.

Leaving the Hundred Herb Pavilion, Lin Xuan went to the city’s largest intelligence agency, "Wind-Listening Tower." It was a place where all kinds of people mixed, a gathering spot for all walks of life, and also the place where various news spread the fastest.

Requesting a quiet room, Lin Xuan asked the Wind-Listening Tower deacon who received him directly: "Regarding the recent movements in the Imperial Capital, especially information related to the 'Star Palace,' the 'Netherworld Sect,' and a potentially existing mysterious organization skilled in concealment and spatial means—price is not an issue."

The deacon was a capable-looking middle-aged Nascent Soul cultivator. Upon hearing this, his expression tightened, and he scrutinized Lin Xuan carefully before saying in a deep voice: "What you ask, fellow Daoist, is not ordinary news. Regarding the Star Palace, this orthodoxy has always been mysterious, and its members rarely appear in the world. The only major news related to it recently is a great battle against an Azure Phoenix divine bird on the border of Qingmu Province a few days ago. The specific result is unknown, but there are rumors that the Star Palace successor did not seem to succeed and instead let the Azure Phoenix escape."

Lin Xuan’s expression remained unchanged, but he secretly thought that the Wind-Listening Tower’s information was indeed well-informed.

The deacon continued: "The Netherworld Sect has been active frequently recently, especially in the western border and the Southern Wilderness, seemingly searching frantically for something. It is rumored to be related to the demon who escaped from the Tianyuan Secret Realm previously. As for the mysterious organization you mentioned..." He paused and lowered his voice, "There is indeed an undercurrent surging recently. They act secretively and are skilled in assassination and creating chaos. Their targets seem to be aimed directly at the major forces in the Imperial Capital and some young geniuses who have suddenly risen. Some suspect it is related to an ancient assassin organization called the 'Shadow Tower,' but there is no conclusive evidence."

"Shadow Tower?" Lin Xuan noted the name.

"This is all the information I can provide at the moment; the fee is one thousand medium-grade spirit stones." The deacon stated the price.

Lin Xuan paid readily; this information was very valuable to him.

When he left the Wind-Listening Tower, the lanterns were already lit. The night view of Qingmu Ancient City had a unique flavor; various spiritual light lamps illuminated the streets as if it were daytime, the night market was bustling, and the flow of people was like a weave.

Lin Xuan was on his way back to the inn where he was staying, his spiritual sense habitually spreading to his surroundings. Suddenly, his footsteps paused slightly, and a trace of coldness flashed in his eyes.

Someone was following him!

And not just one group!

One group’s aura was cold and obscure, like a poisonous snake in the dark, quite similar to the style of the "Shadow Tower" described by the deacon. The other group carried a trace of... star fluctuations? Although extremely faint and covered by some secret technique, how could it deceive Lin Xuan, who had fused with a star core and was extremely sensitive to star power?

"People from the Star Palace? Or that hidden hand that triggered the spatial storm?" Lin Xuan sneered inwardly, "It seems my 'Mu Xuan' identity hasn't completely fooled everyone. Is it because of the Azure Phoenix? Or because of the traces I left behind when I acted in Black Rock City and Star Burial Valley?"

He remained calm and continued walking toward the inn, but deliberately turned into a relatively quiet alleyway leading to the residential area in the west of the city.

Sure enough, the "tails" behind him followed closely.

Just as he reached the middle of the alley, the moment he was blocked by high walls in front and behind—

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Several subtle sounds of breaking air rang out! From front, back, left, and right, from every direction! These were not physical arrows, but Shadow Spikes condensed entirely from shadow energy—silent, yet capable of corroding spiritual power and annihilating the soul!

At the same time, above his head, a large net woven from starlight and flickering with sealing runes descended silently, sealing off the sky!

Pincer attack from front and back, blocking from above and below! The coordination was tacit, ruthless, and decisive!

The two groups following him had actually chosen to strike at the same time!

"Finally couldn't hold back?" Cold light flashed in Lin Xuan’s eyes.

Facing this sudden, lethal trap, he didn't even turn around. His chaotic energy simply surged slightly, and his plain cyan robe moved without wind.

The next moment, with him as the center, a miniature Star-Nether Domain that seemed independent of the current world unfolded again! Only this time, the range was controlled to be very small, covering only the three-zhang area around him!

Within the domain, stars were extinguished, and the netherworld sank!

The dozens of Shadow Spikes that shot in, once they entered this three-zhang domain, were like falling into absolute stillness and void. The shadow energy on them disintegrated and annihilated rapidly, failing to stir up the slightest ripple.

And that large starlight net that had descended, the moment it touched the edge of the domain, the sealing runes flowing on it encountered a nemesis and instantly dimmed and shattered. The entire star net melted and disintegrated rapidly like snow under the sun!

From the shadows on the walls at the front, back, and sides of the alley came several suppressed exclamations and muffled groans! Clearly, those who attacked were injured by this strange and powerful backlash!

Lin Xuan turned slowly, his gaze sweeping coldly across the few distorted black shadows looming at both ends of the alley, as well as the starlight that was gradually dissipating above.

"Hiding your heads and showing your tails, yet you dare to show off in front of me?"

He pointed his fingers like a sword and slashed casually toward the area where the shadows were thickest in front.

A gray, thin line that seemed to cut through light flashed and vanished.

"Sshhh!"

A sound like tearing silk rang out. The shadows there were forcibly torn apart, and a black figure stumbled out, a smooth cut appearing on their chest. Before the shock in their eyes could fade, their life force was already severed, and they fell to the ground with a "thud."

Lin Xuan didn't even look, backhanding another finger toward his rear.

The same gray finger energy, the same silent annihilation, and another black figure fell from the void, dead.

In the blink of an eye, two out of four Shadow assassins, who were at least at the Nascent Soul early stage, had fallen!

The remaining two Shadow assassins and the person from the Star Palace (or the hidden hand) hiding in the dark were clearly frightened by Lin Xuan’s thunderous methods. Not daring to stay, they merged into the shadows and the void, fleeing instantly, their auras disappearing without a trace.

Lin Xuan did not pursue. He walked to the two assassin corpses, his spiritual sense sweeping over them, but he found no items that could prove their identities, not even storage bags—they were as clean as specially trained dead soldiers.

"Shadow Tower... Star Palace..." Lin Xuan muttered to himself, his eyes deep, "It seems this road to the Imperial Capital is destined not to be peaceful."

He waved his hand, casting two clusters of chaotic Dao fire, turning the corpses into ashes and cleaning up the scene as if nothing had happened. Then, he walked out of the alley calmly and merged into the lights and the flow of people on the distant street.

Only in his heart, he felt a few more points of vigilance and... anticipation for the auction three days later and the subsequent journey to the Imperial Capital.