Chapter 92 Elder Yuxing and Haiyue City

Yu Xing, fully aware of Liu Jing’s strength, had her mind filled with thoughts of seizing the opportunity from Shen Yan. Her gaze swept across Qinglian Island, weighing the possibility of forcing her way in. But soon, her brows knitted together; in the distance, a group of Kuiwater Sect cultivators trailed after them.

She pondered for a moment, considering how to deal with the Kuiwater Sect cultivators, when suddenly, an exclamation rose from the crowd opposite her: “Not good, the Jade Immortal Sect is making a move against us!”

At those words, everyone’s expression turned grim. If a fight broke out, it would be a major escalation of conflict between the two sects.

“Everyone, don’t move—”

Several Foundation Establishment cultivators grew anxious at once, but the Kuiwater Sect disciples paid them no heed. When one's own life and livelihood are at stake, who could stand by idly? In a flash, spiritual lights flared between the cultivators as magical artifacts appeared one after another, hurtling straight towards the Jade Immortal Sect disciples.

Naturally, the Jade Immortal Sect was not to be outdone; they too raised their magical tools, clashing with the Kuiwater Sect in earnest.

Meanwhile, beneath the waves, having successfully sown discord between the two sects, Shen Yan now used the art of Water Escape to speed toward the Qian Kingdom.

…

Employing the Water Escape technique, Shen Yan swiftly traversed the sea toward the Qian Kingdom, and within just an hour, he had reached land.

After paying respects once more at his parents’ grave, he moved it to a well-chosen mountainside, fearing the Jade Immortal Sect might track him down and desecrate it. Then, following the map given to him by Uncle Feng, he set his sights on a leisure city in the interior of the Qian Kingdom.

This immortal city was called Haiyue City—the largest cultivation hub at the border between the Central Plains and the East Sea cultivation worlds. The reason for his choice was clear: when he’d obtained a storage pouch from Xu Daoqing, inside was a deed to a shop, and that shop was located within Haiyue City.

Upon reaching the outskirts of Haiyue City, Shen Yan gauged the richness of the spiritual energy in the air and mused to himself, “Though the city is vast, the spiritual energy here pales in comparison to the spring on Qinglian Island. It seems the city’s spiritual veins are of low grade—or perhaps the spiritual energy is being channeled elsewhere, leaving little for the outside?”

“Moreover, the city’s formation is only a basic first-grade array—sufficient to keep mortals out, but of little other use.”

With Xu Daoqing’s cultivation memories as his own, Shen Yan could see through the city’s formation with a single glance.

Channeling his mana, Shen Yan entered the array. Before him stood rows of buildings, and there was only one main gate for entry.

“Fellow Daoist, the entrance fee is one low-grade spirit stone.”

At the gate, two cultivators in dark robes stood guard. One cupped his fists toward Shen Yan as he spoke. Though Shen Yan looked empty-handed, gatekeepers here were not the sort to judge by appearances—cultivators in this world came in all forms, and it was unwise to invite trouble by provoking the wrong person.

Shen Yan nodded and readily produced a spirit stone from his pouch, passing it over before accepting an iron token issued by the guards and entering Haiyue City.

Paying a spirit stone to enter was a common rule throughout the cultivation world. Anyone who tried to force their way in, unless they could defeat the city’s master, would either be expelled or even executed.

In cultivation, one absorbed the energies of heaven and earth, drawing upon primordial purple qi. The moment Shen Yan entered Haiyue City, he was immediately enveloped by spiritual energy ten times denser than that of the outside world.

“There is indeed a spiritual vein here. Though it cannot compare to the core areas of major sects, for itinerant cultivators, it’s thousands of times better than the mortal realm.”

A cultivator could linger in the mortal world, but with spiritual energy so thin, one could hardly hope to advance in cultivation—maintaining one’s current level was already a stroke of luck.

Therefore, except for those who had given up on the path or resigned themselves to fate, few cultivators stayed long among mortals.

After making some inquiries, Shen Yan learned that Haiyue City was jointly established by three cultivation families, each with Foundation Establishment cultivators in residence, which was how they managed to keep the city under their control.

Strolling through the city, Shen Yan found it much as Xu Daoqing remembered: not only did it sell all manner of cultivation provisions, but shops, cave residences, and other properties were also available for sale and lease.

“Cultivators are really no different from mortals—even they must toil to accumulate the resources they need for their path,” Shen Yan thought, smiling to himself as the calls of vendors filled the air.

“Honored senior, would you like a guide?”

“For just two spirit stones, I can help you learn everything about Haiyue City in the shortest time possible!”

“Don’t listen to him, senior—I only ask for one! I’ve been living in Haiyue City for twelve years!”

“Half a spirit stone, fair to all—senior, my family has lived in Haiyue City for generations. There’s no one who knows this city better than me.”

No sooner had Shen Yan entered Haiyue City than several mortals with no trace of spiritual power surrounded him, introducing themselves respectfully.

His curious, searching gaze had marked him as a first-time visitor, and these mortals made their living guiding newcomers in exchange for a spirit stone—or even just half.

Shen Yan’s eyes swept over them, pausing on a seemingly honest-faced man who, under the insight of the Heavenly Emperor’s Seal, harbored ill intent. He said, “You.”

With that, he tossed him a spirit stone and smiled, “Give me a proper introduction.”

“Thank you, senior, thank you!” The man, overjoyed at receiving the spirit stone, bowed deeply in gratitude while the others sighed and dispersed.

These people were mortals whose ancestors had once produced cultivators, or who by chance had been brought to Haiyue City. Lacking either talent or resources for cultivation, they served as guides to earn spirit stones for their own practice or to support their families.

“Senior, my name is Cheng Shan. This must be your first time in Haiyue City, right?” the seemingly honest man began to chat familiarly with Shen Yan.

“Yes, I’ve only heard of Haiyue City before—this is my first visit,” Shen Yan replied with a smile.

Cheng Shan, though appearing guileless, was clearly up to no good. He would either lead Shen Yan to a crooked shop to fleece him, or perhaps he was in league with cultivators who preyed upon newcomers outside the city.

Within Haiyue City, private duels were forbidden—anyone violating this rule would be hunted down by all three founding families.

Unaware of Shen Yan’s thoughts, Cheng Shan eagerly continued, “Senior, Haiyue City offers nearly every resource a cultivator might need—elixirs, magical artifacts, divining disks, talismans, even many secret arts and attack spells are not uncommon.”

His words piqued Shen Yan’s interest. He grinned, “Are there Foundation Establishment-level cultivation techniques as well?”

Cheng Shan chuckled, gave Shen Yan a careful once-over, and shook his head, “Senior jests! Foundation Establishment techniques are exceedingly precious—ordinary shops would never display them. But if you truly desire one, I may have some connections. It’s just … I wonder about senior’s spirit stones…”