Chapter 444

Chapter 444: Jinyun Immortal City

At the Longfeng Mountain range, ever since the Chimagong Sect learned that Zhou Changqing had come to the front line to fight and slay enemies, their offensive abruptly intensified.

For them, even if they couldn’t win this great battle, killing one opposing genius with potential would be worthwhile.

The result of this was that Zhou Changqing repeatedly came under siege as numerous Foundation Establishment strong people pinpointed his traces.

Under such circumstances, Zhou Changqing cut a bloody path through and finally managed to hold out until his sect’s reinforcements arrived, allowing him to leave the front line.

He also made a name for himself once more because of this battle.

Only then did everyone realize just how fearsomely powerful this Outer Sect Elder had become now.

Within the Qinyuan Sect, it was divided into Outer and Inner Sects.

Most disciples who wanted advancement first had to meet the requirements to become Outer Sect Stewards, then pass the elder assessment to become Outer Sect Elders.

And becoming an Outer Sect Elder was essentially the pinnacle that ordinary disciples could reach.

To enter the Inner Sect, one needed either a recommendation from a Golden Core master or to have performed outstanding meritorious service for the sect; only then was there a possibility of becoming an Inner Sect Steward.

After becoming a steward, unless one was a direct disciple, it was impossible to become an Inner Sect Elder in one’s entire lifetime, no matter what.

Because the positions for Inner Sect Elders had long since been carved up among various factions; every Inner Sect Elder had to be a direct disciple from a particular lineage, bearing the bloodline heritage.

This was why Zhou Chang Le, even after advancing to late-stage Foundation Establishment, still hadn’t qualified to become an Inner Sect Elder.

Even a cultivation prodigy like Zhou Changqing himself, blessed with unique talent, was still merely an Outer Sect Elder to this day.

Unless he stepped into the Golden Core stage, he might possibly enter the Inner Sect and wield some authority, but becoming an Elder would likely still remain exceptionally difficult.

The pie was only so big; the higher-ups would never permit an outsider to force their way in.

Regardless, Zhou Changqing’s prestige within the sect had increased once more following this incident.

After falling back to the stronghold, he began Closed-Door Training to recuperate and adjust his condition.

Although the Chimagong Sect had now shown signs of gearing up for a climactic final battle, both sides harbored mutual wariness. Therefore, instead of rushing into action impulsively, they had been probing each other’s defenses all along, using the opportunity to give their disciples some field experience.

Both sides were now awaiting a pivotal moment – the trigger to launch that decisive confrontation.

Just how long it would take for that moment to arrive was still unknown, however.

Half a month later, Zhou Luo and Ye Qian departed from Qinyuan City.

They intended to journey personally to the Jin Yun Domain to obtain that once-in-a-century rarity: Xuanming Jade Essence.

The two piloted a flying shuttle directly towards the Jin Yun Domain.

Along the way, Ye Qian mentioned she had contacted several of her junior sisters.

Upon realizing Ye Qian was approaching the critical point of forming her Golden Core, they immediately pledged to rendezvous with the duo at Jinyun Immortal City when the time came.

With the standing of both the Biquan True Sect and the Wan Gu Sect, two major Immortal Gates, serving as a backdrop, those coveting treasure from the shadows would likely think twice about their capabilities.

Another month passed.

The two caught sight of that colossal, magnificent city straddling the vast land.

A towering city, immense and limitless, crouched on the earth like a gigantic beast, spanning an enormous territory.

As one gazed out, shimmering radiance coursed across its surface. From time to time, array formations shimmered into view, revealing a grandeur both majestic and awe-inspiring.

Unlike Qinyuan City, Jinyun City, as the largest Immortal City on the Jinyun Continent, possessed city walls constructed from imperishable Golden Stone. They exuded magnificent solemnity, gathering and concentrating vast currents of fortune.

From a distance, the colossal city appeared crowned with drifting auspicious clouds and fluttering rosy mists, resembling a scene from an earthly paradise.

Upon drawing closer, the sheer intimidation of this massive city became even more palpable.

Towering, solid walls shimmered with radiant colors, carved with images of various exotic beasts. Ribbons etched with flowing spiritual light traced their surface like galaxies streaking across the sky, creating a majestic panorama.

Before the enormous city gates, twelve massive Jade Pillars rose to support a passageway. Thick and of ancient simplicity, they stood like immortal Chengtian pillars, exuding a tremendous aura.

Exquisite carvings adorned them, while swirling mists flowed around them, making one feel as if stepping into a hazy celestial realm.

Cultivators walked through the passage with solemn expressions and steady, silent steps, entering the Immortal City.

Through the passage, glimpses of the bustling and magnificent scenery within could faintly be seen.

Zhou Luo and Ye Qian landed on the ground, retracted their flying boat, and began walking inside.

Along their journey, they had already changed into different disguises to prevent being recognized by others.

Approaching the Jade Pillars, Zhou Luo immediately sensed a force sweeping over him.

He glanced sideways at the patterns etched onto the enormous jade pillars. The designs shimmered with points of light; they were not simple murals, but formation diagrams.

A powerful formation was embedded within these twelve Jade Pillars.

Zhou Luo, himself a Second Level Formation Master, couldn’t even determine the rank of this formation. This implied it was at least Fourth Level, perhaps even fifth level.

Such a formidable formation, if it was of the attack type, would likely obliterate them on the spot.

"It’s checking if we are Demon Cultivators," Ye Qian whispered beside him via voice transmission.

This formation was primarily used to screen those seeking entry to the city.

The Demon Cultivators she referred to were different from bandits or evil cultivators. Although all were of the human race, the latter were merely individuals who chose depravity willingly. The former, however, were beings corrupted and enslaved by demons.

In the world of cultivation, demons had always been a deeply taboo name.

For they were born the natural enemies of mankind, possessing terrifying abilities from birth, preying upon humans, known for their savagery and cruelty.

Nearly every appearance of demons spelled catastrophe for human cultivators.

Fortunately, in ancient times, a coalition of cultivation nations succeeded in driving the demons off to another continent, securing the peace enjoyed today.

However, a centipede dies but never falls. Though expelled from this continent, the demons still coveted the human race dwelling here. Thus, they continually employed various methods to transform human cultivators into their slaves.

These were the individuals Ye Qian called Demon Cultivators.

They possessed no will of their own, acting solely upon the commands of their demon masters.

Three thousand years ago, a royal family disciple became a Demon Cultivator and nearly brought an entire cultivation nation to ruin.

Therefore, the impact of Demon Cultivators on human Immortal Cities was immense.

Jinyun Immortal City, being the largest city on Jinyun Continent, naturally implemented defenses against such entities entering and disrupting order.

Zhou Luo gave a slight nod and followed the line of people into a small house beside the city gate for registration.

"Disciple of Wan Gu Sect, Xu Changsheng!"

Zhou Luo presented the token Xuanqing had given him earlier, using a long-unused alias.

The registrar looked at the handful of gleaming medium-quality spiritual stones, glanced at the person who offered them, made no further inquiries, obtained a pass token for him, and let him leave.

Money can make a ghost push a millstone.

This universal truth also held firmly within the world of cultivation.

He then entered the city with Ye Qian. Seeing the scene inside, he was immediately deeply stunned.

Broad, flat streets paved with jade spread before him. Shops lined both sides, shining with light and exuding an extraordinary aura.

The streets teemed with pedestrians – diverse human cultivators gathered here. Some dressed in luxurious finery, others in simple green robes. Without exception, powerful Foundation Establishment energy emanated from each of them.

Qi Refinement cultivators were a rare sight here. The majority were loose cultivators or family cultivators who had already entered the Foundation Establishment.

Occasionally, carriages made of dragon crystals passed by, bearing cultivators of significant status, displaying scenes of incomparable splendor.

Zhou Luo stood at the city gate, absorbing the vibrant grandeur of this Immortal City, a wave of awe surging within him.

This was much larger than Qinyuan City.