This shout instantly drew the gazes of countless people nearby.
The merchant cultivators in line, who had been growing impatient, froze the moment they heard the three words "Lord Immortal Official." They went dead silent, instinctively ducking their heads and scrambling to the sides to clear a path.
In a world where personal strength was everything, a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator was already a cut above the rest. What more was there to say about one who also held an Official Status?
They were the kind of people one could truly not afford to offend.
"It’s nothing. You were just doing your duty."
Chu Bai retracted the Cyan Talisman, his expression as placid as ever. He remained completely unmoved by the guard’s sudden shift from arrogance to deference. "I need to enter the city to rest. Are there any other procedures?"
"No! Absolutely not!"
The captain shook his head vigorously and bowed even lower. "My lord, with your Cyan Talisman, you have unrestricted passage anywhere within the Great Zhou! I will clear a path for you at once!"
With that, he whirled around and roared at the guards behind him, who were still standing there in a daze:
"What are you all gawking at? Move it! Open the central gate! Welcome His Lordship into the city!"
The heavy central gate—which was normally only opened for the Pavilion Master’s processions or major celebrations—groaned as the guards pushed it open, slowly swinging wide.
A warm, humid gust of air, fragrant with the scent of vegetation, instantly poured through the opening, blowing away the light frost from the tips of Chu Bai’s hair.
"Please, my lord!"
The captain stood ramrod straight to the side, making a perfectly standard gesture of invitation, his eyes filled with reverence.
Chu Bai gave a slight nod and stepped over the high threshold.
As his figure vanished into the warmth of the city, a wave of suppressed gasps and murmurs rose from the crowd behind him.
Upon entering Sea Light Prefecture City, the view before him opened up dramatically.
Unlike the ancient, dignified air of Dayuan Prefecture, the streets of Sea Light Prefecture felt wider and more rugged.
The ground wasn’t paved with bluestone slabs, but with a dark-colored volcanic rock that radiated a faint warmth even in winter.
Shops lined both sides of the street, and the air was filled with the shouts of vendors. But the wares they peddled were unusually aggressive:
"Freshly butchered flesh and blood of the ’Ice-Horned Rhinoceros’ Demon Beast! A massive boost to your qi and blood, the top choice for Body Cultivators!"
"’Cold Evil Ore’ mined from the depths of the Extreme North! The perfect primary material for forging Ice Element Dharma Artifacts! Don’t just walk on by, you can’t miss this!"
"Hiring! Hiring! A Demon Hunting Team needs one Late-stage Qi Cultivator specializing in defense! The pay is generous, but you’re responsible for your own life and death!"
The streets were filled with Loose Cultivators, heavy swords on their backs and wine flasks at their hips, and fierce-looking traveling merchants leading Exotic Beasts. The single word ’desire’ was written on every face, and their eyes held the ferocity of those who lick blood from a blade’s edge.
This was a paradise for adventurers and a money pit for outlaws.
Chu Bai walked among the bustling crowd, feeling the unique, wild pulse of this city.
’I haven’t stopped this entire journey. Now that I’ve reached the last supply point, it’s time to rest for a bit.’
Chu Bai began planning his next moves.
’First, I need to get rid of those useless Qi Cultivation Dharma Artifacts I brought back from the Cyan Nether Realm and trade them for some resources.’
’Second, the environment in the Extreme North Land is harsh. Ordinary Spiritual Cuisine and Pills probably won’t be enough, so I’ll need to procure some High-Tier, cold-resistant supplies.’
’Third... ’
’...for information on the distribution of power in the depths of the Extreme North, and for specific leads on the types of Star Ore mentioned in Hee Wenyan’s Jade Scroll, the official map alone isn’t enough. I’ll have to ask some of these Local Bullies for information.’
The streets of Sea Light Prefecture were wide and bustling. Although an array blocked the frigid wind, the biting chill of the northern lands still hung faintly in the air.
Just as Chu Bai was planning to head to the Marketplace to see what was available, a voice laced with both urgency and pleasant surprise cut through the surrounding clamor and rang out from behind him:
"Immortal Chu! Please wait!"
Chu Bai paused. He hadn’t heard that title in a long time. He turned, his gaze cutting through the bustling crowd to land on a young man hurrying toward him.
The newcomer was dressed in a Brocade Magic Robe, a shimmering Cyan Talisman Jade Token also hanging from his waist. Though travel-worn, his Spirit, Essence, and Qi were in excellent condition.
It was an acquaintance.
"Xia Xing?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Chu Bai’s eyes.
With a brief scan of his Divine Thought, Chu Bai perceived the young man’s current state.
Although Xia Xing had yet to cross the great chasm to reach Foundation Establishment, his aura was smooth and perfectly contained. His Spiritual Power was condensed to its absolute peak, clearly indicating he had reached the limit of the Qi Cultivation Stage.
Coupled with the blessing of the Law Net granted by the Cyan Talisman at his waist, breaking through to Foundation Establishment was no longer a life-or-death trial for him. It was now merely a threshold he could cross by simply picking an auspicious date and following the procedure.
Anyone who could obtain a Cyan Talisman was already a one-in-a-hundred talent. Now, with the protection of his Official Status, his path toward the Great Dao was truly unobstructed.
"Immortal Chu! It really is you!"
Xia Xing rushed over, his face beaming with the joy of their reunion, and he instinctively moved to bow.
"You’re being too formal, Fellow Daoist Xia."
Chu Bai gestured with his hand, and a gentle current of Magical Power prevented Xia Xing from bowing. He smiled. "Calling me ’Immortal’ was something you said in a moment of desperation back in the Cyan Nether Secret Realm.
Now that we have both received the Cyan Talisman, we are colleagues. From now on, just call me Fellow Daoist or Brother Chu. Anything else is too much."
In the Cultivation Realm, only Low-Tier Cultivators would address a senior of unattainable stature as "Immortal."
Although there was a difference in their Realms, their Official Rank placed them in the same tier. If an outsider were to hear that title, it would create an awkward distance between them.

Comments

Loading...