“What, could there be some cultivation holy land with dense spiritual energy here?” Han Li’s spirits immediately lifted.
“Hehe, our city indeed has several cultivation holy lands, some even comparable to the main cities of the Three Sovereigns. But that’s just one aspect. The main reason is that our city not only receives a steady supply of various materials from the Three Realms and Seven Lands but also serves as the sole entrance and exit for both humans and demons to and from the Wilderness. Thus, all high-level beings entering or leaving the Wilderness must pass through our city. As a result, the rare treasures and materials brought back from the Wilderness are countless, with most cultivators directly selling their gains here or exchanging them for what they need. Even spiritual medicines that can advance one’s cultivation overnight are sometimes available for sale—though their prices are so exorbitant that they leave us sighing in despair.”
At this point, the old man paused before continuing:
“Another major reason why cultivators here are reluctant to leave is that every ten years, the cultivators of Tianyuan City have the opportunity to listen to a lecture on the Dao of Heaven and Earth from one of the Elders’ Council and ask questions about their own cultivation. These elders are all at the Body Integration stage—outsiders could never dream of such an opportunity. Hehe, so once cultivators join our city, few are willing to leave.”
“With so many benefits! But given the large number of high-level cultivators stationed here, there must be some special purpose, right?” Han Li was initially overjoyed but then frowned slightly.
“Aside from cultivators, our city also permanently stations a large number of high-level demon cultivators, who occupy half of Tianyuan City. Additionally, there are many demon beasts and body refiners. Half of these low-level beings are trained by the city itself, while the other half are transferred from the Three Realms and Seven Lands. Combined with the dozen or so Body Integration stage elders in the Elders’ Council, our city possesses such formidable power precisely to counter the foreign races of the Wilderness and those True Spirit-level beings. The super immortal formation left by our ancestors is so profound that whenever foreign races invade the territories of our human and demon races, they can only attack through this single entrance. Without such a strong garrison, wouldn’t our two races be wiped out in an instant? I’ve heard that when war with foreign races breaks out, it’s common for half the city’s population to be annihilated.” The old man surnamed Liu grew solemn.
“Half annihilated?” Han Li’s expression shifted slightly upon hearing this.
“Brother Han, there’s no need to be alarmed or overly worried. The intervals between foreign invasions range from over a hundred thousand years to as short as sixty or seventy thousand years. With such long intervals, why worry? If we’re unlucky enough to encounter an invasion, we’ll just have to fight to the death. Any Tianyuan City guard who flees in battle will be hunted down by both races. Since we enjoy the city’s benefits, it’s only fair to accept some risk. But the last foreign invasion of Tianyuan City was thirty thousand years ago. For the next ten or twenty thousand years, we needn’t worry.” The old man surnamed Liu smiled faintly.
“I see. So, being brought to Tianyuan City was actually a blessing in disguise for me.” Han Li stroked his chin, deep in thought.
“Exactly. First-generation ascended cultivators have a much higher chance of advancing to the Void Refinement stage compared to descendants like us or native Spirit Realm cultivators. The Elders’ Council highly values every ascended cultivator and won’t easily let them go. Moreover, in recent years, for some unknown reason, the number of ascended cultivators received by the Flying Spirit Platform has dwindled. I’ve heard that several elders even sent avatars to lower realms to investigate the cause, but they seem to have failed. Brother Han, since you’re also from a lower realm, have you noticed anything unusual?” the old man suddenly asked.
“No, the human realm I came from was completely normal.” Han Li immediately thought of the ancient demon incident but maintained a calm expression as he replied.
“That’s a shame. If Brother Han could provide any clues, you’d likely be heavily rewarded. But none of the recently ascended cultivators have offered any leads either. I’ve only heard that the demon race might have obtained some information a few years ago. So, the Elders’ Council probably won’t question you further.” The blue-faced old man didn’t find Han Li’s answer suspicious and instead sounded regretful.
Han Li smiled faintly and then asked in return:
“By the way, Brother Liu, what exactly are the Azure Guards you mentioned earlier? Are they the green-armored fellows I saw before?”
“Correct, they are the comrades wearing Azure Battle Armor. The Azure Guards are mid-tier figures in Tianyuan City, like me, who command ten Black Iron Guards. An Azure Guard must be a Deity Transformation cultivator, but not all Deity Transformation cultivators are Azure Guards. I’m sure you understand the distinction.” The old man explained.
“I do. Some Deity Transformation cultivators might not be skilled in combat or have other duties.” Han Li nodded knowingly.
“Good that you understand. Speaking of which, the duties of Tianyuan City guards are divided into two types. The first involves completing fixed rotation tasks at regular intervals, leaving the rest of the time free for personal arrangements. However, these guards receive a fixed and modest amount of spirit stones annually, so they’re often tight on resources—but the upside is that there’s usually little danger. The second type involves accepting special missions assigned by the Elders’ Council. Completing one not only rewards spirit stones but sometimes even rare items like pills or treasures. Of course, these missions are extremely risky and often involve the Wilderness or foreign races, requiring careful consideration. But completing just one can exempt you from any tasks for decades or even centuries, allowing for undisturbed cultivation. These two duty types aren’t set in stone and can be switched at any time.” The old man explained everything clearly.
“Thank you for the guidance, Brother Liu.” Han Li showed no particular reaction but expressed his gratitude.
The blue-faced old man laughed and waved his hand before chatting with Han Li a while longer and finally taking his leave.
After seeing the old man off and watching him disappear into the distance, Han Li’s smile faded as he returned to his room and sat cross-legged in the meditation chamber.
Closing his eyes gently, he seemed to enter a state of deep contemplation.
Meanwhile, the blue-faced old man walked down the corridor, where several other Deity Transformation cultivators were waiting.
Seeing him emerge, they immediately approached.
“Well, Brother Liu, did you get any information from that man?”
“Information? He’s tight-lipped. Aside from admitting he’s an ascended cultivator from a lower realm, he revealed nothing else. I ended up answering some of his questions instead.” The old man shook his head, looking somewhat helpless.
“Haha, Brother Liu, barging in like that, of course a newcomer to the Spirit Realm would be wary. But we truly have no ill intentions—we just want to befriend him. After all, ascended cultivators usually have great potential for advancement…”
The Deity Transformation cultivators exchanged remarks, appearing genuinely well-intentioned toward Han Li.
The old man surnamed Liu, however, simply smiled without comment.
Early the next morning, Han Li, sitting motionless in meditation, suddenly stirred and opened his eyes.
He rose and walked out of the chamber into the main hall.
Waving the restriction token, he opened the door to find a white-robed cultivator standing outside with a calm expression.
“Greetings, Senior!” Han Li clasped his hands respectfully.
It was the clean-shaven, golden-armored cultivator from before, though now dressed in scholar’s robes, his killing aura diminished and replaced by an air of detachment.
“No need for formalities, Fellow Daoist Han. I’ve just arrived. Brother Li is occupied today, so I’ve come alone. My name is Zhao Wugui.” The Void Refinement cultivator surnamed Zhao was noticeably friendlier than the day before.
Han Li was slightly surprised but quickly addressed him as “Senior Zhao” and invited him inside, seating him as a guest.
“With half a day to settle in, you must have learned a bit about Tianyuan City. I’ll keep it brief. As an ascended cultivator who withstood the dual-colored heavenly tribulation, your abilities must be exceptional. So, I’ve already applied for your Azure Guard status. Here’s your identity token. Take it, and you can directly take command of Squad C-56. The four cultivators you saw at the teleportation hall yesterday belong to this squad.” Zhao Wugui produced a jade-green pendant and handed it over.
“I’ve just arrived and am still unfamiliar with everything. Isn’t it too soon for me to become an Azure Guard?” Han Li hesitated, not immediately taking the pendant.
“Hehe, Fellow Daoist Han, don’t be too modest. Every ascended cultivator who joins our city becomes an Azure Guard, and most perform exceptionally well. As for the city’s affairs, you’ll naturally become familiar after a year or two.” Zhao Wugui chuckled.
“Since Senior insists, I won’t decline.” Han Li’s eyes flickered before he finally accepted the pendant and examined it.
One side bore silver Kuiwen script, while the other was inscribed with the words “C-56” in pale gold.
Pleased that Han Li had taken the pendant, Zhao Wugui nodded and began explaining some basic facts about Tianyuan City—some overlapping with what the old man surnamed Liu had mentioned, others new to Han Li, who listened attentively.
“Alright, that’s all I have to say. This place is only a temporary gathering spot for ascended cultivators and isn’t suitable for long stays. Every cultivator above the Nascent Soul stage has their own dedicated cave in Tianyuan City. However, the quality and size depend on your own efforts. For specifics, just ask at the Jade Pavilion. Here’s a map of the city for your reference. As a newcomer, you don’t need to assume your duties immediately—you have a month before you must report and receive your Azure Battle Armor.” Zhao Wugui handed Han Li a white jade slip and stood to leave.
Han Li expressed his gratitude once more and saw him out.
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