Chapter 2051: Illusion Night City

Five or six days later, the giant ship finally flew out of the wasteland, revealing a vast expanse of rolling hills ahead.

Countless small black-green hills rose and fell in succession, stretching as far as the eye could see.

The giant ship plunged into the sky above the hills and, after a few flashes, vanished into the distant void.

A month later, in a basin surrounded by hills, a massive city built from yellow mountain stones suddenly appeared. Spanning over a thousand miles, half of it was nestled against the mountains, while the other half was enclosed by a towering wall over a hundred zhang high.

Above the entire city, a layer of faint yellow light shimmered like an inverted cauldron, clearly indicating the presence of an incredibly profound and vast restriction.

Han Li stood at the bow of the ship, gazing at the distant city with a thoughtful expression.

“Brother Han, this is the Phantom Night City, where my Bai Family resides. Though it cannot compare to the super cities of the Sacred Realm, it is still quite sizable for such a remote location. There are over a dozen Venerable-level existences here alone. Our Bai Family is one of the four great clans of this city. Whether you wish to purchase something or encounter any trouble, simply mentioning the Bai Family’s name should earn you some respect from most.” Bai Yunxin stood beside Han Li, smiling lightly as she spoke.

“Thank you for your kindness, Fairy. I do indeed plan to purchase some items in your city.” Han Li’s expression flickered slightly as he replied with a faint smile.

“Since Brother Han is traveling alone, why not stay directly at our Bai Family’s Guest Pavilion? Given your cultivation, I doubt the elders in charge would object…” Bai Yunxin’s beautiful eyes shimmered as she tentatively probed.

“Guest Pavilion? Fairy still hasn’t given up on recruiting me?” Han Li chuckled in amusement.

“Brother, your cultivation has already reached the peak of the late Void Refinement stage, just half a step away from the Integration stage. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been able to slay those demon bats so effortlessly. With such astonishing strength and being a rogue cultivator, any family would eagerly recruit you. Naturally, our Bai Family is no exception.” Bai Yunxin replied with a smile, not bothering to hide her intentions.

“But my answer remains the same. I have no plans to attach myself to any clan for now. My cultivation has reached a bottleneck, and I need to travel extensively to have any hope of advancing to the Venerable stage. Thus, for the next few centuries, I won’t be joining any faction. However, I can promise that if I ever do wish to join a clan, the Bai Family will be my first choice.” Han Li laughed vaguely in response.

“Brother Han, I will remember your words. The Bai Family’s doors are always open to you. As for meeting the revered Elder Futian, I will arrange it as soon as we return. Given your assistance to us in the wasteland, it shouldn’t be a problem.” Bai Yunxin sighed, a hint of regret in her voice.

“I’ve heard that to cross the Phantom Howl Desert, it’s best to have an Eight-Legged Demon Lizard as a mount. Does the Bai Family raise such demonic beasts?” Han Li suddenly changed the subject, as if casually inquiring.

“Eight-Legged Demon Lizard? Brother Han wishes to enter the Phantom Howl Desert?” Bai Yunxin was taken aback, her expression one of surprise.

“That is indeed my intention. Crossing the desert on foot would take far too long. Does the Bai Family not have such beasts?” Han Li’s eyes flashed as he calmly countered.

“We do, but obtaining one would be nearly impossible. Not just our Bai Family, but none of the other clans would sell a Demon Lizard to outsiders.” Bai Yunxin frowned, her tone troubled.

“Oh? Why is that? If it’s a matter of price, I have some savings and could spare most of them to purchase one.” Han Li feigned ignorance, his expression unchanged.

“No amount of demon stones would persuade our clans to sell a Demon Lizard. Their rarity is one reason, but the main reason is that, in a sense, these beasts are the foundation of our clans’ standing in Phantom Night City. How could we casually give them away?” Bai Yunxin hesitated before speaking meaningfully.

“Foundation of standing? What do you mean? How could a few demon beasts be tied to such a matter?” Han Li’s expression shifted, genuinely puzzled.

“Though the reason isn’t a major secret, without the elders’ permission, I cannot disclose it. Brother Han may ask Elder Futian when you meet him. If he chooses to tell you, there will be no issue. Moreover, only the clan’s patriarch has the authority to decide matters regarding the Eight-Legged Demon Lizards.” Bai Yunxin hesitated before speaking gravely.

“I see. It seems I’ll have to seek Elder Futian’s guidance if I wish to obtain a Demon Lizard.” Han Li mused thoughtfully.

Bai Yunxin nodded and fell silent.

By then, the giant ship had arrived near Phantom Night City, its light dimming as it descended, stopping before a towering city gate dozens of zhang high.

Demons of all kinds were coming and going through the gate. Upon seeing the yellow giant ship, they quickly stepped aside, most showing expressions of reverence.

It seemed they all recognized the ship’s origin!

Han Li and the Bai Family members disembarked.

With a single hand seal from Bai Yunxin, the ship shrank countless times, transforming into a streak of yellow light that vanished into her body.

Led by Bai Yunxin, the group eagerly strode toward the city gate, their excitement palpable after such a long journey away from home.

Han Li, his expression calm and unremarkable, blended into the crowd.

A dozen armored guards stood at the gate. Upon seeing Bai Yunxin, several immediately stepped forward, bowing respectfully before clearing the way for the Bai Family to enter unhindered.

The other passing demons paid no mind, clearly accustomed to such privileges.

With a slight nod, Bai Yunxin led the group into the city.

Beyond the gate, Han Li was greeted by rows of square and round earthen-yellow buildings, densely packed like countless mounds stretching endlessly.

Intersecting these buildings were several unusually wide streets, though the city itself seemed smaller than most.

Among the buildings stood a few towering structures—massive pagodas and multi-storied pavilions.

Han Li’s gaze swept briefly before withdrawing.

The city not only had flight restrictions but also formidable barriers against divine sense. Even with his powerful spiritual sense, he could only extend it a few miles before it grew indistinct.

Of course, he could push further, but doing so would trigger the restrictions and reveal his true cultivation.

As the Bai Family stepped onto a nearby street, they suddenly halted.

Han Li’s brow twitched, but he refrained from asking.

Moments later, several carriages pulled by strange deer-horse hybrids rumbled into view, stopping abruptly before them.

Each carriage bore the character “Bai” in ancient script, with a robed man steering the beasts at the front.

A dark-skinned man leaped from the lead carriage, bowing deeply to Bai Yunxin. “Greetings, Madam. I have been sent by the master to escort you home.”

“I understand. Brother Han, are you truly not coming to the Bai Family first? Even if you don’t wish to join us, arranging lodging would be simple. Staying with us might even allow you to meet the patriarch today!” Bai Yunxin waved at the man before turning to Han Li with a charming smile.

“No need. Fairy Bai has just returned and likely has much to attend to. I’d like to explore the city first and pay a formal visit another day.” Han Li clasped his hands with a faint smile.

“Since you’ve decided, I won’t press further. This jade pendant is my personal token. Keep it. Presenting it will grant you direct access to me at the Bai Family without any questions.”

With a hint of regret, Bai Yunxin flipped her hand, producing a faintly glowing green jade pendant, which she tossed to Han Li.

Han Li caught it without hesitation, glancing down.

The pendant, seemingly crafted from no ordinary jade, was translucent with faint blood-red streaks. Its surface bore an image of a celestial maiden in flight, bearing a vague resemblance to Bai Yunxin herself.

Han Li’s heart stirred slightly. Nodding, he stored the pendant away.

Soon after, the Bai Family boarded the carriages and rumbled off down the street.

Han Li watched them depart before turning and striding down another street, quickly disappearing into the crowd.

Though Phantom Night City lacked a Sacred Ancestor, its gathering of over a dozen Venerables made it renowned in the demon world, attracting far more high-ranking demons than ordinary cities.

Unlike Blood Crow City, where Han Li had stayed before, this city boasted an astonishing variety of establishments.

Beyond material and artifact shops, he even spotted a demonic academy dedicated to teaching basic demonic arts, frequented by numerous ordinary demons.

This intrigued him.

The academy resembled the basic spell-teaching halls of the spirit realm, leaving him to wonder whether it was a native demon institution or borrowed from the spirit world.

As Han Li passed a towering pagoda, his eyes flicked to a plaque above its entrance, and a trace of surprise crossed his face.