“This boat is indeed quite conspicuous. Once we enter the Blood Bone Sect’s territory, we should stow it away. When we reach Blood Crane City, we’ll temporarily part ways, and you can investigate the clues about your original body. At that time, I’ll give you two combined-body puppets for protection. As long as you don’t encounter a Mahayana cultivator, they should be enough to keep you safe.” After a moment of thought, Han Li nodded and spoke.
“Thank you for your generosity, Venerable. This humble one will do her best to find the relevant clues as soon as possible.” Xue Po replied with delight.
“You and I share quite a fate. This small favor is nothing.” Han Li waved his hand dismissively.
…
Over a month later, Han Li and his group finally entered the territory controlled by the Blood Bone Sect.
After stowing away the Mo Spirit Flying Boat, they immediately switched to an inconspicuous black flying carriage, pulled by several flying wolf puppets, and continued their journey.
The rest of the trip proceeded without incident.
Two months later, Han Li and his companions finally arrived before a massive crimson city.
The city was built in a peculiar manner. Not only were there two pale blue lakes on either side, but the section of the wall facing the gate where Han Li stood protruded significantly, forming a small town-like barbican.
On top of the walls, guards clad in blood-red armor could be seen patrolling lazily.
Near the city gate, various Blood Sky aliens of different appearances obediently descended from their flight, handed over some spirit stones to the guards, and then entered.
“Venerable Han, Blood Crane City is one of the Blood Bone Sect’s most important cities. It produces several specialty items useful to mid-to-high-level cultivators. As such, not only does the sect station a formidable elite force here year-round, but there is also a Mahayana elder who remains hidden in the city. Ordinary people wouldn’t dare cause trouble here, making it a relatively peaceful place. However, the cost of living here is far higher than in ordinary cities. If one wishes to stay long-term, they must pay an additional sum of spirit stones.” Xue Po respectfully explained the city’s details to Han Li from the flying carriage.
“Along the way, I’ve seen a few Blood Bone Sect disciples. Putting aside their cultivation levels, every one of them exudes a fierce, murderous aura. Their techniques are indeed exceptionally domineering. No wonder this sect ranks among the top blood-path sects in the Blood Sky and can easily construct such a massive city. Moreover, Blood Crane City is situated between several mountain ranges, making it a key transportation hub. I imagine there are many outsiders in the city as well.” Han Li had already scanned the city’s surroundings with his spiritual sense and spoke with understanding.
“Your insight is impeccable, Venerable. Unless things have changed significantly, this city should indeed be dominated by outsider cultivators. However, most of the large-scale industries here belong to the Blood Bone Sect. Others who operate businesses here are usually backed by major factions. The city also frequently hosts individuals of mysterious origins who remain hidden here long-term.” Xue Po replied after some thought.
“This city truly lives up to its reputation as a den of snakes and dragons. Does the Blood Bone Sect not care about these people hiding their backgrounds?” Han Li chuckled and asked.
“Blood Crane City is one of the freer major cities in the Blood Sky. Unless someone openly causes trouble and disturbs others, the Blood Bone Sect won’t interfere beyond collecting spirit stones on schedule. Perhaps it’s precisely this policy that has allowed the city to thrive for so many years. Additionally, the city has several large arenas where people with grudges or disputes can settle matters—whether through competition or life-and-death battles.” Xue Po replied with a bitter smile.
“I see. I think I understand what kind of place Blood Crane City is. Fellow Daoist Xue, do you still plan to enter the city with us?” Han Li nodded thoughtfully before suddenly posing a counter-question.
“This junior will not enter! According to the marks left by my original body, she likely entered the nearby Ten Thousand Moon Mountain Range. I plan to search for her clues there directly.” Xue Po bowed slightly and answered solemnly.
“If that’s your plan, go ahead and act alone. During this time, I’ll also search for the other two ancient altars near the city. Take this communication talisman. If you make any discoveries or encounter trouble, ignite it. I’ll sense it immediately and come to you.” Han Li flipped his hand, producing a pale golden talisman, which he tossed to her.
“Thank you, Venerable. With this talisman, I can proceed with peace of mind.” Xue Po’s eyes brightened as she eagerly caught the talisman, expressing her gratitude.
With that, she bowed deeply to Han Li, transformed into a streak of light, and flew away from the carriage.
Han Li watched until the light vanished before lightly tapping his foot, urging the carriage toward the distant city.
At the city gate, seven or eight Blood Sky aliens were already queuing to pay spirit stones and enter.
During this process, the guards asked each person simple questions about their origins and intended length of stay in Blood Crane City.
The would-be entrants answered obediently, though whether their responses were truthful was anyone’s guess.
The Blood Bone Sect guards didn’t seem to care, merely recording the information roughly before issuing iron tokens and letting them pass.
When it was Han Li’s turn, Huashi Laozu stepped forward expressionlessly, releasing a hint of his combined-body cultivation aura. He tossed a mid-grade spirit stone to the guards and said coldly, “Three people. Keep the change.”
The dozen or so blood-armored guards, the strongest of whom were only at the Nascent Soul stage, staggered back several steps under Huashi Laozu’s spiritual pressure, their faces filled with shock.
The lead guard, upon catching the mid-grade spirit stone, didn’t dare ask any further questions. He hastily handed over three iron tokens and retreated respectfully to the side.
Han Li and his companions strode confidently through the gate.
“Such powerful aura—definitely a combined-body cultivator. Strange. Counting this one, nearly thirty combined-body experts have entered the city this month,” the lead guard muttered after Han Li was out of earshot, wiping sweat from his brow.
“It is odd. These combined-body cultivators seem to only enter, not leave. Could something big be happening in the city?” another guard chimed in suspiciously.
“Perhaps. Haven’t you noticed the unfamiliar faces among our superiors these past few months? They act so arrogantly, as if they all have powerful backing. They don’t seem like inner disciples of our sect,” someone else whispered.
“Enough. Stop discussing this. Whatever happens in the city has little to do with us low-ranking outer disciples. Our duty is simply to guard this gate. Have you forgotten the severity of our sect’s laws?” The lead guard’s expression turned stern as he reprimanded them.
At the mention of “laws,” the others shuddered and immediately fell silent, standing rigidly at attention.
By then, Han Li and his group had already passed through the gate and entered the barbican.
Aside from a long street lined with simple stalls, the area contained no other structures.
Many newcomers lingered at these stalls, either examining goods or haggling with vendors.
Han Li swept the stalls with his spiritual sense, quickly assessing the items on display. Though varied, most were low-grade and useless to someone of his—or even Huashi Laozu’s—level.
Naturally, they didn’t linger, soon reaching the end of the street and exiting the barbican.
A vast, sprawling square spanning thousands of acres unfolded before them, surrounded by shops of all sizes.
Judging by the signs, these shops sold everything from materials and spirit beasts to magical tools.
Huashi Laozu and Zhu Guo’er’s eyes lit up at the sight.
“For the next few days, you’re free to explore. Regroup here in three days,” Han Li instructed lightly.
Over the past six months, they’d been traveling nonstop and searching for ancient altars, never stopping in any towns.
Since they were now on another continent, its shops likely held rare materials and treasures uncommon in their homeland. It was only natural to let the two take this opportunity to trade.
“Yes, Master Han!”
“Thank you, Venerable!”
Delighted, Huashi Laozu and Zhu Guo’er bowed before hurrying toward the shops.
Three days wouldn’t be enough to visit every shop, but they could cover most of them.
At that moment, Han Li seemed to sense something and instinctively looked up at the sky.
The evening sky above the city was tinged with red through the faint, invisible barrier, with several hazy crescent moons hanging overhead.
Soon, the entire sky would turn fully crimson—the Blood Sky’s namesake phenomenon.
Though the daytime sky here was identical to that of the Tian Yuan Thunder Continent, nights transformed into an eerie blood-red hue.
But Han Li wasn’t looking at the reddening moons. Instead, his gaze lingered on an apparently empty patch of sky above the square before he lowered his head expressionlessly and walked toward one of the streets branching off the square.
“A Mahayana cultivator… So even someone of that level has taken notice. But who is this unfamiliar face? It seems he detected me earlier.” In the void where Han Li had been staring, a masked man hidden by invisibility frowned and muttered to himself.
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