“Brother Han is referring to the ‘Spirit Convergence Art’! This technique is indeed extraordinarily miraculous, a secret art created by the Azure Clan. However, the conditions for cultivating it are extremely stringent. Not only must the practitioners be blood-related siblings, but their cultivation methods and realms must also be nearly identical to execute this art. Unlike other clans, the Azure Clan predominantly gives birth to conjoined twins, with six or seven siblings per birth being quite common. As they grow older, they can separate naturally. The Azure Clan members are stationed at all four city gates of Cloud City, specializing in detecting those who enter. Once this art is activated, the consciousnesses of several individuals merge into one, making it impossible for even those three or four realms higher to evade their detection.” Tianmu Jia explained with a smile.
“I see! Han truly has been ignorant. However, I still find this technique quite intriguing. Does Fellow Daoist know the method to cultivate it?” After listening, Han Li initially felt disappointed but then reconsidered, finding the technique profoundly ingenious. He couldn’t help but think of ways to adapt and improve it, thus posing the question.
“The Spirit Convergence Art isn’t a technique the Azure Clan particularly values. Although it isn’t widely circulated outside, I can manage to procure a copy. If Fellow Daoist truly desires it, I’ll arrange to replicate one for you later.” Tianmu Jia replied generously.
“Many thanks.” Han Li smiled and clasped his hands in gratitude.
“Haha, it’s a trivial matter. Fellow Daoist Han saved my life—this is nothing in comparison. By the way, I must first pay a visit to a few elders in my clan, so I’m afraid I won’t be able to accompany you further. This is the location of my cave abode in Cloud City. In a few days, you can retrieve the sentient puppet I promised earlier. To be honest, I have two or three puppets of this grade in my abode, but to gift them to outsiders, I must first obtain the elders’ approval. Rest assured, though. I hold some standing in my clan, so there will be no issues.” Tianmu Jia chuckled, handing Han Li a stone tablet before bidding farewell.
By then, the two had exited the city gate, revealing a broad avenue flanked by shops of varying heights, bustling with people. It wasn’t overcrowded, but neither was it desolate.
“Very well. I also have matters to attend to, so let us part ways here.” Han Li accepted the stone tablet, scanned it briefly with his spiritual sense, and replied with a smile.
“Cloud City is home to many races of the Heavenly Cloud, with numerous outsiders who stay for centuries or even millennia without leaving. Aside from temporary lodgings, there are specialized cave abodes for rent, though the fees are quite steep. However, if Brother Han plans to stay longer, I doubt this will pose any issue. One more thing: never engage in conflicts or recklessly use spiritual power within the city. Violators will either be expelled or have their cultivation crippled—even the elders of our thirteen clans dare not defy this rule lightly. Well then, I take my leave.” Tianmu Jia imparted these warnings before turning to depart.
Han Li didn’t press him to stay, watching from afar as Tianmu Jia hailed a spirit carriage pulled by two deer-like beasts, boarded it, and vanished down the street.
Only then did Han Li retract his gaze, carefully surveying the buildings lining the avenue.
This place truly lived up to its reputation as a major city of the Heavenly Cloud Thirteen Clans. The structures were densely packed, each with a distinct architectural style—no two shops looked alike.
Some towered over a hundred zhang tall, resembling small mountains; others stood only a few zhang high but were exquisitely crafted. Some were square, resembling human pavilions, while others took the form of giant trees, shimmering emerald green…
After a brief inspection, Han Li grew thoroughly intrigued by the city.
Nominally, the Heavenly Cloud Thirteen Clans comprised thirteen races, but for countless millennia, they had lived and acted as one. Barring their differing bloodlines, they could almost be considered a single great clan.
Individually, none of the thirteen clans were particularly powerful, paling in comparison to superpowers like the Horned Race. Yet united, they stood not far behind, capable of holding their own in battle.
This was why the Heavenly Cloud had managed to survive despite bordering the Horned Race, a superpower.
In reality, conflicts between the Horned Race and the Heavenly Cloud erupted periodically—sometimes the Horned Race seized territory, other times the Heavenly Cloud reclaimed it.
Typically, the stronger Horned Race held the upper hand, but the Heavenly Cloud clans compensated for each other’s weaknesses, avoiding catastrophic losses.
Thus, the Horned Race’s sudden attack came as no surprise to the Heavenly Cloud’s leadership, who swiftly mobilized to counter it.
These details had been inadvertently revealed by Tianmu Jia during their journey.
According to him, while the Heavenly Cloud’s territory was vast, it neighbored not only the Horned Race but also the equally formidable Night Clan and the slightly weaker Thunder Roar Clan, along with numerous smaller clans.
These minor clans could only survive by aligning themselves with the major powers, lest they be annihilated or forced into exile.
This gave Han Li a rough understanding of the region’s dynamics.
Now, as he strolled down the street, he pondered his next steps.
His primary goal remained locating a super teleportation array capable of sending him back to the Tian Yuan Continent. Such arrays were undoubtedly controlled by major factions, necessitating negotiations with their leaders—hence his earlier acceptance of Tianmu Jia’s invitation.
However, whether he would actually engage with the Heavenly Cloud’s leadership depended on further intelligence gathering.
For now, he needed a place to stay in Cloud City and a methodical approach to uncovering clues.
With his plan set, Han Li scanned the shops and chose one resembling a human pavilion.
The shop was modest, only two stories tall, with shelves displaying a hodgepodge of goods—a typical general store.
The proprietor, a green-skinned member of the Dark Jade Clan, rose with a smile as Han Li entered. “Esteemed senior, how may I assist you? Our shop specializes in Cloud City’s local products, maps, and—”
Despite his mere Foundation Establishment cultivation, the middle-aged alien showed no fear, launching into a practiced spiel.
This was unsurprising; with his lowly realm, he likely couldn’t distinguish between Nascent Soul and Void Refinement cultivators. In Cloud City, high-level experts were commonplace, rendering him unfazed.
“I need a detailed map of Cloud City, and I have a few questions.” Han Li flicked his sleeve, sending a mid-grade spirit stone flying toward the proprietor.
“This is our finest map! Ask away, senior. This humble one will share all he knows!” The shopkeeper beamed, handing Han Li a pale-red stone tablet.
…
After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Han Li exited the shop expressionlessly, hailed a beast-drawn carriage, and instructed the driver to take him to a specific location before meditating in the cabin.
The carriage sped through the streets, traversing countless intersections before halting two hours later before a bizarre, colossal structure.
Han Li tossed a few spirit stones to the driver and stepped out, surveying the building.
It was a massive, hill-like edifice constructed from sand-like yellow material, towering over a thousand zhang—far taller than its surroundings.
Dozens of doors of varying sizes dotted its surface, with figures occasionally floating in or out.
From a distance, it resembled a gargantuan beehive.
Han Li stared for a long moment before lowering his gaze to the wide-open entrance at the base.
Strange characters flanked the door, unrecognizable despite Han Li’s extensive knowledge of alien scripts.
After a brief hesitation, he stroked his chin and strode inside.
The interior revealed an astonishingly spacious hall, over two hundred zhang wide, floored and walled with green jade. Rows of potted spiritual flowers adorned the periphery, their vibrant hues dazzling.
At the center stood a solitary, worn black wooden table, behind which a gray-robed figure with snow-white hair lay motionless, face hidden, seemingly asleep.
“I need a secluded room for several days.” Han Li approached the table and spoke softly.
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