Chapter 201: Undercurrents |
Everyone followed his gaze and looked into the distance.
At the edge of the horizon, a magnificent giant city sprawled across the earth, its back against a vast mountain range shrouded in rolling clouds and mist.
The city walls were higher than any prefecture or county city they had ever seen, like an artificially forged gray-black mountain range stretching across heaven and earth.
The walls extended to both sides, impossibly far, seemingly merging with the distant mountains. There was no way to see where the city's boundaries ended.
They could vaguely make out exquisite and elegant pavilions, and mysterious black towers soaring into the clouds.
One could also imagine that within were crisscrossing streets and lanes, houses arranged like fish scales, housing countless people and operating enormously complex institutions.
At this moment, countless broad official roads and waterways converged on the giant city from all directions like hundreds of rivers flowing to the sea, gathering at several massive city gate openings.
On those roads right now, there were countless flows of people, carriages and horses, and even exotic riding beasts surging majestically into the city, making the gates look like giant mouths swallowing everything under heaven.
In the deepest part of the city, near the mountains.
Faint rosy light emanated vaguely from them. This was the core location of Tianbao Upper Sect's mountain gate.
"This is Tianbao City."
Sang Yanping paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone's shocked faces, slowly emphasizing his tone, "A city of this scale, looking across all of Yan Kingdom, there are only eleven. Each one is the core of a top-tier power, truly the pillars gathering tens of millions of people, endless resources, and even Yan Kingdom's martial Dao fortune!"
Li Wang's mouth fell open as he muttered, "Eleven... this is... a giant city..."
Even the usually cool Nie Shanshan had a gleam of amazement in her beautiful eyes.
Chen Qing took a deep breath, staring intently at the giant city ahead.
After a long moment, Sang Yanping spoke, "Remember, this place is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, with strict rules. It's nothing like Yunlin Prefecture. You must be careful with your words and actions, don't cause trouble and disgrace Five Terraces Sect's reputation."
His voice pulled everyone back to reality from their shock.
"Yes! Elder!"
Everyone responded in unison, their expressions becoming solemn.
Chu Jinyun also added, "We'll first go to Tianbao Upper Sect to register and find out the specific details about the selection enrollment."
The group followed the bustling crowds and slowly entered this giant city.
Inside Tianbao City, the main streets, wide enough for ten carriages to travel abreast, were paved with huge blue-black stones, smooth as mirrors.
Buildings lined both sides of the streets, often five or six stories high, with flying eaves and interlocking brackets, carved beams and painted rafters, extraordinarily imposing.
These buildings were not of a single style but incorporated features from various places across the three circuits and fifty-one prefectures, yet were harmoniously unified.
Shop signs and banners fluttered, their scale grand, far exceeding prefecture cities.
The streets were packed with people, shoulder to shoulder.
After about half an hour, everyone finally passed through the prosperous outer areas of the giant city and arrived at the even more magnificent and imposing mountain gate of Tianbao Upper Sect, built against the mountain.
Unlike the bustle of the city district, the mountain gate area seemed much more solemn.
A massive white jade archway stood before them, inscribed with the two ancient characters for "Tianbao," written with tremendous force that seemed to contain flowing Dao resonance.
Behind the archway were seemingly endless white jade steps, like a stairway to heaven extending straight into the deep clouds, connecting to the towering palace complexes above.
Two disciples wearing Tianbao Upper Sect's standard blue robes stood on either side of the archway, guarding the mountain gate.
Sang Yanping stepped forward, took out Five Terraces Sect's identity token, and politely explained their purpose.
"Wait here for a moment. I'll go report this now."
After one of the disciples accepted the token and verified it was genuine, he indicated that Chen Qing's group should wait briefly, then turned around. His form disappeared up the long steps in a few leaps, moving extremely fast yet soundlessly.
Before long, an elder wearing Tianbao Upper Sect steward robes slowly descended the steps.
His hair and beard were completely white, his form somewhat hunched. He looked aged and decrepit, yet his steps were exceptionally steady.
"This old one is Cheng Yingsong, one of the stewards responsible for receiving those participating in this selection."
The elder smiled slightly and said, "Come, I'll take you to get settled first."
Chen Qing observed this Elder Cheng Yingsong, his heart alert. He discovered the other's aura was as deep as the sea, perfectly unified, completely imperceptible in depth. Clearly this seemingly ancient steward was also an expert.
"Thank you, Steward Cheng." Sang Yanping cupped his fists in salute.
Cheng Yingsong nodded slightly and turned to lead the way.
Everyone followed behind him, stepping onto those long white jade stairs.
The steps were extremely long, seemingly truly endless, extending straight to the clouds.
"You've arrived fairly early. There are still batches of sects that haven't arrived yet," Cheng Yingsong said without turning his head.
"No matter. Arriving earlier allows us to familiarize ourselves with the environment sooner," Sang Yanping responded.
Li Wang, Yan Yaoyang, Nie Shanshan and the others followed while unable to resist curiously looking around.
They saw ancient trees towering on both sides of the steps, spiritual herbs growing densely. In the misty vapor, pavilions and towers could vaguely be seen distributed irregularly. Occasionally powerful auras would flash by, making their hearts palpitate.
Cheng Yingsong continued leading everyone upward, clouds and mist swirling around them like a celestial realm.
He raised his hand pointing to the distant, faintly visible rolling mountain peaks, saying slowly, "Our Tianbao Upper Sect has thirty-six peaks. Twenty-seven outer peaks guard the sect. There are also the Inner Nine Peaks, called 'The Inner Nine Peaks, each peak profoundly mysterious, only True Disciples may enter, only those with high merit may reside there.' They are the sect's core stronghold with strict rules. You must never trespass on ordinary days."
Nie Shanshan, Yan Yaoyang, Li Wang and the others looked in the direction Cheng Yingsong pointed. They saw several strange peaks appearing and disappearing amidst the churning sea of clouds in the distance.
Those were Tianbao Upper Sect's Inner Nine Peaks, the martial Dao holy land countless people dreamed of.
Cheng Yingsong took in the young disciples' expressions and said slowly, "In this Tianbao Upper Sect, every brick and tile, every blade of grass and tree is extraordinary, gathering the heart's blood of countless generations. This old one has wasted half a lifetime, spending a full thirty years working diligently and conscientiously to reach this position."
Everyone present felt a chill in their hearts, especially the young disciples whose feelings were particularly complex.
Hearing this, Sang Yanping's expression became even more solemn. He cupped his hands saying, "Steward Cheng is too modest. Being able to establish oneself in Tianbao Upper Sect is already an achievement ordinary people cannot reach, worthy of our admiration."
These words came from his heart. Five Terraces Sect was considered a regional hegemon in Yunlin Prefecture, but within Tianbao Upper Sect's system, it seemed insignificant.
"Let's not discuss these things."
Cheng Yingsong waved his hand, saying, "Where you're going now is Guest Receiving Peak, specially for hosting visitors from outside. On the peak there are a total of nine hundred ninety-nine side rooms and guest rooms. The servant disciples responsible just for lighting lamps at night and sweeping the courtyards number in the hundreds. Right now, most of the sect people arriving from various places are settled here."
Nine hundred ninety-nine guest rooms!
Daily maintenance alone required so many people!
The Five Terraces Sect and Xuanjia Gate members were even more deeply aware of Tianbao Upper Sect's enormous scale and profound foundation.
Chen Qing also sighed inwardly: Governing three circuits and fifty-one prefectures, gathering countless resources and silver, Tianbao Upper Sect's scale was truly unimaginable.
While talking, they encountered several other Tianbao Upper Sect stewards along the way, also leading groups of people up the mountain.
Looking at those disciples' clothing and auras, they were clearly from sects of different prefectures.
"That's disciples and students from Yunlan Prefecture's Flowing Cloud Sword Sect. Their sect excels at sword techniques, standing alone in their region."
"And over there, those should be disciples from Hundred Origin Gate. Their cultivation methods are unique, their physical bodies powerful."
Shen Xiuyong lowered his voice, introducing them to Chen Qing beside him.
Just then, sounds came from behind and to the side.
Everyone turned to look. From another branch path, another group was approaching in a procession.
Leading them were two elders. One wore a crimson red robe, his hair and beard bristling, his complexion ruddy, seeming to be surrounded by faint scorching heat.
Chen Qing had seen this person at the Lin'an Prefecture auction.
This was precisely Pingyang Prefecture's Blazing Sun Sect's Transmission Elder Fu Shoushan, known as "Fire Cloud Elder."
The other wore a water-blue dao robe, his aura as calm as water. He was Fengle Prefecture's Azure Wave Gate's Elder Shi Ziyu.
Behind these two elders, among several young disciples following them, two were particularly eye-catching.
The one from Blazing Sun Sect had an upright figure with thick knuckles on both hands faintly glowing red. This was Blazing Sun Sect's most renowned genius in recent years, 'Crimson Flame Hand' Zhu Yu!
He ranked as high as forty-seventh on the "Heroes Register," with a resounding reputation.
The one from Azure Wave Gate was a youth carrying a long sword with a somewhat cold demeanor, light steps and nimble aura. He was a core descendant of Fengle Prefecture's Kong family and also a genius Azure Wave Gate devoted resources to cultivating, ' Wind-Chasing Sword' Kong Yi'an.
Both were experts as renowned as Qiao Hongyun. They had rarely traveled in recent years, but this time were also attracted by Tianbao Upper Sect's Xuwang Mountain training program.
"Hahaha! I wondered who it was, so it's Elder Brother Fu and Brother Ziyu!" Elder Sang Yanping's face immediately showed a genuine smile as he cupped his fists in greeting first.
Elder Chu Jinyun also smiled slightly, nodding in acknowledgment.
The four prefectures surrounding Ten Thousand Poisons Marsh—Yunlin Prefecture, Pingyang Prefecture, Fengle Prefecture, and Linchuan Prefecture, due to geographical proximity, already had more frequent exchanges and interactions than other prefecture regions.
Moreover, having previously joined forces against the Demon Sect and mutually supported each other, their relationships were naturally much closer and more familiar than sects from other prefecture regions.
"Brother Sang! Junior Sister Chu! How have you been!"
Fire Cloud Elder laughed heartily in return, walking quickly closer.
Azure Wave Gate's Shi Ziyu also smiled and cupped his hands, "Senior Brother Sang, Senior Sister Chu, I didn't expect to meet here. What a coincidence."
The several elders were clearly old acquaintances. Meeting now in Tianbao City far from home, they felt especially warm.
They exchanged simple pleasantries and introduced the somewhat unfamiliar disciples behind them to each other.
Chen Qing and the others' gazes met with young disciples like Zhu Yu and Kong Yi'an.
Zhu Yu's eyes were blazing with some curiosity, especially when looking at Chen Qing. His gaze paused slightly, sixty-fifth on the "Heroes Register," this ranking wasn't enough to draw his attention.
But if this person was under thirty years old, then he'd be worth everyone's notice.
Kong Yi'an seemed more reserved, only nodding slightly in acknowledgment. His gaze swept over the Five Terraces Sect members, finally pausing briefly on Nie Shanshan.
"Was your journey here smooth?" Fire Cloud Elder asked with concern.
"Fine. Though there were small complications, we arrived safely in the end," Sang Yanping answered, not elaborating on the friction with Chaoyong Sect.
Shi Ziyu stroked his beard saying, "Good that it was smooth. Right now Tianbao City is a mix of dragons and snakes. Arriving safely is fortunate. We should look after each other more in this place."
"Brother Ziyu speaks truly." Sang Yanping nodded in deep agreement.
The several elders spoke briefly, then continued toward Guest Receiving Peak.
Though just a brief encounter and conversation, in this unfamiliar Tianbao Upper Sect, meeting familiar people from neighboring prefectures with fairly friendly relations undoubtedly gave the Five Terraces Sect and Xuanjia Gate members a sense of warmth and security.
Soon, Cheng Yingsong led everyone to the side room area of Guest Receiving Peak.
The pavilions were built against the mountain, arranged irregularly yet harmoniously. Though called guest rooms, they were built with flying eaves and interlocking brackets, quite exquisite. Ancient trees towered around them, the environment tranquil and secluded.
Cheng Yingsong briefly explained the dining hall's location, informing them that food would be supplied at mealtimes, then took his leave.
"After all the travel fatigue, we can finally rest well tonight."
Sang Yanping said to everyone, "Return to your rooms, don't wander around. Tomorrow we'll inquire about the specific details of selection registration."
"Finally we can rest properly!"
Li Wang let out a long breath, his face showing a relieved and weary smile.
Nie Shanshan, Yan Yaoyang and the others also nodded. This nearly half-month journey, sleeping rough, especially after the conflict with Chaoyong Sect, everyone's nerves had been taut. Now arriving at a safe place, fatigue suddenly surged like a tide.
Everyone found their assigned rooms.
Chen Qing pushed open his door. The furnishings inside were simple yet clean and tidy. Outside the window was a view of verdant mountains, clouds and mist flowing among the peaks, peaceful and tranquil.
Chen Qing pondered silently. The letter the Sect Master asked him to deliver wasn't urgent for now.
Then he took out a premium Aura Tempering Pill and began cultivating.
The "Mysterious Nether True Water Art" wasn't far from the fifth level. Soon he could refine his Guishui true qi into Guishui True Aura.
About an hour later, Li Wang's voice came from outside the door, "Junior Brother Chen, Elder Sang says we should eat together."
"Good, I understand."
Chen Qing heard the voice and began concluding his practice, then followed Li Wang out.
At this time, Elder Sang, Chu Jinyun, Shen Xiuyong, and Nie Shanshan, Yan Yaoyang and others had all gathered together.
Chu Jinyun and Nie Shanshan had both changed into casual clothes, shedding their travel dust. Especially Nie Shanshan, wearing a light blue long dress, appeared even more fresh and graceful.
Then the group came to the dining hall and were arranged by Tianbao Upper Sect disciples into an elegant private room.
Before long, delicious delicacies were brought up. Many ingredients everyone had never seen or heard of were clearly not ordinary fare.
One should know that previously, dishes of this quality were used to entertain honored guests at Five Terraces Sect, but at Tianbao Upper Sect they seemed to be just ordinary cuisine.
Those present were either Five Terraces Sect core disciples or elders, naturally not so unsophisticated, but in their hearts they had a more direct sense of Tianbao Upper Sect's extravagant foundation.
"Let's eat first. After eating I have things to tell you," Elder Sang said.
Then everyone began eating.
Elder Sang also ordered a bottle of fine wine. The liquid was amber-colored, and when poured into cups, its fragrance was intoxicating.
Chu Jinyun said, "This is the excellent 'Scarlet Cloud Brew,' made from many spirit fruits and precious medicines. It can gently nourish blood and qi, slightly beneficial to cultivation, quite rare."
"Indeed quite good."
Elder Sang drank a small cup and immediately felt his blood and qi churning slightly within. He nodded in praise, "This is unique to Tianbao Upper Sect. You all have some, just an appropriate amount, don't drink too much and delay important matters."
Li Wang, Chen Qing, Yan Yaoyang, Li Lei, Shi Ziyi, Fang Rui and others all poured small cups.
"Senior Sister Nie, do you want some?" Li Wang asked.
"I'll pass." Nie Shanshan shook her head. She really couldn't appreciate the taste of alcohol.
Chen Qing also drank a cup as suggested. He only felt a gentle yet mighty warmth rise from his belly, quickly flowing to all four limbs and hundreds of bones. His whole body felt pleasantly warm and comfortable, and even the circulation of True Aura within seemed to flow a bit more smoothly.
After eating and drinking their fill, everyone came to Elder Sang's room.
Elder Sang, Chu Jinyun, Shen Xiuyong, and Chen Qing sat down. The others sat if there were seats, otherwise stood to the side.
"This time our travel speed was quite good. There's still about half a month until the selection officially begins."
Sang Yanping's expression was solemn as he said gravely, "During this half month, you can wander and enjoy yourselves in Tianbao City and the areas around Guest Receiving Peak where activities are permitted, broaden your horizons, and try to befriend disciples from other sects, exchanging what you know. But remember, absolutely do not cause trouble!"
His gaze swept over each disciple present, his tone emphasizing, "With Tianbao Upper Sect's selection imminent, the city is now a mix of dragons and snakes with forces from all sides gathered. Even small frictions could be infinitely magnified. Causing trouble at this critical juncture is a great taboo. This will not only bring disaster upon yourself but also displease Tianbao Upper Sect and may even implicate the sect's reputation. When encountering matters, endure if you can, avoid if you can. Making everything subordinate to safely participating in the selection is the first priority!"
"Yes! Disciples understand!"
Everyone present responded in unison, naturally understanding what was important and urgent.
"Mm."
Sang Yanping nodded slightly and continued, "Based on what I just inquired from Steward Cheng combined with some information known from the past, there are several matters that need to be told to you, and they've already been confirmed."
"First, regarding the selection. This Xuwang Mountain program is not small in scale. Tianbao Upper Sect will comprehensively evaluate disciples from many sects and select a batch to enter Xuwang Mountain, receiving training equivalent to Tianbao Upper Sect inner disciple standards. Reportedly, disciples under thirty years old will receive some additional favorable treatment in the evaluation. So even those who haven't reached External Aura yet, like Shanshan, Yaoyang, Ziyi, and Fang Rui, don't belittle yourselves. It's not that you have no chance at all!"
Hearing this, Nie Shanshan, Yan Yaoyang, Shi Ziyi, Fang Rui and the others' eyes immediately brightened. Their previously somewhat oppressed mood from the Heroes Register rankings and journey experiences instantly eased considerably, hope rekindling.
Chu Jinyun watched from the side, feeling slightly relieved. She naturally hoped more of her sect's disciples could enter this Tianbao Upper Sect.
Sang Yanping paused, letting everyone digest the information, then continued, "Second, is this Tianbao giant city's power structure. This city is enormously vast, and the waters run unfathomably deep. Besides the supreme Tianbao Upper Sect itself, within the city there are also five great millennium-old families with deep and tangled roots and enormous influence."
"These families not only have countless intricate connections with Tianbao Upper Sect, even generations of marriage alliances, but their own foundations are deep, their industries spread throughout the three circuits, they command countless experts, with tremendous influence."
"Not only do these families have deep foundations, their descendants often also cultivate within Tianbao Upper Sect with distinguished status. In the future when you walk about the city or interact with people, if you encounter people from these five great families, you must treat them cautiously, carefully discern them. If you can befriend them, naturally that's best. If not, you absolutely must not easily offend them, understand?"
Everyone listened with shaken hearts, nodding one after another, firmly memorizing these surnames in their minds.
The complexity of Tianbao City far exceeded their previous imagination.
Chen Qing pondered silently. These millennium-old families had weathered wind and rain without falling, their foundations' depth far beyond what ordinary sects could compare to.
They not only controlled vast resource networks, monopolizing many key industries, but also established deeply entangled connections with Tianbao Upper Sect's upper echelons through marriage alliances, supporting experts, sending disciples and other means.
Many of Tianbao Upper Sect's elders and even high-ranking core figures had origins more or less related to these great families.
This being the case, behind many of Tianbao Upper Sect's decisions, these families' shadows were probably inevitable.
It seemed Tianbao Upper Sect was not simple internally, also unfathomably deep within.
"Good."
Having finished his instructions, Sang Yanping's expression eased slightly, "That's all for today. Everyone go back and rest well. Starting tomorrow, make your own arrangements, but remember what I just said."
Everyone responded in unison, then with different thoughts, withdrew from Elder Sang's room.