On the eve of the opening of Chapter 65.
Chapter 65
Shangli City, located in the north of the mainland, close to the sea, controls the transportation hub to the sea. It is usually a prosperous scene with people coming and going, bustling and lively.
The Shangli Secret Realm will be opened soon, and monks coming from all over will make this prosperous city even more bustling.
On the way to Shangli City, occasionally when he had a break before the enemy caught up, Bu Xingjin would always ask Gu Jiuge for advice and listen to him talk about the city.
At the time, he could only piece together a vague picture in his mind from Gu Jiuge's scattered words. However, when he actually stopped outside Shangli City and witnessed the shocking scene with his own eyes, he was shocked to realize how deep the gap between reality and imagination was, the difference was as great as the abyss.
At dawn, the morning light was like a sharp sword, penetrating the layers of mist and gently falling on the stacked and uneven eaves. For a moment, the entire Shangli City seemed to be covered with a layer of dazzling golden gauze dancing in the wind, like a dream, exuding a mysterious and charming atmosphere.
The hundred-meter-tall black iron gate slowly opened, its heavy panels rubbing against each other with a resounding thud. The deafening sound made ears buzz, as if the ancient city had roared awake from its slumber. Twelve pairs of bronze unicorn statues stood majestically, bearing the orbits of the stars as they slowly rotated. Every texture and detail revealed the accumulation of time and its mysterious power, creating a sense of solemnity.
Whenever a cultivator, wielding a magical weapon, soared gracefully through the air, the eight glazed palace lanterns suspended above the doorway would instantly and simultaneously illuminate with a faint blue glow, as if in perfect harmony with the dynamic forces of heaven and earth. Within these lanterns, each contained the spirit of a demonic beast at least at the Nascent Soul stage. They swayed gently in the sea breeze, and from time to time, tiny pinpricks of light quietly escaped from the cracks in the lampshades, briefly coalescing in mid-air and transforming into fleeting star trails. It was as if the mysterious remains of antiquity had traveled through time and space, radiating a faint yet captivating light in the present world, captivating and inspiring awe at this unknown power.
Bu Xingjin, now in disguise and with a changed appearance, stepped steadily onto the quaint bluestone pavement, slowly making his way towards the city. The dust stirred up by the opening of the black iron gate had barely dissipated when shop assistants on both sides of the road, quick-witted and quick-handed, enthusiastically approached, pushing intricately carved, antique-looking wooden carts. Their smiles were as bright as the warm spring sun, their faces beaming with enthusiasm.
An old woman selling spiritual fruit, with a scarlet flame crystal pinned in her temples, had a gaze as sharp as an eagle. She instantly spotted Bu Xingjin's unfamiliar face and quickly called out, "Young Master, look over here! We've got some newly arrived deep-sea jade fruit. They're so fresh and juicy. Try some!"
Bu Xingjin cleverly dodged the enthusiastic sales pitch and strolled forward leisurely, his eyes slowly sweeping over the dazzling array of shops along the street. He couldn't help but recall his previous visit to Shifang City, and sighed sincerely in his heart, "This place is so much more lively than Shifang City. It's truly a world of difference."
This journey to Shangli City was anything but smooth, easy, and relaxing, like their previous trip to Shifang City. Along the way, the Liu family's men were like ghosts, appearing and disappearing without warning, chasing and intercepting them at every turn, giving them no chance to breathe. Fortunately, Bu Xingjin was now quite powerful, having undergone many trials and tribulations, and he was a much better person than before. Furthermore, Gu Jiuge knew the route like a map, and with each other's support, they overcame numerous obstacles and finally reached their destination safely.
In the early hours of the morning, before dawn, the two men arrived outside the city gates. After a brief pause and some deliberation, Gu Jiuge's eyes were determined. He decided not to enter the city yet, but to hide in a secluded area outside the city, quietly awaiting the opening of the Shangli Secret Realm. He had already made a plan: on the eve of the secret realm's opening, at the crucial moment when the Shangli Order appeared, he would pounce like a dormant cheetah and seize this crucial, life-or-death Shangli Order in one fell swoop.
Gu Jiuge harbors a deep pain. His father's death was mysterious, and even the identity of the murderer remains unknown. The only certainty is that the murderer is from the Gu family, and must be a highly accomplished cultivator with a prominent position. Thus, for him, the Gu family, despite their nurturing care and decades of memories, feels like a cold, unfamiliar prison. He dares not return home easily. Throughout this vast family, he searches every corner, but finds no one he can fully trust.
So, the two said goodbye and went their separate ways, agreeing to meet outside the Shangli Secret Realm after Shangli Ling appeared in the world and work together to explore the mysteries of the secret realm.
Bu Xingjin wandered aimlessly, finally heading for Shangli City's largest restaurant with a clear purpose. Along the way, they'd been living in the open air, dodging the Liu family's relentless pursuit, with few opportunities to rest. Now, upon entering Shangli City and immersing themselves in its bustling bustle, he breathed a sigh of relief, his frayed nerves finally relaxing.
The restaurant, known as the True Immortal Restaurant, is quite famous. Rumor has it that a True Immortal from the Celestial Realm once defied the laws of Heaven and descended to the mortal realm, specifically for the Nine Supreme Immortal Treasures found in the first-grade True Immortal Restaurant. However, descending from the mortal realm is no easy feat. Not only does one have to endure the devastating power of thunder, but one must also patiently bide their time. Only when someone ascends to the celestial realm does the gate to the celestial realm open briefly, and True Immortals must seize this golden opportunity to descend.
This descent not only demands rigorous strength, but is also a tedious and complex process. Those who ascend to the immortal realm do not appear in a fixed location, but rather randomly appear throughout the vast and boundless realm. The sheer amount of time, energy, and travel required to precisely capture that fleeting opportunity is truly immeasurable.
Even so, a True Immortal still persevered and descended to the mortal world, just to taste this Nine Supreme Immortal Treasure. One can only imagine how delicious and tempting this dish must have been. While it's possible this was just a fantastical story, a headline-grabbing gimmick, concocted by the restaurant to attract attention and drum up business, for such an outrageous rumor to have spread so widely and endured, it must be that this Nine Supreme Immortal Treasure must have something truly special about it.
Shangli City is a vast area, and Bu Xingjin was not in a hurry to travel. When he strolled past leisurely, the sun had already climbed to the middle of the city. It was lunchtime, and the streets were filled with the aroma of food.
Bu Xingjin walked into the Zhenxian Tower slowly and unhurriedly.
From the outside, the Zhenxian Building is just a nine-story pavilion building with a pure wooden structure, covering an area of at most 100 square meters. It looks ordinary and inconspicuous, mixed in with a number of buildings. If you are not careful, it can be easily overlooked.
However, upon actually stepping inside, Bu Xingjin was struck by a completely different world. The lobby was vast, seemingly covering several thousand square meters, a stark contrast to what he saw from the outside, a world of its own. The tables closest to him were empty, while the remaining tables, stretching almost as far as the eye could see, were packed with diners, the sounds of laughter and conversation mingling in a bustling atmosphere.
Bu Xingjin randomly picked a table and sat down. As soon as he sat down, a quick-eyed, clever and intelligent waiter came over with a smile on his face, bowed slightly, and asked politely, "What would you like to eat, sir?"
"I heard that the Nine Extreme Immortal Treasures here are very good. Give me some." Bu Xingjin answered casually.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, sir." The waiter still had a flattering smile on his face, but his words were a little unpleasant to the ear. "This dish, Nine Extremes Immortal Treasures, can't be placed on the table in the lobby. We have to go upstairs. The table in the private room upstairs can fit it perfectly."
It turns out that Zhenxianlou didn't have this rule before. No matter where a guest sat, as long as they could afford the price, they could enjoy the Nine Supreme Immortal Treasures. But one year, a guest in the first-floor lobby ordered a Nine Supreme Immortal Treasure, only to have it snatched away by a jealous resident at the next table. A disagreement erupted between the two, leading to a brawl in the Zhenxianlou, creating chaos and unrest. Since then, the rules have been changed.
Bu Xingjin naturally had no idea of the reasons behind this. He felt a little depressed when he heard the waiter say this. He had already sat down comfortably and really didn't want to go through the trouble of moving upstairs. He simply thought that he could only come back to eat in the evening.
"Then please recommend a few dishes for me. I'll save the Nine Extreme Immortal Treasures for next time."
Bu Xingjin ate, drank, and wandered around Shangli City. In his spare time, he still harbored a glimmer of hope, hoping to meet Qing Yan by chance. Now that his appearance had changed, he was uneasy, wondering if Qing Yan would still recognize him if they met.
Unfortunately, Bu Xingjin had not met Qing Yan until the day that Gu Jiuge said Shang Liling would appear. His expectations were like bubbles, gradually dissipating in this bustling street market.
…………
The morning mist still lingered in the mountains, covering the earth like a veil, lingering for a long time. Outside Shangli City, between the twenty-two peaks, a thousand layers of dazzling spiritual light converged, like a galaxy pouring down, dazzling and illuminating the entire world.
Over Broken Dragon Cliff, the entrance to the secret realm, seven-colored clouds surged and tumbled across the sky like surging ocean waves. The vibrant colors and majestic aura were breathtaking. Faintly visible among the clouds, the shadow of a massive, shattered bronze gate could be seen. Like a mysterious relic from ancient times, it hovered quietly in mid-air, exuding an air of age and majesty, as if telling of a glorious and mysterious past.
From the summit of Broken Dragon Cliff, a fierce wind howled past, its force like a sharp blade, slicing through the air with a piercing whistling sound. The raging wind swept gravel high into the air, swirling wildly among the high-flying banners of the seven great families, making a crackling sound, like the prelude to a fierce battle.
Liu Chongshan, the patriarch of the Liu family, stood steady on the platform like an ancient sculpture. The blood-jade crutch he held, adorned with a vivid relief of a red python, now glowed with a dark, blood-red glow. The light flickered and pulsed, as if alive, as if the red python could break free from the relief at any moment, springing to life and devouring its prey. It was a terrifying sight.
Liu Chongshan's sinister gaze slowly swept across the empty Xun-shaped Jade Platform. His voice was hoarse and dark, like the friction of sand and gravel, harsh and unpleasant, yet also carried a hint of coldness. "No one from the Gu family has come. Humph, I guess that Gu's kid doesn't even have anyone to collect his body. These three Shangli Orders today should naturally be handled by the remaining seven clans through joint discussion!"
The second elder of the Zhao family, gaunt and thin, like a dead tree, stood nearby. His bony fingers slowly stroked two smooth, round beads, which twirled around his fingertips, seeming to wield mysterious powers.
Suddenly, he chuckled coldly, a sound like falling ice chips, breaking the stalemate. "Old Liu, Shang Li Ling hasn't even shown up yet, and you're already so impatient to divide the order. You look like you're afraid someone from the Gu family will crawl out of their coffin and ruin your plans."
Before he finished speaking, the two beads suddenly began spinning frantically, as if stimulated by something, emitting an extremely piercing buzzing sound, like a warning bell. Then, the Zhao family's second elder, with a solemn expression, spoke word by word, "Heaven's warning, blood-red rushing—I'm afraid you won't be able to handle this order today!"
"Humph, whether you can catch it or not is not your place to comment, an old man half buried in the ground!"
Upon hearing this, Liu Chongshan was instantly enraged and slammed his cane to the ground. With a loud "crack," the rubble on the edge of the jade platform shattered and flew everywhere, some of it splashing directly into the faces of the monks below, causing them to gasp in surprise.
Behind Liu Chongshan, eighteen Blood Eagle Guards, like a well-trained black wave, marched forward in unison, their black robes billowing and rustling in the wind. The red python patterns embroidered on their cuffs now glowed with blood, echoing the red python on Liu Chongshan's crutch. Poisonous mist slowly seeped from the python's mouth, filling the air with a pungent, fear-inducing aroma.
Seeing this scene, several elders from the smaller clans retreated in fear. However, amidst the chaotic shoving and jostling of the crowd, they accidentally knocked over the incense burner on the jade platform. For a moment, the ashes from the incense burner drifted away, mixing with the poisonous mist and the tense atmosphere, creating a suffocating feeling of extreme oppression.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
