Immortality and cultivation begin with full comprehension.

Chapter 657 Frenzied Shopping Spree, Smuggling Out of the City (Seeking Monthly Tickets at the End of the Month)
The street was fifty feet wide and paved entirely with white jade.

The buildings on both sides are lined up one after another, the shortest of which is nine stories high; all kinds of flying magical artifacts flow endlessly in the sky, but they all follow specific trajectories; in the distance, nine tall towers pierce the clouds, their tips emitting various kinds of spiritual light.

"Those are the Nine Offices, each in charge of various affairs of the imperial court."

Li Yunjing pointed to the tower and explained, "The teleportation office we're going to is under that blue tower at the far north."

With Xiao Yuntian's help, Li Yunjing had a thorough understanding of the capital!
Just then, a clear bell rang out from the air.

Twelve white celestial horses with wings on their backs pulled a magnificent golden carriage across the sky, and all flying magical artifacts gave way in their wake.

"It's a royal carriage!"

People around gasped in surprise.

Li Yunjing quickly pulled the two women to the side of the road and whispered, "It seems that the capital is indeed under martial law, and even the royal family is personally inspecting the area."

After the carriage had driven away, the three continued on their way.

After passing through several bustling streets, a huge square came into view.

In the center of the square, twelve jade pillars carved with dragons surround a three-tiered circular platform, which is covered with complex spatial runes.

"We've arrived at the Imperial Capital Teleportation Array."

A hint of joy flashed in Li Yunjing's eyes. "Let's go and complete the formalities now."

Just as the three were about to step forward, a group of black-armored cultivators suddenly rushed out from the side and surrounded the teleportation array.

"By order of the Prime Minister, all long-distance teleportation arrays shall be suspended immediately!"

The leader coldly shouted, "No one is allowed to leave the capital!"

The crowd was suddenly in an uproar.

Li Yunjing's expression changed slightly, and he quickly pulled the two women into a nearby alley.

"How to do?"

Zhao Qi said anxiously, "The teleportation array has been sealed."

"It doesn't matter."

Li Yunjing pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said, "With such a large population in this city, I don't believe that a prime minister can withstand all the pressure and keep the city under lockdown indefinitely!"

"But how can we conceal our identities during this time?"

Su Muqing asked in confusion.

Li Yunjing's gaze swept across the street to a three-story building with a plaque that read "Tianji Pavilion," and a slight smile appeared on his lips: "Let's go there to lay low for a while."

What would you three gentlemen like?

As soon as the three stepped into the "Heavenly Secrets Pavilion," a manager in blue robes greeted them: "Our pavilion has all kinds of intelligence, cultivation techniques, and secrets."

"I need a quiet room."

Li Yunjing handed over a mid-grade spirit stone, "Bring another pot of 'Tranquil Tea'."

"please!"

The manager understood and led the three to a private room on the third floor.

After the tea was served, Li Yunjing set up a soundproof barrier and asked directly, "Now that the capital is under lockdown, are there any other ways to get to the Northern Frontier?"

"You've come to the right person, sir."

The steward stroked his beard and smiled: "There is indeed a secret passage, but..."

He rubbed his fingers together.

Li Yunjing took out ten high-grade spirit stones and placed them on the table: "Is that enough?"

"At midnight three days from now, in room number three of the 'Fulai Inn' in the south of the city, there is a 'Black Dragon Boat' that can go directly to the northern frontier."

The manager's eyes lit up, and he lowered his voice and said, "Five hundred high-grade spirit stones per person, no bargaining."

"Is it reliable?"

Li Yunjing frowned and continued to ask.

"Absolutely reliable!"

The manager patted his chest and assured him, "This route has been running for over a hundred years without a single mistake. However..."

He hesitated for a moment, "The checks have been strict lately, so the three of you will have to disguise yourselves as cargo and hide in the hold."

"I have another question: why was the capital city suddenly locked down?"

Li Yunjing added five more high-grade spirit stones and continued to ask questions.

"I've heard that some unknown assassins have infiltrated the capital to assassinate the Crown Prince!"

The steward looked around and lowered his voice even further: "There was a big fire at the East Palace last night!"

"what!"

Li Yunjing and the other two were startled.

"It is speculated that the Xiao family was behind it, but whether it is true or not is unknown!"

The manager added another explanation.

However, Li Yunjing scoffed at this news, as he and Xiao Yuntian had a very good relationship.

Xiao Yuntian knew that since the group was heading north, they would definitely not cause trouble at this crucial moment and affect their plans.

This was definitely not done by the Xiao family!
Which cultivators did it?

Assassinating the crown prince would be a momentous event in any dynasty!
No wonder the imperial court sealed off the teleportation array.

That makes sense now.

"Besides the assassination attempt on the Crown Prince, what other major events have happened in the capital recently?"

Li Yunjing took out three more high-grade spirit stones and pushed them over.

"I heard that the imperial treasury was robbed the other day, and a national treasure was lost."

The steward's eyes lit up, and he lowered his voice even further: "His Majesty was furious and executed twelve guard commanders!"

Zhao Qi couldn't help but interject, "Do you know what treasure was lost?"

"This……"

The manager looked troubled. "Such confidential information..."

Li Yunjing understood and added five more high-grade spirit stones.

"It is said to be the 'Mysterious Heaven Mirror,' which can expose all false immortal artifacts."

The steward quickly put the spirit stones into his sleeve: "What's even stranger is that the treasure vault's restrictions are completely intact, as if the mirror itself grew legs and ran away..."

Su Muqing gasped: "Could it be that the artifact spirit has awakened?"

When a magical artifact reaches a certain level, it will also develop a faint spiritual consciousness. This kind of magic begins with spiritual artifacts.

When it comes to magical artifacts or even ancient magical treasures, these artifacts can autonomously attack enemies and protect their masters.

Those that approach the level of immortal artifacts possess almost true intelligence and are no weaker than living beings. It is not impossible for the spirit of a pseudo-immortal artifact to escape.

As a member of the "Northern Emperor School" with a top-tier lineage, he naturally knew this.

That's why Su Muqing asked that question.

"Shh!"

The manager looked around nervously. "I can't say things like that carelessly. But..."

He leaned closer mysteriously and said, "There's a rumor that the mirror was stolen by a mysterious organization called 'Shadow Pavilion'."

Li Yunjing nodded thoughtfully.

He had heard Xiao Yuntian mention the name "Shadow Pavilion" before. It was an underground organization that specialized in taking on all sorts of secret missions, and it was said that they even dared to accept assassination requests from Nascent Soul cultivators.

This organization is also the most mysterious and terrifying organization in the "Luofu Continent".

It is a well-known presence even on the entire "Tianlan Star".

It is definitely one of the most powerful organizations in the entire ancient star, ranking within the top 30.

"There is one more thing I would like to ask you."

Li Yunjing changed the subject, "Has anything unusual happened in the Northern Frontier recently?"

"The northern border region has indeed been quite turbulent recently."

This time, the steward didn't ask for spirit stones: "Half a month ago, a portion of the army was transferred to the south to quell the rebellion, which caused many frictions along the border with the 'Jin Kingdom'."

"What was the result?"

Zhao Qi asked eagerly.

"There has been no fighting yet."

The steward shook his head. "However, notices have been posted in all the cities of the northern frontier, indicating that they are preparing for war at any time."

Li Yunjing exchanged glances with the two women.

It seems that the Xiao clan's rebellion has indeed triggered a chain reaction.

The incompetence of the Zhao royal family has aroused the ambitions of more ambitious individuals, and even other countries have considered taking advantage of the situation.

Of course, such a national war is not child's play.

Before the Zhao royal family truly exposes its weaknesses, the surrounding countries, including the State of Jin, will absolutely not dare to make a move easily.

After all, the "Chang'an Dynasty" was a behemoth dynasty at the Nascent Soul stage!
If you don't kill the snake, you'll be devoured!

"last question."

Li Yunjing took out ten more high-grade spirit stones. "Do you have any clues about entering the 'Huangze Dynasty'?"

"I...I really don't know!"

The manager's expression changed drastically, and he waved his hands repeatedly: "Sir, you'd better find someone else!"

As he said that, he stood up and left.

"Why is the manager so alarmed?"

Li Yunjing grabbed his shoulder and added twenty more high-grade spirit stones: "'Huangze Dynasty' is tens of millions of miles away from here, what are you afraid of! We are just curious and asking around."

"If the three of you really want to know, three days from now, once you've bought your tickets and boarded the ship, some important person will naturally find out."

The manager stared at the pile of spirit stones and gritted his teeth: "Whether you can get the answer or not is up to you."

After saying that, he left in a hurry without even taking the money for the tea.

After the steward left, Li Yunjing immediately set up a new soundproof barrier: "It seems we've come at just the right time."

"The 'Shadow Pavilion' and the assassination attempt on the Crown Prince..."

Zhao Qi still had some concerns.

"It's none of our business." Li Yunjing waved his hand. "Now that we have the opportunity, let's prepare to leave the capital in three days."

After discussing it, the three decided to split into two groups: Li Yunjing would go to prepare for leaving the city, while Zhao Qi and Su Muqing would purchase supplies.

This is the capital of the "Chang'an Dynasty," where caravans and trading companies from all over the continent do business.

Buying items is incredibly easy!
As Li Yunjing was leaving the "Tianji Pavilion", he suddenly felt a gaze on his back.

He pretended to straighten his sleeves, but caught a glimpse of a dark figure flashing past the street corner out of the corner of his eye.

“I’m being watched.”

Li Yunjing transmitted his voice to the two women, "Proceed according to plan, but speed things up. I suspect the 'Inspection Division' has already noticed us."

That night, the three changed inns three times, using disguise talismans to alter their appearance and aura.

Li Yunjing also deliberately set up several decoys in the slums of the south of the city to create the illusion that they were going to hide there.

Starting the next day, Li Yunjing and his two companions began a large-scale shopping spree.

This time, to avoid trouble, the three of them went to all the shops and made their purchases separately.

The three split up and each went to the bustling commercial streets of the capital to purchase supplies.

Zhao Qi arrived at "Wanbaolou", a place famous for selling all kinds of rare materials.

She lowered the brim of her cloak and said to the shopkeeper in a hoarse voice, "Ten high-grade third-level 'Concealment Talismans' and three bottles of high-grade third-level 'Transformation Pills'."

Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper glanced at her again; these were all valuable items for escaping.

During the transaction, she deliberately paid fifty more high-grade spirit stones and whispered, "If anyone asks, just say it was an old man who bought it."

"Understood! We never disclose customer information."

The shopkeeper smiled slightly and nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile, Su Muqing was selecting magical artifacts at the "Heavenly Craft Workshop".

She tapped the counter lightly with her fingertips: "These 'Radiant Bracelets,' plus three heart-protecting mirrors."

She deliberately chose a magical artifact commonly used by female cultivators, but used a voice-changing talisman to disguise her voice as a man's.

Li Yunjing then stepped into the "Treasure Pavilion," a gathering place for merchant caravans from various continents.

As the largest business association on the entire Tianlan Star, Jubaolou has an abundance of everything.

He immediately produced a bag of high-grade spirit stones: "Fourth-tier materials, take as many as you can get."

Seeing his generosity, the shopkeeper quickly served him tea and snacks.

Li Yunjing sipped his tea, waiting for the shopkeeper to take out rare and precious items from the treasure vault.

And so the three of them wandered through the city, changing their clothes every time they entered a shop.

Zhao Qi squandered 20 million low-grade spirit stones at the "Spirit Medicine Pavilion," almost emptying all the third-tier "Healing Pills."

Su Muqing bought three sets of array flags from the "Thousand Machine Pavilion".

Li Yunjing meticulously selected materials for alchemy, weapon crafting, talisman making, puppet making—he bought almost anything that could be used!
Before they knew it, Li Yunjing, Zhao Qi, and Su Muqing had visited every shop in the entire capital. They even bought up the smallest shops as long as they could produce third or fourth-tier materials.

The next day, at sunset, the three met in the alley they had agreed upon.

Li Yunjing suddenly grabbed the two men's shoulders and whispered, "Don't turn around, there are two people watching us at seven o'clock."

Su Muqing pretended to adjust her hairpins and, sure enough, noticed the two men wearing bamboo hats.

"Shake them off."

Zhao Qi crushed a "Mist Talisman," and the three of them instantly disappeared into the suddenly rising thick fog.

After passing through three dark alleys, Li Yunjing suddenly sneered: "What a grand gesture."

Five men in black stood at the end of the alley, their chests embroidered with silver characters that read "Patrol Division".

"Are you three planning a long journey with all this stuff?"

The leader said sinisterly.

A cold glint flashed in Li Yunjing's eyes, and he said in a low voice, "Make your move!"

Before she finished speaking, a sword flashed from Su Muqing's sleeve, and a sharp sword aura aimed straight at the throat of the black-clad man on the far left.

Before the man could react, blood was splattered on the spot.

Zhao Qi formed a hand seal, and suddenly a dark blue array pattern appeared on the ground. The remaining four patrolmen's feet were instantly frozen in ice, and their movements froze.

"court death!"

The leader of the men in black roared, his spiritual power erupting and shattering the ice. He drew a crimson longsword, its blade ablaze with flames, and slashed down at Li Yunjing!

Li Yunjing neither dodged nor evaded, but instead smiled slightly and with a flick of his palm, a bolt of lightning shot out!

"Boom!"

At the moment of the explosion, the spiritual energy within a radius of ten feet instantly solidified, the flames on the black-clad man's blade suddenly went out, and his movements slowed down for a moment.

"Pfft..."

Li Yunjing's "Yin Yang Five Elements Heavenly Evolution Sword" had pierced his heart. With a twist of the sword's edge, spiritual energy shattered his internal organs.

"They are not ordinary cultivators!"

The remaining three "Patrol Division" cultivators were shocked. One of them shouted sharply, "Send the signal quickly..."

"late."

Li Yunjing smiled coldly, flicked his finger, and three "Five Poison Divine Needles" silently pierced through the foreheads of the three men.

"boom!"

The three corpses lay limp on the ground.

Li Yunjing quickly crouched down, searched the five people and found the patrol bureau's tokens and communication jade slips. He then ignited a spiritual fire at his fingertips and burned them all.

“Now that the ‘Patrol Division’ has its eyes on us, security in the capital will only become tighter.”

Su Muqing frowned.

"It doesn't matter."

Li Yunjing stood up, waved his sleeve, and put the belongings from the five corpses into his "storage ring". "If they can't find the bodies in a short time, they will only think they are missing and will not immediately lock down the whole city."

"Let's go back to the safe house first, and leave the city tomorrow as planned."

The three figures flashed and disappeared into the night.

On the third day at midnight, the three quietly arrived at the "Fulai Inn".

Inside room number three, a burly man with a face covered in scars was waiting for them.

"Did you bring enough money?"

The burly man was straightforward.

Li Yunjing tossed over a bag containing 1,500 high-grade spirit stones: "Three people, let's go now."

The burly man examined the spirit stone and nodded in satisfaction: "Follow me."

He moved the bed aside, revealing a deep tunnel.

After walking along the tunnel for about half an hour, the three arrived at a secluded dock.

A small, jet-black boat, its hull covered in concealment runes, was moored on the underground river.

"Go directly to the lower deck after boarding."

The burly man instructed, "No matter what noise you hear, don't come out. We will reach the northern frontier by noon tomorrow."

Just as the three boarded the ship, a series of urgent whistles suddenly came from afar.

The burly man's face changed drastically: "Damn it, it's the 'Patrol Division's' sniper sentry!"

"Get off the cabin quickly!"

He shoved Li Yunjing hard: "We have to set off immediately!"

The "Black Dragon Boat" shot out like an arrow, and almost simultaneously, dozens of flames lit up from the shore.

Arrows flew through the air, only to be deflected by an invisible barrier three feet from the small boat.

Inside the cabin, Li Yunjing saw through the crack that the sinister-looking man was standing on the shore, angrily waving his arms.

Beside him stood the manager he had met at the "Heavenly Mystery Pavilion," now being held captive by two black-armored cultivators, his face covered in blood...

"It seems we've been betrayed."

Li Yunjing sneered, "But it's too late."

The "Black Dragon Boat" drifted downstream and quickly disappeared into the vast underground river.

As soon as Li Yunjing and his two companions stepped into the cabin, they noticed dozens of wary gazes sweeping over them.

The cabin was packed with people, including ragged rogue cultivators, desperate fugitives with sinister expressions, and even a few cloaked cultivators with strange auras. They were all clearly desperate people trying to escape the capital by using the "Black Dragon Boat".

"It seems we're not the only ones who need to use special channels to leave."

Zhao Qi whispered.

Li Yunjing's gaze swept across the cabin, finally landing on an old man in the corner.

Although the man was hunched over, there were faint spiritual patterns flowing on his fingertips, clearly indicating that he was a formation master.

"Let's find a place to sit down first."

He gestured for the two women to follow, and then approached the old man discreetly.

The hatch suddenly closed, the entire ship shuddered slightly, and was completely cut off from the outside world.

In the darkness, someone whispered, "I heard that the Patrol Division has been investigating the Crown Prince's assassination attempt, and even some members of the 'Shadow Pavilion' have been lost..."

"Hush! Be careful!"

Another person warned, "Who knows if there are any spies on this ship?"

"There's definitely more to the story than meets the eye regarding the Crown Prince's assassination. Perhaps someone on the ship was involved in the assassination!"

Li Yunjing and the other two exchanged glances, understanding each other perfectly.

Suddenly, the ship rocked violently!
"boom!"

A muffled thud came from the bottom of the ship, as if something had hit the hull.

"what happened?!"

someone screamed.

Li Yunjing's expression hardened, and he said in a low voice, "No, this isn't normal water vibration..."

Before the words were even finished, the entire ship tilted violently, and everyone inside the cabin was thrown about!
"boom……"

A loud crash came from the bottom of the boat, followed by a torrent of icy underground river water rushing in!

(End of this chapter)