I'm in Yellow Maple Valley, and I have one equipment slot!

After explaining the route, precautions, and how to contact others in the city in detail, Zhou Yuan did not delay any longer. He put all the essential supplies, pills, materials, spirit stones, and the "Ninefold Sealing Pill Array" in his cave into his storage bag, leaving only some less important daily necessities and disguise.

He then quietly left the cave and headed straight for Tianzhu Peak.

Master Mulong had been waiting. Seeing Zhou Yuan arrive on time, he smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Zhou is indeed punctual. Shall we set off now?"

"Thank you for your trouble, Fellow Daoist Mu."

Zhou Yuan nodded.

Without another word, the two rode their own escape lights and left Kui Xing Island.

They sped off toward the direction of Tianxing City, deep within the vast inland sea.

Shortly after Zhou Yuan left, Yuan Yao and Yan Li, following Zhou Yuan's instructions, began to tidy up the cave in an orderly manner.

They carefully packed up the pills, cultivation manuals, jade slips, some spirit stones, and some personal belongings that Zhou Yuan had left behind, which were useful for their cultivation.

About half a month later, after confirming that no one was paying special attention to them, the two women quietly left the Jade Peak Cave without disturbing anyone.

After leaving Kuixing Island, they followed the route Zhou Yuan had given them, flying about three hundred miles northeast to reach an inconspicuous little deserted island.

After staying there for an hour and confirming that it was safe, they continued their journey in the general direction of Tianxing City.

And in the hidden corner of this small, deserted island, Zhou Tian had been lurking there all along.

After the two women left, he remained like a loyal shadow, keeping a safe distance and following them all the way.

With this "Shadan" cultivator secretly protecting them, the two women's safety is basically guaranteed unless they encounter a Core Formation stage cultivator or a large-scale ambush.

The Inner Star Sea appears orderly, but in reality, it is turbulent beneath the surface.

Even in relatively safe shipping lanes, robberies and raids still occur from time to time.

Murder and plunder are highly profitable, and this is extremely attractive to many desperate or greedy cultivators.

Some powerful forces, for ulterior motives or to quickly accumulate resources, will even disguise their actions as raids on cultivators.

Some cultivators are only after money, while others are ruthless and will definitely kill anyone who speaks up. With Zhou Tian, ​​a Core Formation cultivator, secretly protecting them, Yuan Yao and Yan Li's journey was much safer.

……

Four months later.

Above a vast, azure sea, two streaks of light flew one after the other, moving at a leisurely pace.

It was Zhou Yuan and Mu Long Zhenren, who had been traveling together for several months.

A late-stage Core Formation cultivator and an early-stage Core Formation cultivator—such a combination is enough to deter most ill-intentioned individuals.

The journey was uneventful.

This was the first time Zhou Yuan had ever traveled such a long distance continuously.

Fortunately, his cultivation was profound and he had elixirs to replenish his strength, so he didn't feel too tired.

After flying for several more days, a huge, extremely blurry black dot appeared faintly where the sea and sky met.

"Brother Zhou, we're almost there!"

Master Mulong perked up, pointed at the black dot, and laughed, "Brother Zhou, you'll surely be quite surprised to see Tianxing City for the first time!"

"I've long heard that Tianxing City is the largest city in the Chaotic Star Sea, and it's incredibly magnificent. I've been looking forward to it for a long time," Zhou Yuan replied with a smile, his gaze also fixed on the distance.

As the distance closed, the black dot rapidly enlarged, and its outline gradually became clear.

That was no ordinary island, but a colossal city that nestled against a towering mountain and spiraled upwards!

Even from a distance, a magnificent and overwhelming aura that presses down on the mind is already overwhelming!

As Zhou Yuan flew closer, he finally saw the whole picture.

The city's layout was unlike any city he had ever seen before.

Based on a towering, cloud-piercing mountain in the center of the island, the buildings spiral upwards like vines, layer upon layer, until they disappear into the clouds.

The base of the giant mountain is also completely covered by all kinds of buildings, layer upon layer, extending all the way to the edge of the island, leaving almost no gaps.

Without a doubt, this is the legendary number one city in the Chaotic Star Sea—Tianxing City!

Looking at the countless houses that stretched to the horizon and were as small as ant nests, and the main body of the mountain that seemed to connect heaven and earth like a giant pillar, even Zhou Yuan, who was mentally prepared, could not help but feel a strong shock when he saw it with his own eyes.

The written descriptions from my past life are far less than a fraction of what I saw with my own eyes!

Only when they flew within a few dozen miles of Tianxing City did Zhou Yuan and Mu Longzhen slow down their escape speed. This was because the nearby airspace was no longer empty, and the escape lights of other cultivators began to appear from time to time, some near and some far, all pointing towards Tianxing City.

After flying another twenty or thirty miles, the various colored lights in the sky became even more concentrated. Huge ships also appeared on the sea, riding the wind and waves, heading towards the giant city.

We finally arrived at the edge of Tianxing City.

Only then did Zhou Yuan realize that this magnificent city was actually surrounded by a towering stone wall, tens of feet high, tightly encircling the coastline.

The stone wall stretched as far as the eye could see, its imposing presence awe-inspiring. At its base were more than a dozen gates of varying sizes, some serving as docks for mortal ships, others as bays for tamed beasts, and most of all, relatively "short" city gates for cultivators.

Under the guidance of Master Mulong, Zhou Yuanfei headed towards one of the city gates used by cultivators.

Despite being described as "short," when Zhou Yuan landed and looked up, he couldn't help but gasp in astonishment—this so-called "small city gate" was actually seven or eight zhang tall! The gate was deep enough to allow large monsters or caravans to pass side by side.

At this moment, a Foundation Establishment cultivator was talking with two guards at the city gate, who were dressed in the white robes that were the symbol of the Star Palace.

After paying three low-grade spirit stones, the cultivator received a light blue ring from the guard, casually put it on his hand, and was then allowed to enter the city.

Master Mulong led Zhou Yuan forward and directly showed a golden token to the two white-robed guards. The token was clearly engraved with the two ancient characters "Kui Xing".

"Greetings, Lord Kui Xing Island!" The two guards clearly recognized the identity represented by the token and immediately bowed respectfully.

"This is Fellow Daoist Zhou, a newly promoted Core Formation cultivator who wishes to enter Tianxing City."

Master Mulong spoke to the guards, then turned to Zhou Yuan and explained:

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, according to the rules of the Star Palace, all cultivators entering the city must obtain an identity ring."

Core Formation cultivators can obtain a red ring for permanent residency free of charge. Those with cultivation levels below Core Formation must spend 800 low-grade spirit stones to obtain a blue ring.

Zhou Yuan nodded, his aura of early-stage Core Formation emanating from him was undisguised, perfectly meeting the requirements.

Even if there was something unusual about his aura, with the identity of the island lord, Master Mulong, guaranteeing it, it would be enough for him to handle it for free.

"Yes, Island Master!"

The guards responded, and one of them immediately took out a bright red, smooth-textured ring from a specially made storage bag at his waist, handing it to Zhou Yuan with both hands:

"Senior, please keep your identity ring safe. This ring grants you permanent residency and free entry/exit within Tianxing City. Private duels are strictly prohibited within the city; violators will be severely punished. Please be aware of this, senior."

Zhou Yuan took the red ring. It felt slightly heavy in his hand. He scanned it briefly with his divine sense and found that the ring was engraved with simple identification array patterns and the words "Tianxing". There were no other abnormalities.

He put the ring on the index finger of his left hand, and the size fit perfectly.

Thank you for your trouble.

Zhou Yuan nodded to the guard.

"Please come in, both of you!"

The guard stepped aside to make way.

Master Mulong and Zhou Yuan exchanged a smile and walked side by side into the towering city gate.