Transmigrating to the Qi Cultivation Path, I became an outdated Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Chapter 111 Qizhou Region [Seeking 10,000 daily subscriptions]

A month later, on the edge of a vast plain, two figures rode side by side on swords. They were Lin Yuejing and He Sheng, who had been traveling north.

"Master Xiang, Shangfu Immortal City is located just ahead. Why don't we rest there for a while and continue our journey tomorrow?"

Lin Yuejing, looking travel-worn, had a hint of fatigue on her face.

She originally intended to travel north with He Sheng on the Sky Treasure Ship, but unexpectedly, He Sheng suggested that they travel north by sword, taking advantage of the fact that the Core Formation Ceremony was still some time away, so as to experience the local customs and culture of Qizhou.

Lin Yuejing thought about it for a moment and agreed, but she didn't expect that He Sheng would look around carefully as soon as he entered Qizhou. Moreover, he was incredibly fast. In half a month, he traveled 20,000 to 30,000 li, which really exhausted her.

Fortunately, several thousand miles northeast of Shangfu Immortal City lies Tianyue Lake, where the Moon Glow Sect is located. If she perseveres a little longer, she can still get by.

He Sheng looked in the direction Lin Yuejing was pointing and saw a golden light suddenly appear in the center of the plain.

As we continued our journey and got closer, we saw that it was a layer of pale golden light.

The light curtain was over a hundred feet high, piercing the clouds, like an inverted giant bowl, encompassing an area of ​​dozens of miles.

The surface of the light screen was covered with dense, intricate patterns, each line slowly moving, radiating a chilling aura.

Spiritual pressure fluctuations.

This is the protective formation of Shangfu Immortal City, a high-grade third-tier Shangfu Heavenly Net Formation. Its power is so great that even Golden Core cultivators dare not venture into it.

"Huh?"

This immortal city doesn't even have city walls?

He Sheng exclaimed in surprise. Lin Yuejing, standing to the side, said without any surprise, "Shangfu Immortal City is already located in the heart of Qizhou. This place has been peaceful for a thousand years, so it doesn't matter whether there are city walls or not."

He Sheng nodded, his gaze passing through the pale golden light curtain, where he saw magnificent buildings and bustling crowds.

The city was bustling with activity, and the area outside the city was equally prosperous.

Even several miles away from the light curtain, the official road was already lined with densely packed bamboo sheds and wooden buildings.

There was a warehouse that dealt in spiritual materials, with piles of raw spiritual ore like small mountains at the entrance, and several shirtless Qi Refining cultivators were hammering and banging with specially made iron hammers.

There were shops that made low-grade pills, with dozens of large ebony vats lined up in front of them. Thick medicinal pastes were simmering in the vats, bubbling and bubbling, the aroma of the medicine mixed with the smell of burning flesh, making one's head ache.

There were also shops that specialized in buying and selling animal supplies. The cages at the entrance contained all sorts of strange and wonderful beasts. Some lay listlessly at the bottom of the cages, while others bared their teeth at passersby.

Even the airports were built outside the city, with two huge airports, one in the south and one in the north, soaring into the clouds.

A spaceship emerged from the clouds and slowly approached the airport. Before it had fully entered the harbor and even come to a complete stop, a group of strongmen swarmed aboard, shouting in accents from all over the country: "Carry the cargo! Carry the cargo! Five coins for ten thousand catties!"

"The goods from the Wanling Merchant Guild can be obtained for just ten laborers, each receiving twenty magic coins."

"Make way, everyone, don't block the way to disembark, lest you offend our esteemed guests."

The sky and the ground were filled with their own clamor, as if a pot of boiling water had been poured onto this plain, making it a bit too noisy.

Lin Yuejing was not surprised at all. She led He Shengluo to the south side of the city street, and they walked through the bustling warehouse area towards the pale golden light screen.

The closer you get to the light screen, the more orderly and imposing the buildings on both sides become, gradually transforming from bamboo sheds and wooden buildings into two-story pavilions with blue bricks and gray tiles, each with a gilded signboard hanging in front of its door.

The greeters were replaced by low-level cultivators dressed in uniform, each with a smile and impeccable manners.

The city's protective formation has ten gates, each with a checkpoint specifically set up for inspection.

Lin Yuejing led He Sheng closer to a gate, where they saw a dozen or so patrolling cultivators dressed in dark blue robes standing on both sides, collecting entry fees from each person.

This fee is not cheap; it's five coins per person for the Eight Views Dharma.

In addition, these black-robed cultivators also possess a magical artifact that can roughly measure the size of a cultivator's storage bag. Cultivators entering the city also have to pay a tax.

He Sheng didn't know exactly how it was calculated, but he was charged a tax of 1,200 coins.

Despite his apparent mastery of the nascent Core stage, the black-robed patrol team members, most of whom were only at the Qi Refining stage, treated him with utter disdain.

Seeing that He Sheng's expression was not good, Lin Yuejing explained, "Master Xiang, this is the rule in Shangfuxian City. We should enter the city as soon as possible, stay at an inn and cultivate properly, so that we can set off early tomorrow."

As Lin Yuejing spoke, she took out a handful of coins and paid her own tax first.

Seeing that even this true disciple of the Moon Glow Sect couldn't be exempted, what else could He Sheng say? Naturally, he obediently paid up.

After passing through the array gate, it was as if the world had changed; a dense, almost tangible, spiritual energy rushed towards them.

There was none of the complex smells outside the city, a mixture of sweat, medicine, and animal odors, nor the clamor like boiling water.

After they entered the city through the array gate, they were connected to Qingque Street, a street wide enough to accommodate four spirit beast carriages side by side.

The street is paved with solid green jade bricks, with fine fragments of luminous sand embedded in the brick seams, which shimmer slightly when stepped on.

The shops on both sides of the building all have flying eaves and brackets, carved beams and painted rafters, and colorful, shimmering signs hanging in front of their doors.

The streets were crowded with pedestrians, but most of them were silent.

Only in the middle of the street, where cultivators in brocade-covered carriages and fine robes chat and laugh loudly, do people talk and laugh.

He Sheng glanced around and his gaze fell on the huge notice board standing at the city gate.

The sign was covered with rules, from prohibiting flying and fighting, to the head tax and customs tax for entering the city, to the ward fees for entering each ward, and the requirement for visiting cultivators to stay in designated areas, etc.

There are dozens of such rules, each followed by the amount of the fine for violating them.

"There are really a lot of rules in this Shangfu Immortal City."

He Sheng muttered something under his breath.

Lin Yuejing stood beside him and said, "This is how it is under the jurisdiction of the Eight Scenery Sect."

There are many rules and heavy fines, but as long as you follow them, no one will make things difficult for you.

Despite this, her tone was undisguisedly cold, clearly indicating that she did not approve of Qizhou's approach.

He Sheng's gaze fell on those people who were talking loudly, and a hint of doubt appeared in his eyes. This was because there was a rule on the sign that prohibited loud noises in the street, but these people completely ignored the rule.

"Master Xiang, there's no need to be surprised. These people are disciples of the Eight Scenery Sect's aristocratic lineage. No matter how many rules the Eight Scenery Sect has established, they can't control them."

Lin Yuejing's tone was no longer aloof, but rather carried a clear hint of sarcasm.

He Sheng had heard a thing or two about this.

The so-called aristocratic clans are the immortal clans that have existed for generations. They are the families established by the six disciples under the founding ancestor of the Eight Scenery Sect.

These clans have existed for thousands of years.

In short, these are all people from Qizhou.

The disciples of those six great families, as long as they have noble bloodlines, are not people that cultivators can afford to offend, even if they are just ordinary mortals.

It's that same old bloodline supremacy trope again, and this is even a behemoth sect that dominates an entire state.

It seems that Piao Ge's strategy back then wasn't entirely wrong, and it might even be the mainstream view in this cultivation world.

After all, when one attains enlightenment, even one's chickens and dogs ascend to heaven. By human nature, one would naturally wish that all one's chickens and dogs were connected to one's own, or even related by blood.

But... can this really ensure that the immortal race will enjoy immortal blessings forever?

He Sheng shook his head, having no answer in his heart.

Throughout the journey, He Sheng remained quite silent, simply following Lin Yuejing step by step.

However, after traveling through the city for a while, he realized that he had underestimated the aristocratic disciples.

"...Speaking of which, the other day, Sect Leader Lin once again defied the Hundred Arts Sect and returned their congratulatory gifts unopened. Tsk, it's amazing that he could come up with such a thing."

A handsome young man leaned against the vermilion railing of the teahouse, gently waving a folding fan in his hand, his tone full of sarcasm.

"What manners does a mere son-in-law know?" someone chimed in, leaning back lazily in his chair. "If it weren't for the old patriarch of the Kang family's momentary lapse of judgment in passing the leadership to him, how could he be so powerful today?"

"That's not quite right," the other person said slowly, setting down his teacup. "Sect Leader Lin is quite methodical in his work. Although he comes from humble beginnings, he has worked diligently over the years, and the implementation of the Dharma Fund has been quite successful..."

"Smooth sailing?" The young man with the jade crown sneered, snapping his folding fan shut. "That's all thanks to the spirit stone reserves that our entire Qizhou has accumulated over the years."

The wealth accumulated by the former sect leader has been squandered by him over the years.

Besides, what's the use of acquiring so many resources? Can resources feed us? Can they make us cultivators? They're nothing but a pile of money-grubbing.

"That's right," the person who had spoken earlier chimed in. "Those who cultivate the Tao should prioritize a carefree mind and find joy in discussing the Tao."

Spending all day preoccupied with mundane affairs, how are they any different from ordinary peddlers and laborers?

We, the sons of noble families, are born to contemplate the profound mysteries of the Tao; those mundane affairs will be handled by those below us.

He Sheng followed Lin Yuejing through three streets and heard similar pronouncements in several places. Most of the people speaking were so-called disciples of aristocratic families.

These people all pride themselves on being refined and elegant, consider themselves superior, and always talk about profound mysteries, enlightenment, and immortality.

As a result, most people's cultivation was mediocre, and many were even less skilled than the courtesans they were holding.

Lin Yuejing clearly didn't want to listen to these aristocratic disciples' lofty discussions, and she would quicken her pace whenever she heard them.

She seemed quite familiar with this Shangfu Immortal City, and after a few turns, she found a quiet and elegant inn.

The inn, named Jingyueju, was hidden behind a maple forest. Separated from the hustle and bustle of Tianfu Street by only half an alley, it was a completely different world.

With its green tiles and white walls, nestled among lush bamboo, the stone slabs in front of the door still bear traces of morning dew.

The innkeeper was an elderly man with gray hair and beard. Upon seeing Lin Yuejing, he immediately came out to greet her, addressing her as "Uncle-Master Lin."

His attitude was respectful yet warm, clearly indicating that they were old acquaintances.

Clearly, this inn was opened by a vassal family of the Moon Glow Sect.

"Two superior rooms."

Lin Yuejing's words were concise and to the point.

The shopkeeper readily agreed and personally led the two to the backyard.

After passing through the moon gate, a bright and open space suddenly appeared before me.

The backyard is a bamboo grove, in which several independent bamboo houses are set out, each far apart and undisturbed by the others.

The bamboo hut was small, but its interior was quite elegant, with a plate of spiritually potent fruits on the table.

He Sheng entered the bamboo hut and sat cross-legged to regulate his breathing. When he opened his eyes again, he was full of energy and vitality.

Outside the window, the moon was bright and the stars were few, with a gentle breeze blowing.

Ta-da...

Suddenly, footsteps came from outside the window. He Sheng sensed that Lin Yuejing had come out.

She changed into a simple, moon-white long dress, with only a silver silk belt tied around her waist. Her black hair was casually tied up with a jade hairpin, giving her a cool and aloof air with a touch of nonchalance.

After a period of rest and recuperation, the woman's fatigue disappeared, and she looked much better.

"Master, are you ready to adjust your breathing?"

"This night is long. Since this is your first time visiting Shangfu Immortal City, why don't you let Yuejing take you out for a stroll?"

Lin Yuejing's rare initiative to invite him surprised He Sheng.

"Since Fairy Lin has taken the initiative to invite me, how could I possibly refuse?"

He Sheng naturally wanted to see more of the scenery of Shangfu Immortal City, so he and Lin Yuejing left Jingyue Residence side by side.

Lin Yuejing was very familiar with the layout of Shangfuxian City and led He Sheng to the west of the city.

There is a small lake in the west of the city, named Moonlit Lake.

The lake covers an area of ​​only a hundred acres, and its water is clear and blue like jade.

In the middle of the lake is a small island with several pavilions and towers built on it. The flying eaves and brackets are reflected in the water, creating a picturesque scene.

The two walked slowly along the lake shore.

The lake breeze ruffled the stray hairs at Lin Yuejing's temples, and her exquisite figure, hidden by her robes, was faintly revealed by her moon-white long dress.

She seemed much more relaxed, introducing the place to He Sheng while recounting a few interesting stories about herself and the place, occasionally revealing a smile. Under the moonlight, she possessed a beauty reminiscent of a blooming orchid.

However, He Sheng was quite clear-headed, knowing that this woman would not act this way for no reason.

Sure enough, Lin Yuejing probably felt that her overtures had worked and was finally about to reveal the sex scene.

"Master, are you aware that your master values ​​you highly?"

It may not be that they value it, but it is ultimately useful.

He Sheng knew perfectly well what was going on, but his face showed a look of astonishment.

He has been in this world for eight or nine years. If he still doesn't understand the mentality of these high-ranking immortals and doesn't know how to handle them, then he has truly wasted his life.

"What makes you say that, Fairy Lin?"

"Yue Jing felt that she understood her master quite well. Ordinary rogue cultivators, even those who had transcended tribulation to achieve the Golden Core stage, might not be taken seriously by her master."

However, the fact that Master sent Yuejing personally south to escort Master Xiang north shows how highly Master values ​​Master Xiang. In Yuejing's opinion, Master Xiang might one day become a member of our Yuexia Sect.

Fellow disciples?

He Sheng's heart skipped a beat when he heard this. He hadn't expected Luo Yong to be right!

Back then, I asked Luo Yong what I could get from Ying Ruyue if I could refine a [True Water] Dao artifact. Luo Yong thought that if I could obtain a legitimate identity from the Moon Glow Sect, that would be a chance to rise to the top in one step.

Surprisingly, it actually came true.

However, He Sheng knew that he probably could not become a formal disciple of the Moon Glow Sect, and would most likely be a guest elder or something similar.

Regardless of one's status, if one can even glimpse the "Water Moon Cave Void True Sword Technique," then it will be completely worthwhile!

He Sheng's face showed excitement, and he was about to say something when an unfamiliar voice interrupted.

"Hey, isn't that Fairy Lin from the Moonlit Cloud Sect?"

Several new disciples from aristocratic families, dressed in brocade robes, arrived at the pavilion on the island in the middle of the lake. One of them, a young man with phoenix eyes, saw Lin Yuejing and immediately called out to her from afar.

"Fairy Lin, it's a rare encounter in Shangfu Immortal City. Why not come ashore and have a drink together?"

He Sheng saw Lin Yuejing frown slightly, showing a rather displeased expression, but she quickly adjusted herself, turning around to respond while transmitting her voice to He Sheng: "This person is a member of the Kang family, named Kang Yushu. He studies at the Tianfu Academy under the Bajing Sect. He is a direct descendant of the Kang family and should not be treated lightly."

The Kang family can be considered the number one vassal family of the Eight Views Sect. The current sect leader of the Eight Views Sect, Lin, is the son-in-law of the Kang family.

Lin Yuejing clearly couldn't afford to offend a disciple of such a prestigious family. Her telepathic message to He Sheng served both as an explanation and, naturally, as a way to appease him, since He Sheng hadn't been invited to the island.

He Sheng naturally understood Lin Yuejing's meaning, and simply said, "Fairy Lin, please go ahead. I'll go for a walk myself."

Lin Yuejing went to the island in the middle of the lake alone.

The pavilion on the island is named "Lanyue Pavilion," with flying eaves and brackets, carved beams and painted rafters, and fist-sized luminous pearls hanging at the four corners, which shimmer with a soft glow even in the daytime.

Inside the pavilion was a jade table about ten feet long, laden with all sorts of exquisite delicacies and fine wines, each of considerable value.

After Kang Yushu invited Lin Yuejing to sit down, he exchanged a few pleasantries and then began talking with the other disciples of the aristocratic families.

"I went to Baiyimen a few days ago and commissioned a set of 'Fireflies and Flying Flames'," it was quite a grand affair. I'll wait a while longer to refine it.

"Alright, when the time comes, we'll activate it under the moonlight, and fireflies will fill the sky—that will be a truly magnificent sight."

A slightly overweight young man spoke with great enthusiasm.

"Fireflies and sparks? Those things are just for show, they're completely useless." Another person scoffed. "Last month I bought a set of Cold Origin Heavenly Crystal Beads at Wanbaolou," a full twelve beads, each the size of a fist. If placed in my cave, the spiritual energy within a hundred feet radius would be increased by thirty percent."

"Only thirty percent?" Kang Yushu put down his teacup and said casually, "Last month I brought a Crimson Flame Wutong tree from the south and planted it in front of the main hall of the villa. In just one month, it has grown to three feet tall. In a few more years, it will attract phoenixes to roost. Only such a spiritual tree is worthy of our status."

Although He Sheng had already walked far away, after listening to the words of these aristocratic disciples, he initially thought they were talking about magical artifacts and precious materials. Later, he gradually realized that these people were simply showing off their wealth!

Cultivating immortality, cultivating immortality, in the end what is the difference between the cultivation world and the mortal world?

The major sects of the immortal realm monopolize the inheritance, possessing eight or nine tenths of the world's resources.

Meanwhile, scions of aristocratic families like Kang Yushu of the Eight Views Sect, dressed in fine clothes, indulged in pleasure, engaged in grand discussions, took pride in belittling the sect leader, and found joy in comparing their own extravagance.

He Sheng shook his head inwardly.

Before he went north, to be honest, he still had some idealized views of the major sects of the immortal sects. But after this trip, he is now convinced that the current Eight Scenery Sect is nothing more than a flower in full bloom and oil on a hot fire.

If the situation changes, Qizhou will inevitably descend into chaos.

These major immortal sects are not monolithic; wouldn't that be the perfect opportunity to break down their barriers and seize the inheritance of the Qi Absorption Divine Path?

Thinking it over, He Sheng suddenly felt enlightened and filled with confidence for the future.

Lin Jingyue did not return until the moon was high in the sky and the night was deep.

As soon as the woman returned, she came to talk to He Sheng again. Upon meeting him, she made no attempt to hide her disgust, saying, "These scions of noble families are all so self-important."

They often gather in groups of three or five, engaging in grand discussions, taking pleasure in belittling others, spouting lofty ideals and profound truths, yet each one is more arrogant and extravagant than the last, and they still consider themselves superior, looking down on this and that.

These scheming and despicable people happen to occupy half of the cultivation world in Qizhou.

"And who knows what the future holds..."

Clearly, Lin Yuejing also felt that if the Eight Views Sect continued like this, a major disaster would inevitably occur sooner or later.

However, these are all things for the future, and He Sheng did not chime in, but instead turned the topic back to his so-called fellow disciples.

"Fairy Lin mentioned before that you might become fellow disciples with someone in the future, but I don't know what this fellow disciple means."

'

"Judging from Yue Jing's perspective, Master should recruit Master Xiang as the enshrined weapon refiner of our Yuexia Sect."

It was indeed an offering.

What He Sheng was most concerned about was whether this offering could access the core inheritance of the Shuiyue lineage, but he naturally wouldn't ask directly. He simply said, "Since it's just an offering, I can breathe a sigh of relief. After all, I am a high-level cooperative weapon refiner of the Sitong Chamber of Commerce and also an elder of the Yuanxia Immortal City Lord's Mansion."

Both places have treated me well, so it's not good to completely sever ties.

He Sheng was naturally speaking ironically, but Lin Yuejing seemed not to understand, and only said: "Yuijing is just guessing. How Master will recruit Master Xiang is ultimately up to Master to decide."

At this point, Lin Yuejing hesitated for a moment, then said, "Yuijing and Master Xiang have been friends for several years, and I am happy to become fellow disciples with Master Xiang in the future."

I have a request, and I wonder if the master might grant it?

After much back and forth, Lin Yuejing finally revealed her purpose, but He Sheng's expression turned strange after hearing what she wanted.