Having traveled long distances, Chen Sheng was quite experienced.
Crossing several mundane countries, amidst vast deserts, the journey was smooth.
A month later.
Chen Sheng successfully arrived near the Immortal City.
Fenghua Immortal City.
An imposing giant city, sprawling for hundreds of miles, like an ancient behemoth crouching.
Above the city, a layer of visible, continuously flowing halo surrounded it.
This is a Tier Three Grand Array!
Such montum is in no way weaker than Linglong.
The city’s rules are strict; flying at high altitudes is not allowed without special permission.
Chen Sheng rode the Cyan Cloud Shuttle, slowing down one mile from the Immortal City to land gradually.
Then he followed the long line of people, entering the Immortal City in an orderly fashion.
...
Fenghua Immortal City.
Qianxing District, within a tavern.
Chen Sheng listened to a Qi Cultivation Early-stage ’All-Knowing’ servant introducing him to the city’s situation.
These people who have road the city for long are well-inford and dare to take on such business.
"The Immortal City has a total of one hundred and eight districts, thirty-six inner, seventy-two outer."
"The outer seventy-two districts have Tier One Spiritual Veins, mostly Qi Cultivators."
"The inner thirty-six districts enjoy Tier Two Spiritual Veins, which are where shops and caves of Foundation Establishnt elders are located."
Chen Sheng nodded lightly upon hearing this and asked about so more details.
Such as the distribution of various forces, common material hubs, security regulations...
The servant was very knowledgeable and answered clearly and orderly.
Also included nurous details.
Such as which area has the most mortals, where the prices for talismans are most reasonable, and key patrol spots of the guards...
Chen Sheng took a sip of tea, seemingly thoughtful.
He had a preliminary understanding of this Immortal City.
"Not bad!"
Chen Sheng nodded, flicking out two faintly glowing Lower Grade Spirit Stones.
The servant swiftly caught them, his smile blossoming like a chrysanthemum, bowing repeatedly:
"Oh! Thank you, elder, for your generosity! Elder is so generous!"
Leaving the tavern.
Chen Sheng planned to leave the Qianxing District.
This district ranked the lowest among the seventy-two districts.
Below it were only a few branches of Tier One Lower Grade Spiritual Veins.
This place mostly housed early to mid-stage Qi cultivators, supporting families and making a humble living.
There were also mansions of large clans, housing branch families without Spiritual Roots, seeking peace and prosperity.
Chen Sheng ca for cultivation.
Though he was new here.
He aid to extricate himself from this barren outskirts swiftly, in search of a true place for cultivation.
He walked along the streets of the Qianxing District, amidst bustling crowds.
The shops on both sides mostly sold Tier One Elixirs, rough talismans, and unqualified artifact embryos.
Chen Sheng even saw several schools from which the sound of mundane students reciting scriptures ca.
This contrasted starkly with the scene at Linglong Immortal City’s outskirts, predominantly comprising struggling Loose Cultivators or Demon Hunting Teams.
Chen Sheng compared the differences between the two, pondering silently, quickly understanding.
"Compared to Linglong, Fenghua Immortal City is much more inclusive, even accommodating mortals."
"This also relates to the environnt, as Linglong backs onto the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range, filled with bloodshed and opportunities everywhere."
"It attracts powerful Loose Cultivators from all over to hunt demons, seek pills, and strive to ascend to the Upper Realm."
"If one’s strength is weak, venturing to Linglong might leave them with not even a skin."
"Whereas Fenghua Immortal City lies under the nose of the Qinghua Sect."
"It resembles a ticulously planned, stratified giant ecological circle by the Qinghua Sect."
"The upper level draws nutrients, the middle level maintains operation, and the lower level provides labor and basic resources."
"Maintained under the strong constraints of the sect’s will, it has relatively stable order."
"It’s actually similar to the Thousand Machines Workshop, both belonging to Qinghua."
Thinking thusly.
Chen Sheng smiled slightly:
"Stability is good, stability is good!"
"I like stability!"
Chen Sheng did not hope for overnight success.
A steady accumulation was enough.
...
Jiuhua District.
Among the seventy-two districts, firmly in the top three.
Underneath lie several Tier One High Grade Spiritual Veins and even a weak branch of a Tier Two Lower Grade vein.
The concentration of Spiritual Qi far exceeds that of Qianxing District.
The streets are noticeably wide and clean.
The security team here is more powerful, with more frequent patrols.
Here, the cultivators generally had Qi Cultivation levels of six to seven or higher.
There are even so cultivators who have achieved Qi Cultivation Perfection.
At this mont.
Guiding Chen Sheng is a middle-aged broker formally registered in the Jiuhua District, at Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer.
He had a smiling face, looking quite professional.
They were inspecting caves!
The caves they previously looked at didn’t quite satisfy Chen Sheng.
Until this one.
The cave was located in a street in the northwest.
The quality of the Spiritual Vein node was excellent.
As soon as Chen Sheng stepped inside, he was greeted with rich, pure fire and earth spirit qi,
the internal space was spacious, with a practice chamber and a basic form of an Alchemy Room, which could be arranged personally.
Chen Sheng activated his Spiritual Sense, carefully probing the direction and strength of the Spiritual Vein node’s flow, gradually feeling tempted.
The broker, observing Chen Sheng’s prolonged pause, promptly praised:
"Fellow Daoist truly has a keen eye; this Spiritual Vein is at the junction of Spiritual Veins, its spiritual qi is considered top-notch, comparable to slightly lesser inner city caves."
"Should Fellow Daoist wish to rent it, only three hundred Spirit Stones per year, it’s definitely a bargain!"
The broker held up three fingers, his face showing a "you’ve stumbled upon quite the deal" expression.
Chen Sheng nodded lightly.
Although he thought the price wasn’t high.
Bargaining was still necessary.
He quickly started pinpointing flaws with specific rhetoric.
Ultimately securing the price.
Two hundred and twenty Spirit Stones per year, for ten years!
Soon after.
The transaction was completed.
...
Chen Sheng entered his cave.
The cave was spacious, comparable to a luxury residence in the mundane world.
"The spiritual qi here is enough for cultivation before Foundation Establishnt!"
Chen Sheng was extrely satisfied, even enthusiastically naming the cave.
——Heart Inquiry Hall!
Then he casually patted his Storage Pouch.
Taking out an Array Disc and Array Banner.
Array was set up in the core area of the cave.
Soon after.
The core cultivation area of the cave was shrouded in mist, with spiritual qi gathering even more abundantly.
Chen Sheng waved the Array Banner, adjusting the area where spiritual qi gathered.
He shook his head, slightly dissatisfied:
"This Middle Grade Array isn’t enough; there are more channels in the Immortal City, better arrays should be purchasable."
"In a few days, upgrade to a High Grade Array."
Thinking thusly.
Chen Sheng imdiately sat cross-legged on the mat, beginning today’s cultivation.
Four hours later.
Feeling the faint swelling and pain in his ridians.
Chen Sheng finally stopped.
His spiritual sense sank into the storage pouch, beginning to inventory his possessions.
A lifeti of a hundred years.
Chen Sheng hadn’t lived in vain.
Even excluding daily expenses and the cultivation needs of younger family mbers...
Accumulated over ti.
He had amassed an astonishing sum.
"The magical artifact from the last life is sufficient, but there is not much cultivation elixir left and needs replenishnt."
"Over twenty years in seclusion, the Spirit Gathering Array cost more than three thousand spirit stones."
"Just spent another two thousand renting a cave dwelling."
"There are still twenty-one thousand lower grade spirit stones left, which can be used to purchase a Foundation Establishnt Spiritual Object."
Chen Sheng nodded lightly:
"One Foundation Establishnt Spiritual Object is not reliable given my aptitude."
"It would be best to also have a Foundation Establishnt Pill."
"I still need to make money!"
...
In the blink of an eye, another half month passed.
Heart Inquiry Hall.
Brand new array discs replaced the old ones.
Chen Sheng’s ten fingers flew through spells.
Mana connected array banner nodes like threads with precision.
Buzz—!
Light red and cyan-white spirit light filled the entire cave dwelling like a thin veil, finally transforming into a faint mist.
A powerful spirit gathering vortex ford inside.
Purifying and binding the already dense spiritual Qi of the cave, eventually gathering in the cultivation secret chamber.
From the outside, it seed shrouded in mist, yet hidden within it was danger, containing the force of wind and fire, concealed in the fog.
"Wind-Fire Wheel Reversal Array"
High Grade Compound Array.
Combines the four wonders of ’kill’, ’trap’, ’defend’, and ’gather spirit’.
Chen Sheng sold the previous array.
Added another fifteen hundred spirit stones before buying it.
He showed a faint smile:
"This array is adequate for now!"
"When my cultivation is higher in the future, I’ll look for a higher tier array disc to replace it."
...
Days later.
The Heart Inquiry Hall’s small reception hall.
The mist of the Wind-Fire Wheel Reversal Array enveloped the entire cave, exuding an air of untouchable mystery.
The fragrance of spirit tea filled the hall.
Three neighbors were invited to visit, two n and one woman.
Gu Taohua, Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer, Middle Grade Array Master, widowed early, with a young daughter Gu Caiju, runs a shop.
Wang Juhui, Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer, High Grade Talisman Master, a solitary man, frequently roams smoky establishnts, cooperates with several shops.
Li Rulong, Qi Cultivation Perfection, City Guard Captain, also from a small family, with wife and daughter in the clan.
During the interactions.
Chen Sheng revealed his identity as a High Grade Alchemist, still young, yet in Late-stage Qi Refining, with limitless prospects.
All three were keen to befriend him.
Chen Sheng also intended to familiarize himself with these ’local leaders’, build a network, exchange resources, and improve information flow.
Wang Juhui expressed eagerness:
"Fellow Daoist Chen, so young, and already a Tier One High Grade Alchemist, truly impressive!"
Chen Sheng praised his talisman skills:
"Talisman Master Wang from Jiuhua District is the famous one."
Wang Juhui waved his hand, corners of his mouth naturally curving up:
"Not at all, not at all."
Gu Taohua smiled and said:
"Fellow Daoist Chen, this cave’s array seems remarkable."
"Should there be any need for array disc nurturing or improvent in the future, perhaps we can discuss?"
Chen Sheng smiled gently:
"Certainly, certainly."
...
After so casual chat, they beca gradually familiar with each other.
Li Rulong discreetly asked:
"Fellow Daoist Chen, are you perhaps a descendant of the Chen Clan?"
Chen Sheng waved his hand:
"Just a mortal bloodline, an offshoot among offshoots, not in the family records, not a Chen Clan descendant."
Gu Taohua imdiately responded:
"Fellow Daoist Chen is too modest, no matter how distant the relation, blood ties cannot be severed, in the end, it’s family."
"With such talent, if you want to recognize your ancestors and return to the clan one day, a word passed in, don’t you think the primary elders wouldn’t take notice?"
Wang Juhui nodded and echoed:
"Exactly!"
"Being from a noble family is great, getting to speak with Foundation Establishnt elders casually."
"In the future, reaching the Upper Realm gives an overwhelming advantage."
Though Li Rulong didn’t speak, his eyes showed similar thoughts.
The aura of a noble family naturally ca with convenience and deterrence in the hierarchical Immortal City.
Chen Sheng wore a humble smile, choosing not to speak, letting them guess and speculate.
The reputation of the Chen Clan was indeed imposing!
However.
Based on the information Chen Sheng gathered recently.
His thoughts greatly changed compared to before.
Currently.
Chen Sheng didn’t wish to engage with the ’primary branch of the Chen Clan’.
For the following reasons.
First: The Chen Clan’s rules were strict and controlling, prioritizing spiritual root aptitude above all.
Second: The Chen Clan excessively exploited peripheral mbers, emphasized ’dedication’, fully supporting the cultivation of a few Dao Seeds.
Third: The Chen Clan’s Fake Pill Ancestor was nearing the end of his lifespan, only thirty to fifty years away from passing.
Finally, and most importantly.
——Chen Sheng had found a better choice!
...
Fenghua Pill Alliance.
An organization founded single-handedly by Dragon Void Daoist, the Pill Hall Master of Qinghua Sect and Tier Three Alchemy Grandmaster.
It was an affiliated force of the Qinghua Sect, adhering to the doctrine of "Discussing Dao through Alchemy, Gathering Materials to Nurture Talent."
Including nearly all alchemists in the Immortal City.
The managent was far looser than the sect, and far fairer than the family!
The Pill Alliance provided a relatively complete ’promotion’ pathway.
Within the Pill Alliance.
mbers can exchange ’contribution points’ for more advanced skill heritage, pill formulas...
For the particularly outstanding.
They could use this as a step to join the Qinghua Sect’s Pill Hall.
During this period.
Chen Sheng pondered his primary goal.
And corresponding advantages.
His thoughts beca clearer:
"My primary goal now is Foundation Establishnt."
"Of my three talents, lower grade spiritual root is unfavorable for reaching the Upper Realm and can only hold back."
"The other two are beneficial."
"Especially alchemy, now my talent in alchemy has greatly increased, with nearly a hundred years of alchemy experience from a past life as an advantage, it’s truly my greatest asset."
"I must amplify this advantage."
"The Pill Alliance is the best choice, allowing to maximize the value of alchemy Dao and transform it into Foundation Establishnt resources."
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