Chapter 618: Chapter 310: The Opportunity of the Ascenders_2
“Indeed, within just one day of ascending, you have already caused the Demon Tribe to retreat. Truly impressive, Lin Yi. Once Senior Li petitions for you, you will surely be granted an audience with the City Lord.”
Zhao Yingchang’s praise is too high. It’s all just a stroke of luck.” Lin Yi responded with a light smile, sipping his tea without actively inquiring about the so-called good news.
Seeing Lin Yi remain so composed, Zhao Yingchang couldn’t help but feel impressed, “From the jade slip, you must be aware that our human race’s territory originally had twelve Spirit Cities. Now, only nine remain, as the other three have fallen to the forces of the demons and the monsters.”
“Out of the twelve cities, there are three main cities situated in the most dangerous areas that also contain the largest number of human cultivators with the strongest power.”
“Fortunately, the three cities that were overrun are only subsidiary Spirit Cities like Qinglian Spirit City. The main city, Flying Spirit Platform, can transfer other Flying Spirit Platforms and human Ascenders from the lower realms, preventing them from falling into enemy hands, a truly tragic circumstance.”
“Out of the three main cities, two of them are located in the territories where the Demon Tribe and the Demon race are the strongest, facing danger head-on. The final main city is in the central hub of the human race, the location of Tai Xuan Dao Palace, known as Tai Xuan Divine City, and it is our last hope.”
“Thousands of years ago, Tai Xuan Divine City was also located on the fringes of the territory contested by the demons and monsters. It was then relocated to the heart of human territory by several Mahayana cultivators using their divine skills, securing the final hope of survival for our race.”
“Spirit Demon-Slaying City is the main city facing the Demon Tribe, and Spirit City of Demon Purging is the one facing the Demon race; the latter is the most dangerous but also full of opportunities. There, one can cultivate faster and become stronger. Thus, despite the dangers, numerous cultivators still wish to venture there.”
Upon hearing this, Lin Yi couldn’t help but smile. It seemed the information provided in the jade slip was somewhat inaccurate.
From this conversation, he had his own speculations. Perhaps, the good news Zhao Yingchang referred to was not within those two dangerous main cities, but possibly in Tai Xuan Divine City. Otherwise, for a newly ascended Cultivator of Huashen like himself to be sent directly to those two main cities would be tantamount to courting death.
Perhaps the armored Void Refinement Cultivators he had seen in his Predict Crisis were guards from one of the three main cities, though he couldn’t tell which one because the vision was very blurred. He could barely make out the color of the armor, let alone details like the lotus patterns similar to those in Qinglian City.
If, as these fellows suggest, the location where he ascended is within one of these surviving Spirit Cities, then the situation is not too severe. However, if it’s within one of the three cities occupied by the enemies, it indicates that this hostile organization has some form of collaboration with the Tribe and the race, which would undoubtedly mean there is a traitor within.
Seeing Lin Yi’s expression remain unchanged, Zhao Yingchang felt a sense of admiration; indeed, a man who could break the Fox Demon Heart without so much as a flinch is extraordinary.
“However, do not worry, my fellow cultivator. The good news I mentioned is not in those two main cities of demons and monsters. Instead, it’s in the safest, Tai Xuan Divine City for Ascenders, because they can improve their cultivation levels quite quickly.”
“Thus, whenever a Spirit City experiences an ascension of a cultivator, the guards of Tai Xuan Divine City will come to conduct a test.”
“If you meet the requirements, you may directly enter Tai Xuan Divine City to endure the trials of the Dao Palace. Even if the trials fail, you can stay within Tai Xuan Divine City. If you pass, you will receive teachings from the Dao Palace, and if your cultivation progress is outstanding, you might even procure precious items by drawing on future merits, which you can use until you grow stronger and then go kill demons and purge monsters.”
“If you are not selected, you can still gain merits by training in other Spirit Cities. In my view, you will certainly meet the requirements, not to mention your incredible feat of breaking the Fox Demon Heart and ensuring twenty years of peace for Qinglian Spirit City right after ascending.”
Lin Yi feigned a slight change in his expression while inwardly smiling, as it was exactly as he had guessed. Now, it remained to be seen whether any of those guards of Tai Xuan Divine City belonged to the organization opposed to the Creation Method.
“According to what Zhao Yingchang has said, it indeed seems like a favorable situation. I did not expect Ascenders to receive such generous treatment.”
Zhao Yingchang laughed out loud, “Hahaha, after all, Ascenders from the lower realms have faced countless hardships to ascend, so naturally, they deserve some preferential treatment.”
“Moreover, within the Dao Palace, there are pills that can extend the period of Crossing Tribulation. If you’re not confident in overcoming the Heavenly Tribulation, you can take the pill to postpone it, though the longer you delay, the more powerful the Tribulation will become.”
“Of course, to enjoy such treatment, you must pass the tests and inspections of the Tai Xuan Divine City.”
“Thank you for the reminder, Hall Master Zhao. I will prepare in advance. May I ask when will the guards of the Tai Xuan Divine City arrive?” Lin Yi nodded in thanks.
Afterwards, he activated the Eye of Emptiness and saw the cause and effect threads between Zhao Yingchang and himself, which had changed from the normal blue color when he first ascended to a pale red color, indicating hostility.
After a moment of thought, he understood. After all, the Eye of Emptiness is based on one’s own strength, producing corresponding effects.
At the time of his ascent, Zhao Yingchang hadn’t shown any hostility towards the Creation Method. Facing a Cultivator of Huashen of the same realm, the Eye of Emptiness couldn’t manifest its full power.
Now, the change in the threads of cause and effect probably signifies that Zhao Yingchang has received some sort of directive, revealing his inner hostility towards the Creation Method.
Lin Yi felt that if he wanted to shear wool in peace, the Tai Xuan Divine City would undoubtedly be the most suitable place. Being one of the three main cities and located in the human core territory, it was exceedingly safe.
Moreover, being the last hope of the human race, there must be a great number of strong human cultivators within the Tai Xuan Divine City.
If he could enter the Tai Xuan Dao Palace with the identity of Invincible East, it would be ideal. If not, he would enter the Tai Xuan Divine City with his true identity and then find a way to shear wool. In any case, he couldn’t stay near the territories of the Demon race and Demon Tribe.
Hearing Lin Yi’s words, Zhao Yingchang smiled. Such a good opportunity would make anyone impatient. He patiently explained, “Apart from the eight Spirit Cities on the fringes, there are other cities without Flying Spirit Platforms within the territory of the human race.”
“All Spirit Cities, as well as some larger cities, have established Teleportation Arrays between them. However, the cost is extremely high, not something that an ordinary cultivator can afford. So, on normal days, one would travel to other cities by Sword Control.”
“The guards from the Tai Xuan Divine City will come through the spatial arrays between the cities. Since there are ascenders in other Spirit Cities, according to the information I have, they should arrive here at Qinglian Spirit City about one month from now. So, Dao friend, you will need to wait patiently.”
“Thank you, Hall Master Zhao, for enlightening me.” Lin Yi cupped his fists in a salute. Indeed, the upper realm already has Teleportation Arrays. In the Lower Realm, to travel between Sects, one has to fly, as there is no existence of such arrays. Of course, those in secret realms are an exception.
The spatial ability that the Dan Immortal Master relied on was also made possible by utilizing the inherent spatial capabilities of the secret realms, not by constructing his own Teleportation Array.
Even after studying secret realms for many years, the Dan Immortal Master was still unable to construct his own spatial formation, because Spatial Power is too mysterious, beyond the perception of those at his realm.
“No need for thanks, I will be counting on you once you reach the Tai Xuan Dao Palace,” said Zhao Yingchang with a smile. With his discernment, if Lin Yi truly passed the Dao Palace’s test and obtained the opportunity to enter and cultivate, then given time, he would certainly soar to great heights.
Lin Yi chatted with Zhao Yingchang a while longer before bidding farewell and returning to his personal abode.
Although he didn’t know the exact size of the human race territory, judging by the size of Qinglian Spirit City, it must be at least a hundred times larger than the Xuanheng Realm below.
Considering this, the guards of the Tai Xuan Divine City seemed to be in a hurry, perhaps knowing that he had ascended from the Xuanheng Realm and couldn’t wait to come and perform the inspection.