《Consuming Earths, Devouring Skies 》Chapter 27: Entering the City
Advertisement
After asking a few more questions that lifted up the hazy fog he felt he was in, he left Lin Feilin and returned back to his original group. They awaited his return very diligently. When they saw him stride back over, they each revealed their own unique expressions. The Bai Brother's had smiles on their faces, filled with gratefulness and relief. It seemed they assumed that Yan Zaizen may leave and join the group comprised of Vanishing Fiend Disciples. Ying Sumian had a calm expression, but her eyes contained an unusual glint that was very hard to read. While Xing Xuehan had a wide-smile and took the initiative to walk over and greeted him on his return.
"Shall we enter the city?" He asked, looking at the giant gate comprised of black steel. He couldn't help but notice the walls once more and marvel its craftsmanship. They even had etchings of a turtle with a serpent for a tail with a ferocious expression that seemed remarkably lifelike. From his knowledge, this was the depiction of a legendary Xuanwu. However, from his understanding, the Xuanwu was a divine beast, not a disaster beast.
Divine Beasts all had the strength that was at the minimum at the True Cloud Realm, a realm beyond the Origin Core. This level of strength could be considered the very peak for a country such as Presba, but to divine beasts, they were all born at this level. He wished that one day he could see a real Xuanwu beast in the flesh.
They approached the gates and paid the fee for entry. Regardless of what faction you belonged to, you had to pay a monthly membership at the least to gain entrance to the city. Luckily, it wasn't too expensive. This would have to constantly be renewed if you wished to stay within the city, and even if you decide to reside in the city for just a day, you still had to pay for the full month. Thus, many hunters would exploit full advantage of their month-long membership.
With the wealth he obtained from those hunters, he paid his way rather easily. The others were already prepared and experienced and thus had yearly memberships paid already. They just showed their badge and entered.
Advertisement
The inside of the city was magnificent. The streets were wide, the crowd varied from the weak to strong, and there were so many colorful venues out there. He learned that the city actually had their own natives, and the natives would earn money by acting as guides amongst hunting parties. He also learned that Su Fengyan was one of the natives who joined their party under the guise of traveling. They met misfortune after misfortune, which was actually normal for hunting parties, but in hindsight, it may have been Su Fengyan's way of whittling down their group - which she accomplished.
"Where do we sell our harvest?" Yan Zaizen asked no one in particular, looking about like a tourist. Ever so often, his eyes would shine with a light of fascination.
"If you want the best and fairest of prices, you can go to Great Serpentine Emporium." Ying Sumian answered promptly. Explaining further, "The Great Serpentine Emporium is owned and run by the Earthly Titan Sect. They are the largest and most profitable exchange within the entire Xuanxu City. However, to enter, you must either have a high enough cultivation or proof of wealth."
"Proof of wealth?" Yan Zaizen questioned curiously.
"Yes. You must be able to produce a rank three beast core, display a certain amount of liquid essence or have a reputation. As for cultivation, you need to have at least the initial-Essence Formation cultivation base." Ying Sumian's knowledge was broad, especially pertaining to requirements. Yan Zaizen couldn't help but take a look at this bespectacled woman. Many of his questions from the past few weeks have been answered by her in a perfect manner each and every time.
Seeing him look her way, Ying Sumian just slightly smiled in response. Yan Zaizen kept feeling this girl wasn't simple, at least her intelligence wasn't low. "So let's go there." He suggested. The rest nodded. It seemed like they were his entourage, going where he goes, waiting where he waits and doing what he does. He was never this popular before but he could get used to this feeling.
As they proceeded on the way, Yan Zaizen realized that the number of factions in the city was extraordinary. Many first-rate, second-rate, and third-rate sects had bases here, except the Water Veil Sect and Soaring Cloud Sect. However, that was only expected considering their standings with each other. Even the Solitary Sword Sect had members here. Each and every one of them had extraordinary auras and cultivation bases. They truly earned their right of being called the number one sect in the entire Presba, undisputed.
Advertisement
"The Solitary Sword Sect is located quite far from here, but they temper a few of their talents in the Basilisk Forest. Each disciple of the Solitary Sword Sect has extraordinary battle prowess and foundation. There's a saying in the Basilisk Forest: 'Never fight a Solitary Sword Cultivator with the same cultivation, regardless of the numerical advantage'." Ying Sumian listed off some things she knew seeing Yan Zaizen curiosity.
He was startled by the saying. Wouldn't that mean that the Solitary Sword Sect was undefeatable at the same level of cultivation? Is that even possible?
Truly, the world was filled with all sorts of things.
The Great Serpentine Emporium was stellar in both size and appearance. It was shaped like a palace covered in the same black metal used to build the gates, and a giant snake similar to the tail of a Xuanwu was surrounding it. It demonstrated an aura of immensity and ferocity that one felt to their core. He couldn't help but gulp in surprise. Even the Yan Clan, a second-rate clan, couldn't be measured up in ferociousness to this single palace.
The door guard looked towards Yan Zaizen's group with calm eyes as they approached. Yan Zaizen looked towards this scrawny old man with narrowed eyes. He may just be positioned as a door guard, but his cultivation alone was at the Qi Unification Realm, likely initial or mid. With his keen spiritual sense, he could easily deduce this man's cultivation regardless of how he tried to hide it.
"Greetings, Senior." He politely said while clasping his hands, not underestimating this man. The others in Yan Zaizen group, especially Xing Xuehan, was surprised by his actions. It must be understood that this doorman's cultivation was masked, making it seem like his cultivation was only at the peak-Qi Revolving Realm. Therefore, many would be disrespectful and only go through the formalities with the man to gain entry. Even the man was surprised by Yan Zaizen straightforward greeting, but he regained his calm appearance after some thought.
"Present your badge or proof for entry," he stated curtly.
Yan Zaizen didn't find his tone rude but simply tapped his spatial bag to reveal the rank three Katori core. The door guard was unable to keep his calm expression any longer, looking at Yan Zaizen, he seemed to be an ordinary cultivator with a shaky Qi foundation and a firm Body cultivation, but nothing too impressive. As for his Soul Cultivation, the man couldn't see through it like Han Genji could. It wasn't the matter of cultivation difference, but simply that Yan Zaizen knew how to control the emissions of his spiritual sense now and thus wasn't so easily seen through unless you were at the Origin Core Realm.
Analyzing the core for a second, "Will you be selling?"
"Yes, senior." He responded again, not skipping on the politeness.
The door guard looked at Yan Zaizen with narrowed eyes, then looked towards the people around him then asked, "They will be your guests?" Yan Zaizen nodded in response. The door guard wasted no more time, tapping his spatial bag to reveal a token of entry and tossed it towards Yan Zaizen rather rudely. Yan Zaizen simply caught it and thanked him in response. However, the others in the group felt this door guard was being too full of himself and wanted to put him in his place, but considering where they were, they didn't.
They simply proceeded inside the emporium.
After they passed, the door guard couldn't help but look at Yan Zaizen. "This boy, even after my rude action, he remained calm, and there wasn't an ounce of hatred in his heart. Yet, the others that follow him couldn't hold back and even wanted to defend him. His politeness wasn't fake either." He thought further on the matter and smiled.
Interesting.
Advertisement
- In Serial108 Chapters
Mother of Learning
Zorian is a teenage mage of humble birth and slightly above-average skill, attending his third year of education at Cyoria's magical academy. He is a driven and irritable young man, consumed by a desire to ensure his own future and free himself of the influence of his family, whom he resents for favoring his brothers over him. Consequently, he has no time for pointless distractions or paying attention to other people's problems. As it happens, time is something he is about to get plenty of. On the eve of the Cyoria's annual summer festival, he is killed and brought back to the beginning of the month, just before he was about to take a train to Cyoria. Suddenly trapped in a time loop with no clear end or exit, Zorian will have to look both within and without to unravel the mystery before him. And he does have to unravel it, for the time loop hadn't been made for his sake and dangers lurk everywhere... Repetition is the mother of learning, but Zorian will have to first make sure he survives to try again - in a world of magic, even a time traveler isn't safe from those who wish him ill. ********************************** If anyone is interested, I have a story-related worldbuilding site that can be found here. I don't update it as often as I should, but there is a fair amount of content there already. It also contains a page with all the fanart, fan translations, audio books and the like - you can reach it directly by clicking this link. I have a patreon account for those kind people that want to give me money. It also contains info for those who want to donate via paypal. The story was originally posted on fictionpress, back in 2011. When I reached chapter 91, I started uploading the story to RoyalRoad, one chapter per day. The story will continue to be updated on fictionpress as well as here, and can be reached by clicking on this link if somebody is interested, though at this point there is nothing there that isn't also on RoyalRoad. ********************************** The cover you see on the side has been made by a fellow RoyalRoad user Sydorow. Thank you for your time and art skills.
8 131 - In Serial9 Chapters
The Road of Voracity
He was an addict, a loser, a despicable human being. But, one fleeting dream that may not have been a dream at all reawakens his once-lost senses.
8 219 - In Serial15 Chapters
The Lord of Portsmith
Our world is gone. The new world is as bizarre as it is dangerous. Alan lives the solitary life of a wasteland scavenger, but when he encounters a strange young girl from a faraway land who shares his psychic gifts, he is forced from a life of meagre survival into one of violence and endless peril. Dangerous, powerful, mad, people want the pair captured for purposes unknown, presumed nefarious. Machine gun wielding maniacs and mutant sorcerers are only some of the threats at their heels, but what lies ahead? Is there any such thing as safety amongst the wastes, or can such a thing only be earned by sweat and blood?
8 154 - In Serial14 Chapters
Road To Immortality! Again!
Nex who have reached the Peak of his World got bored from being an immortal. In his world, all living things worship him. Kings,Elves,Fairies, Demon kings and even Gods feared him. He became the Teacher of the Heroes. Father of Kings and Queens and even Ancestors of elves. But he gave up all of that and kill himself.But on his surprise not only he got reincarnated he also have the same body as before?
8 68 - In Serial26 Chapters
17 year old Jordyn walker moves to Brighton, Shes not very happy about it, she went to the pier and sees a trampoline park, *fuck it* she thought and went inside. once they told her it was rented out she went to walk out the door"hey! wait!"
8 280 - In Serial26 Chapters
True Ruler
Fourteen-year-old Iruma has been unfortunate all his life. However never did he gave up to reveal his secret. No one was after all alowed to know it.What happenes when he find out that his adoptive parents sold him to a demon?What if that very own demon only wants a grandson and nothing more?At first, Iruma tries to keep a low profile in fear of his peers discovering that he is a dragonkin. Unfortunately, this ends up being more difficult than he expected. Even under normal circumstances Iruma was never allowed to reveal his true nature and race. His parents never cared much for him, since he wasn't their own flesh and blood. What will happen to this little dragon in his new environment?Will he be able to keep his secret?Find out yourself!A/N:This is more or less a copy of my other book which is a crossover. I am doing this because I was dared and get cookies if I finish it :). Feel free to correct my bad writing.Rights on the pictures go to the artist.I do not own Mairimashita! Iruma-kun! , rights to the owner.
8 213

