Chapter 196 Barren Ancient City - Floating Skyport
After leaving the Painting World Treasure Mansion, Li Mu casually put away his Celestial Shuttle Spirit Ship and flew directly to Bitian City.
Holding the Illusory God Sect's special transit token, he traveled unimpeded.
The welcoming Disciples of the Illusory God Sect greeted him respectfully, answering all of Li Mu’s questions and informing him that he could take the teleportation array to Barren Ancient City in three days.
Li Mu temporarily stayed in the Illusory God Sect’s courtyard.
Three days passed in a flash.
Under the guidance of an Illusory God Sect Disciple, Li Mu arrived at the teleportation array to wait for it to activate.
Over a dozen Nascent Soul cultivators stood at the front, with rows of Golden Core cultivators respectfully waiting behind them, not daring to overstep.
Time flew by, and almost everyone who was going to use the array had arrived. Just then, a commotion suddenly arose from the back of the queue.
Two Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators were led by an Illusory God Sect Cultivator to the front of the grand teleportation array. The Illusory God Sect Nascent Soul cultivator, with a smiling face, waved his hand, and a domineering Spiritual Pressure cleared the way, causing the Golden Core cultivators to quickly step aside.
Under the guidance of the Illusory God Sect Nascent Soul cultivator, the two Nascent Soul cultivators, dressed in cyan brocade robes, flew directly to the very front of the teleportation array.
“Fellow Daoists, there’s been a slight issue. The teleportation will be temporarily paused for a while, and we need everyone’s cooperation. Please bear with us, Fellow Daoists. We will refund a portion of the teleportation fee later.” The Illusory God Sect Nascent Soul cultivator stood suspended in the air, apologizing to the ‘customers’ using the teleportation array with a look of apology.
Li Mu frowned. Although he was displeased, he didn’t show any emotion.
Several Nascent Soul cultivators beside him began to discuss discontentedly, and Li Mu quickly pricked up his ears to listen.
“Strange, what are the Kun Family people doing here!”
“What’s wrong with the Illusory God Sect? They don’t even dare to offend the Kun Family? How overbearing!”
“I heard that a direct descendant of the Kun Family perished in the Wangxing Sea area and lost a valuable treasure. Could they be here for that?”
“An ancient Cultivator’s water mansion ruin was discovered in the Wangxing Sea. Many Fellow Daoists died exploring it!”
“I haven’t heard of that! What kind of water mansion ruin is it?”
“Forget it! It’s better not to inquire about such a dangerous place!”
“…”
Several Nascent Soul cultivators whispered, guessing the Kun Family’s intentions, and the topic gradually drifted to the water mansion ruin.
After hearing this gossip, Li Mu’s brows furrowed slightly, and he couldn’t help but become vigilant.
Previously, the Kun Family Cultivator who sought his help in the Wangxing Sea had indeed revealed his identity. Li Mu vaguely remembered that after hunting the Octopus Demon King, he conveniently collected their Relics .
Thinking of this, Li Mu couldn't help but look at the storage grid, where the two forgotten storage rings were.
Storage rings cannot be stored within the nine storage spiritual pearl, which is also a storage Spiritual Artifact, so Li Mu had put them in his storage grid. Later, busy with exploring the Azure Moon Flood Dragon’s lair and capturing the Flood Dragon, he completely forgot about checking the spoils of war.
The death of this direct descendant of the Kun Family seemed to be inextricably linked to him. The Octopus Demon King he killed had now become his Artifact Spirit.
As for what was stored in the storage rings, Li Mu didn't know for now, and he wasn't planning to take them out anytime soon.
The Kun Family was so anxious and made such a big fuss, it must not be ordinary items. The storage grid that came with the panel had a mysterious isolation function; as long as they weren't taken out, they absolutely wouldn't be found.
Thinking of this, Li Mu breathed a slight sigh of relief, a relaxed expression on his face, and watched the two Kun Family Nascent Soul Cultivators’ every move with interest.
The two Nascent Soul cultivators of the Kun Family jointly controlled a dark green turtle shell Spiritual Artifact, injecting a large amount of spiritual power into it, releasing a powerful might, and generating a mysterious ripple that spread in all directions.
Li Mu looked at the turtle shell Spiritual Artifact. Under the Heavenly Talent - Ten Thousand Spirits Identification, all its information and attributes were displayed.
【Eight Trigrams Pattern Turtle Array Armor】
【Rank: Six-tier Array Artifact】
【Characteristics: Eight Trigrams Array, Array Artifacts connected, Eight Trigrams Spirit Sealing, Heaven Suppressing Absolute Domain.】
【Status: Array Artifact incomplete, Artifact Spirit corrupted.】
【A Six-tier Array Artifact refined from Six-tier Eight Trigrams Pattern Spirit Turtle Shell, Six-tier Heavenly Poria Stone, and Six-tier Causal Spirit Silk. It can form the Absolute God Spirit Sealing Eight Trigrams Grand Array with the Absolute God Plate and Spirit Sealing Hammer, two other Six-tier Array Artifacts. It gathers all Qi and isolates spirits. Currently, two Array Artifacts are missing, and the Artifact Spirit of the Eight Trigrams Pattern Turtle Array Armor is severely damaged!】
After seeing the attribute information of the turtle shell array artifact, Li Mu was surprised, but also understood the intentions of the two Kun Family Nascent Soul cultivators. They were trying to activate the Eight Trigrams Pattern Turtle Array Armor, using its spiritual power to draw out the other two array artifacts!
However, the two Nascent Soul cultivators of the Kun Family cast spells for a long time, but there was no reaction at the scene. Their efforts seemed like those of two fools, having no effect except wasting their time.
Li Mu watched them casting spells, smiling without a word.
He didn't know whether the storage ring dropped by the Kun Family Cultivator contained the Absolute God Plate or the Spirit Sealing Hammer, or both. Since they were in his storage grid, Li Mu wasn't worried they would be drawn out.
Li Mu had experimented with the storage grid’s isolation function many times. No matter how strong the Divine Sense or how close the connection, it could not be traced. The Celestial Void Cauldron and the Seventh-tier Fire Phoenix Egg were all like this.
“You two, that’s enough, isn’t it!” The Illusory God Sect Nascent Soul cultivator looked at the two Kun Family Cultivators with dissatisfaction, gesturing.
“Elder Qiu, we apologize for the disturbance! We will do our utmost to fulfill the agreed-upon matter!” The silver-haired old Cultivator of the Kun Family apologized to the Illusory God Sect Nascent Soul cultivator, then turned to the crowd waiting to use the teleportation array and apologized: “Fellow Daoists, we are sorry for delaying your journey. The Illusory God Sect will handle the compensation, and we will not disturb you further.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the two Nascent Soul cultivators of the Kun Family hurriedly left, as if they had never been there.
“What are they doing! So mysterious!”
“I don’t know what valuable treasure the Kun Family lost to make the Illusory God Sect cooperate so much. They probably had to pay a lot!”
“That Spirit Armor seems to be a six-tier spirit treasure! As expected of the Kun Family, they’re so rich!”
...
As the Kun Family Cultivators departed, the Golden Core cultivators and Nascent Soul cultivators waiting for the array to activate began to discuss, with various speculations.
Li Mu’s eyes showed a thoughtful expression, and he kept this matter in mind. Perhaps there would be an opportunity to ‘cooperate’ with the Kun Family!
A Six-tier Array Artifact!
Having witnessed the power of the Yu Ling Sect’s Sect Protection Grand Array, Li Mu fully understood why the Kun Family made such a big fuss!
After half a day, the grand teleportation array finally activated.
Perhaps having had previous experience, Li Mu steadied himself, and this time, he safely traveled through the teleportation array.
Soon, Li Mu took the teleportation array, and after several transfers, he finally arrived at Barren Ancient City half a month later.
Barren Ancient City, located at the junction of the Central Continent and the Southern Spirit Domain, is a core hub where two continents converge. It boasts a large aerial port, with various Spirit Ships and Treasure Ships laden with goods constantly taking off and landing. Cultivators come and go, making it incredibly prosperous.
Barren Ancient City covers an extremely vast area. To its left is a surging river, and to its right are continuous mountains. Above it is an aerial Floating Skyport. Seeing how prosperous and lively Barren Ancient City is, the cultivation resources must be incredibly abundant.
Li Mu was not in a hurry to go to Yin Yang Valley immediately.
He had just acquired two Flood Dragon bones, both severely damaged in spirituality. He needed to find Fifth-tier Mystic Nether True Water and Yao Beast essence blood to soak them in to restore their spirituality. In addition, he also needed to purchase a batch of High Grade Talisman Paper and various auxiliary cultivation Materials.
Li Mu decided to stay in this city for a while first. Organizations like the Wanbao Pavilion and Tianji Pavilion should have branches established here.
Li Mu used the Star Concealment Divine Ability of his Divine Soul and swept his Divine Sense around, discovering that the Illusory God Sect actually had a Soul Transformation Cultivator stationed here. To avoid any complications, he quickly retracted his Divine Sense and flew away.
From a high altitude, Barren Ancient City was divided into a dozen different areas. In the center of the city was a high-floating spaceport, with Spirit Ships and Treasure Ships coming and going in dense numbers, a magnificent sight.
It is worth mentioning that, apart from the floating spaceport, there were no Cultivators flying in the air. All the streets within Barren Ancient City were for pedestrians.
As soon as Li Mu flew out of the Illusory God Sect’s teleportation area, he encountered a patrol team. The Foundation Establishment patrol captain stepped forward, cupped his hands, and informed him that flying was prohibited in Barren Ancient City except for major Sects, Families, and within a ten-li radius of the Floating Skyport. If travel was inconvenient, one could rent a carriage or take a vehicle-type Spiritual Artifact.
Li Mu looked down at Barren Ancient City, watching the orderly Spirit Beast carriages and vehicle-type riding artifacts, and nodded, agreeing to abide by this rule of Barren Ancient City. He also knew the reason why Barren Ancient City set this rule.
The aerial Floating Skyport above Barren Ancient City had too many Spirit Ships and Treasure Ships coming and going, densely packed, thousands upon thousands. If Cultivators were allowed to fly freely, order would certainly be impossible to maintain.
Li Mu looked at the other party and inquired, “Hmm! Does this city have the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion and Tianji Pavilion? Where are they located?”
“Reporting, Senior, Barren Ancient City indeed has the Wanbao Pavilion and Tianji Pavilion established here. They both have branch headquarters at the Floating Skyport. Senior, this must be your first time in Barren Ancient City! I have a Jade Slip here that records the situation within the city, as well as various forces and some necessary rules to abide by within the city…”
The Foundation Establishment patrol captain enthusiastically introduced to Li Mu, and then took out a Jade Slip from his In arms and offered it with both hands.
Clearly, this wasn't his first time doing such a thing.
Li Mu smiled slightly, promptly took out a few High-Grade Spirit Stones and threw them to the other party, then took the Jade Slip.
The Foundation Establishment patrol captain was overjoyed and quickly cupped his hands in thanks. After confirming that Li Mu had no further questions, he led his team away.
Li Mu took the Jade Slip and extended his Divine Sense into it.
Barren Ancient City has four city gates: East Barren Gate, West Barren Gate, North Barren Soul Gate, and South Barren Gate. In the center is a Cloud Floating Port, with nearly a thousand Spirit Ships and Treasure Ships coming and going daily. It is the convergence point for cultivation resources between the Central Continent Spirit Domain and the Southern Spirit Domain, and it is the last supply city before passing through Celestial Pillar Peak to the Central Continent Spirit Domain.
Massive amounts of cultivation resources from the two continents converge here, thus Barren Ancient City has attracted the attention of numerous forces. Several large Sects from the Central Continent Spirit Domain, the Eight Great Ancient Families, and commercial powers have all established presences in Barren Ancient City.
Xuantian Sword Sect, Taiyi Holy Sect, Illusory God Sect, …, and also the Eight Great Ancient Families: Ouyang Family, Kun Family, Ji Family, …, they occupy a large amount of business within Barren Ancient City, spread across various industries, as well as numerous third-rate families relying on large Sects and Families, ….
In short, Barren Ancient City gathers the major Sects and Family forces from two Spirit Domains, and also harbors some rogue Cultivators, Demonic Sects, and Demonic Cultivators. Various forces converge, commerce is prosperous, and it is a complex Immortal Cultivation city.
Having learned about the situation in Barren Ancient City, Li Mu transformed into the appearance of ‘Zhang Laotou’. Without concealing his Nascent Soul Cultivation, he strode towards Barren Ancient City.
With Li Mu's Nascent Soul Stage Cultivation, taking a hundred zhang in one step was too simple. There was no need to hire any beast carriages or vehicle-type Spiritual Artifacts.
Upon arriving at Barren Ancient City, he paid one hundred Mid-Grade Spirit Stones as an entrance fee. Entering Barren Ancient City, Li Mu headed directly to the city center, took the Heavenly Cloud Ladder, and ascended to the Cloud Floating Port.
Upon reaching the Floating Skyport of Barren Ancient City, as far as the eye could see, there were only Cultivators above the Golden Core Stage, unlike the city below where Foundation Establishment Cultivators and Qi Refining Cultivators were mixed in.
In the core area of the Floating Skyport, several tall buildings stood. Tianji Pavilion, Wanbao Pavilion, True Spirit Building, Ancient Treasure House, … The major business associations from the two great Spirit Domains had all established their branch headquarters here, showing both competition and a tendency to form alliances.
Having witnessed commercial competition in his previous life, Li Mu was not surprised by this scene. He walked directly towards the Wanbao Pavilion, with whom he had dealt the longest.
A nine-story building covering tens of mu stood tall, its hall resplendent. The three large characters of “Wanbao Pavilion” inlaid with gold and jade were particularly dazzling under the sunlight.
The main entrance of the Wanbao Pavilion was wide open, with Golden Core cultivators and Nascent Soul cultivators coming and going. One could even sense the powerful auras of many Soul Transformation Cultivators.
Li Mu entered with composure.
A young maiden in a green dress, with a respectful smile, quickly stepped forward to greet him: “Senior, your maid, Wan’er, is at your service. What are your needs? Medicinal Pills, Spiritual Artifacts, or are you looking to sell items? Our pavilion is dedicated to serving you.”
“Hmm! Do you have High Grade Spirit Plant seeds! High Grade lightning and fire element beast hides, High Grade Demon King souls, High Grade Yao Beast essence blood, Mystic Nether True Water? Bring me the inventory lists for these spiritual items so I can take a look!” Li Mu, familiar with the process, went straight to the point and requested.
Hearing this, Wan’er’s eyes lit up slightly. This posture clearly indicated an old customer of the Wanbao Pavilion!
“Yes, yes, Senior, please come with me to the VIP room to sit for a moment, I will go get them right away!” Wan’er made an inviting gesture and enthusiastically invited him.
Li Mu nodded and followed her to the VIP room.
In the VIP room, Li Mu took the main seat, and the maid served Spirit Tea.
Wan’er came and went in a hurry, carrying several thick record books of Materials, which she respectfully handed to Li Mu: “Senior, please take a look.”
Li Mu nodded, took the account books, and quickly began to browse and select.
“A pen!” Li Mu reached out and asked for one.
Wan’er readily complied, and in less than two breaths, she presented it with both hands.
“3 sheets of Fifth-tier Thunder Lion hide, I’ll take them all. Fifth-tier Ci Beast soul, …, Fifth-tier Heavenly Origin Crystal, I’ll take them all, …, there’s so little Mystic Nether True Water. When will the next batch be available? I’ll take all of these, …” Li Mu took the pen and began to circle and mark the desired spiritual items on the warehouse ledger.
Seeing this, Wan’er trembled with excitement, overjoyed.
“There is indeed little Mystic Nether True Water, only nine thousand drops. Senior, please tell me how much you need. The next batch can be transported from the Central Continent in three days.”
Three days was too short, so Li Mu nodded and agreed, directly asking for two hundred jin, not by drops.
Hearing this, Wan’er confirmed in shock: “Senior, are you sure you want two hundred jin? Not twenty thousand drops?”
Happiness came too suddenly. Wan’er was dizzy from this unexpected windfall. If this order could be completed, it would be worth decades of her effort.
“That’s right! Hurry and write it down!” Li Mu confirmed with a nod, continuing to browse the ledger.
This customer was too generous. Such a huge order was a bit too much for Wan’er to handle. Some of the spiritual items involved too high a clearance, and Wan’er had no authority to make decisions. So, she apologized to Li Mu and invited the manager of Wanbao Pavilion.
