The Dark Ring envoy group, under deliberate arrangement, entered various celestial cities through teleportation arrays. With their own eyes, they witnessed the same prosperity and bustling activity in each of the cities. One fantastical scene after another, constantly surpassing their understanding of the world. Initially shocked, they gradually began to accept it all as normal, as if becoming accustomed to it.
Currently, they were personally received by officials from the Ministry of Rites.
During this time, the Ministry even provided them with a sum of Eternal Coins. Though the amount wasn't large, as long as they didn't splurge wastefully, it was enough to enjoy some of Da Yi's local customs, delicacies, and snacks without any trouble.
Take right now for example—
Jin Li had a huge cigar hanging from the corner of his mouth. On the cigar were two ancient characters in dragon script: "True Dragon." Strutting down the streets so boldly with it, he looked extremely conspicuous.
While walking, he praised it aloud:
"Good stuff, this is really good stuff. Just the name 'True Dragon' sounds powerful. Take a puff, and your spirit immediately feels revitalized, all fatigue vanishes. Strength increases as well—makes me feel like I could forge a top-tier divine artifact right now! What a wonderful feeling!"
He had just bought this spiritual smoke from a shop called the Lingyan Pavilion.
Yes, in this place, it wasn't called a cigar, but spiritual smoke.
There were cigars and spiritual cigarettes, all with exquisite packaging, harmless to the body, and each had unique effects.
Some examples:
Awakening Smoke: Refreshes the mind, strengthens the soul.
True Dragon Smoke: Enhances the physical body.
Azure Cloud Smoke: Increases mana.
Flying Immortal Smoke: Enhances perception of Dao and natural laws.
White Tiger Wolf Smoke: Boosts male virility.
White Snow Smoke: Beautifies women, enhances skin and radiance.
These spirit smokes were hugely popular in Da Yi, especially among bounty hunters—most would carry some on their person.
And this Lingyan Pavilion?
It was founded by none other than one of the Heaven's Favored—Qian Xiaojia.
This guy, after experiencing a bitter lesson in the past, had taken a serious turn in life and committed himself to making and selling spiritual smoke. Relying on his ancestral techniques, combined with the good fortune of a Heaven's Favored, he developed numerous unique blends of spiritual smoke—harmless, and filled with strange and wonderful effects.
As soon as these were released to the public, they quickly gained popularity. Many cultivators fell in love with them, particularly those who lived life on the edge; spiritual smoke became a way to soothe their emotions and nerves.
Years ago, Qian Xiaojia had clashed with Yi Tianxing.
But somehow, he managed to make his way back to Da Yi, and after having a private conversation with Yi Tianxing, was allowed to stay. He then opened his store, Lingyan Pavilion, and its products quickly swept across the market.
Its main branch was in Xuanhuang Holy City, while all the others in celestial cities were franchises.
At this point, Qian Xiaojia's wealth was not much less than that of Da Yi's four great commercial guilds. Even though he only sold spirit smokes, the popularity was overwhelming.
Of course, others in Da Yi were also producing spiritual smoke, but production wasn't high—it required lots of spiritual plants and time. The supply was limited. To expand output, massive spiritual herb cultivation would be required, and that wasn't something that could be done overnight.
Shushan Domain
This domain was filled with tall mountains and treacherous terrains.
The mountains were spiritually rich, and nearly every peak was occupied by cultivators—either for establishing sects or as secluded retreats.
Some mountains were shrouded in massive restriction formations. Mist covered them, clouds gathered above, making the area look like a realm of immortals.
Among these mountains was one that stood out, both for its steepness and spiritual richness.
The spiritual energy gathered naturally here, causing all plant life to flourish vigorously. Everything about the place radiated vitality and mystery.
Underground, spiritual veins ran through the land, powering the formations and blessing the creatures and flora nearby. Even the falling rain carried faint spiritual energy.
Here, every mountain had its own spiritual vein. Though the strength of the veins varied, just having one meant the place was a cultivation treasure ground.
The whole Shu Mountain Domain was like this. Nearly every peak was a cultivation sanctuary, producing an abundance of spiritual herbs and rare treasures.
DONG! DONG! DONG!
Suddenly, the crisp ringing of bells echoed through the air. The sound stirred the mist, making it churn and twist unpredictably. The sight was majestic—like a holy land of immortals.
Atop a mountain stood numerous palaces and pavilions, each grand and extraordinary—clearly not of the mortal world.
At dawn, purple energy surged from the east. On the plazas and in the palaces, tremendous suction forces activated, absorbing the eastern purple qi.
With each inhale and exhale, it looked like a whale sucking in water. Golden light bathed everything below.
In another part of the mountain:
Countless monks in kasayas were practicing martial techniques and divine arts.
In the temples, one could hear the rhythmic sound of wooden fish and chants. The chanting spread throughout the heavens and earth, bringing with it an aura of peace and serenity, a kind of stillness that made one wish to stay there forever, never waking from the dream.
Faintly, as the chanting continued, a giant golden Buddha manifested above the mountaintop, surrounded by mysterious scripture flowing over its body.
On the cliffs above and below the mountain, stood a stone tablet with carved characters:
Mount Wutai!!
This was a Buddhist sect founded here, known as Mount Wutai. Its abbot was Master Zunsheng, a powerful cultivator at the True Spirit realm, already touching the threshold of even higher realms.
The entire 100,000 miles surrounding Mount Wutai fell under its sphere of influence.
Within this territory, many cities had been established, populated by large numbers of human civilians—all relying on Mount Wutai's protection.
At the base of Mount Wutai, numerous homes and settlements had been built by the common folk. Many were working hard in the fields, which had already been cultivated into fertile spiritual farmland.
This farmland wasn't ordinary. It was spirit fields, nourished by the mountain's spiritual veins. They were used to grow not only spiritual rice but also various medicinal herbs.
Among the workers, monks supervised the farming.
What they were growing wasn't ordinary—it was Vajra Arhat Rice, a vital material resource of Mount Wutai.
This rice required spirit fields, but also daily Buddhist chanting to water it spiritually and nourish it with Buddhist energy.
In other words, only under Mount Wutai could such spiritual rice be grown—it required the daily scripture recitations and Buddha's blessings to mature.
This kind of rice was extremely helpful in cultivating Buddhist golden body techniques, making it a highly valuable resource.
Hence, security was tight.
The civilians working the fields had clearly grown used to this life. They looked up to the mountain with reverence.
"Old Sun, your son's already twelve, right? I heard he got selected as an outer disciple of Mount Wutai. You've finally made it!"
Two middle-aged farmers chatted as they worked. Though "middle-aged," they already showed signs of aging.
"Yeah," said Old Sun, proud but firm."The masters at Mount Wutai said the boy's got some talent. Now we'll see if he can make it into the inner sect. Otherwise, he'll be sent away in three years. If he can persevere, I'll give everything I have to support him."
To the civilians here, being accepted by Mount Wutai—even as an outer disciple—was a dream come true.
It was cause for celebration.
They had no hopes for themselves, only that their children might rise above this life, and see a sky they never could.
That's the most sincere wish of any parent.
SWOOSH SWOOSH SWOOSH!!
Suddenly—
Beams of flowing light streaked across the sky. Auspicious clouds descended at the gates of Mount Wutai.
When the clouds faded, seven figures appeared at the mountain entrance.
Among them was a child—not yet an adult, clearly in his early teens. His youthful appearance stood out immediately.
Then they spoke, all at once:
"Envoys from Da Yi's Tongtian Pavilion have come to visit Mount Wutai.We've heard that Wutai is filled with experts and dominates a hundred-thousand-mile territory.We come to seek guidance. Please, do not hold back."
Their voices surged like a tide, echoing across the mountain—not just below, but clearly audible even at the summit.
CLANG!
The hoe in Old Zhao's hand dropped to the ground. His eyes bulged wide as he stared at the seven figures at the gate, mouth hanging open in shock.
Old Sun was just as stunned.
"This… this… is someone issuing a sect challenge? No… this is a full challenge to Mount Wutai!"
"Da Yi… That's the Da Yi Holy Court—the legendary human imperial power! Why are they here?! Are they coming to conquer us!?" Old Zhao exclaimed in fear.
DONG! DONG! DONG!
Urgent bells rang atop the mountain.
The sound carried a heavy weight.