176: Pure Intention

The sun set and the moon rose, in a cycle that repeated endlessly.

Life on the flying boat was monotonous; one could only meditate and cultivate daily, occasionally stepping out of the quiet room to admire the scenery outside the window.

On this day, Venerable He Yu's voice resounded throughout the flying boat, "We've arrived at the Mist Sea. Be vigilant of your surroundings at all times."

Xu Sanyan stepped out of his quiet room, peeking his head out slightly to look into the distance. All he saw was a vast expanse of mist churning, like a giant beast ready to devour people, its breathing exhaling and inhaling clouds and mist.

The Mist Sea was so vast that its boundaries could not be seen at a glance. It was utterly silent, without a single chirp of an insect or roar of a beast.

Dead silence.

These two words were Xu Sanyan's first impression of the Mist Sea.

At the edge of the Mist Sea was a small city, appearing as tiny as a beetle when viewed from above.

Xu Sanyan turned his head and whispered, "Elder Ren, why is there a town here?"

Elder Ren was also an old hand within the Sect, with a Mi Dao Realm Perfection cultivation. He was over three hundred years old, making him the most knowledgeable among them.

Since Liu Tang wasn't present, Elder Ren temporarily took his place, helping Xu Sanyan with his questions.

"Replying to Saint, this city is called Mist City, built relying on the Mist Sea. Many Loose Cultivators, in order to obtain Heaven And Earth Treasure from within the Mist Sea, often linger here. Over time, more and more Cultivators gathered, and some people built a city here, forming its current scale."

"Is it safe being so close to the Mist Sea?"

Xu Sanyan heard that countless Yao Beasts and ghosts existed within the Mist Sea. Was this city truly safe being so close to it?

Elder Ren smiled and explained, "Saint, you worry too much. The Mist Sea does not expand, and the Yao Beasts inside will not rush out. For ten thousand years, there has never been an exception; not a single Yao Beast has ever walked out of the Mist Sea alive."

Xu Sanyan looked at the approaching mist, which resembled a vast, boundless city wall, standing majestically and grandly.

"Why can't the Yao Beasts come out?"

Elder Ren was also unsure. "I don't know, but as long as they leave the mist's range, they will instantly die, regardless of their rank."

Xu Sanyan slowly nodded, remaining silent.

The flying boat slowly descended, stopping two li outside the city. After everyone had disembarked, Venerable He Yu waved his sleeve, and the flying boat rapidly shrunk, finally transforming into a miniature boat that landed in his hand.

"The mist hasn't dispersed yet. Let's rest here for two days and wait a bit." Crane Yu led the way into the city.

"Yes." Everyone followed.

The Tongxin Demon Sect had brought about four hundred and fifty people this time, with Xu Sanyan alone leading two hundred and ten.

A large group of Demonic Path Cultivators with various expressions strode into the city, and people they encountered along the way all avoided their path.

"The Tongxin Demon Sect people are here too..."

"It's Venerable He Yu and Flower Maiden..."

"It's going to be lively this time. Prodigies from all over are gathering here: Fang Qingge of the Siyuan Sect, Net Intent of the Tianyi Fumo Temple, the Luo family siblings of the Qidao Sect of Yong Mountain, Mo Xianxian of Shangyin Mountain, and I heard the Demon Sect also has a formidable figure, what's his name... Qi Liang? I don't know which one he is."

"That one," someone pointed at Xu Sanyan, "This person seems to have the most imposing aura, so it should be him."

Xu Sanyan heard their whispers, turned his head, and smiled, not saying much as he strode into the city.

Qi Liang naturally heard it too. He glanced at Xu Sanyan, not bothered by it in his heart.

Mist City was large and populous, especially with the recent opening of the Hundred Saints Secret Realm, which drew even more people. Major Sects and aristocratic families all sent representatives.

Xu Sanyan casually swept his gaze and saw many Cultivators in the Mi Dao Realm.

But no matter what, when Venerable He Yu and Flower Maiden stood on the street, everyone had to give them a wide berth.

The Void Amalgamation Realm was truly the pinnacle of the cultivation world's pyramid!

"Venerable He Yu, Flower Maiden, we meet again. This poor monk offers his respects."

Suddenly, an aged voice came from a street corner. Xu Sanyan turned his head and saw two groups of people watching them from a distance.

A group of monks and a group of Daoists.

The monks' shiny bald heads seemed to be oiled, reflecting light under the sun, making them exceptionally conspicuous.

At the forefront was an old monk in a golden-red kasaya, holding a staff as tall as a man, and wearing a necklace of eighteen Buddha beads the size of a baby's fist.

Elder Ren leaned in and whispered, "They are the old Daoists from the Qidao Sect of Yong Mountain and the monks from the Tianyi Fumo Temple."

"The old Daoist leading them is Daoist Feng Yuan, and the old monk is Ming Hui."

Xu Sanyan slowly nodded, his attention entirely focused on the young monk beside the old monk.

The young monk was about twenty years old, with a handsome face. What was most striking was his small mouth, as rosy as a newborn's, which, combined with his face, made him look like a child from a painting.

"This little monk... he's really f***ing handsome." Someone behind him swallowed, praising him with an ambiguous meaning.

Xu Sanyan silently guessed that he must be Net Intent, the Prodigy who had cultivated the "Great Luo Golden Body" to the seventh layer.

Net Intent was also looking at him from afar, his gaze calm and indifferent, without a ripple. He ignored Qi Liang, Tu Wanshan, and others beside him, only staring at Xu Sanyan.

In Net Intent's eyes, this person wore a light blue long robe, had a straight nose, thin lips, and a very handsome face, but his narrow eyes looked somewhat fierce.

However, what caught his attention most was not the external appearance, but the internal.

The stillness hidden within the skin, emanating from within, was like a detached Heart-Nature that remained unaffected by anything.

Such a Heart-Nature either signified a profound Buddhist nature with an otherworldly Concept, or... a cold and indifferent Heart-Nature, viewing all beings as mere pigs and dogs!

Net Intent vaguely sensed the ferocity on this person!

It could also be called... Demonic Nature!

"What heavy evil intent!" Net Intent murmured to himself.

A young monk beside him didn't hear clearly, thinking Net Intent was talking to him, and asked, "What did Senior Brother say?"

Net Intent shook his head, "Nothing. Who is that person?"

"I don't recognize him. Let Senior Brother go and inquire."

"Alright."

The young monk felt no awkwardness being ordered by his Junior Brother. Everyone knew that the next abbot would undoubtedly be Net Intent.

"Great Master Ming Hui, what a coincidence."

Venerable He Yu smiled and cupped his hands, showing no sign of any past grievances between the two parties.

Then, as if just noticing the group of Daoists from the Qi Dao Sect, he feigned surprise, "Oh, Brother Feng is here too?"

"Heh heh, is Venerable well?"

Daoist Feng Yuan cupped his hands with a forced smile.

Venerable He Yu replied cordially, "Thanks to Brother Feng, all is well."

The two sides were not at loggerheads, ready to fight upon meeting. Instead, they exchanged pleasantries like old friends.

Xu Sanyan turned to look at the Qi Dao Sect's side. A young man and woman stood on either side of the old Daoist, observing Qi Liang and the others.

They were the Luo family siblings, a family with two Prodigies: the elder brother Luo Changtian, and the younger sister Luo Qingwei.

In Xu Sanyan's perception, the threat posed by the Luo family siblings was not as great as that of the young monk Net Intent.

Venerable He Yu had nothing much to talk about with them. After a few casual remarks, they parted ways.

"Let's find a place to stay and wait for two days."

"Yes."