30: An Yancheng

"Congratulations, congratulations! How does it feel to become an Inner Sect Disciple directly? It seems I really have to take you to see the world at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion in An Yan City this time."

Pan Sheng's face was beaming with smiles, and with a raised hand, he draped his arm over Han Yi's back. "We really have to celebrate properly this time!"

Elder Qu's Aura was astonishing. When he was present just now, everyone kept their eyes down and their minds focused, not daring to make the slightest movement.

The moment he left, everyone instantly became unrestrained.

"Yeah, we really should celebrate properly. Han Yi, this time you've really leaped over the dragon gate like a carp! You have to treat us to a good meal!" Wang Meng, who usually didn't talk much, also smiled broadly and joked.

Wang Meng was previously just an Outer Sect Disciple in the guard team. Now that he could become a camp supervisor, he was already very content.

"Definitely, definitely..." Han Yi scratched his head and chuckled.

The night was deep.

At House Number Nine, the Ninth Squad gathered here.

"There is no feast that doesn't end. Our Ninth Squad should probably disband this time," Li Feng said, a hint of reluctance on his face.

Han Yi was silent. They had discussed this matter just now in the mess hall.

Li Feng had originally come for the 'Pulse Breaking Pill'. Now that he had obtained the pill, he was eager to return to the Sect's inner compound to Cultivate so he could use the pill as soon as possible. Naturally, there was no reason for him to stay here.

Furthermore, when Li Feng returned to the Sect, Elder Li also ordered Li Feng to withdraw from this trial. Otherwise, if he obtained another 'Pulse Breaking Pill' after the trial ended, the Li Family would also become a target of public criticism and an object of the Sect's suppression.

This was the restriction of the Sect. Once one entered the Sect, it was like entering a deep sea; freedom became a stranger from then on. While enjoying the benefits, one would also be bound by rules.

As for Pan Sheng, he had originally participated in this Sect trial out of friendship to help Li Feng. Since Li Feng's goal had been achieved, and he himself had gained the unexpected surprise of two cultivation pills, the 'Essence Tempering Pill' and the 'Blood Transformation Pill', he had even less reason to stay here.

Wang Meng goes without saying. Li Feng had also tried to pressure the Sect through Elder Li to make Wang Meng an Inner Sect Disciple, but Wang Meng's injuries were truly severe. Helpless, he had to settle for the next best thing and could only let Wang Meng become a camp supervisor.

Of course, Wang Meng was quite satisfied with this arrangement. Tomorrow, he would need to head to the Mining Camp to take up his post.

As for Han Yi, he could choose to stay at the guard camp and wait for the Sect's minor competition to end, or he could choose to follow him temporarily to An Yan City and wait.

Li Feng's words, both explicit and implicit, meant that he wanted Han Yi to go to An Yan City with him and Pan Sheng.

Han Yi also understood that if he returned to An Yan City with Li Feng, he would inevitably be classified as part of the Li Family faction within the Crimson Flame Sect in the future.

But the mortal world was like a net. Except for Immortals who did not partake in worldly affairs, who could break free from the mark of these spider silk threads?

Furthermore, Han Yi squeezed the incredibly clear, dust-free 'blood plum handkerchief' in his sleeve. He also wanted to go to An Yan City to inquire about related information!

On a midsummer night, even the breeze was a bit restless. It impatiently passed through the window frame, swirling and blowing against the oil lamps hanging on the wall.

The flames of the oil lamps flickered and swayed, causing the shadows of everyone cast on the pale wall to tremble and sway.

Tomorrow, they would go their separate ways. The room was completely quiet at this moment, and it suddenly became somewhat peaceful.

"Oh right, Han Yi, what do you think about this Sect's minor competition?"

It was still Li Feng who spoke up, breaking the silence.

"Huh?"

Han Yi scratched his head and said, somewhat confused, "Isn't it just a normal Sect competition?"

"According to unofficial sources, this Sect's minor competition being held early seems to be related to the subsequent encirclement and suppression of the Black Wind Stronghold bandits."

"After the minor competition, the Sect will likely make a big move. Hurry up and improve your strength!"

The next day.

Early in the morning, the four of them got up and set off.

After returning their waist tokens and saying goodbye to each other, the four went their separate ways.

Wang Meng naturally went to take up his post as supervisor, heading towards the Mining Camp, while Han Yi and the other two set off towards An Yan City.

The scorching sunlight shone through the thin clouds onto the boundless Black Rock Mountains.

An Yan City was several hundred li away from the guard team camp.

Even though all three were Refining Bone Stage and Lianxue Stage Martial Artists, they traveled the whole way without speaking, rushing as fast as they could, and only reached An Yan City at dusk.

When An Yan City, this towering and magnificent city, appeared before Han Yi.

Although he had heard many descriptions of An Yan City from Pan Sheng, he still felt incredibly shocked after seeing it with his own eyes.

The city walls were entirely constructed from the indestructible black iron stones produced in the Black Rock Mountains, and above the city walls, one could faintly see countless battlements, and on the city top, there were several teams of lightly armored wall-guarding archers.

The sun was setting in the west, and the golden afterglow sprinkled upon the ten-meter-high city walls of An Yan City, making the entire city appear even more magnificent.

In the ancient era of Han Yi's previous life, most city walls were only seven or eight meters high, and even in smaller cities, a height of three to five meters was common.

But in this world, even a small An Yan County could build such magnificent city walls. In the Martial Dao world, truly anything was possible.

Han Yi arrived at the west gate under the guidance of Li Feng and the other person.

An Yan City was divided into the outer city and the inner city. Within the city itself, it was further divided into over a dozen districts, each the size of a township.

The territories of the Crimson Flame Sect and the Qianye Sect were mainly in the outer city, while the forces of the Wang Family and the Huang Family were basically all in the inner city. In the buffer zones between the boundaries of these major forces, there were also some minor, insignificant forces mixed in.

Since the Crimson Flame Sect's territory was mainly distributed in the northwestern part of An Yan City, Han Yi and the others naturally came to the west gate.

By the city gate, several guards saw the token Li Feng presented and respectfully allowed them to pass.

After entering the city, bursts of noisy yet very familiar hawking sounds rose up.

"Selling wine, selling wine! Fu Lin Restaurant's newly brewed plum wine, refreshing and cooling, guaranteed you won't pass the ridge after three bowls!"

"Braised meat, braised meat! A ten-year-old shop, if it's not delicious, don't pay! Guaranteed a mouthful of oil with every bite!"

"Walk by, don't miss out! High-quality rouge and powder! Buy a set to take back, your wife will definitely love it!"

The streets were full of small vendors holding blue cloth umbrellas, selling various foods and miscellaneous goods, while on the street not far away, there were inns, taverns, pawnshops, and all sorts of shops.

The streets were packed with people, shoulder to shoulder. Some customers and vendors were arguing noisily, seeming to complain about the high prices, while others were full of smiles, as if they had haggled to a suitable price and bought something they liked.

Outside the city walls, the setting sun was like blood, and dusk was falling. Inside the city walls, it was like a night market, extremely lively.

Han Yi felt as if he had returned to the bustling street markets of his previous life. Having stayed in the deserted camp for so long, seeing such a 'full of human touch' scene, he was momentarily stunned.