469: The Asura Realm

“This is our capital, Shenyin City! Our Dongyu Country has three cities and twelve districts. This Shenyin City is the largest of the three cities, the seat of the royal family, and the most prosperous one!”

Hasan introduced the massive city before them to Tang Ku and the others, his heart filled with pride. “It’s a pity that we low-level hunters haven’t accumulated enough points, so we can only live in the outer city with our families for now. The inner city is a place where only the wealthy can live. But fortunately, thanks to our benefactor’s gift, we low-level hunters will be able to move into the inner city!”

Tang Ku and the others exchanged glances. Tang Xian frowned slightly and asked, “Has your city always looked like this, or has it only changed into this state in recent years?”

“It’s always been like this. Is there something strange about that?” Hasan asked, looking perplexed.

“Nothing, just asking casually...” Tang Xian felt even more puzzled, as the city before them bore absolutely no resemblance to the ancient cities they had imagined.

The massive steel walls were thirty meters high, and atop them were several cannon-like objects pointing diagonally toward the sky. Between every battlement, a soldier clad in metal armor stood guard. The weapons they held were actually something resembling firearms, except these firearms were connected to a long tube at the back, with the other end of the tube attached to a metal backpack they carried, giving off a strangely sci-fi vibe.

After paying the city gate fee, the group entered the city, and the moment they went inside, they were instantly dazzled.

“Good grief, what kind of city is this...” Tang Xian couldn’t help but click his tongue, “It’s full of steampunk style...”

That’s right, it was steampunk style! There were no skyscrapers in this city; the tallest buildings were only five or six stories high. However, the buildings here were basically constructed using interlocked metal and brick, looking quite sturdy. Moreover, the vehicles moving on the streets looked like carriages, but there were no beasts of burden pulling them. Looking closely, every carriage had something like a backpack on the back, with two cylindrical objects—one emitting black smoke and the other white steam. At the front of the carriage was a control panel with a spherical metal object. Has everyone seen 'The Wandering Earth'? The operator controls the movement and direction of the vehicle through this object!

Just by introducing this one object, everyone should be able to understand what kind of city this really is!

“The development trajectory of this country has deviated... to think they’ve developed steam technology to this extent...” Tang Xian couldn’t help but smile bitterly, “But when they reach the end, they will realize this is a dead end. The path of steam technology cannot possibly succeed!”

“It must be the unique environment that formed this style... Hmm, we need to find a way to learn the ins and outs of this place. We might very well encounter enemies who have mastered steam technology in the future!” Tang Ku said in a deep voice.

The two spoke via telepathy. Hasan, who was in front, didn’t hear them at all and was just introducing the local customs and traditions of the city to them.

“Many merchants from Xituo Country have traveled here before. Whenever they arrive, they stay at this hotel. But you are the first group to dare to cross the Mo Wen Plains without any transportation... And I have never seen such strength as yours before!”

Hasan sent his brothers home first, while he personally took the group to a place resembling a hotel to help them check in. This surprised the clerk, because most merchants from Xituo Country arrived when the Mo Wen Plains were covered in lava, as the produce on the Mo Wen Plains was much more abundant then compared to the icy conditions. Merchants chase profit, and he really hadn’t seen many who came at a time like this.

The check-in process went smoothly. Although the clerk was surprised, seeing how strange their attire was, he didn’t ask further. Those Xituo Country people were just fond of strange and peculiar things, so they were long used to it.

Tang Xian and Tang Ku shared a room, Red Boy and Heishan shared a room, and Xiao Cui had a room to herself... Of course, at first, Heishan wanted to squeeze in with Xiao Cui, but he was slapped out the door by her.

“Hasan, I have something to...” Before Tang Ku could finish, Hasan patted his chest and laughed, “You must want to meet our King, right? Haha, leave that to me. Merchants from Xituo Country and Beiyu Country often come to see the King. You all bring precious gifts to exchange for our country’s valuables. I know this very well... Rest assured, leave it to me, I guarantee it will be handled for you. Benefactors, please wait a moment, have something to eat here, and I will be back soon...”

With that, Hasan ran out the door, full of excitement.

“Is this guy... trustworthy?” Tang Xian curled his lips and asked.

“The credibility is over ninety percent. We are unfamiliar with the place, so we need a guide like this to help!” Tang Ku said in a deep voice. “We have no idea where Sun Wukong’s soul is being imprisoned. The best method is to ask the authorities of this country if there are any locations here capable of imprisoning Sun Wukong... Of course, the authorities may not be trustworthy either, so we must be prepared to turn against them at any moment!”

Tang Xian nodded, then suddenly smiled helplessly: “You are quite calm. Are you really not afraid of triggering a great war between the Ashura Clan and the Upper Realm again?”

Tang Ku snorted coldly: “What do you think? My name is now Tang Sanzang—the 'zang' for burying!”

Tang Xian’s mouth twitched: “How did you come up with such an edgy name?”

“None of your business!” Tang Ku rolled his eyes and said, “Hey, since you know so much, let me test you. Why can we still see the sun in the sky even after being teleported underground?”

Tang Xian smiled: “Are you misleading me? Are we really underground?”

Tang Ku laughed: “Indeed... I observed carefully. The star in the sky has shifted a significant distance from when we first arrived, and this can only mean one thing: our observation angle has changed! Hmm, there’s a premise here, which is that this star is the same one we saw at the Spirit Source Ground just now... And I can be completely certain about this point!”

“I think I understand...” Tang Xian opened the window and observed the sun in the sky. A set of data flashed across his contact lenses, and he couldn’t help but say in surprise, “You are absolutely right. It’s exactly the same as what we saw at the Spirit Source Ground... Hmm, even the observation distance is about the same. And this can only mean one thing...”

“Hehe, that’s right. We are now on a planet in the same orbit as the Spirit Source Ground!” Tang Ku smiled. “The so-called Ashura Realm is simply a collective name for several planets within a star system!”