86: Tianxing City

The Thousand Star Sea Region, a boundless ocean.

A medium-sized merchant ship, ordinary-looking and even somewhat dilapidated, moved steadily through the wind and waves.

On the deck, the sea breeze howled.

Zhou Wannian, dressed in an unremarkable grey robe, leaned against the ship's railing. While he appeared to be resting with his eyes closed, he was actually listening intently to the whispers of several nearby Loose Cultivators.

Those Loose Cultivators had also escaped from the vicinity of Luan Ya Reef and were currently discussing the great battle from half a month ago with lingering fear on their faces.

"Have you heard? After that battle at Luan Ya Reef, the Qingyun Sect Elder's face turned green with rage! They say he chased the Blood Shark Group's leader for three days and three nights, insisting the man had stolen his foundation establishment pills!"

"The Blood Shark Group has it rough too. They lost a vice-leader and still have to take the blame. I heard their leader curses at everyone he meets now, saying they fell into someone else's trap."

"Tsk tsk, with those two powers at each other's throats, it only benefited the mysterious person pulling the strings from the shadows. I wonder who that expert is, being able to play Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators like fiddles."

Hearing this, the corners of Zhou Wannian's mouth curled up slightly, but he quickly returned to his dull expression.

"It seems the waters have been sufficiently muddied."

He gently patted Wangcai in his arms. The little fellow was clutching a half-eaten Spirit Fruit, sleeping soundly and completely indifferent to the wind and rain outside.

More than half a month had passed since that "Red Coral Reef Counter-Kill Battle."

Although the merchant ship was dilapidated, it flew the flag of the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce, so they hadn't encountered any blind Robber Cultivators along the way.

"This is the charm of Gu Dao."

Zhou Wannian took a sip of spiritual wine, feeling the vast Foundation Establishment Stage True Essence within his body.

"Now, I have a Foundation Establishment cultivation, a second-tier Legacy, several thousand Spirit Stones in liquid capital, and a pile of spoils worth tens of thousands of Spirit Stones."

"But I am still the unknown 'Old Man Han'."

This sense of security was more important than anything else.

He turned around and looked toward the bow.

There, a merchant ship steward at Qi Refining Perfection was introducing their destination to the passengers, his tone full of yearning:

"Fellow Daoists! In another half a day, we will reach the edge of the Inner Star Sea!"

"That is the Holy Land for cultivators—Tianxing City!"

"Tianxing City is built upon a massive floating island and is governed by the Star Palace. Private fighting is forbidden within the city, and the law is strictly enforced. It is the safest and most prosperous place in the entire Chaotic Star Sea!"

"Whether you want to purchase high-level Cultivation Techniques or sell rare spiritual materials, as long as you have Spirit Stones, there is nothing you cannot buy in Tianxing City!"

The surrounding Loose Cultivators' eyes lit up, each showing a look of longing.

Zhou Wannian also nodded slightly, but he was thinking about more.

"Tianxing City... a good place."

"Order means rules. Where there are rules, there are loopholes. And where there are loopholes, there is living space for a 'technical-style' Loose Cultivator like me."

He felt the depths of his Storage Pouch.

Lying there were the three genuine foundation establishment pills he had swindled back from Zhao the Abacus.

"These things are too hot to handle."

Zhou Wannian warned himself inwardly, "A major battle just occurred, so the Qingyun Sect must be searching the whole world for these pills. If I dare to sell even one in Tianxing City, I might be spotted by their informants."

"I absolutely cannot sell them. At least for the next ten years, these things must remain hidden in my hands."

"Or... once I learn Alchemy, I can refine them again to change their appearance, or keep them to train my own Death Sworn."

This was true prudence.

Even if sitting on a mountain of gold, one must resist the urge to spend it.

Besides the pills, another problem lay before him—his identity for entering the city.

"In a super-city like Tianxing City, there will definitely be high-level Heaven-Viewing Mirrors scanning bone age and cultivation levels upon entry. If I continue to use the Breath Concealment Art to disguise myself as being in the Qi Refining stage and get exposed, I'll be treated as a spy with ill intentions instead."

"Moreover, those in the Qi Refinement Stage are at the bottom in such a place. Not only do they have to pay high poll taxes, but they are also easily bullied by Gangs."

Zhou Wannian pondered for a moment and made a decision.

"Since I've already reached Foundation Establishment, there's no need to act too subservient."

"I might as well... reveal an 'Early Foundation Establishment Stage' cultivation."

"But I can disguise myself as a 'Foundation Establishment old man' whose potential is exhausted, whose vitality is decaying, and who just wants to find a place to spend his remaining years in peace."

"Such people have privileges like tax exemptions and residency rights, yet aren't highly regarded by major powers. It's the most perfect middle class."

Having figured this out, Zhou Wannian felt his thoughts instantly clear.

The sea breeze blew, and his robes fluttered.

Ahead, a massive dark shadow gradually appeared above the clouds.

It was a magnificent city suspended between the sea and the sky, surrounded by countless starlight-like Formation runes, appearing like a divine miracle.

"A new map, a new beginning."

Zhou Wannian straightened his robes and slightly adjusted the aura on his body, transforming into an Early Foundation Establishment Stage appearance—one that was lethargic but with a stable Realm.

"Old Man Han, online."