202: Chapter 202 Tianyang Sect

If one were to unfold the map of the entire Tianlan Province, using the Prefecture City as the boundary, Qinghe Prefecture sits on the west side, facing Ningyuan Prefecture to the east, and following Ningyuan Prefecture further northeast, one would arrive at the territory of Canglan Prefecture.

Compared to other large prefectures, the terrain of Canglan Prefecture is quite peculiar.

Its entire map resembles a long, narrow corridor, extremely wide at both ends, with continuous mountain ranges and crisscrossing great rivers within its borders. It can be said that the strange peaks and beautiful waters depend on each other, with extremely abundant mountain and water resources, and the Yao Beasts and Spiritual Veins nurtured within far exceed those of ordinary regions.

However, strictly speaking, the area before them cannot yet be considered the heartland of Canglan Prefecture.

This is merely a long, narrow buffer zone between it and Ningyuan Prefecture. Looking out over the wilderness for hundreds of miles, there is only one city that can truly be called significant: Tongbao City.

Tongbao City is a typical border trade city where caravans from the north and south converge, and the circulation of various Cultivation resources is not insignificant.

Su Chengyuan's original plan was to replenish dry rations and supplies here, rest for a day, and then bypass it along the wild paths in the south, as Xuanhuo Ridge was still about thirty-two thousand miles away.

They were flying the banner of the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce and had no Foundation in Tongbao City, but after all, they were a Chamber of Commerce and had several Foundation Establishment Cultivators leading the team, so at least no one would come looking for trouble for no reason.

The team arrived outside Tongbao City before noon.

Looking from afar, this city was much larger than Su Chengyuan had expected.

The city walls were over ten zhang high, built of bluestone, with Array Inscriptionss spread across them. There were quite a few Cultivators entering and leaving the city gate, including traveling merchants pulling spirit horses, Loose Cultivators in groups of three or five, and Sect Disciples wearing uniform attire.

Su Chengyuan's gaze lingered on that group of Sect Disciples for a moment longer; they wore fire-red robes with a golden character "Yang" embroidered on their chests.

"Brother Zhao Shan, what Sect is that?"

Zhao Shan glanced over there and shook his head: "Never heard of it."

Li Shi leaned in from behind: "Mr. Su, before we set off, I checked the information on Canglan Prefecture according to the map provided by Young Master Su. I heard that there were originally five major Sects here."

"However, in the last two or three years, a new power called the Tianyang Sect has emerged. It has risen very quickly, and it is said that it has three Golden Core True Persons sitting in command, and it has already squeezed into the ranks of the six major overlords of Canglan Prefecture."

When Su Chengyuan heard the three words "Tianyang Sect", there was no ripple in his mind.

The route information his son gave him did not mention this Sect; after all, Tongbao City was just a transit supply point, and there was no need to investigate the background of local forces.

"That has nothing to do with us." Su Chengyuan withdrew his gaze, "Enter the city to find an inn, and we will leave after replenishing the goods."

The team entered the city from the south gate and walked on the main street inside the city for less than half a quarter of an hour before finding an inn that was not large but looked clean.

Zhao Shan took out Spirit Stones and directly rented ten adjacent premium rooms on the second floor.

Su Chengyuan needed to calm his mind and perform breathing exercises occasionally along this journey, so he naturally stayed in a main room alone, while Zhao Shan and the remaining Guards settled down in the nearby rooms on the left and right.

After arranging the shifts for his subordinates to rest, Li Shi took two Guards and went out to purchase missing supplies at the marketplace.

Now that they were staying in a well-regulated inn with walls to shelter them, the defense naturally did not need to be as tense as in the wilderness. However, although Zhao Shan stayed in the room next door to rest, he still secretly released his Divine Sense to be vigilant of the movements around him.

The main purpose of this trip was to protect Su Chengyuan's safety, so he naturally had to do his best.

Li Shi led two capable Guards and shuttled through the marketplace of Tongbao City to purchase the necessary supplies.

To his surprise, the rules here were surprisingly strict.

Even though the long street was crowded with people and a mix of all kinds of people, it was rare to see Cultivators unable to restrain themselves and start trouble.

Just as he finished paying with Spirit Stones at a shop selling talisman paper and crossed the threshold, a few Cultivators wearing fire-red robes happened to walk past him with their heads held high.

Those were the Disciples of the Tianyang Sect.

The few people walked in groups of two or three with long, bold strides. The Loose Cultivators and ordinary commoners on both sides, upon seeing this eye-catching attire, immediately retreated to both sides in unison, creating a wide avenue in the crowded throng.

Li Shi stood in the shadow of the eaves holding the goods and watched quietly. He had long since become accustomed to this kind of behavior in the Prefecture City.

When the backs of those few Tianyang Sect Disciples completely disappeared around the street corner, he led the two Guards and turned back to the inn.

Then the group rested in the inn, none of them wandering around the city to avoid trouble.

When the time reached the Shen hour, Su Chengyuan was meditating in his room when he suddenly heard a commotion on the street outside the window.

He did not move and probed outside the window with his Divine Sense.

In front of a shop across the street, three Tianyang Sect Disciples wearing fire-red robes were pointing at two middle-aged Cultivators.

Those two middle-aged Cultivators were dressed like those from a Family, their spiritual power fluctuations were around the Qi Refining Fourth or Fifth Layer, and they looked embarrassed, constantly cupping their hands and smiling apologetically.

Su Chengyuan did not withdraw his Divine Sense and listened a little more.

The gist was that the Tianyang Sect was starting work on a nearby mineral vein and needed a large amount of labor, so they were conscripting people from various Qi Refining Families in the city.

They gave compensation but it was not much, and in name, it was a "conscription", which meant you had to go whether you wanted to or not; they just gave a few Spirit Stones so you wouldn't curse too harshly.

Those two middle-aged Cultivators obviously didn't want to go. Their Family was small, and they only had so many people who could be used. If they went to the mine, it would be at least five or six months, and it was hard to say for longer.

But the attitude of the Tianyang Sect Disciples was tough, and the meaning in their words was very clear: if you don't go, you are not giving Face to the Tianyang Sect, and you should weigh the consequences of not giving Face yourself.

Su Chengyuan's hands were resting on his knees, and he did not move at all.

He was watching and did not intend to interfere.

Chenger had said that when acting outside, the most taboo thing is to cause extra trouble.

They were just passing through this city and would leave tomorrow morning; the affairs here had nothing to do with the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce.

But before he could withdraw his Divine Sense, the situation escalated.

The older one of the two middle-aged Cultivators finally became anxious: "We have lived in this Tongbao City for generations. Our ancestors also had some opportunities by chance a hundred years ago, which is why we barely managed to step onto the path of immortality."

"It is shameful to say, but the Foundation of our clan is still very shallow. Our children and nephews are still young, and the one with the highest cultivation is only at the Qi Refining Second Layer. With such meager cultivation, how can we endure the hardships of the mine?"

"I hope you experts will raise your hands and be lenient!"

The leading Tianyang Sect Disciple was a young-looking Qi Refining Ninth Layer Cultivator, and he sneered upon hearing this: "Whether your Family's people go or not has nothing to do with how many Disciples your Family has."

"I think you have misunderstood. The Tianyang Sect is conscripting you and your cousin. Two Qi Refining Fourth or Fifth Layer Cultivators going to the mine to move some rocks, what can't you do?"

"The compensation is settled monthly, which is more than what you earn by selling some sundries in the city."

The middle-aged Cultivator's hands were clenched in his sleeves, and his voice trembled: "But if the two of us leave, who will take care of the shop?"

"Long-winded!"

The young Cultivator slapped the wooden door frame of the shop, and the spiritual power of the Qi Refining Ninth Layer shook slightly, cracking the door frame with a 'click'.

"The conscription order of the Tianyang Sect, will you accept it or not?"

The middle-aged Cultivator was frightened by that slap and took two steps back, his Face deathly pale.

Su Chengyuan withdrew his Divine Sense.