244: Chapter 244: The Realm of Immortality Cultivation in the Tang Dynasty

"It really is Tang Country!" Chen Changqing fell into deep thought.

About half a year ago, when the two left Yan Country, they bought a map along the way. However, most of the locations recorded on this map were inaccurate. Initially, they had managed to pass through the former territory of the State of Zheng, and then through the two countries of Wei and Lu.

Then, after great difficulty making their way through Dragon Lock Abyss, they were attacked by a Tier 3 Flood Dragon.

That Tier 3 Flood Dragon was terrifyingly strong; not only had its cultivation reached Tier 3 High Grade, but its strength far surpassed that of a Purple Palace Cultivator, requiring at least a Pseudo-Core Realm Expert to deal with it.

But then again, if it weren't for such strength, the surrounding Golden Core Masters would have long since taken action to eliminate it.

The two then fled to Yu Country, rested for a period of time, and set off once again.

After another two months or so, they traveled from Yu Country, passing through Qi Country and the Sunset Mountain Range, before finally arriving here.

The Sunset Mountain Range belongs to a section of the Wanshou Mountain Range, but its peaks are high and roads perilous. It is almost impossible for the Yao Race to launch an attack on Tang Country's cultivation world through here; however, this does not mean the Sunset Mountain Range is free of danger.

Because the Yao Beasts that can travel from the Yao territory to the Sunset Mountain Range are Tier 2 at the weakest, and there are even Tier 4 Yao Kings ruling over mountains here as local lords.

As for why Tang Country's Nascent Soul forces haven't wiped them out, there are two main reasons: first, these Yao Kings generally do not step out of their territories; second, some of these Yao Kings fled over from the Demon Nations, while others were originally native to the Sunset Mountain Range.

Coupled with the fact that they are also enemies with the Thirty-Six Demon Nations, Tang Country's cultivation world uses them as a first line of defense against the Yao Race, and naturally wouldn't waste effort eliminating them.

The trouble, however, was that Chen Changqing and Li Qingling didn't know the way and accidentally trespassed into the territory of some Yao Beasts. Fortunately, those beasts were not Yao Kings, otherwise it would be hard to say if the two could have made it out alive.

"Then thank you for telling me, little friend!" Chen Changqing retrieved a porcelain bottle, returned to Li Qingling's side, and stepped together into Tang Country's territory.

Seeing this scene, the Disciples of those two Sects showed odd expressions on their faces.

After both sides reported the situation here to their respective Sects, they ceased fighting, afraid that if both sides suffered heavy losses, another force might arrive to take advantage.

...

As the two moved forward, countless villages were scattered across the land below, with wisps of cooking smoke rising from the roofs of some houses.

Directly north of these villages stood a massive, square city, majestic and imposing, rising high into the clouds.

Rays of sunlight radiated across the horizon, shining down upon the giant city. Inside and outside the city, figures as tiny as ants moved in and out, while airships of various sizes floated gently.

Seeing this scene, the two were deeply shocked for a long time.

The borders of Tang Country showed nothing special, but they never expected the interior of Tang Country to have developed to such an extent. Compared to it, Yan Country was like a completely lower dimension.

The entirety of Tang Country was filled with peace and prosperity.

Chen Changqing and Li Qingling suppressed their aura to the Early Stage of the Foundation Establishment Stage. Seeing a Qi Refining Cultivator, they stepped forward to inquire and learned that this city was Yunxia City, one of Tang Country's twenty-six cities.

Tang Country had a Nascent Soul Sect named the Qinglian Sword Sect.

The Qinglian Sword Sect controlled the Four Upper Cities: Qinglian City, Siji City, Jiuxiao City, and Wuzi City.

The names of these four upper cities were all taken from the inherited Cultivation Techniques of the Qinglian Sword Sect.

Besides the Qinglian Sword Sect, there were sixteen Golden Core forces below it.

Some of these Golden Core forces controlled the Nine Middle Cities, while others controlled the Thirteen Lower Cities.

The entire Tang Country was composed of these forces.

And Yunxia City before them was one of the Nine Middle Cities, as well as the territory of the Golden Core Sect, the Wanjian Sect.

With Yunxia City at its center, tens of thousands of miles around were entirely under the control of the Wanjian Sect.

Having gained a general understanding, Chen Changqing and Li Qingling set off toward Yunxia City.

Before long, the two arrived outside the city.

Overhead, several flying vessels swept past, stirring up gusts of wind.

Outside the city gates, a squad of gold-armored Cultivators stepped forward to question them.

"Fellow Daoists, entering the city requires a fee in Spirit Stones. Specifically, five stones per person for Late Qi Refining Stage Cultivators, and twenty stones per person for Early Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators," said the gold-armored Foundation Establishment Cultivator at the lead in a low voice.

Chen Changqing raised an eyebrow and quietly handed four hundred Spirit Stones to the other party.

"Fellow Daoist, are there any taboo rules upon entering the city?" he then asked.

The other man immediately stashed the Spirit Stones away, a faint smile finally appearing on his face as he advised, "As long as the two of you do not engage in combat inside the city, there are no other requirements."

Chen Changqing and Li Qingling cupped their hands in salute, turned, and entered the city.

"I didn't expect the Cultivators of Tang Country wouldn't even ask where we came from and just let us in directly," Li Qingling remarked with emotion.

If it were Yan Country, even in a state capital city, they would be questioned thoroughly. Here, however, paying Spirit Stones was all it took to enter—they were truly overwhelmingly confident.

"Indeed. But this also proves that Tang Country is truly different from other cultivation worlds—strong enough to be supremely confident," Chen Changqing agreed wholeheartedly with Li Qingling's assessment.

As the two walked along the bustling street, most people around them had respectable cultivation, being at least in the Late Qi Refining Stage, while Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators were by no means rare, with one or two coming into view on the road occasionally.

As for Zifu Stage Cultivators, the two didn't meet any. Nevertheless, as they browsed the shops in the city, they made inquiries into common-sense knowledge known to every Tang Country Cultivator.

Through their inquiries, the two learned much more. In addition to the Golden Core force, the Wanjian Sect, presiding over this city, there were many Purple Mansion forces, large and small, that owned properties here; they simply could not move their Sect headquarters into the city proper.

*Bzzzz~*

*Bzzzz~*

A massive roaring sound echoed from the horizon. Aside from Chen Changqing and Li Qingling who were somewhat bewildered, countless people on the street had joyful expressions on their faces.

"Little friend, what is this?" Li Qingling asked.

"Oh, it's normal for Senior to not know since you've just arrived. That is the Wanjian Sect's flying vessel," a Qi Refining Cultivator in a tea shop explained.

His eyes were filled with yearning and longing.

"Hmm? What does this have to do with the Wanjian Sect's flying vessel?" Li Qingling held her tea cup and took a sip.

"In response to Senior, every few years, the Wanjian Sect sends a group of Cultivators over to the Five Dynasties."

"As everyone knows, the Five Dynasties and our Tang Country, along with the regions to our east, are separated by the perilous land known as the Fire Domain. The deeper one goes into the Fire Domain, the more violent its fire-attribute Spiritual Qi becomes. Anyone without a Purple Mansion Realm cultivation finds it extremely difficult to cross the Fire Domain to reach the other side.

On the other side of the Fire Domain, the Five Dynasties are the true Eastern Domain, whereas our Tang Country and the regions to our east have another name: the Wangyue Valley."

"The Wangyue Valley where we are located is like being enclosed by continuous surrounding mountain ranges, encompassing seventeen countries in total. However, after the State of Zheng was destroyed decades ago, there are now sixteen countries."

"The resources in the Wangyue Valley cannot compare to the Five Dynasties at all. Therefore, let alone Foundation Establishment Cultivators and Qi Refining Cultivators, even those Purple Mansion Seniors and Golden Core Seniors will head to the Five Dynasties whenever they get the chance."

"And Yunxia City, where the Wanjian Sect is located, selects a group of low-tier Cultivators every few years to send to the Five Dynasties."