60: Fairy City News

Heavenly Star Immortal City has been able to stand firm until today not just because of the prestige of the Golden Core True Person, True Person Tianxing.

It also relies on the Immortal City's protective Grand Formation, the third-tier Formation, 'Tianxing Forbidden Domain Formation'.

Since Lu Ming had decided to come to Heavenly Star Immortal City, he naturally wouldn't be unprepared; he had done some research and gained some understanding of these matters.

Undoubtedly, both the anti-flight pressure and the Ecstasy Restriction came from this third-tier Grand Formation of Heavenly Star Immortal City!

"A third-tier Formation, having already integrated with the Earth Vein, possesses the ability to form its own small world."

Within a third-tier Formation, one can easily lock Spiritual Veins, divide areas to allocate Spiritual Qi concentration, and even teleport Cultivators out of thin air!

The Dao of Formations, upon reaching the third-tier, undergoes an extremely terrifying qualitative change!

For example, the sect-guarding Grand Formation of Heavenly Star Immortal City, because it is integrated with this world, even with a third-tier Restriction-breaking Talisman, the damage it can cause will be suppressed to a very low level.

Even facing the bombardment of a third-tier Magic Treasure, it would not have much effect.

No matter how powerful a Golden Core Magic Treasure is, what does it count for in this world?

This is the terror of a high-tier Forbidden Grand Formation!

"Hoo..."

Passing through the city gate, a different world opened up.

The clamor filled his ears, and the scene before him made Lu Ming's eyes light up.

As soon as he entered the urban area, Lu Ming felt that the surroundings were filled with pure Spiritual Qi, and its grade was almost approaching High Grade First-tier.

This was just entering the city, and it was already quite good; no wonder Loose Cultivators flocked to the Immortal City.

He walked into the outer city of Heavenly Star Immortal City, where platforms, each a hundred meters long and wide, had been leveled, with many Cultivators sitting cross-legged, their stalls laid out before them.

Yao Beast Materials, Spiritual Minerals and Spiritual Plants, Medicinal Pills and Magical Artifacts—

A dazzling array, everything was available.

It was similar to the Market he had seen on his journey from Green Bamboo Market, but much more prosperous.

"Senior, is this your first time in Heavenly Star Immortal City?"

As Lu Ming was observing, a young Cultivator dressed in gray approached him and asked respectfully.

"That's right."

Lu Ming nodded, not denying it.

Having traveled this far, passing through many territories and entering several Markets along the way, he was not unfamiliar with people like this young Cultivator.

These Cultivators were mostly small Cultivators in the Early Stage of Qi Refining, who would introduce basic information to newly arrived Senior Cultivators, guide them, and so on, earning a small amount of hard-earned money.

If they met a generous Senior expert, they might even make a small fortune, or if they were compatible, there were many who were taken in as Disciples by Senior experts.

"Junior Dong Pingan."

"Senior, as you've just arrived, do you need Junior to guide you?"

Seeing that Lu Ming was fairly amiable, Dong Pingan breathed a sigh of relief and quickly asked.

"Alright, then lead me around for a bit first."

Saying this, Lu Ming casually flicked out a Spirit Stone.

Lu Ming could tell at a glance that this young Cultivator, who called himself Dong Pingan, had only just entered the second layer of Qi Refining.

For some reason, seeing Dong Pingan reminded Lu Ming of Zhou Yang.

'I wonder if that boy will come to Heavenly Star Immortal City, or if he's already died in the Cloud Mist Mountain Range.'

Dong Pingan took the Spirit Stone, overjoyed in his heart; for those in his line of work, it wasn't certain they would see a single Spirit Stone in over ten days.

And some Loose Cultivators who came to Heavenly Star Immortal City were quite strapped for cash; it was already good if they could reward him with a few low-grade Medicinal Pills.

Only if they were lucky enough to meet someone more generous would they bestow Spirit Stones.

Lu Ming clearly belonged to the latter category.

"Many thanks, Senior!"

Dong Pingan joyfully accepted it and quickly expressed his gratitude.

He then led Lu Ming to tour Heavenly Star Immortal City, introducing it as they went.

"Heavenly Star Immortal City is a Holy Land for Loose Cultivators, presided over by True Person Tianxing, who set the rule that fighting is strictly forbidden within Heavenly Star Immortal City.

The Immortal City is divided into three major areas: the outer city has a Spiritual Qi concentration of High Grade First-tier and is mostly inhabited by Loose Cultivators.

The inner city is around the second-tier, and Foundation Establishment Cultivators and their attendants are qualified to reside there.

As for the most central Tianxing Peak, it is a third-tier Spiritual Vein, used exclusively by True Person Tianxing and his Disciples."

Dong Pingan's words were filled with undisguised envy.

Lu Ming was also deeply moved; even in a Holy Land for Loose Cultivators, class distinctions were omnipresent.

"There are several major Golden Core forces within the city: the Qingxuan Immortal Sect, the Immortal Imperial Dynasty Ji Family, and Cloud Thunder Pavilion has also established a shop in the Immortal City."

"If Senior wishes to purchase Magical Artifacts or Medicinal Pills, you can first check the Loose Cultivator trading area. If there's anything suitable, the prices are generally much more affordable than in shops.

If you really can't find what you need, you can then go to the shops. Although the prices are slightly higher, the Medicinal Pills and Magical Artifacts there are quite comprehensive.

As long as it's not an unpopular Medicinal Pill or Magical Artifact, you can generally find it."

Dong Pingan led Lu Ming around the outer city of Tianxing, talking until his throat was dry.

Lu Ming saw rows of shops and pavilions, selling a large number of Medicinal Pills, Magical Artifacts, and Talismans.

Inside, there were not only shops from those great Golden Core sects and Immortal Dynasties.

Even merchant alliances from other regions had established trade routes here to do business.

"This place, with its mix of good and bad, is actually more suitable for the survival of Loose Cultivators and... for fencing stolen goods!"

"Moreover, Heavenly Star Immortal City gathers most of the Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivators in the Southern Wilderness Cultivation World, yet with True Person Tianxing presiding, there is order amidst the chaos, which is quite good!"

He pondered these thoughts, and Lu Ming also had a general understanding of the basic situation.

Lu Ming looked at the young Cultivator beside him.

He had spent quite some time wandering around, learning about Heavenly Star Immortal City, and chatting with Dong Pingan.

He learned that Dong Pingan was born in a Mortal kingdom in the Southern Wilderness, and two years ago was noticed by a Loose Cultivator Daoist who took him in as a Disciple, thus embarking on the path of cultivation.

A few months ago, he came to Heavenly Star Immortal City with his Revered Master, but unexpectedly, his Revered Master was ambushed by a Yao Beast while gathering herbs near the Cloud Mist Mountain Range and never returned.

Since then, Dong Pingan had begun to cultivate alone. Fortunately, the Loose Cultivator Daoist had left behind a year's residence right to an Immortal Cave in Heavenly Star Immortal City before his death, and now there were about seven months left until the next rent payment was due.

Knowing that he neither knew Alchemy nor Talismans, he would not have the Spirit Stones to renew the Immortal Cave rental after seven months, so it was better to use his time in the Immortal City to earn more resources for his future.

And he had no other means of making money; in Heavenly Star Immortal City, he could only lead the way for some newly arrived Senior Loose Cultivators, earning a meager income, and even then, he might not earn a single Spirit Stone in over ten days.

Once his Immortal Cave residence right expired, he would only be able to leave Heavenly Star Immortal City dejectedly, perhaps like most Loose Cultivators, if he didn't encounter a special Opportunity, he would just fade into obscurity and waste his life away.

'No wonder he can still stay in the Immortal City doing guiding work; otherwise, he couldn't afford the five Spirit Stones entrance fee.'

The entrance fee alone deterred many Loose Cultivators who yearned for the Immortal City.

However, it was none of his business; the thought merely flashed through his mind, and Lu Ming didn't pay much attention to it.

"I've just arrived in the Immortal City and happen to need someone to run errands. If you're willing to work for me during this period, I will provide you with a certain remuneration. Are you willing?"

After a brief acquaintance, Lu Ming couldn't determine Dong Pingan's character, but that wasn't important; he would naturally know if there was any ill intent.

And with Zhou Yang not around, he still needed someone familiar with the city's environment to run errands for him.

As for what reward he would ultimately give him?

Lu Ming was not short on resources; even a little bit casually revealed from between his fingers would be enough for Dong Pingan to use for a long time.

"Junior is willing!"

Dong Pingan agreed with almost no hesitation.

Although he didn't know if Lu Ming was just making empty promises, he didn't give up this Opportunity.

If he didn't agree, his future would be predictable; if he agreed, at least there was still hope ahead.

Seeing Dong Pingan's respectful attitude, Lu Ming was quite satisfied.

Lu Ming didn't continue to wander around the city but instead asked Dong Pingan to take him to the place in the city responsible for Immortal Cave rentals to settle down first.

Heavenly Star Immortal City, as a Holy Land for Loose Cultivators, had Immortal Caves carved out around Tianxing Peak for Loose Cultivators to reside and cultivate.

The Immortal Caves were divided into four grades: A, B, C, and D, based on the strength of the Spiritual Vein.

Dong Pingan's Revered Master had lived in the lowest-grade D-type Immortal Cave before his death, with mediocre Spiritual Qi and simple facilities.

A D-type Immortal Cave was undoubtedly only for a place to stay and rest, but even so, it cost ten Spirit Stones per month.

The next higher grade, a C-type Immortal Cave, cost fifty Spirit Stones per month, while A and B-type Immortal Caves not only required hundreds of Spirit Stones per month but also required people of a certain status to reside in them.

As for the owner of Heavenly Star Immortal City, 'True Person Tianxing', he resided on the third-tier Spiritual Vein of Tianxing Peak, often in secluded cultivation.

The business of Immortal Cave rentals in Heavenly Star Immortal City had always been managed by the Disciples of True Person Tianxing's lineage, which could be described as making money effortlessly.

Especially the rent for A and B-type Immortal Caves, which was truly a daily fortune!

Lu Ming was wealthy and didn't begrudge the cost of Spirit Stones, but having just arrived in the Immortal City, he prioritized stability. He paid a month's worth of Spirit Stones and found a C-type Immortal Cave.

Subsequently, Dong Pingan led Lu Ming along the winding mountain path, all the way to the entrance of C-type Immortal Cave number twenty-three.

Sensing someone approaching, a light screen appeared. Lu Ming knew this was the Immortal Cave's basic defensive Formation.

He pressed the Immortal Cave token against the light screen, and in an instant, the Formation emitted a soft glow, then gradually became ethereal until it disappeared.

Having opened the Formation Restriction, Lu Ming placed his identity token in a stone trough in front of the Immortal Cave.

"This damn sense of déjà vu!"

He felt that his tendency to complain had grown stronger since entering the Cultivation World.

No longer thinking about it, Lu Ming turned and stepped into the Immortal Cave, while Dong Pingan remained outside the Immortal Cave.

......