Chapter 477 - 2: The Buddhist Sect’s Black Market

A brilliant light flashed before Fang Cheng’s eyes, blinding him. After more than ten seconds, the light slowly faded away.

He found himself on a high platform, the light of the Teleportation Array beneath his feet yet to extinguish.

It was a massive hall, a hundred zhang in area and over ten zhang high. The surrounding walls were covered in magnificent stone murals, creating an imposing and grand atmosphere.

The giant hall contained three high platforms in total, each holding a Teleportation Array.

Below the platform stood eight Life Talisman Realm Cultivators in silver battle armor. Runes of interwoven gold and red were inscribed on their chests, marking them as the guards on duty.

The moment Fang Cheng appeared, the eight men sensed a powerful, unfathomably deep aura. Respect immediately filled their faces, and they bowed in salute.

The lead warrior spoke in a deep voice, "We welcome you, Senior, to Red Bright Immortal City."

Fang Cheng descended from the platform and said calmly, "At ease."

The warrior straightened up and asked respectfully, "Senior, is this your first time in Red Bright Immortal City?"

Fang Cheng, who had been about to leave the hall, glanced at him upon hearing this and asked, "How did you know?"

The warrior replied, "We juniors have Sensing Magical Artifacts on us. All who come to Red Bright Immortal City must receive an Immortal City Talisman to move about the city. I must trouble you, Senior, to accept this talisman."

As he spoke, he took out a jade talisman from the storage belt at his waist, held it up with both hands, and presented it to Fang Cheng.

Fang Cheng smiled, accepting the Jade Talisman with a calm expression. "This talisman seems quite valuable," he teased. "Am I required to pay some Spirit Stones for it?"

The warrior quickly shook his head. "How could this humble one dare to ask for Spirit Stones from you, Senior? According to the Immortal City’s rules, it is free for all Cultivators at the Dharma Realm and above."

Fang Cheng’s expression shifted slightly. He was inwardly amazed that the Magical Artifact on the warrior could so clearly sense his Cultivation Realm.

’The Mingxiao Domain has a long history. It belongs to the Old Five Domains and has a foundation countless times more profound than a New Domain like the East Cyan Domain,’ he thought. ’On top of that, this is the territory of a Tribulation Realm Great Power. Perhaps such a small trick is nothing special in the eyes of the Cultivators of this domain.’

He casually refined the Jade Talisman and immediately felt a strange sensation, as if he had formed a connection with the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Mechanism of this place.

The talisman likely held many Profound Mechanisms, but Fang Cheng couldn’t be bothered to investigate them. He put it away and then asked, "Where do those other two Teleportation Arrays lead?"

The warrior replied, "They lead to the Moon Country and the Cang Country in the East Cyan Domain, respectively."

"I see." Fang Cheng nodded and strolled toward the hall’s entrance. The lead warrior followed behind, carefully escorting him.

The other warriors remained on duty at the Teleportation Arrays.

Outside the hall was a tall, grand, and deep corridor. The walls on both sides were made of azure-gold stone, and at regular intervals, a massive, ancient rune was carved into the stone, giving them a mystical appearance.

The corridor spiraled downward. Every hundred zhang, there was a hall entrance, and inside each hall were more high platforms with Teleportation Arrays, attended by numerous Cultivators.

Before long, Fang Cheng entered an even more magnificent and grand hall. A large number of Cultivators were gathered inside. Besides the guards in silver battle armor, there were many other Cultivators in varied attire and with different demeanors.

The warrior pointed to the hall’s exit and said, "Take care, Senior. The main street of Red Bright Immortal City is just outside. This humble one is on duty and cannot leave this tower, so I can only escort you this far."

Fang Cheng took out a bottle of Spirit Pills and handed it to the man. "Thank you for your trouble."

"Thank you, Senior!"

The warrior accepted the pills, a look of delighted surprise on his face. How could pills bestowed by a Dharma Cultivator be anything ordinary?

He had gone through great trouble to get this post guarding the Teleportation Array, all for a moment just like this.

Fang Cheng smiled faintly and asked, "Do you know where Xi Yinglong is?"

"Yinglong True Monarch?" The warrior’s eyes widened in surprise for a moment before he quickly lowered his gaze and replied respectfully, "Yinglong True Monarch is the City Lord’s thirty-fourth disciple. He currently presides over the West City and resides in the Yinglong Mansion."

Ascendant Red Bright had already reached the Tribulation Realm eight thousand years ago. As long as he didn’t fall to a heavenly tribulation, he was practically immortal. Generations upon generations of his disciples had already died of old age.

Currently, Red Bright Immortal City was managed by four of his Dharma Realm disciples, while the Ascendant himself rarely made an appearance.

Having gotten the information he needed, Fang Cheng walked out.

Outside the door was a majestic and massive city, filled with tall pagodas and Immortal Towers, presenting a magnificent sight.

The Transmission Pagoda behind him, entirely azure-gold and covered in Profound Patterns, was also a remarkably eye-catching and spectacular landmark.

Flying Escapes were forbidden in the city. Outside the Transmission Pagoda, there were many magnificent Spirit Beast Chariots. Some Cultivators also traveled forward elegantly, riding on Profound Light about a foot off the ground.

Fang Cheng hired a chariot and headed straight for the Yinglong Mansion. Upon arrival, he presented a calling card and the letter from Elder Yingya. Soon after, he was led into a reception hall by a Life Soul Cultivator.

「A short while later.」

A middle-aged man with the refined and otherworldly air of an immortal walked in.

Fang Cheng’s gaze swept over the man, and he discovered that his cultivation was even higher than his own. Like the Celestial Refining Demon Monarch, he was a Mid-stage Dharma Phase Cultivator. This must be Xi Yinglong, the disciple of the Tribulation Realm Great Power.

The man wore a Feather Robe and Star Crown, his features handsome and bright, his bearing elegant and composed. After seeing Fang Cheng, they exchanged a few pleasantries and then took their seats as host and guest.

Xi Yinglong gave a light laugh and got straight to the point. "Fellow Daoist Ying mentioned in his letter that you, Fellow Daoist Fang, have come to the Mingxiao Domain on urgent business. He asked that I ’offer my assistance and help bring the matter to fruition.’ I wonder what this business might be? Feel free to tell me about it."

His words, however, unconsciously carried a lofty arrogance and impatience, giving the distinct impression that he intended to see his guest out as soon as their conversation was over.

Fang Cheng recalled Elder Yingya’s advice. The elder had warned him that this man was "of a cold temperament and not easy to get along with." Fearing Xi Yinglong might offend Fang Cheng with his words and jeopardize the important matter, he had given him a heads-up.