Chapter 721 - 104: Luring the Enemy into the Trap_2

The Floating Immortal City is a true wonder of the world, with an entire mountain range suspended above the abyss, stretching thousands of miles.

And beneath the abyss, spiritual energy continuously supplies, granting the entire Floating Immortal City the largest Tier Three Upper Grade Spirit Vein Dao Field in the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain.

It can be said that the entire Floating Immortal City is like this.

"Husband, is there a secret beneath the Floating Immortal City?" Ning Sujin curiously asked, gazing at the Floating Immortal City and the abyss below, which was bottomless and rich in spiritual energy.

Li Ji’an shook his head: "This abyss is said to have existed since the post-ancient era.

For thousands of years, countless cultivators have sought to explore its depths for opportunities.

Unfortunately, although the spiritual energy beneath it is rich, it is chaotic and violent, making it impossible for cultivators like us to absorb. Spending too much time within can easily cause the chaotic spiritual energy to impact the dantian, leading to death and soul dispersion.

It’s similar to what we experienced with Junior Sister Yao in the Jinhua Commerce Association’s Spiritual Spring.

Even a Nascent Soul True Monarch can only endure up to a hundred miles beneath the abyss."

Ning Sujin listened and seemed thoughtful, eventually nodding frequently.

Subsequently, the four of them strolled leisurely, touring the Floating Immortal City.

However, before they had even finished exploring a single street, a group of people came out to welcome them from the headquarters of the Five Blessings Commerce Association.

"Fellow Daoist Chang’an, your arrival from afar brings radiance to our Floating City. Forgive us for not welcoming you sooner."

"Fellow Daoist Meng, long time no see."

The newcomer was none other than Meng Xiangnian, who had crossed paths with Li Ji’an on a spiritual ship back in the day.

"Fellow Daoist Chang’an, you’re too kind. I am no longer worthy of being called a fellow daoist; our chairman has already prepared a spirit banquet, please come in quickly." Meng Xiangnian hastily invited Li Ji’an into the commerce association.

When Meng Xiangnian first met Li Ji’an, Li Ji’an was at the early stage of Core Formation, merely a True Man of a small faction like Biyun Sect in the Celestial Cyan Domain, with a slightly inferior status compared to him as the manager of the Five Blessings Commerce Association.

But now, Li Ji’an was not only an obvious mid-stage Core Formation True Man, but also a tributor of the Nine Tripods Commerce Association.

His status and position were far above his own.

"Master Meng, you flatter me, please." Li Ji’an smiled humbly and no longer deferred, following Meng Xiangnian’s welcome toward the headquarters of the Five Blessings Commerce Association.

However, before they had gone far, a gentle laugh was heard.

Immediately after, a refined middle-aged man with a pale face and no beard came into view.

"Haha, Pill Master Guo, long time no see. Is this Fellow Daoist Chang’an, your junior brother? Pleased to meet you." The newcomer was the second in command of the Five Blessings Commerce Association, the second brother of the association’s president, Meng Tingzhen.

"Greetings, Second Master!" Meng Xiangnian hastily saluted.

Guo Wanzhi also smiled familiarly: "Greetings, President Meng, this is my junior brother, Li Ping’an."

"President Meng, I’ve long admired." Li Ji’an cupped his hands in respect.

"Haha, I wondered why the magpies wouldn’t stop chirping today, turns out it’s because of you two daoists, please, please join us. It so happens that my Dao Field has newly acquired a thousand-year fine wine, today we won’t leave until we’re drunk." Meng Tingzhen was very enthusiastic.

"Second Master, the First Master has already arranged a spirit banquet..." Meng Xiangnian hastily explained.

Meng Tingzhen frowned slightly, then smiled warmly: "It seems I was too hasty, Fellow Daoist Chang’an is now a tributor of the Nine Tripods Commerce Association, visiting our Five Blessings Commerce Association, it should be proper to first welcome you with the etiquette of the Business Alliance. Pill Master Guo, Fellow Daoist Chang’an, shall we head to the commerce association first?"

Li Ji’an subtly observed Meng Tingzhen, realizing that his expressed enthusiasm towards him could not be fake.

He could even sense Meng Tingzhen’s turbulent emotions internally.

Although he was also at the mid-stage of Core Formation, he was evidently close to entering the late period. His magical power was exceptionally solid and pure, comparable to Master Chunyuan, who was considered unremarkable.

"Has he locked onto my identity?" Li Ji’an was momentarily clueless.

"Naturally!"

Then, Meng Tingzhen personally led Li Ji’an and the other three to the headquarters of the Five Blessings Commerce Association.

President Meng Tingyi welcomed Li Ji’an according to the etiquette of the Business Alliance.

However, Meng Tingyi’s attitude towards Li Ji’an was very formal and lacked interest.

He didn’t respond to any topic related to the election of the Business Alliance Leader.

During the gathering, he only made a few polite remarks before leaving under some pretext.

After all, he was the helmsman of the Five Blessings Commerce Association, and such superiority was within reason.

This temporarily hindered Li Ji’an’s persuasion plan, leaving him to seek another opportunity later.

At the spirit banquet, Meng Tingzhen was still as passionate as ever.

He engaged in conversation with Li Ji’an and the other three, discussing the history of the Floating Immortal City and various legends, thoroughly enjoying their chat.

Once the spirit banquet ended, Meng Xiangnian arranged a Dao Field for Li Ji’an and the others.

Meng Tingzhen again invited Li Ji’an to his Dao Field to taste the thousand-year fine wine.

Initially, given Meng Tingzhen’s excessively warm demeanor, Li Ji’an was reluctant to get too close to him.

However, to understand his intentions and also warn Guo Wanzhi in advance, he did not refuse.

That evening, Li Ji’an and the three women arrived at Meng Tingzhen’s Dao Field.

"Husband, the formations within are complex, even my primordial spirit finds it difficult to see through," Ning Sujin transmitted telepathically outside the Dao Field.

Li Ji’an nodded secretly, but did not pay much heed.

After all, it was a large, ancient commerce association with a depth of heritage unlike any sects in the Celestial Cyan Domain.

Having formidable grand arrays was reasonable.

Currently, his identity was legitimate, with the Nine Tripods Commerce Association as a backing, and being inside the Five Blessings Commerce Association, he did not believe they would dare to confront him so openly.

Of course, the most crucial point was that Ning Sujin’s proactive divination had already indicated that although there would be some obstacles, the outcome would be auspicious.

Li Ji’an led the three ladies into Meng Tingzhen’s Dao Field.

"Fellow Daoist Chang’an, please come in," Meng Tingzhen invited the four to the bamboo grove in the backyard.

Li Ji’an scanned the area with his divine sense, apart from the enshrouding grand array that was a bit indecipherable, everything else was clear as day.

Besides Meng Tingzhen, there were no other Core Formation True Men here.

Even the ascendant tributor who had been at Meng Tingzhen’s side during the day was not present.

"President Meng, much obliged." Li Ji’an’s wariness markedly diminished.

As they all took their seats, Meng Tingzhen produced his cherished fine wine.

Not only was it a thousand-year-old fine wine, but it was also rich in spiritual energy. Guo Wanzhi and Yao Rui, after just a small sip, felt their dantians stir, spiritual energy rushing over them.

Li Ji’an, however, savored it, his body containing True Dragon Essence Blood, having tried the Hundred Beasts Wine in the Yellow Heaven Domain’s Wildfield City, easily absorbed this spirit wine, and could even decompose the rich spiritual energy into Qi that he could fully absorb.

As a result, in the end, only Meng Tingzhen and Li Ji’an were drinking the spirit wine.

Three rounds later, Meng Tingzhen was already feeling tipsy himself.

Li Ji’an corresponded with his aura, appearing intoxicated and euphoric.

"Haha, Fellow Daoist Chang’an, you have quite the tolerance."

Then, his tone shifted: "Could it be that external inheritance also improves tolerance?"

Li Ji’an suddenly realized: "As expected, he had long been convinced of my identity."

Before he could react further, he felt the space around him tremble and warp.

Immediately, the power of time and space tore through, making him feel a sense of weightlessness.

"Teleportation Array?"

This sensation was similar to when he crafted teleportation talismans, yet more swift and domineering, closely aligned with the laws of time and space.

In the next moment, he was abruptly dazzled.

The surrounding environment had already changed drastically.

He was now inside a vast cave.

His divine sense swept through, finding several arrays covering the entire cave, isolating divine senses, and outside the cave, the wild spiritual energy could instantly tear apart a divine sense.

It truly was a secretive place.

"The abyss beneath the Floating City?" Li Ji’an pondered.

"Hahaha, Fellow Daoist Chang’an, now shouldn’t things return to their rightful owner?" At this moment, Meng Tingzhen’s voice was heard again.

Four ghostly figures appeared around the cave.

Besides Meng Tingzhen, the other three were all Core Formation Ascendants.

One was Meng Tingzhen’s personal tributor.

The other two clearly weren’t from the Five Blessings Commerce Association and had concealed their appearances with magic.

With his divine sense, he could only sense their disguises but couldn’t discern their true faces.

"President Meng, such a grand gesture, what exactly is this about?" Li Ji’an looked around, puzzled.

Meng Tingzhen smiled slightly: "Fellow Daoist Chang’an, can’t you see? Given your past means of deceiving ascendants and forming a Reverse Golden Core, this place was naturally set up specifically for you. It was merely inviting you into the trap."