Chapter 760: Escape from Yuanzhou (2)

Chapter 760: Chapter 121: Escape from Yuanzhou (2)

Master Xuan Yue heard the words, and his heart instantly settled. With a True Monarch taking action, that little thief had no way out.

This time, his reputation was truly swept away.

He had thought that with the Holy Land’s control in Yuan Province and the secret technique Spiritual Eye that specialized in detecting magical evil, capturing that foreigner would be easy.

By then, with this extraordinary achievement, he would surely obtain the late-stage Core Formation Holy Essence Pill, breaking through to the late-stage Core Formation realm.

As it turned out, now the whole province was permeated with evil Qi, and even many disciples within the Holy Land had been tainted by it.

In the end, he had no choice but to seek help from the Four Saints of the Holy Land.

———-

Li Ji’an traveled for three months and finally reached Beichen Immortal City in the northern part of Yuan Province.

On this day, Beichen Immortal City was uncommonly bustling.

The main street, paved with bluestone slabs, was crowded with cultivators.

The loud shouts from shops and the divine sense transmissions among cultivators formed a tide.

The spiritual Qi floating in the air was nearing the level of a Tier Four Spirit Vein.

As the hub city closest to the Ancestral Origin Province, this place had always been a must-pass for cultivators traveling north and south.

Beichen Immortal City was not ownerless land; it was the property of the local power Ling Yun Pavilion.

This Ling Yun Pavilion had a notable origin, with a lineage traceable back to the Ancient Times.

It was once a ranked sect in One Realm, with a profound foundation.

Unfortunately, during the Post-ancient Era, the five major powers fought relentlessly for the Spirit Vein mining areas in central Ancestral Origin Province.

Ling Yun Pavilion happened to be at the forefront of the conflict and was forced into the fray.

In just a few thousand years, two True Monarch-level ancestors perished consecutively within the pavilion.

The core strength was exhausted, leading to its decline, which never recovered.

Nowadays, they rely on an early alliance with Cangyuan Holy Land to maintain control over this crucial hub of Beichen Immortal City.

It’s counted as one of the Holy Land’s subsidiary forces.

Due to this relationship, Ling Yun Pavilion managed to get a quota from the Holy Land—entering the central Ancestral Origin Province to mine spirit ore.

This has become the core livelihood upon which Ling Yun Pavilion depends for survival.

Yet, although the spirit ore in central Ancestral Origin Province is abundant, it is unclaimed prime meat.

The five major powers have long extended their reach here, with struggles and fighting never ceasing.

Once there, the majesty of Cangyuan Holy Land falls short, and the mining area they occupy is frequently under threat and harassment, making it impossible for them to protect Ling Yun Pavilion.

Ling Yun Pavilion, with its dwindled strength, simply cannot protect the mining area.

Therefore, in recent years, Ling Yun Pavilion has expanded its fighting power by inviting honored guest elders.

Today marks the day when they open wide the gates for a new round of recruitment.

Li Ji’an mixed among the crowd, glanced at the recruitment notice posted at the street corner, and a gleam of understanding flashed in his eyes.

His original intention for coming to Beichen Immortal City this time was to find a way to leave Yuan Province.

Ling Yun Pavilion’s recruitment was providing him with a legitimate opportunity to leave the city.

Rather than heading directly to the recruitment point, Li Ji’an first strolled through the city streets.

Through inquiring prices from vendors and having casual chats with loose cultivators, he discreetly learned about Ling Yun Pavilion’s practices and recruitment requirements.

After this investigation, he gradually felt confident.

Though Ling Yun Pavilion had declined, it did not have a reputation for oppressing loose cultivators or being treacherous.

The tributes for honored guest elders were considered generous.

As for recruitment requirements, they were not too strict; one only needed cultivation of a Core Formation True Man or higher.

The main duty was to accompany pavilion disciples to Ancestral Origin Province, protecting the mining area from threats.

Moreover, what comforted him was that the cultivator in charge of recruitment vetting this time was merely an ordinary late-stage Core Formation Ascendant.

With his divine soul foundation comparable to a Nascent Soul and exquisite Concealing Breath Secret Technique, he could easily pass unnoticed.

“Let’s give it a try.”

Li Ji’an made up his mind, concealed his aura, and disguised himself.

He maintained the disguise of an ordinary mid-stage Core Formation cultivator and walked toward the recruitment point set up by Ling Yun Pavilion in the center of the Immortal City.

A long queue had already formed outside the recruitment point.

Most were loose cultivators with mixed auras, with eyes showing a yearning for opportunity.

Clearly, they were there either to “pass through Ancestral Origin Province” or to earn high tributes.

Li Ji’an silently stood at the end of the line, just finding his footing.

A somewhat excessively enthusiastic voice came from behind: “Fellow Daoist, are you also here to apply as an honored guest elder for Ling Yun Pavilion?”

He turned around.

Next to him stood a corpulent, smiling fat cultivator.

An old gray cloth Daoist robe, washed to the point of fading, and his aura remained stable at mid-stage Core Formation.

He appeared harmless and had a lively, familiar look in his eyes.

“Yes.”

Li Ji’an nodded lightly, with an expression of slight detachment.

In this unfamiliar place, he did not want to get entangled with anyone.

“You seem unfamiliar, is it likely your first time in Beichen Immortal City?”

The cultivator didn’t mind his indifference, coming closer to offer his name.

“My name is Wang, titled Yuan Bao. How should I address you, Fellow Daoist?”

Li Ji’an raised an eyebrow slightly, secretly scanning him with his divine sense.

Indeed, he had only mid-stage Core Formation cultivation, his aura stable and without deceit.

He casually made up a name: “Li Mo.”

“Fellow Daoist Li, Wang offers his respects!”

“Fellow Daoist Wang, a pleasure!” Li Ji’an replied calmly.

Wang Yuan Bao grinned, opening his floodgates.

“…”

“You may not know, though Ling Yun Pavilion is said to have fallen, it still has a lot to offer!”

“When we guard the mining area in Ancestral Origin Province, not only is there a monthly tribute of a hundred middle-grade Spirit Stones, but the pavilion also provides food and lodging.”

“If one discovers accompanying spirit medicines or spiritual materials, they can keep them!”

Li Ji’an seemed indifferent, occasionally responding with a simple “hmm.”

His gaze remained vigilant, observing his surroundings.

Wang Yuan Bao, however, grew more enthusiastic in his sharing.

He leaned in mysteriously, lowering his voice: “Fellow Daoist Li, let me share a secret with you!”