Martial Arts: I Have a Wilderness World

Chapter 587: Chapter 306: The 18 Gate Influences Gather (Part 2)

"Therefore, if you wish to go to the Cultivation Immortality Realm but also want to live here, you must complete the household transfer paperwork and have someone who meets the requirements reside in the Immortal City. This will prevent any complications."

With that, Chen Kaishan changed the subject. "If everyone is ready, please wait another two hours. I’m going to prepare the Commerce Association’s supply transport. Afterward, you may all follow me into the Immortal City to meet its Lord. Of course, only one representative per group may come. As for the supplies, leave them outside for now; we’ll arrange for them after you’ve met with Mr. Cheng. Any questions?"

"Alright!" Su Ze replied.

Following his lead, the others all indicated they had no problem.

After seeing Chen Kaishan off, Su Ze returned to the tent and addressed the seventeen former Clan Leaders of the Gate Valve Families.

"Seniors, I believe you all understand the basic situation now. Once we’re inside the Immortal City, you can purchase books to learn more. They are quite comprehensive, so there’s no need to worry about missing information. For now, please return to your own preparations. Ready your introductory gifts, and when the time comes, we will enter the Immortal City together."

"We’re in your debt, Patriarch Su." The Baili Family’s old ancestor thanked Su Ze with a respectful, cupped-fist salute.

"You’re too kind, Senior," Su Ze replied, returning the gesture.

The others also expressed their gratitude before leaving to prepare in their respective tents.

After the others had gone, Su Ze turned to his second uncle, who had remained silent in the seat of honor. "Second Uncle, have you made up your mind? You’ve been deliberating for months, but we’re about to meet him. It’s time to make a decision."

The atmosphere in the tent grew heavy. Shafts of sunlight pierced through gaps in the fabric, illuminating dancing dust motes that seemed to await Su Wunian’s decision.

Su Wunian’s brow furrowed, his eyes betraying a mix of conflict and deep thought. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke. "Ze’er, this Demon Core business is indeed a difficult choice. A pure Inner Core is expensive but has no side effects, while an Original Inner Core is cheap but comes with significant ones. Your uncle is finding it difficult to weigh the pros and cons."

Su Ze looked at his uncle, understanding his predicament. He said softly,

"Second Uncle, this is a critical matter that requires careful thought. A pure Inner Core is expensive, but it ensures you’ll have no worries down the line. The Original Inner Core may be cheap, but we don’t know when the side effects might manifest, and they could have unpredictable consequences. I know you’re worried about the cost, but funds can be raised."

Su Wunian stood and began to pace back and forth inside the tent, his expression shifting continuously. One moment he frowned, the next he was lost in thought, as if waging a fierce internal battle. Finally, he stopped, a glint of resolve in his eyes.

"Ze’er, I’ve decided. I’ll choose neither. Since Spiritual Qi can restore me, then I’ll use Spiritual Qi to recover. It might take longer, but I’ve already stepped into the Extraordinary realm and my Lifespan has increased. I can afford to spend a year or two recovering and solidifying my foundation."

Su Ze gave a wry smile. "Second Uncle, I understand. It’s a shame our family’s resources are limited, and we can’t provide you with a pure Inner Core for your Cultivation. Otherwise, your Cultivation would progress much faster."

Su Wunian waved a hand dismissively. "It’s fine. The Su Family needs to grow. I can’t drain our resources for my own Cultivation. The loss would outweigh the gain."

Seeing that his uncle’s mind was made up, Su Ze said no more. He then turned to the two Princes, who had remained silent the entire time, their temperaments composed.

Emperor Liang was over forty and had thirteen sons, and these two were the most talented of them all.

At only fifteen or sixteen, they had already reached the Second Grade of Cultivation, placing them in the Upper Three Grades. Testing with Spirit Testing Paper later confirmed they possessed Five Spirit Bones. As for their Spirit Roots, one had Two Spirit Roots and the other had Three Spirit Roots.

After reading the books Su Ze had brought back, Emperor Liang decided to have them come here, Abandoning Martial Arts for Cultivation Immortality, so they could grow strong quickly and protect Da Liang in the future.

Da Liang did not lack for money, but it was short on Cultivation Immortality Resources. What the two princes needed could only be obtained within the Immortal City. The only way the Royal Family could help was by periodically sending shipments of worldly resources to trade for the Cultivation Immortality Resources needed for their training.

"Seventh Prince, Ninth Prince, I’ve explained everything on our journey here. Is there anything you’re still unclear about?" Su Ze inquired.

The brothers exchanged a glance, and the Seventh Prince, who was older by a year, nodded. "No. We have memorized most of what was in the books. Anything we don’t understand now, we’ll learn through firsthand experience once we’re in the Immortal City."

"Good." Su Ze chuckled and began to make the necessary arrangements.

Two hours passed in a state of nervous and eager anticipation. Chen Kaishan returned as promised, a convoy of supply-laden carts trailing behind him on the main path.

Su Ze and the representatives from the various factions were already waiting anxiously at the designated spot. A wave of excitement washed over their faces when Chen Kaishan appeared. A gentle breeze rustled the hems of their robes, as if cheering for the start of their journey into the Cultivation Immortality Realm.

Chen Kaishan stopped and swept his gaze over the crowd. "Everyone," he said in a steady voice, "we can depart now."

Su Ze gave a solemn nod and looked back at the former leaders of the seventeen Gate Valve Families, his second uncle Su Wunian, and the two royal Princes. Their eyes were all filled with anticipation and resolve.

Following Chen Kaishan’s lead, the group slowly made their way toward the Immortal City.

No one spoke on the way, their hearts filled with a mixture of reverence and longing for the Immortal City. When Chen Kaishan took out a Token to open a path through the Array, the people behind him began to file into the Grand Array in an orderly manner.

Chen Kaishan did not leave, as he was needed to keep the passage open with his Token. The people and carts behind him quickened their pace, entering the array.

Thankfully, the other seventeen factions hadn’t brought the resources for their "passage fees," or it would have taken even longer.

After about half an hour, all the carriages were inside the array, lined up neatly beneath the city wall and waiting for the gate to open.

Chen Kaishan closed the Array and walked to the entrance, giving a slight nod to the guards at the city gate.

The guards understood immediately and began to slowly open the city gate. As it creaked open, a unique aura washed over them. Everyone’s heart began to beat faster. Inhaling this air, so different from the outside world, they felt their spirits jolt and their bodies relax.

In an instant, everyone’s eyes filled with curiosity and wonder.

’Is this Spiritual Qi?’

Amid the crowd, Su Wunian took a breath and was shocked to find wisps of Power seeping into his nearly depleted Dantian. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, and an irrepressible smile touched his lips.

’I definitely came to the right place.’ Su Wunian finally relaxed. With Spiritual Qi, all he needed was to purchase a suitable Cultivation Technique, and he would no longer have to worry about his Power running dry. As for the Demon Cores needed to advance his Cultivation, that was a problem for another day.

Chen Kaishan led the group into the Immortal City, explaining its current state as they walked.

Although its current appearance wasn’t much different from any other County Town, the crowd listened with rapt attention as Chen Kaishan described the future plans for the Immortal City and the progress of its ongoing transformation, letting out occasional gasps of wonder. They were stunned by the Immortal City’s Array and its ambient Spiritual Qi, their hearts brimming with anticipation for the true Cultivation Immortality Realm.

Chen Kaishan led them to the entrance of Cheng’s Inn, which had been prepared for them. "Everyone," he announced, "this is one of the establishments owned by the Cheng Family, the line of the Lord of Immortal City. You’ll stay here for now. I’ll be back to get you after I’ve spoken with Mr. Cheng."

Everyone nodded, leaving the arrangements to Chen Kaishan.

Chen Kaishan headed for the Cheng Residence. When Cheng Zongyang, who was in the middle of his Cultivation, received the report, he told Chen Kaishan to arrange a meeting place. Upon hearing this, Chen Kaishan made up his mind. He wouldn’t use their usual Commerce Association building, but the new Cheng Clan Commerce Association headquarters.

Cheng Zongyang heard Chen Kaishan’s suggestion and agreed.

Two to three thousand professional artisans had worked around the clock in three shifts for three months. The new seven-story Commerce Association headquarters in the central district was essentially complete, with only some final touch-ups remaining on the street level. It was more than ready to receive guests.

Half an hour later, Chen Kaishan hurried back to the inn. He gave the group a slight nod, then addressed Su Ze and the others. "Patriarch Su, everyone, Mr. Cheng will see you now. Please, follow me."

Their hearts aflutter with a mix of nerves and excitement, the group followed Chen Kaishan toward the Commerce Association in the central district.

Everyone’s bulk resources remained outside the city. The introductory gifts and the resources for their passage fees would be transferred to Tiantuan Village first, to be gradually sent to the Commerce Association for sale later on.