Chapter 697 - 352: Changes in the Immortal City

Chapter 697: Chapter 352: Changes in the Immortal City

Half a year passed in the blink of an eye.

During these six months, Cheng Zongyang had completely immersed himself in the cultivation of four Magic Techniques.

Every day, Luo Dingran delivered a variety of resources for him to devour and refine, such as Evil Qi, Yin Qi, and Spiritual Qi Liquid, all selected from the offerings of the Cultivation Immortality Realm.

His power had increased immensely!

He was now at the Qi Cultivation Great Perfection Realm.

One could say he was advancing at a rate of nearly one minor realm per month. This was thanks to his ability to monitor his proficiency, letting him know which direction was most effective. Plus, he had a massive amount of resources to absorb.

Of course, this was mainly due to the astonishing efficiency of the North Nether Swallowing Qi Method.

As long as he had enough resources and his Dantian had ample space, he could almost endlessly absorb, convert, and advance!

This rate of advancement was simply terrifying.

If it weren’t for the limited space within his body, and the time he spent solidifying his foundation through combat and practicing Magic Techniques, the efficiency of the North Nether Swallowing Qi Method alone would have likely propelled him into the Foundation Establishment Realm within those six months!

And the results of his cultivation were obvious.

His Artifact Manipulation Technique, Wind-Stepping Step, Divine Sense Deep Forging Method, and Immovable Bright King Body had all become Refined and Masterful.

Now, his artifact manipulation was strong enough to freely wield objects over a hundred pounds in battle. The range of his Divine Sense had also reached one kilometer.

This meant his Artifact Manipulation Technique could strike anywhere within that one-kilometer radius, though its power diminished with distance.

And this Divine Sense range far exceeded the typical three to four hundred-meter range of a Qi Cultivation Great Perfection practitioner.

This was another astounding result of the Divine Sense Deep Forging Method. However, cultivating it was fraught with peril; the slightest carelessness would lead to unbearable pain, akin to the sensation of his Mud Ball Palace being pierced.

This was why many people didn’t dare to cultivate it. The intense pain was a major deterrent. A mild case would require a long period of rest, while a severe case could result in damage to one’s Primordial Spirit. The potential rewards were not worth the risks, making it a pure waste of time. Consequently, very few ever succeeded in mastering the Deep Forging Method.

If Cheng Zongyang hadn’t been able to monitor his proficiency, he never would have attempted this technique. Otherwise, the slightest mistake would have meant daily, excruciating pain. ’Just thinking about it is terrifying.’

Of course, the Artifact Manipulation Technique merely helped him control objects; he didn’t rely on it for combat. In the future, those two Soul Gathering Steles would be his true weapons!

The Artifact Manipulation Technique simply expanded the range of items he could control.

His foundation had also been completely solidified during his cultivation, eliminating the hidden dangers that came with advancing too quickly.

While Cheng Zongyang was in secluded cultivation, the thirty-seven factions were also working around the clock to prepare resources.

They knew their cooperation with Cheng Zongyang was crucial, so they didn’t dare to slack off in the slightest.

Within six months, the thirty-seven factions had finished preparing all the materials and transported them to the Immortal City. They were now eagerly awaiting Cheng Zongyang’s emergence from seclusion.

After exiting the Realm of Ten Thousand Races, Cheng Zongyang’s consciousness returned to his body. He opened his eyes, stretched, and then checked the Array Sand Table.

Sensing that the number of Qi Cultivation Practitioners in the Immortal City had reached over eighty, he gave a slight nod.

’The increased number means the Immortal City’s Spiritual Qi density and cultivation environment are improving.’

’This is a promising start.’

A quarter of an hour later, Cheng Zongyang was riding in a horse-drawn carriage, moving slowly through the city.

Warm sunlight filtered through the thin clouds, bathing the Immortal City in a gentle, golden glow. A light breeze drifted through the streets, carrying a hint of coolness that was also quite refreshing.

The carriage rumbled softly as it traveled along the smooth bluestone road.

He leaned against the opening of the carriage, gazing out at the Immortal City. It had been completely transformed, truly a different place.

Inside the city, once-dilapidated buildings had been renovated. Pavilions of a uniform style were now arranged in a picturesque, orderly manner. White walls gleamed in the sunlight, and black roof tiles lay like perfectly arranged fish scales, creating a sense of solemn grandeur.

The streets were lined with a dazzling array of shops, their banners fluttering gently in the wind. Some Martial Artists, clad in practical attire, hurried on their way, while common folk were either busy with their work or chatting leisurely by the roadside.

In the city’s central square, in front of the Cheng Clan Commerce Association, a fountain bubbled, its spray creating a rainbow of colors as it refracted the sunlight.

The square was surrounded by exquisite flowerbeds. Thanks to the Spiritual Qi, the city’s plants and trees were lush and verdant. Colorful flowers bloomed in profusion, releasing waves of sweet fragrance. A few small birds hopped cheerfully on the branches, their chirping adding a lively touch to the vibrant Immortal City.

Instead of getting out to enter the Commerce Association, Cheng Zongyang had the carriage turn and head toward the West City Gate.

Along the way, Cheng Zongyang occasionally overheard Martial Artists who had gathered to exchange cultivation insights during their leisure time.

"Hey, Old Zhang, I don’t know if it’s just my imagination, but it feels like my training has been much smoother since the Immortal City was rebuilt. Though I’m not ready for Cultivation Immortality yet," a burly Martial Artist said with a wide grin, holding a cut of Exotic Beast Flesh he’d bought from the Cheng Clan Commerce Association.

"You’re telling me! The old environment was nothing like this. And the Martial Arts training resources at the Cheng Clan Commerce Association are way cheaper than what I used to see back with the Royal Family," another, typically stern-faced Martial Artist replied, a rare, knowing smile on his face.

Life for ordinary people had also become more convenient and prosperous. The central market, with its hundreds of stalls, provided them with ample business opportunities.

Ordinary folk could set up stalls here to do business, earning enough to live on and even save up the funds for their children’s Martial Arts Training.

Some housewives picked through fresh ingredients at the market, haggling with vendors while chatting about local gossip.