Falling Cloud City

Thousands of sword lights and escape lights streamed across the sky like a migrating meteor shower, carrying panic, desolation, and resolve. They left Qingshi Market—stripped of its array protection and exposed in the wilderness like a naked infant—utterly behind them, farther and farther away.

Li Chengjie was carried through the air on a sword by a disciple assigned by Zhou Wenwu. The fierce gale made his robes snap wildly as he looked down at the mountains and rivers rushing past beneath him, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

His Li's Pill Pavilion, the Minor Sumeru Vajra Array he had only just bought and had not even had time to warm in his hands, all his alchemy materials and savings... everything vanished like bubbles as Qingshi Market receded into the distance. But compared to those worldly possessions, surviving that sudden ambush and the chaos that followed was already a blessing amid misfortune.

Li Chengjie clutched the robe of the sword-riding disciple before him tightly, not daring to relax in the slightest. Yet his gaze could not help drifting toward the azure streak leading them all—Foundation Establishment Elder Zhao Qianfeng.

He was the first Foundation Establishment powerhouse Li Chengjie had encountered in this life.

Li Chengjie activated detection, and the prompt sounded once more:

[Replicable Target detected: 'Zhao Qianfeng' (Foundation Establishment Early Stage). Replicable Items: Rock Heart Sutra cultivation technique Experience and Insights, Foundation Establishment Insight Experience. Estimated Replication Point cost: points.]

Replication Points—an astronomical figure for Li Chengjie, who only had a few hundred Spirit Stones left after buying spirit talismans.

Yet Foundation Establishment Insight Experience held immeasurable value for Li Chengjie's cultivation.

A flicker of unwillingness flashed through Li Chengjie's eyes.

They raced south for roughly a month, scarcely stopping along the way.

Only then did the outline of a gigantic city, far more majestic and prosperous than Qingshi Market, emerge on the distant horizon.

Its towering walls stretched like a winding mountain range. Flags fluttered atop its gate towers, and the two characters "Flowing Cloud" could vaguely be seen. A visible spiritual-energy barrier enveloped the vast city, denser and more immense than the array that had vanished from Qingshi Market, radiating a reassuring aura.

"We've reached Falling Cloud City!" came the weary yet relieved cries of the cultivators ahead.

The group gradually slowed, finally descending onto the broad plaza outside Falling Cloud City's magnificent South Gate.

Unlike the panicked evacuation from Qingshi Market, Falling Cloud City was in perfect order. Disciples clad in Flowing Cloud Sect attire stood strict guard at the gates. Though the flow of people entering and leaving was heavy, everything proceeded methodically, displaying the stable rule and formidable strength of this place.

Zhao Qianfeng put away his Flying Sword. Without even giving Zhou Wenwu and the others further instructions, he merely nodded slightly to a Falling Cloud City steward who came forward to greet him, then transformed into a streak of light and flew straight into the depths of the city. Clearly, he was heading to meet with the higher-ups stationed here and report on Qingshi Market.

Zhou Wenwu watched Zhao Qianfeng depart, then looked back at the shaken and bedraggled group behind him. He let out a long breath, and the nerves that had been taut all this time finally eased somewhat.

Zhou Wenwu turned, his gaze landing on Li Chengjie amid the crowd.

After the mad flight and time to calm down, Zhou Wenwu's mindset had already changed.

Qingshi Market had been abandoned. The Chen Family could not possibly come to Falling Cloud City to seek revenge anytime soon, while the Flowing Cloud Sect was currently under immense pressure from the Blood Fiend Cult. Internal stability was especially crucial.

Li Chengjie's conflict with Chen Xuan had been a major matter in Qingshi Market. But now, with the sect battered by wind and rain and strategically contracting its territory—especially after losing both the site of the incident and the key witness, since Chen Xuan was dead and the scene had been abandoned—it was clearly no longer appropriate to spend further effort investigating an External Alchemist's "self-defense." It might even stir up needless internal sentiment.

Zhou Wenwu walked over to Li Chengjie and studied him with a complicated expression for a moment before slowly speaking. "Alchemist Li."

Li Chengjie's heart tightened. He quickly bowed. "Steward Zhou."

Zhou Wenwu waved a hand, his tone calm but decisive. "The matter of Qingshi Market is in the past. The sect now faces a great enemy and needs everyone to stand united through these difficult times. As for the grudges between you and Chen Xuan, they occurred in a market that has now been abandoned, and the circumstances at the time were special. This steward also believes that you were indeed acting in self-defense. Let this matter end here. It will not be pursued further."

Li Chengjie froze at first, then a surge of immense delight and relief washed over him. He gave a deep bow. "Thank you, Steward Zhou, for seeing the truth! Li is deeply grateful!"

Zhou Wenwu nodded and continued, "You were originally an external hire of the Flowing Cloud Sect. Now that Qingshi Market is gone, your employment contract naturally has to be voided.

Falling Cloud City is core territory of the Flowing Cloud Sect, far beyond what Qingshi Market can compare to.

This place is a crouching tiger, a hidden dragon. Among Foundation Establishment families alone, the Wen Family, Tan Family, and Fu Family stand in a three-way balance. The city's Rules are strict, and the competition is even fiercer.

You have no foundation here, and your cultivation level is not particularly high. Fortunately, you possess decent alchemy skills. Perhaps you can find a place to settle down and make a living here."

Zhou Wenwu paused, seeming to recall something, then said, "Whether you can gain a foothold will depend on your own fortune. Take care of yourself."

With that, Zhou Wenwu said no more and turned to arrange accommodations for the others. Clearly, as far as he was concerned, the "trouble" that was Li Chengjie had been dealt with. What happened afterward had nothing to do with him.

Li Chengjie stood where he was, watching Zhou Wenwu's departing back before looking at the great city before him, which radiated a vast presence yet also hinted at unknown dangers. The joy that had just risen in his heart was swiftly replaced by the heaviness of an uncertain road ahead.

With no relatives or friends in this city of Falling Cloud, where powerful figures stood in abundance, how was he supposed to begin again from scratch?

"Alchemist Li? Is that really you?"

Just then, a crisp female voice, carrying surprise and familiarity, rang out beside him.

Li Chengjie turned toward the voice and saw a beautiful young woman dressed in the robes of a Flowing Cloud Sect Inner Disciple looking at him curiously. She was none other than Lin Zixue, who had appeared at Li's Pill Pavilion with Senior Brother Wang that day and had praised his pills.

"Fairy... Fairy Lin?" Li Chengjie was equally surprised and hurriedly cupped his hands in greeting.

Lin Zixue looked at the groups around them as they dispersed and were assigned places, then at Li Chengjie, standing alone and looking somewhat downcast. Clever as she was, she seemed to understand something. A trace of sympathy flashed through her eyes as she softly asked, "Alchemist Li also evacuated from Qingshi Market? Then it seems... your shop there..."

Li Chengjie gave a bitter smile and nodded. "The world is unpredictable. It's all gone."

Lin Zixue blinked, then suddenly said, "Alchemist Li need not worry too much. I have seen your alchemy skills. The quality of your Pill Formation is exceptional, especially your control over impurities—it is even a cut above some of the senior apprentices in our pill pavilion. Now that you have come to Falling Cloud City, why not put your strengths to use?"

Lin Zixue paused, then said warmly, "My master is a Second-tier Low-grade alchemist at the Flowing Cloud Pill Pavilion. The Flowing Cloud Pill Pavilion answers directly to the sect and is responsible for refining and supplying medicinal pills. It is in need of highly skilled alchemists. With your ability, Alchemist Li, if you are willing, I can recommend you to my master. Perhaps you could obtain a position in the pill pavilion as an alchemy apprentice, or even as a Guest Alchemist. Things may be somewhat difficult at first, but at least you would have a stable place to stay and a source of resources. That would be far better than feeling your way around outside on your own. What do you think, Alchemist Li?"

When one path through the mountains closed, another opened through the willows!

Li Chengjie could hardly believe his ears!

In this desperate situation, he had actually encountered someone willing to lend a hand—and it was an opportunity leading directly to the Flowing Cloud Sect's core pill pavilion!

Li Chengjie forcibly suppressed the excitement in his heart and deeply bowed to Lin Zixue once more, his tone utterly sincere. "Fairy Lin's kindness in sending charcoal amid snow is something Li Chengjie will never forget, even if his teeth fall out! If I can receive this opportunity, Li will certainly give it his all and never let down Fairy Lin's recommendation!"

Lin Zixue smiled radiantly. "There is no need to be so polite, Alchemist Li. My name is Lin Zixue. It is only a small effort.

Besides, I am also recommending talent to the pill pavilion.

Please wait a moment. Once I finish arranging the matters at hand, I will take you to the Flowing Cloud Pill Pavilion to meet my master."