Jade Spring Town

Cultivators in the Qi Refining stage, due to the heaviness and impurity of their mortal bodies, absorb spiritual energy and refine it into true essence, which remains in gaseous form, resulting in less converted mana.

To achieve flight, they mostly rely on flying magical artifacts or escape spells, or raise low-level flying Yao Beasts.

As for items like flying shuttles and paper kites, they are relatively common flying magical artifacts.

The paper kite flew very fast, and during the journey, there were no significant disturbances, such as encountering unruly Yao Beasts. Within half an hour, they arrived at Jade Spring Town, a hundred miles away.

"Cousin, this is Jade Spring Town where you lived as a child. It looks pretty good!" Chen Minglang said in surprise.

Chen Heng nodded slightly, not saying much, but he recalled the origin of Jade Spring Town.

The selection and layout of Jade Spring Town were established hundreds of years ago by Heavenly Thunder Venerable Chen Xiaoting, a Violet Palace realm cultivator, on his return trip from the Azure Profound Sect to Jade Spring Mountain.

He saw that most of the mortal population of the Chen Family was gathered in villages at the foot of Jade Spring Mountain, scattered and disorganized.

This was not conducive to unified management, and furthermore, the cohabitation of immortals and mortals had many inconveniences.

After careful consideration, the Chen Family chose to establish a town in a flat valley a hundred miles away.

With the guidance of a Violet Palace Venerable, the construction of the town was naturally not subpar.

Because this place was very close to Jade Spring Mountain, and the Chen Family's Monster Slaying Squad conducted regular patrols here, and all the personnel managing the town, such as the Garrison Commander and constables, were basically low-level Qi Refining cultivators from the Chen Family.

Once a Yao attack or the appearance of an evil cultivator occurred, an alarm would be issued, and they would await reinforcements from the cultivators in the mountain.

Jade Spring Town had always had few incidents of Yao Beasts attacking people or evil cultivators harming them; it was a peaceful and harmonious paradise.

At this moment.

Chen Heng and his party were in mid-air, looking down. The entire Jade Spring Town was laid out before them.

The Spirit Testing Platform was located in the central plaza of the town.

Chen Xingmo immediately controlled the paper kite, flying directly into the town and landing in front of a mansion in the central plaza.

It was the Garrison Mansion of Jade Spring Town.

The current Garrison Commander of Jade Spring Town, Chen Xingcheng, an elder around sixty years old but only at the third layer of Qi Refining, was already waiting with many low-level cultivators in front of the mansion.

Before the paper kite even landed, he had already led everyone in bowing and shouted, "Greetings, esteemed sirs!"

Although Chen Xingcheng was from a direct lineage and was older, with his low cultivation, he dared not put on any airs.

Cultivators who had embarked on the path of cultivation all understood one principle: strength determined status.

Moreover, why had he ended up in a mortal area like Jade Spring Town? It was simply because there were no close relatives left in the direct lineage within the mountain, and thus he had fallen to this place.

Fortunately, he had taken many wives and concubines over the years and had many children, hoping that one of them would possess at least a mid-grade spiritual root.

Then, through his child's status, he could return to Jade Spring Mountain.

Chen Xingmo said calmly, "Cousin Xingcheng, you are too polite. Are the children of appropriate age from the various villages already gathered in town?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Xingcheng replied cautiously, "Reporting to Elder, except for the children from the two farthest villages who are still on their way, the children from the other villages are currently gathered in the special guesthouse."

"How much longer will it take for them to arrive?"

"It will take about one to two more days of travel."

Chen Xingmo glanced back at Chen Heng, then instructed, "If that's the case, we will conduct the spirit testing and grading together after three days. You may go prepare."

Garrison Commander Chen Xingcheng took his orders and led everyone away.

Although he wanted to exchange more pleasantries, he also understood the principle of "too much is as bad as too little."

The most important thing now was to complete the task properly and avoid any mishaps.

After everyone left, Chen Xingmo said to a few people, "There's still plenty of time. Let's go into the mansion and find rooms to settle down. Mingjing, Minglang, if you two want to explore the surroundings."

"Perhaps you could trouble Cousin Mingheng to take you around and experience the local customs of this mortal town."

Chen Heng frowned slightly upon hearing this, "When I was seven years old and tested for a fifth-grade Water-Fire Spiritual Root, I moved to the foot of Jade Spring Mountain. I'm not very familiar with Jade Spring Town."

"I'm afraid I'll disappoint my younger cousins."

At this moment, the short elder Chen Xingyi chuckled and said, "Even if you took Minglang to the place where you used to relieve yourself as a child, he would still follow you with a smile."

"Hey, Uncle Xingyi, can't you be more serious?"

Before Chen Minglang could reply, Chen Mingjing, who had been quiet all along, retorted.

"You youngsters go play, we elders will go into the mansion to rest," said the tall elder Chen Xingyong gently, looking at the two with doting eyes.

It seemed that the two were his very close juniors.

After the three elders entered the mansion, Chen Minglang immediately approached Chen Heng, looking a bit excited, "Cousin, just take us around. It's my first time going down the mountain."

Chen Mingjing on the side reached out to cover her forehead, shaking her head as if she didn't want to acknowledge him.

Among cultivators, it was rare to find someone with such strong worldly desires as Chen Minglang; it was indeed unusual.

Chen Heng pondered for a moment and recalled a place he often played in during his childhood, which was worth visiting.

He then said calmly, "There is indeed a place in this town that has some peculiar charm."

As soon as he said this, Chen Minglang's eyes lit up, and he quickly pressed, "Cousin, what place is it? Tell me first."

Chen Heng, however, smiled and pretended not to hear, turning to lead the way.

Although he had been away for more than ten years, Jade Spring Town had not changed much.

Following the streets of his childhood memories, Chen Heng led Chen Minglang and Chen Mingjing through the familiar alleys and lanes of Jade Spring Town; after all, he often played in that area when he was young.

Chen Minglang's curiosity was piqued, and he naturally followed closely, not leaving their side.

Chen Mingjing maintained a steady pace, following behind the two.

Her expression was calm, neither joyful nor sad.

And so.

The three of them walked through the streets and alleys like this.

Jade Spring Town had always been prosperous and peaceful, with all sorts of shops lining both sides of the streets, and even many peddlers hawking their wares as they went.

The sounds of various shouts and calls were incessant.

The vibrant atmosphere of mortal life washed over them, a stark contrast to the place of quiet cultivation on the mountain.

Chen Minglang watched with great interest, looking around and frequently asking about the novelties at the street stalls, appearing thoroughly engaged.

Chen Mingjing, however, maintained her usual composure, her steps unhurried and her gaze serene, as if the surrounding bustle had not truly disturbed her state of mind.

She quietly observed this world, so different from her identity as a cultivator.

But it wasn't long before simply looking wasn't enough for Chen Minglang.

He even bought a lot of mortal food and ate it with great relish.

It should be known that mortal food contains a large amount of turbid qi. If cultivators consume too much, it will affect the efficiency of absorbing spiritual energy and converting it into true essence, thereby impacting their cultivation.

Most cultivators generally do not casually eat or drink mortal food.

But Chen Minglang acted without restraint, completely disregarding this, preferring to satisfy his own cravings first.

He also generously invited Chen Heng and Chen Mingjing to join him.

However, Chen Mingjing, who was usually dignified, saw this and her face darkened unusually, and she righteously refused.

She was a person dedicated to the Dao.

Chen Heng chuckled and accepted a skewer of candied hawthorn that he offered, as he was not so strict about such things.