A worrying outlook
Kun Jun City has a rather irregular layout; the roads are not crisscrossed, but rather diagonal and winding. In addition, it covers a vast area, making it very easy for first-time visitors to get lost.
"This..." Wu Yaozu walked along the bustling sloping street, then entered a winding road, getting dizzy as he realized he had returned to the place he had just been.
Adding to the bustling crowds, he was quite unaccustomed to the place, having just emerged from the Fourth Forbidden Land, and almost got separated from Qin Ming.
"The Spirit Goat has just returned from hunting in the mountains, accumulating a century's worth of cultivation. The fresh skewers are fragrant and brimming with spiritual energy. Everyone, line up!"
A barbecue restaurant was bustling with customers, and the Spirit Goat looked incredibly tempting, with a rich aroma and an almost Light of Spirituality.
"Ming Ge, shall we go in and try some?" Wu Yaozu asked, his appetite now quite evident. "It's probably Rat Demon meat, mixed with a muttony smell, but it's still edible," Qin Ming said. Wu Yaozu: "."
"Enlightenment Tea, produced in the edge of the Second Forbidden Land Region, only comes around once every three years. The new product is now on the market, personally harvested by the elders of Pure Land. Auction tonight!"
In a sizable teahouse, someone used their Consciousness Spirit Light, and their voice echoed throughout the street, causing quite a stir.
Clearly, this company's tea is quite famous.
After Qin Ming and Wu Yaozu entered the city, they visited two academies and were already completely disoriented. Unable to bear it any longer, they first found a well-established restaurant to eat at.
"How exactly was this Giant City, famous even in the Night Mist World, planned? Many roads are crooked and twisted, making it very unfriendly to newcomers," Wu Yaozu said.
At a nearby table, someone chuckled and said, "Brother, you can think of Kunling as a cluster of cities. If you think of it that way, you won't get lost easily."
With guidance from others, Wu Yaozu and Qin Ming finally gained a deeper understanding of the place.
This area was established by various Daoist temples and academies.
Each temple and academy would choose a location with abundant spiritual energy and expand outwards from there, each becoming a district in itself. As these areas developed, people continuously migrated there, filling the gaps left between the different temples and academies.
Therefore, Kun Jun City can be divided into more than a dozen districts, covering a vast area. It is not surprising that there are Spirit Mountain and giant lakes emanating ethereal energy within the city, and its area is far larger than other Giant City.
When different urban areas connect, the roads are often slanted and crooked.
"Little Wu, you need to change how you address me. From now on, call me Shen Wubing." Qin Ming secretly reminded him. After arriving in this new territory, he didn't want to attract attention; his main purpose was to collect the books from various universities.
Now, his control over flesh and blood is incredibly precise, allowing him to alter his appearance and operate the "Light Harmony with the World" technique. Back in the Six Royals Ancestral Court, Lu Zi had helped him supplement this Secret Method, resulting in a qualitative improvement.
"Okay, Brother Shen." Wu Yaozu nodded.
"The prices here are really not cheap." Qin Ming discovered when he paid the bill that it was several times higher than in Red Haze City.
Before he fell from the sky into the Fourth Forbidden Land, his body was shattered. He used his Adhesion Force to bind some important items, but he didn't care about his clothes or the Day Gold.
"Sigh, I used to have some assets, but they all exploded in mid-air along with me. Oh well, may the broken pieces bring peace." Qin Ming sighed.
He counted the Day Gold and found only a little over a hundred left, a pity for the contributions of Wang Nianzhu, Ge Qianxun, and others.
"Little Wu, be careful with your money." He gave half to Wu Yaozu, sixty-six coins each, which was all he had left.
Wu Yaozu nodded and said, "Brother, let's hire a car. This place is too convoluted; we can't cut corners here, and we're just taking a roundabout route."
Qin Ming nodded and said, "Okay, let's go. This time, let's join an academy first and settle down before making any further decisions."
Then they boarded a sheep-drawn cart. They didn't get to eat the Spirit Goat, but they did get to ride in the cart it pulled. It was taller and stronger than normal cattle and horses, with a striking golden coat.
At first, the two thought someone was driving a carriage, using the Goat Demon to transport passengers, but they never expected that the Old Sheep itself was soliciting business.
It was very enthusiastic and talkative, and the nanmu wood cart was very clean and had a pleasant fragrance.
"I've been driving Old Sheep for twenty years, honest and fair, fair prices. If you two need a ride in the future, or want to charter a car long-term, you can contact me." It has a name, and calls itself Jin Xiang.
Wu Yaozu asked, "Old Sheep, which academy do you think is good and suitable for newcomers like us who have no background but are quite talented?"
Jin Xiang Xiangdao wiggled his goatee and said, "Actually, it's hard to compare. Sky Roc Dao Field, Mountain River Academy, and others are all good; none of them are bad. Otherwise, they wouldn't be able to establish themselves in this legendary land. It's said that they all have powerful figures backing them!"
"Then let's go to the Mountain River Academy," Qin Ming said.
"Alright!" Old Sheep ran steadily and quickly, and was very talkative, telling the two of them a lot of things to pay attention to.
For example, outstanding candidates who have already been admitted in advance will have to pass some assessments if they want to join now.
"There's Mist Land behind the Mountain River Academy; don't wander in recklessly, or you'll easily get into trouble. Also, this academy is full of hidden talents; be discreet when you go in, or you might get taken care of..."
Qin Ming and Wu Yaozu felt that the service was quite attentive and that it was worth the ride.
Shanhe City is very prosperous. When viewed separately, it is quite well-organized, with Divine Temple, residences, markets and other buildings standing side by side, and a constant flow of people.
The university is located in the center and covers a vast area, with mountains, dense forests, lakes, and a large complex of ancient buildings. It is mysterious yet full of vitality. As soon as I arrived at the gate, I saw a large number of students coming and going. They were all young and full of vitality.
Seeing this scene, Jin Xiang was deeply moved and sighed, "Alas, it's that time of year again for New Life registration. Thinking back to twenty-four years ago, I also entered from here. In the blink of an eye, twenty years have passed since I graduated."
Upon hearing this, Wu Yaozu was utterly shocked. This was supposed to be an eccentric Senior Brother? So he went to pull a rickshaw right after graduation? This lousy university's future looks bleak!
Jin Xiang quickly added, "My two junior Old Sheep, please don't misunderstand. The Cultivation Method I practice is quite special. It requires me to swallow worldly energy every day. There's nothing more suitable for my job than this. I'm Mortal World Heart Tempering."
Qin Ming and Wu Yaozu exchanged glances. They had already gotten off the bus; could they perhaps choose another one?
Since they were already there, they decided to make the best of it and walked forward.
The Mountain River Academy, with two stone mountains as its gateway, is filled with auspicious purple qi, and various ancient trees grow nearby, lush and verdant.
"These two junior students are so handsome and spirited, they look extraordinary..." As soon as they arrived at the entrance, a beautiful girl came up to greet them warmly. When she learned that the two were not there to register, but to take a temporary test, she immediately smiled slightly, excused herself, and quickly replaced them with a young man to lead the way.
"Which path will you take: the Immortal Path, the Secret Sect Path, the Mutation Path... or the New Life Evolver?" the boy asked.
Upon learning that the two had chosen the New Life Path, the young man smiled and asked, "Would you like to become Golden Armor Guard? Recently, quite a few junior brothers and sisters from the Immortal Path have been selecting helpers."
Upon hearing this, Wu Yaozu realized that this New Life Path was really not promising, and Ming Ge's future looked bleak.
"Uh, I don't plan on that anytime soon," Qin Ming said.
Then, the boy waved his hand, summoning a crow to guide the two to the assessment, and then he turned and left.
Wu Yaozu was dumbfounded, and it took him a long time to say, "This... is too realistic! From the pretty senior at the beginning to the old crow at the end?!"
"I 'Little Crow only sixteen, and I'm your senior too!" the crow in the tree protested.
"Ah, I'm so sorry Crow Sis!" Wu Yaozu quickly apologized.
Qin Ming has a 20-city winning streak, which means he can join any academy without any problem, but he doesn't plan to reveal it. He went to be tested with Wu Yaozu, including tests on strength, speed, perception, and combat skills, and the two of them passed smoothly.
The interior of the Mountain River Academy is secluded and quiet. The main gate is noisy with New Life registering everywhere, but once inside, the place is so large that it includes forest areas, swamp areas, and more, and the noise immediately subsides.
Crow Sis said, "My two junior brothers, you are truly fortunate this year. The Old Senior of various academies and universities will join forces to deal with the auspicious Auspicious Beast in the Third Forbidden Land. Perform well, and if you are outstanding enough, you will definitely be granted the Auspicious Beast Blood, and you may even be able to undergo a Nirvana."
Wu Yaozu immediately rubbed his hands together, his blood boiling with excitement.
Qin Ming was much calmer, because he knew why those Immortal Seed and God Seed appeared—it was for the Auspicious Beast Blood, and he estimated that the number of available spots was quite limited and scarce.
Crow Sis continued, "However, your chances are indeed slim. Have you heard of that Eighty-One Freak? His name is Xin Youdao. He swept through Eighty-One Cities and has also joined our Mountain River Academy. He's pursuing both the Secret Sect Path and the New Life Path simultaneously. Undoubtedly, the New Life Evolver Path is weaker and has fewer competitors. He'll most likely choose to squeeze out a spot from that side to obtain the Auspicious Beast Blood."
"This... different paths, and even a Contempt Hierarchy?" Wu Yaozu scratched his head, feeling that Ming Ge had really had a tough time since arriving here.
Crow Sis said, "Many New Life Evolver come to terms with reality within a year or two. Those who are clear-headed initially enrolled to choose followers, aren't you the same?"
Wu Yaozu remained silent.
Soon, Crow Sis led the two to arrange accommodations. The environment was quite ordinary, far inferior to the Spirit Mountain area shrouded in Immortal Mist where those who followed the Immortal Path or the Secret Sect Path stayed.
This is a wooded area, quite far from the Fire Spring, and rather dark in the night. The only redeeming feature is that the cabins are all individual small wooden huts, not the kind of shared rooms one might expect.
Crow Sis laughed, "See that place with flowing Fire Spring, rising immortal Immortal Mist, and purple qi? Actually, you can also go in. Those who perform exceptionally well, regardless of which path you're on, can live there. There are quite a few pretty senior girls there!"
"Brother, let's go, let's get two rooms. This place is so far from even the Fire Spring, let alone moonlight," Wu Yaozu secretly transmitted. "Let's calm down first, find out what's going on here before we talk," Qin Ming really didn't want to attract attention so soon after arriving.
What he cared about most was the collection of books here; that was his ultimate goal, and nothing else mattered. He even planned to visit various universities and temples.
"Hey juniors, want some tickets?" Sister Crow Sis asked mysteriously at the last minute. "What's going on?" Wu Yaozu asked curiously.
Crow Sis said, "Xin Youdao is very powerful; he's entered our academy. There's also a Heavenly Prodigy Test, known as the Young Ancestor, and is extremely powerful as well. He's come to Kun Jun City this time and will soon be sparring with Xin Youdao. Don't you want to witness this decisive battle between those who stand at the pinnacle of our generation?"
"Tch, Kunlun (What kind of place is Kunlun? It's a place with numerous academies and schools, teeming with students. This grand duel between the most representative geniuses of our generation is the focus of everyone's attention, and many people have traveled thousands of miles from other cities to watch. You think you can watch for free? The ticket prices are already sky-high."
"How much?" Wu Yaozu asked.
It whispered, "I have some good spots here. As your senior, I'll give you a discount: twenty Day Gold per ticket."
"I won't look!" Although Wu Yaozu had just emerged from the perilous situation and lacked experience, he was definitely not stupid. This Crow Sis was clearly trying to rip him off.
"Ticket prices have already skyrocketed, you know? There's no cheaper option." The two shook their heads again.
"Brother, when are we going to have a match? Charging like this, we'll make a fortune in no time!" Wu Yaozu secretly transmitted his voice. He felt that he and Wu Yaozu were both top-tier players.
"Tuition fees, accommodation fees..." Crow Sis kindly reminded them, and seeing that they weren't buying tickets, she didn't want to stay any longer either. The two were dumbfounded; were they going to go bankrupt just by coming in? The various fees were ridiculously expensive.
"Can we postpone it for a few days?" Wu Yaozu whispered.
"Sure, I have someone recruiting Golden Armor Guard. Do you want to go and earn Day Gold?" "Let's think about it first," Qin Ming said.
Crow Sis flapped her wings and flew away, disappearing into the night.
That day, Qin Ming and Wu Yaozu wandered around, just to familiarize themselves with the environment and get used to the atmosphere.
They noticed many students running towards the main gate, which quickly caused a commotion, and immediately followed to inquire about the situation.
"Let's go to the Flying Ascension Academy next door. It's said that a Old Senior is coming to give a lecture, and some Immortal Seed will also come to share their insights and offer blessings to the New Life," someone said.
Upon hearing this, Qin Ming immediately lost interest.
"Let me tell you how powerful these Immortal Seed. Some of them achieved enlightenment at the age of three, and others have swept aside their peers and obtained Near Immortal Object..."
Hearing their conversation, Qin Ming immediately grabbed the other person and asked, "What did you say? Who are they?" After a moment, he beckoned to Wu Yaozu and said, "Little Wu, let's go, we're going to the Ascension Academy right now!"
(There's more to come!)