Night had not yet fully fallen, but the sky had already darkened rapidly. The enormous silhouette of Flowing Cloud City looked even more majestic in the dusk. Dots of light began to glow along the city walls, like the eyes of a colossal beast opening. The faint radiance emitted by the city-protecting grand formation stood out especially clearly beneath the night sky, carrying an indescribable sense of oppression.
Following the flow of people, Lin Chen finally arrived at Flowing Cloud City's eastern gate.
Only by standing beneath the gates of this colossal city in person could one truly grasp its magnificence. The city gate stood dozens of zhang high and more than ten zhang wide, like the entrance to a small valley. The heavy black gates were covered in rivets and mysterious patterns, emanating a cold, unyielding aura. On either side stood city walls a hundred zhang tall. Looking upward, one could scarcely see their peaks—only the stars glittering in the night sky.
Before the gate lay an enormous square, still packed with people and bustling with carts and carriages. Those seeking to enter the city had formed several long lines that crept forward slowly. At the gate stood squads of city guards in gleaming armor, long halberds in hand.
The weakest of these soldiers appeared to be at the fourth or fifth level of Qi Condensation, while several of the captains leading them had reached the seventh or eighth level. Their gazes were sharp and their expressions grave as they meticulously inspected every person entering the city.
Unlike Cold Water City's relatively lax entry and exit controls, Flowing Cloud City's inspections were far stricter. Everyone had to pay one Low-grade Spirit Stone as an entry fee, undergo a simple identity check, and submit to an inspection of their belongings