Wuji Immortal City

In just two days, after the Mysterious Sky Crane streaked at top speed over a stretch of mountains, a majestic immortal city appeared before them. Its walls stood so high they nearly pierced the clouds, and even with the eyesight of Qi Refining Late Stage cultivators, they could not see their end. The walls were also covered in scars, as though displaying the wars they had endured over countless ages.

Even the Mysterious Sky Crane appeared somewhat tiny when it flew before the city gates. The people entering the immortal city below were smaller than ants and as numerous as the hairs on an ox.

Fang Xiao and the other Outer Court disciples were utterly shaken by the sight. Since entering the sect, they had never seen so many cultivators. It was even harder for them to imagine just how many cultivators there were within this immortal city—and within the Cultivation World itself.

Naturally, one could not fly when entering the immortal city. Ordinary cultivators obediently queued up, but how could a holy land lack privileges?

Li Daoyuan sent a Message Talisman into the city, then signaled for the Mysterious Sky Crane to enter directly. From the perspective of the cultivators below, flying straight into the immortal city was tyrannical in the extreme, showing absolutely no regard for the Wuji Sect.

The Mysterious Sky Crane carried them into the immortal city, and the scene within unfolded before their eyes. Buildings stretched as far as the eye could see, scattered like stars across the landscape. Their layout was rigorous, their design exquisite, and their heights arranged in harmonious layers, creating an orderly beauty.

As expected, not everyone could be a cultivator. Fang Xiao carefully observed the crowd below and found that quite a few were mere mortals. The descendants of cultivators only had a somewhat higher chance of possessing spirit roots than mortals; it was by no means guaranteed. The mortals here were very likely descendants of cultivators.

At that moment, a streak of spiritual light sped toward them from a great distance. It halted before the Mysterious Sky Crane and transformed into a young cultivator.

"Brother Daoist Li has arrived. Qi failed to welcome you from afar; please forgive me."

This man was Qi Tianxing, an elder of the Wuji Sect and a Golden Core Mid Stage cultivator. Since forming his core, he had been stationed in Wuji Immortal City.

"Fellow Daoist Qi, you are too courteous. The Myriad Treasures Merchant Association is holding Auctions in all the major immortal cities this time. I merely brought my disciples out to broaden their horizons."

It was not as though the Tianlan Sect lacked immortal cities. Six immortal cities had been established beneath the Tianlan Sect. The reason Li Daoyuan had brought them to Wuji Immortal City was mainly because the Wuji Sect, as a sect specializing in formations, had some cooperation with the Tianlan Sect. Thus, they occasionally needed to visit each other. The Mingxuan Outer Court was the closest, so the task had fallen to Li Daoyuan. As an Auction happened to be taking place, he had brought them over to see the world.

"As expected of disciples of a holy land—every one of them possesses extraordinary aptitude. Their futures will surely be boundless. This place is crowded and full of prying eyes, so let us not linger. A residence has already been prepared for you all. Please follow me." Qi Tianxing swept his gaze across Fang Xiao and the others, exchanged pleasantries with Li Daoyuan, then invited them to their arranged lodgings.

"A guest follows the host's convenience. We shall follow Fellow Daoist Qi's arrangements. Let us go. I wonder whether Senior Yunxia is present. Since we have come, we should pay him a visit."

"He is, he is. Let us first settle Brother Daoist Li's disciples, then I will accompany you to visit Martial Uncle Yunxia."

"That is only proper."

Following Qi Tianxing, the group was arranged to stay at a guesthouse called Wangshu Pavilion. Li Daoyuan also went with Qi Tianxing to visit that Nascent Soul True Cultivator. Before leaving, he granted Fang Xiao and the other disciples permission to go out, merely informing them that they were to gather here on the third day after the Auction ended and return to the Outer Court. Just as on the journey here, those who were late would not be waited for.

Fang Xiao certainly would not be late. They had reached Wuji Immortal City in two days because of the Mysterious Sky Crane's speed. If he had to return on his own, even factoring in time to restore his spiritual power along the way, it would take at least a month or so. He had no intention of wasting that much time merely traveling.

After Li Daoyuan left, the three of them discussed matters and decided to split up and act separately. Naturally, they also asked one another to keep an eye out for things they needed.

Fang Xiao had a clear goal. Since he had come to the territory of the Wuji Sect, renowned for its formations, he naturally had to first purchase a suitable formation.

After all, he had been using that First-Order Formation at the Outer Court with his hands tied. Nor could he possibly remain indoors forever. Whether he was making a temporary stop or seeking a place for secluded cultivation outside, without a formation, would he not be leaving the front gate wide open? If someone with ill intentions discovered him, would that not be a tragedy?

"Fellow Daoist, your sect's formations are renowned throughout the world. I wish to purchase one or two sets. Might I ask whether your sect has a shop in Wuji Immortal City that sells formations?"

"You are too polite, Fellow Daoist. I am Xu Kun. Though I do not rank highly within the Wuji Sect, I am somewhat versed in formations. What sort of formation does Fellow Daoist require?"

This Wuji Sect disciple knew Fang Xiao and the others' identities, so he was naturally very polite. Yet when the Wuji Sect was mentioned, he could not hide his proud expression. He assumed Fang Xiao only needed a First-Order Formation and had underestimated the rank of formation Fang Xiao intended to buy.

"Ah, what I need is a Second-Order Formation. Can Fellow Daoist Xu refine Second-Order formation artifacts?"

"Ah, well... I can take Fellow Daoist to Star Mansion Pavilion for a look. That is our sect's shop in the immortal city for selling formations. It has every kind of First- and Second-Order Formation, and even several Third-Order Formations. It will certainly satisfy Fellow Daoist."

Xu Kun replied quickly, somewhat embarrassed.

The two then headed together toward Star Mansion Pavilion. Along the way, they chatted on and off, and Fang Xiao learned some information from Xu Kun.

Although the Auction had not yet begun, a large number of cultivators had already gathered in the immortal city. All manner of Black Markets and Private Trading Fairs were too numerous to count, though one needed the right connections to find them.

Once the Auction began, it would be held over four days, with dedicated sessions for the four realms from Qi Refining to Nascent Soul. High-level cultivators could attend the Auctions for lower-level cultivators in addition to their own sessions. As for Nascent Soul Cultivators, though it was called an Auction, it was more properly a trading fair for the Nascent Soul level. There might not even be any Nascent Soul Cultivators attending. But never mind the Nascent Soul Realm—even the Auctions for the Core Formation stage and Foundation Establishment Realm were beyond the reach of little Qi Refining cultivators like them.

Xu Kun also recommended several Black Market locations and gave Fang Xiao contact methods for Private Trading Fairs. Mentioning Xu Kun's name would suffice. He also told Fang Xiao to inspect his goods carefully; otherwise, once payment and goods had changed hands, even a Wuji Sect member would be helpless. He could only blame his own poor judgment.

A short while later, the two arrived before Star Mansion Pavilion. As expected of a Wuji Sect shop that sold formations, its scale was enormous. None of the other shops they had passed along the way could compare.

"Junior Brother, is Martial Uncle Wang in the shop?"

Seeing that there was only one person in the store, Xu Kun strode in carelessly.

"Senior Brother, why aren't you over at the guesthouse? What brought you here?"

"Heh, naturally, I brought this fellow cultivator here to select a formation. This one is an outstanding disciple of the Tianlan Holy Land."

"Greetings, Brother Daoist. I did not expect you to be a disciple of a holy land. What formation do you require? I can show you around."

"You cannot make the decision. Fellow Daoist Fang wants a Second-Order Formation. Where is Martial Uncle Wang?"

"Martial Uncle is upstairs. I'll take you up."

As soon as they entered, Xu Kun enthusiastically explained Fang Xiao's purpose for coming, so Fang Xiao could not be bothered to speak himself.

"Martial Uncle, Martial Uncle!"

"Hmph, why are you shouting and making such a racket? The sect sent you to the immortal city to temper that temperament of yours. Why are you still so rash?" a middle-aged cultivator in a purple Magic Robe shouted from the second floor.

"Hehe, I brought this—"

"Enough, enough. I heard everything you said. Go downstairs first. I will speak with him alone."

The middle-aged cultivator cut him off and sent him away. After all, when doing business, buyers sometimes did not like too many people present.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Xu. It is fine; go attend to your business first." Fang Xiao thanked him and watched Xu Kun leave.

"Fellow Daoist wants a Second-Order Formation? What type of formation do you need?"

"I am preparing for when I travel outside. Could Senior please advise me on what would be most suitable?"

"Oh, in that case, most people choose defensive formations. Some choose formations for trapping enemies. Of course, if you have sufficient Spirit Stones, I would still recommend a composite formation. Formations with a single function cannot be stacked, or they will affect one another's power. In serious cases, they may even cause the formations to collapse."

"Does Senior have any suitable composite formations here?" Fang Xiao had a generous fortune, so naturally he wanted the best.

"There are two sets of Second-Order formations here: the Four Spirits Soaring Array and the Five Elements Reversal Array. Each has its own strengths. The Four Spirits Soaring Array is a composite formation that combines killing enemies, trapping enemies, and resisting enemies. Its power is astonishing; it can even suppress and kill an ordinary Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator. The Five Elements Reversal Array, meanwhile, includes the effects of resisting enemies, trapping enemies, concealment, and gathering spirit energy. Even a False Core cultivator trapped within it would be unable to escape for quite some time."

"How many Spirit Stones do these two formations cost?" Fang Xiao liked both formations, especially the Five Elements Reversal Array. It was practically essential for traveling outside.

"The Four Spirits Soaring Array costs twelve thousand Spirit Stones, and the Five Elements Reversal Array costs fifteen thousand. If you buy both, I can reduce the price by one thousand Spirit Stones."

The fact that he was willing to offer a discount showed that Fang Xiao's identity as a Tianlan Holy Land disciple was still useful.

"Fine. I'll take both."

After considering it, Fang Xiao decided to buy them all. He was not lacking in Spirit Stones.

This Foundation Establishment Cultivator surnamed Wang had not expected a Qi Refining Seventh Layer brat to be so wealthy.

Fang Xiao felt he ought to put on an act. When taking out the Spirit Stones, he put on an expression of extreme heartache.

After the cultivator surnamed Wang accepted the Spirit Stones, he handed over the formation artifacts for both formations, along with the methods for setting them up. With the formations in hand, Fang Xiao did not linger. He cupped his hands in farewell and left Star Mansion Pavilion.