Entering Daganzhou

Leaving behind the bloodshed and chaos of Black Water City, Yan Kui did not pause for a moment, racing northward without rest.

Across the wilderness, a burly figure moved like an untiring galloping horse, weaving swiftly through rugged mountain paths. His speed was immense; with every step, a shallow footprint was left on the hard rock ground, and using the rebound force, his body shot forward like a cannonball.

This kind of high-intensity sprint might be hard for an ordinary martial artist to sustain, but for Yan Kui at this moment, it was merely a warm-up. He didn't even need to deliberately regulate his breathing; the blood and qi within him surged like a rushing river, continuously providing terrifying power.

Even carrying the Bone Shattering Hammer, which weighed several hundred jin, did not slow his pace in the slightest.

Two days and two nights.

In just that short time, he had completely shaken off the nauseating, decaying stench of Black Water City, crossed hundreds of li of wasteland, and officially stepped into the territory of Daganzhou.

As he continued northward, the surrounding environment underwent visible changes. Withered yellow grass was gradually replaced by lush shrubs, and the lingering cold, bloody smell in the air dissipated entirely, giving way to the fragrance of soil and the fresh scent of vegetation.

Unlike Black Water City—a remote, isolated, and sin-filled town—Daganzhou, as a vast domain where Immortal cultivation sects intertwined with mortal dynasties, appeared far more prosperous and open.

To avoid unnecessary trouble, Yan Kui chose a desolate mountain path, steering clear of the layers of checks that might exist on the Official Road. When he climbed over the last towering peak and pushed aside the dense foliage blocking his view, the scene before him suddenly opened up.

A broad river, like a jade-green ribbon, sparkled under the sunlight, winding its way across the vast plain. On the river, a thousand sails competed, a hundred boats vied for passage—a bustling sight that was breathtaking.

On both banks, fertile fields stretched for ten thousand qing, golden wheat rippling in the wind. Villages dotted the landscape like stars, with wisps of cooking smoke rising, filled with a peaceful and serene atmosphere.

At the edge of his sight, a majestic, colossal city lay sprawled across the earth, like a sleeping prehistoric beast.

Its city walls stood over ten zhang high, built entirely from massive bluish-gray stone bricks that gleamed with a cold, metallic luster under the sun. On the watchtowers, banners fluttered in the wind, and soldiers clad in Iron Armor stood like statues, their killing intent soaring into the clouds.

This was a major border town of Daganzhou—"Yunjiang City."

Yan Kui stood atop the mountain, letting the wind tousle his somewhat messy long hair, squinting as he overlooked the immense city.

Even from this distance, he could sense that this city contained a vitality several times, even dozens of times, richer than Black Water City. Every mortal martial artist entering or leaving the city, even ordinary porters, had stronger physiques than the gaunt, sallow residents of Black Water City, their blood and qi more vigorous, and a glimmer of light in their eyes.

"So this is the real world... Black Water City was just an abandoned trash heap."

He sighed inwardly, a newfound sense of openness welling up within him.

But what intrigued him more was a faint, elusive fluctuation in the air.

That was "Spiritual Qi."

In Black Water City, Spiritual Qi was so thin it was almost imperceptible; only in places like the Old Lin Family Manor—a "cursed ground"—or the Zhao Family's array-laden secret chamber could one feel a trace of cold, eerie energy.

But here, Spiritual Qi drifted like a gentle breeze. Though still faint and perhaps meager for Immortal cultivators, to Yan Kui, whose senses were honed to the extreme, it was tangible and real.

This fluctuation was like an undercurrent beneath a calm lake, hinting that Immortal cultivators indeed left traces here, perhaps even as a norm.

"Growl..."

Just as Yan Kui was immersed in observing this new world, his stomach let out a thunderous protest.

After racing for two days and two nights, despite his powerful physical abilities, this body was still mortal and required a large amount of food to replenish expended energy.

"First, fill my stomach, then make plans."

Yan Kui oriented himself, adjusted the Bone Shattering Hammer on his back, and strode down the slope toward Yunjiang City.

Yunjiang City, South Gate.

Here, the flow of people was like a woven tapestry, the noise deafening. Commoners, merchant caravans, and wandering martial artists streamed in and out of the city gates endlessly, wheels rumbling and horses neighing in a cacophony.

The massive city gate stood wide open, with two rows of guards clad in fine black iron armor, standard-issue long blades at their waists, their eyes sharp as eagles.

Yan Kui sensed them briefly and found that these soldiers had steady, deep auras, with thick calluses on their tiger mouths—every single one was a master who had cultivated Inner Force!

In comparison, the Guards of Black Water City, who only bullied the weak, were like monkeys wielding fire sticks.

Yan Kui blended into the crowd without drawing much attention.

He had now restrained his Sha Qi, wrapped the Bone Shattering Hammer in tattered cloth and slung it over his shoulder, wearing dust-stained coarse garments. He looked like any other weather-beaten, wandering ascetic martial artist—common as grains of sand in Daganzhou.

While waiting in line to enter the city, he deliberately noted the gate's layout.

Aside from the wide main gate for commoners, there was a side passage paved with red carpet—narrow but exquisitely decorated. No soldiers guarded it; only two servants in blue robes stood respectfully.

Just then, the previously noisy crowd suddenly fell silent.

Two young men and women in moon-white robes rode tall horses, slowly approaching from a distance. Their expressions were arrogant, and they showed no sign of slowing down even before the crowded throng.

The surrounding commoners and martial artists, like mice spotting a cat, hastily scrambled to the sides, afraid of offending them.

The pair didn't spare a glance at these Mortals, heading straight for the special passage.

The imposing guards, who had been rigorously inspecting passing merchants, instantly changed their demeanor. They straightened their backs, plastered fawning smiles on their faces, and even bowed slightly.

The two servants bent so low their waists nearly touched their knees, respectfully guiding the pair into the city without even mentioning an entry fee.

"Immortal Masters..."

Yan Kui stood in the crowd, watching coldly.

Though the auras of those two weren't particularly strong in his estimation—probably at the Qi Cultivation level of two or three layers—in the eyes of these Mortals, they were exalted "Immortal Masters," holding the power of life and death.

This class divide was even more stark and insurmountable than the family power struggles in Black Water City.

Yan Kui didn't rush into the city.

He walked to an open-air tea stall not far from the gate and found a corner seat.

"Waiter, bring me the strongest pot of tea, ten jin of cooked beef, and twenty big meat buns!" Yan Kui set down the Bone Shattering Hammer, its heavy weight causing the ground to tremble slightly.

"Coming right up, guest! One moment, please!" The waiter was startled by the customer's appetite, but seeing his iron-tower physique and the massive hammer he carried, he didn't dare ask questions and hurried off to prepare.

The tea stall buzzed with noise. Merchants traveling north and south, along with resting martial artists, gathered here, their chatter mixing into a cacophony. This was often the best place to gather intelligence.

Before long, steaming meat buns and sliced beef were brought to the table.

Yan Kui didn't stand on ceremony. He grabbed a fist-sized bun and swallowed it in two bites. The scalding meat juices burst in his mouth, slightly easing the hunger gnawing at his stomach.

As he wolfed down his food, he pricked up his ears, filtering through the surrounding din.

"Did you hear? Something big happened over at Black Water City recently—a corpse outbreak. That Zhao Family, who ruled the roost there, got wiped out!" a sharp-faced peddler at the next table said in a lowered voice. Though he tried to whisper, his excited tone was impossible to hide.

"Hiss... really? Didn't the Zhao Family have a Foundation Establishment Ancestor guarding them? Who's got that kind of skill?" the fat man at the same table gasped.

"Who knows? Word is they were flattened overnight, flames shooting to the sky! Now it's all walking corpses over there. The cultivators sent by Daganzhou have sealed it off—you can enter but not leave."

"That's brutal... Good thing we've got the Qingyun Sect protecting us here. Those monsters wouldn't dare cause trouble."

Yan Kui drank his tea expressionlessly, catching every word.

The news spread faster than he'd expected. Still, Black Water City being sealed off was good news for him. It meant the chaos there wouldn't spill over to him anytime soon, and no one would easily trace that so-called "mysterious powerhouse" back to him.

"Shopkeeper, anything new in Yunjiang City lately? Or any way to make a quick buck?"

At another table, a burly martial artist in a short jacket with a broadsword slung over his shoulder asked loudly, clearly a newcomer just arrived.

"Nothing strange, but as for making money..." The shopkeeper wiped a table, grinning slyly. "The hottest talk lately is about Senior Brother Liu of the Qingyun Sect."

"Oh? An Immortal Master from the Qingyun Sect?" The martial artist's eyes lit up. "What's the story?"

"A few days ago, Senior Brother Liu found a Centennial Spirit Ganoderma in the nearby mountains. Word is that ganoderma had become a spirit—eating it not only extends your life but also cleanses your marrow and greatly boosts your cultivation speed! It caused quite a stir at the time."

"A Centennial Spirit Ganoderma?!" The surrounding diners gasped in unison.

The martial artist looked envious. "Where's Senior Brother Liu now? If I could beg for a bit of that ganoderma's fuzz..."

"Haha, don't even think about it. He's an inner disciple of the Qingyun Sect—he's already been taken back to the sect with the ganoderma." The shopkeeper waved a hand, then shifted gears. "But before he found it, to raise travel funds, Senior Brother Liu did pawn some 'Substandard' pills he'd refined at the 'Hui Chun Hall' in the city, in exchange for Gold and Silver. They're called substandard, but for us mortal martial artists, they're rare elixirs! Word is someone ate one and gained a hundred jin of strength out of nowhere!"

"No kidding?!" The martial artist shot to his feet, tossed down his tea money, and charged into the city.

"Senior Brother Liu... Hui Chun Hall... Substandard pills?"

Yan Kui, who had been focused on his meal, paused slightly, a glint flashing in his eyes.

He currently had a massive amount of Origin Power seized from the Zhao Family, but he lacked a Cultivation Technique to directly strengthen his internal organs.

His technique was domineering, but for now, it mainly reinforced his skin, muscles, and bones. His organs lagged behind. This meant that when he unleashed his full strength, his insides bore tremendous strain.

If he could follow the trail left by this "Senior Brother Liu" to learn about body-tempering pills usable by mortals, or even a formula to strengthen organs, it would be invaluable to him.

Even if they were just so-called "substandard" goods.

Shoving the last piece of beef into his mouth, Yan Kui wiped the grease from his lips and laid out a string of copper coins on the table.

He stood up, lifting the Bone Shattering Hammer. The heavy aura he released in that instant made the surrounding noise unconsciously drop a few notches.

Gazing at the towering city gate, Yan Kui took a deep breath and stepped forward.

There was no fear or confusion in his eyes—only curiosity about the unknown world, and a ravenous greed and craving for power.

Cultivator or mortal, it didn't matter. As long as they could make him stronger, they were all stepping stones on this path of extremes.