Mortal Affairs, Immortal Affairs, Part Two

In the blink of an eye, the few knights had gone far, disappearing at the end of the great road, leaving Zhang Sheng no chance to act even if he wanted to. With this incident, Zhang Sheng's mood was thoroughly ruined, so he lowered his head and hurried on his way. He traveled in silence for several days before finally arriving at the prefectural city, Lu Yuan Prefecture.

As a native of Yongzhou, Wei Yuan naturally knew the geography and history of Yongzhou well. Lu Yuan Prefecture had been established for five hundred years, with approximately 100,000 registered households and another 50,000 to 60,000 unregistered households, totaling half a million people. It was considered a large city.

Upon reaching the city, Wei Yuan saw that the city walls were low, built from rammed earth mixed with stone blocks, less than two zhang high. Many parts of the walls were crumbling, revealing the masonry beneath. The battlements and watchtowers also showed signs of disrepair from age.

After entering the city, the houses were all made of mud walls and thatched roofs, exuding an air of decay everywhere. Most of the pedestrians on the street were in rags, with sallow complexions, vacant eyes, and slow movements, looking worse off than the household guards of the Wei Residence. The road surface was also muddy and full of potholes, with filth floating in the mud. If the two of them hadn't been riding the Ding Mule, they would have inevitably stepped in the mud and filth.

Zhang Sheng did not rush, slowly leading Wei Yuan through the city. After passing the south gate and heading towards the west gate, the conditions gradually improved.

After walking a bit further, a large manor appeared before them!

This large manor occupied an entire block, surrounded by a ten-foot-high vermilion wall, making it impossible to see inside. In the center was a vermilion lacquered main gate, tightly shut at the moment. Two giant stone-carved golden toads stood by the gate, and next to each toad stood a plump and strong household guard, glaring menacingly at passersby.

Above the main gate was a plaque inscribed with "Xu Manor." The gatehouse was elaborately carved and painted, showcasing extreme luxury. This single gate was enough to buy the entire Wei Residence.

Zhang Sheng led Wei Yuan out of the city through the west gate. Not long after, a verdant Immortal Mountain appeared before their eyes.

This mountain was not large, and its shape suggested it was part of a larger, continuous mountain range. However, at this moment, it was lush green, with trees covering the entire mountain. Clouds rose from the mountainside, making the Immortal Mountain appear and disappear. Between the two peaks, a waterfall could be faintly seen, cascading down like a silken banner. Below was a clear blue lake, with a small island in the center adorned with jade trees in full bloom.

In front of the mountain was a river. The river water was clear and pure like jade, flowing around the mountain before merging into the rolling Tong River. Strangely, the upper section of the Tong River was a muddy yellow current, but after entering the vicinity of the Immortal Mountain, it suddenly turned into a clear stream. Then, after leaving the Immortal Mountain, it reverted to a yellow muddy current and continued northeast.

Amidst the mountains, water, clouds, and mist, large areas of pavilions and towers could be seen faintly, truly a beautiful scene of paradise!

A small, pale yellow bird flew over, circled above their heads a few times, and then landed on Zhang Sheng's shoulder. Zhang Sheng said to Wei Yuan, "You can save some effort now."

The Ding Mule continued forward, but now with every step, the surrounding scenery seemed to recede. In the blink of an eye, the two arrived before the Tong River. Here, the Tong River flowed slowly like green jade. The Ding Mule, as if not seeing the large river ahead, walked directly into it. With one step, they were already ten zhang into the river!

The Ding Mule steadily walked on the water's surface without creating a single ripple, continuing forward. In a few steps, it crossed the vast Tong River and reached the foot of the Immortal Mountain. A journey that normally took a full day was now completed in just a quarter of an hour.

After crossing the Tong River, an immortal gate appeared out of thin air before Wei Yuan. While still on the water, Wei Yuan saw a gentle grassy slope on the other side of the river. When he crossed the river and stepped on solid ground, the scenery before him suddenly changed.

The immortal gate was twenty zhang high, supported by two giant red jade pillars. The pillars were crystal clear and translucent, carved with mountains, rivers, flying birds, and strange beasts. Above was a white jade plaque with the three characters "Crimson Tide Sect" written on it, each character spanning two zhang!

Such a magnificent sight naturally left the young Wei Yuan, who had never left Ye County, dumbfounded. He looked up at the immortal gate, then suddenly turned back. Crossing the Tong River, he could still faintly see the city of Lu Yuan Prefecture. Looking at it now, Lu Yuan Prefecture seemed even lower and more dilapidated, its rammed earth walls appearing only barren and desolate, its people listless, living day by day with mud and filth, their only aspiration to fill their stomachs.

Separated by a river, it was like two different worlds.

At this moment, a young cultivator emerged from the immortal gate, radiating a pure aura and an immortal demeanor.

The cultivator reached Zhang Sheng and Wei Yuan in a single step, his gaze sharp. He first looked Zhang Sheng up and down, then gradually a smile appeared, and he said joyfully, "It's truly Junior Brother Zhang! The last time I saw you was ten years ago."

Zhang Sheng also sighed with emotion. He dismounted the Ding Mule and said, "So it's Senior Brother Sun Yu. I'm ashamed, ten years have passed, and I've still achieved nothing."

"Nonsense! I've long heard that Junior Brother Zhang has taken in a talented disciple, which truly makes us of this generation envious!"

Zhang Sheng chuckled and said, "Actually, it's fate. I was just lucky!"

Sun Yu had already been observing Wei Yuan. After a careful look, he said, "Indeed, he's extraordinary!"

He then looked at the Ding Mule they had brought and smiled, "Junior Brother Zhang has returned to simplicity. You must have gained a lot in these past few years."

Zhang Sheng sighed, "My Dao Power is sealed, and I can't leave Yongzhou. I can only use ordinary means of transport. However, I've been single-minded all these years and have gained some insights."

Sun Yu's eyes lit up, "Then I must ask for your guidance later! My master already knows that Junior Brother's Dao Power is sealed. After calculating the heavens, he specifically asked me to bring a dose of Li Quan Powder. After taking it and cultivating in seclusion for three days, you should be able to recover."

Zhang Sheng first bowed to the north, saying, "Thank you, True Lord Ning Xi," then pointed towards the immortal gate and asked with a smile, "It's just a provincial examination in a remote county, with only about ten people. Why such a grand display? Is the Crimson Tide Sect planning to advance to the Blessed Land?"

Before Sun Yu could answer, a patch of colorful clouds suddenly appeared in the sky. Two Nine-Colored Mystic Deer pulled a magnificent jade boat, descending from the heavens and landing before the immortal gate.

Each of the two Nine-Colored Mystic Deer was three zhang tall, surrounded by nine-colored auspicious light, and walked on clouds. The white jade boat was even taller than five zhang and thirty zhang long, taller than the city walls of Lu Yuan City! A giant "Yan" character was carved on the boat, emitting a radiant glow.

The white jade boat entered the immortal gate directly upon landing, not even glancing at Zhang Sheng, treating them as if they were air.

Zhang Sheng watched the white jade boat disappear into the immortal gate, then looked at the three-foot Ding Mule beside him, his expression darkening.

Sun Yu quickly said with a smile, "Don't mind them, Junior Brother! Those people from the East Sea have always liked to show off. Even for an examination, they have to make a spectacle. It's simply ostentatious!"

Zhang Sheng was surprised, "The Yan Family of the East Sea is here for the examination?"

"Well, there are quite a few candidates from Fengyuan Commandery this year... Junior Brother, please be patient."

Zhang Sheng said no more, pulling Wei Yuan into the immortal gate. The moment they passed through the immortal gate, the world before their eyes instantly changed.

On a vast red jade square, mounts were gathered in droves, and boats and carriages were like clouds. The immortal energy emanating from various treasure chariots and auspicious beasts intertwined in the air, so dense it had turned into swirling masses of colorful light, flickering in and out of existence, endlessly.

The white jade boat from the East Sea was struggling to move, trying to find a place to park.