Phantom Spirit City

Nourishing Strength slaying a Spiritual Spring—only a very small number of anomalies could accomplish such a feat.

Fu Quanliang, an obscure Outer Disciple, had undoubtedly created a miracle.

Yet what shocked the surrounding Immortal Sects even more was that Zhao Tingxian was still alive. His cultivation had already reached Profound Passage; merely speaking his True Name would draw his notice, and he could even strike across the void to kill a Soul Condensation Realm elder within Nightlight Pavilion.

Some powerful figures even suspected that Zhao Tingxian had already crossed the threshold of the Immortal Sect and Ascended to Immortality.

Compared to Zhao Tingxian, Fu Quanliang's existence was far less eye-catching.

This news circulated only among the upper echelons of a small circle of sects. For a time, all Immortal Sect members within Great Zhou reined themselves in considerably. Some sects even dismantled their branch bases within Great Zhou and withdrew the disciples stationed there.

Tianxuan Kingdom, Phantom Spirit Mountain Range.

The Phantom Spirit Sect had flourished here for ten thousand years. Within a radius of several hundred thousand li, only two or three forces could stand shoulder to shoulder with it.

The Phantom Spirit Mountain Range stretched for over thirteen thousand li, suppressing a high-grade Spiritual Vein beneath it. It sustained over ten thousand cultivators in the sect, exhaling and drawing in spiritual energy like a sea each day, while auspicious colors and glowing clouds filled the sky above.

At the foot of the mountain range stood a massive city spanning nearly a hundred li—Phantom Spirit City. This was both the entrance to the mountain range and the passage connecting Immortal and Mortal.

Even those born with Immortal Bones did not necessarily pass their parents' talents on to their descendants. There were still quite a few born with Mortal Flesh and Bone.

These people differed in status from ordinary mortals. Cultivators' blood flowed through their veins, so naturally they would not return to the mundane world and fade into the crowd. Yet they lacked the qualifications to set foot upon the immortal path, and thus could only live in this city.

Compared with ordinary people, their descendants had a far greater chance of producing an Immortal Seed. Over time, they naturally became a stable source of fresh blood for the Immortal Sect.

This city was truly a mixed bag of fish and dragons: cultivators, mortals, and great numbers of Martial Artists.

Not all cultivators were disciples of the Phantom Spirit Sect. Many cultivators from smaller sects also did business here, trading for resources difficult to obtain in the outside world.

Most of these Martial Artists were unwilling to resign themselves to their lot and came here to try their luck. Some had fortunately entered the realm of Great Grandmaster

Of course, within this city, Great Grandmasters were not called Great Grandmasters. They were simply called Martial Masters, meaning masters of the martial path.

All those beneath Martial Master were called Martial Artists.

Though Phantom Spirit City was vast, its divisions were orderly. The east side connected to the Phantom Spirit Mountain Range and housed a Spirit Gathering Array, making it the place richest in spiritual energy. It was also where cultivators and most Martial Masters operated.

Most of those living in the south of the city were Blood Relatives of Phantom Spirit Sect members. Every inch of land was worth its weight in gold, and several great clans had vaguely begun to take shape there. They could be regarded as extensions of the Phantom Spirit Sect's internal powers.

The north of the city contained countless restaurants, gambling dens, Brothels and Entertainment Houses. It was the most carefree and unrestrained part of Phantom Spirit City, and even had the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, which catered specifically to cultivators.

The west side was a chaotic mix of fish and dragons, more like the mundane mortal world. All sorts of people gathered there, with no lack of petty thieves, while undercover prostitutes were everywhere.

The four districts were clearly demarcated. Phantom Spirit Sect disciples stood guard at every boundary, enforcing the divisions with great severity.

Anyone entering or leaving had to report first and receive a token. Those caught crossing boundaries without authorization would be sent straight to the mines for ten years of hard labor.

The mines never saw daylight, and some Mine Tunnels were filled with poisonous smoke that had accumulated over the years. If one possessed only Mortal Flesh and Bone, whether they would emerge alive after entering was a question mark indeed.

North City.

Before a shop on a corner of the bustling main street, a long line had formed. There were men of every age, from sixteen or seventeen to well past their seventies. Nearly all wore masks that concealed most of their faces.

Several blue banners fluttered before the shop, each bearing rows of striking words.

A thousand years of inherited medical arts, hands that bring the dying back to life.

Restore a husband's authority!

Men should not be soft persimmons—if you're going to be one, be a real hard man!

A man's most precious quality—strength.

Be your family's strong support, its hardest backing. It's good for a man to stand tall!

The shop was divided into inner and outer rooms by a curtain. The outer room was crammed with people, all staring at the curtain with eyes stretched wide in anticipation.

After the time for a cup of tea, a middle-aged man in a long robe slowly emerged. He held his head high and strode with great vigor, heroic and spirited. As he walked, he seemed like a fierce tiger surveying all directions, radiating powerful confidence from head to toe.

"Next."

A calm call came from the inner room.

Hearing this, the brawny man at the very front hurriedly lifted the curtain and squeezed inside.

"Doctor Chu, please work your magic again."

The brawny man's face was piled with smiles. "Your needles are the most miraculous I've ever seen. This body of mine has been getting stronger by the day."

Chu Zheng set down his teacup and casually asked, "Which visit is this?"

"The third."

"Mm, this time should do it. Lie down." Chu Zheng casually pointed to the couch beside them, pinching a silver needle between his fingertips.

Lu Sheng (Zero Order): Weak Yang Energy, with a slight deficiency of blood and vital energy. Can be restored.

Chu Zheng casually inserted needles into several inconsequential acupoints. After waiting a moment, he opened the Restoration Panel, flicked his fingertip, and slowly withdrew the needles.

"All done. Two Low-grade Spirit Stones."

"Many thanks, Doctor Chu."

The brawny man rose from the couch and stretched his Tendons and Bones. The joy on his face deepened as he thanked him repeatedly, immediately taking out the Spirit Stones and presenting them with both hands.

Chu Zheng accepted them and casually weighed them in his hand. What he held was worth two Song Families.

Gold and silver from the mortal world could not circulate in Phantom Spirit City. Within the city, only Spirit Coins issued by the Phantom Spirit Sect were used.

One hundred Spirit Coins could be exchanged for one Low-grade Spirit Stone at an Exchange Shop established by the Phantom Spirit Sect.

Chu Zheng did not accept Spirit Coins, only Spirit Stones.

An ordinary Martial Master could work himself to the bone in the city for a month and earn only twenty or thirty Spirit Coins. Even if he neither ate nor drank, he would need to save for a year to afford two or three Spirit Stones.

After arriving in Phantom Spirit City that day, Chu Zheng had not rushed to enter the Phantom Spirit Sect. Instead, he had Fu Quanliang join first while he waited outside the sect for news.

A full month had now passed. The Life Bond Seal had not sent him any sign of abnormality during all that time, which already proved that Fu Quanliang had safely entered the sect without mishap.

Opening this Medical Clinic had also been inspired by what Chu Zheng had learned from Fu Quanliang.

Back at the Song Family, Fu Quanliang had once indulged himself to excess. After Chu Zheng repaired his injuries, the vital essence depleted within his body had also been replenished.

After arriving in Phantom Spirit City and gaining a preliminary understanding of the place, Chu Zheng opened this Medical Clinic and put up advertisements from the Andrology Hospital of his Previous Life. Before long, business was booming.

The surrounding area was filled with Brothels and Entertainment Houses. Most who frequented this place had some status and were not short of Spirit Coins, while there was no shortage of those whose bodies had been drained.

Earning Spirit Stones through the Panel was a business with enormous returns and virtually no cost.

Chu Zheng was very cautious. He did not restore these people's bodies all at once, generally dividing the treatment into two or three sessions.

For particularly wealthy suckers, Chu Zheng would even split it into seven or eight sessions, proceeding step by step.

Drop by drop, a river is made. In just one short month, Chu Zheng had accumulated a rather astonishing fortune, enough to make cultivators green with envy.

"Next."

A figure lifted the curtain and strode straight in.

"Long time no see, Doctor Chu."