The Eastern Wilderness was vast beyond measure; its sheer expanse simply could not be measured or explained by human language and common sense.
Yan Kingdom stretched two thousand li from north to south and three thousand li from east to west. Though such territory was already immensely vast, it was insignificant within the Eastern Wilderness. There were countless kingdoms like it there.
The prosperous and bustling mortal world seemed so tiny upon the lands of the Big Dipper. Without Domain Gates, even cultivators found it difficult to traverse it all.
Within Qingwei Sect's valley stood an enormous Sacrificial Altar, engraved with many profound and unfathomable Dao Runes. These runes were the foundation allowing Domain Gates to span the Eastern Wilderness.
At Jiang Yun's current realm, he could already draw upon Heavenly Momentum and inscribe teleportation Domain Gates.
But since he had never practiced it, he truly did not dare test it on himself. If the formation runes he inscribed proved unreliable and sent him straight into a Forbidden Zone, that would be quite the disaster.
Nearly a hundred people were already waiting atop the Sacrificial Altar. Jiang Yun held Xia Weier's hand as they stood quietly to one side, waiting for the Domain Gate to open.
Jiang Yun had no intention of chatting with these cultivators for now. He was studying the Dao Runes on Qingwei Sect's Sacrificial Altar.
With the Nine Secrets: Zu and several complete Emperor Scriptures as references, Jiang Yun could be said to possess abundant theoretical knowledge of Dao Runes.
But when it came to actual practice, he might be even less reliable than the Black Emperor. He should learn from Qingwei Sect's advanced practical experience.
Xia Weier stood obediently beside Jiang Yun, tightly holding his hand without making a sound to disturb him.
After roughly an hour, another group arrived, and only then did the Domain Gate slowly open.
The moment the Domain Gate opened, the massive Sacrificial Altar began drawing in energy. The source buried underground blossomed with radiance.
Dense, unyielding vital essence flowed toward the Sacrificial Altar like rippling waves.
The mystical jade shone translucently, flashing without pause. The Dao Runes inscribed upon the Altar seemed to come alive, trembling continuously as though they had all gained sentience, glowing brightly as they manifested and surged forth.
The void twisted and continually collapsed. Then a pitch-black doorway opened, and the Domain Gate was successfully activated, leading to the Central Region of the Eastern Wilderness.
Most of those on the Altar had not ridden a Domain Gate for the first time, so none of them made a fuss. One after another, they stepped into the void.
Jiang Yun and Xia Weier followed the crowd inside. Though he had previously taken the Nine-Dragon Interstellar Flight, he had been separated from it by the Copper Coffin.
This was his first time physically crossing a Domain Gate, so he could not help feeling curious.
The Domain Gate slowly closed, and Jiang Yun appeared in silent nothingness, like eternal darkness and boundless stillness.
After an unknown length of time, specks of light flashed ahead within the void.
They had arrived at Purple Heaven Capital's ancient city.
Purple Heaven Capital was one of the ten great ancient cities of the Central Region of the Eastern Wilderness. From ancient times to the present, countless legends had been left behind, and there were even rumors that this ancient city had fallen from the Immortal Realm.
Coincidentally, among the Primordial King Clans that would emerge in the future,
the young master of the Valley of the Gods shared the same name as this ancient city: Purple Heaven Capital.
If Ye Fan fought Purple Heaven Capital within Purple Heaven Capital, that would be interesting.
This was a giant city renowned throughout the world. Jiang Yun and Xia Weier emerged hand in hand from the Domain Gate. They would remain here for two days, until a Domain Gate to Flat Rock City opened within the city.
Walking through this ancient city, Jiang Yun felt as though he had come from the mountains into a modern metropolis.
Countless rare treasures lined the streets. Materials for Two-Revolution, Three-Revolution, and even Four-Revolution Golden Cores were all for sale, making Jiang Yun's eyes turn red with envy.
Unfortunately, his pockets were too empty. The few hundred jin of Source Stone he carried were nowhere near enough, so he could only feast his eyes.
Along the way, they passed several pleasure houses. To be honest, Jiang Yun was somewhat curious—purely curious, that was all.
"Young Master Liu, please come in. Xiayi, Qing'er, and the other three have been waiting for you for quite some time."
"It's been so long, Young Master Wang. You married a lovely wife, yet you still haven't forgotten us. We'll arrange something for you right away."
"This young master has prominent features, the stride of a dragon and tiger, and extraordinary bearing. You are truly an outstanding man among men. Would you like to come inside and comprehend the Grand Dao together with our female cultivators?"
A young man with a full beard was pulled inside by a clerk soliciting customers.
Cultivators continually entered and exited the grand, resplendent entrance, with its carved beams and painted rafters.
Jiang Yun even saw a sallow, emaciated middle-aged man emerge while supporting himself against the wall.
It truly was a devil's den.
Jiang Yun led Xia Weier past like an immortal couple, and no one came to drag him inside.
Xia Weier had also noticed that Jiang Yun kept glancing to the side.
A faint blush appeared on her jade-like little face as she gently pinched Jiang Yun's arm.
Jiang Yun came back to his senses and smiled awkwardly.
"I was only curious. With girls as heavenly and immortal as you and Lan'er beside me, how could I possibly be interested in those vulgar women? Don't be angry, Wei'er."
"Hmph~" Xia Weier responded softly, though it was impossible to tell whether she believed him.
It was fortunate that she had come out with Jiang Yun; otherwise...
Before they knew it, Jiang Yun had led Xia Weier into an area filled with stone workshops.
All the great holy lands had branches in Purple Heaven Capital. This was a street dedicated to stone gambling.
What could dispel sorrow but sudden wealth? Once he obtained the Source Heavenly Book, stone workshops would no longer be stone workshops—they would be his warehouses.
Jiang Yun did not personally buy any Source Stones. He had always kept well away from such matters.
Hundreds upon thousands of Source Stones lay before him. Aside from differences in size, Jiang Yun found that these Source Stones
all looked much the same. How could he possibly distinguish the good from the bad?
He merely watched in silence as stone buyers and merchants battled wits. Those who struck it rich were naturally overjoyed, while those who lost wore expressions of regret.
People's desires rose and fell with every cut of the stone. Great joy and crushing sorrow could be seen everywhere in these stone workshops.
The owners of these stone workshops appeared quite amiable. When customers profited, they offered congratulations; when customers lost money, they spoke words of comfort.
Jiang Yun had yet to be drawn in by these stones.
But as Xia Weier watched the scenes unfold within the stone workshops, curiosity appeared in her eyes, and she seemed eager to give it a try.
What clerk working here was not skilled at reading people? They could easily tell who wanted to buy and who did not.
Seeing Xia Weier's expression, one immediately came forward to make a recommendation.
"Fairy, would you like to select a few pieces of stone material? The stone materials from our Ziwei Sect are no worse than those from the holy lands' stone workshops here in Purple Heaven Capital."
Jiang Yun sensed someone approaching and looked toward him, only to find that he was merely a marketplace clerk in the Bitter Sea Realm.
He relaxed his guard.
"This young master, would you like to choose a few pieces of stone material for this fairy?"
Those who opened stone workshops in Purple Heaven Capital all had backing.
Although Jiang Yun's gaze had been imposing just now, the clerk was not afraid. After all, he had received even famous elders and Great Abilities before.
Jiang Yun also noticed Xia Weier's eager expression and could not help getting a headache. Could Xia Weier have the makings of a gambler?
"Wei'er, what do you think? Should we buy a few and give it a try?"
Jiang Yun tentatively asked Xia Weier for her opinion.
"Can we?"
Xia Weier looked expectantly at Jiang Yun with bright eyes free of the slightest impurity.
"Of course. Wei'er, just go and choose."
It was rare for Xia Weier to show interest in something, so Jiang Yun agreed on the spot.
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