Immortal Platform Tribulation Sendai, and his foundation for the Dao was initially established.
Li Qingshan stood atop the Qingwei Blessed Land, gazing at the distant, churning sea of clouds in the Northern Region, his eyes swirling with a chaotic Daoist aura.
He did not choose to consolidate his cultivation within the Jade Pool Pure Land for an extended period; his foundation in the Immortal Platform Secret Realm was already stable, as outlined in the * Western Emperor Scripture *.
He had just begun to grasp the mysteries of " the Departed Self " and " the Dao Self," and the extraordinary phenomenon of " Myriad Selves as One " was further sublimated during the tribulation. At this moment, what he needed most was to refine his mind in the mortal world and prove his path in actual combat.
That vast, mysterious Northern Region land, teeming with both opportunities and perils, especially that ancient Holy City that gathers the winds of the world, is the perfect "sharpening stone."
"As a transmigrator and the Jade Pool Holy Son, it is truly unacceptable that he has yet to set foot in the Holy City."
He chuckled softly, his Daoist aura shifting slightly, and Daoist patterns naturally appeared beneath his feet. By aligning his Daoist aura with the pulse of heaven and earth, he took a single step and traversed thousands of miles of mountains and rivers.
His purple robes fluttered gently in the wind, his aura was as deep as a pool, and there was no longer any of the imposing aura of Immortal Platform cultivator leaking out. At first glance, he was no different from an ordinary Daoist on his way.
Only occasionally, a glimmer of the Great Dao Heavenly Eye flashes across the depths of one's eyes, like a twinkling star, capable of piercing through the illusions and fog along the way, revealing the fundamental flow of the mountains and rivers' veins.
This was a supernatural ability that naturally arose from the fusion of Daoist principles and divine consciousness after he survived the Immortal Platform Tribulation. Although it was not yet fully perfected, it already allowed him to quietly perceive the rhythm of the Great Dao in the world while walking.
In the Northern Region, crimson is the Eternal dominant color.
The gale-force winds swept across the desolate Gobi Desert, whistling through the exposed rock layers, producing a mournful sound as if telling the story of this land's antiquity and desolation.
But when Li Qingshan crossed the continuous Red Stone Mountains and approached the legendary " Sacred Province Oasis," the scenery suddenly changed drastically.
A vast expanse of greenery came into view like a miracle. On the land spanning tens of thousands of miles, the grass was lush and the ancient trees reached the sky. Clear springs gushed out from the cracks in the rocks and gathered into winding streams.
The essence of heaven and earth permeated the air so rich that it was almost liquefied, condensing into a light white mist that swirled among the grass and trees. Taking a breath of it made one feel refreshed and invigorated, and even the flow of Daoist energy became smoother.
The temperature here is mild and pleasant, without any of the harsh cold typical of the Northern Region, as if it were a paradise independent of the Crimson Continent.
" The Sacred Province Land truly lives up to its reputation."
Li Qingshan slowed his pace and walked on foot, without using the rainbow light.
He lightly stomped his feet on the ground, and with each step he took, he could feel a faint resonance emanating from the depths of the earth's veins. This land had accumulated countless ages, and even the Daoist principles within the earth's veins were clearer and more active than those outside. Walking among them was like flipping through a wordless book of the Great Dao.
The closer you get to the Holy City, the denser the crowds become on the streets.
On the eastern mountain path, a group of tribal warriors, clad in animal skins and riding Three-Eyed Jade Qilin Beast, galloped past. The beasts' hooves pounded the ground with a dull thud, and the bone knives at the warriors' waists gleamed coldly. Their aura was as fierce as that of tigers.
They were clearly elites from an ancient tribe in the Northern Region, with most of them at the late stage of the Sea of Bitterness to the Dao Palace Realm.
On the official road to the west, a magnificent carriage pulled by six One-Horned Dragon Horse slowly approached. Dozens of guards in brocade robes surrounded the carriage, each with a solid aura and at least at the Four Extremes Realm of cultivation.
A corner of the carriage curtain was lifted, and a young nobleman sitting inside could be vaguely seen holding a jade fan, his expression arrogant. Judging from the "Jiang" emblem carved on the carriage, he should be a collateral descendant of the Jiang Family in the Northern Region.
In the distant sky, cultivators occasionally flew by on rainbows, some surrounded by blazing Dao patterns, while others invoked water-based laws, leaving behind dazzling streaks of light as they flew.
The auras of these cultivators varied in strength, ranging from minor cultivators at the Sea of Bitterness Realm to renowned figures at the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm. This diverse mix highlighted the prosperity and bustle of the central region of the Northern Region.
Li Qingshan's divine sense spread out quietly like an invisible spider web, sweeping over the passing cultivators.
He could clearly sense several subtle yet powerful auras. Inside the carriage of the Jiang Family's carriage was an old man at the Peak Dragon Transformation, whose aura was like a dormant dragon, clearly there to protect his disciples;
On a mountain peak not far away, a cultivator dressed in black robes was concealing himself with a secret technique. A faint spatial Dao aura surrounded him. His cultivation had reached the Late Dragon Transformation, but his gaze remained fixed on the passing nobles and dignitaries, as if he were looking for an opportunity.
"The cloud patterns of Jade Pool! Are those the robes of Jade Pool disciples?"
Suddenly, a surprised voice came from the roadside.
The two people speaking were two rogue cultivators traveling together. One carried a worn-out sword box on his back, and the other held a compass. Both of them were at the Dao Palace Realm.
The rogue cultivator holding the compass pointed at the cloud pattern embroidered on the hem of Li Qingshan's purple robe, his eyes filled with shock. "And it's purple! Rumor has it that the newly appointed Holy Son of Jade Pool wears a purple robe!"
"What? Li Qingshan, the Jade Pool Holy Son?"
The rogue cultivator carrying the sword box abruptly stopped, his gaze fixed on Li Qingshan's back, his voice trembling slightly, "Is he the Ruthless, months ago, underwent the Immortal Platform Tribulation, triggering the imprints of the four young Great Emperor and causing the Chaos Thunder Sea to engulf the heavens?"
"Who else could it be but him!"
The rogue cultivator holding the compass swallowed hard and lowered his voice, saying, "Think about it, which of the holy sons and daughters of the Great Saint in the Northern Region isn't stuck at the Four Extremes Realm?"
The strongest among the Ji Family's Divine King Body, the Jiang Family's eldest son, and the Yaoguang Holy Son have only just touched the threshold of Dragon Transformation.
But this Jade Pool Holy Son stepped directly onto the Immortal Platform!
The difference is like night and day!
" Immortal Platform, that's a legendary realm!"
The rogue cultivator carrying the sword box sighed, "I've cultivated for thirty years and only barely reached the Late Dao Palace, while others have already reached the Immortal Platform at such a young age. How can the gap between people be so vast?"
I heard that he even attracted the Emperor's Shadow during his tribulation, alarming even the old monsters of the Eastern Wasteland. Jade Pool has truly struck gold this time!
Similar murmurs spread like ripples behind Li Qingshan.
The Jade Pool Holy Son Token hanging from his waist, engraved with the pattern of the Western Emperor Pagoda and radiating a soft celestial light, served as a striking identifier, making more and more people recognize his identity.
"It really is the Jade Pool Holy Son! He actually came to the Holy City!"
"My goodness, this aura is so restrained! If it weren't for the token and cloud patterns, I would have thought he was just an ordinary scion of some noble family!"
"It's the restraint that's terrifying! True powerhouses know how to conceal their strength. Look at those geniuses at the Four Extremes Realm, which one of them doesn't exude an aura of power wherever they go?"
The cultivators of Immortal Platform are like ordinary people; this is true simplicity!
"Speaking of which, most of the holy sons and daughters of the Great Saint are still lingering in the Four Extremes Realm!"
"The Yaoguang Holy Son only broke through to the Peak Four Extremes last month. The Ji Family's Divine King Body is said to have been stuck at the Four Extremes Realm for almost a year. The one from the Jiang Family is so low-key that he doesn't even show his face. Only Wang Teng from the Northern Plains and Qi Lin from the Southern Ridge are worth mentioning. Perhaps he has also broken through to the Immortal Platform Realm?"
Wang Teng, known as the Northern Emperor, is the number one young talent in the Northern Plains. He can fight against a late-stage Dragon Transformation Early Dragon Transformation even when he is in the Late Dragon Transformation.
Qi Lin is a core disciple of the Demon Emperor Hall, possessing the strongest bloodline of the demon race, and his combat strength at the Dragon Transformation Realm is also extremely strong.
Even they, facing Li Qingshan at the Immortal Platform Realm, would probably be no match for him.
Amid the discussions, there were expressions of amazement, envy, and even disbelief.
Li Qingshan seemed oblivious, his expression calm and undisturbed as he continued his leisurely journey along the official road. His Dao heart had long since become as firm as a rock through the baptism of the " Western Emperor Scripture " and the tempering of the Immortal Platform Tribulation. The outside world's discussions and prying eyes were nothing more than fleeting clouds on the path of cultivation.
About half an hour later, the legendary Holy City of the Northern Region finally appeared on the horizon, like an ancient ferocious beast crawling on the earth.
The city wall is not made of ordinary bricks and stones, but is cast as a whole from a " Primordial Divine Copper " with a dark golden luster. From a distance, it looks like a sleeping dragon lying in the center of the oasis, stretching for hundreds of miles and with no end in sight.
The walls are covered with the marks of time, yet they still exude a cold and heavy metallic luster. The city gate tower, which is hundreds of meters high, is even more imposing, and the glazed tiles on the roof reflect a rainbow of colors in the sunlight.
Like a towering giant, it delivers an unparalleled visual impact and a sense of spiritual oppression.
"The ancient city that fell from the Desolate Ancient Era, suspended in mid-air, truly lives up to its name."
Li Qingshan's gaze fell on the city wall, and the Great Dao Heavenly Eye quietly activated, gradually making those mottled marks clear in his eyes.
On the left side of the city wall, there is a huge claw mark several meters long. Deep inside the claw mark, there is still a faint demonic aura, which was obviously left by some kind of ferocious beast when it attacked the Holy City in ancient times.
On the right side of the city wall, there is a bottomless sword hole. The wall of the hole is as smooth as a mirror, and one can faintly feel the astonishing sword intent contained within it. It must have been caused by an ancient sword cultivator.
Further away at the city corner, there was a lump of metal that had melted and then solidified, its surface shimmering with the afterimages of extreme power. Li Qingshan's heart stirred slightly; this was a trace left behind when Extreme Dao Emperor Weapon unleashed its power.
This city itself is a living history, witnessing the vicissitudes of the Big Dipper system throughout the ages, and burying the legends and regrets of countless heroes.
As the crowd approached the city gate, the atmosphere grew increasingly solemn.
Dozens of guards in ancient armor stood at the city gate, holding bronze halberds. The words " Holy City Guard " were engraved on their armor. Each of them exuded a fierce aura and had sharp eyes. The lowest level of their cultivation was the Dao Palace Realm, and the two captains at the head of the group had even reached the Early Dragon Transformation. They were clearly a force dispatched by the Holy City government to maintain order and security.
Just then, melodious celestial music suddenly drifted from within the city, and rosy light spilled out from inside the city gates, like a seven-colored road.
A group of female disciples dressed in the simple white robes of Jade Pool White House slowly walked out. Their clothes fluttered, and they were surrounded by a faint fairy aura, their temperament as ethereal as fairies.
Leading the group was a middle-aged female Daoist nun dressed in a light purple robe. A jade hairpin adorned her hair, and her aura was calm and refined, clearly indicating that she possessed the Late Dragon Transformation Realm.
" Lin Wanqing, the steward of the Northern Region Villa of the Jade Pool Holy Land, along with her disciples, respectfully welcomes the Holy Son to the Holy City!"
The middle-aged female Daoist nun stepped forward quickly and respectfully performed a whisk-wielding salute to Li Qingshan. Her voice was filled with undisguised excitement and pride. She had been stationed at the Northern Region Villa for many years and had long heard of the legend of this new Holy Son.
Having witnessed it firsthand today, although the other party's aura was restrained, I could vaguely sense the profound depth of that aura, which filled me with even greater awe.
The dozen or so female disciples of Jade Pool behind him also bowed in unison, their voices clear and melodious like the warbling of orioles. "Greetings, Holy Son!"
This scene was like a drop of water thrown into a boiling oil pan, instantly igniting the surrounding crowd.
"It really is the Jade Pool Holy Son! Even the steward of the Northern Region Academy personally came out of the city to greet him!"
"Deacon Lin Wanqing is a powerful expert at the Late Dragon Transformation! She's a well-known figure in the Northern Region, yet she's so respectful to the Holy Son!"
"This treatment is almost on par with that of a Saint Lord! Jade Pool is clearly announcing to the entire Northern Region just how important this Saint Son's status is!"
Among the crowd, several disciples dressed in the robes of the Yaoguang Holy Land discussed amongst themselves with complex expressions. One handsome young man gritted his teeth and whispered, "Our Yaoguang Holy Son is only at the Peak Four Extremes, while they've already Immortal Platform the Immortal Platform. How can we compete with each other in the future?"
His companion patted him on the shoulder and said with a wry smile, "If you can't compete, then don't compete! Immortal Platform Realm, that's a realm we don't even dare to dream of right now."
Only Wang Teng from the Northern Plains and Qi Lin from the Southern Ridge might be qualified to challenge him. Their combat strength is enough to kill enemies above their level, and they might even be able to fight against the Jade Pool Holy Son.
"Take a gamble? You're dreaming!"
Upon hearing this, an elderly cultivator with white hair couldn't help but interject, " The Immortal Platform Secret Realm is a watershed on the path of cultivation. Once you step into it, your primordial spirit undergoes a transformation, and you can mobilize the power of the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth. No matter how strong you are at the Four Extremes or Dragon Transformation Realm, you are only strong in terms of physical body and divine power. How can you compare to the Immortal Platform cultivators who can borrow the power of Heaven and Earth?"
Unless Wang Teng or Qi Lin have already broken through to the Immortal Platform, they are simply not on the same level as their opponents!
The old monk's words immediately silenced the surrounding chatter.
As everyone looked at Li Qingshan, who was surrounded by Jade Pool disciples, their eyes held a hint of awe. A young cultivator at the Immortal Platform Realm was an extremely rare existence throughout the countless ages of the Big Dipper Sect.
Li Qingshan nodded slightly to Lin Wanqing and the others, his tone calm. "Thank you for your trouble, Deacon Lin and fellow disciples. No need for formalities, let's enter the city."
"Yes, Holy Son."
Lin Wanqing respectfully agreed and stepped aside to lead the way, but her eyes could not hide her curiosity. She had heard that the Holy Son had attracted the Emperor's Shadow when he was undergoing his tribulation. She had thought he would be a fierce and sharp person, but she did not expect him to be so reserved and gentle. With such a temperament, it was no wonder that he was able to step into the Immortal Platform at such a young age.
Surrounded by Jade Pool disciples, Li Qingshan slowly stepped into the gates of the Holy City.
Entering the city felt like stepping into another world.
A cacophony of voices filled the air: vendors hawking their rare treasures, cultivators haggling over prices, the sounds of string and wind instruments wafting from restaurants, and the laughter of children chasing and playing.
The air was filled with a mixture of hundreds of scents: the fragrance of spiritual herbs, the earthy smell of Source Stone, the aroma of roasted meat, and the qi and Dao aura emanating from cultivators. All these sounds and scents intertwined to create a unique "commonplace atmosphere," so lively that one almost forgot that this was the perilous Northern Region.
The wide main street was paved with lapis lazuli, its surface so smooth it could reflect a person's image, and it was wide enough for dozens of carriages to travel side by side. On both sides of the street, palaces and pavilions stood side by side.
The first shop on the left is " Source Gathering Pavilion," with a sign hanging at the entrance that reads "Buying Source Stone at sky-high prices, guaranteed authentic and no deception." The shop is crowded with cultivators holding Source Stone, and the shop assistants are using magnifying glasses to carefully examine the quality of the Source Stone.
Next door was the " Myriad Treasures Tower," whose windows displayed various magical artifacts and elixirs. Among them, a water-attribute Dao Artifact that glowed with blue light attracted the attention of passing cultivators.
Further away, signs for "Stone Gambling House," " Pill Cauldron Pavilion," and " Divine Artifact Pavilion" lined up in succession, each with a different architectural style. Stone Gambling House was simple and dignified, Pill Cauldron Pavilion was filled with the fragrance of medicine, and Divine Artifact Pavilion exuded a cold metallic aura. Each one was bustling with people, showing the prosperity of the Holy City.
Li Qingshan's divine sense spread out like invisible ripples, covering a small part of the Holy City.
He could sense countless hidden presences within the city:
In the northeast, within a heavily guarded mansion, there was a surge of energy as condensed as the blazing sun. It was the aura of Ji Haoyue, the Divine King Body of the Ji Family. He seemed to be in seclusion, and his energy was even more robust than it had been a few months ago, showing faint signs of a breakthrough.
" The Ji Family's Divine King Body is indeed exceptionally gifted, but it's a pity they're still lingering in the Four Extremes Realm."
Li Qingshan's heart stirred slightly. He recalled that in the original novel, Ji Haoyue had tried to seize the Azure Emperor Weapon while only at the Four Extremes Realm. Putting aside everything else, his courage was indeed rare. "However, this impatience could easily expose his weaknesses."
In the northwest, in a low-key courtyard, there was a gentle and warm aura. It seemed ordinary on the surface, but deep inside it was the blood and energy of a dragon. It was Jiang Yifei, the eldest son of the Jiang Family family whom they met in Pingyan City. He was obviously good at hiding himself. His true cultivation level should be at the Peak Four Extremes, only one step away from the Dragon Transformation Realm.
" The Jiang Family members are indeed low-key, but their forbearance makes them even more difficult to deal with than Ji Haoyue."
In the southwest, within the stone archway of the Yaoguang Holy Land, there was a gentle yet majestic aura of holy light. It was the aura of the Yaoguang Holy Son. His Holy Light Technique was more profound than before, and there were faint signs of touching the Dao of "purification". His cultivation had also reached the Peak Four Extremes.
"I wonder what level Yaoguang Holy Son has reached in his Indestructible Heavenly Art, and whether he is stronger or weaker than Jiang Yifei. It's a pity that his cultivation level is still a bit lacking."
In addition, Li Qingshan also sensed several unfamiliar but powerful auras, one of which carried a strong Buddhist aura, likely from a prodigy from the Western Desert;
A stream brimming with boundless vitality might belong to a scion of a renowned alchemy family in the Central Continent;
There were also several hidden auras in the shadows, carrying ancient and obscure fluctuations, belonging to neither humans nor demons.
"It seems the Ancient Races didn't wait until after the Yaochi Grand Gathering to emerge; quite a few have already awakened ahead of schedule."
Li Qingshan's gaze swept over a shop called " Ancient Moon Studio " on the street corner. The guards at the shop's entrance seemed ordinary, but their eyes held the golden vertical pupils unique to the Ancient Races. "This shop is probably one of the Ancient Races's strongholds in the Holy City."
"That's the Jade Pool Holy Son? He's incredibly young!"
In a teahouse by the street, two young men from noble families, dressed in brocade robes, were scrutinizing Li Qingshan through the window. One of them, holding a teacup, said in a complicated tone, "Our family's genius scion only reached the Four Extremes Realm at thirty, while he's already at the Immortal Platform at such a young age. His talent is simply superhuman!"
Do you think everyone has Innate Dao Embryo?
The other person put down his teacup and sighed, "I heard that this holy son is not only Innate Dao Embryo, but also triggered the Emperor's shadow during his tribulation. Such a person is destined to illuminate an era."
Currently, among the younger generation of the Holy City, probably no one can suppress this Jade Pool Holy Son.
Similar discussions were quietly taking place in every corner of the Holy City.
Li Qingshan's arrival was like a bombshell dropped into the already turbulent Holy City, forcing all forces to reassess the significance of this Jade Pool Holy Son.
Lin Wanqing led the way, and seeing Li Qingshan's gaze sweep over the surrounding shops, she respectfully asked, "Holy Son, shall we return to the villa to rest first? The villa has prepared spiritual spring water and sacred medicine for the Holy Son to recuperate."
Li Qingshan stopped at a fork in the road, his gaze fixed on the southeast, where the most concentrated area of Holy City's stone workshops was located, where he could faintly sense the rich aura of Source Stone.
He shook his head, his tone calm. "There's no need to go to the other courtyard. I wish to visit the stone archway first. Deacon Lin and the other disciples may return first; there's no need for you to accompany me."
Lin Wanqing was slightly taken aback, then realized that the Holy Son probably wanted to use Source Arts to gamble on stones, both to seek opportunities and to learn about the Source Stone market in the Holy City.
She respectfully replied, "Yes, Holy Son. If needed, please send a message to the other courtyard at any time, and your disciples will come immediately."
"Okay." Li Qingshan nodded and turned to walk towards the stone archway area.
As soon as he turned, countless gazes followed him from the shadows, some curious, some expectant, and some hostile.
The Stone Square District is an important place where the major forces in the Holy City compete for resources. The fact that this Jade Pool Holy Son has chosen to appear here means that he will probably meet with the prodigies of other forces soon.
At the entrance to the Shifang District, inside a shop called " Heavenly Source Workshop," a shop assistant whispered to the shopkeeper, "Shopkeeper, the Jade Pool Holy Son is coming this way! Should we prepare some good goods?"
The shopkeeper, an elderly man with a goatee, gleamed with a sharp light upon hearing this and chuckled, "Prepare the top-grade Source Stone! This Holy Son is a big shot in the Immortal Platform Realm. If we can get him to take a liking to our Source Stone, our Heavenly Source Workshop will become famous in the Holy City!"
In another stone workshop not far away, several disciples dressed in the Ji Family robes were discussing a Source Stone. When one of them saw Li Qingshan, his expression changed slightly, and he said to his companion, "It's the Jade Pool Holy Son! Should we avoid him?"
His companion shook his head and sneered, "What are you avoiding? Who has our Ji Family ever been afraid of in the Holy City? He's just a cultivator who has just entered the Immortal Platform. Do you think he can steal our Source Stone?"
Li Qingshan naturally noticed these gazes, but he still maintained a steady pace.
His goal was clear: the top-tier stone workshops of Great Saint and aristocratic families, especially the Kirin Immortal Medicine Seed hidden in a certain Source Stone.
At the same time, he also wanted to take this opportunity to meet with the heroes of the Holy City using his Source Arts, and further verify the Daoist essence of the " Western Emperor Scripture " and his own Source Arts skills.
Sunlight streamed onto the lapis lazuli-paved streets, reflecting a dazzling light.
Li Qingshan's figure gradually blended into the crowd in Shifang District.