A vast expanse of blue earth seemed to be divided by chariots, with countless dust particles and mist rising amidst the rumbling sounds.
Only a single command flag fluttered in the thin mist, its divine bird appearing exceptionally majestic as it danced in the air. Watching the tide of Mist Beast retreat beneath the chariots, the elderly cultivator felt a surge of pleasure.
He urged his divine steed into the mist, determined to annihilate the entire Mist Beast horde, and the retreating Mist Beast perished beneath the chariot.
The scattered horde of Mist Beast caused a collapse, and the chariots seized the opportunity to charge back into the fray, but the chariots seemed to be getting further and further away from Phoenix City.
The chariot appeared to be maneuvering freely and invincible, but it was actually more like a bronze chariot being swept away by a blue river, gradually retreating towards the mountains.
Xu Long wanted to remind the cultivator in the carriage, but he was afraid that the other party would not listen to him at all, after all, he was just a desperate man.
The opposing team, led from their high-riding chariot, would never listen to the words of a desperate fugitive like you.
The towering chariots gave them Wuxian confidence, as if the Mist Beast on the earth could only wait to die when the chariot shafts rolled over them.
The galloping steeds and chariots made a rumbling sound. As the sound gradually subsided, the cultivators from the City Lord's Manor moved away, and Xu Long and the other cultivators also walked through the path cleared by the chariots.
At this moment, doubts arose in his mind, and for no apparent reason, the black shadow in the blue mist came to mind; the intelligence of Higher Mist Beast was definitely not lacking.
Xu Long had once fought against the Daoist Human Python, and he knew the strangeness of such creatures. They say one should not pursue a cornered enemy, but the bronze chariot chased after the tide of Mist Beast...
Just as he was about to continue pondering, a huge golden light before his eyes made him stop in his tracks.
Looking out, the rivers on the land began to slow their flow, and a line of black city walls appeared on the distant horizon.
Although this line of city walls is not yet clearly visible, its appearance on this land is incredibly precious. It is the ultimate goal of all cultivators and the last refuge for them in the Land of Exile.
A huge beam of golden light shone in the sky. When Xu Long observed it from below the mountains, he thought it was nothing special, but when he reached the outskirts of Phoenix City, he realized just how powerful this beam of golden light truly was.
The rushing sound of the water had subsided, and a wide river stretched out before Xu Long. The streams that had gathered from the mountains rushed across the land until they calmed down here, flowing around the golden light under the guidance of the terrain.
Looking around, a thick black shadow loomed over the flat land, from which the golden light in the air burst forth.
The enormous golden light did not linger in the air, but rather shot straight into the sky like a pillar supporting the heavens.
Thick clouds could not obscure its silhouette, nor could the high sky shroud its face.
This golden light, like the indomitable gaze of the Creator, will forever pierce through illusion and shoot straight beyond the heavens!
We must transmit our indomitable spirit through the barriers of space, and let our indestructible will endure through history!
Upon closer inspection, the thick black shadow had become much clearer under the sunlight, and in Xu Long's eyes, it was reflected as a huge octagonal city.
The gentle river pauses here, and the immortal golden light shines eternally here!
Countless lives flourished here, and brilliant civilizations originated here!
That undying flame remains here, and that legacy passed down from generation to generation is preserved here!
The massive city sits atop the earth, and as the sunlight shifts, the characters inscribed on it are clearly visible.
Phoenix!
Xu Long suddenly remembered the command flag he had seen on the bronze beam of the chariot earlier. Could the divine and handsome creature on the flag be...?
He had seen the words " Blackwater " in ancient books inside the main hall of Blackwater City. He knew that it was an annotation of Blackwater City, but Blackwater City had been abandoned ten thousand years ago.
The destruction of a city, the extinguishing of a spark—this is the regret of cultivators, the regression of civilization, and the triumph of barbarism over civilization.
After the complete outbreak of the Mist Beast Tide, Blackwater City has forever faded into history; it is no longer the city of cultivators and the source of civilization it once was.
Rather, it is a broken wall in the vast sea of sand, a sign that civilization and order have collapsed.
Today, in the Land of Exile, Xu Long saw another enormous city, which deeply shocked him, for it was a city of cultivators.
This signifies that order and civilization have been preserved here, and that the flame of civilization and legends have been passed down.
Perhaps the ancient songs that disappeared from Blackwater City ten thousand years ago will be sung again in Phoenix City.
Xu Long reviewed his thoughts, carefully observing the enormous city. The city, situated on the earth, exuded a profound and imposing aura.
It was like an ancient deity, still protecting countless cultivators in the Land of Exile with its own body. When Xu Long looked up at it, he couldn't help but feel his own insignificance.
The high city walls were covered with mottled marks, and the flowing light seemed incredibly ancient. The aura within them seemed to have crossed over from countless eras ago, wanting to show its past to the cultivators of today.
Within this vast city lies not only cultivators, but also the history and vicissitudes of countless years, and the hopes and responsibilities accumulated over endless ages.
The enormous city was octagonal, with a tall gate in each of the eight directions. No matter where the gate was, many cultivators were coming and going.
The simultaneous entry and exit of Desolate Beast and cultivators through the gate indicates the Yamato and prosperity of Phoenix City, which undoubtedly houses a great many living beings.
The great river below the city flows around the city walls, and after passing through eight city gates, one enters the inner city.
Xu Long frowned as he looked at the somewhat strange city. Octagonal cities were rare, but those that did exist were extremely ancient and mysterious.
Because they are closely associated with an ancient vision, which seems to be related to a legendary deity...
A faint glint appeared in Xu Long's left eye, and his pupil vanished from his eyeball in an instant. He gazed at Phoenix City, his Heavenly Eye sweeping across it in a fleeting moment.
The enormous city was instantly encompassed within the Heavenly Eye; the octagonal city was analyzed one by one, and finally, it became conspicuous information that gathered in Xu Long's mind.
Looking at the eight gates of the city, Xu Long conjured up a slightly familiar array diagram in his mind, and a thought stirred within him.
This is an extremely ancient and mysterious array diagram, which almost contains the origin of human civilization and the cultivation path of cultivators.
Strange celestial phenomena, the Bagua Diagram!
In life, whether one experiences good fortune or misfortune, there are reasons to investigate how one can turn danger into safety or misfortune into good fortune. However, this clearly involves the secrets of heaven, and only those with profound cultivation can explore even a little bit about it.
The Bagua Diagram is also the earliest form of writing in ancient times. It contains yin and yang, and it deduces eight kinds of changes, which then lead to further changes.
Everything in the universe is contained within this ever-changing diagram. Each hexagram represents a specific matter, and even the entire universe is contained within these eight trigrams.
Yin-Yang and Five Elements, everything in the world, all phenomena, and all kinds of reasoning and evolution are all in the diagram.
The shape of Phoenix City actually resembles the Bagua Diagram, a Celestial Phenomenon that existed since ancient times, and could even be considered the source of civilization.
It encompasses everything, involves all the heavens, and includes Daoist magic and immortal paths, heavenly secrets and laws, and strange phenomena and totems. It is something that has existed for countless years and is Celestial Phenomenon that even the Creator has not been able to grasp.
It encompasses the universe yet coexists with it; it created civilization yet perpetuates it; it gave rise to the Dao, thus creating the path of cultivation for practitioners.
It broke through the laws that led to its subsequent path to immortality; it exists independently of the world's rules, yet it was born within a stable world.
It is precisely because of this Celestial Phenomenon array diagram that the cultivation path of cultivators has been steadily passed down. It has existed for countless years, and its significance is absolutely extraordinary.
But why is the shape of Phoenix City shaped like a Bagua (Eight Trigrams)?
It should be noted that this Bagua Diagram has been passed down for a long time. Although it is extremely powerful and beneficial when used, it is recognized among cultivators as being extremely difficult to control.
Without the aid of a profound realm, using array diagrams can generate powerful karma that harms oneself and greatly affects one's Dao Heart.
However, Xu Long then discovered that the energy of the Bagua Diagram formed by the Phoenix City was not very complete. It seemed that some of its power was sealed by something, preventing the energy within the diagram from being fully revealed.
A hint of doubt flashed in Xu Long. Who exactly set up this Bagua Diagram?
Even with the cover of a master, the power of Phoenix City should not be underestimated. This octagonal city is a giant Eight Trigrams Formation Diagram.
Being inside the city is like being inside a battle formation. To enter the city, you must go through one of the eight gates, and entering a gate is like entering the Eight Trigrams Formation Diagram.
The city and the array diagram are one entity. If the person in the city who controls the array diagram has any ulterior motives, the cultivator in the gate will instantly die without a burial place.
When the Eight-Form Formation unfolds its power, it is like the opening and closing of the universe, with space cracking and floating. It contains various Power of Laws, which are the crystallization of the wisdom of the sages and an ancient civilization that has been passed down for countless years!
The rumbling sound came from the ground again. Xu Long opened and closed his eyes for a moment, and the strange image in his left eye had dissipated.
He steadied himself and watched as two magnificent horses pulled a massive bronze chariot out of a gate in Phoenix City.
"Fellow Daoists, this is my Phoenix City. The City Lord's Manor welcomes you to come and serve in Phoenix City at any time. However, there are some rules for entering the city. I will tell you two paths."
"One option is to pay Spirit Stone, in which case I guarantee your safe passage through the city gates into the inner city. At that time, you can decide for yourself which Immortal Realm expert you wish to become their disciple."
"The second is that you don't need to pay Spirit Stone. You can enter the city gates on your own. As long as you pass through three city gates, you will be considered qualified. At that time, you can choose whichever side you want to serve."
The enormous chariot stopped in front of everyone. Xu Long's eyes lit up; he actually saw Ma Fang high up on the chariot.
Clearly, after entering the city ahead of Deng Shouchong, this fellow had already infiltrated the City Lord's Manor's entourage.
At this moment, Ma Fang, dressed in black monastic robes, sat on the carriage, her belly slightly protruding, her nostrils flared, and spoke to the crowd in a condescending manner.
The arrogant air in his words was completely different from that of the fugitive Ma Fang from before; clearly, this guy was doing quite well in the Phoenix City's Mansion.
Xu Long chuckled inwardly from the crowd, but he didn't respond to Ma Fang; he didn't want to contact Deng Shouchong at this time.
The City Lord's Manor's Mansion wasn't the only powerful force in Phoenix City. Xu Long needed to keep a low profile when he entered the city to gather information, especially since he had other purposes that might alert the City Lord's Manor. So, he hid in the crowd and pretended not to know Ma Fang.
"This city gate seems to have quite a few gates. They say you don't need Spirit Stone after passing through three Daoist Sect, but what if you pass through four, five, or six? Hahaha, what will your City Lord's Manor do then?"
"Hmph! Fellow Daoist, don't boast. The three Daoist Sect are meant to let you act according to your own abilities, so don't be ungrateful! But since you've asked, I won't hide anything from you. If you pass through the five Daoist Sect, my City Lord's Manor won't charge you any Spirit Stone to serve me. If you pass through the Daoist Sect, I'll have the City Lord personally come to welcome you into the City Lord's Manor!"
"However, there is one more thing: if you choose to enter the city on your own, your life will be in danger. If you are not strong enough, just beg for mercy, and I will naturally spare your life and send you out of the city. If you force your way in and die in the city gate formation, you can't blame anyone else!"
Among the crowd, some cultivators inquired about the introductory method, their tone somewhat dismissive. It was likely that they were all desperate individuals from the Red Land, having fought their way out of the Mist Beast Tide, and would have no reason to fear city gates or checkpoints.
Therefore, he didn't take Ma Fang's explanation of the entry method to heart, completely disregarding this fellow.
Upon hearing these flippant words, Ma Fang's expression remained unchanged, but his tone turned icy. He glanced sharply at everyone and then quickly uttered a sentence to them.
After Ma Fang explained how to enter the city, everyone wisely refrained from asking, "What will happen if we pass through the seventh or eighth Daoist Sect?"
Because at this moment, Ma Fang's face already carried a sinister look, and even if the crowd didn't know how powerful the city gate was, they could see the disdain in Ma Fang's expression.
They thought to themselves: There must be some danger inside the city gate, we must not force our way through.
After Ma Fang finished speaking, he urged the chariot to turn around and drive away from the crowd. The rumbling sound gradually faded away, and Ma Fang, sitting on the chariot, had a cold smile on his lips.
You think you're qualified to ask about the other city gates? Do you really think the City Lord's Manor is a pushover? These arrogant cultivators are courting death and no one can persuade them otherwise!
At the forefront of the crowd, Pavilion Master Xu and his group deliberately kept their distance from Xu Long and his group, and naturally did not make contact with Ma Fang on the chariot outside the city.
After arriving at the outer city, they headed straight for a gate.
Xu Long originally intended to follow Pavilion Master Xu into the city, but at the gate, he saw one of the people in front of Pavilion Master Xu step out first.
The cultivator who stepped forward first pulled a small storage bag from his sleeve, tossed it to the cultivator inside the doorway, and then spoke to the cultivator inside:
" The Rogue Cultivators Association entered the city; there are nine of them in total."