Chapter 251: Chapter 151: Guzhu Holy City

It was as if heaven and earth had just opened, and the red sun had just risen.

The gray toxic fog suddenly dispersed before his eyes, and clean, clear air surrounded Li Jizhou once more.

In sight, a gathering place of the Human Race, three times larger than the Immortal City of Liuyun in Yan Kingdom, is located in this Sacred Land untouched by the toxic fog.

Suddenly turning back, compared to the outer area separated by a thin membrane, this interior truly resembles the Immortal Realm!

Outside was all withered trees and black water, desolate and lifeless,

while inside, green trees provide shade, bamboo forests resemble a sea, and the smells of human life are evident everywhere.

Li Jizhou extended his Divine Sense, carefully observing the barrier separating the interior and exterior of the Holy City.

For a long while, he failed to notice anything unusual.

Clearly, there was nothing there, but the toxic fog simply wouldn’t invade this place.

“Master Huang, you are unaware of the swamp’s past, so you are not clear about it. This barrier is the grace of the Saints. It’s said that the Saint Master of the Eastern Desolation Sacred Land, the Saint Emperor of the Central State Dynasty, and even the Demon Emperor of the Demon Race all personally inspected the Sacred Domain barrier within the swamp but could not fathom it.”

On the way to Guzhu City, Li Jizhou maintained a friendly demeanor and got along well with the four members of the Liu family. At this moment, Liu Zhengfeng appeared less reserved.

“The grace of the Saints?” Li Jizhou cooperatively showed a face of confusion.

“Master Huang, the Saint within the swamp is the ancestor of the Earth Spirit Master lineage, the mighty Earth Spirit Master from ancient times!” Liu Zhengfeng became somewhat excited immediately.

“I’ve heard of it!” Li Jizhou nodded slightly.

“Therefore, most people within the swamp hold the Earth Spirit Masters in high regard!” Liu Zhengfeng added again.

Hearing this, Li Jizhou instinctively glanced at Liu Hongling.

Liu Hongling had been respectfully following behind, listening to Liu Zhengfeng and Master Huang introduce this place,

unexpectedly, the conversation shifted towards herself.

Facing Master Huang’s glance back, she instantly blushed with embarrassment: “Master Huang, although Hongling is born with the ability to sense the grand momentum of heaven and earth, possessing the talent of an Earth Spirit Master, but… but my talent is limited, among Earth Spirit Masters, I’m considered inferior, and I’ve been dull-witted… till now, I haven’t broken through Tier Three…”

Liu Zhengfeng, hearing this, couldn’t help but glare at her secretly.

He hurriedly looked at Li Jizhou again, saying: “Master Huang, what I say is not false, you can inquire about it yourself. Because the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp was opened by the Saint, the Earth Spirit Masters have always been revered here, and there’s even a legend that if another Earth Spirit Master reaches the level of a Saint, the toxic fog here can be completely removed, returning this domain to clarity.”

“Our Liu family decided to migrate from Qi Kingdom to here because of this!”

“And indeed, as I just said, because we have Hongling who is an Earth Spirit Master, we received high admiration upon arriving in this domain.

Including the inner city residence we live in now, which was given by the City Lord’s Mansion because Hongling is an Earth Spirit Master!”

Liu Zhengfeng became more and more excited as he spoke, his old face seeming to shine with glory from those days.

A Fake Pill Level family from a mid-sized cultivation country like Qi Kingdom could be heavily respected in the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp, a place with Nascent Soul True Monarchs stationed and Core Formation Masters everywhere.

This matter made him grateful for his decision back then.

Li Jizhou didn’t interrupt his reminiscing, nor did he inappropriately utter: “What now?”

He waited until Liu Zhengfeng had reminisced over the hospitality the Liu family received when they first came, then suddenly showed a bitter expression, filled with some disappointment and unwillingness: “But Hongling, despite receiving much help, spent decades and exhausted many spirit beasts with Earth Spirit bloodline, yet still couldn’t break through the Tier Three Earth Spirit Master… eventually, they gave up on her.”

“Though Earth Spirit Masters are scarce, during the millions of years within the swamp, they always find innate talents able to sense the grand momentum of heaven and earth every few years, but those with true potential are very few, most end up stuck at Tier Three for life.”

…

After listening to Liu Zhengfeng’s explanation, Li Jizhou nodded slightly.

And Liu Zhengfeng’s expression revitalized, hastily added: “Master Huang, although many say Hongling might lack potential, has insufficient talent, and it’s hard for her to advance lifelong,

the old man does not dare to agree.

Actually, Hongling had excellent talent, when she was sixteen, she almost broke through Tier Two Earth Spirit Master.

The old man suspects that her current state is because she forcefully broke through Tier Two to use Divine Abilities and injured her foundation, perhaps this needs time to recover, and now it’s merely forty years,

I believe with more time, she might still achieve success.

And once she breaks through to Tier Three Earth Spirit Master, she’ll certainly be revered again, then everyone protecting her on the path will surely…”

Seeing Liu Zhengfeng speak so earnestly,

Li Jizhou knew he was drawing pie for him.

Hoping he would help Liu Hongling’s advancement.

And the most needed for advancing to Tier Three Earth Spirit Master is a Tier Three Spirit Beast containing the Earth Spirit.

For instance, the Six-legged Spirit Turtle captured this time,

However, such level of Demon Beast is very difficult for the Liu family of only Early Stage of Core Formation now.

Not only are such Demon Beasts scarce, but even if they luck upon one, capturing it is quite challenging.

They desperately need someone like Li Jizhou to support them.

However, what they do not know is who Li Jizhou really is?

Entering the swamp initially was a way to avoid misfortune, how could he easily venture outside the swamp for others?

On the way, Li Jizhou didn’t encounter any Demon Beast attacks or Evil Cultivator ambushes, can’t say it’s safe outside.

So, without a special occasion, Li Jizhou plans to keep cultivating in Guzhu City.

“Then, I shall wish you all that your desires be fulfilled!”

Facing Li Jizhou’s expressed intentions, Liu Zhengfeng showed no disappointment. In the cultivation world, no one is a fool; how could they believe him based on mere words?

Moreover, given the short time spent together, it’s understandable that the other party knows little about the Liu family’s situation.

As long as the other party stays here to cultivate, time is plentiful.

Suddenly, an idea flashed through his mind as he glanced significantly at Master Huangshi, then at Liu Hongling.

Although Liu Hongling cannot cultivate magical power in her dantian, as an Earth Spirit Master, she connects with the great momentum of heaven and earth. Not only can she borrow the might of the earth, but also borrow its longevity. As a Tier Two Earth Spirit Master, her lifespan is much greater than that of an ordinary Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator.

Currently, with a bone age of just over fifty, she remains very young.

And her beauty, having been blessed by heaven and earth, is naturally not lacking.

Master Huangshi appears middle-aged, with a superficial cultivation at the Middle Stage of Core Formation; he might actually be at the Late Stage of Core Formation, making a prospective dao companion a joyous prospect.

Most crucially, Master Huangshi, having come from outside, likely does not hold the same reservations against Earth Spirit Masters as the natives here.

The local people are reluctant to marry Earth Spirit Masters as dao companions, otherwise I would have long wanted to find a high-tier dao partner for Liu Hongling.

“Hongling, why don’t you quickly thank Master Huang!”

Liu Zhengfeng, having spoken so much for so long, the members of the Liu family naturally understood his intentions and realized his desire to find Liu Hongling a protector.

Liu Hongling hurriedly stepped forward, gracefully bowing: “Thank you, Master Huang, for your kind words.”

“Master Huang, now that you have entered the city, with so many of us together, it will inevitably attract unnecessary attention. If it isn’t too much trouble, let Hongling accompany you alone for a walk, to introduce you.” Liu Zhengfeng added with a smile.

“Alright, then I’ll trouble Miss Liu.” Li Jizhou nodded.

“Hongling, Master Huang is our great benefactor, don’t slack off. We will return to deal with this beast; you need not rush back.” Liu Zhengfeng further instructed Liu Hongling.

“Master Huang, once you are familiar with things, please be sure to visit our Liu family so we can repay your great kindness and virtue!”

“All right!”

Watching the three members of the Liu family leave, Li Jizhou exchanged a smile with Liu Hongling, then refocused their attention on Guzhu City.

Guzhu City’s layout is different from the Immortal City outside.

Since this place lacks a spirit vein, the concentration of spiritual qi in the entire area is uniformly dense, hence there is no core spirit vein area.

Guzhu City is oriented north to south, with the northernmost area hosting a sprawling Bamboo Mountain, occupying twenty percent of the Holy City’s territory, home to Guzhu True Monarch and his disciples.

Below Bamboo Mountain is the City Lord’s Mansion, whose current City Lord is Guzhu True Monarch’s chief disciple Nie Qingyuan, who has been stuck at the Peak of Core Formation for over three hundred years, likely with no hope of reaching Nascent Soul.

Two hundred years ago, when Guzhu True Monarch began preparing to transcend to Divinity Transformation, he entrusted the City Lord’s Mansion to his disciple’s management,

and ever since, Nie Qingyuan has helmed all of Guzhu City.

Aside from Guzhu True Monarch’s domain, the Holy City is divided into inner and outer city.

The outer city mostly accommodates those passing through temporarily or traders from other Holy Cities, while the inner city houses permanent cultivators.

Listening to Liu Hongling’s introduction, Li Jizhou cross-referenced her information with data he previously gathered, making his understanding of the interior more detailed.

Inner city cultivators mostly focus on cultivation, but the resources are not as impoverished as Li Jizhou initially anticipated.

On the contrary, resources within the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp are even more abundant.

Underneath the seemingly lifeless, barren swamp with deadwood and dark waters lie numerous precious materials and treasures.

In fact, the swamp frequently reveals various secret realms, tombs, and ancient relics, where those with substantial fortunes harness unprecedented opportunities, soaring to great heights.

Rumor has it that Guzhu True Monarch obtained an invaluable piece of spiritual bamboo from an obscure relic of such a realm.

Apart from this uncertain legend, there’s a verified story from a hundred years ago that Guzhu City saw a cultivator indeed acquire a complete chance for Nascent Soul, although regrettably, the news leaked, leading to their murder and robbery.

Naturally, the Lifespan Extension Pill, which Li Jizhou was most interested in, was also mentioned by Liu Hongling.

Thus, the plan for secluded cultivation in Guzhu City was decisively finalized.

Guzhu True Monarch remains in seclusion in the bamboo forest, uninvolved in worldly affairs, a perfect scenario.

Only two issues require contemplation:

Firstly, it isn’t too safe here; the City Lord’s Mansion pays little attention to the city’s market due to the domain housing predominantly Core Formation cultivators and high-tier materials are typically bartered, seldom traded for spirit stones.

Spirit stones are mostly used as energies for arrays or puppets.

Moreover, most of Guzhu True Monarch’s disciples venture outside for fortunes, instead of relying on collecting taxes to buy resources with spirit stones.

Furthermore, there’s little concern whether city cultivators leave due to safety factors, given that swamp-based Holy Cities are scarce, leaving few choices.

Hence, the City Lord’s Mansion doesn’t even have a law enforcement team.

Safety relies solely on oneself.

Without a Spirit Gathering Array, spiritual qi is merely at a Tier Three junior to middle level here; temporarily sufficient, although potentially insufficient upon advancing to the Middle Stage of Core Formation.

Then, setting up a Spirit Gathering Array will become necessary.

Typically, cultivators are prohibited from privately setting up Spirit Gathering Arrays.

“No need to think so far ahead for now, let’s focus on stabilizing the current situation!” After contemplating for a while, Li Jizhou made up his mind.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep