Immortal Path Space

Chapter 178: Jinan City

On the western side of the Boundary Mountain Range stood Jin'an City. The city walls soared twenty zhang high and were five zhang thick. Intricately woven formations and runes adorned its surface, while squads of cultivators patrolled tirelessly.

This stronghold served as the frontline defense against the Demon Clan, although smaller than Azure Void City both in size and population. Nevertheless, Jin'an City's strength rivaled that of Azure Void City.

With a population of less than fifty thousand, comparable to some small towns, the city harbored no mortals. Instead, a constant presence of at least two thousand Foundation Building cultivators guarded the city, supported by over ten Golden Core cultivators.

At the city gate, Foundation Building cultivators came and went, often in groups, venturing out to hunt Demonic Beasts before returning for respite.

At this moment, two Foundation Building cultivators, a man, and a woman, emerged at the city gate. They were Wang Hong and Tian Qing, having traveled for three days to reach Jin'an City.

Unlike Azure Void City, which belonged exclusively to the Qingxu Sect, Jin'an City was governed by a council of elders, each representing a major sect. These elders, including at least one Golden Core cultivator from each sect, collectively managed the city.

Wang Hong and Tian Qing located the residence of the Qingxu Sect in the city, reported their arrival, and were ushered into a hall after a brief wait.

Shortly thereafter, a Foundation Building cultivator in the later stages emerged from the back hall.

"Haha! I am Shen Jian, apologies for not greeting you from afar. Welcome, fellow junior and junior sister, you've traveled far," he greeted warmly.

Shen Jian, with a tall figure, wore a purple-gold Daoist crown, and three neatly arranged foot-long beard strands on his chin.

"Senior Shen, no need for formalities. I'm Wang Hong," said Wang Hong, handing over his Sect Token for verificationa necessary procedure to prevent infiltration.

Tian Qing introduced herself and presented her Token to Shen Jian.

After confirming the Tokens, Shen Jian inquired, "The sect dispatched five individuals, yet only two have arrived. Where are the other three? And, it seems Sister Tian has injuries?"

Wang Hong and Tian Qing recounted their journey and presented Xu Gang's body to Shen Jian. Wang Hong omitted details of his battle, respecting the sect's policy on privacy.

"Unexpected turn of events! Please wait a moment; I'll inform Senior Brother Song," Shen Jian said before hastily leaving the hall.

Upon his return, Shen Jian addressed the two, "Senior Brother Song requests your presence. Please follow me."

Following Shen Jian, they reached an outside balcony, where Shen Jian prepared to report.

"Come in!" a muffled voice came from inside.

Shen Jian entered, revealing a chubby cultivator seated at a desk, devouring a massive pork trotter. Grease covered his face, nose, and the food-filled mouth as he invited them to sit.

"Want some?" he asked, though the single trotter on the table suggested otherwise.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Song, but we're not hungry," they replied in unison.

"Tell me the details of what happened," he instructed after they declined the food.

Wang Hong and Tian Qing recounted their experiences once more, while Senior Brother Song pondered with a thoughtful expression, savoring each bite.

After a while, Senior Brother Song spoke, "Are there any more of those Blood Contracts? Show them to me."

Wang Hong quickly retrieved several Blood Contracts from the Brawny Man's Storage Bag and placed them on the table in front of Senior Brother Song.

The chubby cultivator observed them carefully while still indulging in his pork trotter.

"These are specially crafted Blood Contracts, akin to a master-slave pact. Signing them can also break weaker Blood Contracts on the target," he explained, waving his hand towards the three, "I'm aware of this matter now. You may leave."

The trio exited the balcony and returned to the previous hall.

"Rest assured, the elders will handle this matter. Let's focus on our own duties," Shen Jian said, stroking his beard.

"Senior Brother, what arrangements do you have for us?" Wang Hong inquired.

"Junior Brother Wang is a second-tier Alchemist from the Pill Hall. Naturally, you'll go to the sect's Spiritual Herb shop to serve as a resident Alchemist. You can go to the East Street; there's a Qingxu Tower there specializing in selling our sect's specialties. Just present this Jade Scroll and ask for the shopkeeper, Wu Dayong," Shen Jian explained, handing Wang Hong a Jade Scroll.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Shen!"

"Junior Brother Wang, no need to be so polite."

Shen Jian smiled, gesturing to Tian Qing, "Tian Qing, go rest and recover. Come see me in a month, and I'll assign tasks for you then."

"Thank you, Senior Brother Shen!" Tian Qing expressed her gratitude.

After leaving the sect's residence, Tian Qing thanked Wang Hong, "Thank you, Senior Brother Wang, for taking care of me during this time. I won't trouble you anymore as you head to Qingxu Tower. Farewell."

"Tian Qing, no need to be so polite. Let's part ways here!" After bidding farewell, Wang Hong headed towards the East Street.

Jin'an City had four main streets: East Street, West Street, South Street, and North Street, along with several small alleys.

Wang Hong quickly found Qingxu Tower on East Streeta majestic building bustling with activity.

Entering the tower, a maid promptly approached him.

"I'm looking for Manager Wu!" Without waiting for the maid to speak, Wang Hong showed his Qingxu Sect Token, stating it first.

The maid paused for a moment, realizing that a senior from the sect had arrived.

"Senior Uncle, please come inside!" The servants in the shop, including maids and boys, could be considered peripheral disciples of the Qingxu Sect.

The maid led Wang Hong to the top floor and knocked on a door.

Inside, an Old Man in the mid Foundation Building stage greeted Wang Hong with a smile, thinking a significant deal had arrived.

"Senior Brother Wu, I am an Alchemist from the sect. Here are my Sect Token and Senior Brother Shen's Jade Scroll. Please have a look!" Wang Hong presented the Token and Jade Scroll.

Wu Dayong's smile diminished slightly, but then it bloomed again.

"No need for such formalities, Junior Brother!"

While saying this, Wu Dayong carefully took the two items, examining them more meticulously than anyone else.

After confirming everything was in order, Wu Dayong returned the Token to Wang Hong.

"People are indeed not what they seem! Junior Brother Wang, becoming a second-tier Alchemist at such a young age, your future is limitless!" Wu Dayong exclaimed, impressed by Wang Hong's achievement despite his recent Foundation Building.

"Senior Brother Wu, you're too kind. It's just a stroke of luck. I wonder how the arrangements for my residency and alchemy duties will be made. I seek Senior Brother Wu's guidance."

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