Stirrings Overseas, the Giant City

Chapter 396: Stirrings Overseas, the Giant City

A moment later, the black dot in the distance slowly grew larger, gradually revealing a blurry, massive shadow.

Though still unclear, the colossal outline, like a pillar holding up the sky, already made Han Li feel a vast and overwhelming pressure.

As Han Li, secretly astonished, flew a bit closer, he finally got a rough look at the shadow.

It was indeed a city—a supercity that occupied the entire island.

But what deeply shocked Han Li was that the main body of this city was completely different from any city he had seen before. It was not built on flat ground. Instead, it was constructed in spiraling rings around a towering mountain at the island's center, a mountain that pierced the clouds.

At the mountain's base, layer upon layer of various buildings extended all the way to the island's edge, leaving almost no gaps.

Without a doubt, this had to be the number one city of the Chaotic Star Sea: Heaven Star City.

Gazing at the dense clusters of houses, as small as ants, that reached up into the clouds, Han Li was stunned for a long time.

It wasn't until the Divine Wind Boat was several tens of li from the island that he came back to his senses and slowed down his flying tool.

The reason was that the sky nearby was no longer his alone. Patches of light, some close and some far, occasionally appeared in the distance, all heading in the direction of Heaven Star City.

Han Li sighed inwardly. Truly worthy of being Heaven Star City! He could already see other cultivators from such a distance.

After flying another ten or twenty li, the colorful lights in the sky became more numerous. Below, some massive ocean-going ships also appeared, cutting through the waves.

What left Han Li even more speechless was that some cultivators weren't flying on tools at all. Instead, they sped across the sea on a single-leaf boat or riding a low-grade demon beast.

Han Li shook his head, feeling a moment of emotion. Then he transformed into a streak of white light and sped up.

In a short time, Han Li reached the outskirts of Heaven Star City.

Only then did he realize that the city before him was enclosed by a towering stone wall, several tens of zhang high, built along the coastline.

Beneath that endless high wall, Han Li could see over a dozen different-sized gates and doorways. There were docks for mortal ships, coves for various demon beasts to dock, and, most numerous, small gates for cultivators to pass through individually. Han Li followed a streak of green light towards one of these smaller gates.

"Small" was relative, of course. When Han Li flew down and landed, he looked up at the gate, which was seven or eight zhang high, and couldn't help but curl the corner of his mouth in self-deprecating laughter.

In front of Han Li was a dignified woman in green robes. She seemed to be at the mid Foundation Establishment stage. She spoke gently with two white-robed cultivators standing at the gate. After a few words, she handed over some spirit stones and received a blue ring from them, which she casually put on her finger. Then, with light steps, she walked in.

Only then did Han Li, accompanied by Qu Hun, unhurriedly approach.

"Are you two staying temporarily, or do you intend to live here long-term? If you—"

"Oh! So it's a Senior. Welcome to Heaven Star City. According to city regulations, all Core Formation Seniors may reside here permanently for free. This is your identity ring, Senior. Please take it."

One of the white-robed cultivators started to recite a line he had repeated countless times without even blinking. But he only got halfway before the cultivator beside him, having noticed Qu Hun's identity, quickly tugged at his sleeve. The first cultivator was startled, re-evaluated Qu Hun with a glance, hastily put on a respectful expression, and corrected himself. He took out a red ring from his bosom and handed it over.

"This is my first time at Heaven Star City. What's this ring for?" Qu Hun asked, his voice somewhat hoarse.

"This is a spiritual identity ring. The blue ones are worn by cultivators staying temporarily. They only require a payment of three spirit stones. The red ones signify permanent residency. For ordinary cultivators, a payment of eight hundred spirit stones is required for long-term stay. The spiritual light on a blue ring lasts for seven days. Before the light extinguishes, the bearer must either leave Heaven Star City or come to a city gate to get a new ring. The light on a red ring is permanent, however. Once you drop blood essence onto a red ring, it will recognize you and glow. There's no risk of it being stolen." The white-robed cultivator, at the early Foundation Establishment stage, explained to Qu Hun in a calm and respectful manner. Raising his own hand, he showed a similar red ring glowing on his finger.

Qu Hun nodded silently. He took the ring and, after a moment's hesitation, dripped blood essence onto it before putting it on his finger.

"I'd trouble you, Fellow Daoist, for a red one. I also plan to stay in the city for a long time." Han Li smiled as he took out eight mid-grade spirit stones from his storage pouch and handed them to one of the cultivators.

The two white-robed cultivators glanced at Han Li with a hint of surprise but said nothing. They took the spirit stones and similarly handed him a red ring.

Han Li also dripped blood essence onto his and put it on. Then, with a faint smile, he and Qu Hun walked through the city gate.

The street behind the gate was neither too narrow nor too wide. It was spacious enough for four people to walk side by side or for two beast-drawn carriages to pass.

The rows of bluestone houses lining the street were clearly mortal shops. Most of what they sold were mortal goods, nothing worth looking at.

There were almost no cultivators on the street. Only ordinary people were buying things or chatting. None of them showed any particular curiosity or surprise at Han Li and Qu Hun, two cultivators.

Han Li looked around briefly. Then, as if casually, he raised his head to glance at the sky. He saw many streaks of light flying to and fro—cultivators were flying in the air on their tools.

The number one city of the Chaotic Star Sea actually had no prohibitions against flying. This caught Han Li by complete surprise.

However, this was convenient for him and Qu Hun. He raised his hand, releasing the Divine Wind Boat, and prepared to ascend with Qu Hun.

"Please wait, Immortal Masters!"

A male voice suddenly came from the side of the street. Then, a lean, wiry man with two thin strips of mustache walked over from a nearby shop. With a respectful expression, he bowed to Han Li and Qu Hun.

His eyes darted about, marking him as someone quick-witted. But there was no fluctuation of magical power on his body; he was clearly a mortal.

Han Li's face showed a flicker of surprise. He frowned slightly and asked, "What is it? Do I know you?"

"Hehe! I'm Lu Er. This is my first time seeing you two Immortal Masters as well," the lean man said, his face full of smiles.

Hearing this, Han Li's expression darkened, and a look of displeasure appeared. But before he could say anything, Lu Er hurriedly continued: "You two Immortal Masters must be visiting Heaven Star City for the first time, right? You must be unfamiliar with the city's roads and conditions. I, on the other hand, am a native of this city and know it like the back of my hand. If you Immortal Masters need to go somewhere or handle some business, having me show the way would definitely save you a lot of trouble. It'll only cost you two spirit stones."

Having said this, Lu Er looked at Han Li with an expression of hopeful expectation. He had already discerned that the young man before him seemed to be the one in charge.

Han Li let out a light laugh.

"Lu Er, is it? If you satisfy me, I'll give you five spirit stones! But if you don't satisfy me, I won't pay a single one!"

After speaking with a faint, ambiguous smile, Han Li ignored the man and stepped onto the Divine Wind Boat. Qu Hun followed suit.

Standing on his flying tool, Han Li glanced at Lu Er, who was still on the ground. The mortal's face flickered with uncertainty. When he saw Han Li looking at him, he gritted his teeth and said, "Alright, I'll do as the Immortal Master says! I will definitely satisfy you both."

Han Li nodded faintly, showing no surprise. He stepped on his flying tool, and the Divine Wind Boat lowered itself a bit more, nearly touching the ground.

Seeing this, Lu Er nimbly hurried over and carefully stepped on board.

Then, the Divine Wind Boat slowly rose into the air, flying towards the giant mountain at the city's center.

When they were several tens of zhang up in the air, Han Li turned his head to look at the mortal named Lu Er. Though there was a bit of fear on his face, he wasn't completely pathetic. Han Li nodded inwardly and asked casually, "From the look of it, this isn't your first time riding a flying tool. Have you often guided visiting cultivators before?"

"I've helped five or six Immortal Masters before, but flying this high in the sky is only my second time," Lu Er said with a forced smile. For a mortal, an altitude of several tens of zhang seemed to make the wind a bit strong.

Looking at Lu Er's somewhat pale face, Han Li smiled faintly. Suddenly, he raised his hand. A flash of blue light streaked by, and then a layer of azure protective barrier appeared around the Divine Wind Boat, covering all three of them.

Immediately, Lu Er's complexion improved considerably.

Before Lu Er could express his gratitude, Han Li asked, "First, tell me, where can I find a place to cultivate without being disturbed?"

(End of the month! I'm going to shout it out too, everyone, throw me some votes!)