The Grand City of Anchan

“I’ve heard that flying is absolutely forbidden above Anchan City. If anyone dares to fly over the city, they’ll be in serious trouble,” Meng Jun said, as the four of them landed on the ground.

Ji Ning gazed into the distance at Anchan City. This was an endlessly ancient city that had existed since the Primordial Fiendgod Era. At this moment, they were only a few dozen li away, and Ji Ning could sense an incredibly surging tide of natural elemental energy continuously gathering into the city. At the same time, he could feel a terrifying, oppressive aura emanating from it.

“The entire Anchan City is a single super-formation. I’d guess it’s at least at the Immortal level,” Ji Ning mused.

Ji Ning and the three members of the Meng Clan walked toward the city gates. They were heading to the eastern gate. The gate was a full thousand zhang wide and a hundred zhang tall—one could imagine just how imposing Anchan City’s walls were.

“Your caravan has three hundred and twenty-one people. Pay three hundred jin of Thunder Gold!” A massive caravan in front of Ji Ning, almost entirely composed of Xiantian lifeforms, handed over three large chunks of Thunder Gold. In return, they received three hundred black-covered booklets and entered the city.

“Paying two jin of Thunder Gold to enter the city.” An armored soldier wearing Dao-Soldier Armor barked directly at Ji Ning. Since Ji Ning had Whitewater Hound with him, he naturally had to pay for two.

Ji Ning waved his hand and produced two fingernail-sized pieces of metal that shimmered with a green light, resembling gold. This was Thunder Gold, whose density far exceeded that of ordinary gold. Back when Ji Ning had purchased the Northsea Swords, he had used a small piece of Thunder Gold. For most Xiantian lifeforms, two jin of Thunder Gold was nothing, let alone for Ji Ning.

“Mm.” The soldier accepted the Thunder Gold and directly handed him two black-covered booklets.

……

Soon, the three Meng clan members and Ji Ning entered Anchan City. The four of them flipped through the black-covered booklets in their hands. The cover bore the words ‘Anchan City’. Opening it, they found an introduction to the entire city.

“Anchan City is nine thousand three hundred and twenty-one li long and eight thousand nine hundred and ten li wide. It is divided into the East City, South City, North City, West City, and the Marquis of Anchan’s estate.”

Ji Ning read carefully.

The Marquis of Anchan’s estate was located in the very center of the city, an eight-hundred-li square. It was an absolute forbidden zone! Trespassing was a capital offense!

The East City, South City, and North City were prohibited zones for killing and were the safest residential areas. Anyone who dared to fight there would be challenging the Marquis of Anchan’s estate! Thus, these three districts attracted many wandering cultivators, and even some old recluses lived there in peace.

Similarly, many wealthy merchants and traders enjoyed living there. Those great merchants who had amassed vast fortunes through commerce felt perfectly safe within Anchan City, and they often hired large numbers of cultivators.

“The West City?” Ji Ning’s eyes lit up.

The West City was the most bustling area of Anchan City!

Within the West City stood numerous large estates, the residences of those with great authority or terrifying power. Of course, many top-tier tribes, sects, and schools also had branches set up there. Many who came to Anchan City seeking a master would try their luck at those branch locations. Additionally, the West City also contained areas for commerce and entertainment.

Only one rule!

In the most bustling and clamorous West City, killing was prohibited only on the streets. As for the estates and the branch locations of various sects and schools… even the most ferocious battles were permitted, as long as the owners of those estates or branches allowed it.

“Northmont Blacktiger.” Ji Ning saw a name marked on one of the estates in the West City. Among them was the name ‘Northmont Blacktiger’.

“The Northmont Blacktiger Estate occupies ten li of land.

In Anchan City, where every inch of land was worth its weight in Thunder Gold, the size of the Northmont Blacktiger Estate was astonishing. It seemed his power was immense,” Ji Ning thought. Many high-ranking members of the Northmont clan of the Marquis of Anchan had established their own estates outside the marquis’s compound, but the scale of the Northmont Blacktiger Estate was among the very top.

This spoke to his status!

“Ah,” Meng Jun slapped his forehead. “So it turns out that although flying is forbidden above Anchan City, once you become a Primal Daoist, you can fly! I thought it was forbidden for everyone.” Having previously stated his claim with such certainty, he was now scrambling to salvage his words after reading the city’s actual rules in the booklet.

“Brother Ji Ning, the West City of Anchan City is incredibly lively, especially the ‘Treasure Exchange Square’ there,” Meng Jun urged. “Let’s go take a look.”

“I’ve heard that thousands upon thousands of cultivators set up stalls there,” Meng Xin said eagerly.

Meng Yan nodded as well.

“Let’s go have a look,” Ji Ning said, also looking forward to it.

The Treasure Exchange Square was a place specifically for cultivators to trade treasures.

Ji Ning and the others had entered through the East Gate and had to traverse the entire city to reach the West City. The distance was several thousand li. Fortunately, they were all cultivators. Although they dared not be too conspicuous and kept their pace moderate, they arrived at the Treasure Exchange Square in the West City after about half an hour.

The Treasure Exchange Square.

As far as the eye could see, there was a massive plaza filled with densely packed stalls. Cultivators were all setting up their booths. Next to each stall was a white stone tablet, upon which black characters described the treasures the stall owner wished to acquire in exchange.

“So many.” Ji Ning held his breath. “There must be ten thousand cultivators here at a glance. Anchan City truly lives up to its reputation as a gathering place for Immortals and Fiends. As the center of the entire Anchan Commandery, a single Treasure Exchange Square brings together such a crowd.”

The Treasure Exchange Square had every kind of treasure, even some bizarre and exotic items.

The advantage of trading here was that it was relatively cheap.

The disadvantage was that it wasn’t safe enough.

Because it was located in the West City, where killing was only forbidden on the streets. The Treasure Exchange Square itself had no such prohibition! It was entirely possible for someone to commit murder for treasure… although such incidents were relatively rare. Generally, those bold enough to show truly valuable treasures possessed the strength to deter others.

“Although the Treasure Exchange Square doesn’t prohibit killing, you can’t judge a cultivator’s strength by their appearance alone. Even if someone brings out some rare divine artifact, who knows how strong they really are? Maybe it’s just a Primal Daoist amusing themselves,” Meng Xin said.

Ji Ning nodded.

“Xiao Jun!” Suddenly a voice rang out.

Meng Jun turned his head and was overjoyed. “Third Uncle!” A bald, middle-aged man was walking towards them, his face full of smiles.

Meng Xin and Meng Yan also turned to look. Recognizing the man, they quickly said, “Uncle Ming!”

“Haha, the three of you have finally left the tribe,” the bald middle-aged man chuckled. “It’s good to get out. You’ve swallowed your anger and suffered enough losses within the tribe. It’s much freer out here.

You three just arrived at Anchan City?”

Meng Jun quickly replied, “We just got here. We’re planning to find a teacher, but out of curiosity, we came to the Treasure Exchange Square first.”

“The Treasure Exchange Square isn’t anything special, just a place with all kinds of treasures. You might even find some rare curios,” the bald middle-aged man shook his head. “But after a while, it gets boring. You three are here for the first time. Once you join a sect, you won’t have much time to wander around. I’ve been in Anchan City for over a hundred years, so I know it well. Let me show you around properly—take you to some truly great places.”

Meng Jun, Meng Xin, and Meng Yan were overjoyed.

“And this young friend beside you?” the bald middle-aged man noticed Ji Ning and the Whitewater Hound following beside him.

Meng Jun glanced at Ji Ning but said nothing.

At first, he had been fawning over Ji Ning. But after such a long time without receiving any benefits, he had begun to look down on him. Seeing his Third Uncle, he had already cast Ji Ning aside. Besides, they were about to join a sect anyway—why bother with this guy Ji Ning?

“This is Brother Ji Ning,” Meng Xin said, her voice clear. “He saved our lives.”

“Oh?” The bald middle-aged man quickly said, “I sincerely thank you, Daoist Ji Ning. If you’d like, why not join us? I’d be happy to host you and repay this favor.”

“No need,” Ji Ning shook his head.

Meng Xin and Meng Yan both looked at him, about to persuade him further.

“Let us part ways here,” Ji Ning said with a smile. “Our meeting was fate. If fate allows, we shall meet again.”

“Mm.” Meng Yan nodded.

Beside him, Meng Jun curled his lips. He gave Ji Ning a perfunctory smile, his expression clearly dismissive.

“An utterly shallow fellow,” Ji Ning thought to himself.

……

Ji Ning watched the three Meng clan members depart with their Third Uncle. Meng Jun was chattering away beside his uncle, flattering him and making the bald middle-aged man beam with delight. Ji Ning shook his head.

By the time the Golden Crow was about to set in the west,

Ji Ning, having wandered for a while, finally arrived at the Northmont Blacktiger Estate.

“What a domineering estate.” Ji Ning looked at the distant manor. The majestic estate occupied a full ten li of land. A row of soldiers stood before the gates, their auras stern and chilling. Particularly striking was the massive black tiger stone carving beside the main gate. The tiger’s head seemed to survey the passersby on the street, radiating a sense of absolute authority.

The pedestrians on the street instinctively kept their distance from the estate.

Ji Ning walked over.

“State your name and business!” A soldier at the Northmont Blacktiger Estate’s main gate barked.

Ji Ning knew that once he approached within ten zhang of the estate, it would be considered the estate’s domain. The Northmont Blacktiger Estate had the authority to kill any intruder on sight.

Ji Ning waved his hand, producing the ‘Northmont Blacktiger’ token that Northmont Baiwei had given him. As soon as the soldier spotted the token, a smile appeared on his face, and his tone grew more respectful. “May I ask, sir, whom you wish to see? I shall go and announce your arrival.”

“I am Ji Ning. I am here to see Young Master Northmont Baiwei,” Ji Ning said with a smile. “Please trouble yourself to announce me.”

“Very well. Please wait a moment.” The soldier swiftly rushed into the estate. The other soldiers guarding the gate now looked at Ji Ning with much friendlier expressions, but their gazes remained cold when they turned back to the passersby on the street.

“Hahaha…” Suddenly, a hearty laugh rang out.

A young man in black noble robes and a tall crown strode out, his face brimming with joy at the sight of Ji Ning. “Brother Ji Ning, I have been waiting for you so bitterly! You said you would come soon, but half a year has passed. You have truly broken my heart! Haha, now that you have arrived in Anchan City, you have come to your own home. Don’t worry about anything—leave it all to me.” As he spoke, he walked up and grabbed Ji Ning’s arm, his manner intimate and warm. “Come, let’s take the carriage.”

A carriage bathed in flames appeared beside them, speeding over before stopping in front of the estate gates. A woman sat in the carriage; she stepped down and bowed respectfully to Northmont Baiwei. “Young master.”