Chương 208: Wuqi City

The road to Wuqi City meandered through increasingly mountainous terrain. What began as gentle, rolling hills gradually transformed into steeper inclines and sharper drops, the path narrowing as we ascended higher into the rugged landscape. We had left Floating Reed Village for three days already, and the Black Mist Valley, along with its incredible treasures, was becoming visible in front of us. As we packed up camp on the fourth day, Liu Chang announced, "we should reach Wuqi City around mid-day.

After that, we will have around seven days to prepare before the full moon."

"Perfect timing," Su Yue replied, packed and ready to go. She put out our little campfire with a wave of her hand, and the flames died down without a wisp of smoke.

"Have either of you been to Wuqi City before?". Liu Chang nodded.

"I went there twice. Once for the previous Black Mist Valley trip, and once with a senior to negotiate with the City Lord to allow our sect members to pass safely."" I shook my head.

"This will be my first visit."

"Well then, you're in for quite an experience," Liu Chang said, chuckling softly.

"Wuqi City is not like other cultivation towns. It exists in a state of carefully managed chaos."

"That's a nice way of putting it," snorted Su Yue.

"Wuqi City is a place where schemers and hunters roam about in dangerous schemes to make some quick money." Even though she sounded judgy, it was more of a pragmatic assessment. We set off shortly after, keeping a steady pace along the mountain road. By mid-morning, the path widened again, revealing signs of more frequent travel: packed earth, occasional stone markers, and the remnants of merchant caravans that had passed through recently.

As we walked, I found myself thinking about how to spend the next few days as we waited for the flower to blossom. We were limited in what we could do to prepare, and I wanted to spend the little time we had productively. Waiting for the Genesis Seed to annex the Starhaven Realm could take years, a short world-walking trip wouldn't affect it significantly but could help me make tremendous progress.

"Master, are you really thinking of going back to the Two Sun's world?" Azure asked.

"We still have some unfinished business there," I replied mentally.

"Runes have increased my combat prowess more than any standard cultivation technique, just think what gains I'll get mastering the power of the blue sun."

"Learning more about the blue sun could further develop your inner world…" Azure agreed.

"Something on your mind Junior Brother," Liu Chang asked, falling into step beside me.

"Just thinking about how unpredictable the cultivation path can be," I replied.

"A week ago, I was immersed in studying formations within the sect. Now, I am setting off to a forbidden region to collect a rare flower that only blooms during the full moon." Liu Chang chuckled.

"That's the way of cultivation. Plans are useful, but flexibility is essential. The truly successful cultivators are those who can adapt when fate throws unexpected opportunities, or challenges, their way."

"Like a spatial anomaly that repels powerful cultivators?" I asked.

"Precisely," he nodded.

"For many, the Black Mist Valley is nothing more than a hazard that should be avoided at all costs. But for low-level cultivators like us, it's a great opportunity."

"Because those at higher realms can't enter," I concluded.

"Exactly. It's one of the few places where being at Qi Condensation is actually an advantage," Liu Chang explained.

"But even for us, it is awfully risky."

"What kind of risks are we looking at?" I asked, genuinely curious to hear his perspective. The mission briefing had been frustratingly vague on specifics. Liu Chang's expression grew more serious.

"The Black Mist Valley lives up to its name. The mist itself is the first danger, ever-shifting and creating ways off the main path. Cultivators have wandered in circles for days, or worse, walked into spatial rifts thinking they're taking the safe route."

"The mist has quasi-sentient properties," Su Yue added from just ahead of us.

"It seems to play with intruders. Testing their resolve, their awareness." Quasi-sentient properties? That sounded like a characteristic of an inheritance site….

"Then there are the beasts," Liu Chang added.

"Creatures born from or altered by the valley's unstable spatial fluctuations. Some can phase partially out of existence, making them nearly impossible to defend against with conventional techniques." If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. I absorbed this information thoughtfully.

"And the treasures? Are they worth these risks?" Liu Chang answered without hesitation, "Of course. These are spatially-attuned spirit herbs, minerals affected by dimensional distortion and fragments of artifacts from pocket dimensions that collapsed. The price of such things is extraordinary, while some can be used to create cultivation resources that can't be found elsewhere."

"The Moonlit Dew Flower is particularly valuable because it absorbs and crystallizes unstable spatial energy," Su Yue explained.

"A single bloom can be refined into a stabilization pill that allows cultivators deal with any spatial imbalances that their inner world is experiencing." While they talked, I thought of Madam Butterfly and the potential reasons for her wanting the flower. Was this flower for herself, was her inner world having issues, or was it for someone else?

"Master, I've been correlating their descriptions with the records we've gathered from the library," Azure's words ran in my mind.

"Black Mist Valley seems to be a so-called Boundary Collapse Zone. It's an area where the normal rules around dimensions have been damaged, creating unstable spaces."

"Were there any useful information in those records?" I silently asked.

"There are several potential countermeasures," Azure replied.

"Due to the wood element naturally possessing stabilizing properties against spatial distortions, I believe the Primordial Woods Art will provide you with some protection." This was helpful information. I was jolted out of my internal chat by a shift in the air. The air had gotten heavier with something. It was not humidity but rather something unusual that made everything slightly muffled and further away than before.

"We're entering Wuqi City's outer influence zone," Liu Chang explained, noticing my reaction.

"The proximity to Black Mist Valley affects the surrounding area for miles. You'll get used to it soon enough." As we crested the next rise, the city finally came into view, and the sight momentarily stopped me in my tracks. Unlike most cultivation settlements which were planned, orderly, and had a neat layout, Wuqi City looked to have formed directly out of the mountainside.

It stretched across three tiered plateaus carved into the mountain face, with buildings of varying sizes and architectural styles clustered tightly together. The entire city was surrounded by a high wall of dark grey stone that probably had defensive formations woven into it. The city had an unusual haze above it which was not quite mist or smoke. The haze has the faintest glow which rapidly pulsed at slightly irregular intervals.

"It's strange," I murmured, studying the phenomenon.

"Wuqi City exists in a state of partial resonance with the valley," Su Yue explained.

"The founders built it here specifically because the boundary between normal space and the valley's disrupted space is thinnest. It makes for easier access to the valley's resources, though it comes with its own complications." The road was getting a bit more congested as we neared the main gate. We weren't the only disciples headed to the city. Ahead of us, a group wearing gray and silver clothes, which was the standard of the Five Elements Sect, proceeded in a tight formation.

From the shape and color of the robes behind us, which were dark crimson, I guessed that they belonged to the Black Palm Sect.

"The timing isn't coincidental," Liu Chang noted, following my gaze.

"Word about the Moonlit Dew Flower's blooming cycle spreads quickly in cultivation circles. Every major sect in the region will have representatives here."

"Which means competition," Su Yue added with a slight frown.

"And potentially conflict."

"I thought Wuqi City had rules prohibiting fights," I said.

"Only within the walls of the city," Liu Chang confirmed.

"That is the order of the City Lord. However, once inside the valley…".

"Everything goes," Su Yue finished for him.

"Which is why our preparation strategy will be crucial." At this point, we didn't say anything as we joined the queue at the city gates. Going through the city gates was a very grand affair. It was a massive stone arch, carved out of the mountain granite itself. Additionally, they were reinforced with metal bands inscribed with formation patterns. Two guards were manning the entrance. Their cultivation level was not very high, with both at late Qi Condensation.

However, they were wearing armor inscribed with formations that likely enhanced their battle prowess. More notable were the four jade pillars positioned at the corners of the gate area. I recognized the configuration as a detection formation, likely designed to identify weapons, restricted items, or perhaps even specific types of cultivation techniques.

"The Bai Clan is responsible for city defense," Liu Chang said softly while we were waiting.

"They are one of the three powers in Wuqi City, the other two being the Gu Clan who manage trade and the Yun Clan who specialises in medicine.".

"And over them all is the City Lord," added Su Yue.

"Jiang Tianhong. A Stellar Realm cultivator and more than three hundred years old. He keeps the various powers balanced while preventing the major sects from turning the city into their battlefield." This political structure was interesting and unusual. Within cultivation territories, most cities were either controlled directly by a major sect or by imperial powers. This independent governance under one powerful cultivator was rare.

What secret abilities did this Stellar Realm cultivator possess to be able to stave off the major sects?

"State your identity and intention," a guard demanded as we reached the front of the queue. Liu Chang stepped forward, producing a jade token bearing Azure Peak's insignia.

"Liu Chang, Su Yue, and Ke Yin of Azure Peak Sect. Here for the Moonlit Dew Flower harvesting cycle." The guard looked at the token then waved a small detector talisman over it. Apparently satisfied, he nodded.

"The cost for entry is ten spirit stones per person. Additional fees apply for any restricted equipment or prohibited alchemical materials." Liu Chang did not even attempt to haggle, he handed over the thirty spirit stones. It was a large entrance fee, but Wuqi was not an ordinary city.

"No restricted items to declare." The guard accepted the payment and stepped aside.

"Remember! No fighting within the city. All disputes must be resolved at the Blood Oath Arena or outside of the city's jurisdiction. Anyone who breaks this rule will be thrown out into Black Mist Valley."

"We understand," Liu Chang replied. As we entered through the gates, I felt a slight vibration sweep over me. A detection formation designed to check us more thoroughly than what would be possible by any Qi Condensation guard. I instinctively commanded the suns to hide themselves beneath the Genesis Seed. After all, it wouldn't do well to draw attention before even stepping foot into the city.