Chapter 144: Mountain Gate Opens
The Lin family does have some assets; on the surface, they only have four True Intent Realm martial artists in Yun Cang Town.
However, over the generations, the number of disciples who joined the Beast King Sect was neither too many nor too few, but there should be a few in the True Intent Realm. It’s just that they pursue martial arts and rarely return home.
Lin Junhao being on such good terms with Su Yan is naturally a good thing, at least it gives Su Yan a basic impression of the Beast King Sect and Southern Sky City.
Over the more than two thousand miles of travel, although everyone communicated, in reality, almost everyone was focusing their efforts on refining the Beast Taming Seal.
In Yun Cang Town, they were all considered somewhat talented.
But in Southern Sky City, at the Beast King Sect, they might be nothing.
If they don’t work harder now, when they reach the Beast King Sect and end up as servant disciples, they will truly have lost from the starting line.
Servant disciples have lower privileges, and although there is a chance to rise, it is ultimately somewhat lacking.
Su Yan was also refining the Hundred Poisons Gu Seal, with the eleventh seal gradually taking shape, encircling the Green-scaled Poisonous Flood Dragon True Intent, and the spirit he nourished grew stronger.
The journey of more than two thousand miles, traversing mountains and crossing rivers, took a full four days.
This was with everyone being martial artists; if it were ordinary people or a merchant caravan, the time would likely be extended to seven or eight days.
Dust billowed along the official road as the caravan galloped forward.
Although there were still carriages within the caravan, Su Yan, Bai Yun, Lin Junhao, Fu Xuejing, and others were already riding scaled horses, weapons in hand, with killing intent still lingering in their eyes, clearly having just experienced combat.
The demonic path forces were still plotting; although they did not come in person, they had placed bounties.
A First-class Recommendation Token cost a thousand Origin Stones, and a Second-class Recommendation Token cost five hundred.
These prices were not cheap, roughly one hundred thousand taels of silver for the head of a genius with a First-class Recommendation Token.
Within the greenwood, there were no lack of desperadoes, as well as those who wanted to curry favor with the Three Flames Divine Palace, Sacred Weapon Path, and Hundred Caves Witch Mountain, and other demonic sects.
Every year around this time, some people take a risk.
Along the way, they repelled two ambushes from bandits, among whom were even True Intent Realm martial artists; they were indeed putting in a lot of effort.
Unfortunately, not counting Lin family’s fourth uncle, there were also True Intent Realm martial artists like Su Yan and Bai Yun.
After a brief exchange, they were subdued.
After crossing the Kangchuan River, it was all plains, and as they neared Southern Sky City, the bandits naturally became much fewer.
“We’re here!”
Someone in the caravan shouted, and Su Yan looked up along the end of the road.
He saw a tall city looming into view.
The city walls were majestic, like a mountain range. The high walls were dark, winding like a sleeping dragon, encircling an area of dozens of miles. Bluestone was used as bricks, solid and heavy, showing mottled traces of sword and saber marks, indicating countless years and battles.
“Compared to this Southern Sky City, Yun Cang Town is like a tiny speck.”
Yun Cang Town itself had a population of around one hundred thousand to two hundred thousand people, and with the surrounding villages and manors, it was only several hundred thousand.
As for Southern Sky City, its population alone was no less than three million, its size almost unimaginable.
“Let’s enter the city.”
The group snapped out of their shock, reined in their mounts, and approached Southern Sky City.
Su Yan’s expression slightly condensed; the closer he got to Southern Sky City, the more he felt a sense of oppression emanating from the city walls.
On the giant bluestone bricks, deep carvings could be seen from time to time, all of which were beast patterns from which the imposing aura emanated.
At the entrance to Southern Sky City, traffic was heavy, with giant bulls, two zhang long and with bluestone-colored hides, pulling large carriages, entering the city in an orderly fashion.
A faint demonic essence emanated, and on the carriages, subtle carvings flowed and resonated with each other.
Despite carrying heavy loads, the carriages left no deep tracks, and the bluestone road remained undamaged.
Su Yan watched with surprise, thinking to himself, “Even the carriage is an artifact creation? But it seems different from weapons.”
“Brother Lin, what is that?”
As the group queued to enter the city, Su Yan turned to ask Lin Junhao.
Lin Junhao explained, “It’s the work of a Spirit Sealer.”
“Spirit Sealer?”
Su Yan’s eyes lit up, and Lin Junhao said, “They seal True Intent and beast souls into artifacts and talismans to control them.”
“How does it compare to an Artifact Refiner?”
“There’s some overlap, but the focus is different. The intricacies are not something we can fully comprehend.”
Inside Southern Sky City, wide thoroughfares crisscrossed, easily accommodating ten beasts abreast. The bluestone-paved roads were as smooth as mirrors. Houses lined the streets, with pavilions and terraces arranged gracefully. Taverns and teahouses fluttered with banners, their doors filled with guests, the noise unending; shops stood in rows, displaying exquisite jewelry, weapons, peculiar items, and all sorts of miscellaneous goods in a dazzling array.
Passersby moved with a dragon-like gait, full of spirit, and many were martial artists.
Su Yan only glanced around briefly and spotted many young martial artists, all dressed like travelers, presumably people wanting to break into the mountain gate and become disciples.
“Brother Su, we’ve arrived at Southern Sky City. If you haven’t found a place to stay for now, you’re welcome to rest at my place for a bit.”
Su Yan shook his head, “My master has already made arrangements. Thank you for your kind offer, Brother Lin.”
Lin Junhao didn’t insist. In fact, after each family entered the city, they had their own arrangements. After bidding farewell, they all dispersed.
Southern Sky City had countless guesthouses and inns, so finding lodging was not difficult.
Those like Wang Xiaohu and Fu Xuejing, who were already quite wealthy, intended to take this opportunity to find suitable pills in Southern Sky City for their cultivation.
In a small place like Yun Cang Town, even if there were Pill Masters, some pills were relatively scarce, unlike in a large city.
And now that the Beast King Sect was about to open its gates, everyone wanted to give it their all.
“Let’s go to the residence first; I’ve already instructed someone to take care of it.”
“Mhm.”
Bai Yun tacitly did not ask who Su Yan had sent to manage the place, and simply followed her junior brother to the courtyard to settle in.
The person who opened the door was Yang Kun himself.
“Lord, Miss.”
Yang Kun acted like a steward, and Bai Yun’s pupils slightly contracted. At such close range, she sensed the subtle threat emanating from Yang Kun.
‘Are my junior brother’s subordinates also in the True Intent Realm?’
She nodded calmly, and the three entered the courtyard.
As they walked, Yang Kun reported the recent events to Su Yan.
“Sir, Ding Meng and I, along with Wang Cang, have inquired clearly. There are no less than one to two thousand talented individuals gathered in the city, all awaiting the opening of the Beast King Sect’s gates to be admitted into the sect.”
“When will they come to pick us up?”
“The Beast King Sect has released news: February 28th, in front of the Hundred Beasts Posthouse in Southern Sky City.”
“February 28th, that’s three days from now.”
Su Yan calculated the time; there wasn’t much free time left.
‘This is good, no need to wait too long.’
He looked at Yang Kun and tapped the table, causing a box of gold and banknotes to appear before Yang Kun.
“Here’s another one hundred thousand taels of silver. Start a business in Southern Sky City. Don’t rush; take it steady and aim to collect resources.”
“Your subordinate understands. I’ve had some ideas these past two days, but I still need to prepare a bit.”
Yang Kun had always been cautious and mature; without needing too much instruction, there shouldn’t be major problems.
Moreover, although three True Intent Realm experts were no longer top-tier strength in Southern Sky City, they were not pushovers to be trifled with.
During the three-day interval, Su Yan toured Southern Sky City, especially visiting shops selling pills, artifacts, and spirit herbs.
He had to admit that the quantity and variety of second-order pills in the apothecaries far surpassed those in Yun Cang Town, though the prices were not low.
The weapon shops were in a similar situation, with only third-order weapons and pills being quite rare.
Su Yan made a few inquiries and was looked at with surprise by the shop assistants, after which he realized.
Third-order pills were mostly used by fourth-realm True Intent Realm martial artists and Dan Qiao Realm True Persons.
Such items, even if available in the market, would not be displayed on shelves like ordinary goods for regular supply.
They were mostly found at trade fairs, auctions, or barter markets; frankly speaking, it was an intentional control over the circulation of important resources.
Outside of these two categories, Su Yan did spend a hundred taels of gold to purchase a first-order mid-grade Spirit Sealing Talisman.
As the name suggests, a Spirit Sealing Talisman seals a spirit within; it can be summoned and commanded at will by supplying true essence and using spirit as a guide.
The spirit sealed within this hundred taels of gold was a Scarlet Flame Eagle, a mere second-order feral beast, not very strong, but it could be summoned and used at least ten times, which was quite interesting.
Three days passed in a flash. As the time arrived, Su Yan and Bai Yun, carrying their long spears, headed straight for the Hundred Beasts Posthouse.
The so-called Hundred Beasts Posthouse was a large square in Southern Sky City, next to which was an outpost established by the Beast King Sect.
Contracted beasts and traveler mounts, both inbound and outbound, were mostly kept here, especially those unique mounts used for transportation by the Beast King Sect.
When the two arrived, the Hundred Beasts Square was already filled with many young talents, both male and female, all no older than twenty-four or twenty-five, gathered in small groups.
“Brother Su.”
Lin Junhao saw Su Yan and walked over with Fu Xuejing and others; the group from Yun Cang Town was almost entirely present.
“There are more than two thousand people here, aren’t there?”
Su Yan just glanced, and Lin Junhao gave a wry smile, “Over two thousand. It’s likely there will be three thousand by the time we reach the Beast King Sect.”
“Are there still people who haven’t arrived?”
“Those who failed the initial assessment in various counties or were not nominated. If they can cross these desolate mountains and reach the mountain gate, they will be given an outer sect assessment opportunity, but… it’s not easy.”
The mountains were no ordinary place, filled with countless feral beasts.
Even with the Beast King Sect’s regular clean-ups, the number of first and second-order feral beasts in the desolate mountains was still considerable.
Without relying on family influence and without showing some skill, it was not easy to traverse these mountains.
As for trying to cheat, it wasn’t that easy.
“Move aside!”
As they were talking, a sudden commotion erupted.
Several teams entered the square from outside, composed of men and women in fine clothing, their gazes sweeping over the crowd with considerable disdain.
And those shouting for people to get out of the way were merely their followers.
Su Yan chuckled, “They even bring their own entourage for clearing the way. What a grand display.”
After that group arrived, they occupied a large area and waited, while others kept their distance.
“Those are the disciples of the eight great families in the city; their families have many disciples in the Beast King Sect.”
Lin Junhao gave a wry smile and said in a lower voice, “Brother Su, don’t think they are just spoiled brats. Those who are put forward to join the Beast King Sect, even if they are arrogant, are not fools. While this behavior is a bit arrogant, it’s also for the family’s reputation.”
In Southern Sky City, family influence was significant, and they had their own rivalries.
To show some presence in such an occasion was better than having rumors spread that your strength was lacking, attracting wolves to circle around you.
In fact, apart from driving away some people and occupying space, they caused no further trouble.
Everyone waited in silence for about half an hour.
Suddenly, a muffled sound like thunder boomed from the clouds. Everyone looked up sharply, towards the continuous clouds outside Southern Sky City.
Three colossal figures streaked rapidly from within the clouds.
Everyone’s hearts leaped, but only the disciples of the eight great families’ eyes widened slightly; although their expressions were serious, there was no surprise.
Three giant beasts swooped down, circling above the Hundred Beasts Square, their shadows covering more than half of the entire square.
Su Yan focused his gaze and saw that in the sky were three enormous avian beasts.
The wingspan of the avian beasts was a hundred meters, their bodies thirty to fifty meters long, with green feathers and white claws, adorned with black patterns, and a horned eagle’s head, with a beak like a knife – what a magnificent Green Horned Giant Eagle.
The Green Horned Giant Eagle landed on the ground, stirring up a strong gust of wind that rustled the clothes of the young talents.
“Screech!”
The middle one was particularly enormous, almost a hundred meters in size, exuding a powerful aura that pressed down upon the entire square.
Instantly, even Su Yan felt his body slightly sink.
He narrowed his eyes, thinking, ‘At least a second-order late-stage feral beast. How powerful.’
On the Green Horned Giant Eagle stood several people; one of them stood with his hands behind his back, wearing a green armor, and a sword at his waist.
“Today, we will enter the mountain in batches. Anyone who makes any trouble will bear the consequences.”
As his voice fell, the clouds parted, and over a hundred smaller Black Horned Giant Eagles pierced through the clouds, circling down one by one and landing on the square.
The Black Horned Giant Eagles were only about ten meters long, and their aura was a notch below the Green Horned Giant Eagle; they were merely first-order feral beasts.
On their backs, there were saddles, controlled by armored soldiers resembling black-armored guards.
The man in green armor scanned the young martial artists present, raised his gaze slightly, and then said, “Those with First-class Recommendation Tokens will follow me onto the middle Green Horned Giant Eagle. Those with Second-class Recommendation Tokens will go onto the other two Green Horned Giant Eagles. The rest will choose a Black Horned Giant Eagle and enter the mountain gate with the Mountain Guard.”
As his voice fell, the disciples of the eight great families moved first.
A man with a long sword and red hair took a step forward, his figure flashing, and in an instant, he reached the Green Horned Giant Eagle.
The Green Horned Giant Eagle exuded its aura, its demonic essence spreading out to create a suppressive force.
The man’s expression changed slightly, but he did not falter, landing steadily on the back of the Green Horned Giant Eagle.
“Not bad.”
The man in green armor nodded slightly, offering a brief compliment.
The remaining people moved one after another, striding towards the Green Horned Giant Eagles, with a subtle sense of competition.
Su Yan’s eyes brightened, and he chuckled, “The competition has already begun? Is that middle-aged man one of the examiners?”
Anyone who has taken exams knows that once you reach the interview stage, you must find ways to leave an impression on the examiner.
The disciples of the eight great families were all doing just that now, competing for priority and using their respective methods.
While resisting the pressure of the Green Horned Giant Eagle, they would board its back before others, thus establishing an order.
Seeing this, Su Yan held his spear, took a step forward, released his aura, and in an instant, he was behind the young talents of the eight great families.
“Hmph, who is this kid trying to cut in line?”
In front of Su Yan, a young man saw him approaching, snorted coldly, blocked his path, and took his position.
