After deeply pondering Zhuo Li’s words, Liang found himself reconsidering his previous stance of refraining from getting involved in any alliances or fictional endeavors.
Upon careful contemplation. Although, he had already made some arrangements in the devil realm, he had not anticipated the sheer force of the Starry Sky Alliance.
This revelation led him to the realization that his plans would require some adjustments. Consequently, aligning himself with the Mortal Ascension Legion, the second most influential faction, appeared to be the optimal choice.
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For the time being, it seemed prudent to join forces with the legion and cultivate strong relationships with its members. This strategy would serve him well, at least until he accomplished his objectives in the devil realm.
Despite his uncertainty about the legion’s intentions or their specific need for him, he already has a few ideas brewing in his mind.
Nonetheless, he had already taken precautions and devised a contingency plan, just in case things went awry.
With regards to what transpires thereafter, he anticipates that this relationship is unlikely to endure. His priorities lie solely in his own self-interest, a stance that fundamentally contradicts the principles of unity and collaboration inherent in factions and alliances.
"Very well," Liang finally said, his voice looked steady and resolute. "I will accept this invitation and join the Mortal Ascension Legion.
Zhuo Li’s gaze sparkled with satisfaction, his mischievous smile widening. "Excellent! I knew you would make the right choice, fellow Daoist Liang," he exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine delight.
With their agreement reached, Liang and Zhuo Li made their way back to the paradise city. Passing through the outer city, the two of them arrived in front of the inner city gate.
The gate stood tall and majestic, adorned with intricate carvings that depicted ancient mythical creatures and celestial beings. Its shimmering golden accents glowed in the sunlight, giving it an ethereal and otherworldly appearance.
Standing at the entrance were the same two statues that had captured the attention of Mi Ling and Li Yan earlier. The first statue, the Daoist Priest, emanated an aura of serenity and tranquility, its countenance exuding wisdom and inner peace. Its eyes, deep and all-knowing, seemed to see into the depths of one’s soul.
Beside the Daoist Priest stood the second statue, the ancient warrior. Clad in armor and gripping a mighty sword, it stood in a protective stance, ready to defend the entrance at a moment’s notice. Despite its dimness caused by years of neglect, there was a lingering air of power and strength that surrounded it.
A smile tugged at the corners of Zhuo Li’s lips as his gaze fell upon the two statues. His eyes met the serenely deep eyes of the Daoist Priest, and the latter eyes seemed to brighten as if acknowledging Zhuo Li’s presence.
The air shimmered with a touch of magic as the gate began to open slowly. Each inch it moved seemed to be in perfect synchrony with Zhuo Li’s steps...
****
As they continued through the inner city gate, the atmosphere seemed to change. The air became charged with palpable energy, and Liang Yifei felt a tingling sensation on his skin.
Zhuo Li began to explain the structure of the inner city as they walked. "Welcome to the inner city," Zhuo Li said, his voice filled with pride. "The inner city is divided into four main parts, each governed by one of the influential factions. These factions take turns organizing and controlling their respective domains to ensure a fair balance of power."
Zhuo Li began to explain the layout of the inner city as they walked along the main path. "The spirit source," He pointed ahead, "lies at the very heart of the inner city, exactly on the head of the heavenly vein. It is the source of the profound spiritual energy that permeates this entire city."
Liang gazed in awe at the magnificent structure ahead. The spirit source towered above them, reaching towards the heavens. Its walls were embedded with precious stones that shimmered with a mesmerizing glow. From its pinnacle, a soft aura of energy emanated, enveloping the entire inner city in a gentle embrace.
"The spirit source serves as the lifeblood of this city," Zhuo Li said, his voice filled with reverence. "It is from here that all the spiritual energy flows, nurturing the cultivation of countless cultivators and supporting the functioning of the various factions and organizations."
Confusion flashed through Liang’s eyes as he felt the potent spirit qi emanating from the spirit source. Unable to contain his curiosity, he couldn’t help but ask, "Pardon me, Fellow Daoist Zhuo, isn’t the spirit vein qi on the verge of diminishing? Why does it feel so powerful here in the inner city?"
Zhuo Li chuckled, his laughter carrying a hint of amusement. "Ah, you’ve fallen for the rumors too, have you? The spirit vein here has existed for hundreds of thousands of years. The truth is, we have constructed a powerful spirit formation that controls the flow of spirit qi."
His eyes gleamed with wisdom as he continued, "When the spirit qi reaches the surface, it flows into a grand spirit formation that encircles the entire realm. Part of this formation acts as a reservoir, akin to a spirit qi tank, and it is replenished approximately every twenty thousand years."
A sardonic smile tugged at Zhuo Li’s lips. "You see, Tian Shang, or as he is known among lower-level cultivators, the Heavenly Conqueror, managed to drain most of this tank."
As Liang furrowed his brows, his mind furiously processed the weight of Zhuo Li’s words. The corners of Zhuo Li’s lips that were once adorned with a genial smile now transitioned into a somber expression, a veil of seriousness settling over his countenance. It seemed as though the burden of the revelations he was about to disclose weighed heavily upon him.
"Tian Shang’s audacity knows no bounds," Zhuo Li proclaimed, his voice resonating with a blend of astonishment and disapproval. "By shamelessly depleting the reservoir of spirit qi, he managed to break through the formidable barrier of the Void Transformation. Even at that moment, we were powerless to prevent him from achieving his goal. However, fate intervened when the Starry Sky Sovereign eventually intervened and compelled him to ascend."
He chuckled, "This audacious act showcased Tian Shang’s boldness, but it also exposed his lack of foresight and narrow-mindedness."
For a fleeting moment, Liang struggled to grasp the full implications of Zhuo Li’s words. He couldn’t help but interrupt, his voice tinged with bewilderment, "Lack of foresight? How so?"
Amusement danced in Zhuo Li’s eyes as he allowed a soft chuckle to escape his lips, though the gravity of the situation prevented it from fully erupting into laughter. "For now you only need to know that," he replied. "Tian Shang’s actions can be best described as shortsighted"
Moving on, Liang and Zhuo Li reached the dao platform, an awe-inspiring sight situated at the very heart of the heavenly vein. As they approached, Zhuo Li gestured towards the massive circular structure that stood before them, crafted meticulously from a translucent jade that seemed to emit an ethereal glow. Every inch of its surface was adorned with intricate runes and symbols, etched with utmost precision, each pulsating with mesmerizing mystical energy.
Silently observing the dao platform, Zhuo Li began to unravel the profound significance it held. "The Dao platform is a hallowed realm," he elucidated, his voice infused with reverence. "Within this sacred ground, cultivators embark on a transformative journey, refining their very essence and delving deeper into the mysteries of the Dao itself. It is here that they establish a profound connection with the essence of the heavenly vein, reaching towards enlightenment."
Liang marveled at the atmosphere surrounding the dao platform.
Next, Zhuo Li led Liang towards the astral gate, a magnificent structure that seemed to transcend the physical realm itself. Its towering archway, crafted from luminescent stones, emanated an ethereal glow that danced with vibrant hues of amethyst, sapphire, and emerald.
As they neared the gate, an electric charge filled the air, resonating with a harmonic vibration that seemed to echo deep within their souls. The energy rippled outward, creating mesmerizing patterns that pulsed and shimmered, like waves on an otherworldly ocean.
Thin tendrils of ephemeral mist curled around the gate, intertwining with the crackling energy. Within the intricate patterns of the mist, tiny luminescent orbs floated, resembling stars in a celestial tapestry. Each orb flickered with its own unique radiance, casting a soft, otherworldly light upon the archway.
Liang’s heart quickened with anticipation as he felt the undeniable aura of void dao emanating from the gate.
Unable to resist the allure, Liang extended his void sense into the gate.
Liang’s void sense, which allowed him to delve deep into the very essence of the gate, grew more acute with each passing moment.
After their arduous journey, they finally arrived at the city center, where a lively tapestry of activity unraveled before them. Magnificent palaces, adorned with intricate carvings and majestic architecture, proudly stood in a line along the bustling streets. Each structure exuded an air of grandeur, their presence commanding respect and admiration.
"The city center is the heart of the inner city," Zhuo Li stated. "It houses the residences of the cultivators, as well as a thriving marketplace where resources, treasures, and knowledge can be exchanged. It is the nucleus of the city.
As Liang observed the bustling city center, a flicker of confusion passed through his eyes. " Fellow Daoist Zhou," He inquired," Up until now, I haven’t been able to pinpoint the exact locations of the four factions. Aren’t they also situated within the city center?"