Chapter 168: Chapter 122: Hundred Flowers Bloom in Jiuli Prefecture (2-in-1) (Part 2)
"Each region is protected by a sect. On the day of the Star Rotation, the common people are uniformly placed within arrays scattered throughout."
Having left the Five Extremes Mountain for only three days, Pan Yang was already sun-tanned. While shielding his forehead from the sun with his hand, he explained, "In return for the sect’s protection, the common people plant Spirit Rice in the locations with the densest Star Spiritual Qi, assisted by the cultivators in the village with rain-making and fertilization."
"Every year, Spirit Rice is handed over to the sect without passing through bureaucratic hands."
Liou Yuan nodded in agreement, understanding the differences between the people of the two regions.
"Under imperial rule, power is too dispersed, and bureaucrats in various cities continuously exploit the people’s resources, causing taxes on the common people to increase day by day."
"Indeed, life is much better without an emperor."
"Whether it’s the Jin Dynasty or the sects of Jiuli State, it’s all just a pursuit of the path of immortality," Pan Yang remarked disdainfully, "The difference is that one treats the people as human beings, while the other treats them as livestock."
"Haha," Liou Yuan laughed aloud.
Pan Yang’s years at the library were not in vain; his words resonated deeply with him.
"Let’s go," Liou Yuan said, looking up at the blinding sun before taking off down the mountain.
"Mr. Liou, wait for me!" Pan Yang called from behind, using all his strength to barely keep up with Liou Yuan’s pace.
This was only because Pan Yang was at the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer, with a higher cultivation level than Liou Yuan, which allowed him to just keep up.
If he were still at the Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer, he probably wouldn’t even be able to see Liou Yuan’s shadow—this was even with Liou Yuan intentionally lowering his speed.
If the Stepping Wave Body Skill were fully displayed, Pan Yang still wouldn’t be able to see his silhouette.
Once they reached Jiuli State, the journey became much easier, with fewer mountains and more level paths.
Another seven days passed, and the two finally arrived at their destination, Lingjun County.
As they traveled, Liou Yuan witnessed the cultural differences between Jiuli State and the Jin Dynasty.
He also gained a general understanding of the power distribution in Jiuli State from Pan Yang and the rumors they heard along the way.
Jiuli State has many sects, with three standing at the pinnacle, known as the Three Great Sects of Jiuli.
They are Lingxiao, Wanfa, and Taixuan.
The Three Great Sects are highly esteemed.
Somewhat weaker than the Three Great Sects, there are nine second-tier sects.
Below that, there are even more sects, totaling more than the cities under the Jin Dynasty, a blooming scene.
As for their Five Extremes Mountain, it is not included in the power hierarchy of Jiuli State’s sects.
Because the Five Extremes Mountain guards the place between two worlds, its status is somewhat special. Still, based on the information Liou Yuan gathered from the library, its foundation is on par with the Three Great Sects of Jiuli State.
And equal to the royal family of the Jin Dynasty.
Speaking of sect power, one can’t help but mention the background of the person they were aiming to capture, Ji Jie.
Xiaoling Mountain, this sect is not within the Three Great Sects or the nine second-tier sects, belonging to a third-rate power.
That’s why Ji Jie has been able to remain at large.
If he hadn’t accidentally killed a disciple from the Five Extremes Mountain, in this sect-dense and intricately powered Jiuli State, who knows how long he would have remained free.
Liou Yuan and Pan Yang entered the city from the east gate of Lingjun County smoothly.
After asking a loose cultivator and confirming the location of Yunlai Inn, they proceeded along the main street.
This Lingjun County is bustling, exuding more life than the cities under the Jin Dynasty.
An old woman skillfully arranged fresh vegetables, as cries of hawkers filled the air; craftsmen focused intently on their objects, each wood carving and bamboo weave infused with the flavor of passing time.
Here, haggling is not quarrelling but a unique form of interaction.
Liou Yuan, who had been in this world for quite some time, felt for the first time the familiar scent of the previous world, the fire of life.
This made Liou Yuan’s eyes daze slightly, feeling as if his experiences in this world were like a vivid dream.
Until Pan Yang’s chattering voice pulled him back from his daze.
"Lingjun County falls under the jurisdiction of the third-rate sect, Qingfeng Valley."
"With the Five Extremes Mountain disciple token, as long as we don’t cause a big fuss, we generally won’t be easily offended."
"But this Five Extremes Mountain disciple token also makes us quite conspicuous. Did you notice those hidden glances in the city?"
Liou Yuan snapped out of his fogginess, scanning over the teeming street, spotting at least seven or eight shadowy glances observing them.
He immediately understood Pan Yang’s meaning, discreetly putting away the outer sect disciple token into the storage bag.
Under normal circumstances, carrying the Five Extremes Mountain disciple token had more perks than disadvantages.
But now it was different; since they had come for that Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator’s cave, being too conspicuous was not a good thing.
"Mr. Liou is truly a clever person, picking up on things instantly," Pan Yang nodded to himself.
After Pan Yang spoke, they arrived at the eastern corner of Lingjun County, a part of the area seemingly isolated from its surroundings.
A pale white array barrier isolated the Dongcheng area.
Liou Yuan had seen many such arrays on his journey in Jiuli State.
All over the city-states of Jiuli were arrays similar to the one before them, low-level arrays used to keep mortals out.
Any area isolated by an array was exclusively a cultivator’s domain.
Familiar with the process, Liou Yuan resonated his spiritual power outward.
Together with Pan Yang, they moved towards the array.
The array barrier instantly parted upon contacting the spiritual power on their bodies, revealing an opening.
