Lying Low in the Martial World to Become a Saint

Chapter 449: Chapter 201: Undercurrent

Following his gaze, the group looked out into the distance.

There, at the edge of the horizon, a magnificent giant city sprawled across the land, backed by a vast, rolling mountain range shrouded in clouds and mist.

Its walls were far taller than any Prefecture City or county seat they had ever seen, like a man-made mountain range of grayish-black stone stretching between heaven and earth.

The walls extended to either side, so far that their ends were out of sight, seeming to merge with the distant mountains, making it impossible to discern the city’s borders.

Faintly visible were exquisite, elegant pavilions and jet-black towers soaring into the clouds.

One could only imagine the crisscrossing streets and alleys within, the densely packed buildings, the countless people it housed, and the immense organizations that operated there.

At that moment, countless wide official roads and waterways converged from all directions toward the city’s several colossal gates, like a hundred rivers flowing to the sea.

A ceaseless, mighty flood of people, horse-drawn carriages, and even strange mounts poured into the city along these roads, making the gates look like giant maws devouring the world.

In the deepest part of the city, near the mountains.

Massive Rainbow Bridges spanned the sky, connecting different peaks and palaces. With their upturned eaves and intricate brackets, the grand halls projected an imposing air far beyond that of ordinary structures.

Faintly glowing with a soft luminescence, this was the heart of the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect’s mountain gate.

"This is Celestial Treasure City."

Sang Yanping paused, his gaze sweeping over their stunned faces before he continued, his tone growing heavier, "Cities of this scale... in all of Yan Country, there are only eleven. Each one is the heart of a supreme power, a true pillar supporting millions of people, endless resources, and even the very martial destiny of Yan Country!"

Li Wang’s jaw dropped. He muttered, "Eleven... so this is... a giant city..."

Even the usually cool and distant Nie Shanshan had a glimmer of astonishment in her beautiful eyes.

Chen Qing took a deep breath, his eyes fixed on the giant city before them.

After a long moment, Sang Yanping spoke. "Remember, this place is full of hidden masters, and the rules are strict. It’s nothing like Yunlin Prefecture. You must all be cautious in your words and actions. Don’t cause trouble and tarnish the name of our Wutai Sect."

His voice pulled everyone from their shock and back to reality.

"Yes, Elder!"

The group responded in unison, their expressions turning solemn.

Chu Jinyun added, "Let’s first go to the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect to register our arrival and find out the specific details about the selection enrollment."

The group followed the bustling crowd and slowly entered the giant city.

Inside Celestial Treasure City, the main street was wide enough for ten horse-drawn carriages to travel abreast, paved with massive bluish-black stones that were as smooth as a mirror.

The streets were lined with towering buildings, many five or six stories tall, adorned with upturned eaves, intricate brackets, and carved beams and painted rafters, creating a truly magnificent sight.

The architecture was not of a single style but a harmonious blend of features from all over the Three Paths and Fifty-One Mansions.

Banners and signs for shops fluttered in the air. The scale of the businesses was immense, far surpassing those of a Prefecture City.

The streets teemed with a weaving throng of people, packed shoulder to shoulder.

After about half an hour, the group finally passed through the bustling outer districts of the Celestial Treasure Giant City and arrived at the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect Mountain Gate, which was built against the mountain and possessed an even grander and more imposing aura.

Unlike the clamor of the city districts, the area around the mountain gate was much more solemn.

A massive White Jade memorial archway stood before them. Upon it were inscribed the two ancient words, "Celestial Treasure." The brushstrokes carried immense weight and seemed to faintly pulse with a rhythmic dao.

Behind the archway was an endless flight of white marble steps, like a ladder to the heavens, ascending straight into the depths of the clouds to connect with the towering palace complexes above.

Two disciples wearing the standard blue robes of the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect stood guard beneath the archway, one on the left and one on the right.

Sang Yanping stepped forward, took out the Identity Token of the Wutai Sect, and politely stated their purpose.

"Please wait here for a moment. I will go and announce you."

One of the disciples took the Token, confirmed it was authentic, and gestured for Chen Qing and the others to wait. He then turned, and with a few bounds, vanished up the long flight of stairs, his movements incredibly fast and silent.

Before long, an old man dressed in the attire of a Celestial Treasure Upper Sect Steward slowly descended the stairs.

His hair and beard were completely white, and his figure was slightly stooped. He appeared old and feeble, yet his steps were exceptionally steady.

"I am Cheng Yingsong, one of the Stewards responsible for receiving those who have come to participate in the selection."

The old man smiled faintly. "Come. I will take you to get settled in first."

Chen Qing sized up the old man, Cheng Yingsong, and felt a chill in his heart. ’The man’s aura is as deep as the sea, a perfect Primordial Unity,’ he thought. ’I can’t sense its depths at all. This seemingly decrepit Steward is clearly a master.’

"We’ll be in your care, Steward Cheng," Sang Yanping said, cupping his fist in a salute.

Cheng Yingsong gave a slight nod and turned to lead the way.

The group followed behind him, stepping onto the long, white marble staircase.

The staircase was extremely long, seeming to have no end as it reached for the clouds.

"You’ve arrived quite early. Another batch of Sects has yet to arrive," Cheng Yingsong said without turning his head.

"That’s fine. Arriving early gives us more time to familiarize ourselves with the surroundings," Sang Yanping replied.

Meanwhile, Li Wang, Yan Yaoyang, Nie Shanshan, and the others couldn’t help but look around curiously as they followed.

Ancient, towering trees and clusters of Spirit Grass grew on both sides of the stairs. Through the dense mist, they could vaguely see pavilions and other buildings scattered about. From time to time, a powerful aura would flash past, making their hearts tremble.

Cheng Yingsong led them further upward, the clouds swirling around them, creating a scene like a celestial paradise.

He raised a hand, pointing toward the faint outline of the continuous mountain peaks in the distance, and said slowly, "My Celestial Treasure Upper Sect has thirty-six peaks. Twenty-seven are on the outside, guarding the Sect. Then there are the Inner Nine Peaks. As the saying goes, ’Of the Inner Nine Peaks, every peak leads to the profound. None may enter without True Inheritance; none may reside without supreme merit.’ They are the core of our Sect and the rules there are extremely strict. You must never trespass on a normal day."