After hastily traveling for half a day, the carriage finally arrived at a farm that spanned over two acres. The farm was home to many peculiar flora that Han Cai hadn't seen before. There were plants that resembled wheat and barley, but their foliage was denser, broader, and displayed a deep blue hue. In addition, there were crops similar to lettuce. They exuded a subtle aroma, and although they bore a striking resemblance to lettuce, there were no lettuce plants as tall as an average adult in either the Vermillion Phoenix Continent or Daixing. There was even kale that sprouted tiny purple blossoms. The central continent was truly fertile.
Over twenty farmers could be seen in each vegetable field, working in pairs or trios. It was a serene view of the farm.
As Han Cai observed the farm with interest, the carriage arrived at the grand entrance of a manor and halted. Han Cai glanced around. The manor, surrounded by green fir trees and neighboring a sizable hill, appeared somewhat unusual, but was tastefully done and had a serene environment. Furthermore, the manor was encircled by six-meter-tall and one-meter-thick walls. Many houses within the walls seem to have been built recently.
'So this is the Zhu Clan!' Han Cai silently expressed his admiration. But as he carefully inspected the firs, his expression shifted due to a surprising discovery. The trees surrounding the manor faintly exuded the aura of a formation spell, indicating a restriction had been placed here. Although Han Cai didn't find the formation spell extraordinary, it was still sufficient to trap a low-level cultivator.
While Han Cai was growing slightly suspicious, Lord Zhu disembarked from the carriage, apologizing with a smile, "Immortal Han, please rest at the manor! I'll have some subordinates prepare some of the Plateau's Signature Liquor for the Immortal Master!"
Han Cai casually scanned the manor's surroundings and replied with a smile, "No need. I don't wish to disturb Lord Zhu's home. I'll be fine residing over there for the time being. After our affairs have been handled, I will search for a more permanent residence." Han Cai then pointed to a location off to the side.
Lord Zhu and Liu Baihe followed Han Cai's gesture and noticed he was pointing at a small, solitary hill. They were taken aback. However, after seeing their numerous enthusiastic invitations fail, they could only allow this peculiar Immortal to head towards the small hill. They exchanged helpless glances before walking into the manor.
Han Cai headed up the sloped path towards the hilltop. Once there, he took a moment to glance down at the Zhu Clan Manor from above. He noticed Lord Zhu heading towards the large residence at the center of the manor, surrounded by a crowd of men and women. By the time he reached it, most of them had dispersed. Only a few elegantly dressed individuals followed him into the manor.
Han Cai smirked slightly before turning around to attend to his own affairs. He started by finding a relatively flat piece of land at the back of the hill. Then, he swiftly uprooted several of the thicker firs and cut them into pieces. An hour later, he had completed a simple wooden house on the hill, furnished with a table, chairs, and a bed.
Over the next month, Han Cai remained in his house each day, consuming spirit pills and cultivating celestial Qi. As for Lord Zhu and Liu Baihe, they visited several times to discuss matters pertaining to the great grassland contest. Afterwards, they would hurriedly leave, not daring to disturb Han Cai's cultivation.
Despite this, Lord Zhu, being a sensible person, sent delicacies up to Han Cai's home every few days. Han Cai gladly accepted them without a hint of courtesy. Among these offerings were many exceptionally sweet fruits, much to Han Cai's delight. Clearly, these were local specialties of the plateau, as he had never seen them before.
According to Lord Zhu, none of the cultivators that the participating clans had requested possessed a high level of cultivation. Apart from a few exceptions, a majority of them were only at the sixth or seventh layer of Foundation Establishment. As for the lots determining the fights, so long as Han Cai's luck wasn't exceptionally terrible, he wouldn't have any trouble in the contest. Additionally, Lord Zhu had scoured the nearby grasslands for a few spirit weapons to increase Han Cai's odds of success. Han Cai, already the bearer of a Dao weapon, felt bad for this poor man but accepted the weapons due to Lord Zhu's earnest effort.
Two days later, Lord Zhu and Liu Baihe visited Han Cai with anxious expressions. Han Cai wordlessly entered their carriage, drawn by Bovine Capricorns, and they hastily traveled to a location at the center of the plateau.
Four hours later, they arrived at a city that seemed entirely constructed out of quartz. As they entered the city, they noticed a large number of mortals guarding the city entrance. Anyone leaving the city was ignored, but entrance required one to show an Order Emblem, similar to the one Han Cai possessed. However, when Han Cai was about to enter the city, the guards shook tokens at him several times. After they shone green, they gave Han Cai a respectful salute and only inspected the emblems of Lord Zhu and Liu Baihe.
Han Cai sized up the soldiers. Although they didn't exhibit cultivation fluctuations, they were full of vigor. It seemed they had trained in some elementary martial arts, but what caught his eye most was the token. There was actually such a wondrous item that could differentiate cultivators from mortals.
Han Cai couldn't help but take another look at the token.
Upon seeing this, Liu Baihe gave Han Cai an explanation with a smile, "That is a Spirit Token. It allows us mortals to identify who is a cultivator!"
"Spirit Token?" Han Cai was somewhat surprised to hear this, but he immediately thought of the palm-sized emerald amulet embedded in the token and faintly nodded, choosing not to say anything further.
Han Cai then observed with detachment as the carriage traveled along the white quartz street toward the city center.
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