What took Han Cai by surprise was that this city was entirely unlike any he had seen before. Rather than spread across a flat landscape, a towering plateau at the city's core served as the foundation with buildings arranged in concentric circles around it.
The base of the monumental plateau housed numerous buildings that extended right to the edge of the plateau, leaving no space untouched.
This was undoubtedly Meadow City, also known as Heavenly Grassland City, the most significant city in the Sprinkled Prairies.
Viewed from above, the tightly packed buildings appeared minuscule, like ants. The sight left him astounded until he was around twenty kilometers away from the plateau, where he had to slow down his steed, Blacky.
Soon, Han Cai was no longer the lone figure in the nearby sky. Flecks of light started appearing, coming and going, all heading towards Meadow City.
Han Cai internally sighed, Meadow City's fame was indeed warranted. Even from a considerable distance, he noticed many cultivators.
When he was about ten kilometers away, the number of colored lights darting about increased. He even spotted massive caravans underneath, making their way through the wind and dust.
What left him speechless were those cultivators who opted to journey on small vessels or even ride on lesser prairie beasts on the grasslands instead of flying on mystical implements.
Shaking his head, Han Cai gathered his composure and quickened his pace, becoming a streak of light. Shortly after, he arrived at the edge of the Divine Plateau.
He now noticed that the plateau was encircled by a towering stone wall, about a hundred meters high. Upon closer observation, Han Cai could distinguish more than a dozen gates of various sizes set into the expansive stone walls.
While there were entrances meant for mortal caravans and stables for resting prairie beasts, the majority of incoming traffic – the lone cultivators – entered the city through the smaller gates. Consequently, Han Cai flew towards one of these small city gates, appearing as a streak of cerulean light.
Although it was among the smaller gates, as Han Cai approached it, he realized the gate towered over twenty-four meters tall, leading him to chuckle at himself.
In front of Han Cai, there stood a graceful Turquoise-Robed Maiden who seemed to be at the Core Formation stage of cultivation. Beneath the city gate, she was conversing with two Ivory-Garbed Cultivators. After handing over a few spirit stones, she casually put on an Azure Hoop they had given her and strolled into the city.
Han Cai calmly approached with Yongnian.
"Do you both plan to stay temporarily, or do you intend to reside long term? If... Oh! It's a Senior! Senior, welcome to Meadow City! According to city laws, any cultivator above the Nascent Soul level is granted free long-term residence in the city. Here's a Recognition Band. Please keep it safe!"
The Ivory-Garbed cultivator began speaking with his gaze fixed, but midway through, he noticed Yongnian's cultivation was beyond his comprehension. Swiftly, he fetched something from his sleeve. After examining Yongnian with a surprised look, he quickly spoke with a respectful tone.
"I'm new to Meadow City. What is this band used for?" Yongnian asked in a gruff voice.
"The Recognition Band serves as a validation of your status. Temporary residents wear an Azure Hoop, requiring only three spirit stones for entry. The hoop's spirit light lasts for seven days. Afterward, the wearer must either leave Meadow City or visit the city gates for a new one. Crimson Bands are for those who take up permanent residence. Ordinary cultivators must pay eight hundred spirit stones for it. The Crimson Band's spirit light lasts indefinitely and identifies its owner once it absorbs their blood essence. Since it shines solely for its owner, there's no fear of theft," the Ivory-Garbed early Origin Construct cultivator neutrally explained, raising his hand to show a glowing Crimson Band on his finger, similar to the one in his palm.
Yongnian nodded quietly, accepted the band, and after a brief hesitation, dripped his blood essence on it and fastened it around his wrist.
"I also need a Crimson Band! I plan on residing in this city for quite some time." Hearing what the guard had said, Han Cai smiled, took out eight hundred spirit stones from his Keeper's Sack, and handed it over to one of the cultivators.
The two Ivory-Garbed cultivators looked somewhat surprised but accepted the spirit stones without a word and gave Han Cai a Crimson Band.
Han Cai too dripped his blood essence onto the Band, wore it, and entered the city alongside Yongnian.
The streets beyond the gate were neither narrow nor wide, accommodating either four people walking side by side or two caravans. Chalkstone Structures lined the sides of the streets. From the first glance, it was clear they were Earthly Emporiums, but nothing stood out as noteworthy.
The streets appeared devoid of cultivators, with only a handful of mortals shopping and conversing; nothing seemed to pique Han Cai's interest.
After a swift scan, he casually looked up at the sky to see numerous lights darting about, each signifying a cultivator soaring on their Mystic Implements.
The fact that the most extensive city in the Sprinkled Prairies had no wind restrictions was going to make things easier for him and Yongnian. Han Cai then fetched his Blacky, intending to take off, but he was stopped.
"Honored cultivators, please hold!" A man from the side of the street called out, emerging from a shop and respectfully bowing. He was a thin man sporting a slanted mustache.
The duo examined him closely, only to find he was an ordinary mortal devoid of any magical energy fluctuations.
Han Cai, slightly taken aback, asked with a mild frown, "What can I help you with? Have we crossed paths before?"
The thin man responded with a broad smile, "Hehe! I am Reed Blossom, and I have the pleasure of meeting you, esteemed Cultivators, for the first time."
Upon hearing this, Han Cai's curiosity was piqued. However, before he could respond, Reed Blossom hastily continued, "You are new arrivals in Meadow City, correct? Undoubtedly, you're not familiar with the city's layout and customs. Being a native, I know this city inside out. If you, honorable Cultivators, need directions or wish to know where to conduct your business, I could be of help. My services would merely cost you two spirit stones."
Reed Blossom paused for a moment, his gaze involuntarily drifting towards Han Cai and Yongnian's hands.
**************************************************
We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure.
If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters.
If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters.
Thank You
This content is taken from free web nov𝒆l.com