The city of Sheer Cliff was bustling with activity, and in recent times, it had become even more extraordinary.
Due to the turmoil in Sky Rift Valley, a significant number of villagers living outside the city had flocked into the city, leading to an increase in population by over twenty percent. Thanks to the effective subsequent protection, the city maintained stability, which in turn led to an exceptionally prosperous marketplace.
Yu Ci, leaning against the railings, gazed into the distance. Under the rare warm winter sun, the city was teeming with people moving about in the streets and alleys of New City's old town. The shadow of the mountain wall cut diagonally across, creating a clear boundary between light and dark. At this moment, the distinct changes in light were evidently more lively than the vague sounds.
The place where Yu Ci currently stood was the top floor of Sky Wing Tower in Sheer Cliff City.
Sky Wing Tower was located on the edge of New City in Sheer Cliff City, backed by high cliffs.
Although named a tower, it was actually a platform extending from the sheer cliff a thousand feet high. On both sides were curved hanging bridges, and at the gathering point of the bridges was the main building of Sky Wing Tower. The structure was only four stories high, but it hung two hundred feet in the air, leaning against the high cliff, touching the clouds, uniquely designed. Overlooking the entire Sheer Cliff City, the view was breathtaking.
The overall layout of Sky Wing Tower resembled a proud eagle spreading its wings. The bridges on both sides were the wings, and the main building was the head and neck. The clouds and mist surrounding it gave it the semblance of an eagle soaring in the sky.
The construction of Sky Wing Tower, suspended in the air, was the largest project in Sheer Cliff City for over a hundred years. There was a story behind it. Legend has it that the tower was built by the Thousands Spirits Sect before they were expelled from Sheer Cliff City, specifically to rival the Dan Cliff Mansion of White Sun Mansion on the high ground of New City. Its height was exactly half a foot taller than the tallest building on Cinnabar Cliff, symbolizing the saying "one head taller".
However, ironically, less than a year after the tower was completed, Jin Huan challenged Shi Song and Hu Dan, the two masters of the Thousands Spirits Sect. After the battle, the Thousands Spirits Sect sadly gave up all resources in and around Sheer Cliff City, retreated to remote areas, and operated in a bleak manner. The Sky Wing Tower then became the property of White Sun Mansion, and remains so to this day.
The Treasure Exchange Banquet, to be held in eight days, would take place on the top floor of Sky Wing Tower.
For decades, the top floor of Sky Wing Tower has not been easily accessible to the public. It has always been reserved for the top twenty or thirty people in the city, or used to entertain important guests and host important events, like the upcoming Treasure Exchange Banquet.
At this moment, only Yu Ci was on the spacious top floor, surrounded by the lush Cloud Bamboo Garden. This was a viewing platform scattered with green bamboo, forming a natural screen, adding a lively charm.
Fish-Dragon was spiraling and flying in the small bamboo forest, and in a blink of an eye, it darted out of the railing, adorning the high tower with clouds and mist.
As arranged by Xie Yan, before the commencement of the Treasure Exchange Banquet, Yu Ci truly had no specific tasks. He spent his days using the Soul Controlling Method to nourish the Fish-Dragon with his own Primordial Qi, gradually making the creature's scales shine brightly and its spirit vibrant. It clung to him more and more, having long forgotten that the man before it was the culprit who had taken its freedom. It was now so attached that it could not be driven away.
Watching this lively creature swimming flexibly in the void with nothing to rely on, Yu Ci couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy. He recalled Xie Yan's conclusion from two days ago:
"Has he ever told you about his own Dao? Certainly not, because he has long lost his own path. This fool, even if given the Golden Bone Jade Disc, how can we be sure that he can seize the opportunity?"
Two days later, Yu Ci still remembered Xie Yan's disappointed expression.
"The Way of the Fish-Dragon actually reflects the consistent spirit of the Empirical Department, which is to learn from all good practices in the world and use them to rapidly advance in cultivation, seeking the truth of longevity. However, it was developed by someone into a path of choice, using what benefits oneself and discarding what does not. Although it is extreme and ruthless, it is indeed a real path. Compared to that person, he is far inferior, far inferior!"
Who was that person? Yu Ci didn't dare to ask. However, he understood some truths from Xie Yan's words: talking about the vague "Dao" naturally made it hard to understand, but if it was translated into "philosophy", it became clearer.
His Yin Spirit was exactly lacking this kind of thing, hence it couldn't form properly. But what about this Dao, this philosophy, and the lost truth?
Shaking his head, Yu Ci shifted his gaze back to the Fish-Dragon. Even the "Way of the Fish-Dragon", which was acknowledged by Xie Yan, seemed to have some research value. However, after spending several days with the creature, Yu Ci didn't sense any essence of "choice" from it. Instead, he felt that this creature was a glutton to the extreme.
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
In his view, the Fish-Dragon was absorbing life-giving Primordial Qi from the outside world every moment without restraint, all of which was transformed into nutrients for its growth. It was all intake and no output, like a bottomless abyss where even a large stone thrown in would not make a sound.
Because he had to use his own Primordial Qi to nourish this creature, the rapid progress of cultivation that Yu Ci had made after becoming a Yin Spirit was greatly slowed down by it.
However, after several days of nourishing, Yu Ci and the Fish-Dragon had developed some connection. Much like refining a magical instrument, he could give some simple commands to the Fish-Dragon within a limited range. The Fish-Dragon might not always obey, but the effect was evident. This was one of the functions of the "Soul Controlling Method" that Xie Yan had taught him, although it seemed to be of no use.
Eight days later, Fish-Dragon had become the owner of Random Heart Pavilion.
At this moment, someone ascended the stairs. With an attitude of extreme caution and respect, he stepped on the plush carpet, barely making a sound.
"Immortal Yu."
Yu Ci turned around and saw it was Steward Geng Fu from White Sun Mansion, who was in charge of managing Sky Wing Tower. It was a wonder that his hefty body of over two hundred pounds could suppress the sound of his footsteps so effectively.
There were dozens, if not hundreds, of stewards like Geng Fu in White Sun Mansion, responsible for managing the various properties of Sheer Cliff City, akin to a shopkeeper. They weren't particularly notable in terms of Cultivation Level, but rather resembled ordinary civilians, marrying and raising children in the city, working to support their families.
Because of this, Geng Fu didn't harbor any particular feelings towards the "arch-enemy" of the mansion. His nature was smooth and affable, always greeting everyone with a smile. White Sun Mansion had chosen wisely in putting him forward. Over the past few days, as Yu Ci had stayed at Sky Wing Tower, Geng Fu had effectively become his butler, hustling to and fro, dedicating himself to his duties.
"Immortal Yu, here is the list you requested."
Geng Fu maintained his humble smile as he handed over a list of Cultivators who had recently arrived in the city, along with some basic information about them. This was compiled by White Sun Mansion under the pretext of asking whether they would participate in the Treasure Exchange Banquet, and then handed to him.
Yu Ci had previously held a mistaken impression that Sheer Cliff City was an "isolated island" between the Broken Realm Mountain Range and Sky Rift Valley, a nearly completely isolated city-state. Now he understood that in the eyes of the Cultivators of this world, the vast mountains and wilderness that stretched for tens of thousands of miles were not particularly significant. Especially when there were lively events to attend, treasures to behold, and bargains to be had, characters from all over the Three Mountains and Five Peaks would invariably make their appearance.
The list showed that in the past month alone, the number of Cultivators in Sheer Cliff City with a Divine Communication cultivation level or above had increased by thirty or forty. Most of them had come for the Treasure Exchange Banquet, and the remaining few, upon hearing the news, had also decided to stay and join in the fun.
From a security perspective, Yu Ci wasn't particularly welcoming of these individuals. Their presence strained the already limited defensive resources of Sheer Cliff City. Moreover, with the Fish-Dragon mixed in, it couldn't be ruled out that someone had set their sights on the treasures brought by the Random Heart Pavilion Trade Caravan, intending to make a quick fortune.
Yu Ci hadn't originally given this much thought, but news had come yesterday that the Random Heart Pavilion's Trade Caravan had encountered a group of Thunderbolt Tribulation bandits. Their formidable strength had severely injured several members of the caravan, but the treasures they carried had remained intact.
The audacity of the Cultivation World's Thunderbolt Tribulation!
Yu Ci found himself compelled to lower his expectations of the Cultivation World once again. It didn't seem to differ much from the mundane world he had wandered for twelve years.
With a sigh, he perused the list again. The White Sun Mansion didn't slack off. Every name had a brief introduction attached, allowing him to gain a rough understanding of each individual's characteristics. Of course, such meticulous preparation might be because the list was ultimately meant for Xie Yan. That's what Yu Ci thought, and Xie Yan didn’t deny it.
As he was reading, he heard a shout.
"Fish-Dragon!"
The loud yell came from the ground floor, presumably from someone who had spotted the Fish-Dragon leisurely flying in the sky, and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
As the voice fell, a figure vaulted over the railing of the third floor, shooting straight up.
Yu Ci furrowed his brows. A bright light flashed outside the fourth floor. This was the Seal laid when the building was constructed, designed to distinguish the top floor from the other three, a matter of class. However, this Seal was merely symbolic, designed to deter gentlemen but not villains. The intruder laughed and easily broke through the outer barrier, leaping over the top floor railing and into the Cloud Bamboo Garden.
The Fish-Dragon, startled, darted into the bamboo shadows, hiding.
The man who had jumped up was very casual, showing no awareness of his intrusion. He looked at the exquisite scenery of the Cloud Bamboo Garden, clicking his tongue twice. "No wonder this place is so strictly sealed. It's really a good place. Is that Fish-Dragon yours? Name your price, and we can make a fair deal!"
Finally, the man's gaze landed on Yu Ci. At this moment, Yu Ci was still leaning casually against the railing, his expression unchanged. Seeing the man's face and character, and his attire with a hint of foreign flavor, he compared it with the list:
"Sha Cong?"
The man was taken aback. "You recognize me?"
Yu Ci gave a slight smile. Before he could reply, laughter came from the stairway. "Old Sha, barging in is not the way to behave as a guest."
As he spoke, another uninvited guest pushed through the bamboo screen and slowly walked in. He was of average build, fair-skinned, and always wore a smile that made it hard to feel displeased. What was peculiar was his black robe and the plump lion cat nestled in his arms. The cat's snowy white fur contrasted strikingly with his black attire.
Seeing this man, Yu Ci didn't need to refer to the list. He had a vivid impression of the name at the top:
"Zhao Zirui."
"Meow!"
The large cat in the man's arms let out a soft mew, then yawned. Its eyes, narrowed to slits, flashed with two distinct colors — one yellow, one blue.
Two supporting characters made their entrance. One was a night watchman, and the other needs no further introduction.
***************
I have also posted the following more chapters [All free] on: https://www.readgates.com/article/74a39e