Flying was forbidden in the city, but that rule did not apply to the City Palace cultivators, and seemingly Deng Guiying was keen on showing it off.
When he had whisked them away from the Astral Gate, he had used his aura to seal the group senses, and so they had not seen anything until arriving at the 'Persimmon Tower'. But this was not the case this time, and so, as soon as they left the twenty-story tall, brightly colored tower, Bai Qi and everyone had the chance to get a short glimpse of Shuomen City in its entirety.
Bai Qi did not react in wonder as most of his companions, but he did make a mental note about the city's size. It was of merit indeed, after all, Shuomen City had 11 interconnected districts, and the 'Free District' they had first arrived to was one of the smallest ones.
"To the west you will find the five Overlord districts, with the smaller one being the Steel Fang one" Deng Guiying greatly liked his role as guide, and so deliberately flew at a low speed, hardly moving at all while showing and explaining.
"Five?" Xue Ru asked in confirmation, as from the previous explanation, the number of regions, and so overlords was seven.
"It would be too strange for the savage beasts who in their average don't even understand human speech and are hostile to absolutely everyone to be granted a district, wouldn't it?"
"Mmm, but my question was mainly about the other one" She carefully minded her words, as from what they had been explained, the sixth overlord, a group collectively called 'Demon Worshippers' was considered evil and despised by every cultivator from any unaffiliated power.
"You mean the Demon lovers? When Shuomen was founded, they were called differently, and they indeed owned a district. But since their unorthodox, or plainly evil ways were discovered, the entire alliance of powers that go under the name of 'Demon Worshipers' has been forbidden from entering any territory"
"Oh"
"That district was refurbished into the Trade one, the one that you can see slightly to the south"
"Senior, then that district on the lakeshore, the one with the taller walls is the Central one?"
"Indeed, and the three smaller districts around it are the residential or Shuomen's own"
________________________________________________________________________
The closed arena that Deng Guiying had simply closed off was located on the north corner of the Exhibition Square. It was a simple oval-shaped building, with about 330 feet in length and half that on the widest point. Mainly built from the same white stone as the one used for the walls and pavement, its only redeeming quality was the several formations that activated as soon as they entered inside.
One to conceal the people, another to reinforce the walls and floor, and another one near the entrance, seemingly meant to protect any allowed observers.
Bai Qi did not pay any attention to them, centering it on the small, not higher than five feet, obelisk just a few steps from the entrance. As well on the several black stone boulders that stood along both sidewalls.
Deng Guiying noticed the direction of his glance and explained
"The obelisk is a physical form for the talent formation I spoke off before, as for the boulders, each of them one of the three 'Force Revealing' formations, either for qi, soul, or mind power"
"I see, thank yu" Bai Qi had understood their function practically immediately, as what else could be present in a place to show off one's skills and talents, but he still thanked the Senior, trying to keep his knowledge on the more-or-less understandable levels.
"The obelisk has also another formation added, one to record your results on these title plates" As he spoke, he produced seven plates made of some kind of spiritual crystal and handed one of them to each of the present people, Xie Fan excluded.
"And then these plates serve as a way to approach the recruiters without making a show?" Xue Ru asked directly.
"Right. No one of them managed to take more than a quick glance at you all, so until you reveal your origins, you will be treated as one of the youths on the square"
***
A 'Talent Search Formation' effect was to glimpse and present a gathering of several things that would allow a knowledgeable cultivator to deduce what element, method, art, or even weapon was suited for one. Not only that, but it also presented a clear indication of the current limit of a cultivator, which meant it would allow knowing what level of cultivation method one possessed, but without giving out any other details.
Bai Qi nodded to his companions, and each of them approached the obelisk one after another, laying one hand on its side and sending their qi, while placing the other hand, with the crystal plate on top of the obelisk as indicated by Deng Guiying, who commented on the results while making himself an image of what power should fit each of them.
"A bloodline descended from the heavenly Peng?! That's very unexpected, to say at least. Hmm, any 2nd tier power will definitively offer you a spot as an external disciple without doubt, but probably the 'Fish Gazing Sect' will be the best option. Not only it's the most renowned of the vassal powers, but their symbol is the Peng, and they probably will try anything to recruit you"
"Hmm, you have a talent for weapon techniques and your limit isn't so low. Your current cultivation also complies with their outer circle standards, so probably you should choose one of the 2nd tier powers as well. I would recommend the 'Delicate Forest Palace', a female-only power, or the 'Luminous Sea Sect' because of their specialization in weapons"
"Your name is Wei, right? With the limit that the formation shows you have no need to search for a cultivation method, and so I would recommend you to join one of the cities. Albeit the techniques and skills they normally provide are common, your talent for qi is just average and so you will not miss much. On the other hand, the city cultivators patrol the surrounding lands and have constant fights, which would allow you to progress quickly for both weapon and body"
"High talent for mind power and space control? Impressive! Albeit your cultivation is a bit short of the peak of the Soul realm, I am sure that either the 'Void Palace' or the 'Heavenly Smiting Hall' will accept you right away. They are 3rd tier powers, but in truth, they can be compared to 2nd tier ones"
With Yuan Taotu, Xue Ru, Wei, and Chun Hua finished, it was the turn of Lan Yanzhi and Li Xia.
Deng Guiying expected much from neither, but he had promised to try and recommend a power for each of the group members, and he intended to maintain his word. Albeit with the cultivation of both was low, and the age of the first one being past the normal standard...
"Hmm... An extreme affinity for Ying? And one of the highest limits I have seen, lady, just what cultivation method did you follow?"
Lan Yanzhi's eyes darted to Bai Qi, and he answered on her behalf.
"We have agreed that she will not reveal her circumstances. The part that I can explain though is that her cultivation method comes from another plane, one which we don't know anything about" In the case of anyone being overly curious, Bai Qi had actually prepared a side story about how her now deceased master obtained it from a mysterious scholar from another plane. But it wasn't required right now, as Deng Guiying simply nodded before saying
"I understand, still, it's better for her to not reveal her limit. I doubt that any of the local powers would go so far, but there will be always someone interested in learning about it"
"And what does Senior recommends then?"
"If the objective is to train, and with her Yin affinity not so rare in Great Forest, I would say that the best bet would be to enroll in a Martial School. Granted, it will cost between ten and twenty mid-grade crystals, but it will be both safe and effective for her training. Not to mention that enrolling means no need to make the same cut by age or cultivation. As for results, well, it depends on her"
"Mmm, understood. Can Senior recommend any such place?"
"Hoh, so several mid-grade crystals don't scare you off?"
"No"
"Then I would say that either 'Radiant Orb' or 'Xiulian River'. Both are 3rd tier powers, and have a decent number of renowned cultivators"
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As for Li Xia, as soon as the elder saw her rune related bloodline, he did not hesitate even for a moment
"The 'Seven Strokes Hall' is the only possible choice. Albeit I would like to recommend the higher-tiered 'Heaven Holding Hall', they will not accept anyone below the intermediate levels of the Sage realm"
With that finished, it was supposedly the turn of Chen Guang, and Deng Guiying was looking forward to it. Granted, the youngster had just a peak Soul realm cultivation, but with such a mind, how could his talents be average? But it seemed that he was bound to be disappointed, as the youngster turned towards him and spoke while bowing
"I am truly thankful for the provided help, Senior. And albeit I would hate to appear ungrateful, can I request Senior's assistance for one more thing?"
"You mean showing your companions the recruiters or members from the powers I spoke about?"
"Mmm" Bai Qi nodded while continuing to bow.
"Haaa, will do it. And you..." Deng Guiying did not finish the phrase, shrugged, and indicated for the six to follow him outside.
________________________________________________________________________
"Xie Fan, stand guard outside, could not you?"
Albeit the bandit woman turned golem did not respond, she indeed moved her body towards the entrance, and Bai Qi could be sure that if someone tried to enter, he would be either stopped or at least stalled by her.
***
As soon as he was left alone, Bai Qi stopped restraining his aura, which began wildly swirling around him, as if the dam holding it back had been destroyed.
It was indeed so, and Bai Qi perfectly knew the reason. Objectively speaking he had far more chances to make breakthroughs in the Pocket Realm than the others, so why did he only reach the peak of the Soul realm as Yuan Taotu or Wei? Especially with their starting point being far lower than his?
The reason lay in the matter of the Heaven Secret Level for the Soul realm, a level that Bai Qi did not risk attempting on 'Seven Islands Plane'. His initial plan of reaching the Sage realm before leaving had been discarded as the situation had calmed out and he had all the opportunities to leave the plane even as a low-level Soul realm cultivator, and so, he had decided to not risk failure, the failure that probably would make him skip over the 10th level, waiting until he reached a place where it would be easier to succeed. Or basically, a plane where neither his original Soul and Consciousness would be restrained.
The decision was probably the right one but having to constantly suppress himself as to not allow his already peaked cultivation to lead him into the Sage realm had placed him under strain. A strain that he could only alleviate by spending his qi and soul power...
***
After indicating the respective power recruiters to the six as he had agreed to, Deng Guiying returned to the arena only to find Chen Guang and the golem waiting for him. During the previous explanations, Chen Guang had been very interested in the prices of the residences, and right now, he just revealed the reason.
"Senior, after thinking of it for a bit, I have decided to not join any power for now. I would like to buy a residence here in Shounen, one where I could enter closed-door training for a few months, and only then proceed to decide the future"
"Hmm, has it something to do with the fact that you are suppressing a breakthrough?" Deng Guiying wasn't an old and experienced cultivator just for show, as he had found it out during the first moments he met the youngster. He did not have a reason to ask about it, and so he did not, but now?
"Senior's senses are indeed sharp, it seems that I can not hide anything" A slight smile accompanied these words.
"So, what is the reason?"
"Before we arrived here, I was granted access to a few special training methods, and I have accumulated enough qi and insight, as my method is based on it, to probably advance directly to the 2nd level of the Sage realm. But I will require a location to do it, as well a few months to stabilize there" Without batting an eye, Bai Qi explained a previously prepared reason. In truth, it was rare for a cultivator to prepare and make two continuous breakthroughs, but it was possible, especially if he had knowledge of what would they entail. At the same time, with his age being apparent, this will again reinforce Deng Guiying's idea about him being a genius of his original plane, and Bai Qi considered that it was the best option. After all, geniuses are eccentric and have strange manners of doing things, right? So the more of that was applied when analyzing his actions, the better it would be.
"But you remember that a residence even in the cheaper, Falling Leaves district costs between 20 and 50 mid-grade spirit stones, do you? Are you even capable of paying such a sum right away?"
"Senior, I hope that you can keep my wealth a secret, but yes, there is no issue" Bai Qi felt that someone like Deng Guiying would not try to rob him, and probably would not tell anyone about it either.
"I see, then you probably will need someone's assistance" Deng Guiying said and after a moment, a small wisp of light left his hand, floating towards the North, towards the Central District.
________________________________________________________________________
Four days later. Shuomen City, Falling Leaves Residential District, 'Serene Haze Manor'
Deng Guiying as promised had called someone from the City Hall clerks to assist Bai Qi, and in just a single day, the latter had found and bought a manor. The manor's name was 'Serene Haze', and albeit it remained a mystery why it was called so, Bai Qi actually liked the place. A small courtyard-style manor meant for a family of ten and a few servants, its only relevant detail was the spacious basement refitted as a cultivation room. Not only this room was protected by several dozens of formations, but it even had been built in a way to allow a variety of light natural energies to mix into the qi flow.
Water from a small pond right over the basement, fire from a spirit crystal fireplace, wood from the 'Earthen Stake' spirit tree panels that covered the walls, metal from a dark steel floor, and Earth from the underground location.
"I do not know who was the master that built this room, but he is definitively someone I admire" This was Bai Qi's honest thought.
The price was 45 mid-grade spirit stones, and for a manor so small, it was indeed extremely expensive. Not that Bai Qi even doubted before producing four and a half thousand qi crystal shards and sealing the deal after seeing the cultivation room.
Probably even Deng Guiying wondered how it was possible for someone so young, and seemingly from not the highest origin to count with such deep pockets, but he did not ask, and Bai Qi did not tell either.
Not that there was anything to hide, as his wealth was indeed his own. After the Emperor dealt with the 'Three Hills Sect' leadership, and the war ended, Deng Zian was rescued from the stasis he had been placed into by an artifact created by the old headmaster, and one of the first acts of the again active Head Treasurer was to deliver Wu Guang's share of the inheritance to him. Almost 15000 qi crystal shards, and two storage rings worth of materials.
Apart from that, Chen Jiahao had promised a hefty reward before Wu Guang had accepted to work for them, and so that amount grew by another 5000 or so qi shards. As well as some rare pills and medicines.
Leaving aside the hefty harvest of spirit, and even four Earth herbs in the Pocket Realm, that he had only half-used for the benefit of his companions, Bai Qi, then Wu Guang also obtained a few treasures and resources from the Emperor himself.
So in truth, he had left as probably the wealthiest cultivator on the 'Seven Islands Plane', and even here, he could contend with any young cultivator from the richest families and clans.
***
"Don't worry everyone, I will come to visit each of your powers after finishing my closed-door cultivation. So center on growing yourselves, after all, the main objective of everyone is to get stronger and become true cultivators" Sitting across the table from the six people that had all either arranged their entry or were directly recruited into one of the local powers, Bai Qi calmly said.
No one did refute his words, and albeit Lan Yanzhi had tried twice, at least, to try and make him allow her to stay, he had flatly refused every attempt. It wasn't that he did not want for her, or for anyone else to stay, but that he truly thought that it would benefit them far more to train and grow by themselves, without his assistance... or the problems and dangers that would probably surround him.
"Xie Fan will be enough to watch over the manor while I am behind closed doors, but don't think you will never hear of me again" He chuckled, slightly lightening the atmosphere.
"Will you visit for sure?" Surprisingly not only Lan Yanzhi, but also Li Xia and Xue Ru asked.
"Definitively. Tomorrow you all leave to your respective powers, so before you do, let me give you a small and useful gift" Bai Qi willed and seven common holding pouches appeared from his storage ring.
Everyone was then given one, while Lan Yanzhi actually got two.
"Inside you will find a small amount of the best medicines our original plane provided us with, as well the most useful resource for you right now, qi shards"
"!"
"This is?!"
"I can not accept this!"
A few exclamations were heard, but Bai Qi simply waved his hand before closing the matter with a few words.
"You can and you all will accept it. Cultivation requires resources, and I doubt you will be directly provided with a lot of them. A thousand qi shards should be enough to buy anything you may need for now. Just consider it an investment in your cultivation. And if you want, well, just think that you will repay it when you get stronger"
Lan Yanzhi peeked into the other holding pouch she got, but before she could say anything, Bai Qi simply shook his head.
"Everyone gets the same amount, so the payment for your entry to 'Radiant Orb' goes apart. It's the fair thing, isn't it?" Preventing any possible objections from her, he immediately asked the others, who readily agreed.
***
"I don't know what route I will follow or how much time it will take me, but expect me to visit the next year" With such words, Bai Qi said his farewells on the next morning, the last morning that the group spent under a single roof. And as soon as they left, he simply nodded to Xia Fan, who had been extremely silent for the last days, and descended into the basement of, his, 'Hazy Mist Manor'.
________________________________________________________________________
Unknown Time. Somewhere in the Central District, Revered Elder Deng residence.
"So Deng Guiying, is that Chen Guang such a good candidate?"
"Yes, definitively"
"You say that even when he did not use the 'Talent Revealing Formation'?"
"Let me just say it like this. Before leaving the arena with him, I sent my senses inside. The self-repair formation was already active, but at least six of the void rocks were damaged, and marks were visible on both the floor and roof"
"How can that be? Isn't he a simple peak Soul realm cultivator? How did he manage to even leave a scratch on anything in that arena?"
"He is a peak Soul realm cultivator, there is no doubt about it. But he is not simple, no, I would say that even all that he revealed is just a small amount of what he is truly hiding"
"Hoh? So you think he will be truly able to?"
"Mmm"
"I see. He will enter closed door cultivation, right?"
"Yes"
"Make sure that no one dares to approach that manor until he leaves. When he does, I will take a look at him myself. If he is truly so special, then probably it will for the best for me to meet him directly"
"Lord may be right"
"Mmm"
And so, with just a few simple phrases, the fate of the cultivator known as Wu Guang, Chen Guang, and Bai Qi was intertwined with the fate of Shuomen...