Chapter 29: Zhaotian City

Inside the dark passage, the recently acquired sandalwood gold proved effective, its purple fiery aura illuminating a certain area. Along the way, the passage seemed to shimmer with phantom ripples, making them wonder if it was an illusion, and Wu Jinliang's loud voice echoed.

"I heard the girls outside are all as fair-skinned as Miss Miao..."

Wu Jinliang, carrying a bundle and a saber, walked with his head held high and chest puffed out, striding confidently forward. Despite his tattered appearance, he couldn't hide his immensely excited ambition as he chatted excitedly about women, loudly proclaiming his intention to visit a brothel once they were outside.

Thinking of the legendary allure of brothels, Shi Chun almost joined in. Fortunately, he wasn't completely carried away by excitement, nor had he lost all his vigilance. He quickly remembered that everyone around him was from Bowang Tower and that he was, after all, pursuing Miss Miao. How could he discuss such shameful topics?

He shouldn't burn bridges, especially since they hadn't completely crossed the river yet.

However, the women in the land of exile were indeed too dark-skinned, as dirty, as dark, and as unkempt as they were.

In front of the Bowang Tower group, Shi Chun not only avoided appearing as vulgar as Wu Jinliang but also demonstrated his refinement, emphasizing that the first thing he would do upon getting out was buy books to read, and only then would he buy himself a good set of clothes.

Look at this level of character: loving books more than himself, willing to forgo dignity but not books.

Wu Jinliang felt contempt inwardly, but on the surface, he looked admiring of their leader. After all, the other's fists were stronger.

As they discussed buying books and clothes, they realized there was quite a lot they needed to buy to settle down outside, especially the unlimited cost of cultivation resources. They suddenly felt a pinch in their finances.

Only then did natives like them, emerging from the land of exile, truly feel a glimmer of goodwill from the Life Prison. The sum of money given to them upon their release was quite significant, allowing them to avoid taking desperate measures due to financial hardship and providing them with an adaptation period.

Although the money they brought out had been earned through their own desperate efforts.

As the white light from the exit grew larger, and they could even glimpse the outside world, Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang were so excited they couldn't utter a single word. Their hearts trembled, and their hands shook, fearing they were dreaming, afraid the beautiful dream would end.

The Bowang Tower group had already exited the cave and stopped, looking back.

The armored guards on either side of the cave entrance also looked back into the cave. They, however, were fine, having witnessed similar scenes many times and grown accustomed to them.

The Bowang Tower leader called out, "It's too late even if you don't want to come out. That place will no longer keep you. Even if you commit crimes in the future, you might not be punished by being sent here."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a guard barked, "Come out!"

The tattered Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang then slowly walked into the sunlight, holding their breath, their faces full of unease.

Before their eyes were blue skies and white clouds, continuous green mountains, and a distant roaring waterfall. The fragrance of green grass and vegetation assailed their senses. Everything magnified their eyes and caused them an uncomfortable sense of dizziness.

It was genuine dizziness; they felt a drunken swaying sensation.

The guards knew this was normal, as the air in the land of exile was actually thinner, and those unaccustomed to the outside world often felt dizzy upon emerging.

Fortunately, both were cultivators and quickly adapted. Looking back, they saw a fortress embedded on the mountaintop. On the cave gate were carved the stark, skeletal characters "Twelve Cities," and a contingent of guards was clearly stationed on the fortress walls.

"Are you coming or not?" the Bowang Tower leader urged again. They had no interest in sightseeing here, having seen it countless times before.

How could they not go? They quickly followed, their tattered figures swiftly descending the mountain.

The two, however, were slow descending the mountain. At times, they affectionately stroked a roadside tree; at others, they grabbed a handful of grass to chew, spitting it out due to the bitterness. They chewed and spat countless times along the way, unable to resist experiencing the taste with their tongues, no matter how unpalatable. Sometimes they were ecstatic over picking a fresh flower, and other times they leaped into a stream, howling with delight.

Distant mountains shrouded in mist, the plaintive cries of deer, ethereal birdsong near their ears, insects and ants scurrying about, bees and butterflies adorning flower stamens—everything was so beautiful.

It was almost too beautiful, so much so that they frequently lost control, acting like rabid dogs at times. The Bowang Tower members couldn't rein them in, as they seemed to lose control now and then.

After the two jumped into a clear pool and splashed water at each other, their eyes met, and suddenly they embraced, burying their faces and sobbing.

Punching Shi Chun's back, Wu Jinliang choked out a complaint, "We should have left long ago! I told you to come out sooner, called you so many times, but you just wouldn't go."

Shi Chun also whimpered, "It's not like I didn't let you go; you could have left ages ago."

"If you didn't go, I couldn't rest easy."

"Pah, why would I need you to worry about me? I still..."

Before he could finish speaking, two figures flashed over, pulled them apart, dragged them directly out of the pool, and carried them away swiftly.

The two were dawdling, and their words were like background noise. The Bowang Tower group simply couldn't tolerate it anymore. Moreover, with their low cultivation levels, they couldn't run fast and were wasting time, so the group simply took matters into their own hands and carried them along by flying.

If it hadn't been for Old Tan's instructions before they left, they really would have wanted to abandon the two.

In an instant, the group felt as if the entire world had become clear and serene.

Their peace didn't last long, as someone from behind yelled, "Why carry such a huge saber? Are you an animal?!"

It was the person who had picked up Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang's belongings from behind, realizing he had picked up a huge burden. Wu Jinliang's great saber was too heavy, equivalent to the weight of at least two or three people, and by rules, it couldn't be mixed with Bowang Tower's own cargo. Carrying such a heavy load for a long journey would certainly be uncomfortable, so he couldn't help but curse. Had it not been for Old Tan's sake, he definitely would have thrown it away.

Wu Jinliang hunched his shoulders and remained silent.

Shi Chun, however, asked the leader who was carrying him while flying, "Where are we going?"

The leader replied, "Once we drop you off in the nearest city, our task is complete."

Shi Chun asked again, "Where are you going?"

The leader said, "Naturally, we're going to Bowang Tower to report."

Shi Chun asked, "I heard Bowang Tower has branches everywhere in the world. Isn't there one in the nearest city?"

The leader replied, "The nearest city is too small to handle this much cargo we have. We need to deliver it to a place that requires it."

Shi Chun blinked and said, "We'd also like to go with you to see it, and perhaps receive some more guidance from you. Old Tan promised us this, didn't he tell you?"

In reality, he was afraid that the Qi family hadn't yet received news from the Life Prison and that leaving their protection at this moment would be dangerous.

After some negotiation, and after Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang repeatedly promised not to be disobedient or run off again, the group finally changed their destination.

The group of high-level martial cultivators could fly two or three miles with a single leap through the mountains and forests, which greatly inspired Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang.

They occasionally stopped for rest along the way, and before they knew it, it was the next morning.

A complex of pavilions and towers hidden deep within the mountains suddenly appeared before their eyes in a visually stunning way. Valleys and lakes connected, with signs of human activity amidst the magnificent buildings, and mists rising from the shimmering lake surface. People moving within looked like figures in a painting, with figures soaring into the sky and spiritual birds landing and taking off, presenting a scene of an immortal realm that left Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang dumbfounded.

This place was the destination of the Bowang Tower group: Zhaotian City.

The still-stunned Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang were pulled by the Bowang Tower group and flew into the valley, landing in a pavilion by a waterfall and a pool.

"Alright, we're here."

The leader dropped the words and left.

With a clatter, someone dropped Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang's weapons and bundles, then all turned and left, clearly unwilling to waste any more words on these two burdens.

Along the way, they hadn't even told the two their names, whether out of laziness or some other reason.

Never mind, Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang weren't angry; they didn't have the mind for it. They were simply overcome with curiosity. They picked up their tattered belongings from the ground and left.

Several rivers wound their way through the middle of the valley, with many bridges at the valley floor and numerous towering buildings. There were also many pavilions and structures on the cliff faces on both sides, with various stone steps of all sizes winding up the walls. The valley was filled with various shops, and amidst the magnificent buildings were many dilapidated wooden and tiled houses. People occasionally soared through the air.

A young woman walked onto an open terrace, suddenly transformed into a colorful large snake with a flip, and then lay on her back, basking in the sun.

A large rat climbed onto the eaves, extending its claw to hang a bell.

All kinds of people, prosperous and lively.

*Clap!* A sudden striking sound, as if someone had slammed a gavel in surprise, almost startled Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang, who were dazed and looking around by the roadside. What was happening?

The two turned their heads to look and saw inside a hall several steps up, an old man put down the storyteller's clapper he had used to strike the table. Facing a group of leisurely patrons, and with an exaggerated tone, he began to narrate, "'The Ten Yama Kings formed their own realm, sealing off the underworld for eight hundred years. The wardens of the Twelve Cities defied heavenly laws, governing the Life Prison by their own will, not by imperial decree. Moreover, the Four Continents harbored powerful individuals, feigning obedience while acting contrarily. The Empress, having usurped the throne, sought to re-establish the righteous order of heaven and earth, but her grand ambitions proved difficult to achieve...'"