Chapter 68: Pride Etched into the Bones

…Therefore, even without compensation, this place still attracted a great number of mortals, and over time, a city naturally formed.

Cao Chengyu walked along the streets of the outer city, quite satisfied with the environment here. Above all, safety was paramount—being built at the foot of the Five Elements Sect, it was hard to imagine any mishap occurring.

Perhaps he could consider relocating the Cao family here.

After making inquiries in the outer city of Gu Qun, he learned from a wandering cultivator with the same goal that if one wished to join the Five Elements Sect by the third method, they would have to wait about six more days.

On the fifteenth of every month, the Five Elements Sect would send someone to the outer city of Gu Qun to see if any wandering cultivators who had obtained inheritance had come here. There were still six days left this month.

“I see. Thank you, fellow Daoist.”

“It’s nothing, just a small matter. You look quite young—why have you come here?”

“For the same reason as you.”

“Then, why don’t we go together?”

“Agreed.”

Cao Chengyu considered for a moment before accepting. Having a local friend would make everything much easier for a newcomer.

The wandering cultivator’s name was Feng Junnan, twenty years older than Cao Chengyu, and only at the middle stage of the Refining Spirit realm—the standard pace for ordinary people cultivating. Without additional opportunities, he would likely not break through to the Dao Body until he was old and grey.

After all, gathering resources for breakthrough was a daunting task for most cultivators.

But Cao Chengyu was different. Along the way, his digestive tract often caused him trouble, forcing him to endure…

Thus, Cao Chengyu spent six days in Gu Qun’s outer city, spending his time in daily cultivation and refining his body by absorbing flood dragon blood, as well as chatting frequently with Feng Junnan.

He gained a basic understanding of the general structure of the Martial Kingdom and the Five Elements Sect.

The Martial Kingdom was founded on martial prowess, with far more cultivators than the Great Yue Dynasty. Even ordinary people practiced basic martial exercises.

Its system was much more straightforward.

There were Immortal Cities and Mortal Cities. As the names implied, Immortal Cities belonged to cultivators and prohibited mortals from entering. The clear hierarchy also served to protect mortals.

Mortal Cities were governed by the royal family of the Martial Kingdom and served as a resource pool for recruiting disciples into the Five Elements Sect.

Each Immortal City was established by the Five Elements Sect in partnership with the local immortal clans, setting up corner markets for cultivator transactions. This not only gathered resources for themselves, but also facilitated wandering cultivators in their practice, forming the backbone of the Martial Kingdom’s cultivation world.

The outer city of Gu Qun was a special Mortal City, providing logistical services to the Five Elements Sect and frequently welcoming cultivators like Cao Chengyu.

The line between mortal and immortal was sharply drawn here. At the very least, mortals didn’t have to worry about being persecuted by immortals, for they were the roots protected by the great tree of the Five Elements Sect!

In contrast, the Great Yue Dynasty outwardly advocated equality between mortals and immortals, promoting mortal officials vigorously, but beneath the surface, there were countless sordid dealings.

“Hypocritical fairness versus blunt reality.”

Cao Chengyu shook his head, took a sip of wine, and noted that today was the day the Five Elements Sect representatives would arrive.

He and Feng Junnan had been waiting early at a tavern near the central plaza of Gu Qun’s outer city.

It was also known as the Ascension Terrace—

The place where mortals could ascend to immortality, the hope for those who had endured decades of hardship.

He mused that if it weren’t for the mysterious ranking list, he too might have become one of them: diligent, cautious, and earnest, only seeking the chance to ascend.

As the hour approached nine o’clock, the long-awaited emissaries finally arrived.

The leader appeared to be a youth of seventeen or eighteen, clad in a golden robe embroidered with precious threads, his head adorned with a golden upright crown. His proud expression seemed etched into his very bones.

Cao Chengyu’s brows rose with foreboding. In these times, could there still be those who judged others by appearance?

The youth stood atop a flying sword, hands clasped behind his back, his voice booming through the outer city:

“Those who have obtained opportunity this month, come forward quickly!”

Such a powerful voice was no problem for cultivators, but all the mortals around the plaza collapsed, blood flowing from their ears.

Yet the youth showed no sign of remorse.

“Scum!”

Before Cao Chengyu could speak, Feng Junnan’s face twisted in anger as he slammed the table and cursed.

“Brother Feng, best to keep calm. That one won’t kill the mortals, but you’re different.”

“I know.”

Feng Junnan’s fists crackled as he clenched them, but if he dared to teach the youth a lesson, his chance to enter the Five Elements Sect would be gone.

After a long silence, Feng Junnan sighed, released his fists, and walked out quietly.

“When I first trained in martial arts, I was determined to rid the world of injustice. Only after stepping onto the immortal path did I realize: without power, one can do nothing!”

Cao Chengyu said nothing, feeling as though he had met Feng Junnan for the first time. He would remember this man.

The tavern was close to the plaza, so he and Feng Junnan were among the first group of wandering cultivators present.

The youth merely glanced at them, saying not a word.

Indeed, his arrogance seemed inherent. It felt as though trouble was bound to arise…

Soon, more people arrived in twos and threes. After about an hour, the total number reached twenty-three.

The Five Elements Sect truly possessed astonishing wealth—so many came every month. With inheritance spread across five to ten surrounding countries, how many must there be?

After another hour, nearly all who could come had arrived. The youth did not wait any longer and said coldly:

“Follow me.”

With that, he mounted his sword and prepared to ascend.

“W-wait a moment.”

Cao Chengyu turned to look. The speaker was a young girl, about sixteen or seventeen, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she stammered:

“I’m not strong enough to fly yet, nor do I have a flying artifact. Could someone lend me one?”

“I—I’ll return it as soon as we reach the mountain gate, I promise.”

Like a child untouched by the world, even her words were so innocent.

The golden-robed youth paid her no mind.

“Don’t have one? Then don’t enter. Those who wish to enter, follow me.”

With that, he shot skyward. The other wandering cultivators hurried after, riding their own flying artifacts. Five others were in the same predicament as the girl.

They were all young and lacked the means for flight—poor, wandering cultivators.

Feng Junnan sighed.

“I’ll take you along. My flying artifact is large enough for one person.”

His flying artifact was a gourd. Cao Chengyu had seized one before; if you used the smaller section, it could just barely fit someone lying down.

Cao Chengyu shook his head and waved his right hand, summoning a yellow cloud that swept up the remaining four, following after.

He intended to reveal some of his talent anyway—so let it be his realm. A Dao Body at fifteen years old would certainly draw attention.

As for that youth, he was only at the middle stage of Refining Spirit. Cao Chengyu did not fear him.

Seeing his display, the young men and women were delighted, bowing on the yellow cloud.

“Thank you, senior, for your help.”

“It’s nothing.”

Feng Junnan hurried over on his gourd, astonished at Cao Chengyu’s abilities.

“Daoist Cao, you’re actually a Dao Body realm cultivator?!”