After correcting the map, Sun Lingtong discovered that they had escaped the range of Thousand Peak Forest through Void Teleportation and arrived within the borders of Liangzhu Country.
Checking their condition, the Fire Essence reserves had already reached the alert level, with only enough left for one more Void Teleportation. Moreover, the duration of the teleportation would be very short, and they wouldn't be able to travel far.
If the reserves of Fire Essence fell back to the previous state, they might still be within the range of Thousand Peak Forest, potentially sensed by the Blood Shadow Cave Master, thereby initiating a pursuit.
They must find a way to rid themselves of the Blood Shadow Cave Master's tracking methods. The Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon itself had suffered an attack from the Demon Heart Cave Master and also needed repairs.
More importantly, was Sun Lingtong's current injuries.
Sun Lingtong's previous strategy was correct, in order to heal, he needed to have a more precise understanding of the specifics––they needed a clearer understanding of the Old Monster in Stone.
However, this time when they infiltrated the main gate of the Six Cave Sect, although they accidentally learned important intelligence about the Mechanical Car, they didn't gain much more information about the Old Monster in Stone.
As for the reason why the Demon Heart Cave Master detected them, Ning Zhuo guessed afterward that it was very likely due to the Life Hanging Thread he had placed on the hooded black-robed cultivator!
Indeed, with this Divine Power, Ning Zhuo had established many advantages in various aspects. These advantages easily gave people the illusion that the Divine Power was invincible.
Now, after the incident with Linghu Jiu and the Demon Heart Cave Master, Ning Zhuo was gradually realizing the true strength of the Life Hanging Divine Power.
"This Divine Power, even though it comes from the Elders of the Three Sects, if it were truly strong and invincible, the territory of Southern Bean Country would be much larger than it is now."
According to the target provided by Ning Zhuo, the Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon set off once again.
Even though they didn't use the power of Void Teleportation, the flight speed of the Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon itself was still considerable.
In roughly half a day's time, the two were nearing their destination––Canglin Immortal City.
Human figures gradually became more numerous. About thirty li from the Immortal City, Ning Zhuo took the lead and flew out of the Mechanical Dragon.
Sun Lingtong remained inside the Dragon Head Cabin. He needed to constantly channel Mana and also try other methods to slow the speed of the petrification.
Ning Zhuo still carried the Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon as a belt around his waist.
He moved forward on foot, jumping over mountains and leaping across rivers with nimble movements.
Halfway there, he quickly encountered an increased number of cultivators.
Not only from the Human Clan but also many bare-chested Demon Cultivators with the rough style of the Barbarian Clan.
The clothing of the Demon Cultivators was basically minimal, as they had always lived naked in nature when they were Demon Beasts. Even after becoming Demon Cultivators with intelligence, this habit was largely retained.
The Demon Cultivators preferred loose, flowing clothes such as long robes and dresses. Many Demon Cultivators especially liked cloaks and capes.
Their clothing often had rich, colorful decorations of animal fur, gemstones, and flora, reflecting their closeness to nature.
The attire of the Barbarian Clan mostly consisted of animal skins, iron armor, or crudely woven vines, and even just scales.
The Barbarian Clan favored deep red, earth yellow, jade green, and black gray.
They generally believed that red signified blood, earth yellow symbolized the land, jade green represented forests, and black gray was the state of all things burned to ashes.
This showed they revered battle, valor, and the connection between individuals and nature.
Their clothing, compared to the Demon Cultivators, was much more form-fitting to facilitate combat. The ankle of the pants would have straps, and the clothing of the female Barbarians was even more simple and tight, embodying a primitive beauty.
Ning Zhuo noticed that they often carried axes, hammers, and had spears or bows and arrows on their backs. The stronger and higher their status, the more decorations they wore. These decorations were mostly animal teeth, bones, pelts, and so forth.
The necklaces and bracers they wore were all massive in design, as though their size indicated the wearer's glory and strength.
Like Ning Zhuo, these cultivators were also heading to Canglin Immortal City. Some were in a hurry, rushing on their way, while others were in groups, laughing and talking spiritedly.
Ning Zhuo gazed toward Canglin Immortal City and saw a high and low undulating "river".
The terrain of Canglin Immortal City was uneven, as it was built around hills, with a varied and well-situated distribution of buildings.
From afar, Ning Zhuo could make out the meandering streets and intricate layout of building clusters within the Immortal City.
To the side of the Immortal City, several military camps had also been erected.
To the east, one was heavily guarded, with red flags fluttering and robust Fire-attribute energy swirling—a clear sign of practicing Fire-attribute Spells. The western camp was lively, with a gate wide open and crowded with people, among which Demon Cultivators and members of the Barbarian Clan mixed, their noisy clamor carried by wave after wave.
Indistinctly, one could also see several other military camps further afield.
Ten li from the Immortal City, an ordinance came into effect, no longer allowing cultivators to fly, the only option to enter the city was to do so by foot.
Under normal circumstances, this wouldn't be the case. However, it was a special period now, the Liangzhu Country's army was constantly converging, with the Vanguard Army already stationed at the foot of Thousand Peak Forest. Following them, were several key towns, and then Canglin Immortal City.
As the first Immortal City closest to the Thousand Peak Forest battlefield, it was due to undertake important responsibilities of the rear.
Therefore, under martial law, the area had begun to enforce a no-fly zone, strictly guarding against espionage and attacks from the air.
Following the tide of people, Ning Zhuo arrived at the city gate.
The City Guard Army was in charge of guarding the gate, demanding an entry fee of fifty Low-Grade Spirit Stones from every person.
"If you're here to join the army, there's no need to enter the city. Several military camps outside the city are recruiting talent! Among them, the White Jade Camp offers the highest remuneration, double that of the lowest-paying Red Flower Camp."