After half an incense stick’s time, everyone stopped in front of an inn. The inn wasn’t large, but it was sufficient to accommodate all these people.
"Shopkeeper, we’re booking your inn!"
Zhu Qianqiu tossed a bag of spirit stones onto the counter, instantly waking up the dozing shopkeeper.
The shopkeeper opened the bag and his face immediately blossomed with a smile. This bag of spirit stones, a whole thousand pieces, was enough for him to live comfortably for a while.
"You can choose any room you like. I and City Lord Xu have some matters to attend to, but if you go out, be cautious!"
After settling everyone in the inn, Zhu Qianqiu instructed them, then left with Xu Yibai.
Chu Ming casually chose a room and walked in, finding the interior quite elegant.
Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Chu Ming took out two middle-grade spirit stones from his storage ring and entered cultivation mode. Rolling spiritual power entered his body, merging into his dantian.
Since entering the True Dao realm, Chu Ming felt his cultivation progress slow down sharply. Cultivating for a day, the spiritual power in his dantian increased only a tiny bit, comparable to adding a cup of water to the ocean, utterly inconspicuous.
Cultivation time always passed quickly, and in a blink of an eye, ten days had passed.
This morning, after breakfast, Chu Ming was about to enter cultivation state but was interrupted by Zhu Hongxue.
"Is this your first time in Celestial City? Let me take you around!"
Chu Ming wanted to refuse, but considering that balance in cultivation is important, as monotonous cultivation can lead to mental barriers, he nodded and agreed.
The two left the inn and walked down the street.
A variety of martial artists filled the streets. As the first city in the Celestial Realm, the quality of martial artists in Celestial City was far higher than elsewhere. A glance revealed that most were True Dao martial artists, mixed with Guiyuan realm experts.
"Celestial City’s most famous feature is certainly the arena! Many martial artists travel great distances just to watch the battles here."
As they walked, Zhu Hongxue introduced various aspects of Celestial City to Chu Ming.
Chu Ming expressed a hint of surprise.
"Every year, the Celestial Travel Sect captures countless people from Demon Dao within the Celestial Realm and places them in the arena, letting them engage in deadly combat!"
Zhu Hongxue explained; she wasn’t very familiar with the details, only having heard others mention it.
"Let’s go watch the combat too!"
Chu Ming suggested with shining eyes, knowing that his Slaughter Sword Intent could only progress through real experience of slaughter.
Zhu Hongxue nodded; she had been to the arena a few times and was quite familiar with it.
After half an hour, they arrived at a colossal and magnificent palace. The palace walls were engraved with numerous inscriptions, entirely black, and faintly surrounded by several arrays.
As they approached the main entrance, two guards stopped them. Zhu Hongxue took out a silver token from her bosom and waved it in front of the guards.
The two guards instantly made way, allowing them to enter the palace unobstructed. As soon as they entered, a maid led them towards a side box.
"The arena is a property of the Celestial Travel Sect. Disciples of the sect can enter without paying, but others must pay ten thousand lower-grade spirit stones as an entrance fee."
Following the maid, Zhu Hongxue explained.
Chu Ming glanced around the palace, his eyes filled with amazement.
Inside was a gigantic square, forged from Golden Stone Rock. Even a peak Guiyuan realm martial artist’s full-force attack couldn’t damage it.
On the square were several black cages, covered by large black cloths, obscuring their contents. Surrounding them were countless seats, row upon row, stretching for miles. The most striking feature was the boxes on the periphery, layered one above the other, up to a hundred layers, each containing over ten thousand boxes. Calculating, there were a hundred thousand boxes alone.
"The entire arena can accommodate a million spectators, but it has only been filled once, twenty years ago."
Following Chu Ming’s gaze, Zhu Hongxue spoke quietly.
Chu Ming’s eyes reflected curiosity.
"It’s said that twenty years ago, Demon Dao genius Di Hao had a life and death duel with a Celestial Travel Sect genius here. All the prominent figures of the Celestial Realm came to witness it!"
Twenty years ago, Zhu Hongxue hadn’t been born and only knew this from hearsay.
"What was the result?"
"The Demon Sects hoped Di Hao would kill the Celestial Travel Sect genius, suppressing the spirit of Righteous Martial Artists. Unexpectedly, it facilitated the Celestial Travel Sect genius’s breakthrough to the Guiyuan realm during the battle!"
Zhu Hongxue’s eyes glowed with fervor. A Guiyuan realm expert at twenty years old was rare in the continent, such a genius had a high chance of becoming a king in the Life and Death Realm.
"That genius is none other than the Sword Demon of Ancient Sword Peak!"
A sudden voice near them spoke. They turned to see a youth in green robes, somewhat chubby, not handsome, with tiny but bright eyes.
"I am Zhao Yuan. May I know the lady’s name?"
When Zhao Yuan looked at them, his eyes lit up upon seeing Zhu Hongxue’s beauty.
Female geniuses were rare, and beautiful ones were even rarer. Zhu Hongxue’s temperament greatly attracted him.
"We are strangers, no need for names!"
Zhu Hongxue frowned slightly, displeased by Zhao Yuan’s gaze.
She pulled Chu Ming’s sleeve to leave, but Zhao Yuan shamelessly blocked their way once again.
"My elder brother is a true disciple of Celestial Travel Sect. I have never failed to acquire what I want!"
Zhao Yuan’s Qi force slightly surged, his voice aggressive but faintly fearful.
Chu Ming stepped forward, coldly asking.
Zhao Yuan was momentarily confused. Suddenly, Chu Ming drew his sword, and a dazzling sword light burst from the Blue Red Sword.
The fine sword light, like a strand of starlight in the night, swiftly pierced Zhao Yuan’s left arm!
The sword light penetrated Zhao Yuan’s entire arm, causing blood to stream out.
Agonizing pain overwhelmed Zhao Yuan’s mind; he grabbed his arm, looking at Chu Ming with hatred and fear.
Ignoring Zhao Yuan, Chu Ming pulled Zhu Hongxue’s sleeve, continuing to follow the maid. Throughout, the maid remained composed.
Disputes in the arena were permitted, but they couldn’t affect the maids; otherwise, the arena’s steward would intervene!