Chapter 702: Chapter 721 Tianlan Ancient City
Nan Zhanbu Continent, Tianlan Ancient City!
Tianlan Ancient City was a city, but this city contained not a single mortal, it was inhabited solely by cultivators seeking the Dao, where Immortals, Buddhas, and Demons coexisted.
Among the four major continents, Nan Zhanbu Continent was the most peaceful, with not only few disputes but also a coexistence of Immortals, Buddhas, and Demons, which was indeed a miracle in the Three Realms.
Furthermore, Tianlan Ancient City was a sacred land in Nan Zhanbu Continent, guarded by its city lord, Gu Tianlan, who was a Daluo Golden Immortal renowned throughout the entire continent. His presence was also the reason why there were so few conflicts in Tianlan Ancient City.
It must be said, Gu Tianlan, being a Daluo Golden Immortal, managed to maintain peace among the Immortals, Buddhas, and Demons within the city, which was an extraordinary feat indeed.
A crescent moon hung in the sky, scattering starlight, and though it was nighttime, Tianlan Ancient City was unusually lively.
Firecrackers sounded in unison, and fireworks bloomed, weaving a breathtakingly beautiful scene in the sky above Tianlan Ancient City, where numerous cultivators moved back and forth, adding to the bustling atmosphere.
Immortal Brew Tavern!
This was the most famous tavern in Tianlan Ancient City, a favored haunt of various Immortals and demons, renowned for its wine brewed from top-quality Spirit Fruits. The wine not only offered a lingering aftertaste but also considerably benefited one’s cultivation.
Naturally, such fine wine was not cheap, and those who could afford to enjoy it here were at least of the Heavenly Immortal caliber, while the owner behind the scenes was none other than the city lord, Gu Tianlan.
“Please come in, honored guests.”
The greeter was a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator, and at that moment, two figures in black robes wearing broad-brimmed hats entered the tavern, prompting him to approach them with a smile.
“One pot of Immortal Brew, two plates of Spirit Fruits.”
One of the robed figures spoke in a deep voice, stepping slightly to the side in a modest gesture, inviting the person next to him to move forward first. It was apparent from this that their relationship was likely that of master and servant.
The server was not surprised by their mysterious attire, as he had dealt with many unusual customers before, and ushered the two of them into the tavern without showing any signs of curiosity.
The tavern, colloquially referred, was actually a nine-story building, extremely spacious and capable of accommodating thousands of people.
The first three floors served ordinary cultivators, and as one ascended, the guests naturally became more distinguished. After the two robed figures reached the third floor, they chose a spot by the window and sat down.
The third floor of the tavern was vast, hosting over a hundred cultivators clinking their cups and exchanging toasts. Among them were not only humans but also oddly-shaped members of the Demon Race. The arrival of the two robed figures also drew the eyes of these cultivators, who looked them over briefly before shifting their gaze away.
“After passing through Tianlan Ancient City, one enters the Western Continent. I didn’t expect that upon my return to the world, I would coincidentally encounter Zhen Yuanzi’s Ginsengfruit Meeting,” Kunpeng said with a slight smile.
Clearly, the two individuals wearing bamboo hats were none other than Ye Xuan and Kunpeng, who had traveled from the Beiming Sea all the way to the Western Continent, coincidentally passing through Tianlan City. At Ye Xuan’s suggestion, both decided to stop in this city for a brief respite.
“Ginsengfruit is indeed wonderful, but it is of no use to you and me. I am wondering who will attend this Ginsengfruit Meeting,” Ye Xuan said with a slight smile.
Hearing Ye Xuan’s words, Kunpeng laughed and said, “This Zhen Yuanzi is known as the Ancestor of Earth Immortals, and his divine skills are quite remarkable, no doubt attracting various Quasi-Saints and Daluos who are not in secluded cultivation, to personally attend this grand event.”
While they were talking, exquisite Spirit Fruits and Immortal Brew were served. Although this wine was highly esteemed by many Heavenly Immortals, it held no interest for Ye Xuan. On the other hand, Kunpeng was savoring it with relish, obviously having not tasted Spirit Fruits or Immortal Brew in ages, as he had been hiding in the Beiming Sea all this time.
One might wonder, why did Ye Xuan and Kunpeng enter this tavern?
The reason was quite simple: Ye Xuan had disappeared for thirty thousand years, and after such a long time, he had reappeared, but he had no knowledge of what had transpired in this world during his absence.
Since ancient times, taverns and teahouses have been places where information flows freely; this rule applies not only to mortals but also to Immortals. And, since Tianlan Ancient City is a sacred land for cultivators, naturally, it can provide some useful information for Ye Xuan.
“Hey, have you heard? The Ginsengfruit Meeting will begin in a year. Various Daluos are heading to Longevity Mountain. Such a grand event truly makes us lesser immortals envious.”
“Fellow Daoist, you jest. We lower realm immortals can only dream. Ginsengfruit is a Holy Object, known as the Spirit Medicine of all laws. We’re lucky even to catch a whiff of it; let’s drop unrealistic hopes.”
“Haha, younger brother speaks wisely. Still, I heard the Ginsengfruit Meeting will be attended by Emperor Jun of the Demon Emperor himself, and it’s rumored that Ancestor Witch Zhu Rong is also rushing to Longevity Mountain. Do you think there would be a great battle between them?”
“Shush! Fellow Daoist, mind your words!”
One of the immortals changed expression and hurriedly made a silencing gesture to his companion, then whispered a reminder, “Please don’t talk recklessly. As you know, the Ancient Demon Court has reemerged, and Nuwa herself has issued a Dharma Decree. Countless members of the Demon Race have rallied, and many Great Demons joined the Ancient Demon Court. The might of the Demon Race now reaches the heavens, and with the Demon Gathering about to start, the Ancient Demon Court will soon reign over the Three Realms. The Witch Clan and the Ancient Demon Court are at loggerheads; don’t bring this sensitive topic up again, lest we draw trouble and suffer the consequences.”
“What’s there to fear? It’s just you and me talking; no one else can hear us. But tell me, if the Ancient Demon Court takes control of the three realms and the Thirty-Three Layered Heaven, what will become of that place? I heard that Heavenly Emperor Ye is not someone to be trifled with.”
“Fellow Daoist, you may not know, but the Thirty-Three Layered Heaven has already activated the Heavenly Protection Array, and the so-called Immortal Officials are no longer visible. How can the Heavenly Court compare to the Ancient Demon Court? Clearly, it fears the Ancient Demon Court, and I fear that after the Demon Gathering, the Thirty-Three Layered Heaven will also end up obsolete, and that Heavenly Emperor Ye, having been absent for tens of thousands of years, is probably trembling in the Dou Niu Palace.”
The immortal continued, glancing cautiously around before lowering his voice again, “And I’ve heard that the Jie Sect Immortals have already sent congratulatory messages to the Ancient Demon Court, clearly intending to be on good terms with the Ancient Heavenly Court. I fear for Heavenly Emperor Ye…”
With that, the Heavenly Immortal sighed and chose not to continue, but the implications in his words were clear.
“Younger brother speaks truthfully. Ye Xuan once killed tens of thousands from the Witch Clan, and now with the Ancient Twelve Ancestor Witches reemerging and the Ancient Demon Court soon to dominate the Three Realms, supported by the Chan Sect, he is indeed caught between two fires. I fear his fate will be extremely tragic.”
As the two talked and drank, unbeknownst to them, their conversation was fully overheard by Ye Xuan.