After resting in this small island city for half a day, once Bai Xiu’er had eaten and drunk her fill, Ye Qin switched to an ordinary mid-tier flying sword and, taking Bai Xiu’er with him, set off again, continuing his flight toward the main island of the East Sea Archipelago.

His destination was Immortal Palace City (Xianque City).

The geography of the East Sea Archipelago was somewhat peculiar, comprised of five major island groups, generally distributed in a roughly circular shape.

The western sector, comprising the two northernmost island groups, belonged to the Heavenly Dao Alliance. The eastern and southern sectors’ two island groups belonged to the Demonic Heaven Alliance. The central island group among the four major water islands was also divided between the Heavenly Dao Alliance and the Demonic Heaven Alliance.

And among these five major island groups, not all islands belonged to the two great Immortal Alliances. There existed a vast number of scattered, smaller islands belonging to numerous minor cultivation factions. These minor factions survived tenaciously in the cracks between the two great Immortal Alliances. In order to avoid direct conflict, both major Alliances had tacitly accepted the existence of these interstitial powers.

In the entire East Sea Archipelago, the largest immortal city was undoubtedly "Immortal Palace City" (Xianque City), construction of which began in the ancient era. It had endured the fires of war and existed for an extremely long time, and to this day, it remained the most formidable city ever constructed by cultivators.

This colossal city was situated on a massive island spanning over ten thousand li within the central island group of the East Sea Archipelago.

In truth, after countless ages of careful management, Immortal Palace City was no longer merely a city in the conventional sense, but rather a super-cultivator base composed of dozens of large, integrated cities. This base possessed defense capabilities beyond imagination; they were mutually isolated yet capable of mutual support. It was not just difficult to breach from the outside; it was impossible to break even from within.

The Demon Race had launched several massive counter-offensives over the ages, yet each time, they retreated in failure beneath the walls of Immortal Palace City, their ambitions utterly thwarted.

The very existence of Immortal Palace City had become an inexpressible pain in the hearts of the East Sea Demons.

The headquarters of both the Heavenly Dao Alliance and the Demonic Heaven Alliance were naturally located within Immortal Palace City, each occupying exactly half of this super-base. Internally, the two Alliances employed vastly different methods of governance.

The Heavenly Dao Alliance followed a Five Grandmasters System: the five Grandmasters held the supreme authority over the Alliance's affairs. The Grandmasters of the Heavenly Dao Alliance were all cultivators at the late Nascent Soul stage. (The Demonic Heaven Alliance followed a Five Titans System: the five Titans held the supreme authority over the Alliance's affairs. The five Titans of the Demonic Heaven Alliance were also all cultivators at the late Nascent Soul stage.)

At first glance, the two Alliances seemed quite similar. However, nearly every cultivator in the East Sea knew that their styles of operation were fundamentally different.

The five Grandmasters of the Heavenly Dao Alliance usually maintained a cordial demeanor, and major decisions required joint deliberation before being issued under the names of the five. No single Grandmaster possessed the authority to command the entire Alliance membership.

In contrast, the five Titans of the Demonic Heaven Alliance made independent decisions, their word always final. The members of the Demonic Heaven Alliance were affiliated with one of the Titans and obeyed only that Titan’s command. If a powerful new cultivator replaced one of the Titans, that Titan’s subordinates would immediately pledge allegiance to the new leader. In essence, members served only the individual currently holding the title of Titan.

Because of this structural difference, the cultivators of the Heavenly Dao Alliance always conducted themselves with unhurried, gentle deliberation.

Whereas the cultivators of the Demonic Heaven Alliance acted with the swiftness of a gale, decisive and ruthless.

Ye Qin had reviewed many jade slips, gaining a surface-level understanding of the two Alliances.

Another point was that in the East Sea Archipelago, islands generally belonged to cultivators. Only cultivators qualified at the Golden Core stage or higher were eligible to possess large islands, and generally, the higher one’s cultivation and strength, the better the island they controlled.

Only a few insignificant, barren islets fell under the dominion of Foundation Establishment cultivators. Yet, even these small islands typically required a cultivator at the late Foundation Establishment stage to hold title.

It was exceptionally difficult for an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator to acquire an island.

Ye Qin pondered these matters while flying on his sword.

He considered whether he should join the Heavenly Dao Alliance or the Demonic Heaven Alliance.

Or perhaps, neither—to temporarily observe the political landscape of the East Sea Islands before making a decision. If the two Alliances clashed too fiercely, he feared he might be overwhelmed. In any case, even without joining an Alliance, he could still rapidly enhance his power by cultivating diligently in Immortal Palace City.

Ye Qin and Bai Xiu’er flew towards Immortal Palace City. After about several dozen days, they arrived above a colossal island, and the sky was increasingly crowded with cultivators. Looking out, one could see at least hundreds, if not thousands, of rays of light emanating from artifacts crisscrossing the air.

Many young, dashing male and female cultivators stood poised on their flying swords, presenting an image of elegant nobility, or they drifted leisurely upon the clouds. Others rode strange birds and beasts, whistling past. Even on the sea surface, large sailing vessels were visible everywhere.

“It seems we are almost at Immortal Palace City. Xiu’er, after we arrive, what are your plans?” Ye Qin had only promised Elder Bai Yun to deliver Bai Xiu’er to the East Sea Archipelago; he had no intention of taking her as a personal maid.

However, simply leaving her alone in Immortal Palace City seemed irresponsible. This girl had grown up in a remote tribe, was inexperienced in the world, and he worried about what might befall her if left entirely to her own devices.

“Sir, you don’t need to worry. The Elder gave me this; it’s worth many spirit stones. If I sell it, I can buy food—I won't starve. The Elder also instructed me to find some work here; I can definitely support myself!”

Bai Xiu’er proudly retrieved a small pouch made of animal hide from her waist, opened it, and revealed an earthen jar. Inside lay three azure and one blue Blood Spirit Fruits, emitting a faint, sweet aroma.

Ye Qin’s heart stirred. “Xiu’er, these Blood Spirit Fruits are azure and blue; they aren't fully ripe. Can these still be used?” “Of course, sir. Azure Blood Spirit Fruits are refined into low-tier Blood Spirit Pills, which can be consumed by initial-stage Lishi (Earth Tribe Warriors). Blue Blood Spirit Fruits refine into mid-tier Blood Spirit Pills, for mid-stage Lishi. Crimson Blood Spirit Fruits refine into high-tier Blood Spirit Pills, consumable only by high-stage cultivators. However, I’ve never seen the crimson ones. Just taking a low-tier Blood Spirit Pill will greatly increase my strength.” Bai Xiu’er explained.

Ye Qin finally understood. No wonder he had expended over a thousand low-grade spirit pills to obtain just a few crimson Blood Spirit Fruits; it turned out that Blood Spirit Fruits of different colors represented entirely different tiers, marking a vast distinction in quality.

“I am an alchemist. You don’t need to sell these Blood Spirit Fruits; I will refine them into Blood Spirit Pills for you.

I will also help you look for a suitable job while I’m at it. As long as we are in Immortal Palace City, your safety should be assured.” As he spoke,

Ye Qin could already glimpse a city on an island in the far distance. Although he had anticipated what Immortal Palace City might look like, he was still utterly stunned by the magnificent sight upon his actual arrival.

An island spanning tens of thousands of li, adrift on the turbulent, surging sea, was encircled by towering, cyan-rock city walls dozens of zhang high. Magnificent structures rose one after another, forming a dense forest of architecture across the island.

This island lay like a massive anchoring stone, holding fast upon the ocean.

Countless rays of light from artifacts, emanating from the sea regions tens of thousands of li around, converged here every moment, only to depart again for various destinations. Even at night, these lights illuminated the entire sky above the island, dazzling the eye.

Bai Xiu’er was so awestruck that she nearly gasped aloud, covering her mouth.

Ye Qin paused momentarily, then swiftly recovered, transforming into a streak of light and accelerating towards Immortal Palace City, merging with the tens of thousands of other lights. Approaching within a few li of the city, he suddenly felt a heavy pressure; his flying sword trembled precariously, threatening to fall.

Ye Qin reacted immediately, retracting his sword and descending. The sky above Immortal Palace City must possess a restrictive barrier, preventing flight; all flying artifacts automatically fell as they neared the city.

The city walls here were far from mere decoration. To enter Immortal Palace City, one had to pass through the gates. The battlements were equipped with various defensive formations capable of warding off attacks. Moreover, every li along the ramparts, one could spot Heaven-Shattering Cannons, possessing formidable defensive power.

And the city’s guards were exclusively cultivators. The leader of every small squad was a cultivator at least at the mid-stage Foundation Establishment level, and even the menial workers possessed cultivation no lower than the high-stage Qi Refining realm.

Because the daily flow of people entering and exiting Immortal Palace City was so immense, the city did not prohibit anyone from entering.

Cultivators of any background—righteous cultivators, demonic cultivators, Earth Tribe warriors, or even mortal laypeople—could freely enter and exit. Of course, with the sole exception of their mortal enemies, the Demon Race; any demon cultivator appearing in Immortal Palace City would be courting death.

The cultivators stationed throughout Immortal Palace City served primarily to guard against the infiltration of Demon Race cultivators. Additionally, their duty was to prevent in-city disturbances and maintain order.

This was an exceptionally open immortal city.

However, different sectors within Immortal Palace City were governed by different factions, meaning the restrictions on the movements of cultivators varied throughout the city.

The Foundation Establishment guard captain at the gate merely swept Ye Qin and Bai Xiu’er with his spiritual eye technique before granting them entry.

A cultivator like Ye Qin, at the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment, and Bai Xiu’er, a mid-stage Earth Tribe warrior, were completely inconspicuous in Immortal Palace City, drawing no attention. In a place like this, it would take a cultivator at the Golden Core stage, at the very least, to draw sidelong glances.

Ye Qin and Bai Xiu’er followed the flow of people into Immortal Palace City.

In this chaotic melting pot of beings, they were truly opening their eyes wide. Earth Tribe people dressed in peculiar attire from countless cultivation realms, and the various unheard-of demonic beasts they rode, created a dazzling spectacle that was impossible to take in all at once.

“Immortal Ye, where should we go now?” Bai Xiu’er stared at the bustling main street inside the city, the throngs of people, and the endless row of luxurious buildings, momentarily overwhelmed.

She had never stayed in such a prosperous, massive city before; swallowed by the multitude, she instantly felt insignificant.

“Let’s find an inn to settle down first. Tomorrow, we’ll look around for work that suits you,” Ye Qin replied with a wry smile.

Whether the place was prosperous or desolate held little importance to him.

His plan was to spend the first half of tomorrow settling Bai Xiu’er and concluding this matter. Then, he hoped to find auxiliary materials here for reaching the Core Formation stage, after which he would seek a quiet place to break through his Golden Core bottleneck and survive the minor Heavenly Tribulation.

In a land like the East Sea Archipelago, where the powerful reigned supreme, one would likely find it impossible to move an inch without the strength of a Core Formation cultivation base.