Upon entering Tianshui City, Ji Changkong finally understood why it was called the wealthiest city under heaven!

Tianshui City was vast, stretching out in a sea of dense, black rooftops as far as the eye could see. The roads were wide, teeming with carriages and bustling with activity. (For the full novel text, visit Shiliu Literature Network)

Stalls overflowed with dazzling merchandise lining both sides of the thoroughfare, their banners advertising inns and taverns fluttering high in the air. Most pedestrians within the city wore fine silks, adorned with precious jade and pearls at their waists, their pouches bulging, seemingly stuffed with gold and silver.

From the latticed windows of elegant pavilions, young women gazed down upon the street below, their bright eyes sparkling, occasionally letting out tinkling laughter as if searching for a suitable partner. The maidens of Tianshui City were far from reserved; those on the street walked in small groups, whispering and smiling faintly, silken scarves trailing from their hands, boldly scrutinizing handsome young men.

Whether due to the impending Lingbao Grand Assembly or not, a significant number of Tianshi carrying Divine Weapons were visible among the crowds. As Ji Changkong walked down the spacious main avenue, he could distinctly sense varying strengths of Yuan Power fluctuations emanating from the surrounding residences and inns. Some Tianshi traveled alone, while many moved in groups, their Yuan Power signatures clustered together.

The Murong family convoy parted ways with Ji Changkong and Bai Qingya immediately upon entering Tianshui City. Before leaving, Murong Yan had pressed an invitation upon Bai Qingya to be a guest at the Murong estate, which she politely declined once more.

"Let's find a place to settle down first."

Arriving in Tianshui City, Bai Qingya seemed to completely relax. She knew that even if the Dark Servants of the Mani Cult were given boundless audacity, they would never dare cause trouble in broad daylight here. The City Guard patrols stationed throughout Tianshui City were composed of disciples selected from various powerful families, each possessing superior strength, certainly not something a few Dark Servants of the Mani Cult could handle.

This being his first time traveling far from home, Ji Changkong was unfamiliar with the locale and left all arrangements to Bai Qingya.

Soon, the two selected an unassuming inn on a quiet street in Tianshui City for a temporary stay. Bai Qingya booked two rooms with adjoining walls. Once the rooms were settled, she exchanged a few casual words with Ji Changkong before hurriedly closing her door to sit in quiet meditation.

Having long grown accustomed to solitude, Ji Changkong felt no immediate urge to rush out and explore Tianshui City. A good deal had happened over the last ten days, and he intended to quietly reflect on it before resuming his attempts to infuse his bloodline with Yuan Power.

For three days, Ji Changkong did not step outside. When hungry, he simply drew dried meat from his Mustard Seed Pouch, focusing intently on the strangeness within his own blood. Alas, he still found no progress.

Next door, Bai Qingya also remained within her room, diligently recovering from her injuries. Through the shared wall, Ji Changkong could sometimes even hear the steady rhythm of her breathing when he quieted his own mind.

...

Three days later, early in the morning.

Knock, knock, knock!

Bai Qingya tapped the wall, then suddenly called out, "Changkong, are you there?"

On the journey to Tianshui City, they had ridden side-by-side and spoken extensively, so she already knew his name.

"Yes."

Ji Changkong replied through the wall.

"Thank you for the spirit medicine; my injuries have improved significantly. You must have been bored these past three days? Come on, I'll take you out to look around. Tianshui City has many interesting places—since it’s your first time here, you should see them!" Bai Qingya said with a light laugh.

"Alright!" he answered. Ji Changkong washed his face and waited outside his door.

A little while later, Bai Qingya emerged wearing a new dress. Her complexion was no longer pale but instead radiant, glowing with vitality. Smiling sweetly, she walked shoulder-to-shoulder with Ji Changkong out of the inn and onto the bustling streets of Tianshui City.

...

"Oh, it looks very lively over there!"

After walking for a bit, Ji Changkong suddenly gasped. He sensed intense Yuan Power fluctuations emanating from a mansion with a considerable footprint ahead. Many young and middle-aged Tianshi were crowding inside, seemingly drawn by something interesting to witness. The guards stationed at the mansion gates greeted everyone with smiles, allowing them to enter freely without raising a hand to stop them.

"It's even livelier inside!" Bai Qingya replied with a charming smile, her slender waist swaying gracefully as she walked directly toward the entrance.

The two guards at the gate brightened even more upon seeing the beautiful woman approach and quickly bowed low, courteously inviting Bai Qingya in.

Ji Changkong paused, then followed, curiosity piqued.

The moment he stepped inside the compound, a deafening sound of impact immediately reached his ears!

Ahead lay a massive training ground, surrounded by various weapons, iron discs the size of millstones, and stone pillars several times thicker than a man...

Viewing stands had been erected around the periphery of the training ground, occupied by powerful Tianshi dressed in luxurious attire, their forms radiating strong Yuan Power fluctuations.

In the center of the training ground, the young and middle-aged Tianshi who had entered were being tested by specialized personnel—some were required to bend and lift iron discs or the thick stone pillars, while others used their internal Yuan Power to shatter fist-sized stones. After these initial trials, those tested were directed to designated combat arenas to spar.

The powerful Tianshi seated in the surrounding stands watched the duels in the arenas with rapt attention, occasionally conversing in low tones.

Some shook their heads and sighed without taking action, while others’ eyes gleamed, and they quietly gave instructions to the people beside them. Consequently, some individuals descended from the stands, and upon the conclusion of a match in the arena, they would approach the sparring Tianshi, exchange smiles, and begin discussing terms.

The compound was noisy. Before Ji Changkong could figure out what was happening, an old man in dark green robes in front of him snapped impatiently, "Hey, kid, don't block the way! Register your name, state your Tianshi rank, and then proceed to the front for testing!"

"I've already registered for him. Bai Hui, Third-Tier Celestial Realm." Bai Qingya suddenly appeared from behind the old man, saying with a cheerful smile.

"Ah, someone brought by Miss Bai. Hmph, send him directly to the front to test his Yuan Power Object Manipulation and Yuan Power Solidification." The old man smiled and waved Ji Changkong forward quickly.

"Come, I’ll show you around here. Just follow my lead," Bai Qingya said, pulling his sleeve while Ji Changkong wore a bewildered expression. She led him toward a circular platform laden with stones of varying sizes and called out to a rather plain-looking woman, "Sister Li, note this down: Bai Hui, Third-Tier Celestial Realm."

"Oh my, someone Qingya brought! And such a handsome young man, Third-Tier Celestial Realm—not bad, not bad." Tan Li pointed to the smallest stone on the platform and said to Ji Changkong with a smile, "From three zhang away, first try moving this stone with your Yuan Power. Afterward, try a slightly bigger one."

"Little Hui, give it a go, just treat it like play," Bai Qingya encouraged with a smile beside him when she saw Ji Changkong hesitate.

Although he didn't know the purpose of this ordeal, since Bai Qingya was familiar with the place and he had saved her life, she surely wouldn't harm him. Moreover, the name used for testing was an alias, so there shouldn't be any issue.

After a moment’s thought, Ji Changkong hesitated no longer. He stilled his mind, raised his hand, and made a summoning gesture. The fist-sized stone in front of him lifted effortlessly. As Ji Changkong manipulated his Yuan Power, the stone danced rapidly.

"Alright, alright!"

Tan Li laughed and stopped him. Seeing that Ji Changkong was no longer spinning the stone wildly through the air, she quickly pointed to a basin-sized rock on the platform. "Try this one. You just need to lift it three zhang high with your Yuan Power; no need for flashy moves. You, young man, seem to have very deep Yuan Power reserves!"

Whoosh!

Before she could finish speaking, the basin-sized stone flew up as Ji Changkong raised his hand. After reaching three zhang high, the stone settled steadily back onto the platform.

"Uh..." Tan Li looked slightly surprised, casting a wry glance at Bai Qingya as if seeking her opinion.

Huh?

A soft exclamation came from a nearby viewing stand. An elderly Tianshi in black, who had only glanced over casually, did not immediately withdraw his gaze. Instead, his pupils contracted as he focused intently on Ji Changkong.

Just then, the millstone-sized Yuan Stone used for testing Object Manipulation was already being lifted by Ji Changkong's Yuan Power, rolling rapidly ten zhang above them.

This Yuan Stone was the largest and heaviest on the entire platform!

Tan Li, who hadn't finished her sentence, stared dumbfounded, looking up at the huge stone disk spinning rapidly overhead, then back at the calm and composed Ji Changkong. Her brow lifted, and she suddenly glared at Bai Qingya, "Qingya, are you deliberately bringing someone from the Fourth-Tier Celestial Realm to mess with me because you think I have too much free time?"

...

P: This chapter was originally given to a friend for a midnight release, but he must have forgotten. I woke up early and had to post it myself, so it’s quite late. Please forgive me.

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