The tenets of the Auro Religion were strikingly palatable; it shunned talk of the afterlife and cared nothing for ethereal deities, instead urging adherents only to focus on themselves, satisfying their desires without regard for worldly judgment. It was an utterly selfish sect! It advocated for indulgence and debauchery; whatever the heart yearned for, be it good or ill, one was permitted to pursue it. It taught people to live for themselves, that they could commit wickedness for their own private gratification, so long as they found happiness and ease. Everyone harbors selfish desires, and for the common folk, the Auro Religion’s doctrine was all too easy to accept. Whether rich or poor, trusting in the Auro Religion meant finding a reasonable excuse to satisfy one's desires, making their actions all the more arbitrary. In Ji Changkong's view, labeling the Auro Religion a cult was hardly an overstatement. However, this doctrine of complete self-interest wasn't entirely without merit; it was just excessively extreme. Once he grasped the true essence of the Auro Religion's teachings through Muluo’s instruction, he lost all interest in their other trivial dogmas. Later, when Muluo continued to elaborate, Ji Changkong merely listened in passing, no longer applying his focus.

After leaving the Auro Religion's locale, they journeyed eastward, their destination naturally the Central Lands.

Five days later, a towering, ancient city appeared in the distance. This old city, situated in the desert, was constructed entirely of ochre-colored stone and packed sand.

At first glance, the place was teeming with people, a constant flow of traffic—bustling and vibrant.

“What city is that ahead?” Ji Changkong asked, standing far outside the gates, watching the West Region natives lead their Can Chi beasts in and out.

“It is Riyuocheng, the Sun City, of the Moluo Heavenly Kingdom, also known as the City of the Sun. It is the hub of the numerous small nations of our West Region and the center of commerce,” Ayiguli introduced proudly. “Riyuocheng is larger than any city in your Central Lands. You can find every commodity in the world here: the silks and teas of the Central Lands, the precious pearls and sweet spring water of the East Sea, the furs and jade of the Southern Barbarians, and the bone artifacts of the Northern Savages. Riyuocheng has it all.”

“Weren’t we supposed to return straight to the Central Lands? How did we end up in Riyuocheng?” Ji Changkong frowned, looking at Muluo with suspicion, and asked sternly, “Muluo, the royal family of the Moluo Heavenly Kingdom is backed by the Manichaean Cult. Their ability to become the foremost power in the West Region is due to the Manichaean Cult’s covert assistance. Are you leading us to Riyuocheng instead of back to the Central Lands because you have ulterior motives?”

Muluo immediately knelt down, shouting, “My Sect Master, forgive me! There are many paths back to the Central Lands from the Central Temple; this is simply the most commonly used one. Although Riyuocheng is guarded by the Moluo Heavenly Kingdom, Riyue Valley does not prohibit entry to foreigners. In fact, Riyuocheng is more like a convergence point for many nations. We have devout followers of the Auro Religion here, and there will be no issue for us traveling to the Central Lands from here. Please do not worry, Sect Master.”

“Muluo, don’t play games!” Li Hentian, who had been trailing behind, suddenly stepped forward, his indifferent eyes fixing on Muluo.

Muluo’s face shifted slightly where he knelt. After a moment of hesitation, he looked up at Ji Changkong and said, “Sect Master, I did have reasons for choosing this route. The position of the Auro Religion’s Sect Master has been vacant for many years, and many of our faithful have always held a hope that we might have another leader.”

“Riyuocheng is the heart of our West Region, and it houses the largest branch center of our Auro Religion. Followers scattered throughout the West Region can exchange news there. Before we arrived, we spread the word about the emergence of a new Sect Master, gathering the believers here to await the chance to gaze upon their true appearance.”

“Sect Master, our Auro Religion has been dormant for too long. We need a grand assembly at this juncture. You don’t need to do anything; simply demonstrate the power of the Tianyuan Pearl so they know you have truly accepted the profound inheritance of the Holy Land.”

“Your appearance will greatly boost the confidence of these followers. These warriors of the faith will become your most devout disciples; they will sweep across the four directions under your banner, spreading the glory of the Auro Religion throughout the world.”

Muluo pressed his forehead to the ground beneath Ji Changkong’s feet, explaining softly. Ayiguli and the three Taghan brothers also knelt before him, remaining silent but clearly pleading with their posture.

Seeing these five adopt such a stance, although Ji Changkong’s expression remained grim, he reluctantly acquiesced, saying sternly, “In the future, communicate such matters with me beforehand. Do not act presumptuously again.” After a pause, Ji Changkong snorted, “I am not unreasonable. If you had informed me beforehand, I would have come anyway.”

Having been intensely scrutinized by Li Hentian and Tuobalie, he indeed harbored the thought of bringing this group of fervent followers under his control. Meeting the important figures of the Auro Religion scattered across the West Region in Riyuocheng would benefit him; he would not resist.

“I will certainly be mindful in the future; I dare not act on my own initiative again,” Muluo replied respectfully.

“Enough, let’s enter the city,” Ji Changkong said coldly. He soon witnessed the influence of the Auro Religion in the West Region. Covering their faces with veils, they entered Riyuocheng directly under Muluo's guidance, without undergoing any inspections. Behind them, every Western Region native, regardless of origin, was first stopped and checked to ensure their identities were not too sensitive before being allowed entry.

“One of the generals guarding the city is one of ours from the Auro Religion. He issued us special passes. As long as it is not during the most stringent periods, we can enter and leave Riyuocheng without any inspection while holding these passes,” Ayiguli casually explained after entering the city.

Riyuocheng was truly immense. The city's pathways were intricate and complex, giving Ji Changkong the illusion of entering a dense forest. The roads were filled with people of every race coming and going: West Region natives, Central Landers, Northern Savages, Southern Barbarians, East Sea people—individuals wearing markedly different clothing crisscrossed the streets of Riyuocheng, coexisting peacefully.

Squads of Moluo Heavenly Kingdom soldiers, riding their Can Chi and brandishing curved sabers, patrolled the narrow paths, maintaining the peace. As soon as they heard any sounds of argument or fighting, they would rush over to intervene.

Riyuocheng was a city of great tolerance, perhaps due to the disposition of the West Region people. They did not mind people from other regions or nations visiting; on the contrary, they welcomed travelers from everywhere. Even those from the Tianwu Kingdom, with whom they were constantly warring, could come to Riyuocheng during periods when there was no active conflict.

After entering Riyuocheng, Muluo remained silent, appearing preoccupied. The three Taghan brothers were like stone statues, never uttering a word. Only Ayiguli, noticing Ji Changkong’s curiosity, lowered her voice to explain the situation in Riyuocheng to him.

Although Riyuocheng was extremely prosperous, Ayiguli, Muluo, and the others had no inclination to sightsee. They had their objective, weaving through the complex network of paths directly toward the Auro Religion’s local stronghold.

Like Muluo and his group, Ji Changkong and Li Hentian also adapted to local customs, each covering their faces with gauze so outsiders could not discern their features. Li Hentian and Tuobalie cautiously surveyed their surroundings, occasionally exchanging quiet opinions. The two sisters, Yi Jia and Yi Rou, appeared fascinated, chattering softly and continuously along the way, their silver-bell laughter echoing.

“You two should speak less in the Central Land dialect. You are Central Landers, and people designated by the Children of Darkness. If he finds out about you, it will bring us a lot of unnecessary trouble!” Ayiguli glanced at Yi Jia and Yi Rou, saying coldly, “In Riyuocheng, the influence of the Manichaean Cult is beyond your imagination. If you don't want to be captured again, you had better behave.”

“Hmph, mind your own business!” Yi Jia lifted her chin, indignant. Being lectured by this woman for no reason made Yi Jia extremely unhappy. For some reason, she always found Ayiguli unsettling, thinking the woman was strange and a bit abnormal.

“Sister, let’s speak more quietly. If the Manichaean Cult finds out, it will be truly dangerous,” Yi Rou was more worried and tugged gently at Yi Jia’s sleeve, timidly.

“Don’t worry, nothing will happen,” Yi Jia comforted Yi Rou, then turned to Ayiguli with a look of provocation, deliberately taunting, “Aren’t you known as the Flower of the Moon? You should be the one talking less. In the West Region, even if you hide your face, your voice and eyes might easily attract the attention of the Manichaean Cult, right?”

Ayiguli seemed unwilling to engage with Yi Jia, ignoring her provocation and turning away.

After walking for two hours, in the midst of the busiest and most prosperous commercial street, Ayiguli and Muluo slowed their steps and walked directly toward the largest and widest shop on the street. Their actions puzzled Ji Changkong, who followed them in with growing suspicion.

It was a general store selling all sorts of miscellaneous goods—clothes, tea, food, jewelry, books—all haphazardly arranged across more than a dozen rooms inside and out.

Muluo and Ayiguli proceeded directly to the innermost area, where wooden signs in various dialects—Central Land, Southern Barbarian, West Region—read: “Keep Out.” They ignored the signs and marched straight in.

Several gruff Western Region men looked around with gloomy expressions and anxious vigilance, but upon seeing Ayiguli, their faces immediately lit up with joy, and they bowed low in greeting.

Ayiguli nodded without saying much, leading the group directly inside.

In an elegantly decorated room under heavy guard, numerous colorful garments hung outside. When Muluo’s group entered, these colorful clothes were drawn aside, revealing a dark passage leading straight underground.

Ayiguli, familiar with the way, plunged in first. Muluo, following behind, bowed slightly to the side for Ji Changkong: “Sect Master, please, come inside.”