"Junior Chen, thanks to your auspicious words. However, Hundred Dragon City prohibits flying. May I ask where your clan members are?" Huo Lie said with a warm, motherly smile as he patted the head of the Fire Flood Dragon beside him.
"White Dragon Guesthouse," Chen Jiuge replied honestly, stowing away his Flying Boat.
"That’s not on my way then, Junior Brother. I suppose we’ll meet another time." Huo Lie clasped his hands and entered the city with his now-shrunken Fire Flood Dragon.
The City of Cultivation was situated atop a misty mountain range, wreathed in clouds and resembling an Immortal Realm. Isolated from the mundane world, it lay hidden within a Barrier, accessible only to those blessed with a destiny for immortality.
The city’s outer walls were constructed from crystal-clear jade that gleamed alluringly. Intricate immortal patterns adorned the walls, narrating the ancient history and mystical legends of the City of Cultivation. Above the city gates, a banner embroidered with the words "Cultivation" fluttered in the wind, inspiring awe in all who beheld it.
Upon entering Hundred Dragon City, one would find buildings arranged in an orderly, predominantly classical style, with blue bricks and black tiles that exuded an air of antiquity. The roadsides were lined with exotic flowers and herbs, their subtle fragrance refreshing the mind and spirit.
At the city’s heart lay a vast square featuring a large Spiritual Spring. Its waters murmured, brimming with endless immortal spiritual power. Surrounding the square were various cultivation-related shops and trading posts where people exchanged cultivation resources and information, creating a vibrant scene of prosperity.
The city’s residents were mostly Cultivators. Any mortals encountered were typically Innate Martial Artists who had pushed past their worldly limits, all seeking a sliver of hope for Cultivation within the Immortal City.
Chen Jiuge rarely visited Hundred Dragon City. The Outer Sect market of the Myriad Beasts Sect usually supplied all his cultivation needs. Only when he was short on Spirit Stones would he come here to sell some refined Spiritual Beasts for extra income.
This visit to meet his clan members was no exception; Chen Jiuge hadn’t wasted the trip. He carried three Spiritual Beast Bags, intending to replenish his Spirit Stone supply.
「Inside the Spiritual Beast Shop.」
Chen Jiuge nonchalantly produced three Spiritual Beast Bags. "Shopkeeper Lin," he said, "these three Black Water Xuan Snakes possess bloodlines with the potential to transform into Flood Dragons, so the price can’t be too low."
"Brother Chen, what are you saying? Am I the kind of person to drive a hard bargain?" Shopkeeper Lin replied, quickly scanning the contents of the Spiritual Beast Bags with his Divine Sense.
After a thorough examination, Shopkeeper Lin nodded in satisfaction. "Brother Chen, the Spiritual Beast Bloodlines of these three Black Water Xuan Snakes are indeed excellent. We’ve been doing business for many years. How about twenty Top Grade Spirit Stones each?"
This price was better than Chen Jiuge’s reserve price, and he agreed without haggling. Black Water Xuan Snakes that would sell for ten Upper Spirit Stones within the Sect could fetch double that price once purified—a truly huge profit. It was just a pity that other cherished Spiritual Beasts had to be acquired using Merits, and exchanging Merits for Spirit Stones wasn’t worthwhile.
After collecting the Spirit Stones, Chen Jiuge wasted no time and headed straight for the White Dragon Guesthouse.
Located in the heart of the city, the White Dragon Guesthouse occupied a considerable area. The plaque bearing the words "White Dragon Guesthouse" hanging from its roof exuded an impressive air at first glance.
Upon entering, one could see various cultivators dining with their younger kin in the main hall, the air filled with the aroma of Spirit Food.
After inquiring about the room number sent by the Third Elder from an attendant at the front desk, Chen Jiuge proceeded directly to the back courtyard.
Looking at the tranquil courtyard before him, Chen Jiuge couldn’t help but marvel at the Third Elder’s wealth. Such a Grotto Heaven dwelling must cost several dozen Upper Spirit Stones a day! Including food and other expenses, the total would surely reach hundreds of Upper Spirit Stones. Truly enviable!
"Third Elder, I’m at the gate. Could you please open the Array?" Chen Jiuge spoke into the Communication Stone.
Soon, an opening appeared in the Array at the courtyard entrance, and Chen Jiuge slipped inside.
Inside the courtyard, the Third Elder was instructing three youngsters in their Cultivation.
"Big Brother!" a cute little girl exclaimed upon seeing Chen Jiuge. She stopped her Cultivation and ran, shouting, into his arms.
"Xiao Yu, it’s been a long time! I can’t believe the little girl you once were has now become a Qi Refining Practitioner," Chen Jiuge said, chuckling as he patted the top of Xiao Yu’s head.
The remaining two, a boy and a girl of about fifteen or sixteen, respectfully greeted Chen Jiuge, "Thirteenth Uncle."
"Mm," Chen Jiuge nodded slightly in acknowledgment. After all, he seldom returned to the clan, and even when he did, he only spent a few days with his parents and younger sister, having little impression of other clan members.
"Third Elder, why did you personally lead the team this time? And why did the clan only send three people for the Sect assessment?" Chen Jiuge asked, somewhat puzzled.
"I came personally because these three youngsters possess extraordinary potential; they are truly the cream of the crop from our clan’s younger generation in recent years," the Third Elder, Chen Wen, explained, shaking his head. "As for why only these three were sent, it’s because the Myriad Beasts Sect’s assessments are growing increasingly difficult. Rather than have other juniors come here merely to become Servant Disciples, it’s better for them to join lesser sects as Outer Disciples. If all else fails, remaining within the clan is also a good option."
"I see, that does make sense," Chen Jiuge replied, finding no issue with the explanation.
"Jiuge, I also wanted you to come and see the potential success of these three youngsters for yourself," Chen Wen said. "Your sister Xiao Yu’s talent and Dao Heart have already been assessed within the clan. Coupled with the Longevity Turtle she fortuitously formed a Contract with, becoming an Outer Disciple should pose no problem."
"Third Elder, you should also introduce these other two to me. I’ve returned to the clan so infrequently these past few years that I barely recognize anyone," Chen Jiuge said helplessly.
"That’s true," Chen Wen said. "This boy is Chen Hua, son of your cousin Chen Ye. His Spirit Root is quite good, considered Upper Grade, and he possesses a natural affinity with beasts. The girl is Chen Zi, daughter of your cousin Chen Shao. Her Spirit Root is only Middle Grade, but her Divine Soul is remarkably strong—about three times that of cultivators at her level."
Is that so? Chen Jiuge didn’t know quite how to respond. He knew his own younger sister’s talent well: an Upper Grade Spirit Root and a Divine Soul twice as strong as cultivators of her rank. Even with such qualifications, combined with her Contract with the naturally nurtured Longevity Turtle, she was only just barely assured entry into the Inner Sect.
After pondering for a moment, Chen Jiuge sighed. "Third Elder, although these conditions offer some hope for entering the Myriad Beasts Sect, there’s still a high probability they’ll only end up as Servant Disciples."
Not waiting for the Third Elder to speak, Chen Jiuge continued, "There’s only one method now: they must contract high-quality Spiritual Beasts. These beasts must possess Spiritual Beast Bloodlines superior to, and Grades higher than, those typically allocated to Outer Disciples."
"The clan previously set up a Great Array in my valley free of charge. Leave this task to me," Chen Jiuge offered.
"Jiuge, I’m leaving this matter in your hands. Here is a bag of Spirit Stones for your expenses," Chen Wen said, producing a Storage Bag.
"Alright, Third Elder, I won’t be polite. This will indeed require a lot of Spirit Stones," Chen Jiuge said, accepting the Spirit Stones.
"We shouldn’t delay. I’ll go handle the Spiritual Beast matter first," Chen Jiuge instructed. "Elder, please also teach the two youngsters some basic Beast Taming Magic Techniques. Crucially, do not teach them the specific Magic Technique used to form a direct Contract with a Lifebound Spirit Beast."
"Alright," Chen Wen nodded.