CHAPTER 600: CHAPTER 143: HALF-STEP HEAVENLY DAO, GREAT POWER GOLDEN BOAT

"It seems that this ancient city is somehow connected to our Pangu Great Thousand World!" As he observed the complicated Pre-Qin ancient seal scripts on the plaques of each ancient building, Yin Xi remarked with a sigh.

Li Qingming raised an eyebrow and said meaningfully, "Perhaps that Great Power at the Half-step Heavenly Dao level knows something!"

"Master, what now? Are you thinking of... kidnapping?" Yang Jian, who was hanging close behind Li Qingming, brightened his eyes and leaned in to ask.

Long Xuhu suddenly slapped his massive hand and shouted, "That’s a great idea, Erlang!"

Li Qingming, after hearing his two jokers’ conversation, had a head full of black lines. He fiercely gave each of them a slap on the head and cursed, "Kidnap? Kidnap my ass! First off, not to mention whether we could even meet him, just his Half-step Heavenly Dao level Cultivation itself is not to be trifled with! If you want to kidnap, you and my junior go ahead. If you manage it, I’ll credit you both with the merit!"

Rubbing the back of their heads with a sense of grievance, Long Xuhu and Yang Jian exchanged glances, on the verge of tears.

"Squeak!"

Right at this moment, the ancient buildings on both sides of the street began to open from the inside out. People of all ages, men and women, dressed in either cross-collared long robes or hemp garments, walked out from the ancient buildings, looking as if they’d just woken up, their expressions hazy and their demeanors languid.

Gradually, the main street became bustling as more and more people emerged from the alleys within the city, some with carrying poles on their shoulders and others with packages in their hands, spreading out pieces of silk cloth on the street to begin displaying items for sale.

Children, too, ran out from shops or alleys on both sides of the road, curiously sizing up the procession of over a thousand individuals.

Seeing this scene, the young elites from various Central Heaven Worlds seemed to find it normal, with some even greeting the vendors or passersby on the street to engage in conversation.

Just then, beside Li Qingming and the others, a gray-clothed old man stumbled out of a small building bearing the sign "He Ji Tavern," rubbing his eyes and muttering under his breath, "How many Calamities have passed? Sigh, what a heavy sleep that was..."

Hearing this, the already perplexed crowd became unsettled.

The previously despondent Long Xuhu suddenly jumped up, agitatedly rubbing the dragon horns on his head and poking Man Niu’s waist, saying, "Hey, Brother Man Niu... what’s going on with this ancient city? Why are there still people here?"

Man Niu glanced over the bustling crowd and responded, "These ancient cities are not devoid of living beings; these are the local inhabitants. Just like in the Cold Star Origin World, when it falls into Turtle Breath, the ancient city along with its residents awakens. And the reverse is true too!"

"So that’s how it is!" The crowd finally came to an understanding, but they became even more curious about this mysterious phenomenon of Turtle Breath.

Li Qingming stroked his chin, his eyes shimmering with Divine Light, and he discovered that these so-called locals of the ancient city all possessed noteworthy Cultivation. Consider, for example, the grey-clothed old man by the tavern beside them, who had the Cultivation of a Daluo Golden Immortal. Even the little kids running around on the nearby streets were all Heavenly Immortals without exception!

Holy crap, five-year-old Heavenly Immortals! If this were in the Pangu Great Thousand World, that would be monstrously extraordinary! All the major powers would go crazy trying to acquire them. But here in this ancient city, they roamed around in droves, attracting no particular attention.

The crowd continued along the street paved with azure stone slabs, with the ancient city gradually coming to life, buzzing with the clamor it had before the Turtle Breath.

The local vendors along the streets, holding various items, kept hawking their wares, and the taverns, weapon shops, and grocery stores were all busy soliciting these incomers, not even afraid of Cultivators with beast heads and still showing their enthusiastic demeanors.

"Come take a look! Authentic Black Gold Star Iron, prime material for weapon forging and Spiritual Treasure tempering, indeed a rare refining material not to be missed!"

"Dear customer, it’s the grand opening of our shop today, with new dishes such as Golden Camel Hump, Emerald Vine Phoenix Claws, Braised Azure Dragon Tail... etcetera, all at 30% off!"

An array of refining materials, Spirit Pills, and Spiritual Treasures, the mixed yet clear cries of vendors... All of this rendered people speechless.

"How come I feel like I’m back in a Human Clan City in Huaxia Land! And these items, could they really be genuine?" Li Qingquan mumbled to himself, casually exchanging a nine-thousand-year-old Flat Peach for a delicately crafted bear-shaped ornament from a small stall, holding it in his hands to admire.

Li Qingming smiled and assumed that these hawking locals were selling all fakes, mere semblances without substance.

"Holy shit, it’s actually a Postnatal Spiritual Treasure, the Soul-locking Seal!" Suddenly, Li Qingquan holding the bear-shaped ornament shouted out loud, drawing the attention of everyone.

Li Qingming, hearing the shout, snatched the ornament from Li Qingquan’s hands and immediately sent his Primordial Spirit into it.

"Whoosh!"

A white light flashed, and a white bear three zhang long and one zhang tall appeared before the crowd. Although this creature only had the Cultivation of a Daluo Golden Immortal, its obedient expression seemed to tell everyone that it was entirely under the control of Li Qingming.

"How is it, Big Brother?" Li Qingquan looked towards Li Qingming.

Li Qingming nodded, saying, "I didn’t expect the locals here to actually sell genuine treasures! Xiao Er, this item can indeed be confirmed as a genuine Acquired Spirit Treasure, and its quality is quite good!"

Having said that, Li Qingming gestured for Li Qingquan to reach out and touch the white bear.

Li Qingquan understood and tentatively stretched his hand towards the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm white bear.

"Hur-hur!" The white bear looked at Li Qingming with a docile expression. Seeing Li Qingming’s imperceptible nod, it immediately lay down, allowing Li Qingquan to stroke it and even making comfortable purring sounds.

Everyone exchanged glances, finding the situation quite eerie. This was damn disappointing! Since when had Acquired Spirit Treasures become so worthless, a decent Spiritual Treasure, yet sold for a cabbage price!

Li Qingming seemed to know what everyone was thinking and smiled, "Perhaps these items are of no use to the locals in the city. Only those that can enhance one’s cultivation are valued by them."

At this, the thoughts of the crowd came alive, and everyone, holding the idea of purchasing an Innate Spiritual Treasure, began to wander the streets.

As time went by, the group gradually reached the very center of the ancient city, and everyone had made some gains. Those who were lucky even obtained a top-tier Acquired Treasure.

The center of the ancient city was a small plaza, no more than twenty-odd zhang in diameter, entirely paved with lustrous jade. At the center of the plaza stood a tall stone platform, upon which a vague human figure appeared, silent and still.

Li Qingming was certain from the aura that this figure was the same Great Power that had previously exerted pressure.

About half an hour later, the fifteen hundred people who had entered the city together had all assembled in front of the small plaza.

On the high platform, the vague figure seemed to stir. He swept his gaze across the surroundings, and suddenly, a dazzling golden light burst forth from his body, overpowering everyone present.

Then, an aged yet valiant voice rang out: "I am the City Lord of Han Yuan City, Jin Zhou Taoist, and the sole owner of all the cities thereafter. I have two things to say. First, although I have left numerous Secret Treasures on the road ahead, not everyone will be able to obtain them. Soon, I will send you into a Beast Fighting Arena. Those who survive will be eligible for the many Secret Treasures I have left behind. Second, any acts of violence within the city are strictly prohibited. Offenders will be executed without mercy! Cold Origin Guards, come out!"

"Crack!" "Crack!" ...

As soon as the aged voice faded, a golden mist suddenly rose from the plaza, and the sound of marching footsteps resonated around. A troop of soldiers clad in metal armor stepped out from amidst the golden fog, formidable hands wielding war spears and swords with a chilling aura, almost suffocating.

"These are the Cold Origin Guards, responsible for protecting the city. They will determine on their own who in the city should be expelled or annihilated! Do not attempt to challenge my authority!" The golden figure shouted again and vanished without a trace.

Everyone had expected a more detailed explanation, like an introduction to a game’s simple operations. However, the figure merely said a few inconsequential words before unleashing so many Cold Origin Guards, under the guise of maintaining order. For a moment, the plaza was astir once more.

"When will the battle in the Beast Fighting Arena begin, City Lord Jin Zhou?" someone called out loudly.

The figure was gone, but a vague voice responded: "In nine days!"

"What if someone provokes us or even attacks us during this period?" another person asked.

"Defend! If you are capable, you may slay the enemy aggressor! The Cold Origin Guards will take care of the rest!" The voice’s tone was becoming increasingly impatient.

Everyone fell silent, no longer asking further questions, lest they incur the so-called City Lord Jin Zhou’s displeasure.

The vast crowd eventually dispersed, either continuing to wander around or finding places to sit down.

After the golden figure disappeared, the twenty Cold Origin Guards also dispersed, split into two groups.

One group of ten went up to the ancient city walls to guard the gates of the Cold Origin Ancient City. The other ten split into five pairs and patrolled through the whole ancient city in pairs.

Li Qingming led a large group of people back to the "He Ji Tavern," giving a few Eight-Transformation Golden Pills to the grey-clothed old man and renting a private courtyard, planning to spend these nine days peacefully before going to see the Beast Fighting Arena.

Time flew by, and these days were quite peaceful for everyone, but on the fifth day, startling news came from the north of the city.

It was said that the Desert King, Huntian, had emerged out of thin air, bringing some followers and using his overpowering force to break through the blockade of the Cold Origin Guards and barged in. The City Lord Jin Zhou did not punish him in the slightest, showing an indulgent attitude that seemed to spoil him. (To be continued. If you like this work, please come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes, monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)