Chapter 136: Tianyuan City

The massive Azure Dragon Beast had been flying through the air for two days already. Li Sibai had not been wasting his time, constantly cultivating on the back of the Azure Dragon Beast.

Although lacking the blessing of the Primordial Spirit Pearl prevented any rapid breakthroughs in his cultivation realm, the continuous refinement of his inner qi still helped him greatly consolidate his foundation. With his cultivation at the second layer of the Lute Heart Realm steadily solidifying, Li Sibai felt increasingly grounded.

As for the other techniques within the Primordial Manual, practicing them atop the Azure Dragon Beast was inconvenient, but Li Sibai kept rehearsing the moves in his mind, finding himself more and more astonished the more he practiced.

When he had first mastered the final six forms of the Profound Heaven Sword Technique, he had thought that set of swordplay was infinitely varied and truly remarkable.

Yet, after studying the sword techniques contained within the Primordial Manual, he encountered an entirely different style and realm. The Primordial Manual's swordplay emphasized simplicity, the Great Dao, and reducing the complex to the simple, pointing directly to the very essence of swordsmanship. Each movement and stance appeared simple on the surface, yet they embodied the creator's unique comprehension of the sword, moving onlookers to spontaneous praise.

Similarly, the fist techniques of the Primordial Manual shared the same philosophy of the Great Dao being simple, with every punch and kick radiating a profound and unadorned aesthetic. Although Li Sibai had only rehearsed them in his mind without practical execution, he was already deeply intoxicated by them, itching for a chance to stop and practice them immediately.

Yao Xueqing was not idling either. Though Li Sibai did not know why she was in such a hurried rush to return this time—nor did he deliberately pry—she maintained an uninterrupted cultivation regimen on the Azure Dragon Beast. Aside from eating, Yao Xueqing poured all her energy into cultivation, even replacing sleep with meditative practice. Uncle Zhong, the man responsible for piloting the Azure Dragon Beast, would also occasionally offer her pointers.

From their sparse conversations, Li Sibai learned that although this Uncle Zhong was referred to as a steward, his strength was by no means weak. Not only could Li Sibai failing to gauge his cultivation level, but Uncle Zhong was also reluctant to speak much about it, leading Li Sibai to deduce that he was likely an expert of the Ascending Cloud Realm, which made Li Sibai look at both him and Yao Xueqing with newfound respect.

If the steward of a clan was an expert of the Ascending Cloud Realm, just how powerful must her father be?

From what Yao Xueqing had let slip, her father was the head of the family, and her hurried return was precisely due to a summons from him.

Before long, by the afternoon of the third day, the Azure Dragon Beast under Uncle Zhong's control began to descend, dropping from above the clouds to beneath them.

Sensing the change, both Li Sibai and Yao Xueqing ceased their cultivation. Constant cultivation had both advantages and disadvantages; appropriate relaxation could better balance the body and mind, as alternating tension and relaxation was the true path of cultivation.

Looking down, the rolling mountain ranges below had vanished, replaced by an endless expanse of plains, and not far ahead, a massive city sprang into view.

Li Sibai had never laid eyes on such a colossal city before, and his jaw dropped in awe. After all, this was his first time traveling far from home.

As the Azure Dragon Beast flew lower and lower, Li Sibai could see the city below with increasing clarity, and his excitement grew by the minute.

The Azure Dragon Beast finally landed on a vacant plot of land near the western city gate. This area had been specially designated for flying beasts; letting them fly freely within the city posed certain hidden risks and could easily cause unnecessary panic, so such a zone was established outside the walls to facilitate their takeoff and landing.

Even though Yao Xueqing's family was a prominent clan locally, out of respect for the common populace, they generally refrained from flying directly into the city.

Li Sibai and Yao Xueqing dismounted the Azure Dragon Beast, and after waiting for Uncle Zhong to hand the beast over to the personnel specifically tasked with tending to flying mounts, the trio walked toward the western city gate.

The journey was not long—about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense—and soon they arrived at the western portal.

Viewed up close, the city gate was imposing and towering, constructed entirely of thick, sturdy stones, flanked by a wide moat outside. A drawbridge was lowered from a considerable distance to allow travelers to cross.

A continuous stream of people marched toward the gate, forming orderly queues as they awaited entry.

A squad of guards stood watch at the entrance, collecting fees from those wishing to enter the city.

Uncle Zhong led them forward, pulling a jade token from his pocket and flashing it. Upon seeing the token, the lead guard immediately bowed and scraped, hurriedly waving his subordinates aside to grant them passage.

Having previously heard a rough account of Yao Xueqing's family background, Li Sibai could not help but sigh in admiration at the sight: "As expected of the Tianyuan Yao Family!"

Hearing this, Yao Xueqing remained nonchalant: "Junior Brother Li, it is just entering a city gate. This bit of privilege we still possess. Come, follow me back."

A wave of apprehension rippled through Li Sibai upon hearing those words. His original purpose in coming out was to search for the Primordial Spirit Pearl; since Yao Xueqing had pressing family matters and had brought him along all the way here, he was already immensely satisfied.

Now that Yao Xueqing was even inviting him to stay at her residence, Li Sibai felt rather embarrassed.

Noticing his hesitation, Steward Zhong spoke up from the side: "Young Hero Li, you need not decline further. Since you are the young miss's junior brother, it is only natural for the Yao Family to play the gracious host upon your arrival."

He had been entrusted by the master to go and bring the young miss back. The young miss had mentioned bringing a junior brother along to broaden his horizons. Though the young miss might be pressed for time, sparing a moment to look after this young hero was a matter of no consequence at all.

Seeing their insistence, Li Sibai dropped his refusals. The carriage waiting by the gate had been dispatched upon receiving notice to pick up the young miss, and the group boarded the vehicle, hastening toward the Yao estate.

Tianyuan City was truly vast. As evening approached, Li Sibai gazed out from the carriage window at the ceaseless crowds and the bustling vendors on both sides of the street, astonishment welling up within his heart.

Observing Li Sibai's expression, Yao Xueqing shed her previous solemnity; though they were nearing home, she could not help but chuckle.

"Xiaobai, is this your first time traveling far from home?" Yao Xueqing asked.

Li Sibai nodded and replied, "Yes, Senior Sister. The furthest I had ever traveled before was Yuzhu Peak with all of you last time. This is my first time visiting a city of this scale; it is truly enormous."

Yao Xueqing smiled and explained that Tianyuan City was the major city closest to Mount Kunlun. Surrounded entirely by mountains with only this pocket of flat terrain, it had gathered a massive population, giving birth to its present prosperity.

It was named Tianyuan City because Mount Kunlun was closest to the heavens, and this location served as the mandatory thoroughfare for traveling thither, hence the name Tianyuan (Origin of the Heavens).

Furthermore, various major sects and academies established outposts here, turning the city into a central hub for trading cultivation resources and disseminating intelligence. As time passed, commerce flourished, people settled down in peace and contentment, and the city continuously expanded in scale.