Whitedrift City (1/2)

When Ji Chen finished his story after coming back to the Transport Roc, everyone turned silent for a moment. The information they got was too much for their minds.

Blood Temple? Sacrifice the whole city? Great emperors fighting head-on? Countless casualties?

The whole ordeal was just too intense for them. At the same time, they were glad that Ji Chen checked the city first.

Long Zhu was also thankful that Ji Chen decided to check it first. Somehow, using the precious talismans in his hands would be hurtful to his heart.

"Master, are you okay? Did you get injured?" Bai Ningshuang minded more about Ji Chen's condition as she circled around him to check his body.

"Ehem. What are you acting up? Your master is strong." Ji Chen stopped his disciple from touching his body in front of other people. Rumor could breed itself from a simple ambiguous action.

It was only after reassuring her thrice that Ji Chen managed to calm her mind.

"The kingdom is becoming restless once again. Demons at the border and these bastard cultists appearing randomly in cities." Veranda Lord Wuji solemnly stared at the darkening horizon. He felt signs of another wave of tragedies coming to the Great North Kingdom.

It was not just him. Even Ji Chen felt the signs of it. He had never experienced the chaos detailed in the records when demons and evil cultivators wreaked havoc and almost toppled the order.

However, there was nothing for them to do but just to prepare for the incoming wave.

"Are we going to stop in the city?"

Ji Chen shook his head. "No need. We'll just add to their burdens. Go straight to the Whitedrift."

Captain Kalis followed his order and the Transport Roc flew over the Twin Gorge City without stopping.

However, Long Zhu and the others could still see the scars of the battle even if the transport just merely passed over.

"What kind of battle occurred yesterday here?" Pavilion Lord Su asked in a sorrowful tone.

"The scent of blood still lingered even up here in the sky."

"Gosh. I can't imagine a battle between dozens of emperors."

Ji Chen only stared silently over the broken houses and buildings. He had done what he could do to decrease the casualties in the city but it would always be inevitable for some collateral deaths to occur.

As they passed over a large canyon after the Twin Gorge City, the earthly scent washed over their bodies, bringing fresh air to their noses.

"What is this canyon called?" Ji Chen asked Captain Kalis who was beside him.

"Northern Canyon."

'Tsk. Are people here can't think of naming places better?'

Ji Chen watched over the barren canyon until their transport arrived over a dense forest. He was not in the mood to cultivate and only wanted to calmly appreciate the surroundings.

"I miss my adventure days."

His mutterings were heard by Long Zhu who came from behind.

"Did you miss our adventures in night paradise of every city we visited?"

Ji Chen sneered at him and replied, "You have the guts to ask me that? It will not be mind-boggling if you have a son or daughter out there."

"We can venture out again if you want, brother."

"You can. I can't, not until the sect stabilizes."

"Without the two of you brothers, my adventure will be bland."

"That's more like it. Let's prioritize our disciples first."

'Your disciple? She's already an emperor yet to treat her more than us poor elders.' Long Zhu thought of it in his mind but was smart enough to not seek some beatings.

Ji Chen just then handed a manual to Long Zhu, stunning the latter for the suddenness of it.

"Handsome Brother Chen, what technique is this?" Long Zhu recovered fast and showed an ingratiating smile.

"Save your tricks. This is a peak-tier earth grade art manual called Mythical Death Stomp Art. It's more suited for body refiners. Study it and do not share it with anyone, even with your disciple."

"What a domineering name!"

Another day passed by and Ji Chen just quietly watched everyone cultivating on their own.

It was exactly noon when Captain Kalis came over and announced their arrival to the Whitedrift City in an hour.

"Finally."

Captain Kalis informed the others as one by one, they stopped cultivating and looked excitedly at their destination.

A first-rate city!

For the disciples on the transport, this would be their first time to come visit this city. Even the elder accompanying Pavilion Lord Su was the same.

Ji Chen could understand how the elder who was older than him was unable to visit the Whitedrift City even once.

Many cultivators only stayed in their localities. Sometimes, they would visit the surrounding cities. As for traversing the whole Northern Prefecture, it was wise to say that only a great emperor would be safe.

The Frozen Plateau City and Whitedrift City were on extreme opposites of Northern Prefecture, one at the border to the Grand North Mountain Range and the other at the border to the Central Prefecture. Going from one to another would mean traversing the whole Northern Prefecture.

As everyone was watching the horizon, the topography of the ground below them had already changed to flat plains with endless grassland suitable for some docile beasts.

Slowly, black dots appeared on the horizon until they saw figures a hundred meters from the ground and all of them were wearing a set of armors.

"Respected guests, flying is prohibited from this point onwards."

A voice full of humbleness and respect reached through their ears.

Captain Kalis turned around and saw Ji Chen nodding at him.

The Transport Roc slowly descended a few meters away from the ground.

The group disembarked and Captain Kalis took out the Transport Roc back to his storage ring.

Sensing that Ji Chen was emitting the aura of a great emperor, the guards became more respectful. The group before them must have reputations and fame in another city specially that all of them were at least archmages.

The owner of the voice earlier stepped forward and explained, "Due to recent incidents, the authorities ordered a strict no-fly zone five miles ahead of the Whitedrift City. Respected guests, may I know your intention in visiting the city?"

"We're here for the Saint Star Competition." Captain Kalis was the one who answered while pointing at the eight representatives of the Frozen Plateau City. At the same time, his other hand handed a letter to the leader of the guards.

The guards immediately understood and after confirming through the letter, they let Ji Chen and his group pass.

"Leader, you are saying that they are from a third-rate city but why is a great emperor accompanying them?"

"Don't ask many questions. He must be an old reclusive expert that hails from that city and decided to guard it after settling down."

"They have five belles as representatives. What kind of heavenly place is their city? I must visit it at least once to appreciate beauties."

If Ji Chen knew he was called like that, he would likely buy a Bone Age Crystal, test himself, and shove the result to their faces.

Unfortunately, he was busy conversing with others as they stared in awe at the magnificent city gates standing in front of them.