Chapter 107: Wanren City

Upon hearing this, Lu An could only sigh in resignation. He had advised Xiao Qian several times to leave Lingxiao Pavilion, as being an assassin was too dangerous. However, Xiao Qian, remembering the Pavilion Master's nurturing, did not agree to leave.

Lu An did not press further and accepted the situation.

A few days later, they arrived at Wanren City. A flying boat landed at the city gate, and several figures jumped off, including Lu An and his companions.

After more than five months of travel, they had finally reached this interim stop. The Shui Tian Dharma Assembly would not be held for another month, so they would use a teleportation array and then need just one day to reach the capital.

Therefore, there was no rush. After discussing it, everyone decided to rest in Wanren City before setting off. After such a long journey, everyone was somewhat tired.

Moreover, Wanren City was a famous city for refining weapons in Qi Country, producing about thirty percent of the national military supplies. The current highest-ranking military official in the court, General Zhuang, who commands the national army, also came from the Zhuang family of Wanren City.

Thus, Wanren City's reputation was well-known throughout Qi Country. Not only were military officials familiar with it, but even some scattered cultivators came here hoping to find a suitable weapon.

Lu An and the others walked to the city gate. Each person paid ten low-grade spirit stones to gain entry.

The entire city was under a flight ban, and no one was allowed to fly; otherwise, they would face severe punishment. Years ago, a Core Formation cultivator, relying on his high cultivation, ignored the city guards' warnings and flew within the city. In just a short while, he was subdued by a Nascent Soul cultivator and turned into a blood rain scattered in the air.

Since then, no one dared to break this rule. Additionally, fighting within the city was prohibited, and disputes had to be resolved at the martial arts arena. Anyone discovered fighting by the city guards would also face severe punishment. This ensured a certain level of safety within the city.

Upon entering the city, the group was immediately struck by the grandeur of the place. Tall buildings and a constant flow of people made it clear that Wanren City's level of prosperity far surpassed Yongning City.

The Hall Master seemed to have visited here more than once. Although she marveled at Wanren City's splendor, she did not show the same level of astonishment as the others.

She led them to a shop where a large flag with the character "驿" (post station) was displayed. An old man stood at the door, and upon seeing the Hall Master approach, he smiled and came forward.

"Welcome, senior. Are you here to take the post carriage?"

The Hall Master nodded and asked, "Is it still five low-grade spirit stones per person?"

The old man, seeing they were not newcomers, lost some interest and said confidently, "Yes, that's right. Our store has been around for hundreds of years, so we don't raise prices arbitrarily."

The Hall Master was aware of his little tricks. Newcomers often paid extra. She waved her hand and threw out a small bag of spirit stones, saying, "Eight people."

The old man took the spirit stones, weighed them, and his face was immediately filled with smiles. "Alright, senior, please wait a moment."

He then turned and walked into the back room.

During this interval, the Hall Master explained to Lu An and the others, "Wanren City is vast. If we walk to the inn we're going to, we might not reach it until nightfall."

"These post carriages are very fast, approved by the government, and the price is quite reasonable."

After hearing the Hall Master's explanation, everyone felt their horizons broaden and were filled with a sense of novelty.

Before long, the old man came out with a pitch-black giant horse. The horse stood six or seven feet high, clearly possessing a beastly lineage, much larger than an ordinary horse.

Attached to the horse was an open carriage with eight seats, just enough for everyone.

The driver shouted, and after everyone was seated, he drove the carriage off at a swift pace.

Half an hour later, the carriage arrived beside a building and stopped. Lu An jumped down and looked at the building.

The building had five floors, with a sign that read "Zhongxian Residence."

The first and second floors were for dining and drinking, while the upper floors had guest rooms.

When they arrived, an elderly man stepped forward from a group.

"Fairy Nie, you have finally arrived. We got here yesterday."

"Fortunately, you arrived safely. This way, the people from Yongning City have successfully gathered."

Lu An's heart stirred. The Hall Master's surname was Nie, and this person addressed her as such, suggesting they were of the same generation. They were likely Core Formation cultivators.

Judging by his words, they were probably from Yongning County, possibly related to the Beast Tamers and Spirit Insect people?

He observed the group and saw that most were cultivators of the mid and late Foundation Establishment stage, with only one in the early stage.

This early-stage cultivator, about the same age as Lu An, wore a white robe. At first glance, he appeared to have a fur collar, but upon closer inspection, it was actually a spirit beast of the mink type.

Sensing Lu An's gaze, he turned and nodded slightly at him.

Lu An returned the gesture but felt a strong interest in the spirit beast of the person he just met. Spirit beasts are actually not much different from demon beasts; they just get a new name once captured and tamed by humans. Many spirit beasts have reached the Nascent Soul stage and have transformed into human forms, indistinguishable from ordinary cultivators.

However, despite their common origin, demon beasts do not have a good view of spirit beasts; they even harbor more hatred for them than for humans. To demon beasts, spirit beasts are synonymous with traitors, representing those who have betrayed the demon race.

After the elderly man finished conversing with the Hall Master, everyone proceeded to check in. The Hall Master then provided some instructions and left the remaining time for everyone to arrange as they wished.

Lu An and Xiao Qian returned to their room. After inspecting the room and finding no issues, Lu An set up a barrier to prevent anyone from spying.

Arriving in a new environment, the room's setup had changed significantly. Naturally, the two of them engaged in a deeper conversation. Xiao Qian leaned on Lu An's arm, resting her hand on his chest, and asked, "I see that your true energy is as strong as, if not stronger than, that of someone in the mid Foundation Establishment stage. Why haven't you shown any signs of breakthrough?"

Lu An was slightly stirred. Since reaching the Third Stage, his true energy, physical body, and soul were all top-notch among cultivators of the same level. Although he had never fought against someone in the mid Foundation Establishment stage, he suspected he would be on par with them. Even if he lost, his life would not be in danger.

This was all thanks to the Extreme True Intent's transformation of his body. The white substance now filled his body, accumulating more with the improvement of his cultivation. As a result, his capacity for true energy, as well as his soul and physical body, exceeded that of other early Foundation Establishment cultivators.

With his current total amount of true energy, an average person would have already reached the limit of the early Foundation Establishment stage and be ready to break into the next realm. Yet, he still felt he had not reached the limit and could continue increasing, not even approaching the next bottleneck.

He pondered for a moment and asked uncertainly, "It should be related to the Extreme True Intent. After we've fused for so long, have you noticed any changes in your body?"