Chapter Sixty-Nine: The Bustling City

As the surrounding runes faded away, everyone could finally see the scene before them. It was a hall of ancient bronze, exuding an aura of antiquity and simplicity, just like the entire colossal city. The hall was austere, devoid of superfluous ornamentation, supported solely by four massive bronze columns entwined with dragon motifs.

At the center of the hall stood a single figure clad in azure-gold battle armor, even his head fully covered, only a pair of eyes visible through the helmet. Those pupils resembled those of a beast, glowing with a chilling blue light, radiating a strange, compelling power.

Upon seeing their arrival, the armored figure stepped forward, his armor clanging with every movement.

“Lord Wen has gone to attend the Celestial Pass Council, so I’ve been sent to receive you,” he announced in a muffled, deep voice as he approached.

The “Lord Wen” he referred to was the commander of the Tianqin faction’s garrison stationed here.

“Very well. Please take us to our quarters,” Zhou Yan replied. Tall and slender, he possessed an indefinable aura. As the second prince, he held the highest status among this group.

The armored warrior said nothing further, simply turning to lead the way. The others followed in silence.

Exiting the grand hall, Zhou Tian noticed that the surroundings were filled with palatial structures akin to the one behind them. Most, however, stood empty. Perhaps in ancient times these halls had resounded with life, but now they seemed somewhat desolate.

They followed the armored warrior through several twists and turns amid the palace complex, walking for about a quarter of an hour before finally arriving at their lodging—a manor-like residence. Two guards stood at the entrance, clad entirely in obsidian-black armor, each holding a silver spear, their presence exuding a formidable aura.

Even as the armored warrior approached, the guards made no gesture of respect, standing as motionless as statues of metal.

“This will be your residence. I’ll take my leave now. Lord Wen will come to see you later,” the armored man announced at the door, making no move to enter. Once Zhou Yan nodded in acknowledgment, he turned and departed.

The group entered the manor.

“It truly is as spartan as it gets…” Zhou Zui remarked, looking at the rows of rooms.

“These palaces were built for war, not for comfort or luxury,” Zhou Yan explained.

Everyone then chose their rooms. Zhou Yan and the others instructed Zhou Tian and his companions not to wander off, before leaving mysteriously for destinations unknown.

The rooms were as plain as the rest: apart from a bed, there was only a table.

Zhou Tian had barely sat on the bed for two minutes when there was a knock at the door. Zhou Zui cautiously stepped inside.

“Zhou Tian, come on, let’s go explore,” Zhou Zui suggested.

Lying on the bed, Zhou Tian found it surprisingly comfortable despite being wooden; it left him feeling refreshed rather than sore. Hearing Zhou Zui, he rolled over lazily and replied,

“No, go find someone else. I want to sleep!”

“Don’t you want to explore this magnificent city at all?” Zhou Zui pressed.

“You just want to find a brothel again, and it’s not like you can actually do anything there. What’s the point? Just stay put, Mr. Virgin,” Zhou Tian quipped, seeing right through him. He had a girlfriend and had no interest in such places.

“You—” Zhou Zui was momentarily speechless, but then his eyes lit up with an idea. He said,

“So you want to wait until Lady Tianling arrives in a few days, and then have no idea where to take her sightseeing?”

“…”

Zhou Tian got up, straightened his clothes, and said earnestly,

“Let’s go, quickly.”

Zhou Zui looked at him, exasperated—the classic case of a man forgetting his friends for a woman.

Gesturing for Zhou Tian to keep quiet, Zhou Zui quietly opened the door, checked the other rooms for any signs of movement, and beckoned Zhou Tian to follow.

“Why are you being so sneaky?” Zhou Tian asked as they left the manor. Wasn’t this like being a thief, just to go for a walk?

“We can’t let Liu Yan find out, or else…” Zhou Zui whispered. He didn’t finish his sentence, but Zhou Tian understood—if Liu Yan followed, there’d be nowhere they could go.

When they were drawn here by the pillar of light, Zhou Zui had already memorized all the routes through the palace complex from above.

Following his lead through numerous twists and turns, they finally emerged from the palace cluster. The sound-dampening formations within kept the hubbub of the city at bay, but now, upon stepping out, a cacophony of market cries washed over them.

“Fresh Chiyan Fruit Skewers! Thundercrystal Fruit, sweet and crisp!”

“Thousand-year Ginseng Buns! Thin skin, hearty filling!”

“Am I really in a city floating in the void, or is this the imperial capital?” Zhou Zui was left momentarily dumbfounded.

Upon inquiry, they learned the foods being hawked were indeed extraordinary: ginseng buns, thousand-year chiyan fruit, roasted wings of thunderbirds—all quite genuine.

This astonished Zhou Tian and Zhou Zui yet again. Even in the imperial capital, such delicacies were rarely seen for sale.

The broad streets teemed with people, all of them remarkable figures to have reached this place. Some even rode their divine mounts.

Nearly every mount was an ancient exotic beast, breathing clouds and mist, their scales shining, like dragons rising from the abyss or phoenixes singing to the heavens.

As the two walked the streets of Celestial Pass, despite their noble backgrounds, they felt like bumpkins—everything was a novelty.

“Specialties from the Land Forsaken by the Gods! Come and see, come and see!” Suddenly, a hawker’s cry caught their attention. Zhou Zui turned and asked,

“Shall we take a look?”

“Sure.”

They quickly agreed.

Approaching the stall, they saw a burly middle-aged man hawking his wares, stripped to the waist to reveal a bronzed, muscular body. At his side lay a blue wolf.

The wolf’s body was covered in crimson scales that shimmered with treasure-like luster. Its mane, a foot long, gleamed like silk, flickering like living flame—a truly magnificent beast.

This man, who should have been a mighty warrior roaming the void, wore a friendly, almost fawning smile as he hawked his goods like any common vendor.

Upon a beast-hide mat were several translucent, diamond-shaped crystals, their edges perfectly regular as if cut by machines, glowing with a faint, iridescent light—exquisitely beautiful.

“Only Saint-level divine cores, not worth much…” muttered a bystander who, by his demeanor, was clearly a seasoned old hand of the Celestial Pass, idly fiddling with the items.

“Brother, now…” the stall owner began, but wasn’t offended. This was clearly just the start of bargaining.

Standing nearby and eavesdropping, Zhou Tian and Zhou Zui gleaned quite a bit of information. Eventually, both parties settled on a price that satisfied them. The old hand pocketed all the divine cores, while the burly vendor, delighted with his gains, packed up and left.

“Come on, let’s follow him,” Zhou Zui said quietly, watching the vendor’s departing figure.

“What for—are you planning to rob him?” Zhou Tian asked in surprise.

“Of course not!” Zhou Zui shot him a look of disbelief. Anyone able to sell Saint-level divine cores was at least at that level himself—robbing him would be pure suicide.

“A guy like that, after selling his spoils, is sure to go have some fun. And for a man, fun means…” Zhou Zui analyzed seriously for Zhou Tian as they set off in pursuit.