"Did you hand it over?" asked Luo Chen. "Yeah," came the reply from Sima Huiniang. "Good. Head to the back and make sure everyone behaves once we enter the city. No funny business." After what had happened with Qu Lingjun and Su Xiaolin, Luo Chen had begun paying closer attention to the little things like discipline, appearances, and conduct. Huo Hu’s ambush might not have been directly linked to that earlier conflict, but Luo Chen understood that much of the trouble didn’t start with dramatic gestures. It often began subtly, in ways people ignored, and only later revealed its full consequences. Luo Chen had no interest in letting such warning signs pile up again. He wasn’t the kind to waste time cleaning up messes from petty nonsense, especially not when those messes belonged to someone else. Sima Huiniang nodded and obediently moved to the rear to handle the group. After she left, Luo Chen approached the hanging bridge and looked toward the weathered old man dressed in a snow-white robe, who was calmly sipping tea. "Sorry to trouble you, Fellow Daoist Xu," Luo Chen said politely. Xu Jingnian had once been loud and carefree, barking orders wherever he went. Back then, he had relied on the name of Ice Fortress to do so. Now, standing before a Foundation Establishment Initiate who spoke to him with dignity and restraint, he didn’t dare to act superior to him. Besides, he’d already accepted Luo Chen’s spirit stones. "No trouble at all, Senior. No need to be so formal. Just call me Da Nian or Old Xu," he replied. Luo Chen smiled. "Alright then, Old Xu it is." Watching from the side, Xu Xiaoliu found the whole scene rather unbelievable. Luo Chen, who now spoke with such grace and courtesy, was a completely different person from the one who had mocked and outwitted Lu Rong at the docking field. It was like watching two different people wear the same face. And to think... his uncle wasn’t even as strong as Lu Rong in terms of cultivation realm. Xu Jingnian finally raised his head and looked Luo Chen straight in the eye. After a few moments of silent appraisal, he gave a subtle nod. "Go on, then. Xiaoliu will act as your guide during your stay. If you run into small troubles, just mention my name. If it’s serious trouble..." he smiled knowingly, "I trust someone like you wouldn’t be foolish enough to get into that kind of mess." Luo Chen said with a polite smile. "Thanks! Let’s have tea sometime when we’re free." With that, Luo Chen turned and stepped across the hanging drawbridge, striding calmly toward the towering gates of Tianlan Immortal City. However, just as he was about to fully exit, a barely audible mutter drifted from behind. The mutter was so soft, it almost didn’t reach his ears. "If it’s not tea from Peach Mountain, I’m not drinking it." His expression didn’t change, but a sliver of it cracked beneath the surface. He glanced back out of the corner of his eye at Xu Jingnian, the old man still seated calmly, sipping his tea like nothing had been said at all. Luo Chen thought, his expression growing more contemplative. So that's how it is... Rumor had it that in the years ahead, the Ice Fortress would be taking over rotational security duties for Tianlan Immortal City. If that were true, it explained quite a bit about why even a lowly Qi-Refining disciple from Ice Fortress could act so puffed up and entitled. With backing like that, even a casual remark could carry the weight of law. Ice Fortress, huh...? Luo Chen’s eyes narrowed slightly. No wonder they speak with such confidence. So this was Tianlan Immortal City? Luo Chen stood at the city’s threshold, his gaze slowly sweeping over the bustling scene before him. The streets were packed with people. Voices filled across the air, layered into a cacophony that never stilled. Cultivators spoke in all manner of accents, each one hailing from a different region of the cultivation world. Luo Chen only listened for a moment before noticing that the cultivators from Dahe Market spoke with noticeably rougher accents. The streets were so wide they resembled open plazas at a glance. But the surrounding buildings, crafted in a stunning array of architectural styles, clearly framed it as a main avenue, a Great Dao that pulsed with life and power. It was wide enough to accommodate dozens of horses galloping side by side! And the number of cultivators walking it? Just a glance swept past at least a thousand. That was only on this first street right at the city’s entrance. From the faint spirit fluctuations wafting through the air, Luo Chen could tell most of them were Qi-Refining cultivators, and many were already in the late stages. There were plenty of Foundation Establishment Initiates too, moving in and out of buildings casually. Suddenly, Xu Xiaoliu called out, waving both hands in the air. "Everyone, listen up!" The group barely responded. Most of them were still gawking, taking in the sheer scale and energy of the immortal city. However, as soon as Luo Chen glanced over, the noisy cultivators of the Luo Tian Society immediately quieted down. Xu Xiaoliu sighed with relief. Acting as the guide for such a large group by himself was honestly a lot of pressure. "Alright," he began, voice steadier now, "since this is your first time in Tianlan Immortal City, there are a few things you must remember..." Seeing some puzzled expressions among the group, Xu Xiaoliu didn’t rush. Instead, he patiently clarified, his tone steady and measured. "There are all kinds of cultivators here, each with their own temperament. Hence, using Spirit Eyes to inspect someone’s realm without permission is extremely rude, unless you’re sure they won’t notice. Especially since there are powerful or unusual individuals who have special arts to block perception. In the best-case scenario, they’ll just shield their energy flow. In the worst-case scenario, their techniques might retaliate, and that is a situation you want to avoid." Luo Chen deeply agreed with those words. Ever since he’d begun practicing Spirit Suppression, his perception had grown exceptionally keen. If someone tried to inspect him, so long as their realm wasn’t vastly above his, he could usually sense it. And most of the people under him were rogue cultivators from small marketplaces. They were used to doing whatever they pleased, their manners shaped by lawless streets and casual posturing. Now that they were in a major city, it was best that they learned to behave. If someone shouted, "What are you looking at?", and the other snapped back with, "Looking at you, so what?" It wouldn’t end in a fistfight. It would end in corpses. If that happened, Xu Xiaoliu’s warning would come at just the right time. Xu Xiaoliu continued, "Second, fighting is strictly forbidden within the city! If you’re caught, the enforcement team won’t ask questions; light punishment means getting thrown into the Obscure Abyss Water Prison, while the heavy one... is death on the spot. If a conflict absolutely can’t be resolved peacefully, then go to the Debate Platform. You’ll need to register the grievance, sign a life-and-death agreement, and settle it there." The ban on fighting was something everyone could accept. Most marketplaces and immortal cities had similar rules. What intrigued them was that Tianlan Immortal City had its own Debate Platform too. Seeing the curiosity in their eyes, Xu Xiaoliu offered further explanation. "Our Tianlan Immortal City’s Debate Platform isn’t something those smaller places can compare with. It’s been around for three hundred years and produces numerous prodigies every year." Xu Xiaoliu puffed up slightly, clearly proud, and launched into a story. "Let me give you just one example. Ten years ago! Do you know who made it into the top ten back then? He paused before continuing, "First place in the Foundation Establishment ranking was Lin Qingxuan. A Golden Core Dao Scion from the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect. He crossed ten immortal cities and challenged dozens of cultivators in his realm. No one could match his strength; his battle prowess was peerless. Second place in the Foundation Establishment is Iceheart Fairy. Also a Golden Core Dao Scion, this time from the Ice Fortress. A fearsome woman, cold as frost and just as deadly. Then there was Tao Wan, from Green Pill Valley. A descendant of Golden Core lineage, ninth stage of Foundation Establishment, with a cultivation so deep it was hard to gauge. Her signature technique, Flowing Cloud Sleeves, was graceful and fluid, yet contained unmatched force beneath its softness. Dominant, elegant, and ruthless all at once. "One by one," Xu Xiaoliu continued, voice rising with excitement, "they were all names that shook the realm. Towering geniuses destined to become future pillars of power." Someone shouted from the crowd. "Wait, how come they’re all disciples from major sects?!" Xu Xiaoliu gave a sheepish chuckle. "It’s not just sect disciples. There was even a rogue cultivator who made it; one of them was Chu Kui." "That’s enough," Luo Chen said coldly, cutting him off with a sharp glance. Xu Xiaoliu flinched and instinctively shrank back, realizing he’d let his tongue run too freely again. Meanwhile, the crowd had already begun moving, flowing like a stream along the broad main avenue. As they walked, Xu Xiaoliu resumed his guide. "And now for the third thing everyone needs to remember. Tianlan Immortal City is a no-flight zone. That means no flying boats, no flight-related enchanted artifacts, and not even Wind-Riding. All forms of flight movement are strictly forbidden." Someone asked curiously, "But the city is so huge, how are we supposed to get around?" At that, Xu Xiaoliu grinned again. "That’s easy. Look behind you." Everyone turned at his words. A massive black beast’s head was rumbling toward them. "A demonic beast?" someone muttered, tensing. "No... wait!" another said in confusion. Luo Chen’s eyes narrowed as he stared at the oncoming creature. The closer it came, the more uncanny it felt. Is that... a bus? The sense of dissonance surged in his mind. Just as that strange thought hit Luo Chen, a ten zhang long beast vehicle came to a halt at the city gates. A charming female cultivator poked her head out from within. "All aboard! All aboard! This route heads to Huaqing Palace! It is a two-hour ride, get moving on!" The announcement hadn’t even finished echoing when a wave of cultivators surged toward the beast vehicle’s open doors. There were too many of them, each shoving to get inside, too impatient to wait for order. The pretty bus attendant lashed out with a scolding. "One spirit stone per head! Don’t even think about skipping your fare! If I catch you freeloading, I’ll report you to the enforcement team!" Her sharp voice finally injected some discipline into the chaos. The crowd settled, grumbling but obedient, as dozens found their seats. Still, more than half the vehicles remained empty. Sensing a gaze, the attendant turned toward it and her eyes immediately lit up. "You guys wanna get in too?" she called out to Luo Chen’s group. "Plenty of room if you squeeze in!" Luo Chen frowned. The seats looked half-empty now, sure, but the Luo Tian Society alone had over a hundred people. The Li family had another sixty, and even the smallest group, the Nangong family, had more than a dozen. Luo Chen asked, "Could we squeeze in?" Xu Xiaoliu jumped in quickly to explain. "Absolutely! The Black Python Vehicle’s not a real beast; it’s a beast puppet. Its body is extremely flexible. It can expand to carry several times its visible capacity!" Beast puppets? Luo Chen’s heart stirred. He recalled the small pangolin inside his storage pouch, as well as the giant bear puppet in Gu Caiyi’s possession. Those were beast puppets too! He hadn’t expected these things to evolve to such a level; even public transport was using them now. Luo Chen asked. "How far is the place we're heading to?" Xu Xiaoliu thought for a moment before answering, "It’s about a three hours walk. I originally planned to show everyone around Tianlan Immortal City. But if you're short on time, we can ride the beast vehicle instead. We’ll get off midway, and it'll only be a short walk, about half a cup of tea’s time to reach the place." "Alright, let's get on then!" Luo Chen didn’t hesitate and made the decision on the spot. He noticed the eager curiosity flickering in the eyes of many of the Luo Tian Society cultivators. After a brief round of discussion, the cultivators from the Li and Nangong families also chose to board the beast vehicle. There were simply too many of them, and traveling on foot would be slow, and the longer they lingered in the open, the more likely trouble would find them. Riding together would at least keep things orderly and avoid unnecessary chaos. Well... aside from the cost. When Sima Huiniang handed over another hundred-plus spirit stones for the group’s fare, her expression noticeably soured. "What’s wrong?" Luo Chen asked, glancing up from where he sat in the rear with Li Yixian, the two of them side by side, examining the Black Python Vehicle’s structure. Sima Huiniang forced a smile. "President... aren’t we spending spirit stones a little too quickly?" Luo Chen paused for a moment, then let out a short laugh. Even Li Yixian, hearing her complaint, could only offer a weak smile. They had paid at the docking yard. Paid again at the city gate. And now here they were, spending even more just to catch a ride. Though each instance wasn’t much, just a few dozen or a hundred spirit stones here and there, the frequency made it add up quickly! Luo Chen shook his head. "You should’ve realized it earlier." Sima Huiniang and Li Yixian exchanged puzzled glances, and she asked, "Noticed what?" Luo Chen’s expression grew serious. "Do you remember what I said to Lu Rong back at the docking yard?" Sima Huiniang thought for a moment. Then her eyes lit with realization. Li Yixian blinked in sudden understanding as well. Looking into Luo Chen’s unwavering gaze, they couldn’t help but feel that he was truly someone who walked one step but saw ten steps ahead. Even before setting foot into the city, just from a short conversation, Luo Chen had already begun to map out the way Tianlan Immortal City operated. This was no longer Dahe Market. Gone were the crude, rough-edged ways of doing business they had once known. Everything was refined, compartmentalized, and broken down into the smallest details. Even washing a flying boat was classified by grade, dirt level, and size. As for repairs, the spirit stones were calculated down to the last detail. Even simple docking involved counts of days and months, overdue fines, and compensation clauses. And all this, just for a single mode of transport. Yet not everyone even possessed a flying boat. So then, to glimpse a leopard through a bamboo tube, [1] by a single leaf, autumn is foretold [2]. Zoom out and consider the bigger picture! When it came to commerce, Tianlan Immortal City likely operated with even scarier levels of precision. Banning combat wasn’t just for public safety; it protected business and funneled conflict toward the Debate Platform, generating even more revenue. Banning flights? That created demand for these puppet beast vehicles. It was a crafted marketplace of need. And what about everything else? One spirit stone granted you a single day inside the city. By nightfall, you had to leave. Otherwise, if caught by the enforcement team, it meant a month of hard labor in the mines. Want to stay? Renting a guesthouse... leasing a cave residence... any kind of accommodation in Tianlan Immortal City demanded a hefty sum of spirit stones! Through a simple interaction back at the docking yard, Luo Chen had already discerned the city’s underlying economic structure. It became clear that Tianlan didn’t operate like the rough, straightforward Dahe Market. Here, everything was refined meticulously, compartmentalized into systems within systems. Yes, strength still mattered, but only for those at the very top. For everyone else, the importance of survival was wealth. With commerce thriving, even once-rare resources were now widely circulated. A ninth stage Qi-Refining cultivator, once held in high regard in Dahe Market, was nothing more than background noise here. Even Foundation Establishment Initiates, who used to rule over entire areas, could no longer dominate unchallenged. Tianlan Immortal City’s location brought in cultivators from across thousands of li, creating a population where almost no one was weak. Strength had been redefined. Until one reached the Golden Core Realm, pure combat power wasn’t enough. That wasn’t all, because the city was managed by seven great sects, with Ice Fortress currently holding rotational control, and a stable environment had been created. That stability allowed countless factions, sects, and rogue organizations to establish themselves in tangled layers throughout the city. Power flowed like veins through stone, each thread tightly wound with the others. Of course, what was the real picture? It wasn’t something that could be summed up in just a few words. To survive here, Luo Chen and his people would have to gradually immerse themselves in learning through experience, adapting as they went. "Next stop, Yuelu Street! If you're looking to settle in or find work, get off here!" the attendant called out. A wave of rogue cultivators shuffled off the beast wagon, their footsteps rustling like dry leaves. Xu Xiaoliu stood by the door, waving. "Let’s go, everyone. This is our stop! Over here, Senior! Right this way!" Luo Chen nodded and stepped off the Black Python Vehicle. The enclosed ride had offered no view of the city, but now, the moment he set foot on the street, the world of Tianlan Immortal City rushed up to greet him in full force. Now, as soon as he got down, a wave of noise surged toward him. At the same time, a strange scent drifted into his nose, a pungent, lingering blend of human sweat, demonic beast musk, the acrid stench of raw ore, and the sharp tang of medicinal herbs. It was an odd, overwhelming mixture of smells. Many instinctively wrinkled their noses. Someone grumbled discontentedly, "Liuzzi, did you take the wrong path? Why’d you bring us to a place ?" Xu Xiaoliu quickly waved his hands. "Trust me, lodging on Yuelu Street is the cheapest you’ll find in all of Tianlan Immortal City. We’re just staying temporarily. There is no need to waste spirit stones on those fancy guesthouses that charge ten or more spirit stones per night." As he spoke and gave explanations, the group slowly advanced, winding deeper into the alleys and narrow streets. Unlike Li Yixian and Nangong Jin, who stayed close to their family members, Luo Chen didn’t linger near his own people. Matters like lodging and coordination were already being handled by Sima Huiniang on behalf of the Luo Tian Society. Instead, his gaze wandered as he took in the countless small shops tucked away along the road. Talisman skin vendors, talisman ink sellers, talisman pen makers... but hardly any fully integrated talisman stores. It felt more like a raw material processing district than a complete commercial hub. No wonder the air reeked of demonic beast musk and raw minerals. The grand, opulent storefronts occupied the main streets. These smaller shops had been pushed to the edges, tucked into narrow, crowded alleys. Luo Chen recalled seeing a sign in front of a shop recruiting apprentices. His impression of Tianlan Immortal City’s ecosystem was becoming clearer with each step. In the cultivation world, the ideal order of priorities had always been Law, Wealth, Companion, and Land, and the path to cultivation enlightenment. But here in Tianlan Immortal City, the order had shifted. Wealth came first, followed by Land, then Law, and only after that, Companions. If that was truly the case, then for the Luo Tian Society to survive in Tianlan Immortal City, we couldn’t afford to chase after broad development. It would be far wiser to return to our roots of a focused and specialized model. A flash of strategic insight for the Luo Tian Society passed through his mind. But what Luo Chen truly cared about now was something else entirely. Xu Xiaoliu, who was still helping Sima Huiniang and others arrange accommodations for the cultivators, suddenly turned around. Then he trotted over quickly to Luo Chen’s side. "Senior, is there something you need from me?" Luo Chen looked at him. This whole trip, Xu Xiaoliu had indeed behaved himself, not using the previous tricks or shortcuts. It seemed those few hundred spirit stones he had paid Xu Jingnian did have their effect. At the very least, it had made Xu Xiaoliu more diligent in his work. "I have a question," Luo Chen said, his tone calm but commanding. "Do you know where I can rent a proper cave residence?" 1. 管中窥豹 (guan zhong kui pao) means to see only a part of something and infer the whole, which is often used to describe partial understanding that hints at a larger truth ☜ 2. 一叶知秋 (yi ye zhi qiu) means that a small sign can indicate a larger trend or coming change. ☜