Chapter Thirty-Three: The Celestial City of Ten Directions

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At midday, the sun blazed mercilessly, making people drowsy with its oppressive heat.

“So... this is Shifang City?”

Outside the towering city walls, Ye Zihan gazed at the throngs of people flowing in and out, the strict guards at the gates, and couldn’t help but swallow nervously.

“That’s right. This city is the most grand and prosperous place in the human world today, the Heavenly City—Shifang City!” Yan Chen, beside him, replied with a gentle smile.

Standing beneath the solid walls, Ye Zihan felt a heavy oppression. This city, once soaked in blood, was indeed extraordinary.

He sensed that even if he struck the wall with all his strength, he would at most leave a dent.

Yan Chen seemed unaffected, beckoning to Ye Zihan, “Come on.”

Ye Zihan nodded and followed, blending into the dense crowd, entering this famed city.

“Shifang City belongs to the Night Moon family, the foremost among today’s five great clans of the human world.”

Walking side by side down the bustling street, Yan Chen recounted the city’s history: “Over a thousand years ago, the Night Moon family was an obscure clan, and Shifang City wasn’t even called that—it was known as Wolfslayer City, an equally unnoticed little town, nothing like the magnificent, crowded place it is now.”

“But everything changed when the Night Moon family produced a bloodline that shocked the Three Realms.”

“Night Moon Jin, a man of astounding talent, rose swiftly in just over twenty years to the ** realm, then traveled the Three Realms alone, dueling famous experts, his strength growing day by day, his fame echoing throughout the world. In only five hundred years, he broke through to the Shifang realm! From then on, the Night Moon family rose, and the city was renamed ‘Shifang’.”

Yan Chen clicked his tongue in admiration. The tales of legendary figures always left a deep impact, their brilliance undimmed by the passage of time.

Ye Zihan drew in a cold breath: To reach the Shifang realm in five hundred years—such speed was terrifying!

“There’s something else, even more astonishing,” Yan Chen said, looking at Ye Zihan with a meaningful gaze.

“What is it?” Ye Zihan asked, intrigued by the legend.

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“He was like you—or, no, even more exceptional. He possessed earth, fire, and metal source energies, cultivating simultaneously in sealing, shadow dance, and hunting disciplines!”

Ye Zihan’s body trembled: A Shifang-level expert mastering three disciplines? What kind of existence was that!

Frankly, Shifang-level experts were as rare as phoenix feathers. In the tens of thousands of years since the continent’s founding, the Three Realms—human, beast, and demon—had produced barely a hundred such figures. Achieving that realm required not just skill and comprehension, but also extraordinary opportunities granted by fate; only by combining both could one hope to step into the Shifang realm.

Shifang—the dream domain of all cultivators, the pinnacle of the cultivation path!

“Amazing, isn’t it?” Yan Chen was quite pleased to see Ye Zihan dumbstruck, recalling how he himself had been stunned when he first heard the tale.

After a long while, Ye Zihan finally recovered, still incredulous. The legend of such a powerful figure left him deeply shaken.

Three disciplines, Shifang realm... When will I reach such heights? Ye Zihan murmured to himself.

Wait, three disciplines? A spark of inspiration flashed in Ye Zihan’s mind: Could it be...?

“Teacher, about Night Moon Jin...” Ye Zihan asked quietly, his tone tinged with surprise and urgency.

“It shouldn’t be. Despite Night Moon Jin’s renowned achievements, the previous inheritor never mentioned him, so he should have nothing to do with the Five Illusions Technique,” Hong Yan replied.

“Oh,” Ye Zihan said. He had thought Night Moon Jin’s accomplishments might be related to the Five Illusions Technique, but it seemed not.

“No wonder this place is so prosperous—it truly deserves the title ‘Heavenly City’,” Yan Chen exclaimed, marveling at the lively scene, far more bustling than Longteng Town, despite his own origins in the hidden clans.

“Not only is it prosperous, but there are more strong cultivators than one might expect.” Spreading his source energy, Ye Zihan carefully sensed the various auras; nearly ten formidable presences threatened him!

Yan Chen nodded. “Three days from now is the day of the Five Elements Gathering. Most of the strong cultivators must have already arrived in the city to prepare.”

Ye Zihan agreed, “Let’s find somewhere to stay first.”

Yan Chen had no objections. After days of travel, he too felt a hint of fatigue.

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Thus, the two walked forward, surveying the various buildings and stalls along the way, eventually choosing a moderately sized teahouse and stepping inside.

“Gentlemen, are you here for a meal or to lodge?” No sooner had they crossed the threshold than a cheerful attendant greeted them, a signature towel draped over his shoulder.

“Both,” Yan Chen answered politely. “Please arrange two fine rooms for us and send some food and wine up.”

As he spoke, Yan Chen handed the attendant a piece of silver. Though this was his first time out, his keen mind understood how to handle such matters.

“Certainly! Please wait just a moment while I make the arrangements,” the attendant replied happily. With the Five Elements Gathering approaching, guests were plentiful and generous, and he had already benefited much.

Ye Zihan looked around, inspecting the teahouse called “Azure Destiny Pavilion.” It covered a hundred acres, comprising three levels, with halls, rooms, and several gardens. The layout was excellent, but such a building was only considered average—or even below average—in Shifang City.

It was lunchtime, and the main hall was lively with many diners—some in groups, some alone—tables laden with chicken, duck, fish, and wine. The consumption was clearly high and the atmosphere vibrant.

“Thank you for waiting, gentlemen. Your rooms are in the north wing, the Bamboo Chamber. Please follow me.” Having arranged their lodging, the attendant returned with a broad smile, leading the way attentively.

Passing through the main hall, out a side door, and along a short corridor, they arrived at a refined building fronted by a courtyard with several clusters of fresh bamboo.

“This is the Bamboo Chamber; your rooms are on the second floor.” Without pause, the attendant headed upstairs, knowing that cultivators disliked unnecessary chatter. Shrewd as he was, he kept silent to avoid displeasure or trouble.

When they reached their rooms, the attendant finally stopped and bowed. “Gentlemen, these are your rooms. Food and wine will be brought shortly. If you need anything, just call. I'll take my leave.”

“Thank you,” Yan Chen nodded.

Once the attendant was gone, Ye Zihan and Yan Chen didn’t linger, each choosing a room and pushing the door open to enter.