Chapter 268: Tianya City
Dressed in her cyan robes, Yun Yun finally arrived just in time—right before Xiao Yuan's departure.
Xiao Yuan stepped forward with a smile, approaching her.
"Xiao Yuan…" Upon seeing that familiar, handsome face, a joyful smile blossomed across Yun Yun's lips—until she noticed something strange. The man she had longed for day and night… was standing in midair?
"You… reached Dou Zong?"
Yun Yun blinked in disbelief as the realization hit her.
"Mm. Had some lucky encounters."
Xiao Yuan smiled.
Yun Yun shook her head in speechless astonishment.
In less than a year, he had crossed the boundary of Dou Huang and stepped into Dou Zong…
Unbelievable.
On the back of the griffin, Xiao Yan pouted.
Third brother was perfect in every way—except he was just too flirtatious.
Little Doctor Immortal was calm. She already knew about Yun Yun. Xiao Yan had mentioned that she might accompany them to Central Plains.
Zi Yan had known for a while too—and she didn't mind.
As long as she had pills to eat, wherever Xiao Yuan went, she went too.
Ye Zhong was stunned.
It was obvious this woman had something going on with Xiao Yuan. Her aura was already approaching peak Dou Huang…
And she was still so young.
Compared to her… his granddaughter Xinlan didn't stand a chance.
Sigh.
Ye Zhong gave up all hope.
"Let's catch up later—let me introduce these two first."
Xiao Yuan brought Yun Yun aboard the griffin and introduced their "guides": Ye Zhong and Ye Xinlan.
After brief introductions, the group finally set off for Central Plains.
Their destination: Tianya City—located within the Tianqing Mountain Range, ten thousand miles from the Black-Corner Region. It was the only city in the surrounding thousand-mile radius that had a spatial wormhole leading into Central Plains. Unsurprisingly, it was the most prosperous city in the region.
Even with a griffin, it would take at least half a month to reach Tianya City from Black-Corner Region. But it was still easier than flying directly—especially since Xinlan hadn't reached Dou Wang and couldn't sustain long-distance flight. In the end, taking the griffin was more efficient and safer.
During the journey, Ye Zhong generously shared everything he knew about Central Plains, giving the group a more thorough understanding.
Spatial wormholes were a unique feature of Central Plains—two points in space connected by the power of a Dou Zun. A Dou Zong would need half a year to fly from Black-Corner to Central Plains. With a wormhole, the trip took only a month.
However, wormholes were incredibly difficult to construct and maintain. The repair personnel needed to be around Dou Zong level. As such, they were almost exclusive to Central Plains.
Within Central Plains, major cities often had spatial wormholes—typically constructed by peak experts or founders. The ownership of a wormhole usually fell to the clan of whoever built it. These wormholes were highly profitable and well-regulated, bringing in enormous wealth each year—enough to support an entire family or faction.
For that reason, wormholes symbolized both power and wealth, and were almost exclusively owned by first-rate forces.
Ye Zhong also explained the major human forces of Central Plains:
One Hall, One Tower, Two Sects, Three Valleys, Four Pavilions—eleven top-tier factions:
Pill Tower,Soul Hall,Flower Sect,Heavenly Nether Sect,Blazing Flame Valley,Sound Valley,Ice River Valley,Falling Star Pavilion,Wind and Lightning Pavilion,Ten Thousand Sword Pavilion,Yellow Spring Pavilion.
Some of these, Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yan had already heard of:
The Three Thousand Lightning Movement from Wind and Lightning Pavilion,Yao Lao's friend Wind Venerable from Falling Star Pavilion,Heavenly Fire Three Mysterious Change from Blazing Flame Valley,The upcoming Pill Gathering in Pill Tower,And of course… those damn pests in Soul Hall.
Xiao Yuan also had some vague knowledge of Flower Sect, Heavenly Nether Sect, and Ice River Valley.
Of course, there were countless hidden experts in Central Plains. Even factions with little fame could hide terrifying powerhouses. One had to act with caution.
As for Magical Beast clans, Xiao Yuan remembered the three major ones:
Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan,Nine Nether Earth Python Clan,Too Void Ancient Dragon Clan—beasts that ruled the void.
But they couldn't be provoked yet.
He couldn't beat them.
Each had Dou Saint-level beings. Even their "farts" could kill him.
They had countless Dou Zuns too. Right now, he simply wasn't qualified to be arrogant.
Just as Xiao Yuan was lamenting his lack of strength, Xinlan's voice rang with excitement.
"There! Tianqing Mountains! We've arrived!"
Crossing the plains, the griffin glided into the mountain range. Roads came into view, bustling with people and faint noise even from a distance.
The skies weren't empty. After entering the mountains, wind-splitting sounds echoed around them. Strange flying beasts flapped past, their riders visible even from afar.
Xiao Yuan's first impression of the region was one of prosperity.
Even in Black-Corner Region, one rarely saw this many flying beasts. Here, they were just regular mounts. Most of the beasts were only Tier 1 or 2; Tier 3 was rare.
His griffin, clearly high-tier, drew many surprised and envious looks—especially since there were only six passengers.
Such flying beasts were rare and precious. Only powerful clans or wealthy forces could tame one.
Xiao Yuan ignored the attention. A gentle tap of his foot and the griffin let out a sharp cry, then sped toward the mountain depths.
Ten minutes later, a massive city appeared in the distance, nestled between lush peaks.
As they drew closer, the grand city's full form was revealed. Xiao Yuan silently nodded in approval.
As they prepared to fly above the city, a light streak shot up from the gates—an elderly man in yellow robes appeared before them.
His expression stern, Dou Qi wings fluttering, he blocked the griffin's path.
"First time in Tianya City? Don't you know flying beasts aren't allowed in city airspace?"
The griffin halted with a screech, glaring at the elder—but one stomp from Xiao Yuan calmed it.
Ye Zhong was annoyed. He was the head of a clan on the Pill Tower's Elder Council—and now some low-tier Dou Wang was blocking his path?
"We are here for the first time. Didn't expect Tianya City to have such strict rules," Zi Yan huffed.
"Dou Huang?"
Hearing that thunderous voice, the elder flinched. Scanning the griffin, he realized—of the six, five were stronger than him. One—Ye Zhong—gave him an intense pressure that nearly froze his Dou Qi.
Such terrifying strength… Only a few in the Luo Clan could suppress me like this… Why are they here?
He quickly softened.
"This is indeed our city's rule. We have a designated landing area near the gates for all flying beasts."
"Luo Clan?" Xiao Yuan asked quietly.
Xinlan explained, "Tianya City is chaotic, but the Luo Clan has ruled it the longest. The spatial wormhole here belongs to them. Their ancestor is a Five-Star Dou Zong—the strongest in the city. Without him, they couldn't have held the wormhole for so long. Everyone covets it."
Xiao Yuan nodded.
Scanning the elder—barely a Two-Star Dou Wang—he wasn't worth the trouble.
"We appreciate the reminder. One more thing—where is the wormhole located?"
"Center of the city. Just follow the main road. You'll see it."
"Thanks." Xiao Yuan nodded, then waved his sleeve. The griffin descended.
Watching them go, the elder exhaled deeply.
"Thank the heavens I didn't offend them… All of them Dou Huang or higher, except the girl…"
Xiao Yuan didn't land at the designated point. Instead, he chose a nearby forest outside the city.
"Go back," he said, feeding the griffin a beast growth pill.
The beast purred, nuzzled him affectionately, then took off.
After it left, the group entered the city.
Stone-paved streets were crowded. Shouts echoed from all sides. Stores lined the way, packed with dazzling goods.
The city pulsed with life.
Yun Yun, having never been this far from the Jia Ma Empire, looked around curiously.
Clip-clop!
Suddenly, hooves thundered ahead. The street fell into chaos. A fiery red blur charged forward, knocking over pedestrians.
Riding it was a young woman in red—gorgeous, but with wild, domineering eyes. A red whip hung at her waist. Her laughter echoed as her horse bolted through the streets.
In a flash, she neared Xiao Yuan's group.
"Out of the way, dogs! Get stomped, and no one will compensate you!"
Seeing the unmoving figures ahead, her brows furrowed.
Xiao Yuan's smile turned cold.
Even Dou Zong experts treated him with courtesy.
And this arrogant girl dared bark at him?
(END CHAPTER)
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