Chapter 210: Enormous Golden Boat
The black-vested youth was called Wan Feng and the yellow-robed cultivator was called Wei Lin. The other two more silent cultivators in black and red robes, were called Yang Buhui and Qian Li respectively.
When the four cultivators asked for Wei Suo's name, he casually issued the names he typically used - Ji Li.
After an incense worth of time, the group of cultivators reached the mystifying yellow mist of this Lost Mist mountain.
The mist was truly strange and allowed a penetrating visibility of only approximately 33 meters. Moreover, an earth aroma permeated the place and indicated the distinct presence of earth element spirit energy.
Logically speaking, such a yellow mist could only be created by a certain earth element formation array. Yet after sweeping through with his divine sense, Wei Suo couldn't find any traces of a formation array present.
Reflecting that countless cultivators since centuries ago failed to discover the source of this mist, Wei Suo didn't want to rack his mind either. After gasping in admiration, he strolled into the yellow mist.
"Seeing that senior is inspecting the yellow mist, is it your first time patronizing Lost Mist City?" the black-vested cultivator, Wan Feng, warmly inquired as he led the way ahead.
Wei Suo nodded expressionlessly and replied, "It is indeed my first time visiting Lost Mist City. I'm not familiar with this city, are you guys familiar?"
"This is also their first time visiting Lost Mist City. I, on the other hand, have visited a few times and do possess some understanding on this city. Right, since it's senior's first time, there are indeed some matters to take note of," Wan Feng was clearly trying to get into Wei Suo's good graces and immediately recommended.
"Although Lost Mist City is established on a mountain in the midst of a sphere of yellow mist, precisely because the unique yellow mist makes it convenient for sneaky assassinations, the sect who established the city, Lost Mist Sect, has determined the sphere of yellow mist to be under their protection zone. Hence, there are numerous Lost Mist Sect cultivators who patrol around the yellow mist and forbids any form of combat within the yellow mist. As such, this means that we've already entered Lost Mist City."
"One can freely wander everywhere in this yellow mist except a circular 50 km radius in the north. That is where the earth element energy is most dense and also the Lost Mist Sect's forbidden ground."
"Precisely because of the earth element spirit energies here, the earth element cultivation and skill techniques centered Lost Mist Sect chose to set residency here. They erected many halls within their forbidden ground specially for inner sect disciples to train. Speaking of Lost Mist Sect's earth element skill techniques, the most famous is the Ground-Dragon True Splitter technique, an extremely powerful Upper-level Earth rank skill technique. It is rumored the skill will manifest a tens of meters long earth element Ground-Dragon that can attack and defend. Furthermore, the dragon is exceptionally intelligent and acts like a nurtured earth element demonic beast, soaring around its cultivator. An extremely profound skill."
"There's actually such a profound skill technique?" Wei Suo feigned unfazed although he was extremely astonished. He then asked, "I wonder which clan possesses the most famous emporium in Lost Mist City? Which clan sells quality pellet medicine?"
"Lost Mist City is different from others," Wan Feng offered a bleak smile and continued, "Several centuries ago, Lost Mist Sect became unknowingly lucky and consecutively produced a few Golden Dan Stage cultivators. Yet ever since the fall of those few Golden Dan Stage cultivators, Lost Mist Sect is akin to a sunset sect. Nevertheless, during those few glory decades, Lost Mist Sect managed to monopolize all the markets. Up till now, once senior enters Lost Mist City, senior will see that there's only one large emporium; Lost Mist Sect's very own Lost Mist Mill, selling all sorts of pellet medicines, artifacts, and raw materials for smithing or concoctions. Apart from that single enormous emporium, only a few smaller shops can be found in the north, in addition to a free market area between cultivators nearby there."
"Seems like Lost Mist Sect is much stronger than Star Convening Sect." Wei Suo was truly astounded.
Being capable of monopolizing most of the trade in a city, that indicated Lost Mist Sect possessing many disciples who could concoct pellets, forge artifacts, and hunt demonic beasts for materials.
In the southern region of Heavenly Profound Continent, there were 15 cultivator cities and of the sects within them, the strongest were Lingyun Sword Sect of Lingyun City and the Thunder Heaven Sect of Bright Heaven City. Roughly near the same strength, were the Spirit Beast Palace of Thousand Longevity City and Gamma Sect of Gamma City. Next, was Star Convening Sect of Seven Stars City.
However, Wei Suo understood that of the ten plus cities in the eastern region, Lost Mist Sect was only ranked fourth or fifth. And Wei Suo could observe that Star Convening Sect of Seven Stars City was much inferior to this Lost Mist Sect.
"Why, could it be senior is from Seven Stars City?" Wan Feng asked in surprise. "Seven Stars City is pretty far from here."
Wei Suo didn't deny but nodded and said, "Indeed, this one is from Seven Stars City."
"Senior, dare I be bold and say something demeaning to the Star Convening Sect of Seven Stars City. I wonder if senior takes offense?" Wan Feng cautiously tested Wei Suo.
"Speak away," Wei Suo replied. "I am only a loose cultivator. Star Convening Sect is an eyesore to me as well, saying they are a heap of feces, I surely won't mind."
Hearing Wei Suo say that, the two other silent and reserved cultivators couldn't help but chuckle as well.
Wearing all smiles, Wan Feng proclaimed, "Since senior is not offended, I shall be presumptuous in speaking. The amount of highest tier cultivators of the Star Convening Sect may be a little fewer than Lost Mist Sect, but in terms of power and talent, they surely cannot compete with Lost Mist Sect. As for why Star Convening Sect can be ranked in the top five of the 15 southern cities of Heavenly Profound Continent, while Lost Mist Sect just barely made it into the top 5 of the east, is because the average strength of eastern cultivators is much higher than southern cultivators. After all, the Treasure Seizing Grand Contest is held between cultivators of the east and the south every 15 years, but the eastern cities has attained victory for seven consecutive times."
"Treasure Seizing Grand Contest?" Wei Suo started to perspire. Truthfully speaking, his cultivation level wasn't low but his knowledge as compared to other Heavenly Circuit Stage cultivators, was akin to a country bumpkin.
"I see that senior is the type that trains rigorously and dislikes adventuring," Wan Feng expressed his deep respect as he deemed Wei Suo as a true cultivator who delighted in tough training. Moreover, Wei Suo's image matched that as he appeared not that much older than them, but was already a Heavenly Circuit Stage level 2 or 3 cultivator. Such advancing speed wasn't attainable unless one was an inner sect disciple of a major sect.
After respectfully viewing Wei Suo, Wan Feng continued explaining.
"The Treasure Seizing Grand Contest originated from the Raising Immortal Sect, the strongest sect of the eastern region, and Lingyun Sword Sect, the strongest of the southern region. The two sects would exhibit various treasures and anyone who wishes to acquire them, can register to compete for those treasures. The eventual victor would receive the treasure. However, the contest is restricted to cultivators beneath the age of forty. From the start, the intention is a competition between disciples of both sects, to demonstrate which sect is more powerful. Besides, the strength of the new generation of disciples would determine the might of the sect in the future. However, due to the enticing nature of those treasures, in addition to the contest not being limited to loose cultivators or other sect disciples, the Treasure Seizing Grand Contest soon became a grinding pit for cultivators of the east and the south as well."
"When is his Grand Contest held?" Wei Suo knew that this Treasure Seizing Grand Contest would definitely be more grand than the Mystic Wind Sect's recruitment assembly.
"Both the Raising Immortal City and Lingyun City takes turn organizing the Treasure Seizing Grand Contest. The previous time was in Raising Immortal City, so it should be Lingyun City this time. Still, it is a year from now," Wan Feng replied as he pondered before his eyes sparkled. "With senior's cultivation, you can try your luck."
"I guess forget it. You already said the Raising Immortal Sect has won seven times consecutively. My cultivation level will be a mere laughing stock there," Wei Suo shook his head and replied, "That means my southern region is the weakest in the Heavenly Profound Continent eh?"
"That isn't necessarily so," Wan Feng shook his head.
"The western region cities may fare poorer than the southern region. Speaking of the strongest sect, all cultivators will think of the central region; an overbearing sect at the apex like the Mystic Wind Sect. Yet in truth, although the central region of Heavenly Profound Continent is exceedingly vast and there are over a thousand cultivator cities there. Albeit a giant like the Mystic Wind Sect, many other cities are tiny cities without powerful sects that can't even compare to Perching Phoenix City. In terms of the strongest overall, one must mention the northern region. This is because the heavenly dome of the northern region is said to be severely cracked. As such, the environment that is much harsher and more vile than ours. Fighting experience isn't something we can compare Naturally, the strongest is Darknorth Sect that is as illustrious as the Mystic Wind Sect."
While listening to Wan Feng boasting off his knowledge freely, Wei Suo and company had traversed through hundreds of meters into the yellow mist. Finally, Lost Mist City was in sight.
A gigantic mountain twice the height of Spirit Peak City's mountain surfaced. It was filled with various houses and architecture.
Standing at the foot of this enormous mountain, We Suo felt he was as small as an ant.
Even though Lost Mist Sect couldn't be counted even in the top three in the eastern region, its scope was the largest Wei Suo had ever seen.
"Such an imperious city, I wonder how those larger cities would look like?"
Wei Suo couldn't help but muse to himself.
Initially, they thought they could conserve energy and glimpse the liveliness of the Mystic Wind Sect's Recruitment Assembly without asking for help. However, they now knew it was impossible.
Because upon viewing ahead, they could observe myriads of cultivators rushing towards a single direction. Hovering in the air above a tremendous mountain valley, was unexpectedly a giant golden boat!
The giant golden boat was glittering with divine light and was clearly a flying artifact.
Instead, this flying artifact was too excessively immense. It was minimally 2.1 - 2.4 kilometers vast. Even glimpsing it from afar created an unimaginably shaking sensation in one.