The Eternal Way-Chapter 135: Clear Mist City

Green Mountain Kingdom, Light Mist City

Green Mountain Kingdom, ten thousand miles away from the Great Deer Kingdom, was the most recent nation Li Qi had arrived at, and it was here that he successfully advanced to achieve his cultivation rank.

On his journey, he had concealed his identity as a young master of Wu Deity Mountain. This place was renowned for its copper mines; the so-called Green Mountain Kingdom was actually an enormous copper deposit stretching over two thousand miles. The copper deposits were so abundant that they emerged from the ground, lying exposed without needing to be mined—simply picked up.

The name "Green Mountain" did not come from lush greenery or verdant trees but from the extensive exposure of copper ores. Dew and raindrops falling on these ores caused them to rust, giving the entire mountain a greenish hue. When it rained, the runoff created scenes of "green mountains and clear waters," though this area remained almost entirely devoid of vegetation due to the dense accumulation of metal energy.

Metal energy governed destruction and decay; where it concentrated, life struggled to flourish, creating a desolate landscape. Only a few creatures capable of surviving in such conditions existed here.

However, the concentration of metal energy wasn't entirely detrimental. The sharpness of this energy led to the birth of many natural treasures within the central parts of the copper mines. Occasionally, divine weapons would resonate on their own, attracting waves of people to seek treasure in Green Mountain.

Two thousand miles west of Green Mountain stood a city named Light Mist City.

Li Qi now found himself in Light Mist City.

"It's truly luxurious, no wonder it's known as a den of extravagance." Li Qi marveled as he walked through the streets.

His eyes beheld buildings adorned with glassware everywhere. Glass pieces dotted the walls, shining like stars, reflecting light from all directions. On sunny days, the shimmering effect was particularly striking, but even without sunlight, candles and night pearls provided enough illumination to make the city look as bright as daytime.

It was indeed a city that never slept.

He had heard about Light Mist City during his travels. Its fame had spread far and wide, covering an area of fifty thousand square miles.

Hu Xian'er, the Ruler of Clear Mist City

Hu Xian'er, the ruler of Clear Mist City, was a seductive and enchanting seventh-rank fox demon. It was she who founded this very city.

The story of the city's establishment was quite legendary and widely circulated among those who visited. Initially, it was just a den of foxes engaging in flesh trade because Hu Xian'er and her sister took in some fox demons, who then recognized her as their leader.

Foxes lacked financial acumen and loved indulgence. Although they had ways to earn money, over time, expenses exceeded income, leading to debt collectors knocking on their door.

After negotiations, somehow, Hu Xian'er managed to convince the creditors to accept payment through services rendered by the fox spirits.

A month later, the fox spirits realized how easy and profitable this arrangement was compared to their previous struggles. Why not continue this practice instead of living hand-to-mouth, often ending up indebted to penniless scholars? Hu Xian'er thought this method also helped manage the inherently free-spirited fox demons, solved financial issues, and even facilitated cultivation—a win-win situation.

She acted swiftly. The fox spirits established the rudimentary form of what would become Clear Mist City immediately. Initially, it was just a small place called Fox Lane, catering mainly to nearby monsters. However, its location near Green Mountain proved advantageous. Cultivators emerging from Green Mountain, having accumulated excessive metal energy, were often injured and needed healing.

Hu Xian'er devised a dual cultivation technique using lustful fire to counteract metal energy. By channeling the heat generated from desire, she aligned it with the principle that fire subdues metal. After an intense experience, the imbalanced metal energy within their bodies could be restored, providing both healing and relaxation with minimal side effects.

This innovation made Fox Lane incredibly popular. Customers flocked in, making the business thrive. They even advertised medical services specializing in treating injuries caused by excessive metal energy.

Seeing the potential, Hu Xian'er expanded the business. She collaborated with the ruler of Green Mountain Kingdom, turning Fox Lane into a state-run enterprise. With official backing, resources flowed in, and other extravagant activities flourished. Eventually, the city was built and granted a seal by the Green Mountain King, officially making Hu Xian'er the city's lord.

By now, this place had become the largest den of extravagance within fifty thousand square miles, offering countless forms of entertainment.

For the more mundane tastes, there were traditional wrestling matches, duels, arenas, gambling dens, fine food, wine, and beautiful women.

For the refined tastes, there was music, clear tea, and even various academic discussion institutions where people could give lectures and share knowledge.

Whether you preferred the mundane or the refined, you could always find what you wanted here. Regardless of your background or beliefs, whether you sought pleasure or serious business, everything from training halls to auctions could be found here.

Clear Mist City had become a comprehensive large-scale commercial trading center, offering everything from entertainment to commerce. Vendors from all over brought rare treasures and goods, making it a hub for both pleasure seekers and traders dealing in bulk commodities. Even copper mines and various metallic spiritual objects mined from Green Mountain were mostly traded here.

Hu Xian'er, the Ruler of Clear Mist City

Hu Xian'er, the ruler of Clear Mist City, along with her sister Hu Meier, even established a sect called the Clear Mist Sect.

In this sect, 99% of the formal disciples are female, and only occasionally do men become formal disciples. However, the sect rules are quite relaxed, emphasizing spontaneity and voluntariness, with no restrictions on gender or race. Therefore, men often join, but very few can successfully pass the tests. Most of them end up with depleted essence and blood, failing the exams and being expelled from the sect.

When entering the sect, there are more men than women, but after a few rounds of screening, women make up 99%.

Male disciples who cannot control themselves cannot withstand the allure of the fox spirits.

However, despite this, after the sect training is completed and they become formal disciples, they are all provided with free job placements directly in Clear Mist City, so the sect is quite prosperous.

In just six hundred years, the Fox Den, which was once a small place, has transformed into a renowned major sect in Green Mountain Kingdom. The sect leaders, Hu Xian'er and her sister Hu Meier, have both achieved the Seventh Rank in Dao cultivation, and they are backed by the Lord of Green Mountain Kingdom, making it difficult for others to suppress them. The sect continues to expand rapidly.

Now, Clear Mist City is divided into four major districts: East, South, West, and North. Each district has thirty-six sub-districts, and there are countless smaller venues below. The main headquarters is located in the outskirts of the city, at the original site of the Fox Den.

"These things are quite luxurious," Shen Shuibei said, following Li Qi and looking around the bustling city.

The decorations here, in her view, are not particularly valuable, but they certainly look impressive.

"And there are so many cultivators," Li Qi observed, noticing that the average strength of the people here is much higher.

Here, one can already see some differences. Unlike the cities in Great Deer Kingdom, which are mostly inhabited by ordinary people, this place is no longer on the front lines.

On the front lines, due to the Daoist disputes, the human laws are not well-established, making it difficult to achieve the rank of a cultivator. The witchcraft path is also suppressed by the mountain and water deities, making it hard to progress.

However, this place is already considered a direct territory of Witch God Mountain, so the number of cultivators has increased dramatically.

Almost everyone here is a cultivator.

Indeed, the deeper one goes toward Witch God Mountain, the richer the cultural heritage becomes. The areas where two powers intersect are the weakest.

However, achieving the rank of a cultivator remains a significant challenge. Only about one in a thousand cultivators reaches the Ninth Rank, so Li Qi is still considered a top-notch expert.

However, the orthodox witchcraft or Daoist cultivators that Li Qi is most familiar with are almost nowhere to be seen. The most common on the road are cultivators from minor lineages.

Occasionally, he encounters witchcraft cultivators, but they are vastly different from Li Qi, mostly being ghost witches, which are far from the orthodox witchcraft.

There are also martial artists, cultivators of the Dao of Reason, and those who specialize in artifacts, as well as some disciples of the Clear Mist Sect.

Interestingly, the cultivation techniques of the Clear Mist Sect are classified under the medical Dao.

Is it ... for saving lives?

Shen Shuibei, following Li Qi, asked, "Li Qi, why are we here? Do you have that much money?"

This place is a gold mine. Li Qi only has a few dozen gold coins, which would be more than enough in other places, even considered generous, but here it is not much.

"Money is definitely not enough, but after I achieved my rank, I had a feeling that I should come here," Li Qi shrugged, answering innocently.

Upon hearing this, Shen Shuibei understood and didn't ask further.

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It's normal; shamans are like this, sometimes having sudden impulses.

Because shamans have good relationships with nature and countless deities, they occasionally receive hints or guidance to avoid disasters or seek extraordinary encounters.

This is one of the characteristics of this path.

Of course, one can choose to ignore these impulses since they are merely reminders, not compulsions.

But Li Qi thought, since he had nothing else to do, why not come? What could possibly go wrong?

As the two walked, they looked for accommodations along the road, comparing prices.

Without checking, one wouldn't know, but upon looking, the prices here were truly astonishing. Inns and taverns in this city charge more than twenty times the price of those in other places, though they are indeed more luxurious.

Li Qi's dozen or so gold coins were indeed not enough to cover a month's stay here.

However, Li Qi wasn't particularly worried about money.

Although this place was known for its extravagant spending, it also offered quick ways to earn money.

As they walked down the street, Li Qi asked Shen Shuibei, "By the way, Miss Shen, I just remembered something. I can understand using gold as currency in the mundane world, but do high-ranking cultivators still use gold? That doesn't seem likely, does it?"

"How could that be possible? We only use gold now. Later on... well, it should be Qi and worlds, right?" Shen Shuibei tapped her cheek with a finger thoughtfully.

"Qi... and worlds?" Li Qi was stunned by the grandeur of the answer.

"Yes, you should understand Qi, right? No matter what kind of cultivation, it ultimately boils down to different types of Qi. Therefore, various treasures that carry Qi become the currency for transactions," Shen Shuibei explained.

"I can understand that part, but... worlds?" Li Qi found it hard to imagine.

"There are so many outer worlds. After conquering and refining them, it takes considerable effort. By then, Qi would no longer be useful to them. At that stage, what is traded are usually worlds," Shen Shuibei continued. "I have about ten worlds myself, though I haven't managed them much. The outputs from these worlds are handled by dedicated personnel from Luofu Mountain..."

As she spoke of Luofu Mountain, Shen Shuibei suddenly fell silent and stopped talking.

Li Qi understood why.

Luofu Mountain must have fallen.

Even Lady Luofu, a Third Rank expert, had fled to Witch God Mountain. How could Luofu Mountain fare any better?

But from this glimpse, it was clear that Shen Shuibei owned over ten worlds, and the outputs from these worlds were hers.

She really is wealthy.

Unfortunately, she went bankrupt.

But it's not just bankruptcy; most of her friends and disciples from Luofu Mountain probably didn't survive...

There's a grudge with Tang Kingdom, after all.

Li Qi tactfully changed the subject. "Ah, let's stay at this inn. What do you think, Miss Shen?"

Seeing her reaction, Li Qi quickly picked an inn without looking further, hoping to divert her attention away from painful memories.

"Sure, we can stay here," Shen Shuibei agreed without hesitation.

With their lodging decided, Li Qi led Old Horse into the inn.

Upon entering, they found the place to be elegantly simple, devoid of the lavish decorations outside but still tastefully decorated.

The decor was understated, free from the smoky air and ostentatious copper smell that pervaded other places. It stood out distinctly from the rest.

While this style of decoration wasn't unusual, it certainly contrasted with the mainstream aesthetic. But this was Clear Mist City, where anything could be found.

What surprised Li Qi the most was that the innkeeper was a fox demon.

A fox demon with fox ears and a tail was managing the business here.

It seemed she had just finished dealing with previous guests. As Li Qi entered, the innkeeper approached him. "Sir, are you staying or dining?"

"We're staying for two days and would like some food. Also, please take care of my horse," Li Qi said, handing over a gold coin, which covered three days' stay.

Any extra money would go toward meals and accommodations for Old Horse.

As he spoke, Li Qi took a closer look at the beautiful fox demon.

He called her a fox demon rather than a fox spirit because she appeared too demure.

Her lips were lightly rouged, her appearance elegant and refined, unlike those flashy, cheap temptresses, making Li Qi take a second glance.

"You've come at just the right time, sir. We only have one room left," the fox demon smiled, taking the payment. "Are you here for the innate spiritual object?"

"Huh? What thing?" Li Qi raised an eyebrow.

What thing? He hadn't heard about it.

"Oh, it's nothing special. Every decade or so, Green Mountain produces a new batch of innate metal Qi, forming its own weapon. This time, it seems to be a sword, attracting some warriors to compete for it. I thought you might be here for the same reason," the fox demon explained casually, giving Li Qi a brief rundown.