Chapter 643 - 278: Ice Island Immortal City (2)
Listening to Wu Xuqiang’s words, Chu Ning slightly sensed his surroundings.
He found that the Spiritual Qi in the Lower City was indeed very sparse, not suitable for his cultivation.
He nodded and said, "Hmm, naturally, I want to go to the Upper City."
Upon hearing this, Wu Xuqiang’s smile widened.
At this moment, the two happened to walk out of the building where the Teleportation Array was located.
Wu Xuqiang immediately pointed to a majestic city on the distant snowy mountain and said:
"Elder Chu, that is the Upper City of Ice Island Immortal City."
Chu Ning raised his head and looked at the grand city on the distant snowy mountain, slightly stunned.
On Jiuhua Sect, many peaks also have some large buildings.
However, it’s the first time he’s seen a city built on such a massive mountain range.
Especially since this city seemingly merges with the entire snowy mountain, it appears a certain Array has been placed to conceal the mountain below.
The grand city in the sky took Chu Ning’s breath away.
Seeing the fleeting look of surprise on Chu Ning’s face, a hint of pride flashed across Wu Xuqiang’s face.
"This Ice Island Immortal City was constructed over several centuries by three Hall Masters. Many cultivators are left in awe upon their first visit."
Chu Ning nodded in admiration and said,
"Indeed, it’s a masterpiece of divine craftsmanship."
Wu Xuqiang chuckled and continued,
"To avoid trouble, flying is prohibited in Ice Island Immortal City. To enter the Upper City from the Lower City, one must use the city’s Ascension Platform.
Please forgive me, Elder.
I’ll lead you there and then introduce you to Ice Island Immortal City."
Chu Ning nodded. Indeed, many places have such rules, so he wasn’t too surprised.
However, upon using his Spiritual Sense, he discovered that aside from a few places like the market where there were more people,
there were few people moving about in the Lower City, likely due to many cultivators staying inside their abodes.
This was not what he imagined a bustling Independent Practitioner’s Land to be.
He couldn’t help but express his curiosity to Wu Xuqiang.
Wu Xuqiang explained with a smile,
"The Lower City of Ice Island Immortal City mainly gathers Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining Low Tier Cultivators, but not many reside here long-term.
Most cultivators only rent for one or two months at a time for cultivation purposes.
The rest of the time, they go outside to hunt for resources."
Hearing this, Chu Ning curiously asked,
"What’s the monthly cost of living in the Lower City?"
Wu Xuqiang replied, "Depending on the level of Spiritual Qi, the cheapest is only ten Lower Grade Spirit Stones, while higher ones are sixty Lower Grade Spirit Stones.
If there are special needs, such as a specific Attribute Spiritual Qi concentration or facilities like an Alchemy Room or Artifact Refining Room, the price would naturally be higher."
Upon hearing the price, Chu Ning understood why these cultivators wouldn’t linger long.
Even at the lowest level of Spiritual Qi, it would still cost one Lower Grade Spirit Stone every three days.
For the average Qi Refining Stage cultivator, such expenses are indeed not so easily bearable.
As for the higher end, costing two Spirit Stones a day, that fee is indeed not low.
If one spends such Spirit Stones, naturally, one would want to cultivate intensely.
Then, Chu Ning realized something and looked at Wu Xuqiang.
"The costs in the Upper City must surely be even higher?"
Wu Xuqiang nodded, "Indeed, that’s the case.
Even the lowest level of Spiritual Qi in the Upper City is significantly higher than in the Lower City, so the prices are naturally much higher too.
The cheaper options cost between one to two hundred, while the more expensive ones can go up to a thousand Spirit Stones."
Although Chu Ning expected that living costs in the Upper City would not be low, he was still a bit surprised by Wu Xuqiang’s words.
A thousand Lower Grade Spirit Stones a month means it would cost over ten thousand a year.
Such an expense is quite steep, even for him.
Sensing Chu Ning’s thoughts, Wu Xuqiang smiled and said,
"Those places costing over a thousand Spirit Stones have their unique merits.
Elder Chu, feel free to take a look and you’ll see there is value for the high cost."
Without further words, Chu Ning followed Wu Xuqiang forward.
Soon they arrived in front of a Jade Platform made of white jade.
The Jade Platform was about one zhang wide, with jade pillars at each corner stretching into the Spiritual Qi white mist above.
At this moment, there stood a Foundation Establishment Cultivator on each side of the Jade Platform.
One was a Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment Cultivator, the other was remarkably a Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator.
"This is the Ascension Platform to enter the Upper City," Wu Xuqiang explained to Chu Ning.
"If cultivators wish to enter the Upper City via the Ascension Platform, they typically need to pay ten Spirit Stones.
This is also to prevent Low Tier Cultivators from disturbing High Tier Cultivators like yourself.
However, if you intend to stay in the Upper City for more than a month, the ten Spirit Stones fee is waived."
Upon hearing this, Chu Ning directly stated, "I intend to stay here for more than a month."
Having just come from No-Spirit Island, he had a lot of matters to handle, so his stay would certainly exceed a month.
Upon hearing Chu Ning’s decision, Wu Xuqiang promptly explained the situation to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator by the Jade Platform.
The Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator asked no further questions, both cupped their hands in salute to Chu Ning, and then invited him onto the Jade Platform.
Immediately, the Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator cast a few spells on a pillar beside the Jade Platform.
The Jade Platform proceeded to ascend automatically.
An elevator in the Cultivation Realm?
Chu Ning stood on the Jade Platform, with a trace of amusement in his heart.