Chapter 498 - 660 : divine sense
They finally arrived in the air outside Horn Mansion City.
As soon as it entered their eyes, their hearts were shaken.
That city stretched across heaven and earth, far more majestic than Great Wei’s imperial city.
It was as if it had grown out from the ancient primordial wilderness. The dark, heavy city walls were built from unknown materials, actually giving off the cold light of black iron mixed with meteoric stone.
The towering battlements stretched like horned dragons lying in the wilds. At a glance, one could not see their beginning or end. One only felt that the city merged with heaven and earth, its aura pressing the clouds three parts lower.
Around the city, spiritual energy curled like pale purple gauze. Just by probing with his divine sense, Wentian found dozens of spiritual energy nodes within a radius of over ten li.
If this were placed in Moon Lake Commandery, it would be enough to open a Qi Refining family with such a place as its core.
Yet here, no one cared about them.
Looking deep into the city, in some places, the spiritual energy was so dense it would not disperse, almost visible to the naked eye, but it seemed to be sealed by formations.
The old Foundation Establishment Wu cultivator cupped his fists and said, "Daoist Jianyi, we still have matters to attend to, so we will return directly to our family. Since this is your first time here, you still need to go to the city gate and receive temporary residence tokens.
"After all, when staying in the city, most places will inspect this token."
"Many thanks for telling us." Wentian cupped his fists in return.
After saying this, the old Foundation Establishment Wu cultivator brought Wu Zhiping and the others straight toward the city.
"Second Grandfather, do you think those people will join our Wu family?" Wu Zhiping asked curiously.
"What do you think?"
"It is hard to say. They know that making a living in Horn Mansion City is not easy, so they may abandon the city and head to the surrounding small towns to make a living. Or they may cling tightly to us, who extended an olive branch to them."
The old Foundation Establishment Wu cultivator turned and smiled slightly at him. "Right now, my Wu family is in a period of vigorous development. We cannot avoid recruiting talents, and naturally, the more Foundation Establishment cultivators we absorb, the better.
"But if they are unwilling, it is not as if there is no way to make a group of newcomers quietly disappear in Horn Mansion City.
"Since they came fleeing disaster, perhaps they brought out part of their family’s resources and wealth.
"That can also be used to strengthen my Wu family."
Wu Zhiqian said, "Then Second Grandfather, why did we not eliminate them in Rock Forest earlier?"
"Qian’er, their strength was comparable to ours, and that Wentian seemed to have extraordinary skill. If there is not complete confidence, one should not lightly begin a struggle."
Wu Zhiping smiled and said, "Therefore, Second Grandfather focused on recruitment and answered all questions, showing friendliness."
"Your analysis is not bad. Zhiping is becoming more and more outstanding. In the future, you can represent our line and compete for the Family Head position."
"I will still have to trouble Second Grandfather to nurture me more." The corners of Wu Zhiping’s lips lifted. He was handsome and extraordinary, his brows carrying seven parts confidence.
"That is only natural. As long as the next Family Head competition begins, and your strength is sufficient, Second Grandfather will naturally campaign among the elders for you."
"Also, let this tempering experience teach all of you a lesson. Against enemies, one must be ruthless. If not for you holding the mentality of toying with that demonic beast, it would not have found an opportunity to self-detonate."
"Understood, Second Grandfather."
Wu Zhiping and the other two all lowered their heads.
Wentian’s group of five arrived at the city gate and lined up.
Fortunately, the queue was not long, only twenty or thirty people. Very quickly, it was their turn.
At the city gate were six early Foundation Establishment guards wearing black armor, as well as a middle-aged man at mid Foundation Establishment cultivation wearing steward robes.
The middle-aged man glanced at Wentian and asked indifferently, "One person or multiple?"
"The five of us together."
Although the middle-aged man was only mid Foundation Establishment, his eyes as he looked at Wentian showed no reverence at all. There was even a kind of pride.
Because he came from the City Lord Manor.
A steward of the City Lord Manor was someone even Foundation Establishment completion cultivators of various Foundation Establishment families had to give some face to.
The middle-aged steward swept a glance over the four behind Wentian, then said again, "Temporary residence tokens are divided into three kinds: monthly tokens, seasonal tokens, and yearly tokens."
Monthly card, seasonal card, yearly card?
Wentian secretly mocked inwardly. Was this a video membership or what?!
"The monthly token means the temporary residence token is effective for only one month. Seasonal and yearly tokens follow in order.
"However, the three have different discounts. A monthly token is one spirit stone per person. A seasonal token is two spirit stones per person. A yearly token is seven spirit stones per person.
"Which kind do you want?"
"Five yearly tokens." As Wentian spoke, he took out thirty-five spirit stones from his storage pouch and suspended them in the air.
The middle-aged steward swept a glance over them, put them into his storage pouch, then took out five cyan tokens and handed them to Wentian.
Wentian had seen the previous entrants’ tokens, and they had been gray and white.
This was somewhat similar to the light from spiritual root aptitude tests.
"Right, these tokens are all single-use. Once refined, whether someone else forcibly wipes away the divine sense on them or you remove it yourself, they will all lose effect.
"You will be unable to enter Horn Mansion City.
"To reissue one separately during the token’s effective period, a fee of one spirit stone will be charged."
"This Jianyi understands." Wentian cupped his fists, then distributed the tokens to Jianyi Mingxian and the other four.
Their divine sense branded the tokens, creating a connection in an instant. There was no need to spend time refining them like magic artifacts.
They passed through the translucent formation light curtain at the city gate.
Jianyi Mingxian’s pupils shrank slightly, and she transmitted, "Father, this is a third-rank mid-grade grand formation."