The Sect Leader Has Taken in a New Female Disciple

"I should be the one thanking you." Yu Yan quickly returned the courtesy.

She looked at Zhou Qing and solemnly said, "Allow me to reintroduce myself. My name is Yu Yan, a Yanzi of the Yu Race. If you ever come to Nanhuang State and need anything, feel free to find me at the Yu Race."

Zhou Qing nodded in agreement.

Yu Yan glanced at Lu Yaoyao. Although curious about how she knew her name, it wasn’t the right time to ask.

"I should go find my cousin first. He’s impulsive, better to prevent any more schemes from Yama." With that, Yu Yan tore through space and left.

Zhou Qing let out a long sigh of relief.

These cultivators who have gone through numerous hardships, severing their obsessions to break through the Spirit Severing Realm, are extraordinary in both temperament and strength.

In the future, I must act with greater caution.

"Let’s go." Zhou Qing turned and continued to pilot the Flying Ship towards Celestial Wave City...

...

Five days later, a dazzling light curtain suddenly appeared on the horizon.

The light curtain spanned the sky and the earth, enveloping the entire city like an inverted glass bowl.

The surface of the light curtain flowed with four-colored divine light, periodically bursting into splendid sparks of Spiritual Power where it connected with the sky.

"Is this Celestial Wave City’s protective array?" Lu Yaoyao stared wide-eyed.

Inside the light curtain, seven gigantic Teleportation Array Platforms floated mid-air, each spanning hundreds of feet.

They were entirely crafted from Crystal Stones of the Void, their surfaces engraved with complex array patterns.

Around the platforms were twelve sky-reaching jade pillars, each exuding a daunting pressure.

The statues of Spirit Beasts coiled around the pillars weren’t mere dead objects; they contained the sealed essences of true Spirit Beasts, occasionally emitting low growls that made the surrounding space tremble slightly.

Zhou Qing’s pupils contracted, his face unable to hide his shock.

An entire city using a Four-Color Array as its protective array—such an endeavor was unheard of!

In the Holy Martial Dynasty, arrays of this caliber were used to guard the borders.

"This..." Zhou Qing’s Adam’s apple moved, momentarily speechless.

The city’s immense scale and ingenious layout were unmatched by any city in the Holy Martial Dynasty.

Those palatial buildings and shops floating mid-air were crafted entirely from Crystal Stones of the Void, and the ubiquitous Spirit Springs on the streets all showcased the depth of a Fifth-level Cultivation Country.

As a Fourth-level Array Master, Zhou Qing couldn’t help but feel a bit of the awkwardness of a country cultivator stepping into a big city for the first time.

He instinctively touched the Storage Bag at his waist, wondering if the food here was expensive.

Zhou Qing took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the shock in his heart.

Then he lowered the Flying Ship, paying two top-grade Spirit Stones as the entry fee at the city gate.

The gate was guarded by a team of cultivators in Spirit Armor, each with a jade plaque engraved with "Celestial Wave," all of whom had Divinity Transformation Cultivation.

The moment they passed through the light curtain, rich Spiritual Qi surged in their faces.

Within the city, the buildings lined the streets in an orderly fashion, all constructed from Blue Profound Jade infused with Spiritual Power.

The streets were bustling with cultivators, and those flying atop magical artifacts occasionally darted overhead.

Most striking was the central plaza with its seven operational teleportation arrays, each activation shooting a brilliant four-colored pillar of light skywards.

Within the light beams, runes flowed faintly, causing slight ripples in the space within a hundred-foot radius.

"Let’s eat first. We can figure out the money later." Zhou Qing pointed to a distant floating pavilion.

When they stepped into the pavilion, a refreshing aroma of Spirit Tea greeted them.

The server was surprisingly a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Noticing the pair’s extraordinary demeanor, he quickly led them to a window-side elegant seat.

"What would the esteemed guests like to have? Today we have ice crystal fish freshly imported from Coldmoon State, as well as..."

Zhou Qing glanced over the menu, secretly taken aback.

The cheapest spirit vegetable dish cost three Mid-grade Spirit Stones.

He discreetly ordered a few common dishes and a pot of their cheapest Spirit Tea.

"Senior brother..." Lu Yaoyao whispered, "We..."

"Let’s fill our stomachs first," Zhou Qing gave her a meaningful look, eyes filled with embarrassment.

While dining, Zhou Qing inquired the server about the teleportation arrays.

He learned that traveling to Nanhuang State required five Top-Grade Spirit Stones per person, taking three months.

Including an old hen, they’d need at least Eleven Top-Grade Spirit Stones.

After eating and drinking to satisfaction, the two found a modest inn to stay in.

Though the room was simple, they could finally have a good rest.

This sleep lasted for two days and nights; the six-month teleportation array journey had been mentally exhausting.

Once their spirits recovered, they leisurely strolled around Celestial Wave City.

The street sides were lined with shops, including "Heavenly Talisman Pavilion" specializing in talismans, "Wanbao Tower" showcasing various rare materials, and "Divine Craft Workshop" dedicated to Artifact Refining.

Passing each location, Zhou Qing could feel the powerful restriction waves they emitted.

People of all kinds bustled along the streets, with cultivators of every type intermingling, and the cacophony of hawking endlessly resonating.

"Thousand-year-old Snow Ginseng from Coldmoon State, freshly arrived!"

"Scarlet Flame Golden Essence, a specialty of Nanhuang State, essential for Artifact Refining!"

"Level 3 Breaking Array Talismans handcrafted by a Third-level Array Master—only three available!"

...

Lu Yaoyao hopped around the stalls with her hands behind her back, occasionally stopping to look carefully, then shaking her head before leaving.

Every time a vendor enthusiastically introduced their goods, she’d wave them off and turn away, causing the vendors to frown: "Just a pauper!"

Meanwhile, Zhou Qing quietly scanned both sides of the street, contemplating ways to make money.

With his expertise as a Fourth-level Array Master, crafting some one-color or two-color arrays wasn’t too hard, but they yielded minimal profit.

Producing three-color or four-color arrays not only consumed time and effort, but the material costs alone were daunting.