Chapter 3: Farewell to Beishan Baiwei

"I heard that flying over Anchan City is absolutely forbidden. If anyone dares to fly over Anchan City, they'll be in big trouble," Meng Jun said as they all landed on the ground.

Ji Ning gazed at Anchan City in the distance. It was an endlessly ancient city that had existed since the era of gods and demons. Now only a few dozen li away, Ji Ning could feel the boundless primal energies of heaven and earth continuously converging into the city, along with a terrifying sense of pressure.

"The entire Anchan City is a super-sized formation, probably at the immortal level," Ji Ning thought to himself.

Ji Ning and the three Mengs walked toward the city gate of Anchan City. They headed for the East Gate, which was a thousand zhang wide and a hundred zhang high, giving an idea of how majestic the city walls were.

"Your caravan has three hundred and twenty-one people. Pay three hundred jin of Thunder Gold!" A massive caravan ahead of Ji Ning, almost entirely composed of innate lifeforms, paid three large chunks of Thunder Gold and received three hundred black-covered books before entering the city.

"Entry fee: two jin of Thunder Gold," a soldier clad in Daoist armor barked at Ji Ning. Since Ji Ning had the Whitewater Marsh with him, it counted as two.

Ji Ning flipped his hand and produced two fingernail-sized pieces of metal that shimmered with blue light, like gold. This was Thunder Gold, far denser than ordinary gold. Back when Ji Ning bought the Northmoon swords, he had used a small piece of Thunder Gold... For ordinary innate lifeforms, two jin of Thunder Gold was nothing, let alone for Ji Ning.

"Hmm." The soldier took the Thunder Gold and handed over two black-covered books.

...

Soon, the three Mengs and Ji Ning entered Anchan City. They all flipped through the black-covered books, which had the words "Anchan City" on the cover. Opening them, they found an introduction to the entire city.

"Anchan City is nine thousand three hundred and twenty-one li long and eight thousand nine hundred and ten li wide. It is divided into the East City, South City, North City, West City, and the Marquis of Anchan's Estate."

Ji Ning read carefully.

The Marquis of Anchan's Estate was at the center of Anchan City, eight hundred li in both length and width—an absolute forbidden zone. Trespassing was a capital offense!

The East City, South City, and North City prohibited killing and were the safest places to live... If anyone dared to make a move, it would be a provocation to the Marquis of Anchan's Estate! Thus, these three areas gathered many scattered cultivators, and even some old recluses lived there in peace.

Similarly, these were favorite places for wealthy merchants and magnates. They amassed huge fortunes through trade and lived safely within Anchan City, often hiring large numbers of cultivators.

"West City?" Ji Ning's eyes lit up.

The West City was the most bustling part of Anchan City!

In the West City stood many large mansions, belonging to those of high status or immense power. Of course, there were also branch offices of top clans, sects, and religions. Many who came to Anchan City to seek masters would try their luck at these branches. Meanwhile, the West City also had areas for commerce and entertainment.

One thing only!

In the most bustling and noisy West City, killing was only forbidden on the streets. Within the mansions and the branch offices of sects and religions... fierce battles were allowed. Of course, only if the owners of these mansions and branches permitted it.

"Beishan Black Tiger." Ji Ning saw the names of mansions marked in the book, including "Beishan Black Tiger."

"The Beishan Black Tiger Mansion covers ten li in area. In Anchan City, where land is as precious as Thunder Gold... this mansion is so large, it must have astonishing power," Ji Ning thought. The Marquis of Anchan, Beishan clan, had many high-ranking members who built mansions outside, but the Beishan Black Tiger Mansion was among the most prominent.

This showed its status!

"Ah," Meng Jun slapped his head. "So flying over Anchan City is forbidden, but once you become a Primordial Daoist, you can fly! I thought it was forbidden for everyone." Earlier, Meng Jun had spoken with certainty, but now seeing the rules in the book, he quickly tried to cover up.

"Brother Ji Ning, the West City of Anchan City is extremely bustling, especially the 'Treasure Exchange' there," Meng Jun urged. "Let's go check it out."

"I heard that thousands of cultivators set up stalls at the Treasure Exchange," Meng Xin said eagerly.

Meng Yan nodded.

"Let's go see," Ji Ning said, also looking forward to it.

The Treasure Exchange was a place specifically for cultivators to trade treasures.

...

Ji Ning and the others had entered through the East Gate and had to traverse the entire Anchan City to reach the West City. The journey was several thousand li. Fortunately, they were all cultivators... Though they didn't dare to be too conspicuous and moved at a moderate pace, they reached the Treasure Exchange in the West City in half an hour.

The Treasure Exchange.

At a glance, it was a huge square filled with countless stalls. Cultivators set up their stalls, each with a white stone beside it, on which black characters listed the treasures the stall owner wanted in exchange.

"So many," Ji Ning breathed. "At a glance, there must be over ten thousand cultivators. Anchan City truly lives up to its reputation as a gathering place for immortals and demons, the center of the entire Anchan Commandery. Even just the Treasure Exchange gathers so many people."

At the Treasure Exchange, all kinds of treasures were available, including some bizarre and strange ones.

The advantage of trading here was that it was relatively cheap!

The disadvantage was that it wasn't safe!

Since it was in the West City, where killing was only forbidden on the streets, the Treasure Exchange did not prohibit killing. It was entirely possible for someone to kill for treasure... though it was relatively rare, because those who dared to display truly valuable treasures usually had enough strength to deter others.

"Although the Treasure Exchange doesn't forbid killing, you can't tell a person's strength just by looking. Even if someone brings out a rare magic treasure, who knows how strong they are? Maybe it's just a Primordial Daoist playing around," Meng Xin said.

Ji Ning nodded.

"Xiao Jun!" Suddenly a voice called out.

Meng Jun turned to look and was overjoyed: "Third Uncle!" A bald middle-aged man was walking over from a distance, his face full of smiles.

Meng Xin and Meng Yan turned to look, recognized the man, and also said, "Uncle Ming!"

"Haha, all three of you have left the tribe," the bald middle-aged man laughed. "It's good to get out. You've suffered enough swallowing your anger in the tribe. It's much better outside. Are you three new to Anchan City?"

Meng Jun quickly said, "We just arrived in Anchan City. This time we're planning to seek masters, but out of curiosity, we came to see the Treasure Exchange first."

"The Treasure Exchange is nothing special, just lots of treasures, and maybe some rare finds," the bald man shook his head. "But it gets boring after a while. You three are here for the first time, and once you join a sect, you won't have much time to wander. I've been in Anchan City for over a hundred years and know it well. Let me show you around properly, take you to some really good places."

Meng Jun, Meng Xin, and Meng Yan were all delighted.

"And who is this beside you?" The bald man noticed Ji Ning and the Whitewater Marsh following him.

Meng Jun glanced at Ji Ning but said nothing.

At first, he had flattered Ji Ning, but after so long without any benefit, he had begun to look down on him. Especially now that he saw his third uncle, he had completely dismissed Ji Ning. After all, he was going to join a sect soon, so why bother with this Ji Ning?

"This is Brother Ji Ning," Meng Xin said crisply. "He saved our lives."

"Oh?" The bald man immediately said, "Then I must thank Daoist Ji Ning. Would you like to join us, Daoist Ji Ning? I can entertain you and thank you for your help."

"No need," Ji Ning shook his head.

Meng Xin and Meng Yan looked at Ji Ning, about to persuade him.

"Let's part ways here," Ji Ning smiled. "Our meeting was fate. If fate allows, we'll meet again."

"Hmm," Meng Yan nodded.

Beside him, Meng Jun curled his lips, gave Ji Ning a perfunctory smile, and said nothing more. His smile was clearly dismissive.

"Such a shallow person," Ji Ning thought to himself, seeing Meng Jun's behavior.

...

Watching the three Mengs leave with their third uncle, especially Meng Jun chattering around him, making the bald man beam with smiles, Ji Ning shook his head.

When the Golden Crow was about to set in the west.

After wandering for a long time, Ji Ning finally arrived at the Beishan Black Tiger Mansion.

"What an imposing mansion," Ji Ning looked at the distant residence. The majestic mansion, covering ten li in area, had rows of soldiers at the gate, their aura grim. Especially the huge black tiger stone carving beside the main gate, its tiger head scanning the passersby on the street, exuding an air of dominance.

Pedestrians on the street instinctively kept their distance from the mansion, not daring to approach.

Ji Ning walked over.

"Who goes there?" One of the soldiers at the gate of the Beishan Black Tiger Mansion barked.

Ji Ning knew that once he came within ten zhang of the mansion, it was considered the mansion's territory, and the Beishan Black Tiger Mansion could kill him outright.

Ji Ning flipped his hand and produced the "Beishan Black Tiger" token that Beishan Baiwei had given him. Seeing the token, the soldier immediately broke into a smile and became more respectful: "May I ask whom you wish to see, sir? I will announce you."

"I am Ji Ning. I've come to see Young Master Beishan Baiwei," Ji Ning smiled. "Please announce me."

"Very well, please wait a moment." The soldier quickly rushed into the mansion. The other soldiers guarding the gate looked at Ji Ning with friendlier eyes, but when they turned to the passersby on the street, they were still cold.

"Hahaha..." Suddenly, hearty laughter rang out.

A young man in black robes and a tall hat strode out, his face full of joy when he saw Ji Ning: "Brother Ji Ning, I've been waiting for you! You said you'd come soon, but half a year has passed. You've broken my heart! Haha, now that you're in Anchan City, you're home. Don't worry about anything—leave it all to me." He walked up, took Ji Ning's arm warmly, and said, "Come, let's take the carriage."

A carriage bathed in flames came galloping up and stopped in front of the mansion. A woman sat in the carriage; she stepped down and bowed respectfully to Beishan Baiwei: "Young Master."

...