Second update. I've completed today's six thousand words. Dear readers, please verify.
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Xinyue was located in the central-northern part of Shenzhou Land, named after the famous mountain within its territory, Xin Mountain. Xin Mountain arose from the influence of the Kunlun Mountain Range, the highest in Shenzhou, though not connecting to it. From afar, it seemed like a solitary peak standing on the plains, somewhat abrupt. The north slope of Xin Mountain was steep, and the south slope was gentle, where the Immortal Alliance Main Temple was established.
It had once been a forbidden ground for the Holy Infant Sect, the most prominent Great Sect of the Ancient Method Immortal Path from thousands of years ago. Master Ge Bai, the first Modern Cultivator and Master of Xuanxing Temple, had once been suppressed here by the Holy Infant Sect using the influence of Kunlun. Later, the first Carefree Practitioner, Heavenly Selection God Monarch Darwin, fought alone against seven, defeated all the Mahayana of the Holy Infant Sect here, and escaped with the Master of Xuanxing Temple, establishing the formidable reputation of the Modern Method. Yuanli Master Newton, All Laws Return to One Mai Siwei, and a host of other geniuses also chose this place to unite the various Modern Sects in battle against the Ancient Method Practitioners. After Daoist of Uncertainty together with the Demon Emperor split Mysterious Palace and caused a great catastrophe for the Immortal Dao, leading to chaos in the world, Heavenly Sword Palace was founded here, righting wrongs with the power of the Heavenly Sword. To prevent further turmoil within the Immortal Dao, the leading Sects, with the Five Absolutes at the helm, formed the Immortal Alliance, naturally selecting their Main Temple to be located here.
Although the area was close to the North Wilderness, it should not be as fertile as the southeastern fertile lands of Shenzhou where Wang Qi was born. However, when the Immortal Alliance was first established, Cultivators from Mountain River City brought water from the south, and Liuyun Sect Cultivators manipulated the winds and rain, making the climate here quite pleasant. Over the centuries, many mortals were attracted to this rich land and settled here. Modern Cultivators did not drive them away, and as time passed, a large city emerged—today's Xinyue.
Xinyue was divided into an Inner City and an Outer City. The Outer City was where mortals lived; close to the key location for Immortal Dao and home to many wealthy traders. The Inner City, on the other hand, was the domain of Cultivators, strictly limiting the entry of mortals and prohibiting ordinary Cultivators from flying escape. Yan Heyi's Flying Boat circled above the outskirts of Xinyue City for a short while before descending toward the entrance of the Inner City.
"Wow, it's really huge," Wang Qi said, looking at the Outer City. Based on Wang Qi's history knowledge of a science guy level, the productivity of the nine continents was probably on par with that of the Song Dynasty. It seemed incredible that they could build a city on a scale comparable to modern cities on Earth.
Xiang Qi sneered, "Are you scared by this? Wait till you get inside the Inner City, you might just die of shock."
Wang Qi looked far into the distance. Xinyue Inner City was built upon the mountain, so theoretically, he should be able to see everything but, for some reason, Xin Mountain was shrouded in a thin mist, obscuring the view.
Xiang Qi explained, "It's Liuyun Sect's Cloud Mountain Mist Array. Its power isn't much less than the arrays set by the Five Absolutes Sects. Plus, the Spiritual Energy it consumes to maintain is negligible compared to other arrays of the same class, which is why the Immortal Alliance often chooses this as their standard Protective Array. If several Mahayana Cultivators were to attack, we could also easily activate stronger arrays."
While they talked, they felt a tremor under their feet as the Flying Boat touched down. Xiang Qi led Wang Qi off the Flying Boat and landed on the ground. There were no city walls between the Inner and Outer City, with only the clouds and mist of the Cloud Mountain Mist Array separating them—the Cloud Mountain Mist Shield Array had several openings that allowed Cultivators to come and go freely, but would block mortals without Mana. Wang Qi noticed that the ground where he stood was paved with blue stone slabs, resembling a plaza of sorts. In the middle of the "plaza" was a band of mist where Cultivators frequently passed through. There were also mortals wandering about the plaza, likely hoping to encounter a sliver of chance with the Immortal Path.
Yan Heyi performed several Finger Techniques, and the Spirit Boat vibrated for a moment before it began to shrink and transform into a streak of light, flying into his sleeve. After putting away the Flying Boat, Yan Heyi said to them, "Let's go in. Also, Wang Qi, remember to activate your Mana. With Mana levels like those in the earliest stages of Qi Cultivation, you might get blocked by the Cloud Mountain Mist Array."
Having said that, Yan Heyi walked towards the Inner City, with Xiang Qi and Wang Qi following closely behind.
After passing through the mist belt, Wang Qi's eyes widened in amazement, "I'll be darned..."
Corridors winding and eaves high-sticking were perhaps common sights in this world, but what if the winding corridors stretched across the sky, with ancient-style buildings reaching a hundred stories high?
The main street was bustling with Cultivators. Various shops lined the street, dazzling with an array of wares. If not for the distinct Shenzhou architectural style, Wang Qi would have almost thought he had transmigrated back to Earth and had arrived in a highly advanced metropolis!
Zhen Chan couldn't help but sigh, "The atmosphere today is indeed very different from my time."
Wang Qi asked curiously, "Old man, what was it like in your time?"
Zhen Chan let out a bitter smile, "Heh heh, back then, we Cultivators had our trading spots too, but they were unmanaged, coming and going as one pleased. I'm afraid even the better-managed Mortal Markets couldn't compare."
Yan Heyi, originally leading the two towards Xin Mountain, stopped when she heard the exchange between Wang Qi and Zhen Chan. She paused and said, "Wang Qi, if you're curious, feel free to look around. There's no need for you here."
Wang Qi felt this was exactly what he needed, thinking that if only this aunt could stop being so stern all the time, it would have been even better. He was ready to go off on his own, but Xiang Qi grabbed the young man as he was about to take off, sighing, "Ah, do you even have a plan? How am I supposed to find you if you just run off like that?" As she spoke, she pulled out a small bell and a black rectangle Magic Artifact the size of a palm from her Storage Bag, "Here, don't lose this bell, it's for locating people. I'm lending you my spirit pool for now. Don't go crazy and don't just buy anything you fancy, or you'll be in trouble."
"Spirit Pool?" Wang Qi carefully examined the Magic Artifact in his hand, feeling that it looked quite like a power bank, "How do I use it?"
Xiang Qi slapped her forehead, as by now, Yan Heyi was already far ahead. Not wanting to waste time, she said, "If you're shopping, the seller will take out something similar. Just touch your spirit pool against theirs to complete the purchase. You still can't control the output... never mind, just remember to ask for a receipt. In the Immortal Alliance Main Temple, nobody would dare to scam you."
Xiang Qi hurriedly followed Yan Heyi's footsteps.
Wang Qi stood on the street side holding the magic artifact, baffled.
"Old man… this thing, do you recognize what it's probably used for?"
Zhen Chan, in his Mahayana Realm, enveloped the so-called spirit pool magic artifact with his divine sense and scrutinized it for a while, "The inscribed talisman and array are almost incomprehensible. However, it seems to be used for storing spiritual energy."
"Spiritual energy?"
Zhen Chan explained, "I've mentioned it before, haven't I? The things needed by those in the Immortal Dao can hardly be measured in gold or silver. In the past, we often used spirit stones as a medium for trade. Now, it's mostly done directly with spiritual energy."
Wang Qi frowned, "How is value calculated?"
Zhen Chan said, "The spiritual energy inside this artifact is stored in a very peculiar manner. It's not lumped together but divided into portions at a very minute level. The outflow of spiritual energy occurs by the portion,"
Discontinuity?
Wang Qi was intensely curious. After gaining understanding over the past few days, he had confirmed that the cultivation practices of the Mysterious Palace among the Five Ultimates had connections with quantum mechanics. This meant that in this world, discontinuity still prevailed. Time consisted of countless Planck Time units, and the transmission of energy also happened in a discontinuous manner according to the Planck Constant—of course, this world's cosmic constant might differ from Earth's.
And this spirit pool, does it imply that spiritual energy also exhibits discontinuity?
Wang Qi shook his head, now was not the time for research. He continued to ask, "Do you know how to use it?"
Zhen Chan said irritably, "Look around. This thing, since it's used in buying and selling, ought to be very commonly used."
Wang Qi paid attention to the passersby. After picking out goods at the stalls, many people would take out their spirit pools, press them against the stall owner's or shopkeeper's spirit pool, and complete the transaction within a few seconds.
So it's like a bank card plus a point-of-sale terminal, huh?
Zhen Chan suggested, "Go have a look around. Right now, you don't have much to your name, not even the most basic attire of a cultivator."
Wang Qi shook his head, "But that's someone else's money."
Zhen Chan said, "That someone is a Foundation Establishment Cultivator from a great sect. The set of Sword Disks he has, any single one of them is worth more than the total possessions of ten Qi Refining Cultivators."
"Some relationship, but not enough to share a wallet. I'd rather not engage in such things," Wang Qi refused, "The pressing matter is that manuscript."
Zhen Chan doubted, "You already have a clue?"
Wang Qi tilted his head up, disdainfully saying, "Without pen and paper, how can I analyze it? First, I'll look for some paper and pen, then find a place to carefully go over it once."
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I'm thickening my face to ask for recommendations and collections.