Seven days later.
Shenzhou.
The land was crimson, as if steeped in magma and wine. Sunlight fell upon the ground, reflecting a deep red golden light, like a divine spectacle.
Among the high-altitude clouds and mist, flying artifacts and rare beasts were abundant, carrying countless cultivators. Most of them were otherworldly beings who had come to Shenzhou to participate in the Ten Thousand Races Alliance.
In a boat-shaped artifact, Xu Mu stood by the window, gazing at the land below the clouds and mist.
In these past few days, he had imagined countless times what Shenzhou would be like, why the Ten Thousand Races Alliance would be held here, and if there truly were gods in Shenzhou. Perhaps it was just a prosperous continent.
But he had not expected that this red land would truly look like a divine spectacle.
Shenzhou, it turned out, was an adjective.
"No matter how many times I come, I am still stunned by this grand spectacle," Jiang Tang stroked his beard, unable to refrain from sighing.
Xu Mu nodded and said, "The spiritual energy in this space seems much more abundant than in other places."
Jiang Tang grunted and replied, "Yes, your feeling is correct."
"Before the Great Revelation, Shenzhou was called Shenzhou by the world because of its peculiar appearance. But after the Great Revelation, it remained Shenzhou because the spiritual energy in its air is extremely dense, infinitely close to the primal energy of darkness, yet it does not cause mutation. It is a sacred land for all otherworldly beings to cultivate."
"Therefore, it is called Shenzhou."
Xu Mu opened the window and inhaled the air freely. Instantly, he felt his spirit invigorated and could not help but click his tongue repeatedly.
Indeed, the density of dark energy here was almost comparable to that of the Ghastly Night Domain, even nearly the same.
But why did it not cause mutation?
"Senior, do you know why it doesn't cause mutation?" Xu Mu asked curiously.
Jiang Tang shook his head, "I do not know."
"This question puzzles everyone in the world. Forces outside the Hundred Races Alliance, such as that legendary existence from the Demon Extermination Division, have also come to investigate, but ultimately found no answers. They can only classify Shenzhou as a place similar to a forbidden zone, albeit a forbidden zone for malevolent spirits and demons."
"A forbidden zone for malevolent spirits and demons? Then why is no one living here? It's all desolate," Xu Mu scratched his head, looking at the vast expanses of empty land below.
He believed that if such a place were in the Ghastly Night Domain, even the outhouses would be crowded, with two people fighting for space. Yet, on the ground of Shenzhou now, there wasn't a single house.
"Because Shenzhou is private territory," Jiang Tang said.
"Private territory?" Xu Mu was astonished.
"Yes, have you heard of the Xuanyuan family?" Jiang Tang turned to look at Xu Mu.
"The Xuanyuan family, I seem to have heard of them. Are they one of the Hundred Races?" Xu Mu asked.
Jiang Tang's gaze became solemn as he spoke, "The Xuanyuan clan is not just one of the Hundred Races. They can also be called the nominal leaders of the Hundred Races, because they govern Shenzhou."
Xu Mu scratched his head in confusion. As far as he knew, the Hundred Races Alliance should not have a leader. Where did the Xuanyuan family come from now?
Jiang Tang gazed at the red land of Shenzhou, his voice heavy, "The history of the Xuanyuan family can be traced back to ancient times. In the vast expanse of historical records, on any page, you can find accounts of their family."
"They have resided in Shenzhou since antiquity, never encroaching on others. Their own strength is immense, and no matter what kind of war has occurred, they have never lost their homeland."
"Furthermore, the Xuanyuan family is one of the few groups who believed in the existence of gods and demons before the Great Revelation. It is said that they possess much conclusive documentation to prove these matters, and the Xuanyuan clan also claims to be descendants of the previous Divine Emperors."
"Descendants of Divine Emperors." Xu Mu was somewhat stunned upon hearing this. He knew of Human Emperors, but where had the Divine Emperors come from?
"Divine Emperors were the rulers of humankind in the previous era, the era when humans could achieve immortality and when demons and devils existed. Because they cultivated to the end and ascended, they became gods, thus being called Divine Emperors," Jiang Tang said, then paused.
"Of course, this is all according to what the Xuanyuan clan claims. We do not know if it is true or false, nor do we have any way to verify it."
"And after the Great Revelation, the Xuanyuan family claimed Shenzhou as their private property, never coveting other lands. They built a city of immense grandeur on Shenzhou, the Sacred City."
"The Sacred City is the only city built by the Xuanyuan clan on the land of Shenzhou. It floats in the sky, incredibly vast. From the ground, it looks like a magnificent palace in the heavens, stretching endlessly to the north, south, east, and west."
"It is the largest and most sacred city on the entire Eastern Continent, because the Xuanyuan family claims that they could build a sky-high sacred city through divine power. Therefore, grand events like the Ten Thousand Races Alliance are held within the Sacred City."
"So that's how it is."
After listening to Jiang Tang's explanation, Xu Mu, besides being astonished, developed an immense interest in the Xuanyuan clan.
This was because he knew that other human civilizations had existed on this continent. After the Age of Gods and Demons ended, there was another era. However, just like the Age of Gods and Demons, present-day humans knew nothing about that civilization or era.
But the Xuanyuan family claimed to be descendants of humans from that era and possessed much information. Although it had not been publicly disclosed, Xu Mu believed it was highly likely to be true.
Xu Mu's gaze was serious. The Xuanyuan family. It seemed he had to take this opportunity to understand them properly.
"Don't space out. Put on the mask. The family has sent me alone to escort you. You absolutely must not let anyone discover your identity." Jiang Tang said, handing Xu Mu a magical artifact mask.
Xu Mu was taken aback for a moment. He did not refuse and immediately put the mask on his face. He did not tell Jiang Tang that his current face was already a disguise from a magical artifact mask.
As the artifact flew, the red-golden light before Xu Mu's eyes grew brighter and brighter, until finally, he could not even look directly outside and had to close his eyes.
After a burst of intense roaring, the light disappeared. Xu Mu slowly opened his eyes and then, he saw a city floating in the sky.
This city seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. It was immensely vast, like the legendary Penglai Immortal Island, shrouded in clouds and mist, illuminated by multicolored rays of light. Water trickled down from it like a flowing jade belt.
Pavilions and towers were arranged in tiers, their red bricks and red walls inscribed with countless runes, connected by formations. In the very center stood a towering white jade pagoda. The city was crowded with people, and exotic beasts moved back and forth.
"It's truly magnificent."
As Xu Mu landed, he could not help but exclaim. He had seen his fair share of grand sights, but no matter where it was, any town or city paled in comparison to the prosperity of this Sacred City.
"Those who come, please present your credentials." At the entrance of the Sacred City, guards were checking. They asked Xu Mu and Jiang Tang to present their entry qualifications.
Jiang Tang stepped forward and presented a token symbolizing his status as an elder of the Jiang family. The guard nodded and let them pass directly.
On the other side, Xu Mu, who was about to take out his token for the Ten Thousand Races Alliance competition, awkwardly put it back.
"I thought he wanted my competition qualification."
"Your qualification can also be used, of course. Talents participating in the Ten Thousand Races Alliance can enter and exit the Sacred City freely," Jiang Tang said, then brought Xu Mu back into the artifact and accelerated into the city.
"Where are we going?" Xu Mu asked.
"The place we are going is called the Hidden Dragon Inn. It is absolutely safe there, but after I escort you, I have my own matters to attend to and cannot accompany you."
"Before the Ten Thousand Races Alliance begins, you should stay there and do not wander around carelessly," Jiang Tang said calmly, controlling the artifact.
"Oh, okay." Xu Mu nodded, gazing at the bustling streets outside the artifact, finding it hard to contain his excitement.
There were still more than twenty days before the Ten Thousand Races Alliance commenced. During this time, he was determined to have a good look around this Sacred City!
...