Chapter 469 (1)

Chapter 469 (1)

"Master, is this the Sacred City?"

Before the towering gates of the Sacred City, crowds surged, with countless people gathered, unable to enter.

A young man stared in disbelief at the grand and imposing city gates, which exuded an aura of majesty.

When he had first entered Xuanwu City, its magnificence had already left him in awe.

Yet, he hadn’t expected the Sacred City to be even more majestic and vast.

He found it hard to imagine what kind of individuals could reside in such a colossal city.

Beside him, an elder clad in a plain robe also displayed a look of astonishment.

Compared to the time when he had traveled here in his youth, the Sacred City seemed even more awe-inspiring.

However, hearing his disciple’s exclamation, he smiled and nodded. "Indeed, this is the Sacred City, the grandest and most magnificent city in the world, and the very heart of Zhongzhou."

The young man gazed at the immense city before him, then turned his eyes to the even more imposing Sacred Mountain that loomed in the distance, its peak hidden in the clouds.

His heart surged with excitement, feeling that this journey with his master had been truly worthwhile.

The sights he had encountered along the way had already broadened his horizons immensely.

And now, upon seeing the magnificent Sacred City, he felt that if he could one day settle in such a place, it would be a life well-lived.

The elder in the plain robe chuckled as he noticed the eager light in his disciple’s eyes.

This disciple of his possessed extraordinary talent in cultivation, and his future achievements would undoubtedly far surpass his own.

Thus, he had brought him on this journey to expand his perspective and increase his knowledge.

If he were to remain confined to their small mountain village, his limited horizons would stifle his talent, and he would struggle to accomplish anything great.

Leading his disciple, the elder approached the Sacred City’s gates.

However, as they neared, they were stopped by a city guard.

"The two of you cannot enter the Sacred City without permission."

"The Sacred City no longer allows free entry?" The elder was taken aback. "Over a hundred years ago, when I last traveled here, the city had no restrictions—anyone could enter freely."

"That was indeed the case in the past," the guard replied calmly, clearly accustomed to such inquiries. "However, with the upcoming Saint Assembly, the Holy Lord has decreed that until the event concludes, only sects and forces with invitations, as well as cultivators at or above the Precelestial Realm, may enter."

"My master is at the peak of the Precelestial Realm!" The young man immediately straightened his back, pride evident in his voice.

The elder hesitated for a moment before smiling. "My disciple is impetuous, I hope the esteemed guard won’t take offense."

He now understood why so many people were gathered outside the gates.

Among them, the strongest auras barely reached the peak of the Postnatal Realm.

Clearly, they had been barred from entering the city.

"You are at the peak of the Precelestial Realm?" The guard turned his attention to the elder.

"This old man has limited talent. After over a century of cultivation, I have only barely reached this level."

As he spoke, the elder released a hint of his aura.

Instantly, the surrounding atmosphere was filled with the ethereal essence of a peak Precelestial cultivator.

Nearby martial artists in the Postnatal Realm instinctively stepped back, feeling the faint but undeniable pressure emanating from him.

Although the changes in the world had caused spiritual energy to revive over the past few years, making Precelestial cultivators less rare than before, they were still beings that Postnatal martial artists had to revere.

Even the city guard became more respectful upon sensing his presence.

After carefully verifying his aura, the guard nodded. "Indeed, you are at the peak of the Precelestial Realm. According to the decree, you may enter with up to three disciples. You may proceed."

As the elder and his disciple stepped into the Sacred City, the martial artists left outside the gates looked on with envy.

However, none dared to voice any complaints, for even the guards were of significant strength—each one at least at the Grand Precelestial Realm.

They were not individuals they could afford to offend.

Feeling the gazes upon him, the young man puffed out his chest, pride swelling within him.

…

On the upper floor of a nearby tavern, a group of young cultivators sat at a window overlooking the city gates.

Seven or eight of them, all possessing extraordinary auras, were clearly elite disciples nurtured by major sects.

A young man in white smiled and turned to a dark-robed youth. "Qi, do you recognize him? That man who just entered, the one at the peak of the Precelestial Realm?"

The dark-robed youth narrowed his eyes as he examined the elder.

Then, he smirked confidently. "A peak Precelestial Realm cultivator, and at such an advanced age… judging by his appearance, if I am not mistaken, he should be Mu Qianfeng, the ‘Azure Light Sword’, who shook the northern regions seventy years ago.

Brother Zhirui, do you agree?"

His last words were directed toward another young man, who had been silently observing the scene.

That young man was none other than Lin Zhirui.

Hearing the inquiry, Lin Zhirui glanced at the pair and smiled. "Qi, your judgment is indeed sharp. That is indeed the ‘Azure Light Sword’ of old.

It’s surprising to see him reappear after so many years."

The intelligence network of Tianji Tower was unparalleled.

Since Lin Zhirui had confirmed it, there was no doubt about the identification.

The others turned to Qi with admiration.

"Haha, Qi, your knowledge is truly vast," the white-robed youth laughed. "You can even recognize an elder who has been in seclusion for decades. I am impressed!"

Qi, however, responded modestly, "Brother Wang, you flatter me. I simply enjoy collecting information about the past exploits of senior experts. I am not particularly knowledgeable."

Yet, despite his words, the satisfaction on his face was unmistakable.

At this moment, a beautiful young woman, puzzled, spoke up.

"I recall my sect elders mentioning Mu Qianfeng before. Decades ago, he was already in the Grand Precelestial Realm.

Now, after all these years, even with the revival of spiritual energy, he has only advanced to the peak of the Precelestial Realm? That seems rather unusual."

Qi nodded. "I happen to know the reason.

Rumor has it that before he disappeared, he had a conflict with Tian Cang Sect in the northern territories.

In the ensuing battle, he single-handedly fought against multiple elders of Tian Cang Sect, slaying two of their Grand Elders before escaping with serious injuries.

Since then, he vanished from the martial world.

It is likely that his foundation was damaged in that battle, which is why his cultivation has barely progressed despite the spiritual revival."

"Tian Cang Sect?" Another youth's expression changed. "Didn’t they arrive in the Sacred City three days ago?

He dares to show himself here? Is he not afraid of revenge?"

"That, I do not know," Qi said thoughtfully. "Perhaps he believes that with the Saint Assembly soon to begin, and with so many powerful factions gathered, Tian Cang Sect would not dare to act recklessly."

The group considered this and found it reasonable.