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On the Flying Chariot, more than ten powerful Cultivators gathered, representing the strongest force of the Mad Dog gang. At that moment, a goat-bearded Cultivator murmured, "This Flying Vessel must belong to Fellow Daoist Zhou Nansheng. Isn't he stationed at the Second Layer Entrance?"
This remark immediately caught the attention of the Group of Practitioners, and Mad Dog snapped back to reality, turning to look behind him. What he saw nearly made his eyes pop out of their sockets: a ten-zhang-long Purple Light Halberd was hurtling through the air, slicing down onto the Flying Chariot amidst the startled cries of the onlookers.
With a thunderous crash, the Flying Chariot shattered into pieces. Limbs and blood scattered everywhere as the Purple Light Halberd pierced through the Flying Chariot, instantly killing five Cultivators and injuring many more. The surviving Cultivators roared in anger, summoning their own Flying Artifacts to launch a furious assault on the Winged Flying Boat. However, after slicing through the Flying Chariot, the Purple Light Halberd swung back with overwhelming force.
The first two Cultivators to face it hurriedly summoned a shield and a brick as their Defensive Artifacts while unleashing two Attacking Artifacts against the Purple Light Halberd. To their shock, the halberd cut through their defenses as if they were mere vegetables, cleaving them apart and sending their remains raining down like a bloody shower. At this moment, Zhu Xiu's courage shattered; he no longer cared about Xunuo on the Winged Flying Boat and fled in all directions.
Mad Dog, with one arm broken at an angle, tried to stop his fleeing subordinates but realized he was powerless against the advancing Purple Light Halberd. He could only flash away in escape. Xunuo held a spirit stone in each hand and glanced at the fleeing Evil Cultivators with a pale face, letting out a helpless sigh.
Having activated the hidden properties of Heavenly Shadow Spike twice in succession had drained most of Xunuo's mana. If there had been any energy left, Xunuo would have certainly aimed to eliminate every last Evil Cultivator, especially Mad Dog—Xunuo truly wanted to rid himself of this menace. Unfortunately, Xunuo was simply too weak to further command the Purple Light Halberd for additional strikes. He retracted Heavenly Shadow Spike as the Winged Flying Boat vanished into the horizon with a few flashes.
Seeing that Xunuo did not make another move to attack, Mad Dog realized that Xunuo lacked the strength to wield that powerful artifact. He hastily called his subordinates to pursue Xunuo; however, Zhu Xiu had already been terrified into submission and ignored him as he fled in all directions. Mad Dog roared in frustration; his own injuries left him unable to chase effectively. After venting his anger for a while, he could only return in disappointment.
Xunuo did not head towards Cloud City but flew for nearly a day before changing direction. For ten days, he zigzagged through the skies until confirming he was not being tracked before finally adjusting his course toward Cloud City.
Cloud City was one of the few places in southern Tian where vast amounts of top-tier Cultivation Resources were circulated and traded. It gathered all Merchant Alliances from southern Tian, naturally attracting nearby Cultivation Sects that stationed disciples there solely to tap into financial resources and acquire more Cultivation Resources without interfering with local order. The real management of Cloud City fell into the hands of three Merchant Alliance Groups. Each of these groups was formed by several Merchant Alliances working together. They were the largest beneficiaries of Cloud City and thus responsible for its governance. The Three Major Merchant Alliances were each as powerful as ordinary Cultivation Sects; together they controlled Cloud City, ensuring that Loose Cultivators dared not act recklessly—even those stationed there from various Cultivation Sects adhered strictly to the rules set by these three Merchant Alliances.
Cultivation Sects did not fear these Merchant Alliance Groups; rather, they viewed them as organizations without heritage that could easily unite for profit but would scatter like sand without common interests. Such organizations posed no threat to Cultivation Sects.
However, while Cultivation Sects coveted the benefits offered by Merchant Alliance Groups, they also understood that such matters were not easily navigable by them. Managing Cloud City alone would likely require significant resources from an entire sect; moreover, any sizable Merchant Alliance needed mutual cooperation and established branches across southern Tian where Cultivators congregated to exploit resources through teams for mining or hunting. These human and material resources were beyond what any single Cultivation Sect could manage; furthermore, such endeavors contradicted their focus on cultivation—like picking up sesame seeds while dropping watermelons—so it was better for them to concentrate on their training.
At this moment, within an inn belonging to one Merchant Alliance, a bearded Eleventh Layer Cultivator stood respectfully before a Long-Browed Cultivator known as in front of, discussing something earnestly. This bearded man was none other than one of the Evil Cultivators who had chased after Xunuo alongside Mad Dog.
A moment later, the Long-Browed Cultivator's eyes lit up. "Can you be sure that person is Xunuo?"
The bearded man hurriedly replied, "Without a doubt. This person looks exactly like the portrait on your Sect's wanted list. Moreover, his Divine Sense is exceptionally powerful; he is definitely a top-tier Alchemist."
The Long-Browed Cultivator flicked his wrist, and a portrait unfolded. "Take another look and confirm if it's this person."
"Indeed, it is him. How could I dare to deceive you, senior?"
Upon hearing this, the Long-Browed Cultivator put away the portrait and began to whisper something to someone unseen. The bearded man stood respectfully, not daring to breathe too loudly. It was no wonder; as Evil Cultivators, they often bullied Loose Cultivators but would never dare offend a Cultivation Sect, especially not one at the Foundation Establishment Stage like the person in front of them.
"Good. If it truly is that person, the rewards for capturing him will be substantial. If you manage to seize him, I will grant you an immense opportunity," the Long-Browed Cultivator said after a brief discussion. The bearded man was naturally overjoyed and bowed in gratitude.
Without further ado, the Long-Browed Cultivator set out with the bearded man from the city towards Purple Sun Fiery Valley. Unbeknownst to them, another large Flying Vessel was trailing them from a distance.
Xunuo arrived at Cloud City and first went to a lodging place mentioned by Mei Sanli. It was an independent courtyard-style Cave located in the southwest of Cloud City, covered by a Defensive Array. This was actually a stronghold of Ku Zulan; now that both teams had merged, it became their base in Cloud City.
In Cloud City, as long as it wasn't a concentrated Shop area, Cultivators' Caves or residences would employ some form of shielding or defensive measures. Ku Zulan had previously introduced this Defensive Array to Xunuo and informed him where the back door was located.
As Xunuo examined the formation, he felt that there was no need to use the back door; breaking through it posed no risk at all. However, he entered the array and was taken aback. Inside was a vast courtyard and a three-story Small Building. But what caught his immediate attention were two Cultivators engaged in a game of chess.
The two paused for a moment before one of them, a Yellow-Faced Black-Crowned Cultivator, exclaimed, "Xue Dao You?"
Xunuo nearly lost his temper; after being recognized in Purple Sun Fiery Valley, he had been extremely frustrated. This time he had changed his appearance to that of a yellow-faced Middle-aged Cultivator upon entering Cloud City, yet here he was being recognized again. Seeing Xunuo poised to strike at any moment, the Yellow-Faced Black-Crowned Cultivator quickly added, "We are on the same side."
The phrase sounded so familiar. Oh, during my childhood visit home, the brothers in the clan had said something similar. Xunuo felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead. Well, we are in this together.
The Yellow-Faced Black-Crowned Cultivator also felt embarrassed by his hasty words, giving a sheepish smile as he tossed a jade slip to Xunuo. Xunuo caught the jade slip and probed it with his Divine Sense, hearing a message from Mei Sanli. This message was specifically left for Xunuo, first informing him that a few more people had joined the operation, bringing the team to thirteen members, including the two Cultivators in the formation. Secondly, the source of the Foundation Pill that Xunuo had obtained had been confirmed by Mei Sanli and others, ensuring its authenticity. Furthermore, Mei Sanli instructed Xunuo to report on the progress of the formation; if Xunuo could not personally participate in this operation, he should hand over the formation to these two Cultivators.
However, Mei Sanli reminded Xunuo not to use Sound Transmission Talismans or Sound Transmission Jade Tablets, as these communication methods could easily be intercepted by High-Level Practitioners in this environment. Currently, all information exchanges relied on these two Cultivators, which was also why they were stationed at Cloud City.
Mei Sanli and others were dispersed around the perimeter of that Cultivation Sect, surveying the terrain while keeping an eye on any movements. Through the previous Three Star Underground City operation, Xunuo had built confidence in Mei Sanli; with him overseeing things there, Xunuo felt quite reassured.
Xunuo then briefly introduced his progress with refining the formation to the two Cultivators and clearly stated that he would definitely participate in this operation. One of the Cultivators received this information and immediately bowed to take his leave to report back to Mei Sanli. The Yellow-Faced Black-Crowned Cultivator continued to stay behind and allowed Xunuo into a Small Building, advising him to rest for a few days before heading to meet Mei Sanli.
Xunuo shook his head and said, "I want to purchase a few Boundary Tokens or Teleportation Talismans. Does Cloud City have any for sale?"
Upon hearing this, the Yellow-Faced Black-Crowned Cultivator felt like spitting blood; he sighed and shook his head repeatedly—people could be infuriating.
Seeing his expression, Xunuo thought that perhaps Cloud City did not sell such items, and a sense of despair welled up within him. He was extremely dissatisfied with his escape methods; having been trapped several times without any means of escape was frustrating. Just like in Purple Sun Fiery Valley—if he hadn’t run fast enough and got blocked by Insect Path or Crimson Flower Sect inside the valley, it would have been certain death. Currently, Xunuo's desire for Boundary Tokens or Teleportation Talismans even surpassed that for Foundation Pills because there was still a chance to obtain Foundation Pills through other means; losing his life meant losing everything.
After shaking his head for a while, the Yellow-Faced Black-Crowned Cultivator finally sighed, "Big Mei has mentioned Xue Dao You’s situation; we naturally know that Alchemists and Array Masters have their wealth. However, daring to inquire about Boundary Tokens or Teleportation Talismans still shows my underestimation of Xue Dao You’s wealth. If it weren’t for having made a Demonic Oath, I might have considered committing murder for treasure."
Only then did Xunuo realize that this fellow was shaking his head out of lament for his own financial situation.
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