Chapter 46: Arrival at Shanggu City

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Yet just as everyone thought the crisis had passed, no one noticed that the runes on the premium-grade Spirit Burst Talismans affixed to both the fore and aft of every flying vessel had begun to emit a blinding radiance.

A deafening explosion resounded.

The destructive light swept outward, instantly vaporizing the marauders caught at the heart of the blast.

Even those among the marauders who had reached the seventh level of Qi Refinement could scarcely withstand the sudden might of a first-grade premium Spirit Burst Talisman when taken unawares.

A sea of fire devoured three first-grade flying vessels and all the marauders aboard.

To ensure that none survived, the youth in mid-air—known for his expertise in explosions—hurled three more Fire Talismans from above, intensifying the inferno.

Only when not a single remnant remained did the explosion specialist descend to survey the area. Once he confirmed there were no unusual traces left, he finally departed, reassured.

...

“Why wouldn’t you let me have some fun too?!”

Inside the flying vessel, Qin Jiyue glared indignantly at Li Guanzhuan, her entire demeanor radiating displeasure.

They had agreed to join hands in eliminating the marauders, but Li Guanzhuan had held her back, refusing to let her make a move, and instead dispatched the explosion specialist to handle everything.

“What’s so enjoyable about that?” Li Guanzhuan replied with exasperation. “A ninth-level Qi Refinement Xuanjin Puppet was more than enough to deal with them—why would I need an eighth-level Qi Refinement cultivator like you to get involved? All you need to do is wait here quietly—why insist on throwing yourself into danger?”

“I don’t care! It’s been ages since I got to do anything!” A touch of bewitching red flashed through Qin Jiyue’s pupils.

Li Guanzhuan narrowed his eyes, fixing Qin Jiyue with a silent stare.

“Sister, you really should listen to your husband…” Wen Rongxin spoke gently.

Qin Jiyue’s gaze flickered evasively as she muttered, “Fine, if I can’t fight, then so be it. I’ll just continue piloting the vessel toward Shanggu City.”

Li Guanzhuan watched Qin Jiyue’s departing figure, deeply puzzled—what was that strange, seductive red glint just now?

It seemed…

Qin Jiyue was still hiding secrets from him.

But after so many years together, and with Qin Jiyue having completely opened her heart to him, there logically shouldn’t be anything left to conceal.

No, there was still the mystery of her origins!

Li Guanzhuan turned his thoughts inward. Qin Jiyue possessed a rare spiritual root—two, in fact, both exceptionally unique and with extraordinary talent…

A woman so gifted by heaven could hardly have a mundane background.

“Forget it. If she doesn’t wish to speak, she must have her reasons. Forcing the issue would do no good.”

Li Guanzhuan smiled, letting the matter rest in his heart.

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Between husband and wife, trust is most important.

Soon, the explosion specialist returned, carrying a storage pouch.

Li Guanzhuan swept it with his spiritual sense and found thirteen mid-grade spirit stones, over two thousand low-grade spirit stones, and an assortment of artifacts, talismans, and pills.

A pleasant windfall.

...

Before long, as they crossed over hills and wilderness, an immense and ancient city wall came into view. Upon its gate hung a plaque inscribed with the bold, flowing characters of “Shanggu City.”

Mist wreathed the area and radiant clouds bathed it in light, the result of a second-rank formation.

Shanggu City spanned several hundred miles, vast and imposing. Within the city ran a superior second-rank spiritual vein, which powered the protective city formation.

In the outer districts, the spiritual veins ranged from mid-grade second-rank down to top-grade first-rank branches. The further from the city’s heart, the lower the quality of the spiritual veins.

As they drew closer, Li Guanzhuan could distinctly sense powerful auras streaking through the sky. To avoid having their flying vessel shattered by a Foundation Establishment master, he suggested they disembark and purchase mounts for the rest of the journey.

Only when facing fellow Qi Refinement cultivators did Li Guanzhuan feel at ease.

Wen Rongxin and Qin Jiyue raised no objections, leaving all decisions to Li Guanzhuan.

Along the road, nothing else of note occurred.

Though they were just ten miles from Shanggu City, no marauders dared to stir in these parts.

After all, Shanggu City was famed for its strict order. Anyone daring to rob near its walls would be cut down without hesitation by the city lord—a ninth-level Foundation Establishment powerhouse.

“This place… is far more prosperous than Qing’an City,” Wen Rongxin breathed, gazing at the towering city walls, her rosy lips slightly parted and her eyes wide with awe.

“Indeed,” Li Guanzhuan replied with a smile, feeling little surprise himself.

After all, he was born in Yongning Prefecture of the Great Heng Dynasty; he’d grown accustomed to even grander city walls.

“One day, when we’re strong enough, let’s travel the entire world of cultivation together—go wherever we wish!” Qin Jiyue said cheerfully to Wen Rongxin.

“Mm!” Wen Rongxin nodded, her large round eyes brimming with longing and hope.

Following the crowd into the city, the three were quickly stopped by the city guards and questioned about their origins and intentions.

Li Guanzhuan answered truthfully, expressing his hope to settle and live in Shanggu City, and discreetly offered a pouch of spirit stones.

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Seeing Li Guanzhuan’s tact, the guards made things easy for them, personally escorting them to have their identity tokens processed.

“Brother Zuo, would you happen to know of any reputable real estate agencies? I’m new here, after all…” Li Guanzhuan presented another pouch of spirit stones with a smile.

The guard, Zuo Xiao, waved it away with a chuckle. “No need for that. Rental prices for residences in the outer city are all clearly marked at every agency—just pick whichever you like. The annual rent for an outer city house is typically about five hundred spirit stones, while the inner city runs around three thousand.

Here in Shanggu City, both the inner and outer districts are filled with shops. You can buy whatever you need, wherever you please—there’s no such thing as a separate market, no need to worry about location. Just rent wherever you fancy.

And most importantly, there’s no need to fear marauders within the city. Our city guards patrol daily and will kill any marauders on sight—your life and property are absolutely secure here.”

Li Guanzhuan nodded in understanding. “So that’s how it is…”

It was clear that Shanggu City’s lord possessed remarkable capability and strength, transforming the entire city into a vast marketplace—every street and alley bustling with commerce and prosperity.

“Well then, I’ll leave you to your business. If you have time in the future, come find me for a drink. I must be off,” Zuo Xiao said with a wave.

“Thank you for your guidance, Brother Zuo.”

“Thank you, Lord Zuo…”

Li Guanzhuan and his wives offered their thanks with clasped hands.

Afterward, Li Guanzhuan checked his storage pouch with his spiritual sense and found he had just ten thousand low-grade spirit stones altogether, including fifty-one of mid-grade quality.

“We’ll have to start with a residence in the outer city. Once I reach the second rank, we can move into the inner city,” Li Guanzhuan said with a smile.

“Yes, this place is so much better than Qing’an City,” Wen Rongxin agreed with a slight nod.

After arriving in Shanggu City, she felt she could spend her whole life here.

The sense of security was paramount.

Li Guanzhuan soon found a real estate agency and rented an outer city house.

The house was similar to their old one in Qing’an City, with a courtyard, though it had two fewer rooms—five in total—but offered more spacious quarters, and sat atop a top-grade first-rank spiritual vein branch.

Once the contract was signed, Li Guanzhuan named the residence “Ping’an Courtyard” as before, and they moved in that very day.

With all matters settled, Li Guanzhuan finally breathed a long sigh of relief.

At last, they had safely arrived in Shanggu City.