Slow Fairy Road (Fairy Spirit Realm)
Having made up her mind, Xiao Yao didn't linger and after paying for the tea, she first went to the market to buy a detailed map of Mei Shan Floating Island. When she came out again, night had fallen, and the rest of the matters would have to wait until tomorrow to be investigated.
Although she has fallen, she still doesn't have her own place to live. As the night is already deep, she can't spend the night on the streets. Gritting her teeth, she found an inn and spent 10 inferior yuan crystals to rent a room for 10 days.
Sitting in the humble guest room, Xiao Yao infused her spiritual sense into the jade slip and discovered that Mei Shan Floating Island was much larger than she had imagined. The entire floating island was at least twice as large as Tai Gu, with not only human cultivators but also some alien tribes and demon cultivators living on it, each occupying their own distinct regions. Although the relationship between the three groups wasn't exactly good, they didn't completely avoid each other either. After all, this island was the Star Master's private territory, so everyone had to pay a certain land tax; no one dared to cause trouble since it wasn't their own land.
And not to mention the alien tribes and demon cultivators, just talking about the towns where people live, there are seventy or eighty large and small ones on the map, not including rural areas and villages. The White Jade City is the largest and most prosperous main city on the Meishan Floating Island, with the Star Master Bai Yuzi's separate courtyard located here. Behind the upper city district, there is a vast stretch of mountains, with dense yuanqi that doesn't need to be said, and many sects have rented mountain peaks to establish their own sects; at the same time, some scattered cultivators rent caves within. When registering for the census, Xiao Yao had also asked the census official about renting caves, and received a response that renting a cave in White Jade City required scattering thousands of gold coins. The rental period here is calculated by the hundred years, and even if it's the most barren mountain range with the thinnest yuanqi, renting for a hundred years would still require tens of thousands of lower-grade yuan crystals. If you go to other towns, the price is three times cheaper, but you also have to pay transmission fees, and the yuanqi may not be better than White Jade City. In short, this is an island where everything looks at "money", the rich are carefree, and the poor are bitter. To live a good life, you need to use a lot of yuan crystals!
After a few hours, Xiao Yao digested all the information, rubbed her brow, held the jade slip in one hand and lightly tapped the table edge with the other. After studying this map, she felt that Mei Shan Fuyu Island was actually encouraging or guiding flying immortals to join the Xianling Realm's forces. Think about it, most flying immortals are fake divine realm cultivators who fly to the Xianling Realm, where do they get their yuan crystal? Even if they have done household registration here, there are no benefits or policy rewards. Even if they have a skill such as alchemy or artifact refinement, wanting to make a lot of money by relying on their craft is not very reliable in the short term, and buying good cultivation methods or techniques is also not very reliable.
As for her, it wasn't that she hadn't thought of using alchemy to make yuan crystals, but alchemy also required materials. The materials in the Eastern Extreme Realm were so expensive, and with just those few pieces of low-grade yuan crystal, she might not even be able to afford a single piece of material. Moreover, she had no idea what kind of level the Xianling Realm's forging was at, but the shop was filled with third- and fourth-grade spiritual equipment that dazzled her eyes. The fifth-grade spiritual equipment was already relegated to a corner, so it would be better for an alchemist who couldn't even forge fifth-grade equipment to give up on this idea.
But whether it's the exorbitant prices, the high rent of the cave dwellings, or the backward level of craftsmanship, as long as there is a good tree to take shelter under, everything can be solved quickly, regardless of whether one is from the mortal realm or the immortal realm. Some principles are universal and apply everywhere.
The next day, Xiao Yao spent a long time on the street again, grasping some knowledge of commodity prices. She also set up a stall in the bustling district to sell off her unwanted goods for yuan crystals. Of course, it was slow going, and selling everything to a large store at once was also an option, but since they weren't high-quality items, the store would likely offer a lower price than the market value. It was still more profitable to set up her own stall; every day, she only needed to pay one yuan crystal as rent, and she could also hear many useful rumors in the market.
After three to five days, Xiao Yao finally cleared out the miscellaneous items and earned a total of 1,008 low-grade yuan crystals. During the stall, she also obtained a lot of information about the sect families from other people's conversations.
In the White Jade City, the White Jade Courtyard has the greatest influence. However, although this courtyard is affiliated with the White Jade Child, it may not necessarily be visited by its master even after hundreds of years. All matters on the island are managed by a spirit lord named Wanchuan and a favored maid named Luliuji, who jointly govern the island. Wanchuan Spirit Lord is in charge of major affairs and finance on the island, while Luliuji is responsible for the daily life within the White Jade Courtyard.
Apart from the influence of the White Jade Child itself, there is also the Liu family, which has a relatively large power in the city. A thousand years ago, a woman named Qian from the Liu family married Wanchuan Spirit Lord as his Daoist partner. Due to their relationship, she received special care from Wanchuan Spirit Lord and became the second-largest household in White Jade City.
There are two well-known sects within White Jade City: one is the Lingzhen Gate, which rarely interacts with others and is relatively mysterious; the other is the Yuxian Mountain Villa of the Sword Cultivation Sect. Both sects are located in the upper city district's mountain range, where the yuanqi is most concentrated. Since both sects were once favored by the White Jade Child, their locations are not rented but were personally bestowed upon them as private territories, which are not subject to the White Jade Courtyard.
Both sects are very low-key and rarely enter the market. Every ten or twenty years, they will openly recruit disciples, but the conditions are very strict.
When choosing an island, Xiao Yao would choose Mei Shan Floating Island. A large part of this was due to Bai Yuzi's identity as the husband of the Boundary Master, even if he wasn't favored, the Boundary Master would still have some rewards, and good cultivation methods and secret manuals wouldn't be lacking. However, compared to that, the relationships inside were complicated and not as fair and just as those in a sect.
As Xiao Yao ascended, her sect in the lower realm naturally no longer counted, and she could also re-enter a sect. Moreover, with Xiao Yao's temperament, joining a sect was better than joining a family. Unfortunately, these two sects, one studying arrays and the other cultivating swords, didn't quite suit what she cultivated.
After some hesitation, she decided to find someone else to get a deeper understanding before making a choice. This person was the household registration officer who had registered her household - Tang Lijie. He was also in the early stages of his cultivation, with an orange badge and a xianling realm cultivator. For some reason, he seemed to have taken a liking to her and treated her with unusual warmth and friendliness. After cultivating for tens of thousands of years, Xiao Yao had a good eye for people, and this person's words and actions did not seem to be putting on a friendly face for personal gain, but rather seemed to be genuinely admiring and wanting to make friends. Although she couldn't quite put her finger on why, it didn't stop her from going to ask him some trivial questions.
In the household registration office, Tang Lie Jie sat on a Ba Xian chair and listened to Xiao Yao's statement. After a moment of contemplation, he smiled and said: "The two families and two factions that Daoist friend mentioned are both top-notch existences within Bai Yu City, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. It's hard to say who is better or worse just by generalizing. May I ask boldly, what is the purpose of Daoist friend asking these questions? If Daoist friend can specifically explain, then my response will be more fair."
Since I've come to ask you, Xiao Yao didn't plan on hiding anything and spoke directly: "I'm new to this place and don't have much in the way of wealth or exceptional talent, but as a cultivator, my goal is the path to immortality. I couldn't possibly slack off in my cultivation, so I hope to join a sect or family and contribute what little I can, allowing me to continue cultivating. As a newcomer making my first choice, my understanding isn't comprehensive, which is why I've come to ask for your guidance, friend. I don't seek recommendations, just hoping to gain a deeper understanding of the various noble families and sects within the city."
"Heh heh, indeed it's not easy to be a loose cultivator in the Eastern Extreme," From her explanation, Tang Lie had already guessed her thoughts, but the fact that she could say it out loud showed a trusting attitude that made him very satisfied. He also spoke his true thoughts: "If fellow daoist is skilled in array techniques or sword cultivation, then choosing a sect wouldn't be wrong. If not, I advise fellow daoist to choose another good option. There are over a hundred big and small families in the city, fellow daoist's vision isn't bad, but picking these two biggest families is like only picking one."
He stopped drinking tea and glanced at Xiao Yao, seeing that she had been smiling all along, without any surprise or curiosity, making it impossible to guess her thoughts. He continued: "Fellow Taoist should also know the relationship between the Liu family and the White Jade Courtyard. It's not that I'm speaking well of the White Jade Courtyard just because I'm doing things for them. The Liu family has today is entirely due to the halo of the White Jade Courtyard, plus the identity of Bai Yuzi's predecessor makes the White Jade Courtyard have many top-level skills and techniques that are not available in the major sects on the mainland. Its strength is extremely unmatched. Combined with your current situation, I think since you want to choose, why not choose the best?"
Upon hearing Tang Lie's last sentence, which was full of praise for himself, Xiao Yao was both surprised and puzzled, saying: "I do know what you're referring to, but my potential is only mediocre, and a powerful force like the White Jade Courtyard would naturally have such cultivators. Moreover, top-level cultivation methods and techniques are not something that a small, powerless lower realm cultivator like myself can learn."
"Daoist friends really don't need to belittle themselves," Tang Lijie lost his smile, it seems she hasn't fully understood the meaning of the jade symbol. "Do Daoist friends know why the jade symbols given to the Dongji cultivators are different from those given to the flying ascension cultivators in the lower realm?"
"But isn't it more convenient for management and distinction?"
Tang Lie Jie didn't say what was right or wrong, but instead asked in return: "Have you ever thought, fellow Taoist, that everyone is a cultivator, and the realms we cultivate are also not different, so why do we need to distinguish between them?"
Xiao Yao fell silent, and she hadn't thought about this carefully. Seeing that she couldn't answer, Tang Lie Jie continued: "As early as the first batch of cultivators ascended to the Xian Ling Realm, there were no ordinary people in the Xian Ling Realm. Later, due to the proliferation of cultivators, not all children born had spiritual roots. Those with spiritual roots could cultivate, while those without could only live an ordinary life. Over time, the Xian Ling Realm formed a coexistence of cultivators and ordinary people. Later, during the passage of time, a senior alchemist created a kind of elixir. Ordinary people who took it could produce fake spiritual roots and thus cultivate. This was originally a good thing, and thanks to this medicine, for a very long time, there were no ordinary people in the Xian Ling Realm. However, the good times didn't last. Fake spiritual roots weren't innate spiritual roots after all. Soon, seniors discovered that it was extremely difficult to improve cultivation with fake spiritual roots. Even using the best elixirs couldn't break through the Refining Spirit realm or activate large-scale spells. The result of this matter was chaos in the Xian Ling Realm, where strong and weak cultivators were indistinguishable. When sects or families selected candidates, they had to carefully examine them, which was very troublesome. Later, in order to break this chaotic situation, a simple distinction between those with strong potential emerged, and thus the first jade symbols appeared.
At this point, Tang Lie stopped again and looked at Xiao Yao with a hint of approval. "The lower realm is different from the Xianling Realm; there's no such thing as the Inverse Heaven Dan medicine. Cultivators must go through layers of trials, and who hasn't experienced nine deaths and one life, thousands of battles to be washed clean? Only then can they become a cultivator among millions, summoning a divine omen and ascending to immortality. So, fellow daoist, don't look at the numerous cultivators in the Xianling Realm; truly capable ones are rare. After all, the Xianling Realm is rich in resources, and one doesn't need to work hard to cultivate; relying on various dan medicines and spiritual plants can easily reach the stage of Huan Shen. Of course, such people seem carefree and limitless on the surface, but wanting to continue to the Lian Shen stage? That's simply a fool's dream! It's an insult to the Great Dao!"
Bang!
A loud slap on the table rang out, and Tang Lie realized that he was slightly excited, so he slowed down a bit, adjusted his sitting posture and said: "Cough, cough, the Jade Symbol can test potential, and as potential increases, it will also be displayed. However, for cultivators in the Xianling Realm, except for some elite families who have been strictly trained since childhood, the first test result of the Jade Symbol is basically the maximum potential. Unlike cultivators from the lower realm, even if the initial test result is not ideal, as they cultivate to a later stage, their potential will grow faster and faster, which is something that most Xianling Realm cultivators cannot compare with. After saying so much, Fellow Daoist should now understand the true meaning of the Jade Symbol's existence, right?"
In order to be more concise and ruthless in the selection of the superior! Even if she was clear in her mind, Xiao Yao still looked at him, "So, flying immortals are more popular than ordinary immortals in the Immortal Realm."
"Yes," Tang Lie nodded with a smile, "the Taoist friend from the White Jade Courtyard can rest assured to go and try. The opportunity to enter is very great. If you perform outstandingly in the White Jade Courtyard and gain the recognition of Master Wan Chuan, you can learn top-level skills and techniques without worrying about changing your surname style. As long as you are excellent enough, Bai Yuzi has never been stingy with rewards for talented people."
After that, the two of them chatted for a while until the sun was low in the west. Then, Xiao Yao thanked Tang Lijie and prepared to go to Bai Yu Bie Yuan the next day to give it a try.
The next day, Xiao Yao arrived early in the morning at the front of a luxurious mansion in the innermost part of the Upper City District. According to Tang Lijie, Baiyu Biyuan was different from other family factions that recruited disciples every three or five decades. They also had mansions on the ground and accepted people every day, starting from Chen time to Shen time. During this period, one could sign up voluntarily.
When she entered the mansion called White Jade Pavilion, there was already a long queue inside, stretching from the inner courtyard to the front gate.
Xiao Yao had originally wanted to follow the queue at the Luo Wei, but found that the crowd was all ordinary people, wearing a uniform wooden token. Among them, the men were all in their prime, strong and handsome, with regular features, and some of them were even more handsome. The women were all beautiful and elegant, with slender figures, dignified and refined manners, not like noble ladies, but rather like delicate jade.
She walked into the courtyard, wanting to ask someone for clarification, at this time the crowd immediately boiled up, with many people shouting, "Hey, newcomer, what are you rushing for? Can't you see everyone is lining up here? Are you looking for trouble?"
Xiao Yao furrowed her brow, casting a glance at her own unsatisfactory team. Just as she was about to speak, a melodious female voice reached her ears, "This immortal master, the recruitment of immortals is at Xianzong Garden, please follow me."
At this time, the few people in the team who were shouting suddenly turned pale, and only then did they notice that she had a jade token at her waist. They all shut up, looking like they were in fear of being scolded, and wondered: usually when a fairy master appears, they are afraid that someone will not know, and their momentum is intimidating, but this one comes and goes without making a sound.
How others view themselves, Xiao Yao never pays attention to, only looking at the elegant and refined woman in front of her. Her appearance doesn't need to be mentioned, it's a top-notch beauty, with bright and clean clothes, when speaking, although the words are polite, there is a hint of superiority in her eyes.
"Thanks for your trouble." She smiled and followed him to the Xianzhuang Courtyard.
The number of people in the Xianzhuang Temple is not much less than that outside, all of whom are cultivators, ranging from Qi refining to Shen transformation. Among them, there is only one person whose cultivation she cannot sense, presumably a Shen refining cultivator. Except for this Shen refining cultivator, none of the remaining tokens exceed yellow.
Before queuing, a servant came over to ask Xiao Yao's name and title. This servant was only in the Golden Elixir period of cultivation, but his arrogant attitude surpassed that of the woman who had brought her before. It seemed they were all people with backing. In her heart, she couldn't help but sigh: The high gates and grand courtyards were indeed a mix of immortals and mortals, looking like a deep pool that swallowed people without spitting out bones! If not for the sake of obtaining top-grade cultivation methods, she would rather be a loose cultivator relying on killing empty beasts to earn yuan crystals and make a living by fighting with her fists, living freely. She was also unwilling to wade through this muddy water.
At this time, another person approached from behind her, and the golden elixir cultivator with his eyes, nose, and mouth facing upwards came over to ask for her name.
The newcomer was a famous man with a rich and pleasant voice, he only said two words: Purple East.
Suddenly, Xiao Yao stiffened and abruptly turned her head...
