Stepping through the gates into the Crystal Province, Jian felt a wave of nostalgia wash over him as Every stone on the street, every towering pavilion, every glowing lantern seemed untouched by time.
It was as if the years had passed only for him, while this place remained perfectly still, waiting but in reality he was immediately transmigrated into a new body after a mere month of his spirit wandering.
The district was alive with motion. Voices overlapped in the air—merchants showcasing relics and artifacts to attract the attention of passers by.
Sales assistants shouting out prices, cultivators bargaining, the clamor of footsteps and clinking coins, Yet unlike common markets of mortal cities, here nearly every stall and storefront catered to cultivation.
Shelves brimmed with jade bottles of pills that pulsed faintly with spiritual energy. Blades and spears of refined metals glimmered under protective seals.
Caged magical beasts growled low, their eyes glowing with restrained hostility. Scrolls of techniques, talismans, artifacts—on display for those who could afford them.
The carriages rolled steadily along the pathway, the wheels creaking against polished stone. At first, heads turned; merchants and shopkeepers eyed the unfamiliar group with open curiosity.
But after searching the carriages for sect emblems or identifying banners and finding none, they dismissed them with practiced disinterest, quickly returning to hawking their items.
Hours slipped by as they rolled deeper into the province, weaving through bustling districts while enduring the probing stares that would occur occasionally.
With each turn, the noise of trade and chatter reduce drastically, replaced by cracking sound of the wheels of the carriage.
At last, the carriages left behind the chaos of civilization and came to rest in a quieter quarter—a place tucked away, far from the crowded markets and glaring eyes.
The air here was still, the kind of stillness that seemed deliberate, as though the very space was warded from the chaos of the outside world.
Their true destination awaited—the Yin and Yang Unity Sect. From afar, its presence loomed.
A towering gate stood alone, monumental and unguarded, yet radiating an authority that made mortal defenses unnecessary.
Yun Ji's gaze lingered on the structure, and a rare smirk curved his lips.
"Now that's one hell of protection for a dual cultivation sect," he muttered. Being a Saint Ascension practitioner, his sight pierced deeper than most; layered upon the gate were countless formations, stacked one upon another in intricate harmony, a protective layer woven from the Dao of rune .
To the untrained eye, it was a simple gate. To Yun Ji, it was a wall he was sure he could breach.
As the carriage drew within a hundred meters, a voice resonated—not through the air, but directly into their minds. The words were heavy with age and authority.
"What business do you have with the Yin and Yang Unity Sect?"
Everyone froze for a moment at the intrusion, but Jian pushed open the carriage door with measured calm. Stepping out, he held up a talisman that glimmered faintly in his hand.
There was silence, then the voice spoke again, this time directed only at him.
"How did you acquire that talisman?"
Jian's lips curled into a faint smile. "It was given to me. You can check its authenticity."
What he held wasn't some common token; it was an acceptance talisman of the Yin and Yang Unity Sect—an object few in the world could claim possession of.
Such talismans were bestowed only by high-ranking elders, granting immediate entry as a disciple regardless of time or season.
It was a symbol of both privilege and power, even Lou Shen had to pay a heavy amount of spirit stone to acquire it, but to him, with his son's high comprehension it was a worthwhile investment as his intuition had never failed him.
The unseen elder did not press further. Instead, his voice carried a hint of surprise.
"That won't be necessary. I know it is real. Tell me—who among you is its bearer?"
Jian's eyes flickered with calm determination. "It is for me."
A moment of silence followed, then the voice grew firm.
"You should already know visitors are not permitted without an appointment. The rest of your group will remain outside. You alone may approach the gate."
Jian's voice was calm but firm. "Yes, and I also know I am permitted to bring a mortal helper of my choice. I happen to have one with me."
A pause followed, then the elder's voice returned, tinged with mockery.
"True enough. Very well—both you and your so-called helper may approach the gates. The rest must leave."
There was a subtle tint of amusement in his tone, as though he had already discerned the truth. The lingering trace of Yin and Yang Qi that clung between Jian and Maria was a bond impossible to hide.
Yun Ji's sneer broke the tension. "As his protector, it would reflect poorly on me if I didn't ensure he entered your sect safely. The young master does have a rather troublesome habit of stumbling into near-death experiences."
A low hum of consideration echoed in their minds before the elder relented.
"Hmm… very well. You may watch from a distance. It does no harm to let a guard fulfill his duty."
With that, Maria stepped to Jian's side. The two began walking toward the colossal gate at a steady pace. The silence around them deepened, as though the very air held its breath.
At first, the towering structure appeared immovable, a wall carved from eternity itself. But as they drew near, a faint vibration rippled through the ground. A few long minutes passed before the gates stirred, their vast stone slabs shuddering with a sound like thunder rolling beneath the earth. Slowly, almost reluctantly, the gates parted, opening into what appeared from afar to be nothing more than a hairline crack.artzzsr
Jian and Maria pressed forward without hesitation. This is were our little journey end Yun Ji said to Jian using voice transmission The moment their figures vanished into the sliver of darkness, the gates slammed shut
with a resounding boom, cutting them off entirely from the outside world.