Star City lay over three thousand li northeast of Azure Cloud City, situated in the central-eastern region of the Liang Kingdom. It was a cultivation city several times larger than Biquan City, governed by a Nascent Soul Grand Cultivator. Thus, Star City could be classified as a Tier 4 Cultivation City.
Star City was a true cultivation city through and through. Mortals were nearly nonexistent within its walls; even the busboys in its taverns were cultivators. Mundane silver and copper held no sway here; the sole currency was the spirit stone.
Nestled within an area of rich spiritual energy, the ambient qi density in Star City far surpassed anything Biquan City could offer. A city of this caliber wasn't a place where just anyone could linger freely. Non-residents were required to pay a daily residency fee upon entry – one low-grade spirit stone per day. This was the lowest tier of residency fee among cities that imposed one. Those super cultivation cities built upon colossal spiritual veins demanded far higher fees, unimaginable to cultivators from backwaters.
That afternoon, amidst the bustling, crowded streets, Lin Feng wandered like Granny Liu entering Grand View Garden, his eyes wide with wonder at the sprawling metropolis.
He had departed Azure Cloud City, traversed mountains and valleys, and spent a full ten days journeying before finally reaching his destination.
"Tsk tsk… Now this deserves to be called a 'real' cultivation city…" Lin Feng murmured to himself, absorbing the vibrant scene. "The ambient qi density… it's practically equivalent to a Tier 1 Spirit Gathering Array, isn't it? No wonder they charge a low-grade spirit stone a day just to stay." His gaze swept the surroundings before unconsciously dipping to the white jade token in his hand.
This was the 'Temporary Residency Token' he'd received from the city gate guards upon entry. It recorded the holder's basic information and permitted stay duration. It had to be surrendered upon departure, and any overstay meant paying additional spirit stones. Patrols within the city conducted random checks; attempting to 'squat' without paying incurred severe penalties.
Lin Feng had prepaid for a full month's residency fee. For reasons of his own, he planned to linger in Star City for a while.
Tucking the token away, Lin Feng lifted his head again, scanning the densely packed street. A frown creased his brow. "Star City's prosperity far exceeds Biquan's, that's undeniable… but are there always this many people? It's like market day in a mortal town…"
The sheer throng made him wonder if every resident of Star City had poured out of their homes to block the streets. Closer observation revealed that many people around him seemed just as out-of-place as he felt—fellow newcomers. Was Star City's foot traffic perpetually this heavy? The thought nagged at him.
The vibrancy of Star City lifted Lin Feng's spirits, which had been somewhat frayed by recent events. Though travel-weary, his interest was piqued. He decided to explore before settling on lodging later.
Walking with a sightseer's curiosity, Lin Feng gradually made his way towards the city center.
Passing a sizable pill emporium, he stepped inside. His eyes lit up instantly—they stocked Tier 2 Spirit Nurturing Pills! While only low and medium-grade pills were available, their quality wasn't an issue for him. Without hesitation, he purchased all three bottles—thirty pills in total.
"Do you sell 'Snow Sprout Pills' here?"
After securing the Spirit Nurturing Pills, Lin Feng turned back to the attendant who had served him, a hopeful edge to his voice.
"Snow Sprout Pills?" The young, clear-featured female attendant blinked. She furrowed her delicate brows thoughtfully for a moment, then shook her head apologetically. "Young Master, I'm sorry. Our shop does not carry the pill you mentioned…"
"Oh. Alright then…" Though he'd half-expected it, disappointment still flickered across Lin Feng's face. He shook his head slightly and turned to leave.
"..." The attendant watched his retreating back, momentarily lost in thought.
"Xiaoqing? What is it?" A deep voice inquired. A middle-aged man with thick brows approached, his expression questioning.
"Ah!" The attendant, Xiaoqing, jumped slightly, flustered. "Shopkeeper Zhang… Just now, a guest bought every Spirit Nurturing Pill we'd just put out. He also asked about a pill… one we don't carry. I was just thinking about it… I'm sorry…"
"Oh? Someone bought all the Spirit Nurturing Pills?" Shopkeeper Zhang looked surprised, then pressed, "What pill did he ask for?"
"Snow Sprout Pills."
"Snow Sprout Pills?!" Shopkeeper Zhang's eyes widened slightly before he sighed softly, shaking his head. "Buys all the Spirit Nurturing Pills and still asks for Snow Sprout Pills? Must be another cultivator with deep pockets… A promising disciple from some sect?"
He muttered under his breath, a trace of bewilderment in his tone, "More and more of them these days… All swarming to Star City over a mere rumor that hasn't even been confirmed… Is it really worth it?"
The successful purchase of thirty Tier 2 Spirit Nurturing Pills lifted Lin Feng's mood further. He continued his exploration, eventually stumbling upon a free market—his favorite kind of place—and immediately ventured in.
He browsed the market stalls for hours, acquiring various materials for artifact refinement and pill concoction, including some ingredients needed to repair Spirit Nurturing Pills. This bounty left him thoroughly satisfied.
Just half a day in Star City hammered home a profound truth: big cities were truly big cities. They operated on a scale utterly incomparable to his humble origins in Azure Cloud City.
As dusk began to paint the sky, Lin Feng finally left the market. He treated himself to a lavish meal of spirit cuisine at a tavern before starting his search for lodging.
Regret soon washed over him for not securing accommodation earlier in the afternoon. He approached three inns consecutively—all were completely full.
"Windcome Inn? Heh, the name feels somewhat… fateful. Let's hope my luck holds here."
Reaching the fourth establishment, Lin Feng glanced at the sign and stepped inside.
The main hall held over a dozen tables, sparsely occupied by four or five patrons. Lin Feng refrained from using his Observing Yuan Technique to probe these cultivators. Instead, he walked directly to the counter.
Behind it sat a grey-haired elder in a violet robe, poring over a ledger. He looked up as Lin Feng approached.
"Innkeeper, do you have any rooms available?" Lin Feng inquired.
The elder smiled genially. "You've arrived at a most opportune moment, Young Master. Two guests just checked out. We have one superior room and one inferior room remaining. Which would you prefer?"
While not overly particular about accommodation, Lin Feng naturally opted for the better choice. "I'll take the superior room."
"Excellent," the innkeeper nodded. "The superior room is thirty low-grade spirit stones per day. How long will you be staying, Young Master?"
Thirty stones a day! The price made Lin Feng's heart skip a beat, but he didn't reconsider the inferior room. "Hmm… I'll prepay for ten days first. I'll extend if I need to stay longer." As he spoke, he retrieved his spirit stone pouch, transferred three hundred low-grade stones into an empty pouch, and placed it on the counter.
"Very good. I'll register you immediately." The innkeeper's expression brightened at the straightforward ten-day booking. He retrieved a room token with a key attached from beside him, sliding it across the counter towards Lin Feng before reaching for the spirit stone pouch.
Just as Lin Feng's fingers closed around the token, a voice, dripping with arrogance and entitlement, cut through the air from behind him…
"Hold it! That superior room—it's MINE!!"