Carriage wheels rumbled monotonously over the official road, long eroded by wind and sand. The curtains lifted slightly with each bump, revealing a somewhat desolate landscape.
Gravel, limestone, and thorny low shrubs stubbornly clinging to the cracks between rocks—all of these formed the main palette of this land. The air was dry, carrying the unique chill of the northern regions, utterly different from the humidity and bustling prosperity of Heaven Dou City.
At last, the carriage slowed to a halt in front of a city.
"We're here."
The coachman's voice was slightly breathless; obviously, the journey had not been easy.
Chen Yi lifted the curtain and stepped lightly out of the carriage first. He still wore his deep purple robe, his long hair swaying gently in the dry wind. Against the earth-yellow background, his figure seemed out of place, yet strangely, there was a natural harmony—as if heaven and earth willingly accommodated his presence.
Stone City—true to its name.
The city walls were not made of the usual green bricks, but of local materials: large, gray-brown slabs of stone stacked together, rough yet sturdy. The walls were marked with the traces of years of wind and sand; in some places, repaired cracks could still be seen.
The city as a whole was not large. It could not be compared to a grand metropolis like Heaven Dou, not even to a truly prosperous county city. It felt more like a rather simple, austere town. It lay quietly at the northwestern border of the Empire, like an exhausted giant beast resting in silence, guarding this barren land.
After Chen Yi, Ye Cien and his granddaughter Ye Lingling also alighted from the carriage.
Ye Cien straightened his slightly wrinkled robe after getting down, his eyes falling on the stone city before him, a deep sense of disbelief and faint shame flickering in his gaze.
"So… they're living here now?"
Ye Cien's voice trembled slightly as he muttered to himself.
"To think that one of the once-renowned Four Single-Attribute Clans of the True Soul Master world—the sharpest blade under the Clear Sky Sect—has actually chosen to live in seclusion in such a remote, desolate place…"
Ye Cien's thoughts drifted back to years ago. Back when the Strength, Breaking, Defense, and Speed Clans had followed the Clear Sky Sect, the scenes were glorious beyond compare. But in the battle outside Clear Sky City, the Clear Sky Sect, in order to protect itself, had ruthlessly abandoned its affiliated clans. The Four Clans had suffered heavy casualties, then announced their separation in bitter disappointment, scattering to the four winds ever since.
Looking back on the past and then at the bleak little city before him, Ye Cien's feelings were complicated. A natural sorrow arose in his heart at how drastically things had changed.
"Compared to the scenery of those years, everything is truly different now… It really makes one sigh."
Chen Yi's expression did not change much upon hearing this. He spoke lightly.
"Sleeping is not necessarily worse than being reborn."
"Once you leave the center of the whirlpool, sometimes you can see more clearly."
On this journey, he and the Grand Elder had first returned to the Body Sect, then deliberately detoured through the northwest to invite Yang Wudi and his brother Yang Wushuang of the Breaking Clan to come down from the mountain—to have them refine the 'Heaven and Earth Genesis Pill.'
However, according to Chen Yi's inherited memories, among the Four Single-Attribute Clans, three—Breaking, Defense, and Speed—had gone into seclusion in the Star Luo Empire after breaking with the Clear Sky Sect.
Yet in this worldline, they had instead come to the Heaven Dou Empire, and moreover, the Sect Master had once pulled them back from the brink and given them guidance.
After all, the Clear Sky Sect had once been virtually the guardian sect of the Star Luo Empire. Its status was transcendent, and its domineering style had enraged many powers.
"I don't know what the original author was thinking, insisting on having them remain in Star Luo," Chen Yi thought. "But in this world, after a few years of recovery, relying on their own heritage and tenacious vitality, these clans have finally managed to take root in this barren land—barely climbing back from the edge of ruin. They're not so much reviving as stubbornly struggling on."
Ye Lingling stood beside her grandfather, her eyes full of curiosity as she took in the city, so entirely different from the environment she was used to. She still wore a light blue dress; her cold, ethereal temperament stood in stark contrast to the rough surroundings.
"Sighing won't change anything. Let's go in."
The Grand Elder's voice cut off Ye Cien's thoughts. He still wore a simple blue shirt, exuding the restrained air of an ordinary teacher.
The four of them said no more and walked toward the stone city.
Inside the walls, the scenery was a little livelier than outside, but only just. The streets were narrow, lined with low stone houses and simple civilian dwellings. There were a few shops selling daily necessities and local specialties, but not many.
Most passersby were dressed plainly in thick, cold-weather clothes. Soul Masters were clearly few in number, and their cultivation levels were generally not high. The entire city was shrouded in a harsh, slightly monotonous atmosphere.
The appearance of Chen Yi and the others—especially Ye Lingling's beauty and dust-free bearing—immediately drew many curious and wary gazes. In such a remote place, unfamiliar faces, particularly those with such unusual temperaments, inevitably attracted attention.
The four ignored these looks and, relying on prior inquiries, headed straight for the Breaking Clan's compound.
The Breaking Clan's compound was located in a relatively remote corner in the southeast of the stone city. It resembled a larger, better-defended courtyard complex more than a family mansion. The surrounding walls were also built of stone. The main gate was heavy and made of hard wood, studded with thick bronze nails. Two sturdy young men stood guard at the entrance.
The two wore gray uniforms, and on their chests was embroidered the Breaking Clan's emblem—an abstract spear motif. Their eyes were sharp, their posture straight. Faint fluctuations of soul power could be sensed from their bodies. Although their levels were not particularly high, the capable and sharp aura they exuded was worlds apart from ordinary city soul masters.
Seeing Chen Yi and the others walk straight up—especially noting the Grand Elder's seemingly ordinary but unfathomable bearing and the indefinable pressure emanating from Chen Yi's body—the two gate disciples immediately heightened their vigilance. They stepped forward in unison to block the way.
The slightly older one cupped his fists in salute, his tone neither humble nor arrogant, but clearly cautious.
"This is the Breaking Clan's residence. May I ask what brings you here?"
Ye Cien stepped forward with a gentle smile.
"May I trouble you to inform Elder Yang Wudi that guests are here to visit him."
Hearing this, the disciple looked a bit embarrassed.
"I'm terribly sorry. The Old Ancestor left the city a few days ago to gather medicinal herbs and has yet to return. For now, clan affairs are being handled by the Vice Clan Head."
That deputy, of course, was Yang Wudi's younger brother, Yang Wushuang.
Upon hearing that Yang Wudi was absent, Chen Yi frowned slightly, but upon learning that Yang Wushuang was in charge, he relaxed again.
Seeing this, the Grand Elder said, "It's fine. Then please invite Brother Yang out to meet us."
The disciple looked the four up and down. Their unusual bearing and the Grand Elder's calm composure made him hesitate. Nonetheless, he spoke earnestly.
"Sirs and young lady, it's clear from your bearing that you are no ordinary people, and surely have distinguished backgrounds. If you are here to seek an alliance or invite our clan to join some power, I must advise you to turn back now."
"In recent years, there have been no few forces seeking alliance with our three clans stationed here in Stone City. The Vice Clan Head has issued strict orders that we are not to receive such people lightly."
"So as to avoid offending you, I must say this frankly."
Because the Spirit Hall had not directly suppressed the Four Single-Attribute Clans in this worldline, some factions had wanted to ally with them, hoping to use the clans' strength to rise further. But the Clear Sky Sect's betrayal had left an indelible scar in these clans' hearts—a deep mistrust of the outside world.
Moreover, Yang Wushuang was strongly opposed to forming alliances. Though the Spirit Hall seemed to have publicly cast off the Four Clans, should they really join other powers and attract the Hall's attention to any suspicious movements, the consequences would be disastrous.
Upon hearing this, the Grand Elder merely smiled. There was no irritation in his eyes at being refused. Instead, he slowly pulled a jade box from his soul tool.
The box was milky white throughout, fine in texture and unadorned. Yet it naturally exuded a gentle glow and a faint chill. At a glance, one could tell it was no ordinary object.
"Give this to Brother Yang," the Grand Elder said, handing him the jade box. His tone was calm but brimming with certainty. "Once he sees this, he will definitely agree to meet us."
The disciple accepted the box and immediately felt a refreshing chill spread through his palm, as though he were holding a piece of icy jade. He did not know what lay within, but from the material of the box and the strange coldness, he could tell the contents were far from ordinary. Combined with the Grand Elder's solemn tone, he dared not neglect this.
"Please wait a moment. I'll go report to the Second Master at once."
He spoke with sincere politeness, then gave a meaningful look to his companion.
"Invite these honored guests to the reception hall and serve them tea."
The other disciple hurried forward, bowing deeply.
"Esteemed guests, please follow me."
…
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