Chapter Seventy-Seven: Different People, Different Fates

After much deliberation, Wang Changsheng finally decided to make a journey to the Southern Domain.

In the world of cultivation, strength was paramount. The recent experience of witnessing two men killed, coupled with the formidable power of the disciples from the Corpse Refining Sect, made Wang Changsheng acutely aware of this truth. In this realm, if one’s strength was lacking, death could come at any moment.

At present, Wang Changsheng was traveling with disciples of the Corpse Refining Sect, enjoying their protection. Perhaps his life wasn’t in immediate jeopardy—at most, he might face enemies targeting the Sect. Yet, once separated from these disciples, his own strength was woefully inadequate.

Should he encounter a cultivator at the Transformation Origin stage, he wouldn’t even have a chance to escape. Having struggled to survive up to now, Wang Changsheng was not ready to die.

With a hint of emotion, he murmured, “Whether immortality is possible, I do not know. But if even survival is so difficult, what hope is there for immortality…”

“Steward Wang, are we truly going to the Southern Domain?” Chen Shangyi asked softly, pulling Wang Changsheng back from his thoughts.

Wang Changsheng nodded.

Chen Shangyi appeared to ponder for a moment, then said, “But Elder Yun told us to head to Yun Palace Peak. If we go to the Southern Domain, that’s in a different direction. It’ll take us much longer to reach Yun Palace Peak… I’m worried…”

Chen Shangyi looked hesitant.

He was no fool; from Wang Changsheng’s line of questioning, Chen Shangyi had already guessed his purpose—to seek out the Wanderers’ Pavilion in the Southern Domain. As for what Wang Changsheng intended to do there, Chen Shangyi couldn’t imagine.

“Elder Yun didn’t specify a time for the task. Taking a detour to the Southern Domain won’t take long!” Wang Changsheng replied. “We’ll use a teleportation array to get there, and from the Southern Domain, we’ll use another array to reach Yun Palace Peak.”

“Elder Yun didn’t mention a deadline,” Chen Shangyi agreed. “However, if we use a teleportation array to the Southern Domain, we’ll need to go to Black Desire City. Only there can we find a teleportation array leading to the Southern Domain.”

“How do you know this?” Wang Changsheng asked immediately.

Chen Shangyi had entered the Corpse Refining Sect at a young age and should know the basics of the Heaven’s Realm, but teleportation arrays were not common knowledge.

“I learned it from those two men,” Chen Shangyi replied.

Wang Changsheng looked at him with a faint smile. “It seems you are quite resourceful!”

Clearly, Chen Shangyi had anticipated Wang Changsheng’s intentions to go to the Southern Domain and had the foresight to ask those men about the teleportation arrays before dealing with them.

“Let’s go, to the Southern Domain first,” Wang Changsheng said.

He then led the group of Corpse Refining Sect disciples toward Black Desire City.

“Shangyi, how much longer until we arrive?” Wang Changsheng called out loudly from behind.

Chen Shangyi thought for a moment before answering, “It will take about five more days to reach Black Desire City.”

Wang Changsheng nodded.

Since deciding to head to the Southern Domain, the group had been traveling toward Black Desire City for over ten days without much rest, and now they still had five days to go.

The main reason was the remote location of the Corpse Refining Sect within Heaven’s Realm.

Heaven’s Realm was vast; the Black Desire Plain was already in the northern part of the realm, and the Sect itself was even farther north. Traveling from the Sect to Black Desire City, at the pace of Chen Shangyi and the others, would take nearly a month.

During this journey, Wang Changsheng witnessed many of the world’s conflicts. Due to the urgency of their travel and the desire to avoid unnecessary trouble, he didn’t linger—merely passing by, he observed that many cultivators had perished.

The cruelty of the cultivation world was evident.

The disciples of the Corpse Refining Sect, though they had never left the Sect before, were accustomed to matters of life and death, given the Sect’s unforgiving training methods.

Had Wang Changsheng not been protected by Old Mou, he would have met a similar fate long ago.

“Let’s keep moving. We need to reach Black Desire City as soon as possible, then head to the Southern Domain,” Wang Changsheng said sternly.

Chen Shangyi nodded.

One day of relentless travel left the Sect’s disciples exhausted. The consumption of true essence from flying was no small matter; if not for their Foundation Establishment cultivation, they would have faltered long before.

Wang Changsheng, meanwhile, remained quite relaxed throughout the journey.

When Black Desire City finally came into view, all the disciples except Chen Shangyi were utterly spent.

“Let’s find somewhere to rest first,” Wang Changsheng suggested.

The disciples nodded.

As they approached Black Desire City, Wang Changsheng and his companions were struck with awe.

The city walls soared skyward, inscribed with countless talismans, and adorned with sculptures of exotic beasts.

The beasts were so lifelike that if one didn’t look closely, they’d think they were real.

“Entrance fee—one low-grade spirit stone per person!” the gatekeeper called out to Wang Changsheng’s group.

Wang Changsheng nodded to Chen Shangyi, who promptly handed over twelve spirit stones. The gatekeeper inspected them, then waved them through.

As soon as they entered, Chen Shangyi whispered to Wang Changsheng, “Steward Wang, that gatekeeper was at least a Foundation Establishment cultivator!”

Wang Changsheng nodded. “Pass the word—everyone should keep a low profile. It’s best to be cautious when traveling.”

Chen Shangyi agreed.

Having spent some time outside the Sect, everyone had gained a better understanding of the cultivation world.

From what they’d learned, a mid-level Transformation Origin cultivator was already a notable figure, while someone at the late-stage peak would be renowned. A Foundation Establishment cultivator could dominate an area.

Yet, in Black Desire City, even a gatekeeper was Foundation Establishment. Clearly, the city was extraordinary.

What Wang Changsheng did not know was that Black Desire City served as a bridge between the Black Desire Plain and other regions—extraordinary, indeed!

The most telling sign was the daily influx and outflow of countless cultivators, with rivers of spirit stones pouring into the city. Even the gate fees alone were a massive profit.

Yet, no one dared object, and no one caused trouble in Black Desire City. How could such a place be simple?

Following their direction, Wang Changsheng’s group found a promising tavern.

“There are many people here. Let’s rest here for a while,” Wang Changsheng said, pointing at the tavern.

As they entered, a waiter hurried up to greet them.

Wang Changsheng could sense the man’s cultivation—similar to his own, at the ninth level of the Vein Opening stage.

“So if I weren’t with the Corpse Refining Sect, I’d be nothing more than a tavern waiter,” Wang Changsheng thought bitterly.

Indeed, cultivators at the Vein Opening stage had just stepped into the threshold of cultivation, hadn’t even refined true essence yet. Such people were common—utterly ordinary—in the world.

Serving as a tavern waiter provided some income; to venture out alone would almost certainly mean death.

“Gentlemen, are you here to rest or to stay?” the waiter asked, bowing and nodding.

“To stay,” Wang Changsheng replied.

“Very well, gentlemen. We have rooms of three grades: third-grade rooms cost one low-grade spirit stone, second-grade rooms cost ten,” the waiter said quickly. “Which grade would you prefer?”

“Isn’t there a first-grade room?” Wang Changsheng frowned. “Are they sold out?”

“Sir… We do have first-grade rooms, but… but they’re quite expensive,” the waiter replied. “Honestly, second-grade rooms are already very nice.”

“Just say it,” Wang Changsheng said firmly. “Spirit stones aren’t an issue.”

“Well, sir, a first-grade room costs fifty low-grade spirit stones…” the waiter said. “The first-grade rooms have abundant spiritual energy and are protected by various arrays, ensuring peace and privacy.”

“Then first-grade rooms it is,” Wang Changsheng said.

He led the group deeper into the tavern.

“Very well, sir. One first-grade room and eleven second-grade rooms?” the waiter asked with a smile.

To be a tavern waiter required keen observation; anyone lacking such skills couldn’t handle the job. The waiter already guessed that Wang Changsheng was likely from some distinguished family; after all, he sensed Wang Changsheng’s cultivation was only at the Vein Opening stage, though he couldn’t determine exactly which level.

Could a wandering cultivator afford a first-grade room?

The waiter didn’t believe it, and could only marvel silently at Wang Changsheng’s luck.

“Who said one first-grade room?” Wang Changsheng frowned at the waiter’s words.

“Sir…” The waiter looked puzzled, clearly not understanding Wang Changsheng’s intent.

“Twelve first-grade rooms. Go and arrange them!” Wang Changsheng ordered.

“Twelve… twelve first-grade rooms?” The waiter was incredulous.

No wonder he was surprised. The other men in black robes, whose cultivation he couldn’t sense, were at least Transformation Origin stage, and since Wang Changsheng was doing the talking, the waiter assumed the others were his attendants.

Could attendants stay in the same grade of room as their master?

At fifty spirit stones per room, twelve rooms would cost six hundred spirit stones!

“Six hundred spirit stones!” the waiter thought in awe.

Truly, fate treats people differently.

He wondered how long he’d have to work to earn six hundred spirit stones.

Both he and Wang Changsheng had ninth-level Vein Opening cultivation, yet Wang Changsheng could spend lavishly, while he was merely a tavern waiter. Still, he had seen such things often enough to quickly regain his composure.

“Please, gentlemen, come inside!” the waiter said respectfully, ushering Wang Changsheng and his group into the tavern.