Wu Yi Mountain appeared on the horizon, and from the back of the mountain, a colossal city rose from the foot of the mountain to its midsection. The city was extremely massive, covering nearly half of the mountain, making it one of the largest cities in the Southern Border.
Both mortals and Gu Masters streamed forward, all moving in the direction of the city, while caravans passed in and out of the city from time to time.
At the same time, Fang Tian finally caught sight of Wu Clan City, even though he was still several kilometers away. From this alone, one could tell just how immense and powerful Wu Clan was!
"This city is simply enormous, and Wu Yi Mountain is several times taller than any peak on earth. It simply rises above the clouds, and its summit cannot be seen."
Fang Tian leapt dozens of meters into the air, then landed on the ground. The springy grass beneath his feet rebounded and propelled him upward with great force. He pierced through the canopy of trees around him and was able to see Wu Yi Mountain once again, drawing closer and closer to the city with each leap.
After half an hour, he was moving at the foot of the mountain beside a large crowd of people, among them merchants, Gu Masters, and city guards. All of these people lined up in a long queue.
When Fang Tian approached the city walls, one of the guards waved at him and pointed to a place where a small number of people—numbering in the dozens—were lined up, all of them Gu Masters.
"Gu Masters go to that queue. We cannot allow unidentified Gu Masters to enter the city without investigation."
Fang Tian nodded to the Gu Master and walked to the queue, lining up with them. The line was not long, but the commotion it caused was enough to inform anyone that there was trouble. At the front, a Gu Master was shouting and yelling at the guarding Gu Master, but the guarding Gu Master feared nothing and replied harshly.
"Get lost, you poor wretch! If you don't want to pay four hundred primeval stones as a deposit to us, then get lost before I kick you!… Wait, why should I let you go just like that, are you a demonic path Gu Master?! Come here!"
The Gu Master who was in a verbal scuffle with the guard flushed red when all the nearby guards turned to look at him with threatening gazes. He ground his teeth in anger and spoke in a stifled voice.
"I'll pay! I'll pay! Damn it, I'm not some demonic path trash!"
The Gu Master dragged himself into the city, turning a deaf ear to the guards' laughter around him. It was obvious that this was blatant extortion, but the higher authorities of Wu Clan tacitly allowed it.
And so, similar scenes continued to play out before Fang Tian, causing him to stare in stunned emptiness. Although the only difference was the amount of primeval stones, the process was the same. An unidentified Gu Master would be openly extorted by the guard and his companions, then pay a large amount of primeval stones and enter the city in anger.
"This… this actually works!… They've made ten thousand primeval stones just from this!"
When it was Fang Tian's turn, he stood face to face with the guard. Fang Tian's cultivation level was not impressive in Wu Clan City; it could only be considered low to mid-tier. Even the gate guard—one of the lowest positions in Wu Clan—had a cultivation level equal to his. Thus, he was extorted by that very guard.
"Pay eight hundred primeval stones as a deposit to guarantee that you won't do anything that harms Wu Clan City. Also, the use of Gu worms without authorization from the authorities is prohibited. Offenders will be punished with a fine and two weeks of imprisonment."
Fang Tian brought out all his acting skills, putting on a pained and struggling expression as he took out a rank one storage Gu and poured a quantity of primeval stones into a leather pouch.
The guard nodded at him, then handed him a token and ordered him to proceed into the city.
"Well, that was somewhat easy… I suppose the righteous path really is nothing but ink on paper. As long as the benefits are sufficient, they'll put in place some unwritten rules like this situation at the gate."
When the city truly entered his field of vision, Fang Tian could not help but gasp in amazement and shock. Wu Clan City was extremely well organized. Yellow-brick houses lined both sides of a very wide road, each house rising one or two stories high, while restaurants and eateries opened along the sidewalks. There was none of the foul stench one would expect from a city of this size.
On the contrary, a fragrance similar to incense wafted through the air. Moreover, groups of mortals spread throughout the markets, buying what they wanted, while others sold their belongings. Some Gu Masters mingled among them, moving about arrogantly, while the mortals made way for them in fear. In addition, massive ostriches pulled carts as they moved through the city, unloading groups of Gu Masters back and forth, and on the chests of each of them was sewn the emblem of a yellow whirlwind, symbolizing Wu Clan.
Fang Tian marveled at this environment; he was utterly fascinated. Because of this, he walked with quick steps, looking left and right with great curiosity until he found a building that pleased him. A four-story building made of red bricks stood tall, occupying enough space for two houses, and on a white signboard outside were written:
"Mo Tai Bu Shan Restaurant… Delicacies of the Mountains? This looks amazing. I'm already hungry, and I'm tired of the lukewarm food made of beast meat and barely visible fruits."
Fang Tian entered the restaurant quickly, but was stopped by two rank one Gu Masters.
"Sorry, sir, but have you revealed your primeval essence? This restaurant is reserved only for Gu Masters."
"Oh, no problem."
Fang Tian released a thread of crimson steel primeval essence, symbolizing the upper stage of rank two. The two Gu Masters made way for him and handed him a token.
"This token is given to rank two Gu Masters. It grants you one free meal and a twenty percent discount on any dish you order."
Fang Tian laughed happily and entered the restaurant. The scene inside was truly splendid. Several stones shaped like embers were lit, emitting a faint glow that added an air of mystery and dimness to the place, while the aroma of food spread and made mouths water—so much so that a drop of Fang Tian's saliva fell onto his palm.
"Oh, welcome, sir, would you like to dine?… Ah, forgive my rudeness, sir, but if you wish, we have rooms on the upper floors where guests can bathe and clean themselves after traveling."
A mortal woman approached Fang Tian submissively, speaking in a soft voice so as not to anger him, choosing her words carefully.
"My clothes are dirty?… Ah, no need. It's been a long journey, but there's no need. I only want to eat; bathing can wait."
The woman nodded and led him to a table in the middle of the restaurant, then recited a list of dishes to him.
"Ah, I want this and this as well, and that bear's paw looks delicious. Is this wild boar leg cooked with white bee honey? Give me that. Oh yes, the Grass Skirt Monkey Wine looks good."
"Your bill will be twenty-four primeval stones, sir. After the discount, it will be twenty-two and a half."
Fang Tian nodded and handed the woman a small leather pouch he had hidden in his robe. After the waitress left, Fang Tian considered his current situation. He had already entered Wu Clan City and achieved his initial goal; now he had to begin pursuing his second objective.
"Alright, my next goal is to find a shop to sell Gu worms and a few Gu worm recipes, but this is a problem. If I do that, it will draw the attention of Wu Clan, and I may fall under their surveillance… but I have no other choice."
"Sir, the dishes are here. Shall I serve them?"
Another mortal woman, different from the one who had greeted him, asked as she pushed a cart full of delicacies. The fragrance pierced Fang Tian's nose, causing him to shove all his thoughts to the back of his mind and focus on the food.
The dishes were quickly placed on the table by the mortal woman, and before she even finished, Fang Tian stuffed pieces of butter-cooked mushrooms into his mouth, then pulled a piece of meat and followed it with purple wine.
Sounds of pleasure rose from his mouth, drawing the attention of the diners, but he did not care and continued eating. After finishing, Fang Tian left with his belly filled to the brim and wandered deep into the city until he found his target.
It was the district of the city specialized in selling and refining Gu worms.