Cultivation Begins From The Desert

Chapter 621 - 606: Phoenix Goddess [Extra update 2/2 for Alliance Leader rewarded by book friend Qian Duo Duo]

The cross-cultivation realm teleportation array of Liuyun Immortal City is located on the mountainside of Liuyun Immortal Mountain, a place originally forbidden to be visited by external cultivators.

Due to the activation of the teleportation array this time, Zhouyang and other cultivators who obtained the teleportation talismans were able to enter this area.

However, they did not have the opportunity to truly see the area above three thousand zhang of the Immortal Mountain because they reached the mountainside through a short-distance teleportation array directly.

After being teleported to the mountainside, the area they could see was only the range of several thousand zhang around them, beyond which remained shrouded in array fog, and they could not see anything clearly.

Once Zhouyang was teleported here, dozens had already gathered, many of whom were Nascent Soul Stage cultivators with unfathomable auras; he even discovered two powerful Late-Stage Nascent Soul cultivators among them!

Yet, among those two Late-Stage Nascent Soul cultivators, he only recognized one, while the other was entirely unfamiliar.

Since those taking the teleportation array must show themselves in their true form, and the "True Man List" almost records the appearances of all Nascent Soul cultivators in the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm, Zhouyang could only speculate that the unfamiliar Late-Stage Nascent Soul cultivator may be from the Donghua Continent Cultivation Realm or other cultivation realms.

This is not surprising, as the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm is a prosperous and thriving great cultivation realm, naturally attracting cultivators from other cultivation realms to explore and adventure here.

And through the teleportation array in Liuyun Immortal City, one can directly reach the center region Donghua Immortal City of the Donghua Continent Cultivation Realm, making it undoubtedly the most convenient way for the exploring cultivators from Donghua to return.

As he surveyed everyone, Zhouyang’s gaze suddenly froze, and his eyes widened.

His gaze fell directly onto a person, a beautiful figure in a red long dress.

The woman in the red dress was extremely beautiful, with a noble and charming demeanor, an alluring and voluptuous figure fitting the identity of a mature beauty.

Yet among the dozens of cultivators present, none dared to stare as Zhouyang did, for her aura was only slightly weaker than those two Late-Stage Nascent Soul cultivators, indicating she was a Mid-Stage Nascent Soul cultivator!

Yet Zhouyang knew she was not a Mid-Stage Nascent Soul cultivator but a Tier Six Middle Grade Demon King whose cultivation level was comparable to that of a Mid-Stage Nascent Soul cultivator.

This woman in red turned out to be the Tier Six Middle-Grade Demon King "Vermilion Bird Demon King" Zhu Zizhen, who once joined him by invitation from Lu Xuanji, entering the Dome Heaven Immortal Realm to refine the Heaven-Sundering True Demon.

"Little one, if you dare to look at this King this way again, beware, this King might gouge out your eyes to feed the dogs!"

The cold voice echoed in Zhouyang’s mind, making his body shiver, and he quickly diverted his gaze, apologizing softly, "Forgive me, senior. Upon unexpectedly meeting you here, I failed to restrain myself and offended you. I hope you can forgive my rudeness."

Zhu Zizhen heard these words, her gaze toward him slightly softened before she said blandly, "I know what surprised you. Don’t worry; since this King appears here, it’s naturally with someone’s permission. Just mind your own business and don’t speak carelessly!"

"I understand. I understand. I neither saw nor know anything," Zhouyang nodded repeatedly, wisely refraining from questioning who allowed her, a Tier Six Demon King, to access the Human Race Immortal City and use their teleportation array.

Clearly, this Zhu Zizhen was not an ordinary Tier Six Demon King.

Firstly, Lu Xuanji, the Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul "Half-Step True Immortal" cultivator, invited her into the Dome Heaven Immortal Realm, a critical place for human cultivators, for such significant affairs as refining the Heaven-Sundering True Demon.

Now, she could openly set foot in Liuyun Immortal City, gaining authority to use the cross-cultivation realm teleportation array, indicating her remarkable capabilities.

Whether it was Lu Xuanji or the cultivator permitting her inside Liuyun Immortal City using the teleportation array, neither seemed worried about her possibly doing anything harmful to the Human Race.

Zhouyang didn’t understand the secrets behind this but knew it was beyond his current reach.

Upon receiving Zhu Zizhen’s warning, he swiftly abandoned the idea of scrutinizing the others’ appearances, patiently waiting.

After chastising him, Zhu Zizhen no longer spoke to him, acting as if she never knew him.

Time passed slowly, and once all hundred cultivators with teleportation talismans arrived, the voice of an old man, aged and profound, suddenly echoed in Zhouyang and others’ ears.

"The teleportation array is about to start its final charging; fellow Daoists, please attach the teleportation talismans to your bodies to prevent any accidents during teleportation."

Upon hearing this, Zhouyang and the awaiting cultivators promptly affixed the silver-glowing teleportation talismans to their chests.

These teleportation talismans are specially refined treasures to accommodate such ultra-long distance teleportation arrays, capable of protecting cultivators from the force of spatial tearing during teleportation.

Without the protection of teleportation talismans, even Nascent Soul cultivators might not withstand the formidable force of spatial tearing.

Even with the protection of a teleportation talisman, anyone with a cultivation level below the Golden Core Stage cannot survive the teleportation process.

The cultivator who produces this type of teleportation talisman must be at least a Tier Six Talisman Maker.

Thus, the high price of the teleportation talisman is justified.

At this moment, as the group placed teleportation talismans on themselves, Zhouyang quickly sensed a large amount of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi converging towards the teleportation altar beneath them.

This cross-cultivation realm teleportation array, each time activated, requires a massive amount of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, and only a Tier Six Top-Grade Spirit Mountain like Liuyun Immortal Mountain can provide sufficient energy for it.

However, even a Tier Six Top-Grade Spirit Mountain like Liuyun Immortal Mountain requires at least a hundred years of recuperation after activating the teleportation array once.

This phenomenon of substantial Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi gathering lasted for three whole hours before the teleportation array officially started.

In an instant, Zhouyang felt his consciousness pause for several breaths. In front of him was darkness, he couldn’t see anything.

When his consciousness resumed its flow and his eyesight recovered, the teleportation had already ended.

He looked down and saw the teleportation talisman stuck on his chest had burned its last bit of power and quickly turned into a piece of flying ash, falling to the ground.

Then he looked around, and he was no longer in the mist-surrounded Liuyun Immortal Mountain but in an underground palace.

At this moment, a hearty voice suddenly rang from the corner of the palace.

"Welcome, fellow Daoists of Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm, to Donghua Continent Cultivation Realm. May you all achieve your goals in Donghua Continent Cultivation Realm and have a pleasant time."

Zhouyang followed the voice and saw a middle-aged Nascent Soul Stage cultivator in a blue robe standing in the corner of the palace, smiling at them, the guests.

This person should be the cultivator arranged by Donghua Immortal Palace to oversee the cross-cultivation realm teleportation array.

After half an hour, Zhouyang, holding a jade scroll, appeared in the bustling Donghua Immortal City within Donghua Continent Cultivation Realm.

The jade scroll in his hand was specially prepared by the Donghua Immortal Palace for first-time visitors from other cultivation realms to Donghua Continent Cultivation Realm. All one hundred people on this trip received one as a free gift.

Inside the jade scroll, basic information about Donghua Continent Cultivation Realm was recorded, along with a rough map of Donghua Continent Cultivation Realm.

If Zhouyang hadn’t previously read the Donghua Continent Cultivation Realm information at the Profound Sun Immortal Sect, this jade scroll would indeed help him save a lot of time. However, now, it serves mainly as a reference against his known information.

"Judging by the previous reaction of the Donghua Immortal Palace Nascent Soul Stage cultivator, Zhu Zizhen seems to have another secret identity?"

Walking on the bustling streets of Donghua Immortal City, Zhouyang recalled the events that occurred in the underground palace earlier, a gleam flashing in his eyes, pondering.

Back in the underground palace, the Donghua Immortal Palace Nascent Soul Stage cultivator had been greatly shocked upon first seeing Zhu Zizhen, nearly reacting impulsively.

But after Zhu Zizhen transmitted a few words to him and showed him a jade pendant engraved with a Vermilion Bird pattern, he quickly calmed down and no longer made any excessive moves, treating Zhu Zizhen as an ordinary cultivator.

Based on this, Zhouyang speculated that the jade pendant with the Vermilion Bird pattern must be some kind of token, and Zhu Zizhen, who holds this token, besides being a Tier Six Middle-Grade Demon King, must have another unknown identity.

Regrettably, Zhouyang was ultimately just a Golden Core Stage cultivator, and even though he had cooperated with Zhu Zizhen before, he was never treated as an equal by Zhu Zizhen, making it impossible to inquire about this matter.

"Forget it. It’s better to find a place to release Cai’er first and see if it can sense Fengxian," Zhouyang shook his head silently, ceased pondering about Zhu Zizhen, and found a high-level Immortal Inn within Donghua Immortal City, renting a standalone courtyard. Then he released the Seven-Colored Peacock Jiang Cai’Er from the Spirit Beast Ring.

"No, it seems the distance is too far, so I can’t sense the presence of the master."

In the courtyard, the Seven-Colored Peacock Jiang Cai’Er was lying on the ground, closed its eyes, concentrating on sensing. After a while, it opened its eyes full of disappointment and lowly voiced the result.

"Is that so?"

Zhouyang frowned, then lightly nodded, "I understand. You go back to the Spirit Beast Ring first. When I find out the news, I will let you out to look for your master again."

After saying that, he took Jiang Cai’Er back into the Spirit Beast Ring and then walked out of the courtyard.

If a person has been here, they will surely leave traces.

With Jiang Fengxian’s stunning beauty, as long as she has been active in the Donghua Continent Cultivation Realm and interacted with other cultivators, she would undoubtedly leave a deep impression on all cultivators who have dealt with her.

Zhouyang planned to start probing for information from this angle.

Of course, he must not expose his true identity or be too overt in inquiring about this information.

Otherwise, if he happens to run into Jiang Fengxian’s enemies, it could be quite problematic.

However, as he had just arrived and didn’t know anyone in Donghua Immortal City, he found it challenging to find a starting point for gathering information.

In the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm, he had a wide social network. If he wanted to gather information, he could rely on the vast intelligence networks of either the Profound Sun Immortal Sect or the Yuqing Daoist Sect.

But in the Donghua Continent Cultivation Realm, he was just a newcomer, and everything here was unfamiliar to him.

With no other options, Zhouyang went with the mindset of trying his luck to a restaurant near the Immortal Inn.

In the cultivation realm, most restaurants are places of leisure for middle-to-low tier cultivators, primarily frequented by loose cultivators. High-tier cultivators usually do not come to such places; they prefer hosting banquets in their abodes to drink and feast with their peers.

Zhouyang visited the tavern with the mentality of "give it a try and see," hoping to hear some information from the drinking cultivators.

To avoid attracting too much attention, he suppressed his cultivation level to the Ninth-Layer Foundation Establishment, a level just right for frequenting such places.

The tavern was named "De Yue Tower." Not knowing its significance, Zhouyang entered and saw a sparse crowd of drinkers in the ground floor hall, all being Qi Cultivation Stage cultivators.

He shook his head slightly and headed straight for the second floor.

The number of customers on the second floor was much fewer, only six or seven, but all were Foundation Establishment Cultivators, not a single Qi Cultivation Stage cultivator among them.

The third floor of the tavern was reserved for private rooms, without restrictions on cultivation level for entry. However, the room fee alone could cover the cost of a pot of top-grade spirit wine. Generally, cultivators weren’t willing to spend money on this indulgence.

Zhouyang came to gather information, so he didn’t opt for a private room. Instead, he sat at a table, ordered the tavern’s signature spirit wine and some featured dishes, and began drinking and eating alone.

Although there were few cultivators drinking alone like him in the tavern, it wasn’t particularly strange to anyone.

Zhouyang, while drinking and eating, released his Divine Sense to eavesdrop on the conversations of customers upstairs, downstairs, and in private rooms.

With his powerful Divine Sense, neither the soundproof formations of the private rooms nor the sound insulation barriers set up by cultivators could exert any effect. All conversations inside were completely within his grasp.

Snooping on others’ conversations is an absolute taboo in the cultivation realm. Zhouyang wouldn’t have resorted to it if he had any other options and felt embarrassed having to stoop to eavesdrop on the conversation of middle-to-low tier cultivators.

Unfortunately, the things he overheard were trivial matters or utterly unspeakable scandals, without any of the information he wanted.

"This friend looks unfamiliar, is it your first time drinking at this De Yue Tower? I’m Yu Deshui. May I have the honor of sharing a cup with you?"

Just when Zhouyang was feeling his efforts were utterly futile and was considering seeking other methods, a middle-aged Foundation Establishment cultivator, reeking of alcohol, suddenly approached his table to strike up a conversation.

He glanced up at the bearded, drunken man, knowing that this guy saw him as an easy target, coming over to mooch off a meal and drink.

The man had been sitting alone at a table earlier, and his ordered spirit wine and cuisine looked very ordinary, incomparable to the signature spirit wine and dishes on Zhouyang’s table.

The fellow must have been observing him for a while, feeling confident before feigning drunkenness to make an approach.

Though Zhouyang understood the man’s intentions, he wasn’t about to drive him away. After all, it was just a meal, and he had already eaten most of it.

"Fellow Daoist Yu, you have a keen eye. I am Huang Yi, and indeed it is my first time here."

He nodded slightly, confirming the man’s guess, then raised his cup and said, "There’s all this saying about the pleasure of unexpected encounters. If fellow Daoist Yu doesn’t mind the lack of fare, then I’ll join you for a few drinks."

"Hahaha, Fellow Daoist Huang, you are straightforward. Yu likes making friends with straightforward people like you,"

Yu Deshui burst into hearty laughter, earning frowns and disdainful looks from other cultivators in the tavern, clearly aware of his antics.

And Yu Deshui truly lived up to Zhouyang’s judgment of him, for after drinking a cup of wine and sitting down, he began boasting extravagantly about the signature spirit wines and dishes from various inns in Donghua Immortal City, as if he had tasted them all.

Anyway, Zhouyang only saw him keeping busy with his mouth and hands, either deftly grabbing the wine jug to pour himself more wine or using chopsticks to continuously pick at the dishes on the table. His practiced manner made it clear that this was not his first or second time doing such things.

When Zhouyang saw the dishes Yu Deshui picked from, the few bites he could have still eaten suddenly didn’t appeal to him anymore. So he simply sat and watched the other man eat.

It was only after Yu Deshui had finished the wine and cleaned the plates that Zhouyang, seeing the still unsatisfied look on his face, asked, "Since you, Fellow Daoist Yu, are so familiar with the various inns in Donghua Immortal City, surely you’ve seen many unparalleled beauties entering and exiting. Have you ever seen the fairy portrayed here?"

After Zhouyang spoke, with a wave of his hand, a painting was placed on the table.

As they say, one who eats others’ food speaks with a gentle tongue and one who takes others’ gifts is indebted, but Yu Deshui, although habitually feasting and drinking, was not one to leave immediately after indulging.

Upon hearing Zhouyang’s words, he bragged habitually, "It’s not to boast, but in these years, I’ve seen all kinds of stunning fairies, definitely no fewer than those Golden Core veterans who have lived for centuries. Out of those, the most..."

While he was speaking, his eyes suddenly widened to bull’s eyes.

He was left speechless, utterly shocked by the breathtaking beauty on the painting on the table.

The painted image of Jiang Fengxian was created by Zhouyang based on their first meeting, where she came riding a Five-Colored Peacock, leaving him mesmerized.

"How could there be such a beautiful woman in the world!"

Big man Yu Deshui’s trembling hand reached out, wanting to stroke the unparalleled beauty on the painting, only to touch air.

How could Zhouyang allow another man to desecrate his woman, not even her portrait?

"Cough, cough, cough, Fellow Daoist, please don’t be offended. I merely got carried away for a moment and couldn’t restrain myself; it was not intentional. If there’s any offense caused, I apologize to you here!"

Understanding from Zhouyang’s demeanor that his earlier action had been inappropriate, Yu Deshui’s face reddened, and he gave an awkward cough before solemnly bowing and apologizing.

"You’re being too kind, Fellow Daoist Yu. You haven’t answered my question yet. Can you tell me if you’ve seen the fairy in this painting?"

Zhouyang looked at the big man; although his tone was calm, Yu Deshui sensed how much he cared about this matter.

"That I have not!"

Yu Deshui shook his head slightly and couldn’t help but sigh, "With the extraordinary beauty of the fairy in the painting brought out by Fellow Daoist Huang, had I seen her, it would be impossible for me to forget!"

Upon hearing this, Zhouyang’s heart sank in disappointment, because although he hadn’t harbored much hope, he was prepared to leave immediately.

Yet at this moment, Yu Deshui looked at him with pleading eyes and said, "Could Fellow Daoist Huang allow me to draw a copy of that fairy’s celestial beauty? One of the regrets of my life is never having seen the unparalleled beauty of the Phoenix Goddess. In my opinion, the fairy in Fellow Daoist Huang’s painting, even if not as beautiful as the Phoenix Goddess, would surely be close. If I could draw and keep a copy, it would fill a void of regret in this life!"

"Phoenix Goddess?"

Zhouyang’s heart jolted, as if a nerve had been struck, and his eyes instantly sharpened.

Seeing his change in expression, Yu Deshui, thinking he had angered him again with this suggestion, panicked and immediately said, "If Fellow Daoist Huang is unwilling, just pretend I didn’t mention it."

Zhouyang recovered at this moment and, upon hearing his words, gave a bitter laugh and said, "It’s alright. Fellow Daoist Yu, you might not know, but ever since I saw the unparalleled beauty of the fairy in the painting, I have been awe-struck, always considering her my goddess with no other woman appearing in my eyes. Thus, hearing you say someone was more beautiful than her made me feel uncomfortable, and want to refute."

Upon hearing this, Yu Deshui immediately understood, chuckled, and said, "Hehehe, hearing it that way, I understand, Fellow Daoist Huang. Back when the Phoenix Goddess came to Donghua Immortal City, myself and many others in the city were just like Fellow Daoist Huang, fantasizing in a disoriented manner about getting to meet her and witnessing the unrivaled beauty of Donghua Continent’s Cultivation Realm’s first beauty in three thousand years!"

Zhouyang’s eyes flashed brightly and he replied with visible displeasure, "Since Fellow Daoist Yu hasn’t seen the Phoenix Goddess, how can you claim she’s more beautiful than the fairy I hold dear? Are you basing this only on hearsay?"

Seeing his expression, Yu Deshui amusedly laughed and replied, "Haha, Fellow Daoist Huang, don’t be so discontented. Although I haven’t seen the Phoenix Goddess’s beauty, her title as Donghua Continent Cultivation Realm’s first beauty has been confirmed by the Young Palace Master of Donghua Immortal Palace and the current Palace Master of Divine Lady Palace. There’s certainly no mistake!"

After saying that, seeing Zhouyang’s continued discontent, he added, "Moreover, even if we don’t talk about looks, let’s speak of the Phoenix Goddess’s talent. Twelve years ago, she formed her Golden Core at the age of a little over two hundred and thirty. Such exceptional talent is rare to match. As cultivators, we ultimately should respect cultivation.

Twelve years ago, wasn’t that when I advised her impulsively?

Zhouyang’s heart was profoundly shocked, startled on the spot by this unintended revelation from Yu Deshui.

Meanwhile, Yu Deshui seemed absorbed in his speech, not having noticed Zhouyang’s strange expression, and couldn’t help but sigh again, "Ah, what a pity, such a pity. It’s a shame that such a beauty, gifted and exceptionally beautiful, ends up being an object in a political marriage. Those old women of Divine Lady Palace are truly despicable!"