With the entry token, Lan Xiaobu easily entered Tianmo City.
The city was surrounded by various restrictions, obscuring the interior from outside view. When Lan Xiaobu stepped inside and saw the scene before him, he was utterly shocked.
This wasn’t just a city—it was a layered world. He had read about Tianmo City’s five-tier structure, but seeing it in person left him in awe of its ingenious design.
Despite the five stacked layers, there was no sense of stacking. Looking from the first layer to the second felt like gazing from one world into another, seamless and harmonious.
He could only see the outlines of the layers above the second, unable to discern their specifics.
From the second to the fifth layer, each was shrouded in auspicious clouds, enveloped in dense heavenly vital energy. Faint Dao chants echoed from afar, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.
The first layer, where he stood, was filled with bustling trade halls and inns. Despite the crowds, it felt spacious.
Lan Xiaobu didn’t seek out an inn but headed straight for the Moru Saint Dao Hall. Though called a Saint Dao Hall, it functioned like a guild in the cultivation world. Matters like obtaining a Pill Saint token, arranging travel to the Central World, or handling various affairs were all managed here.
Aside from the fifth layer, where the Heavenly Court resided, the Moru Saint Dao Hall on the first layer served as the interface for all Heavenly Court-related matters.
Upon entering the hall, Lan Xiaobu was greeted by a massive scrolling screen. To his surprise, it wasn’t controlled by array techniques but was a technological product powered by heavenly vital energy—an eye-opening sight.
The screen displayed various messages: auctions, daoist sects recruiting disciples, saint conferences, treasure discoveries, and purchase requests.
Lan Xiaobu spotted some information about the Eternal Life Conference, but it was nothing new. Details about travel to the Central World or ship schedules were absent.
Disappointed, he was about to inquire when he froze, staring at an array screen nearby. Held by a cultivator, it advertised tickets to the Central World, with prices negotiable.
Excited, Lan Xiaobu, flush with Dao crystals, saw value in such tickets if he couldn’t use the teleportation array. But as he moved to ask, he froze again. Several other cultivators held similar array screens, all offering tickets to the Central World, some even for teleportation.
His excitement cooled. If reaching the Central World was this easy, it wouldn’t be so coveted. If Dao crystals alone could get you there, anyone could earn them and go.
Though suspicious, he approached a ticket-selling cultivator and asked, “How long does your ship take to reach the Central World? When does it depart, and will it miss the Eternal Life Conference?”
Seeing business, the cultivator replied confidently, “Our ship is the fastest from Tianmo City to the Eternal Life Land, taking only 521 years. We provide seclusion caves, and there are no mid-journey fees. The Eternal Life Conference is nearly 600 years away, so there’s plenty of time.”
“How many Dao crystals?” Lan Xiaobu asked.
“Two high-grade Dao veins and 50 million high-grade Dao crystals,” the cultivator answered promptly.
“Is it a premium cabin?” Lan Xiaobu asked, drawing on his Tingdao Ship experience.
The cultivator paused, then said, “This price isn’t for a premium cabin, but I can arrange a better seat.”
“I’ll think about it,” Lan Xiaobu said, turning toward a service window.
As he did, he sensed several divine sense imprints on him.
“Friend, if you take that ship, you might not reach the Central World, and if you do, you’ll likely be enslaved. Be careful—asking about these ships has already gotten you targeted,” a sudden transmission echoed in his ear.
Lan Xiaobu was startled, not by being targeted, but because he couldn’t identify the sender or their location.
“If you want to go to the Central World, come to Tiandao Inn and find me…” The voice returned, but cut off without specifying a room.
Lan Xiaobu paused, not because of the transmission. True or false, he wouldn’t go to Tiandao Inn. He suspected it was likely a scam.
With the Eternal Life Conference nearing, tickets to the Central World were in high demand, snapped up anywhere. He doubted someone would help him, a stranger, out of kindness.
The cultivator with the array screen and the mysterious sender might even be in cahoots.
What stopped him from asking further was a message on the giant information screen: *Qixing Saint Dao Trade Hall is selling a limited number of tickets to Tangjie Dao City in the Central World.*
He decided to visit Qixing Saint Dao Trade Hall. A reputable trade hall like Qixing wouldn’t deal in fake tickets or scams.
“Where’s Tiandao Inn?” Lan Xiaobu asked at the hall’s entrance, despite having no intention of going. He was certain he was being watched for inquiring about Central World tickets.
After getting directions, he quickly left the hall. While still on the street, he stripped the divine sense imprints from himself.
Half an incense stick later, he arrived at Qixing Saint Dao Trade Hall.
Qixing was one of Tianmo City’s largest trade halls, known to Lan Xiaobu even before entering the city. Now inside, he found it grand but sparsely crowded. He knew Qixing’s items were expensive, though guaranteed. Many long-term Tianmo City cultivators preferred buying elsewhere.
Entering, Lan Xiaobu headed upstairs. As expected, a clerk approached, “What level of items are you looking to buy?”
Usually, low-grade pills and materials were available on the first floor.
Lan Xiaobu rasped, “I heard Qixing Saint Dao Trade Hall has tickets to the Central World, so I came to check.”
A ticket buyer? The clerk was surprised. Central World tickets were costly, and Qixing’s were pricier, which was why they advertised in the Moru Saint Dao Hall.
“Bring him up,” a sudden voice called.
The clerk responded promptly, respectfully leading Lan Xiaobu to a room on the fifth floor.
“You may leave,” the voice from inside said.
The clerk bowed and retreated.
Lan Xiaobu pushed open the door, finding a black-robed elder, likely Fourth Step, with strong Dao aura.
“Are you Qixing Saint Dao Trade Hall’s manager? Do you really have tickets to the Central World?” Lan Xiaobu asked, eyeing the elder.
The elder opened his half-closed eyes, glancing at Lan Xiaobu. “We have tickets, but the rule is, buyers must register their name and background before discussing price.”
Lan Xiaobu clasped his fists, “Shang Wei, a rogue cultivator from a small place. I’m seeking a Dao opportunity in the Central World, so I’m using my savings to go.”
“One hundred million high-grade Dao crystals, five high-grade Dao veins. A lower-class ticket to Tangjie Dao City in the Central World, arriving in 370 years,” the elder said flatly.
Lan Xiaobu’s heart stirred. “That’s too slow. Is there anything faster, like a teleportation array?”
He also realized his earlier bribes were excessive.
The elder scrutinized him, chuckling, “You can’t afford it.”
