“There are rumours among the people that the Holy Dynasty fell precisely because it lost the Imperial Jade Seal about thirty thousand years ago. Only when the Imperial Jade Seal is paired with the Nine Tripods can the fortune of the nation be suppressed.”
Someone else spoke up.
In the imperial court, Wu Xiang kept all these suggestions in mind. When he met Ling Xiao, he repeated them one by one.
“I have heard about the Imperial Jade Seal as well. Without that object, our Heavenly Dynasty’s founding lacks proper legitimacy. Even setting aside the matter of suppressing national fortune, our rule alone would be questioned. Within the Profound Realm, we place great importance on legitimate succession.”
While Wu Xiang was reporting, Yue Nü was also present at his side. After hearing this, she remarked.
“But something lost thirty thousand years ago, where on earth are we supposed to look for it?”
Ling Xiao could not help frowning slightly.
“I did hear that the Imperial Jade Seal once appeared in ‘Sin City’.”
Wu Xiang said.
“In that case, I will go there personally. Anyway, Sin City is on the Divine Phoenix Continent, not exactly unfamiliar territory.”
Ling Xiao thought for a moment and replied.
If he could find the seal, that would naturally be best. If not, a visit to Sin City would still be worthwhile.
“I will go with you.”
Yue Nü said.
“Very well, but do not strike lightly.”
Ling Xiao said.
“No problem.”
Once they had agreed, Ling Xiao handed the Heavenly Dynasty over to Wu Xiang, then left the Divine Capital with Yue Nü, heading for Sin City on the Divine Phoenix Continent.
…
Sin City was a completely independent city on the Divine Phoenix Continent, a land without a master.
Legend had it that both the Divine Phoenix Empire and the Black Crow Empire originated from this place.
It possessed a history as ancient as that of the Holy City.
Yet now, Sin City had become a lawless wasteland of sin.
There was no city lord, no territorial lord. Because it lay wedged between the Black Crow Empire, the Divine Phoenix Empire, and Bi Bo Island (one of the Seven Martial Sect Islands), it had turned into a zone nobody governed.
Everyone wanted to occupy it, yet nobody dared make a rash move.
After all, the Black Crow Empire, the Divine Phoenix Empire, and Bi Bo Island were all imperial-level powers, none weaker than the others.
Precisely because of this, the city became a breeding ground for underground forces.
It also hosted the largest underground black market across the Heavenly Dragon Continent, the Divine Phoenix Continent, and even the Seven Martial Sect Islands and the Five Immortal Islands region.
The economic lifeblood that sustained the place was black-market trading.
Things you could not buy anywhere else could be bought here.
This included martial souls, special organs, rare materials, and all manner of strange oddities.
Sin City was surrounded by water on three sides and backed by towering mountains that pierced the clouds, making it a naturally defensible stronghold.
Perhaps because of convenient shipping, business here was extraordinarily brisk.
Although Sin City had no official city lord or similar figure, rumour claimed it did have a true controller. Nobody knew who this person was, but martial artists coming here to trade had given them a resounding title: the King of the Black Market.
Sin City was home to fugitives from all over the world and to merchants from everywhere, but local residents were extremely few. It was said most had been killed by incoming martial artists.
This place was very dangerous.
There were no laws here, no justice. Everything followed the most primitive rule: the law of the jungle.
Moreover, the martial artists here were generally far stronger than average. One almost never saw martial artists of the Mortal Realm.
Among Celestial Realm warriors, most were at least at the Six Arts Heaven stage.
Anyone below Six Arts Heaven who came here was basically courting death.
Even more terrifying, the number of Cave Heaven Realm experts here might exceed that in the imperial capital of the Divine Phoenix Empire.
As for Yin-Yang Realm experts, none had been spotted yet, but they almost certainly existed. Otherwise, Sin City could not possibly have stood undisturbed for so long.
Of course, Yin-Yang Realm experts were the bosses behind the scenes. They would never show themselves lightly.
At that moment, a large ship was approaching Sin City.
The vessel carried many people, all coming to Sin City either to trade or to hunt for treasures.
Ling Xiao stood on the deck, gazing at the hazy outline of Sin City in the distance, a trace of awe in his heart.
Although he had been on the Divine Phoenix Continent for nearly a year, he had spent most of that time in the imperial capital and had hardly visited anywhere else.
Coming to Sin City this time counted as a rather special experience.
Standing beside him were two women.
One wore moon-white gauze robes, breathtakingly beautiful. Every gesture radiated refined and noble elegance.
She was, of course, Yue Nü.
Because Ling Xiao did not want her to act lightly, she had completely concealed her aura. To others, she appeared no more than an ordinary, frail woman.
The other wore light armour, her features clear and attractive, a pair of bright eyes constantly alert.
She was Leng Mei.
Originally, Ling Xiao had planned to come only with Yue Nü.
But Leng Mei had followed on her own.
Ling Xiao did not drive her away.
Leng Mei’s loyalty to him was as plain as the sun and moon. Naturally, he had no wish to wrong the girl.
Moreover, having Leng Mei along was useful.
Leng Mei’s strength surpassed Ling Xiao’s yet fell short of Yue Nü’s. If she acted, she could resolve many problems for Ling Xiao without causing the kind of commotion Yue Nü would.
In truth, apart from the three of them, one more person travelled with Ling Xiao.
That was Yuan Zun, who resided within Ling Xiao’s World of Mountains and Rivers.
Yuan Zun was Ling Xiao’s most powerful master, the extraordinary man who had taught him formations and alchemy, though he no longer possessed a physical body.
Normally, a soul form like Yuan Zun could not travel long distances. Yet after Ling Xiao advanced his cultivation, he unexpectedly discovered he could place a soul body inside the World of Mountains and Rivers without it being assimilated.
This discovery gave Yuan Zun a rare chance to leave.
Most importantly, Sin City might hold something capable of letting Yuan Zun recondense a body.
He could not remain a soul forever.
“Sister Yue Nü, Sin City is full of dangers. When the time comes, please do not strike casually. Otherwise we will alarm the hidden bosses of this city, and then we will find nothing at all.”
Ling Xiao said to Yue Nü with a smile.
“Rest assured. As long as they do not attack you, I naturally will not act recklessly. I quite fancy being a quiet beauty.”
Yue Nü smiled, revealing a hint of playfulness.
“Master, even the weakest martial artists on this ship are at Seven Stars Heaven cultivation. It seems the rumours are true. Sin City really is not a place just anyone can enter. Without sufficient strength, coming here is simply suicide.”
Leng Mei had been observing everyone on board, and this discovery left her somewhat shocked.
“Indeed, this is a city both miraculous and cruel.”
As Ling Xiao spoke, the corners of his mouth actually curved into an excited smile.
His adventurous spirit had been ignited.
Soon, the large ship docked at the harbour. Everyone disembarked and headed towards Sin City.
The city gates of Sin City were clearly maintained year-round. Otherwise, a city as ancient as the Holy City could not possibly remain so intact.
Ling Xiao and the two women were in no hurry. They admired the surrounding scenery while slowly walking forward.
