The undisputed supreme Immortal City of the Great Qian Immortal Kingdom was its capital, the Great Qian Immortal Capital, also known as Qian Capital. This magnificent city boasted a history spanning eight thousand years.
The second most renowned Immortal City was Shu Capital, without any doubt. Its history far surpassed that of Qian Capital, stretching back tens of thousands of years.
Beyond Qian Capital and Shu Capital, several other Immortal Cities could be classified as major urban centers. Qian Prefecture housed eight such cities, while Shu Prefecture claimed five.
Qian Prefecture's major cities included Jade Capital, Myriad Stars, Great Void, Crimson Cloud, Jinyun, Tyrant Star, Demon Suppression, and Jade Cauldron.
Shu Prefecture's major cities comprised Southern Dipper, Northern Garrison, Myriad Methods, Southern Peace, and Prosperous Passage.
The Immortal City Han Yi now beheld was Jinyun Immortal City, one of these grand metropolises.
While Jinyun Immortal City's grandeur couldn't rival that of Qian Capital or Shu Capital, it nonetheless left Han Yi far more awestruck than any other colossal city he had encountered.
This sprawling metropolis was more than ten times larger than the combined size of the five Immortal Cities surrounding the Profound Pill Sect—Du Ping, Eastern Cauldron, Li Kang, Prosperous Treasure, and Red Phoenix. Yet, compared to Qian Capital or Shu Capital, the central cities of their respective prefectures, it was less than one percent of their scale.
Outside Jinyun Immortal City, there were no cultivators from the Six Ministries of Great Qian patrolling. However, as Han Yi entered the city, he noticed the Divine Sense of a Golden Core cultivator sweep over him.
Fortunately, the scan was cursory, merely a routine inspection.
Following Liu Ruyan's instructions, Han Yi headed straight for the Myriad Immortals Pavilion.
That's right—not the Profound Immortal Pavilion, but the Myriad Immortals Pavilion.
Upon entering, Han Yi presented his Myriad Immortals Token. The shopkeeper's face immediately turned respectful. A Foundation Establishment cultivator possessing such a token was no ordinary cultivator; within the Myriad Immortals Pavilion, these tokens were reserved for their most valued clients, those whose strength or wealth far exceeded that of ordinary cultivators.
"Shopkeeper, I need you to examine this sword," Han Yi said, producing the damaged Blacklight Broken Sword. His expression was a mixture of annoyance and indignation.
"This is the Blacklight Sword, which I purchased from the Profound Immortal Pavilion half a year ago. I merely ventured into the Myriad Demon Mountain Range and clashed with a Peak Foundation Establishment Demon Cultivator. That creature shattered the sword with its Innate Divine Ability!"
"Hmph, this is outrageous! Isn't this blatant deception?"
"Help me appraise this sword," Han Yi said. "Is it truly a Spirit Sword that has fallen from its original grade?"
"If so, I'll have to settle accounts with that Shopkeeper Zhuo Qun."
Han Yi's current appearance was neither his original form nor that of Han Yi from Earth. Instead, he had transformed into a Qi Refining Senior Brother he had known back at Little Spirit Void Peak—a burly, imposing figure with a face full of menacing flesh, enormous eyes radiating a fearsome light, and an aura that clearly marked him as someone not to be trifled with. His aura also maintained his true cultivation level: Late Foundation Establishment.
This was all part of his plan.
The journey from Qian Capital to Jinyun Immortal City had taken ten full days. By now, any obvious clues had likely been erased, making a direct investigation exceedingly difficult. Moreover, if someone had truly targeted the Profound Immortal Pavilion, they would undoubtedly anticipate that the Profound Pill Sect would send investigators later. Could they have laid traps for these future investigators?
Given the high probability of this, Han Yi decided to break free from this predetermined script. He chose to investigate Senior Brother Zhuo Qun's disappearance from the periphery, without revealing his status as a Profound Pill Sect cultivator.
The Myriad Immortals Pavilion was Han Yi's first stop.
The shopkeeper, a Late Foundation Establishment cultivator, respectfully accepted the Black Light Broken Sword and placed it on the counter. He began a meticulous appraisal using investigative spells, qualitatively assessing it through sight, touch, Divine Sense, and Mana.
After a full quarter of an hour of careful examination, he finally set the broken sword down. The pavilion's policy required exceptional service for cultivators bearing the Myriad Immortals Token.
"Fellow Daoist," he said, "this sword was indeed a Spirit Sword before its grade declined. Its blade is entirely black, and the characters 'Blacklight' are inscribed upon it. However, it has always been a broken sword, and the tip appears to have snapped off nearly eighty years ago."
The shopkeeper's expression betrayed his confusion. Han Yi had claimed the sword was intact when purchased from the Profound Immortal Pavilion, yet the appraisal clearly indicated it had been broken for almost eighty years.
"However, this crack—running from the broken cross-section to the hilt—appears to be recent."
Despite his puzzlement, the shopkeeper summarized his findings based on his professional appraisal techniques.
"In short," the shopkeeper concluded, "this sword, which should be called Blacklight, is a Spirit Sword. Eighty years ago, its tip was broken off, causing it to degrade from a Magic Treasure to a Top-Grade Magic Artifact. Recent collisions with other hard Magic Artifacts have further cracked its blade, bringing it to the brink of total ruin."
Han Yi, transformed into a burly figure with a fierce, menacing face, couldn't help but inwardly admire the shopkeeper's professionalism. However, he let out a loud snort—a mere booming sound that drew the attention of nearby cultivators without achieving any other effect.
"Nonsense!" Han Yi boomed. "Zhuo Qun, the shopkeeper of the Profound Immortal Pavilion, personally sold me this sword artifact. I'm not blind—I can clearly see whether a sword has a tip or not! Unless Zhuo Qun pulled a fast one on me with some 'Grafting Flowers onto Trees' trick."
"Shopkeeper, let's go! Take me to the Profound Immortal Pavilion right now to confront Zhuo Qun. How dare he sell me a fake Magic Artifact! I'll smash his signboard to pieces!"
Han Yi sprang to his feet, ready to storm out.
Though his face remained ferocious, Han Yi's mind was taut with tension. He hadn't truly crossed any lines, and with his Myriad Immortals Token, even cultivators from the Myriad Immortals Pavilion wouldn't dare lay a hand on him.
"Fellow Daoist, please wait!"
The shopkeeper, who had just appraised the Black Light Broken Sword, urgently called out to Han Yi, a troubled expression on his face. "Fellow Daoist, even if you go to the Profound Immortal Pavilion now, you won't find Zhuo Qun there."
Hearing this, Han Yi's heart skipped a beat. He hadn't expected to make progress so quickly on his first stop.
His original plan had been to cause a scene at the Myriad Immortals Pavilion to establish a certain impression among the crowd. He had assumed the shopkeeper would never agree to accompany him.
Next, he would go to the Profound Immortal Pavilion and falsely claim that Zhuo Qun had sold him the Black Light Broken Sword. With Zhuo Qun missing and Han Yi's extensive knowledge of him, combined with the information he had obtained from Liu Ruyan, the pavilion would have no counterargument.
By then, Han Yi would become the Profound Immortal Pavilion's creditor. After another disruptive scene, he would firmly demand an explanation. However, with Zhuo Qun still missing and only his disciple, Wei Tushen, remaining, Wei Tushen would be ill-equipped to handle the situation.
Finally, Han Yi would openly search for Zhuo Qun, his true purpose being revenge.
With this plan, he was confident he could achieve his goals.
Of course, this was just Han Yi's initial plan: to intervene in Zhuo Qun's disappearance under a different identity, proceeding cautiously step by step. If he encountered enemies beyond his capabilities, he would naturally reveal his Patrol Token to enlist the power of the Six Ministries of Great Qian, or even seek refuge within their palaces, patiently awaiting Zhuge Wuyou's arrival.
However...
He hadn't expected that even an ordinary shopkeeper at the Myriad Immortals Pavilion would be aware of Zhuo Qun's disappearance. Something must have happened during his ten-day journey.
"Hmm?"
As these thoughts flashed through his mind, Han Yi turned around, his thick eyebrows arching. A hint of fierce aura seeped from his puzzled expression, causing the shopkeeper's face to pale slightly. Han Yi's demeanor was so aggressive, so ready to draw his sword at the slightest provocation, that the shopkeeper was convinced a fight could erupt at any moment.
Although the Myriad Immortals Pavilion had Golden Core cultivators stationed within, they rarely intervened unless absolutely necessary, especially since Han Yi's actions were reasonable, proper, and devoid of threats or intimidation.
"Can't be found? What do you mean?"
Though framed as a question, Han Yi's tone and posture perfectly conveyed the impression that he was ready to draw his sword and strike at any instant.
The shopkeeper wiped imaginary sweat from his forehead.
"Fellow Daoist, please don't be so hasty. Sit down, and I'll explain everything to you slowly."
This time, Han Yi didn't refuse. He walked back to the shopkeeper and sat down. The surrounding cultivators, realizing there was no spectacle to be had, quickly averted their gazes. As Han Yi returned to his seat, he sensed a wisp of Divine Sense sweep over his body. Prepared for this, he remained calm and gave no reaction.
"Fellow Daoist, to be frank, Zhuo Qun of the Profound Immortal Pavilion has been missing for ten days," the shopkeeper explained.
Han Yi frowned. "Missing? Do you mean he's dead? What happens to my sword then?" He cut to the chase, his disbelief evident. Before the shopkeeper could finish, he pressed further. "And how do you know he's dead? The Myriad Immortals Pavilion and the Profound Immortal Pavilion are business rivals. Did you kill him?"
The shopkeeper was startled by this accusation. His face turned grave, and he straightened up. "Fellow Daoist, you can't make such baseless claims! The Myriad Immortals Pavilion has weathered countless storms in Great Qian over the years. We would never stoop to harming a mere shopkeeper."
Though Han Yi secretly doubted the Myriad Immortals Pavilion's involvement, he couldn't entirely dismiss the possibility.
A saying from his past life echoed in his mind:
A fake business war is a grand strategic game of cunning and intrigue, where both sides trade blows and triumphs, relying on wisdom to secure victory.
A real business war, however, is brutal and direct: scaling walls for clandestine photos, poisoning medicine, stealing official seals and computers, forging contracts, and resorting to brute force. Therefore, while the Myriad Immortals Pavilion wasn't entirely above suspicion, such suspicions remained minimal.
"Tell me what happened," Han Yi said, his expression still puzzled. "I just returned from the Myriad Demon Mountain Range, and you immediately inform me of Zhuo Qun's disappearance. Once you've explained, I'll investigate the Profound Immortal Pavilion myself to ascertain the truth."
Han Yi's expression remained skeptical, but the shopkeeper breathed a sigh of relief. This cultivator, who possessed the Myriad Immortals Token, seemed reasonable and open to discussion—a fortunate outcome.
"Fellow Daoist, even if you go to the Profound Immortal Pavilion now, you likely won't find anyone there."
"Zhuo Qun of the Myriad Immortals Pavilion has vanished. Three days after his disappearance, his disciple, Wei Tushen, went berserk inside the Profound Immortal Pavilion. He murdered three Qi Refining cultivators who were there to purchase magic artifacts, then stormed out of the pavilion and attacked passing cultivators, only to be killed in self-defense."
"These are the conclusions reached by the Six Ministries of Great Qian. Currently, all cultivators from the Profound Pill Sect are confined to their residences, awaiting the arrival of sect representatives to cooperate with the Ministry of Immortal Affairs' investigation. Only then will the Sealing Formation surrounding the Profound Immortal Pavilion be lifted."
"Moreover, I heard the order came from the Demon Slaughter Army. I have no idea why they're involved."
"This matter has already caused a huge uproar. The entire Jinyun Immortal City knows about it. Fellow Daoist, just ask around at any inn, tavern, or merchant guild, and you'll easily confirm the truth."
The shopkeeper finished speaking in one breath. Han Yi's heart was pounding, but he managed to keep his expression unchanged.
"Is that true?" Han Yi asked, still sounding somewhat incredulous.
"Absolutely," the shopkeeper replied firmly.
Damn it!
"Does this mean I can't find the debtor for my sword now?"
Wait, the Profound Immortal Pavilion is owned by the Profound Pill Sect. I could go to another Immortal City to find their branch, but without proof, my word means nothing.
"No, I have to go to the Profound Immortal Pavilion myself. Even if the debtor is dead, the Magic Artifacts and Treasures inside must still be there. They'll have to compensate me with a Magic Treasure to make up for selling me that fake sword."
"Hmph!"
Han Yi snorted loudly, turned, and strode away. After two steps, before the shopkeeper could breathe a sigh of relief, Han Yi abruptly spun back around.
"Oh, by the way, if I need you to testify that this sword artifact is defective, you wouldn't refuse, would you?"
"Of course not. I'll pay you handsomely. I'll make it worth your while."
Having delivered his warning, Han Yi stormed out of the Myriad Immortals Pavilion, radiating murderous intent as he headed straight for the Profound Immortal Pavilion.
Behind him, the shopkeeper wiped his brow again, inexplicably terrified. Han Yi reminded him of a ferocious Demon Tiger, instilling a fear akin to facing the pavilion's Golden Core Honorary Elders. Finally rid of this menacing figure, the shopkeeper breathed a sigh of relief.
Meanwhile, Han Yi strode purposefully out of the Myriad Immortals Pavilion. Following the address Liu Ruyan had given him, he mounted his sword and soared toward the Profound Immortal Pavilion's outpost.
In less than fifteen minutes, he landed outside the pavilion.
The once-grand Profound Immortal Pavilion now bore sealing talismans and a powerful Sealing Formation, completely barring entry and exit for cultivators.
Han Yi reached for the pavilion's main gate and pushed with all his might, only to be violently repelled by the formation's force, stumbling back several steps.
His brow furrowed. This Sealing Formation was undoubtedly Third-Tier or higher—meaning only Golden Core cultivators possessed the power to breach it.
Given the daytime crowds on the street outside the pavilion, Han Yi couldn't risk further attempts. His expression hardened as he retreated a few steps, glancing around. His eyes lit up when he spotted the Ten Thousand Immortals Inn directly across the street.
Han Yi strode into the Ten Thousand Immortals Inn and immediately presented his Myriad Immortals Token. The respectful shopkeeper readily recounted the recent events at the Profound Immortal Pavilion.
The shopkeeper's account largely mirrored that of the manager Han Yi had spoken to at the Myriad Immortals Pavilion, but Han Yi gleaned more details.
Ten days prior, Zhuo Qun had disappeared, though the outside world remained unaware. Wei Tushen, the pavilion's caretaker, had publicly announced that his master, the Grand Manager of the Profound Immortal Pavilion, had entered secluded cultivation.
Seven days later, Wei Tushen suddenly went berserk within the pavilion. He murdered several Qi Refining cultivators who were purchasing Magic Artifacts and then stormed out, attempting to attack passersby. Fortunately, a Foundation Establishment cultivator happened to be passing by and killed him on the spot.
"Did you recognize the person who killed Wei Tushen?" Han Yi asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No, I didn't," the shopkeeper replied. "It seems they acted in self-defense. Upon realizing Wei Tushen was a manager from the Profound Immortal Pavilion, they hastily departed."
"Of course, this is merely my speculation," the elderly shopkeeper added with a smile, shaking his head.
"Who could have foreseen this?" the shopkeeper lamented. "Elder Zhuo was always so kind, even sending me Shu Prefecture specialties when I opened my business. Now he's vanished. Fellow Daoist Wei, whom I knew well, suddenly went berserk, as savage as a Demon Beast, and met with such a tragic end. The world truly is unpredictable."
Han Yi felt truly helpless. He bitterly recounted his experience of purchasing a counterfeit Magic Artifact from the Profound Immortal Pavilion and then immediately booked a room at the Ten Thousand Immortals Inn.
He wasn't concerned that publicizing this would damage the Profound Immortal Pavilion's reputation. If their reputation could be tarnished so easily, they would have been driven out of business long ago.
Late that night, a black shadow silently leaped from a window of the Ten Thousand Immortals Inn, blending seamlessly into the wind.
The figure was none other than Han Yi. Though he wasn't wearing a mask, his appearance had completely transformed into that of Zheng Hai, a medium-built man with a swarthy complexion.
Han Yi had discovered that disguises based on familiar cultivators were far easier to maintain and more convincing.
In less than two breaths, he had reached the side of the Profound Immortal Pavilion. A golden dagger materialized in his hand.
The dagger's blade gleamed entirely golden, with two characters etched into its surface.
Demon-Slaying.
This Low-Grade Magic Treasure, obtained from the Heavenly Secrets Stele, was Han Yi's second Magic Treasure after the Seven Stars Kunwu Sword: the Demon-Slaying Dagger.
In terms of sharpness, this dagger surpassed even the Seven Stars Kunwu Sword. Moreover, during a test six months prior, Han Yi had discovered that it could nullify most forms of spirit energy, including formations, defensive barriers created by spirit talismans, and defensive spells.
Based on its name, Han Yi surmised that this Low-Grade Magic Treasure was particularly effective against Heavenly Demons or the Demon Race, which had become virtually extinct in the Jade Balance Realm.
Sharpness, spirit-nullification, and demon-slaying were the defining characteristics of this dagger.
With a mere flick of the golden blade, Han Yi sliced a meter-long gash into the formation sealing the Profound Immortal Pavilion, as if unzipping the spirit formation.
The spirit formation flickered and instantly began to repair itself, but Han Yi had already slipped through the gap before the restoration was complete.
The Profound Immortal Pavilion in Jinyun Immortal City was structured with four layers. Han Yi first reached the third floor, proceeding cautiously as he meticulously searched the area. He found only a few bloodstains. The rest of the floor was slightly disheveled, suggesting that the Inner Sect disciples had hastily evacuated after Wei Tushen's rampage.
When Zhuo Qun came to Jinyun Immortal City to establish a branch of the Profound Immortal Pavilion, he didn't bring just Wei Tushen. He also brought seven or eight other Inner Sect Disciples, who were likely still stationed at the pavilion's rear compound. Han Yi, however, wasn't eager to contact them too soon, especially not in his capacity as an elder of the Profound Pill Sect.
This wasn't paranoia; caution was simply necessary to avoid attracting unwanted attention.
Han Yi's plan was to investigate on his own first and then decide whether to contact the other disciples based on what he found.
After searching the third floor, Han Yi ascended to the fourth. Midway between the third and fourth floors, he discovered a hidden compartment and retrieved a stack of documents from within.
This secret compartment was known only to cultivators ranked as elders or higher within the Profound Immortal Pavilion. Han Yi's primary purpose for infiltrating the pavilion tonight was to locate it.
The clues at the scene had already been discovered by the cultivators from the Six Ministries of Great Qian when they sealed off the Profound Immortal Pavilion.
However, this hidden compartment was a specialized construct designed by the Profound Immortal Pavilion, known only to Foundation Establishment Elders. Forged from unique materials, it was undetectable even with Divine Sense.
The compartment's contents were strictly limited to paper documents to prevent the storage of magic artifacts, jade slips, or other spirit energy-bearing items that could be detected by specialized instruments.
Before Han Yi could even open the stack, a hastily scribbled note lay on top, bearing four words:
"Primal Beast, Que Chen!"