The Science of Cultivation [Xianxia]

Chapter 144: Lively City

“There are regular folks around now?” Li Lang muttered as he watched the lively streets of Polarity City.

It caused his two companions to take a second look at all the people around.

“You’re right,” Long Yi agreed. “There was barely anyone here the last time we were here. I can’t believe it’s changed so much over the years.”

“Hmm? It’s always like this whenever I come,” Sima Xue said.

The contradictions caused the group to fall silent for a brief moment before Li Lang made a sound that indicated he remembered something important.

“That’s right! They said mortals were usually not allowed in here unless there were events going on where menial workers were needed.”

“I’ll g-go inquire about it l-later,” Wei Ping offered.

“Event?” Sima Xue muttered. “Oh, you mean the annual auctions? It happens over two months out of the year. I guess I normally only do come around this time.”

“Auction? Care to elaborate?”

“Sure, let’s get to our inn first, okay?”

With the explanation delayed, the group slowly traveled through the busy streets. Once they got off the central road, the smaller streets were so crowded that the carriages moved at the same pace as the pedestrians.

It gave ample time for the trio to witness the city in its new form.

As expected from a young princess from a major organization, Sima Xue brought them to a luxurious inn. They had an entire driveway for carriages, and then a large shed to park them away as well. In between the entrance to the street, there were several finely sculpted marble art pieces. To Li Lang, they were of unfamiliar creatures and symbols.

Sima Xue opted to stow her vehicle into her space ring before they made their way up the steps.

“Welcome to Serene Retreat, Young Lady Sima. We have your rooms already prepared,” the hostess greeted.

“You made reservations ahead of time? How? You dropped by before coming to fetch us?” Long Yi tactless asked, right before the staff.

“Of course not. I had the sect communicate to the proprietress here about my visit.”

“Communicate how?” Li Lang asked without missing a beat.

He immediately realized she referred to a prompt method of communication. As a modern person, he knew exactly how vital that was to civilization. The only question left was whether it was through means like messenger pigeons, smoke signals, or a novel method involving Qi.

“With a transmission jade, of course. The big cities have one paired with each other.”

“Is it possible to buy these jades for myself?”

From the corner of his eye, Li Lang caught sight of the staff bringing up her sleeve to hide her smile. It was then that he knew he had asked a stupid question. Sima Xue blinking blankly had confirmed this.

“Umm, probably not? They’re valuable treasures that only large organizations have. Even my Nightmoon Valley doesn’t have one to every city in the Luminescent Domain.”

“I see…Well, why don’t we get settled into our rooms first before continuing our chat?”

From context alone, Li Lang could surmise that this transmission jade wasn’t as convenient as the phones he was familiar with. They appeared to be paired with each other, much like the quantum communicators the space force used on their capital ships. He only noted it down in the corner of his mind to keep an eye out for it before checking into their rooms.

This time, the group of four were each shown to their own rooms. Unlike in the past, Li Lang’s wallet was now much healthier. He didn’t protest the arrangement, as he had already embarrassed himself with his questions. He’d rather not be remembered by the staff as the country bumpkin.

While he didn’t care for his reputation or the likes, his current goal was to create his own organization. He had heard enough gossip about people in important posts to know the importance of a reputation for any respectable organization. These small matters appeared insignificant, but it affected one’s credibility.

Li Lang knew that trust was the most important currency between groups. It took a long time to build, but only one misstep to ruin.

After putting away their luggage, the group quickly assembled in the tea lounge next to the lobby. Further in was a proper restaurant, much classier than the pubs Li Lang had frequented. He would explore the eatery soon enough. For now, they occupied the lounge.

They all assembled and resumed their earlier conversation.

“So, where do I begin?” Sima Xue pondered while holding her cup of tea with both hands.

“H-how about the o-organizer and when it s-starts?” Wei Ping suggested.

“Well, the organizer is Polarity City itself. That’s why it draws such a huge crowd. Both righteous snobs and our demonic cultivators will be participating.”

“I’ve never heard anything about it during my time in Spirit Grove,” Li Lang commented.

“Well, yeah. The righteous sects want to keep up the image of us as unreasonable brutes. Only their elders, established clans, and powerful wandering cultivators would know about it. After all, only these powerful people have the wealth to participate.”

“Then why are there so many people here? They can’t all be wealthy, can they?”

“What I explained is for the main event only. There are many other auctions happening at the same time, catering to different needs and price points. Many cater to the numerous scions from the established cultivator clans.”

“So…That means this secret auction is only secret to the regular folks without a background?”

“Generally, yes. The historic clans all know about the true nature of us demonic cultivators, of course. It’s not exactly easy to keep it a secret for eternity. They only do it to keep their regular folks in check.”

What a way to keep people in line with fear. Was I really living under such horrible people? No, I can’t just take Sima Xue’s side of the story at face value. Just like with demonic cultivators, the orthodox sects must have good and bad apples as well.

Their afternoon discussion continued over the next hour. Li Lang and Wei Ping teamed up to barrage Sima Xue with questions while Long Yi busied himself with the snacks. As expected, it wasn’t long before Sima Xue threw up the white flag.

“Guys, can we save the talks for another time? I’m sure you’ll learn a lot on your own if you spend a day or two here. You still have an entire month and a half before the auctions are over. Unless you’re in a hurry to deliver that letter.”

“Yeah, let’s go check out the city while the sun’s still up,” Long Yi supported the young princess.

Li Lang surveyed his surroundings and noticed the establishment had gotten busier as night approached.

“Hmm, I guess we can go out for a bit,” Li Lang pondered to himself for a brief moment.

Seeing the place was starting to become too rowdy for a proper conversation, he stood up and stretched his back.

“Yeah, let’s go take a walk and check out this auction. We sat for long enough.”

With those words, the group began to wander the streets to appreciate the city proper.

“I still got to say again, this place is unrecognizable from when we came,” Li Lang muttered.

“Y-yeah. It’s incredible.”

Previously, there were only stores catered to cultivators, and the streets were sparse. Now, they were dozens of carts parked on both sides of the streets that sold food and drinks. It had a festive atmosphere, with a mix of people. It was easy to tell there was some tension between different groups, but they expertly ignored each other’s existence and kept their distance. However, there were a few people that treated everyone equally.

“How does the general demonic cultivator see orthodox independent cultivators that aren’t affiliated with any sects?”

“Hmm? They’re just people, I guess. It varies from person to person. Unlike the arrogant sects, we don’t discriminate based on their cultivation method. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have an organization like the Peerless Gate in our domain.”

“It seems like they’re smart enough to play both sides, becoming merchants.”

Following Li Lang’s gaze, Sima Xue looked over at the people he was talking about.

“Oh, those are actual merchants from our domain. We don’t restrict information or anything, so our regular merchants can come and go as they like. Those guys around them are the independent cultivators you’re talking about. They act as the merchant’s bodyguards.”

“Hmm, my point still stands. The independents are profiting from being neutral. Not bad.”

“Well, we need someone to carry out the logistics of trade.”

“Right. The profits of trade are hard to ignore.”

“Yep. It’s why we still trade with them despite everything they have done to us.”

Li Lang continued to walk, refusing to comment on historical grudges. While he heard some of it from Jian Beiyun about how the Demonic Cultivator Territory was originally a place of exile, he wasn’t knowledgeable enough on the matter to comment.

As the group merrily sampled the food stalls and took in the jovial atmosphere, they suddenly froze upon making eye contact with one of the passersby. In fact, both parties were frozen. The only exception was Wei Ping, who alternated glances between his friends and the stranger, befuddled at their reactions.

Li Lang would’ve preferred if they hadn’t seen each other. Even if it was inevitable, he would’ve preferred if only one party spotted the other. That way, they still had the option to ignore and leave. Now that both parties made eye contact, it became extremely challenging to just walk away.

As if compelled by a mysterious force, both sides closed the distance.

Li Lang’s group of four each awkwardly clasped their fist to the middle-aged woman before them.

“Greetings, Senior Cao.”

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