Chapter 786: A Heart for the Mundane

"I see. It seems that in your Demon Domain, bloodlines are held in high regard," Han Li said thoughtfully.

"The Saint Domain values strength above all, and bloodline hierarchies are strict. The weaker clans are mostly enslaved and oppressed by stronger ones. In a desolate place like the Ten Maladies Mountains, clan oppression is even more severe. Among the Ten Maladies Kings, only the Black Weasel King is relatively enlightened, so many low-ranking clans have gathered here," Shi Chuankong sighed, seemingly dissatisfied with the situation of clan oppression.

Han Li uttered an "Oh" and did not ask further.

As they spoke, the two arrived at the edge of Black Weasel City.

Viewing it up close now, one could better sense the grandeur of Black Weasel City, with its towering city walls rising to the sky, enclosing the coastline.

At intervals along the city wall, there were city gate entrances. Near each gate, docks stood in clusters, with huge ships moored, and people coming and going, bustling with activity.

"This city looks decent. Although built by ferocious beasts, it's not much different from the Immortal Realm," Han Li nodded.

"Among the Ten Maladies Kings, the Black Weasel King is the most friendly to the mundane world beyond the mountains, encouraging trade and commerce. So although the Black Weasel Territory doesn't have many high-ranking ferocious beast clans, its overall strength is not weak," Shi Chuankong said.

"In that case, this Black Weasel King can be considered a wise ruler among the Ten Maladies Kings," Han Li remarked, his opinion of the Black Weasel King improving.

"Wise... in a way, you could say that," Shi Chuankong said, the corner of his mouth twitching, his expression somewhat odd.

Han Li noticed Shi Chuankong's expression and was intrigued, but did not ask further.

"Let's go," Shi Chuankong said, and the two flew toward the city gate, soon arriving near it.

At the gate stood some black-armored soldiers holding weapons, inspecting those entering the city.

However, the inspection was not strict. Shi Chuankong stepped forward, exchanged a few words with the gate guards, and paid a few black crystals, allowing the two to enter the city smoothly.

Han Li stood by the street inside the gate, looked around, and nodded.

The streets and buildings in the city were quite tidy, especially the roads, which were very wide, over ten zhang across, paved with black bricks, exceptionally flat.

On both sides of the street were parked many beast-drawn carriages. The pulling beasts were a kind of cyan-black creature, with a body like a horse but a head resembling a flood dragon—an unknown exotic beast.

Seeing Han Li and the other land, a carriage owner immediately ran over.

This person looked young, still a youth, short in stature, with dark red scales on his hands and feet, and only at the Nascent Soul stage.

"Are you two seniors visiting Black Weasel City for the first time? Hire my beast carriage—just one top-grade demon stone a day. My name is Lu Xie, a native of Black Weasel City, very familiar with every part of the city," the youth said flatteringly, his eyes lively, appearing exceptionally clever.

"Beast carriage? Is flying not allowed in the city?" Shi Chuankong glanced into the city and then at the beast carriages by the roadside, asking.

"The Black Weasel King has decreed that no one is allowed to fly in the city. There is a flight prohibition formation in the sky. To go anywhere, you must either walk or take a beast carriage," Lu Xie explained.

"We are indeed new to Black Weasel City and need to buy some things. If you can guide us well, I'll give you two top-grade demon stones a day," Shi Chuankong exchanged a glance with Han Li and nodded.

"Thank you, seniors! I will do my utmost to guide you," Lu Xie said joyfully, then quickly brought out his beast carriage.

Han Li and the other sat in the back seat of the carriage, while Lu Xie sat in front and drove the carriage forward.

The cyan horse beast moved quite fast, with the surrounding scenery quickly receding.

"Lu Xie, aside from the flight ban, are there any other prohibitions in Black Weasel City?" Han Li asked casually, his eyes scanning around.

"Yes. The strictest is that fighting or dueling is forbidden. No matter the reason, one cannot resort to violence. Violators will be directly arrested by the Black Weasel Army and have all their cultivation abolished. Also, Black Weasel City enforces a curfew every night. At night, you must either leave the city or find an inn to stay in. In short, wandering around the city late at night is strictly prohibited. If caught, you will also face severe punishment," Lu Xie warned solemnly.

"A late-night curfew?" Han Li looked surprised.

The bans on flying and fighting were understandable, but the curfew rule was unexpected. For cultivators like them, day and night made no difference. Moreover, Black Weasel City's commerce seemed quite developed, with various businesses likely very busy. Imposing a curfew would effectively halve the trading time, which would certainly have a significant impact.

"These prohibitions were all set by the Black Weasel King. His Majesty believes that night is the time to return home, and wandering outside late at night is against propriety, hence the curfew," Lu Xie said with a somewhat unnatural expression.

"A breach of public morals..." Han Li couldn't help but open his mouth upon hearing this.

He had originally thought that the Black Weasel King imposed the curfew for some special reason, but he never expected it to be because of this.

His impression of the Black Weasel King couldn't help but change once again. No wonder Shi Chuankong had a strange expression when he mentioned the Black Weasel King just now.

"Lu Xie, first give us an introduction to the situation in Black Weasel City," Shi Chuankong interjected.

"Black Weasel City is roughly divided into nine districts. The three central districts are where the Black Weasel King and his directly subordinate Black Weasel Army reside. Of the remaining six districts, three are commoner districts. Although they are large in area, only low-level races live there, and there's nothing worth visiting. Two other districts are luxury residential districts, provided for high-level races... and for esteemed seniors like yourselves. The last district is the trade district, where almost all the city's high-end shops are concentrated. By the way, almost all of the city's top-grade materials and fine magical artifacts are brought there for sale and trade. However, entering requires paying a fee, but for esteemed seniors like yourselves, this fee is naturally nothing." Lu Xie, relieved not to have to talk about the Black Weasel King anymore, introduced eloquently.

"Oh, we came to Black Weasel City this time intending to buy some Purple Sun Warm Jade. Do you know where in the city it's sold?" Shi Chuankong asked again.

"Purple Sun Warm Jade? So you two esteemed seniors wish to buy this treasure. Purple Sun Warm Jade is one of Black Weasel City's specialty rarities, extremely scarce, and always in short supply. Moreover, the trading situation of such a treasure is not something a lowly person like me can know. I can only take you two esteemed seniors to the best few shops in the city, hoping you can make your purchase there." Lu Xie's expression stiffened slightly as he spoke apologetically.

"Alright, take us there." Shi Chuankong didn't really expect to learn anything from Lu Xie, the carriage driver, and nodded.

Lu Xie quickly agreed, urged the beast carriage to speed up, and galloped forward.

Half an hour later, the beast carriage arrived deep within Black Weasel City, stopping before a massive city gate.

The various districts within the city were also separated from each other by relatively low city walls.

Looking inward through the gate ahead, one could see rows of tall and splendid shops standing in great numbers, with people coming and going, extremely bustling—that was precisely the trade district of Black Weasel City.

This city gate was also guarded by some black-armored soldiers, who stopped Han Li's beast carriage.

"To enter the trade district, each person needs to pay one high-grade magic stone. There are three of you here, so three high-grade magic stones," a black-armored soldier said flatly.

Upon hearing this, Lu Xie looked somewhat troubled and turned to Han Li and the other.

According to the rules of their trade, this fee was generally borne by the passengers. However, Han Li and the others had just arrived at Black Weasel City and might not know this rule yet. Moreover, he had not clearly stated how this fee would be paid earlier.

Shi Chuankong waved his hand and took out three black crystals, tossing them to the black-armored guard.

The black-armored guard took the black crystals and waved his hand to clear the way.

"Thank you, senior." Lu Xie's face relaxed, and he expressed his thanks before driving the beast cart into the trading area, continuing forward along the street inside.

After a moment, the beast cart stopped in front of a five-story pavilion building. It did not look particularly magnificent or grand, even somewhat ordinary, but there were many customers coming and going.

Above the entrance of the pavilion hung a plaque that read "Floating Gold Pavilion."

"Two seniors, this Floating Gold Pavilion is one of the largest shops in the city. Although its appearance seems somewhat ordinary, it has been in business for over ten thousand years, with very deep connections and financial resources. You can take a look at this shop first; I will wait for you outside," Lu Xie said.

"Alright, let's take a look at this shop first." Upon hearing this, Shi Chuankong jumped off the beast cart and strode inside.

Han Li also got off the beast cart, secretly observing the surroundings. Finding nothing unusual, he followed along.

As soon as the two stepped through the shop's entrance, a faint fluctuation of demonic energy passed by, and their vision blurred. The next moment, they appeared in a massive hall that was hundreds of zhang in size.

Han Li raised an eyebrow. This shop was indeed not simple, as it had laid down the spatial power of a Sumeru space within the store.

Moreover, that was not all. In the fluctuation of demonic energy just now, he keenly detected a hint of probing aura, likely secretly examining their cultivation levels.

However, both he and Shi Chuankong had concealed their true cultivation levels, and such probing was insufficient to see through their backgrounds.

On both sides of the great hall were large display cabinets. The cabinets on the left held various raw materials, while those on the right held finished treasures such as pills and demonic artifacts.

These cabinets were arranged in a very orderly manner, allowing one to clearly identify at a glance where to find the desired goods.

Behind each cabinet stood a green-clad attendant, with a warm smile on their face, welcoming every customer.

These attendants showed almost no non-human features, all having transformed into human form.

"Two seniors, welcome to our Floating Gold Pavilion. You are honored guests who have reached the True Immortal realm, and we are not qualified to serve you. Please take a seat in the VIP room, and I will immediately invite a steward to attend to you," a beautiful green-clad maid immediately approached and said respectfully.