Chapter 800: The Demon Domain's Merchant City

Several months later.

Han Li and Shi Chuankong arrived at a highland region covered entirely in black soil.

The climate here was dry, with fierce winds blowing from time to time, stirring up clouds of black dust, and occasionally towering tornadoes swept through, carrying black sand in all directions.

Shi Chuankong's expression visibly relaxed upon reaching this place.

Seeing this, Han Li also breathed a silent sigh of relief.

Since leaving Xiongju City, they had traveled without rest. Thanks to Shi Chuankong's familiarity with the area, they had changed their route several times and, to avoid being intercepted, had rarely used the teleportation arrays in the towns along the way.

Perhaps this method had worked; the journey had been fairly smooth, with no pursuit from Shi Chuankong's eldest brother's forces, but there had also been no news of his third brother.

After flying for another two months or so, two towering peaks appeared on the horizon ahead. Between them sat a black city. Though still far away, Han Li's keen eyes could make out that the city was quite large.

This place was already deep within the black soil highlands, where the environment was even harsher. Dark hurricanes raged everywhere, whipping up black sand that blotted out the sky, and even boulders as large as small hills were tossed about. Ordinary people and low-level cultivators, let alone anyone below the Nascent Soul stage, would find it impossible to survive here.

Of course, Han Li and his companion could easily ignore such storms.

The black city between the two peaks, however, appeared quite tranquil. Within a thousand li radius centered on it, all was calm, as if some restriction isolated it from the raging storms outside.

"Finally here," Shi Chuankong said, his eyes brightening slightly as he let out a long breath.

"So this is Renshan City? The climate here is harsh, the demonic qi is not particularly dense, and there are no mineral veins or other geographical advantages. Why would you build a city in such a place?" Han Li asked, looking around in confusion.

"I didn't build Renshan City. This was once the dwelling place of a race called the Shatuo. Tens of thousands of years ago, after they moved away, I managed to buy this land and spent considerable effort to transform it into what it is now. The environment may not be great, but if you think about it the other way, isn't it a natural barrier?" Shi Chuankong said with some pride.

"That's probably not the key point. From what I've observed along the way, combined with your maps of the demon domain, Renshan City is situated at the intersection of several major cities and is not too far from the Ten Plague Mountains. It's quite suitable for trade," Han Li said with a smile.

"You understand me, Brother Li!" Shi Chuankong's eyes lit up, and he laughed heartily.

"Are we just going to walk in? This may be your territory, but you've been away for years. There's no guarantee there won't be problems," Han Li reminded him, thinking of something.

"No worries. I've already secretly contacted my trusted men in the city. There's nothing unusual, and those people haven't set their sights on Renshan City yet," Shi Chuankong said confidently.

"Good," Han Li nodded.

As they spoke, the Crow God Flying Shuttle continued forward.

The two towering peaks ahead grew rapidly larger in their field of vision. Up close, the twin peaks soared into the clouds, majestic and imposing. Renshan City, nestled between them, seemed insignificant in comparison, but from a closer view, it was a grand and magnificent metropolis.

The city walls were hundreds of feet high, with streaks of light frequently entering and exiting, including various flying boats and ships.

On the ground, giant land vehicles could be seen converging on Renshan City from all directions, making it even more bustling than Heiyou City.

Seeing this, Han Li's eyes flickered with surprise.

Shi Chuankong, looking at the massive city ahead, also felt an irrepressible excitement and a hint of pride.

To avoid drawing attention, Shi Chuankong slowed the Crow God Flying Shuttle, and they arrived at the edge of Renshan City only after a while.

From midair, the city was a forest of tall buildings with straight streets crisscrossing in a grid. The streets were thronged with traffic and people, bustling and prosperous, far surpassing Heiyou City and Xiongju City.

Above the city hovered a dozen straight giant jade pillars, inscribed with black runes that seemed to be part of some large formation device.

Centered on these pillars, a massive black light screen spread out, covering the entire city and a thousand li around, shielding it from the raging storms and sand.

At the eight cardinal and intercardinal directions—east, west, south, north, southeast, northeast, southwest, and northwest—there were eight huge city gates, all open. Flying boats and vehicles converged at these gates, forming long queues waiting to enter.

"It seems eight entrances are still too few. Just entering and exiting takes this long. I need to add more gates," Shi Chuankong murmured, seeing this.

Instead of landing and queuing, he guided the Crow God Flying Shuttle straight toward the city from midair.

Around Renshan City, many gray-armored demons patrolled. Seeing the shuttle approach, a patrol squad immediately flew over.

"Halt! Who goes there? State your name!" the patrol leader demanded.

Shi Chuankong put away the shuttle and, without speaking, raised his hand.

A purple token appeared in his hand, inscribed with two ancient demon characters, emitting a hazy purple light.

"So it's a distinguished guest of the city lord's mansion! Forgive my rudeness. Please, enter," the patrol leader said, his expression changing immediately as he bowed respectfully.

He then took out a black command flag, chanted a spell quickly, and waved it.

A beam of black light shot from the flag into the black light screen. After a flash of black light, an opening several zhang wide silently appeared.

Shi Chuankong nodded to the men and flew in with Han Li.

There was no flight restriction within the city; streaks of light flew about in midair. Shi Chuankong led Han Li, blending in and heading toward the city center.

After a while, they landed before a large, imposing mansion that occupied a considerable area.

The place was far from the bustling streets, very quiet. There were no guards at the gate, only an old man in a blue robe with a plain, refined face, who seemed somewhat otherworldly, standing there.

"Young master, you've arrived safely. This old servant is relieved," the blue-robed old man said, quickly stepping forward as Han Li and the other landed, his voice slightly excited.

"Old Qi, it's good to see you well!" Shi Chuankong said with a light laugh.

As he spoke, he made hand seals, and black light flickered over his body as he reverted to his original appearance.

"Brother Li, this is Old Qi, a retainer left by my mother. He has served me since childhood and can be fully trusted. Old Qi, this is Brother Li, whom I mentioned before," Shi Chuankong introduced them.

"So you are Fellow Daoist Qi. A pleasure," Han Li said, not canceling his transformation. He quickly sized up Old Qi, a strange light flickering in his eyes as he cupped his fist in greeting.

Although the old man tried to conceal his aura, Han Li could still detect that his cultivation had reached the Taiyi stage, surpassing his own.

Old Qi's cultivation wasn't what surprised Han Li; rather, it was that although the old man emanated demonic qi, his origin bore the trace of immortal spiritual power, somewhat similar to Han Li's own situation.

"Fellow Daoist Li, thank you for escorting my young master all this way. I offer my sincere thanks," Old Qi said solemnly, returning the bow with gravity.

"You're too kind, Fellow Daoist Qi," Han Li replied with another smile.

"Alright, Old Qi, Brother Li is not an outsider. No need for such formality; it'll make him uncomfortable. Brother Li, let's go inside first," Shi Chuankong said.

Old Qi nodded and led the two quickly into the mansion.

"It's His Highness, the Thirteenth Prince!"

"Your Highness, you've finally returned!"

"Did Your Highness's journey go smoothly?"

The servants and guards in the mansion, upon seeing Shi Chuankong, swarmed over, vying to greet him. Shi Chuankong smiled and responded to each one, without any princely airs.

"Alright, the prince has just returned and has much to do. Don't crowd around here," Old Qi said sternly.

Old Qi seemed to hold great authority here; at his words, the crowd quickly dispersed.

"Please forgive the spectacle, Fellow Daoist Li," Shi Chuankong said, noticing Han Li's expression.

"Not at all. You are so beloved by your people, Fellow Daoist Shi. I can only admire you, not laugh," Han Li said with a smile.

The three continued forward and soon sat down in a large hall.

"Old Qi, I've been away from the Holy Domain for years. Thank you for managing Renshan City for me. As I came through just now, I noticed the number of shops has increased by a tenth, and the population has grown a bit. That's all your doing," Shi Chuankong said.

"You flatter me, young master. I merely followed the plans you set before leaving. Although the number of shops and the population have increased, it's a mixed bag, with many planted by those who covet Renshan City's prosperity. I've tried my best to suppress them over the years, but with little effect. On the surface, the city seems prosperous, but underneath, currents are stirring. It's far from the orderly state when you personally governed," Old Qi said, looking ashamed.

"Since suppression doesn't work, let's retreat to advance and lure them in. The entire Renshan City is in my palm. Since those people have sent such fat morsels to my lips, it would be a shame not to swallow them. Don't worry, Old Qi. I'll handle this," Shi Chuankong said with a light laugh, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

"Yes, I understand," Old Qi said, his gloomy expression vanishing at Shi Chuankong's demeanor.

Han Li sat quietly to the side, observing this scene, his mind stirred.

Shi Chuankong, with his strategic planning and business acumen, seemed far more commanding than when he was fighting enemies.

"By the way, has there been any news from Third Brother?" Shi Chuankong suddenly thought of something and asked hastily.