Mengshan City, located in the northeastern part of Nanyang County, was a relatively small settlement not far from Red Phoenix City, where Han Yi had previously traveled. However, its importance paled in comparison to Red Phoenix City.
The City Lord of Mengshan City, appointed by the Great Qian Immortal Kingdom, was a Late Foundation Establishment cultivator from one of the Six Ministries. This appointment alone revealed the city's modest standing.
In the span of a few breaths, an Immortal Boat decelerated from extreme speed to a complete standstill. The passengers inside felt no jarring motion as the vessel landed in an open area within the city walls. Two figures disembarked: Han Yi and Zheng Hai.
Their journey from the Profound Pill Sect to Mengshan City had taken only half a day by Immortal Boat.
They had returned to Mengshan City because both their families were located there. Both Han Yi and Zheng Hai had originally hailed from this city.
However, their circumstances differed greatly. Han Yi's family had fallen into decline, and he no longer had any relatives remaining in the city. In contrast, the Zheng Clan was a prominent Cultivation Family in Mengshan City. Though only at the Qi Refining level, with their Patriarch at the Seventh Layer, their status within the city was considerable.
"We're back again," Zheng Hai murmured, his voice tinged with regret, his face pale and utterly drained of blood.
"Yeah, we're back," Han Yi said, his voice low and subdued.
"Let's go. What must be faced will eventually be faced... cough cough..." Zheng Hai started walking toward the Zheng Clan, a faint smile appearing on his face as if he'd remembered something.
"Han Yi, do you remember when we took the Profound Pill Sect's entrance assessment together? We were so full of youthful ambition back then."
"It was the first time we saw the majestic Immortal Mountains and the ethereal Sea of Clouds. You were practically buzzing with excitement."
"Oh, right! Do you still have that 'Immortal's Sword Flight' painting? I still can't believe you were foolish enough to spend five taels of Spirit Sand on that scam. I laughed so hard!"
Zheng Hai trailed off into rambling thoughts, speaking slowly. As he reached this point, he tugged at the corner of his mouth, trying to smile, but the movement aggravated his injuries, causing him to cough several times.
Han Yi walked beside him in silence.
As Zheng Hai continued to reminisce, fragments of long-buried memories flashed through Han Yi's mind—mostly from his life before transmigrating, with a few from afterward.
Han Yi had vehemently opposed this trip back to Mengshan City. Zheng Hai's injuries hadn't fully healed, and his body's physical abilities hadn't even fully recovered to a mortal's level. He needed at least another month of rest to recuperate.
However, upon learning of his condition, Zheng Hai had already resolved to leave the Profound Pill Sect and return to Mengshan City.
Over the years, his close friend had never been indecisive; on the contrary, he was even more stubborn than Han Yi himself. Once Zheng Hai made up his mind, not even ten oxen could dissuade him.
After half a day of persuasion, Han Yi reluctantly agreed to his friend's wishes.
"We're here," Han Yi announced.
Before they realized it, they had traversed countless winding streets and narrow alleys and arrived at the Zheng Clan's ancestral estate. Zheng Hai stepped forward and knocked on the gate. Soon, members of the Zheng Clan welcomed them inside.
Two hours later, Han Yi had delivered the necessary Medicinal Pills and displayed the proper dignity before the Zheng Clan's other cultivators. He then mounted his sword and took flight, glancing back at Zheng Hai waving goodbye from the backyard. A heavy weight seemed to press upon his heart.
After a pause of three breaths, he summoned his Immortal Boat, boarded it, and soared into the sky, piercing through the clouds.
Below, in the Zheng Clan's courtyard, Zheng Huan watched the Immortal Boat fade into the distance, his gaze lingering long after it vanished. His eyes were already reddened.
"I truly wanted to see how far you could go, Han Yi."
"I truly wanted to witness the splendor at the peak of the Immortal Path. But that wish is destined to remain unfulfilled. Han Yi, I entrust my aspirations to you—carry them forward on your journey."
High above the clouds, the Immortal Boat drifted lazily. A solitary figure sat cross-legged on its deck, emptying bottle after bottle of aged Spirit Wine, a gift from Luo Yunzhou of the Luo Clan during Han Yi's visit to Daofu City long ago.
Han Yi knew the path of cultivation was destined for solitude, but he hadn't expected to witness the death or departure of so many friends in such a short time. A torrent of emotions washed over him: sadness, loneliness, and regret.
Then, a vivid image flashed through his mind—the voluptuous figure of a certain woman. His spirit jolted awake, his resolve firming. He had made his decision.
Stowing the empty Spirit Wine bottles, Han Yi retrieved thirty Mid-Grade Spirit Stones and embedded them into the Immortal Boat's control core, filling all thirty-six slots. Pouring his Divine Sense into the vessel, he instantly multiplied its speed tenfold, transforming it into a streak of light that vanished across the sky.
The Immortal Boat departed from Luofeng County, crossed Taihe and Gaoyuan Counties, and entered the territory of Ancient Shu County.
Over a month later, a magnificent Immortal City loomed on the horizon. Though slightly smaller than the Great Qian Immortal Capital—about two-thirds its size—the sight remained awe-inspiring to Han Yi.
This was Ancient Shu Immortal City, the second-largest Immortal City in the Great Qian Immortal Kingdom, the grandest in Shu Prefecture, and a renowned metropolis among the Nine Provinces.
In Shu Prefecture, most cultivators simply referred to it as Shu Capital, the Immortal Capital of Ancient Shu.
Legend had it that tens of thousands of years ago, an Immortal Kingdom was established in Shu Prefecture, with its capital chosen to be the Ancient Shu Immortal City. This kingdom, known as Ancient Shu, lent its name to the land, which became known as the Ancient Shu Immortal Capital.
Though the Ancient Shu Immortal Kingdom had long since vanished into the annals of history, most Shu Prefecture cultivators still habitually called it Shu Capital.
Ten kilometers from the Immortal City, three official cultivators of the Great Qian Dynasty intercepted Han Yi.
"Halt, cultivators! State your business!"
The three cultivators wore bronze chainmail, rode their swords through the air, and blocked Han Yi's path.
Han Yi stopped and bowed respectfully. "This humble cultivator is Han Yi of the Profound Pill Sect. I need to enter Shu Capital on urgent business. Please be assured, fellow Daoists, that I will not cause any trouble."
To avoid complications, Han Yi had deliberately omitted mentioning his affiliation with the Heaven's Will Sect. Every time he invoked that name, misfortune seemed to follow. It was simply more convenient to operate under the banner of the Profound Pill Sect.
"Ah, a fellow Daoist from the Profound Pill Sect. Shu Capital is currently under martial law. Please strictly adhere to the Great Qian Law and refrain from any actions that could cause a disturbance."
Among the three cultivators, the middle-aged man in the center relaxed upon hearing that Han Yi was from the Profound Pill Sect and offered a word of caution.
Han Yi, puzzled, inquired, "Fellow Daoist, why is Shu Capital under such tight security?"
The middle-aged cultivator's expression turned solemn. "The Mirage Immortal Illusionary Realm, which appears only once every hundred years, is about to descend. Countless cultivators have flocked to Shu Capital, drawn by the allure of Mirage Immortal Mountain, hoping to stumble upon an Immortal Opportunity. The Champion Marquis has ordered the city locked down to prevent Robber Cultivators and other troublemakers from causing chaos. We ask for your understanding."
A thought stirred in Han Yi's mind, but he refrained from asking further questions. Instead, he cupped his hands in a respectful bow. "Thank you, gentlemen. I understand. I pledge to strictly abide by the Great Qian Immortal Law during my stay. I only need a few days to complete my business before departing."
After the cultivators reiterated key points to remember, which Han Yi diligently acknowledged, he resumed his Sword Flight. He slowed down only when he reached within three hundred meters of Shu Capital's towering gates.
The hundred-zhang-tall gates stood between seemingly endless city walls, their dark brown surfaces gleaming with the weight of centuries of Immortal Path history. Gazing upon them for too long sent a faint tremor through his Divine Soul.
This Immortal City had stood here for tens, perhaps even hundreds, of thousands of years. Compared to its immensity, Han Yi felt as insignificant as a single drop of water in the vast ocean.
The Immortal City spanned over a hundred thousand square kilometers.
When Han Yi first heard this, he nearly thought he'd misheard. To put it into perspective, his home province on Earth in his previous life covered only 180,000 square kilometers. This meant the Immortal City was larger than half of his former home—truly astonishing.
Filled with awe, Han Yi withdrew his gaze and followed the cultivator's instructions at the entrance, entering Shu Capital through the dedicated Immortal Boat channel.
Before arriving, Han Yi had researched Shu Capital. This vast Immortal City was divided into nine concentric Immortal Rings, numbered from the outermost Ninth Immortal Ring to the innermost First Immortal Ring.
Its design was inspired by the Ninefold Immortal Court of the Great Qian Immortal Kingdom.
Within the First Immortal Ring stood the Immortal Palace of the Duke Protector of the Kingdom, one of the Three Great Dukes of Great Qian.
According to the information He Fangwei had provided, the Fu Clan was located in Shu Capital's Eighth Immortal Ring, primarily dealing in Spirit Talismans.
However, that information was over two centuries old. Whether the Fu Clan still traded in Spirit Talismans—or even still existed—remained unknown.
Following He Fangwei's advice, Han Yi resolved not to blindly search for the Fu Clan upon entering Shu Capital. Instead, he planned to first locate the Profound Immortal Pill Shop within the city.
After the Immortal Boat entered Shu Capital, Han Yi oriented himself using the directions he had obtained from He Fangwei. He flew for over an hour until he reached the Eighth Immortal Ring, where he landed in a bustling district. He stopped a passing Qi Refining cultivator to ask for directions, and after a few more inquiries, he finally found a Pill Shop.
The signboard above the shop's entrance displayed a familiar name:
Profound Immortal Pill Shop
The Profound Pill Sect directly managed two types of Pill Shops: Profound Fire and Profound Immortal. Profound Fire Pill Shops primarily catered to Qi Refining Stage cultivators, while Profound Immortal Pill Shops served Foundation Establishment cultivators.
This was precisely He Fangwei's suggestion: upon arriving in Shu Capital, Han Yi should inquire about the Fu Clan at a Profound Immortal Pill Shop.
Han Yi entered the Profound Immortal Pill Shop, approached the shopkeeper, and displayed his Sect identity token.
The shopkeeper, not daring to delay, immediately went upstairs to summon the resident Foundation Establishment cultivator who oversaw the shop.
"Senior Brother Zhou," Han Yi greeted with a respectful bow.
The cultivator who descended was Zhou Su, an Elder of Golden Court Peak. His cultivation realm was identical to Han Yi's—Mid-Foundation Establishment—and they had briefly met three years prior at a Sect Elder Conference.
"Junior Brother Han, what brings you to Shu Capital?" Zhou Su asked.
"Ah, I see. You must be here for the Mirage Immortal Illusionary Realm," he added knowingly.
Zhou Su appeared about ten years older than Han Yi, already nearing fifty. When he saw Han Yi, a flicker of surprise crossed his face before he said confidently, "Come, let's go upstairs first."
Zhou Su led Han Yi to the second floor. After they settled into their seats, Zhou Su retrieved a pouch of Immortal Tea from his Storage Ring. As he brewed it, delicate strands of fragrant steam curled into the air.
Han Yi inhaled deeply, his spirit refreshed and his eyes lighting up. "Senior Brother Zhou, what kind of tea is this? Just the aroma seems to stir the mana within my body—it must be extraordinary."
Flattered by the praise, Zhou Su beamed. "This tea is called Immortal's Drunkenness, a top-tier variety that's incredibly expensive. A single ounce costs ten Mid-Grade Spirit Stones. This pot I've brewed is worth over a dozen such stones."
"Normally, I wouldn't share such precious tea with just anyone. But Junior Brother Han, your status is different—you deserve this exceptional brew. Here, take a sip and see for yourself."
Han Yi's gaze sharpened. He felt a nagging sense that something was amiss, a discomfort he'd also felt when Chief Elder Jiang Yu of Vermilion Bird Peak had treated Zheng Hai.
At the time, Han Yi had been too focused on healing Zheng Hai to dwell on it. But now, that faint sense of unease resurfaced.
Wait a minute!
Suddenly, Han Yi's eyes widened in realization. He understood.
Their attitudes.
Both Jiang Yu and Zhou Su had treated him with unusual warmth, even a hint of deference.
After a moment of feigned contemplation, Han Yi asked, "Senior Brother Zhou, how did you even find out about my connection? Does this mean all the elders of the Profound Pill Sect know about it?"
Zhou Su paused briefly in pouring tea, then chuckled. "Junior Brother Han, your relationship with Sect Leader Yuan is common knowledge among the sect's elders. In fact, the Sect Leader himself served as your Guardian during your Foundation Establishment."
Han Yi's heart skipped a beat.
No wonder Jiang Yu was so accommodating, he thought. And why Zhou Su served such fine tea.
The explanation lay in something he'd never considered. Still, if letting the elders believe he had Sect Leader Yuan's backing smoothed his path, Han Yi certainly wouldn't disabuse them of the notion.
And so...
Han Yi smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying. Lost in thought, he picked up his teacup, brought it to his nose, and inhaled deeply. The aroma of the tea had grown richer. He took a small sip, a warm sensation spreading through his abdomen. Given his current cultivation level, he was surprised to feel his lower dantian warming slightly, his spirit invigorating.
Han Yi's eyes lit up. He downed the rest of the tea in one gulp, the warmth radiating through his body. He closed his eyes for three breaths before reopening them, his delight intensified.
"Immortal's Drunkenness—an excellent tea. Senior Brother Zhou, do you know where one might purchase it?"
Zhou Su chuckled. "Junior Brother Han, this Immortal Tea isn't quite what you expect. The first time you drink it, you'll notice it has a subtle effect on your body's mana, but subsequent cups have no such effect."
"It's merely a pleasant beverage. If you're seeking something to aid your cultivation, it falls far short. Junior Brother Han, you should abandon that hope."
Han Yi smiled inwardly, thinking, That makes sense. If this Immortal Tea had such miraculous properties, I would have surely heard about it by now.
With no cultivation benefits, Han Yi abandoned the idea of buying it. He set down his teacup and turned to more pressing matters.
"By the way, Senior Brother Zhou, I'm here on a personal matter. I'm looking for a cultivation family called the Fu Clan. All I know is that they're located in the Eighth Immortal Ring and have been in the spirit talisman business for the past two hundred years."
"Do you happen to know anything about the Fu Clan, Senior Brother Zhou?"
The information He Fangwei had provided was vague, mentioning only the Eighth Immortal Ring without a specific location, as he didn't know it himself.
Han Yi's main challenge in delivering the Storage Pouch to Shu Capital was locating the Fu Clan.
In fact, before entrusting this task to Han Yi, He Fangwei had also tried to investigate the Fu Clan's address but without success. All he knew was what Fu Canghai had once told him: that the clan was located in the Eighth Immortal Ring of Shu Capital.
His original plan was to investigate further upon arriving in Shu Capital. He figured that as long as the Fu Clan still existed, finding them would only be a matter of time.
"The Fu Clan?" Zhou Su asked, puzzled.
"Yes, a cultivation family. Their strongest member should be at the Foundation Establishment Stage, and they specialize in spirit talisman sales," Han Yi emphasized.
Zhou Su pondered for a moment before replying, "There are twenty-seven cultivation clans in Shu Prefecture with the surname Fu."
"Among them, the Fu Clan of the Fifth Immortal Ring is undoubtedly the strongest. Their Patriarch is a Golden Core True Person, and the clan boasts three Golden Core cultivators and seventeen Foundation Establishment cultivators, making them a formidable force."
"There's also another Fu Clan with a Golden Core cultivator in the Sixth Immortal Ring, though they only have one."
"The remaining twenty-five clans consist of seven Foundation Establishment cultivation families and eighteen Qi Refining cultivation families, scattered between the Seventh and Ninth Immortal Rings."
"Junior Brother Han, if you have no other leads, I suggest you investigate all twenty-seven cultivation families to determine which one is the Fu Clan you're seeking."
Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators possess terrifying memories, with perfect recall being instinctive. Since being stationed in Shu Capital, Zhou Su had acquired an in-depth and up-to-date understanding of the region. These twenty-seven cultivation families represented his complete knowledge of all Fu Clans within Shu Capital's territory.
Han Yi's eyebrows twitched momentarily before smoothing. Zhou Su's suggestion made perfect sense. After all these years, the original Fu Clan might have produced a Golden Core cultivator, prompting the family to relocate to a more central Immortal Ring.
It was possible that the family's Foundation Establishment cultivators had perished, leaving only Qi Refining cultivators who had retreated to the Ninth Immortal Ring.
Alternatively, they might have remained a Foundation Establishment family but relocated to another Immortal Ring instead of the Eighth.
Of course, there was also the possibility that the family had been completely destroyed, meaning Fu Canghai's lineage no longer existed.
"I initially thought Junior Brother Han was heading to Mirage Immortal Mountain to seek his fortune," Zhou Su said, sipping his tea as he refilled Han Yi's cup. "That Mirage Immortal Illusionary Realm is extremely perilous. If you truly intend to go, Junior Brother, you must prepare yourself mentally."
Han Yi finished his second cup of tea, noticing that its effects weren't as profound as the first. His gaze flickered toward Zhou Su.
"Senior Brother Zhou, when I entered Shu Capital's ten-mile perimeter, I encountered Great Qian cultivators conducting routine patrols. They mentioned that the Mirage Immortal Illusionary Realm had descended and that the capital was under martial law."
"What exactly is this Mirage Immortal Illusionary Realm?" Han Yi asked.
Zhou Su set down his teacup and briefly explained the phenomenon. Only then did Han Yi understand.
The Mirage Immortal Illusionary Realm only appeared in a specific region of the Ninth Immortal Ring within Shu Capital—a place called Mirage Immortal Mountain.
Every century, a mysterious mist suddenly envelops the entire Mirage Immortal Mountain. This mist persists for only three breaths before vanishing without a trace.
The moment the mist appears, all cultivators on the mountain are transported to a mystical realm brimming with immortal opportunities. There, they encounter countless treasures: magic artifacts, magic treasures, spirit treasures, spirit stones, spiritual objects, and rare treasures—an endless array of immortal fortune.
After three breaths, the mist dissipates, and the vanished cultivators reappear on the Mirage Immortal Mountain.
Though only three breaths pass in the Jade Balance Realm, years, decades, or even centuries may elapse within the Mirage Immortal Illusionary Realm.
Time flows like a shuttle, weaving the Mirage Immortal's dream.
In just three breaths, cultivators experience a fantastical, dreamlike journey. Because the Mirage Immortal Mountain serves as the gateway, the entire phenomenon is known as the Mirage Immortal Illusionary Realm.
The Illusionary Realm within the Mirage Immortal Mountain predates the Great Qian Immortal Kingdom's rule over this territory. Its first appearance is lost to time, perhaps tens of thousands of years ago, or even hundreds of thousands.
This Illusionary Realm likely possesses the formidable power to transcend time itself, a feat perhaps only true Immortals could accomplish.
However, cultivators who enter the Illusionary Realm return to Mirage Immortal Mountain with the treasures they obtain, which are real and not mere illusions. Those who die within the Illusionary Realm, however, never return.
Most critically, the Mirage Immortal Illusionary Realm is exceedingly perilous. Ninety-nine percent of cultivators who enter never emerge again, their fates easily imagined.
After hearing this, Han Yi felt no temptation. Such irresistible power and boundless Immortal Opportunity meant that the dangers within were equally extraordinary.
"Mirage Immortal Mountain..." Han Yi murmured.
Zhou Su's expression turned serious.
"Senior Brother, I advise you against venturing to Mirage Immortal Mountain. Of every ten cultivators who enter, perhaps only one survives. Even then, the survivor faces the covetous gazes of others—a true life-or-death gamble."
"As for me, Senior Brother, I lack both the fortune and the strength to participate. I'll sit this one out."