Daqin arrests alchemists, what does it matter to me as a qi refiner?

The three men respectfully accepted the badges, their faces filled with gratitude. Ying Zheng bowed deeply to the wise man: "Thank you for your guidance, senior. We will certainly keep what we have learned in the Spirit Realm in mind and bravely move forward to meet new challenges."

Xu Fu and Pan Gu expressed their gratitude, their eyes filled with anticipation and confidence for the future.

The wise man smiled and nodded, then waved his sleeve to open a portal of light: "The journey continues; the Spirit Realm is merely a stop on your path of growth. Remember: true power stems from inner steadfastness and relentless pursuit. Now, move on to the next goal."

The three bowed to the sage in farewell and stepped into the portal of light side by side. The moment their figures disappeared into the portal, the portal behind them slowly closed, and the sage's figure gradually dissolved into the light.

After passing through the portal, the three found themselves in unfamiliar territory. Before them stretched layers of mountains, and in the distance, a majestic city stood, exuding an ancient and mysterious aura. They knew this was the beginning of a new journey, and unknown adventures awaited them.

Ying Zheng gazed at the city walls and said firmly, "No matter how many difficulties and obstacles lie ahead, as long as we work together, we will surely overcome them. Let us move forward together and explore the mysteries of this world."

Xu Fu and Pangu agreed in unison, and the three of them marched towards the city with full confidence. They firmly believed that with the knowledge they had gained in the spiritual realm, as well as their unbreakable bond and team spirit, they would be able to meet all challenges together and write their own legend.

In the realm where they departed, the wise man's words still echoed: "The true journey is one of inner growth and transcendence. May you discover your potential in every challenge and achieve a more outstanding version of yourselves." As the echo faded and all things returned to tranquility, the trio's journey had only just begun.

On their way to the city, they encountered an old man who appeared ordinary yet exuded mystery. The old man wore a straw hat, an old cloak, and carried a cane with unique carvings.

Upon seeing the three, the old man's eyes flashed slightly, and he smiled as he spoke: "Three young people, judging from your attire, you don't seem to be locals. Are you travelers who have journeyed a long way to this place?"

Ying Zheng stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Senior, you are wise. We have come from afar, hoping to gain more knowledge and wisdom on this land."

The old man nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over Xu Fu and Pan Gu: "You both possess extraordinary auras, especially this young man; the staff in his hand seems to be no ordinary object."

Xu Fu smiled slightly: "Senior has excellent insight. We have indeed experienced many extraordinary encounters, and these encounters have endowed us with special abilities."

Pangu asked directly, "Senior, we are heading to that city. Are you familiar with this place? Could you explain the layout of the city to us?"

The old man pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "This city is called 'Illusionary Spirit City,' the most mysterious place in the area. It is home to many cultivators and those who possess various extraordinary abilities and techniques. However, Illusionary Spirit City is not easily entered unless you demonstrate sufficient strength or possess a special token."

The three men looked at each other, each seeing a resolute determination in the other's eyes. Ying Zheng said to the old man, "Thank you for your guidance, senior. We will certainly do our utmost to prove ourselves and earn the right to enter the city."

The old man smiled, seemingly admiring their determination, and then said, "In that case, I have a small test for you. If you can pass it, I will personally lead you into the Illusionary Spirit City."

The three immediately expressed their willingness to accept the test. The old man took out an ancient wooden box from his cloak, and gently opened the lid to reveal an ancient bronze mirror. "This mirror is called the 'Mirror of the Soul,' which can reflect the true nature of the viewer's heart. Please take turns facing the mirror, and let this old man witness your inner world."

Xu Fu stepped forward first, gazing into the bronze mirror. The mirror gradually shimmered with a clear light, reflecting his figure looking up at the starry sky, his eyes filled with a yearning for the unknown. Then Pangu looked into the mirror, and his majestic figure, wielding his axe to split the heavens, and his unwavering protection of his companions were revealed.

Finally, Ying Zheng looked into the mirror, and his wise and strategic expression, as well as his decisive demeanor when leading the crowd, appeared on the mirror.

Seeing this, the old man's eyes showed even greater approval. He stroked his long beard and said to the three, "Excellent! To see your purity and steadfastness through the mirror of your hearts, and to know that each of you cherishes ideals and beliefs, is truly commendable."

Then, the old man slowly stood up, his cloak fluttering gently in the wind. He pointed to the distant Illusionary Spirit City and said, "Since you have successfully passed the test I set, I will keep my promise and lead you into the Illusionary Spirit City. However, remember that the world inside the city is completely different from the outside world, and you must be careful."

The three thanked the old man repeatedly and followed him on the road to Illusionary Spirit City. Along the way, the old man introduced them to some basic information about Illusionary Spirit City, including the various extraordinary people and individuals living there, as well as some mysterious and powerful cultivators.

"There is a very special place in Phantom City called 'Haunted Square.' In the center of the square is an ancient magic circle. It is said that this magic circle can lead to a mysterious space, where many ancient secrets and powerful forces are hidden." The old man revealed this information to the three.

Pangu's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Then we must go and see. Perhaps we can find a way to improve our strength."

Ying Zheng appeared more cautious. He asked the old man, "Senior, are there any special requirements for entering that magic array? What preparations do we need to make in advance?"

The old man sighed softly, "That magic array is not open to everyone. One needs to have specific qualifications or complete certain tasks to gain the opportunity to enter. Moreover, that space is full of unknowns and comes with considerable risks."

Xu Fu, however, was concerned with another question: "In the City of Illusions, are there any masters who specialize in studying astronomy and astrology, or any pavilions with rich collections of books? I long to further deepen my knowledge."

The old man nodded in response, “There is a place called ‘Star Pavilion’ in Illusionary Spirit City. It houses a large collection of astronomical and astrological books, as well as many unfathomable astrologers. You can go there to seek your fortune.”

As they drew closer, the outline of Illusionary Spirit City became increasingly clear, its city gates adorned with intricate runes that emitted a soft glow. The old man led them to the city gate, and after exchanging a few words with the guards, they were allowed to pass.

Upon entering the city, the three were awestruck by the bustling yet mysterious scene before them. The city's architecture varied greatly, some soaring into the clouds, while others were hidden in layers of mist. The streets were bustling with people, many of whom wore strange clothes or unusual masks, each exuding a unique aura.

The old man led them through the bustling streets to a relatively quiet area. "This is the residential area for cultivators. You can find temporary lodging here. Remember, respect everyone you meet, because you cannot predict the abilities they may possess."

Ying Zheng expressed his understanding, saying, "We will certainly act carefully and thank you for your reminder and help, senior." Afterwards, the three bowed deeply to the old man to express their gratitude.

The old man nodded slightly, seemingly quite satisfied with their performance, then turned and left, leaving the three of them to begin a new chapter in this novel environment. (End of Chapter)