Cultivation begins in Qingfeng Market.

Lan Jingchi said, "Actually, I don't know much either. I only received the news half a month ago."

But I do know a little about the history of the ancient Loulan Kingdom and the grudges surrounding Tongming Immortal City.

Lin Zhao picked up the teapot and filled it with tea for him.

Tell me about it.

Lan Jingchi picked up his teacup but didn't drink it, his gaze fixed on the deepening night outside the window.

"The ancient kingdom of Loulan has a very long history. Legend has it that it has a history of nearly ten thousand years," Lan Jingchi said. "But its Nascent Soul True Monarch lineage was not passed down continuously; it was interrupted several times."

He glanced at Lin Zhao: "You should understand what a ten-thousand-year gap means."

Lin Zhao nodded.

Apart from the Yunhai Cangming Sect, there is no other force in Yunzhou that has lasted for more than ten thousand years.

It's very simple—the sect doesn't allow it.

These are the sect's rules.

Under the rule of a tyrant, all are but ants.

You can be strong, but not so strong that you threaten the sect.

Once a powerful force gains too much influence, various "accidents" will inevitably occur.

Lan Jingchi continued, "The ancient kingdom of Loulan is to our north, tens of thousands of miles away."

The dynasty had a population of about 200 million, and its style and customs were quite different from those here.

The cultivators there have very close ties with mortals, and the royal family holds an absolute dominant position.

If I'm not mistaken, that newly advanced Nascent Soul True Monarch should be the current King of Loulan.

He took a sip of tea to moisten his throat.

"The feud between Loulan and Xiancheng dates back six thousand years."

When the first Tongming Zhenjun established the immortal city, Loulan also had a Nascent Soul Zhenjun—the fifth Loulan king.

The two fought over this place, and the first one won; there's nothing more to say about that.

"The problem dates back more than three thousand years."

Lan Jingchi's tone turned somber.

"At that time, the second generation of Tongming Zhenjun was in power, and he had a conflict with the seventh generation of Loulan King."

The second-generation Tongming Zhenjun is about to turn two thousand years old, while the seventh-generation Loulan King is still young.

Therefore, the True Lord Tongming took drastic measures—he not only killed the King of Loulan, but also...

Taking advantage of the fact that no new Nascent Soul cultivators had been born in the ancient Loulan Kingdom, they used their immense supernatural powers to sever all the dozens of tributaries of the Tongming River leading to Loulan.

Lin Zhao raised an eyebrow.

"Ruthless person."

Lan Jingchi smiled wryly: "Who says it isn't?"

He paused, his voice becoming more complex.

"After that, countless fertile fields of the ancient Loulan Kingdom, lacking water resources, turned into deserts, and countless mortals died."

Even with the help of cultivators and their desperate efforts to maintain the situation, it couldn't be saved.

Loulan, which originally had a population of over a billion, has dwindled to just over two hundred million over a thousand years.

With a smaller population, the number of cultivators also plummeted, resulting in a complete halt to the Nascent Soul stage for three thousand years.

"At their worst, they only had a dozen or so Core Formation cultivators holding on."

But after all, they've been passed down for tens of thousands of years, and their foundation remains. Even a Nascent Soul True Monarch can't destroy them—or rather, the cost is too high, not worth it.

Lin Zhao listened in silence.

Lan Jingchi continued, "They endured like that for three thousand years, until this generation, when the number of Core Formation cultivators exceeded one hundred again. Recently, for some unknown reason, another Nascent Soul True Monarch has finally emerged."

Lin Zhao was silent for a moment, then suddenly said:

"True Lord Taixu".

Lan Jingchi nodded.

"Legend has it that there was a secret realm in the ancient kingdom of Loulan, which could not be opened after the Nascent Soul stage ended."

The fact that they were able to produce Nascent Soul cultivators this time is likely due to the help of the True Monarch Taixu, who is proficient in the Dao of Space, who opened the secret realm and used the resources within to create them.

Lin Zhao tapped her fingers lightly on the table.

"More than that," he said. "Could there be life-extending treasures inside that have been sealed for thousands of years, treasures that would be useful to Nascent Soul True Monarchs?"

Otherwise, why would the Taixu True Lord, whose lifespan is nearing its end, expend so much effort to help them?

Lan Jingchi shook his head: "I don't know. These are things we can't possibly understand."

Lin Zhao leaned back in his chair, gazing out the window at the immortal city shrouded in night.

"If I'm not mistaken, True Monarch Taixu should have successfully extended his lifespan. Next…"

He paused for a moment, then said, "The Tongming Domain is likely to become a battlefield."

Lan Jingchi's expression changed slightly.

Lin Zhao continued, "The ancient Loulan Kingdom has been suppressed for three thousand years. Now that it has a Nascent Soul True Monarch again, how could it not seek revenge against Tongming Immortal City?"

Although the Great Void True Lord's lifespan was extended, there was still no prospect of a next Nascent Soul True Lord.

The allure of inheriting the Tongming lineage, which has produced four generations of Nascent Soul True Monarchs, was immense for him.

Moreover, through his years of management, he has also formed an alliance of twenty-six Core Formation sects.

With two Nascent Soul cultivators joining forces, their power is enough to turn the Tongming Domain upside down. The future of Tongming Immortal City is likely...

He didn't finish speaking, but his meaning was already very clear.

Both of them fell silent.

The tea on the tea table had gone cold, and no one added any more.

Lin Zhao's mind raced with thoughts.

Will the sect intervene?

Based on his understanding of the Yunhai Cangming Sect—that's not necessarily true.

Back then, Tongming Immortal City attacked the Loulan Ancient Kingdom so ruthlessly, yet the sects didn't intervene.

If they retaliate now, the sect will most likely not care.

In the eyes of the sect, this was nothing more than a normal change of power among the lower-level forces.

As long as the sect's interests are not affected, fighting to the death is of no concern.

Lan Jingchi had obviously thought of this as well, and his expression became even more unpleasant.

The Bihai Chamber of Commerce has established itself too deeply in Tongming Immortal City.

Once war breaks out, these forces will suffer the greatest losses.

Lin Zhao glanced at him and softened her tone.

"Don't worry too much. War may not break out immediately."

Nascent Soul True Monarchs have lifespans of several thousand years, and their concept of time is different from ours.

Furthermore, the lineage of the True Lord of Enlightenment has a long history, and this generation of True Lord of Enlightenment is at its peak.

"The True Lord Taixu is old, and the King of Loulan has just advanced to the next level. Even if the two Nascent Soul cultivators join forces, they'll have to think twice."

Lan Jingchi smiled wryly: "I hope so."

He picked up the herbal tea and took a sip, as if drinking bitter medicine.

Lin Zhao didn't say anything more.

This matter will have a huge impact on the Bihai Chamber of Commerce, as most of their resources are in the Immortal City, but it will have a very limited impact on Lin Zhao.

At worst, I can just quit guarding Cangyun Mountain and go back to my sect.

No matter how badly the Tongming Domain is fought, it won't affect the sect.

But the Bihai Chamber of Commerce cannot leave.

Lin Zhao then purchased some spiritual items to aid in Foundation Establishment.

The probability of Lin Zhao's parents successfully establishing their foundations is about 70%. If they still fail, Lin Zhao will have to wait until she reaches the Core Formation stage before trying again.

The discussion then moved on to other matters concerning the immortal city.

-----

Several hours later, footsteps could be heard on the stairs.

Lin You and Ye Xiaoxiao returned, followed by the young man who was carrying a tray with several storage bags on it.

Lin You smiled, her eyes sparkling, like a little girl who had found a treasure.

Ye Xiaoxiao also showed a rare smile, with the corners of her mouth slightly curved.

Luo Yu followed at the back, empty-handed, with a calm expression.

His cultivation level is only at the ninth level of Qi Refining, so he's just there to fill a spot in the arena; he doesn't need many of the skills there.

The young man from the Bihai Chamber of Commerce placed the tray on the table and said respectfully, "The items selected by our distinguished guests are all inside. Young Master Lan instructed that they be put on his tab."

Lan Jingchi waved his hand, signaling him to step back.

He glanced at Lin You and Ye Xiaoxiao and nodded.

"We have a solid foundation," he said. "The matches here are tough, and we might be able to make it to the top of the finals."

Lin You paused for a moment, then looked at Lin Zhao.

Lin Zhao stood up and cupped his hands in greeting to Lan Jingchi: "I apologize for disturbing you today. We can discuss the auction in more detail later."