Seeking immortality begins with daily intelligence reports.

"We can find a chance to slip away and take a look when we get back."

Li Shen silently thanked Zhao He and Zhang Hong, then asked some more detailed questions before turning to walk towards the Talisman Academy. He sold some of the talismans and exchanged them for spirit stones to make full preparations for the trip.

-

Two days later, at Chen Shi (7-9 AM).

Li Shen arrived at the gate of the Zhao residence on time.

A blue flying boat, over ten zhang long, was moored in the square. Its hull was engraved with flowing cloud patterns, and a spiritual light shone through it.

The first sight was quite shocking. Li Shen thought it would just be a small boat, but he didn't expect it to be so huge, and there were even cabins on top for people to rest.

Zhao Qian and Zhao Ying were already standing beside the boat.

Zhao Qian was wearing a yellow and white long dress, while Zhao Ying was dressed in a neat black outfit.

However, apart from their clothing and other external differences, the two are identical in height, build, appearance, and even voice.

Fortunately, the two have different personalities, otherwise Li Shen really wouldn't be able to tell who is the older sister and who is the younger sister.

Zhao Qian also saw Li Shen, and a look of surprise flashed in her eyes, but she didn't linger on it for long before turning her head away.

Zhao Ying smiled and nodded in greeting, and Li Shen returned the nod as well, which was considered a greeting.

Zhao He walked over from the side and beckoned to Li Shen:

"Fellow Daoist Li, this way! I've saved you a good spot."

Li Shen boarded the flying ship and was assigned to a private cabin.

The airship quickly took off and headed towards Linlang City.

There were only three people on the boat during the journey: two women and one man.

Therefore, Li Shen spent most of his time meditating or drawing talismans inside the cabin.

Occasionally, I would run into Zhao Ying on the deck and exchange a few simple pleasantries.

Zhao Ying was well-mannered and possessed a very strong Foundation Establishment aura.

Zhao Qian, however, was unusually quiet, staying almost entirely in her cabin and not showing herself.

About an hour later, the flying boat arrived smoothly outside Linlang City.

From the air, the entire city is built against the mountain, with numerous pavilions and bustling streets filled with people.

In the center of the city stands a towering ancient building, gleaming in the sunlight. That is the residence of Master Duobao, the master of Linlang City.

Li Shen had consulted ancient texts and learned that this Master Duobao was a Golden Core cultivator.

To be able to govern a major city, one must be no ordinary person even within the Golden Core realm.

The airship landed at the designated location outside the city.

At the same time, another flying boat of similar size stopped about ten feet away.

Four or five female cultivators descended from the crowd, all dressed in purple robes with their faces partially covered by thin veils, making them quite eye-catching.

To avoid being noticed, Li Shen withdrew his gaze and turned his head away.

Who the other person is doesn't matter much to him.

Li Shen then followed the two Zhao sisters off the flying boat.

Zhao Ying's lips moved silently, and with a wave of her delicate hand, she put away the flying boat that was more than ten feet long.

Li Shen raised his head slightly and scanned the Linlang City before him.

It is also quite spectacular when viewed from below.

Zhao Ying had appeared beside Li Shen at some point, her voice softly ringing out beside him:

"Those are people from Zixia Palace, one of the seven righteous sects of Duan Kingdom."

Zixia Palace?

Li Shen had some impression of this sect.

Whether it was the Breath Concealing Talisman inherited from the Divine Talisman Sect or the Array Dao Essence inherited from the Array Dao Sect, both planted the seeds for Li Shen to explore the world beyond Yunhe Mountain.

Therefore, in addition to studying the Zhao family's talismanic scriptures in the Zhao family's library, Li Shenping would also look for books about Yunhe Mountain to read.

The Duan Kingdom that Zhao Ying mentioned was the name of the secular dynasty he belonged to, and there were more than a dozen such countries of varying sizes on the Southern Wilderness Continent.

However, for cultivators who pursue immortality, their sense of belonging to the nation is not strong.

In the eyes of cultivators, the boundaries between countries are far less significant than the boundaries between the righteous and demonic paths.

It's mostly just a difference in location.

In addition to the three sects of Yunhe Mountain, the seven righteous sects of Duan Kingdom also include Zixia Palace, Huadao Sect, Lingshou Valley and Zhengyi Sect.

As for the demonic path, there isn't much relevant information left in the Zhao family's library.

Li Shen only knew that the three sects were the Hehuan Sect, the Blood Soul Sect, and the Yuling Sect.

Are there any other demonic forces in Duan Kingdom besides these?

Li Shen believed it was true; otherwise, it would be difficult for just three demonic sects to exert such influence, causing fear and trembling at the mere mention of demonic paths.

Just as he was pondering, two small airships landed almost simultaneously on his left, and soon after, airships appeared one after another on his right.

More and more cultivators arrived, and the atmosphere gradually became lively.

"With so many people attracted, this exchange event must be quite extraordinary."

Li Shen muttered to himself, deciding to go into the city.

Just then, Zhao Ying turned around and looked over, her tone calm:

"Let's go into the city first. The exchange starts the day after tomorrow, so it'll be good to settle in early and then explore the city."

"I will follow Fairy Zhao's arrangements."

Li Shen responded in a low voice.

Zhao Qian nodded slightly in agreement.

The three of them followed the flow of people toward the city gate.

Although flying is not prohibited in Linlang City, most cultivators choose to land outside the city and walk in as a sign of respect for Master Duobao.

At the city gate, guards dressed in ochre armor stood watch, each with a refined aura, the lowest of whom was at the late stage of Qi Refining.

They did not question the passing cultivators; they simply stood quietly on both sides, their eyes scanning the crowd with lightning speed, subtly maintaining order.

As soon as you enter the city, the noise hits you.

Shops lined both sides of the wide bluestone street, displaying a dazzling array of signs for talismans, magical artifacts, elixirs, spiritual materials, and more. Shouts and bargaining filled the air.

The air was thick with the aroma of cooking, and pedestrians thronged together. The way cultivators and mortals lived together so naturally and harmoniously surprised Li Shen.

"Linlang City was founded by Master Duobao, and its rules are extremely strict, with private duels strictly prohibited. Cultivators must also behave themselves here and must not bully mortals at will."

Zhao Ying noticed the change in Li Shen's expression and explained softly as she walked:

"The trade here is extremely prosperous, and both independent cultivators and sect cultivators often come here to trade."

"I see."

Li Shen nodded his thanks, his gaze sweeping over the shops on both sides.

Many shops have wooden signs hanging at their entrances, displaying brief information about their products and prices, which is quite convenient.

Soon, Li Shen found Jubaoxuan between an alchemy shop and a talisman shop.

As its name suggests, the shop's wooden sign reads that it buys and sells religious artifacts, animal materials, and various other miscellaneous goods, covering a wide range of business areas.

He silently noted the location in his mind, planning to return after settling in.

Zhao Ying led the way, passing through two streets, and stopped in front of a three-story wooden building with copper bells hanging from the eaves. A gentle breeze made them tinkle.

A black plaque with gold lettering hangs above the door.

Above it are three large characters: Yunlaizhan.

As soon as the three of them stepped in, someone took the initiative to greet them. It was a smiling, well-off middle-aged man with the fifth level of Qi Refining cultivation.

"Senior, my surname is Qian, and I am the manager of Yunlai Inn. We currently have six of our best rooms (rooms with the character '甲') left. What would you like to do with them?"

He bowed respectfully to Zhao Ying, his tone extremely courteous.