### Chapter 114: The Soul-Severing Daoist

Even if one turned into a rogue cultivator and ambushed travelers, as long as they weren't caught, they could continue living as a normal cultivator.

Having crossed a vast stretch of land without incident, He Song witnessed many sights that were completely different from what he had seen while traveling underground.

Seeing this, He Song couldn't help but sigh.

If one had enough strength, they shouldn't always stay underground.

Doing so would mean missing out on many unique landscapes.

After climbing over a tall mountain, He Song stood in the mountain breeze, gazing into the distance beyond the peak.

In an instant, his eyes widened, locking onto a massive city in the distance.

A colossal city!

A true colossal city!

Green Wall Immortal City, built entirely from massive green stones, stretched endlessly, its green walls resembling a giant green dragon spanning the horizon.

"Green Wall Immortal City, as the name suggests, is constructed entirely from a type of green stone, making it incredibly sturdy," Wei Fan explained, noticing He Song's awe.

Even though Wei Fan had visited Green Wall Immortal City many times, he still felt a deep sense of awe every time he saw it from afar.

This was a true immortal city.

A true gathering place for cultivators.

Unlike the immortal markets, which were merely convenient trading spots for nearby cultivators.

"Let's go. Old Meng must be getting impatient," He Song said, his initial awe fading as he urged them forward.

Wei Fan nodded, and the two of them sped toward Green Wall Immortal City.

Cultivators moved quickly.

Soon, they arrived at one of the city gates.

After each paying a spirit stone as an entry fee, He Song, led by Wei Fan, finally entered Green Wall Immortal City.

Without wandering around the city, the two quickly followed the address Meng Guan had provided and found his residence.

Meng Guan's home was located in the western part of the city, a quiet courtyard.

Unlike the bustling streets, the area around this courtyard was serene.

Few cultivators could be seen in the surrounding courtyards, but there were many mortals moving about.

He Song was slightly surprised but soon realized that Green Wall Immortal City was a place where immortals and mortals coexisted.

It was normal for cultivators to recruit mortals to handle mundane tasks, as they couldn't do everything themselves.

Mortals, who were rare in the immortal markets, were abundant here.

The two arrived outside Meng Guan's courtyard and knocked on the door.

Soon, hurried footsteps echoed from within the courtyard.

A ruddy-faced old man with white hair and eyebrows opened the gate, his face lighting up with joy as he invited them in.

This old man was Meng Guan.

After ushering He Song and Wei Fan into the courtyard and personally brewing a pot of tea for them, Meng Guan's joy remained evident.

"My dear friends, you've kept me waiting! I've been eagerly anticipating your arrival day and night, and now you're finally here," Meng Guan said, standing up and clasping his hands in greeting.

He Song and Wei Fan quickly returned the gesture.

The three of them exchanged pleasantries, and the atmosphere soon grew lively.

Only then did Meng Guan begin to recount his experiences over the years.

Fourteen years ago, Meng Guan had left the Red Spirit Gold Mine and returned to Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market, asking Wei Fan to accompany him to Green Wall Immortal City to purchase a Breakthrough Pill.

From then on, he broke through to the late stages of Qi Refining.

It was also from that time that Meng Guan settled in Green Wall Immortal City, desperately gathering cultivation resources.

However, trying to break through from the seventh to the ninth layer of Qi Refining in just fourteen years with a five-element spiritual root was an immense challenge.

At first, Meng Guan had some confidence.

But as time passed, after six years, when he finally broke through to the eighth layer of Qi Refining, his confidence had largely faded.

The reason was simple.

The amount of spiritual energy required for the late stages of Qi Refining was simply too vast.

Even though he worked tirelessly, taking on dangerous but highly rewarding tasks in Green Wall Immortal City, his cultivation resources were still insufficient.

With resources scarce, his chances of reaching the peak of Qi Refining before the age of sixty had significantly diminished.

But Meng Guan, who had long decided to risk everything for a chance at advancement, knew there was no turning back.

Rather than giving up, he chose to keep fighting, even if it meant dying without regrets.

Realizing this, Meng Guan redoubled his efforts.

Taking on increasingly dangerous tasks, he completed them with skill and courage, his combat experience growing immensely.

In six years, he had gone from the seventh to the eighth layer of Qi Refining.

This speed was already remarkable.

But it wasn't enough.

If he continued at this pace, his chances of reaching the peak of Qi Refining before sixty were almost zero.

Yet, Meng Guan didn't give up.

Even though he felt his path was blocked and his earlier bold declarations were just unrealistic dreams, he refused to quit until he turned sixty.

Thus, he continued to take on dangerous missions for over three more years.

One day, news spread throughout the city that the city's enforcement team was recruiting rogue cultivators.

Some thought the enforcement team had suffered heavy losses and wanted to use rogue cultivators as cannon fodder.

Others believed the rogue cultivators outside the city had become too rampant, and the enforcement team wanted to expand its forces to eliminate them.

But to Meng Guan, the rewards offered by the enforcement team were incredibly generous.

Joining the team would provide a substantial monthly salary in spirit stones, and any spoils from killing rogue cultivators would belong entirely to the individual, with the city taking nothing.

Tempted by such rewards, Meng Guan eagerly signed up.

To reach the peak of Qi Refining before sixty and have a chance at Foundation Building, he was willing to risk his life.

With years of experience in dangerous missions, his combat skills were sharp, and his strength was formidable.

Joining the enforcement team seemed like an opportunity.

With this in mind, Meng Guan resolutely joined the team, becoming a member of the city's enforcement force.

At that time, he had been stuck at the eighth layer of Qi Refining for over three years, with only a few years left before he turned sixty.

Perhaps it was the experience he had accumulated over the years.

Perhaps it was his unwavering determination.

Or perhaps it was his boldness, meticulousness, and formidable combat skills.

Whatever the reason, Meng Guan thrived after joining the enforcement team.

From then on, Meng Guan, known for his mastery of the long blade, became infamous for his ruthless and deadly techniques in battles against rogue cultivators.

His "Soul-Severing Blade" struck fear into the hearts of countless rogue cultivators.

The title "Soul-Severing Daoist" began to spread throughout Green Wall Immortal City, growing more and more renowned.

(End of Chapter)

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