Chapter 8: The Holy Angel City

Nestled in a mountain valley, the sacred beast Qilin looked at Lin Jiufeng with excitement.

"Boss, how much Divine Essence did you obtain?"

Lin Jiufeng smiled and opened his storage space, allowing the Qilin to take a look.

Upon seeing the fifteen hundred jin of fiery red Divine Essence, the Qilin exclaimed in delight, "This must be Fire-Element Divine Essence! Its rich color indicates an extremely high energy concentration. If a cultivator practicing fire-based techniques acquires this, they can significantly enhance their power."

"Divine Essence has elemental attributes?" Lin Jiufeng asked curiously.

The Qilin nodded. "According to my inherited memories, Divine Essence is not uniform. If it's buried deep underground, near the Earth's core fire, it becomes Fire-Element Divine Essence. If found near the ocean or deep beneath the sea, it is likely Water-Element Divine Essence. There are also Earth, Wood, and Metal elements—these are the most common types. Their value depends on their purity and energy content."

"The Five-Elemental Divine Essence… Are there other attributes as well?" Lin Jiufeng inquired.

"Of course! The rarest and most valuable types of Divine Essence are those of Space and Time. These two are incredibly difficult to form. Even a small fragment is priceless, as it can grant insight into the Grand Dao of Time and Space."

"The Grand Dao of Time and Space..." Lin Jiufeng sighed longingly. "These must be the most mysterious and powerful paths."

The Qilin, however, shook its head.

"They are not."

Lin Jiufeng was surprised. "They aren't?"

"Although it is often said, 'Space reigns supreme, Time stands above all, and together they are invincible,' this is only true if the ultimate Grand Dao remains undiscovered."

"What is the ultimate Grand Dao?" Lin Jiufeng asked in curiosity.

"The Grand Dao of Fate," the Qilin said solemnly.

"There is actually a missing half to that famous saying."

"What half?"

"'If Fate does not manifest, Space reigns supreme, Time stands above all.'"

"The Grand Dao of Fate… Is it truly that powerful?" Lin Jiufeng murmured.

"Absolutely. Everything in existence follows its own fate. Some are born gifted, but that is merely fate's favor upon them. If fate abandons them, even the greatest genius will fall into mediocrity. If someone were to master the Grand Dao of Fate, they could strip others of their destinies. Even the most supreme Immortal Kings would be reduced to mere mortals in an instant."

Lin Jiufeng listened intently as the Qilin explained the secrets of Fate recorded in its inherited memories.

"Has anyone ever comprehended the Grand Dao of Fate?"

"No one. While the Grand Dao of Time and Space have been understood by some, Fate has never been grasped. That's why people have forgotten the full saying and only remember, 'Space reigns supreme, Time stands above all.'"

Lin Jiufeng was stunned. The depths of the Grand Dao were far more mysterious than he had ever imagined.

"Well, all of this is too distant for us to worry about now. Let's focus on the present. With these fifteen hundred jin of Fire-Element Divine Essence, we should have no trouble cultivating once we enter the city."

"Let's keep heading south. I can sense a great city ahead," the Qilin said excitedly.

Lin Jiufeng nodded and continued on his journey with the Qilin.

For five days, they traveled south, accompanied by the gentle breeze and the luminous moon, crossing vast mountains and rivers, marveling at the brilliant starry sky.

As they went further, Lin Jiufeng could feel the spiritual energy and the presence of the Grand Dao growing denser—hundreds of times more potent than when he first entered the Dimensional Battlefield.

And they hadn't even reached the city yet.

No wonder the Qilin was so eager to come here.

Standing atop a mountain peak, Lin Jiufeng gazed into the distance.

The twilight sky was shrouded in mist, and the horizon stretched endlessly.

As the sun set, the clouds turned crimson, bathing the enormous city below in a golden glow.

The sheer size of the ancient city left Lin Jiufeng in awe.

Back in the mortal world, he had seen many large cities, but none surpassed a few thousand li in area.

Yet the city before him was vast beyond imagination, as large as ten thousand mortal cities combined.

A river meandered through the vast plains, splitting the city in two.

Its roaring currents nourished the land, shaping the city's growth.

Built along the riverbanks, the city had towering buildings enclosing the water on both sides.

Unlike mortal cities, there were no walls.

As darkness fell and the sunset faded, countless lights illuminated the city, shimmering like a sea of stars.

The Qilin stood beside Lin Jiufeng, equally overwhelmed.

"This city is massive!"

Lin Jiufeng nodded slightly. The human city he had glimpsed through his divine insight was nothing compared to this one.

"Without walls, can we just walk in?" The Qilin wondered.

"Let's find out," Lin Jiufeng replied.

As they approached, however, an invisible barrier blocked their path.

Lin Jiufeng reached out to touch it.

It was not a physical wall but the edge of a formation.

"So that's how it works. Instead of walls, the entire city is protected by a grand formation. To enter, one must bypass the barrier," Lin Jiufeng observed.

Fortunately, he had studied formations in the mortal realm and could decipher its workings.

"How do we get through?" the Qilin asked.

Lin Jiufeng retrieved a ten-jin piece of Fire-Element Divine Essence and pressed it against the formation.

Buzz—

The barrier rippled like water, forming an entrance.

Lin Jiufeng smiled. "This is how we enter."

The Qilin stared in amazement. "That's impressive! No need for guards at all."

They stepped inside, watching as the portal closed behind them.

The ten-jin Divine Essence had been absorbed by the formation.

Lin Jiufeng understood instantly.

"To enter or exit the city, one must offer Divine Essence. The formation absorbs its energy to sustain itself, eliminating the need for guards while maintaining an unrestricted flow of people. It's a brilliant system."

"The people here really know what they're doing," the Qilin sighed in admiration.

Lin Jiufeng inhaled deeply, sensing the boundless energy within the city.

Rumbling—

Spiritual energy surged into his body, filling every corner of his being.

"The spiritual energy here is over a thousand times denser than the outside world and more than two thousand times richer than the Reception Platform. Even the presence of the Grand Dao is hundreds—no, thousands—of times stronger!" Lin Jiufeng was in shock.

The difference between the city and the outside was like heaven and earth.

The Qilin also took a deep breath, reveling in the energy.

"I told you! If you want to grow stronger in the Dimensional Battlefield, you must come to the great cities. This place is a true sanctuary for cultivation!"

Lin Jiufeng agreed. "Indeed. But first, we need to find a place to stay. With this dense spiritual energy and Dao presence, I can break through the Twelve Seals."

Together, they ventured deeper into the city.

Towering skyscrapers, magnificent pavilions, treasure-filled shops, and flying vessels filled the sky with dazzling lights.

It felt as if they had entered a cyberpunk world of cultivation.

Countless beings of different races roamed the streets—some meditated in corners, others shopped leisurely, and some set up market stalls.

Despite the diversity, there was no sign of conflict.

Lin Jiufeng quickly deduced that fighting was forbidden within the city.

Noticing the abundance of taverns and inns, he learned that those without a residence were required to leave by midnight unless they rented a room.

After searching for a long time, they finally found an empty room in an inn.

Thirty jin of Divine Essence per night.

The price was outrageous.

Even though the room was tiny—just a bed and a tea table—there was no choice.

At this rate, their fifteen hundred jin of Divine Essence wouldn't last long.

Lin Jiufeng decided to find a rental property, seeking out a local real estate agent.

Upon learning the city's name—Holy Angel City—he also discovered the city was ruled by the Holy Angel Clan, an ancient and powerful race.

Asking about purchasing property, he was met with a harsh reality.

"The minimum price is fifty thousand jin of high-quality Divine Essence per square meter."

Lin Jiufeng sighed.

Even in this life, he couldn't afford a home.