Chapter 126: Game World?

Chu Qingguan estimated that the journey from the Crimson Radiance Tribe to Imperial Demon City would take about half a month, thanks to their Human Immortal-grade Immortal Boat, which was significantly faster than even Peak Qi Refining cultivators. On foot, the journey would have taken over a month.

Of course, the Crimson Radiance Tribe was located relatively far west, while Imperial Demon City lay in the eastern part of the world. This meant that the journey from the Crimson Radiance Tribe would take considerably longer than from other tribes.

Han Yi wasted no time, seizing the opportunity to meditate aboard the Immortal Boat.

During the journey, the Immortal Boat came under attack from a group of Winged Race warriors. These winged humanoids had three eyes on their faces and mottled gray-brown skin.

The Winged Race were skilled archers and natural fliers, making them exceptionally troublesome opponents.

Trapped in mid-air, the group could only repel the Winged Race with ranged attacks before swiftly maneuvering the Immortal Boat away.

"Among the Four Great Foreign Races, the Winged Race is the most tenacious," Chu Qingguan remarked. "Only Sword Immortals—those who can reliably fly on Spirit Swords and Magic Artifacts—can gain the upper hand against them."

Han Yi remained silent, inwardly strategizing how he would kill Winged Race warriors if confronted alone: with his Sword Control Technique, his dagger, or by luring them closer?

The attempt was unsuccessful.

Time flew by, and half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

The Myriad Immortals Pavilion's Immortal Boat came to a halt in a mountainous forest.

Chu Qingguan stowed the Immortal Boat in his Storage Pouch and unfurled a massive beast hide. With a flash of Spirit Light, the rivers and mountains painted on the hide transformed from two-dimensional depictions into a vivid three-dimensional landscape.

"Fellow Daoists, observe," Chu Qingguan said, pointing to a specific location on the map. "We are currently here." He then indicated another spot. "And here lies the Imperial Demon City."

"The distance between these two points is less than five kilometers. According to this map, this entire region is heavily patrolled and guarded by countless members of the Demon Race. The Immortal Boat would draw too much attention and is too dangerous to use; we must proceed on foot."

"Fellow Daoists, our journey together ends here. Farewell for now."

Chu Qingguan cupped his hands in a farewell gesture and swiftly darted off in a designated direction. Despite his portly physique, he moved with the speed befitting a Peak Qi Refining cultivator.

"Fellow Daoist Han, care to join me?" Zuo Lie's eyes gleamed as he surveyed the hundred-odd cultivators who were beginning to disperse. Roughly half of them had reached Peak Qi Refining, while the rest were seasoned cultivators of the Ninth Layer.

Han Yi nodded. He felt confident navigating the terrain alone, but having Zuo Lie as a guide, someone he could ask questions of, suited him even better.

"Let's go."

Zuo Lie darted off swiftly in a specific direction.

The mountain forest fell silent, punctuated only by the distant roars of beasts. The hundred-plus cultivators scattered through the wilderness like fish fry released into the ocean, their chances of encountering each other again vanishingly small.

At this point, most were focused on reaching the Imperial Demon City. While the prospect of secretly eliminating other cultivators held some appeal, they clearly prioritized reaching the city first.

Along the way, Han Yi and Zuo Lie encountered another branch of the Demon Race: the Earth Demons.

Earth Demons were unique, subterranean creatures born with the innate ability to manipulate earth and traverse underground with ease, making them ideal patrol guards. The Earth Demon they encountered stood over three meters tall. After detecting the pair, it fell to their combined assault.

In Zuo Lie's presence, Han Yi no longer concealed his true strength. There was no need. His Chengying Sword effortlessly pierced the Earth Demon's formidable Demonic Body, driving straight through its skull. This demonstration gave Zuo Lie a firsthand glimpse of Han Yi's true combat prowess.

A day later, Han Yi and Zuo Lie stood atop a mountain peak, gazing into the distance.

In the distance, shrouded in layers of mountain mist, a colossal city perched atop the mountain peaks. The majestic city, nestled among the peaks, towered above them, its ancient aura enveloping the landscape. This was Imperial Demon City, a relic of a bygone era, standing as a testament to the history of the Demon Race.

Han Yi was profoundly shaken upon first seeing this imposing fortress.

Had the Cave Heaven World not been altered, restricting the Demon Race through its fundamental rules, this city would undoubtedly have produced earth-shattering powerhouses over the millennia, demons comparable to Transformation God Stage cultivators of the Human Race.

"Imperial Demon City is the capital of the Demon Race," Zuo Lie explained. "It's a convergence point for the strongest warriors from the Twelve Branches. Forget about six-meter-tall giants—we might even encounter more formidable demons this time."

"And unlike the Cang Tribe incident where we only faced a dozen Legendary Qi Refining experts, we could be facing several times, perhaps even dozens of times that number."

A flicker of envy crossed Zuo Lie's face. Still a step away from achieving Legendary status, he knew firsthand the overwhelming power wielded by cultivators in this extraordinary realm.

Within the White Jade Tower, Peak Qi Refining cultivators earned the rank of True Disciple, while those who reached Legendary Qi Refining were granted the status of Elders, equivalent to Foundation Establishment cultivators.

"Official statistics from Great Qian show that there are approximately 130 Legendary Qi Refining cultivators throughout the entire Great Qian Immortal Kingdom, including Qian Prefecture, Shu Prefecture, the Thirty-Three Prefectures, the Two Holy Lands, the Three Great Sects, and countless smaller sects."

"Of course, these statistics only cover cultivators within Great Qian's borders. Major world-spanning sects like Sword Cliff aren't included."

Han Yi remained silent.

In truth, once a cultivator reaches the advanced Ninth Layer of Qi Refining and consumes a Foundation Establishment Pill, they have a chance to break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage. However, the success rate for such a breakthrough is less than 20%.

Most cultivators, unless absolutely necessary, prefer to solidify their foundation and strengthen their inner reserves before attempting Immortal Foundation Establishment at the Peak Qi Refining Stage.

For Peak Qi Refining cultivators, the success rate for breaking through to Foundation Establishment is around 50%.

For Legendary Qi Refining cultivators, the success rate soars to 80%.

Zuo Lie sat down cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began regulating his breathing.

Even though the chances were slim, they weren't entirely nonexistent. As long as there was a sliver of hope, he would seize the opportunity to compete for the Jade Capital Grand Void Token.

Han Yi stood several meters away, Chengying sheathed on his back. Instead of meditating, he gazed at the Imperial Demon City, his eyes misty with contemplation.

"It's too similar, far too similar."

"This world is just a game world. We're the players, the primitive tribes are the NPCs, the Cang Tribe is the mini-boss, and the Imperial Demon City is the final boss."

"Intriguing, truly intriguing."

Han Yi shook his head. Even if it resembled a game, it had nothing to do with him. His current cultivation realm was only the Qi Refining Stage, a far cry from the Transformation God Great Powers capable of reshaping Cave Heavens—a feat beyond his wildest imagination.

After a cup of tea, Han Yi glanced at a forest several hundred meters away. Three figures emerged from the woods, standing at the edge of the trees and gazing at the Imperial Demon City. One of them turned toward Han Yi, their eyes momentarily flashing gray—clearly a detection spell far superior to the Qi Observation Technique.

The two groups then averted their gazes.

Moments later, a young man appeared a few dozen meters away from Han Yi and his companion. Dressed in a blood-colored robe, his face was cold and his eyes glinted with icy malice as he swept a dismissive glance over the surrounding people before settling into a meditative posture.

A faint golden light flickered in Han Yi's eyes, and his eyebrows twitched.

This young man was a Legendary Qi Refining cultivator.