Chapter 563 - The Special Rules of Lingyun City

Contrary to Gu Han’s expectations, the black-robed cultivator wasn’t there to sell tokens, nor was he looking for trouble. Instead, he respectfully presented two jade talismans.

Gu Han was taken aback. “What’s this?”

Mo Xun asked, “You don’t know?”

“It’s my first time here.”

Mo Xun was speechless.

Even that black-robed cultivator shot Gu Han a surprised glance. A Saint realm cultivator, and this is his first time in Lingyun City? Now that’s rare!

Mo Xun was an honest man because regardless of whether Gu Han was telling the truth, he explained, ”With these jade talismans, you can stay in Lingyun City for three days.”

Gu Han was stunned. “Three days? There’s a rule like that?”

“This rule has been in place ever since Lingyun City was established.”

The black-robed cultivator felt puzzled, wondering where Gu Han had crawled out from. How is he so uninformed?

Gu Han glanced at the jade talisman, but there was nothing remarkable about it. “And what happens after three days?”

Mo Xun quickly replied, “After three days, the spirit opportunity in the jade talisman will be exhausted, dissolving into nothing. Then, the great formation within Lingyun City will detect it and expel you from the city. If you want to stay longer, you’ll have to pay.”

“How much?”

Mo Xun thought for a moment. “At first, one drop of Transcendent Substance would buy you a month. Then ten drops. After that, a hundred drops... and so on.”

Gu Han exclaimed in shock, “It’s that expensive?! Might as well just rob people!”

The black-robed cultivator couldn’t hold back any longer. “There’s a reason for our prices! Within Lingyun City, regardless of status or cultivation level, no one is allowed to attack each other. This city is the safest place in the entire Tiannan Realm. The president said it himself. We’re all in the business of trade. What’s so decent about fighting and killing? Everything should be conducted in peace.”

“Really?”

“Yes!”

“For everyone?”

“Of course.”

“Then... What about Ling Ya?”

Mo Xun shuddered in fright. “Uhh...”

The black-robed cultivator was exasperated, silently wondering if Gu Han was just being difficult. How could someone of Ling Ya’s status possibly make a move here?

“These rules were all established by the president. If you can get him to change them, then that’s another matter entirely. Besides, this fee structure is only aimed at cultivators who wish to remain here for extended periods. For ordinary cultivators, three days is more than enough time to buy whatever they need. The next time they come, they can obtain a new jade talisman, and the time will reset.”

Gu Han pondered this carefully. If that was the case, then the rule was barely acceptable.

Chongming blinked. “I feel like this rule is tailor-made for you, don’t you think?”

This kind of rule was specifically designed for those facing crises, being hunted, or even hanging by a thread. Without a doubt, Gu Han was the perfect candidate.

Gu Han remained impassive. “You’re kidding, right? I’m not one to look for trouble, you know.”

Then, he asked curiously, “But what if someone does cause trouble? What happens then?”

Mo Xun was speechless. Weren’t you just saying you don’t look for trouble?!

The cultivator was even more speechless now. “The punishment depends on the severity. At the lightest, the offender will be blacklisted by the Merchant Association and permanently barred from setting foot in Lingyun City. At worst... execution on the spot!”

Gu Han nodded and asked no further questions. “Got it.”

Just then, Xiao Hei barked discontentedly, apparently feeling insulted that both Gu Han and Mo Xun had jade talismans while he and Chongming didn’t.

Chongming also squawked indignantly. “That’s right! What about mine?! Who are you looking down on?!”

The cultivator said helplessly, “Generally speaking... spirit pets share their master’s time.”

Chongming was furious. “Bastard! Who are you calling a spirit pet?!”

Xiao Hei was also grinding its teeth, sizing up the black-robed cultivator as if studying where to take the first bite.

Gu Han quickly soothed him, then looked at the black-robed cultivator with a serious expression. “Master Rooster, calm down! I suggest you give them some.”

The black-robed cultivator was thoroughly baffled. In his opinion, Gu Han seemed more like a pet to this rooster and dog.

***

Meanwhile, inside an imposing white jade pavilion that covered vast grounds, two women stood side by side, chatting and laughing.

One wore a blue dress, her bearing and appearance unmatched among ten thousand. The other wore a white dress, way more beautiful than the former. To call her a peerless beauty with unrivaled grace would not be an exaggeration. The pure innocence in her eyes, along with the air of pristine sanctity about her, made her worthy of being called one in a million.

The latter was Leng Yushu, while the former was Ling Ya’s sixth disciple, Ding Lan. Ding Lan was one of the two who had been entangled fiercely with Li Mao that day. Of course, before Leng Yushu, she completely shed her amorous manner. She exuded an air of dignity and demureness, as if she were a completely different person.

Behind the two women, a young handsome man in a blue robe said enthusiastically, “Miss Leng, this is your first time traveling out since you joined the sect, right? What a fortunate coincidence that we’ve run into each other today. If you see anything you like, feel free to take it. All expenses will be covered by me. Consider it a small token of my regard.”

Of course, none of it was truly a fortunate coincidence. He was here only because he’d staked out the spot in advance.

Although Leng Yushu barely ever appeared in public, she was very famous. As Ling Ya’s final disciple, she was mysterious and extraordinarily talented, even rumored to be the number one beauty of the Tiannan Realm. Now that she was venturing out for the first time, many young prodigies who deemed themselves worthy of her had come seeking a glimpse of her beauty the moment word spread.

As he spoke, his gaze wandered constantly, but mostly stayed on Leng Yushu.

Ding Lan gave a knowing smile. “Is that so? So you’re a connoisseur of beauty. And what about me?”

Upon seeing Leng Yushu, the youth with the surname Ge knew this trip had been well worth it. In high spirits, he made repeated promises. “Of course that includes you as well. Pick whatever you like, choose whatever you want! Steward Yu...”

Looking toward the middle-aged man standing respectfully in the distance, the youth casually produced a golden token, saying with great generosity, “It’s all on me!”

Steward You smiled and took the token. “Understood. Everything will be as you wish, Young Master Ge.”

Although she’d encountered this situation numerous times before coming to Lingyun City, Leng Yushu still found it hard to adjust to such enthusiasm. She hastily shook her head. “No, thank you. Young Master Ge, you don’t have to do this. I-I have plenty of money, all given to me by my master. Besides, I’ve already bought a lot of things...”

As she spoke, she stole a glance at Ding Lan, appearing somewhat embarrassed. Every time this beauty spoke, each smile, glance, and gesture was a peerlessly stunning sight. And that innocent, pure aura about her made the Ge youth think about first loves. His heart was about to melt just watching her.

Even though Ding Lan was a woman herself, she felt her chest heave a bit more intensely. She silently cursed Li Mao because a whole month had passed, and he still hadn’t brought back the Hehuan Sect Master.

Ding Lan forced herself not to give anything away and smiled. “Junior Sister, Young Master Ge is offering out of goodwill. Why would you want to save him money?”

Young Master Ge laughed heartily. “Miss Ding knows the way!”

Ding Lan wasn’t one to stand on ceremony, so she asked Steward Yu, “Do you still have any Soul Crystals?”