Walker Of The Worlds

Chapter 3358: The Western Immortal Court’s Outpost

Lin Mu and the group arrived at the next world after another long transit through the teleportation channel.

As soon as the light of the portal receded and their feet touched solid ground again, they felt something was different. The ambient Qi was crisp, orderly, and polished in a way that only the Immortal Court’s direct control could produce.

Daoist Chu stretched his neck slightly and muttered, "Feels like returning to school."

The world around them was not truly a world in the ordinary sense. There were no natural rivers curving through ancient valleys, no mountain ranges that reached the sky, and no landscapes forged by the slow hand of time.

Instead it was a meticulously shaped node of civilization.

Daoist Chu explained as they left the arrival platform, "This is Western Immortal Court Outpost number thirteen. It is one of the major stations that border the Eastern Immortal Court’s territory."

Meng Bai raised his brows. "Number thirteen? How many of these are there?"

Daoist Chu replied, "Nearly two hundred outposts stretch across the borders of the entire Western Immortal Court. But even that many is too few. The Immortal Realm is unimaginably vast. Dividing it into four courts still does not cover even a fraction of all lands. There are endless independent powers scattered across space, and even entire regions untouched by any court."

Lin Mu added, "If someone wished to enter the Eastern Immortal Court without passing through these outposts, the only other option is to fly through open space. That would take centuries. And that is assuming nothing kills you on the way."

Meng Bai blinked at the casual way Lin Mu said that. "Centuries... and random space beasts that might swallow you whole. No wonder no one does it."

The group stepped through the tall silver pillars that framed the exit to the platform and into a grand open plaza.

Immediately the theme of the Western Immortal Court revealed itself.

Great murals carved into the metallic walls depicted the White Tiger, one of the Four Guardian Beasts. Every pillar had claw-like motifs engraved into it, and each stone tile was perfectly placed without a hint of unevenness. This entire place radiated precision and discipline.

Daoist Chu pointed at the large gate far ahead of them. "We will have to stay here for a few days while I get clearance to enter the Eastern Immortal Court. My trainee authority is limited to Western Court territory. It grants me nothing once I step across to the Eastern Court."

Elyon tilted his head. "I thought even being a trainee meant you had access to everything."

"Only if I officially join," Daoist Chu replied. "Until then, I am simply considered an educated civilian."

Lin Mu said, "No matter. We can explore while waiting. This world is small enough that we can see most of it in a very short time."

Meng Bai was still looking around with fascination. "This place does not feel like a world. More like a giant fortress floating in the sky."

That description was not far from the truth. The outpost world was tiny compared to the planets they had visited so far. It was barely the size of the moon from the Xiaofan World. If an immortal flew at high speed they could circle the entire globe in a single day.

Daoist Chu explained further, "This used to be a barren rock more than one hundred thousand years ago. The Western Immortal Court spent immense effort to reconstruct it, cultivate soil, import forests, lakes, and rebuild the atmosphere. They essentially built a new world from scratch."

Meng Bai whistled. "That sounds expensive."

Cattaleya commented, "It sounds like something only an Immortal Court would even consider doing."

Lin Mu nodded. "And only because it benefits them in the long run. These outposts act as gates. Without them the gap between courts would be too vast."

They continued walking and soon left the plaza.

The area beyond was even more structured. Wide avenues crossed each other in a geometric pattern that resembled a grid. Tall buildings rose on either side, metallic and polished. There was no disrepair or dirt visible anywhere. Every cultivator present maintained a dignified posture, their robes immaculate, their steps measured.

"This place feels too organized," Meng Bai muttered. "Like if I sneeze the guards will scold me."

Elyon smirked. "This outpost is basically a bureaucratic hub. Paperwork, approvals, transit control, inter court diplomacy, and inspection of travelers. If you cause trouble here you would probably be fined for disturbing the peace before anything else."

Little Shrubby sniffed the air and grumbled unhappily. "It smells too clean."

Lin Mu chuckled. "No forests or beasts for you this time."

The group spent the next hour touring the main district.

Since this world had no natives, every person they encountered was either a cultivator from the Immortal Court or a traveler like themselves. The shops were all specialized for transit and court affairs.

There were artifacts for paperwork management, talismans that worked only if one had court authorization, and dozens of restaurants catering to different races all passing by.

Cattaleya pointed at a massive board listing daily departures to other outposts. "They really run this like a professional port."

Daoist Chu explained, "That is exactly what this place is. A port for inter court travel. Without these outposts, the four courts would barely interact at all. Space is too dangerous otherwise."

Lin Mu gazed around and finally said, "It is fortunate these exist. Otherwise our search for the dwarves would become five times harder."

Meng Bai rubbed the back of his head. "Or a million times harder."

Daoist Chu took care of the registration for their temporary stay. Once their identities were verified and processed, the group wandered into a smaller residential district where inns were located.

They rented a spacious suite in a high quality inn built from white stone and silverwood beams. Its interior glowed softly with runic light, giving off calming energy. The staff all wore court issued uniforms, pale silver with white tiger patterns embroidered at the shoulder.