Chapter 414: The Wonders Of Cloudy City
Of all the divine textures, the one-star divine texture was the basic.
Some divine textures were considered much more powerful than one could ever imagine. The power of the divine texture was indicated in the number of stars in its name. The seven-star divine texture, for example, was only the size of a palm but it could destroy a piece of land instantaneously. It had the power to destroy the whole Central Region. It was a powerful tool that could fall into the wrong hands and destroy the world.
Zen still had a long way to go before he could master the seven-star divine texture drawing skill. Even the cyan dragon itself couldn't draw it as well as his soul energy had dried up. But even if the cyan dragon could, Zen still didn't have the right materials to draw the seven-star divine texture with.
However, Zen was very interested in acquiring a four-star divine texture called “Soul Breath”. This divine texture had a special function of doubling the efficiency of cultivation without any negative effect.
His low cultivation had been his biggest worry since he entered the Central Region. But acquiring the divine texture called “Soul Breath” would be very helpful to him. He could improve his cultivation level much faster with the help of the divine texture.
At an early age of eighteen, Zen had reached grade four of the nature level. With this achievement, he was already good enough in C County. However, in the Cloud Sect, such achievement was just average. Comparing with the other disciples in the Cloud Sect, Zen was just ordinary. And when he finally came to Central Region, his achievements were nothing at all. Zen's cultivation base was solid, and he had even challenged the Illuminating Soul Realm masters. However, he still might not be able to escape death if he fought with a practitioner who reached the pinnacle of the Illuminating Soul Realm or the Internal Elixir Realm.
Thus, improving his cultivation level had become an urgent concern he needed to address.
Zen knew that Tia might have already figured that out too, so she had arranged the disciples of Elite House to compete with him in hopes that this would help him improve. However, Zen also knew that in achieving the maximum breakthrough in cultivation, one would also put his own life at risk.
But the disciples of Elite House were not idiots. Among them were some high-rank practitioners of Cloud Hall who had figured out Tia's deliberate plan of sparring Zen with them. Furthermore, the plan had a loophole in favor of Zen–he could either choose to fight when his opponent was relatively weak or escape when his opponent was more powerful, and no one could catch him. Besides, the disciples of Elite House needed to fulfill the tasks assigned to them by Cloud Hall or cultivate in other locations.
So there were a few times that Zen went to Elite House only to find out that there was no one available for him to challenge.
Tia finally gave up after realizing that her plan wouldn't work. Without any means to progress his cultivation, Zen took some of his necessary belongings and then left Cloud Hall to collect the materials of the divine texture called “Soul Breath”.
As the new day came, the golden rays of the sun shone over the walls of the Cloud Hall. The morning breeze whispered through its halls and slowly drifting clouds covered the entire Cloud Hall. Zen was standing at the edge of Cloud Hall. He was mesmerized as the sun waved its rays in between the valleys. He took a deep breath and jumped.
Zen could use the flying chariot provided by Cloud Hall, but he decided not to. He took this as an opportunity to test the one-star Wind Feather he had just made. In the Upper World, Wind Feathers were only provided to disciples who were at the levels below the Illuminating Soul Realm. Thus, many disciples would opt to use the flying chariot. It was the first time for Zen to try it. After putting on the Wind Feather, Zen instantly felt a frail wind brush his body. It could only mean that despite not having reached the Illuminating Soul Realm yet, he could fly with the help of the Wind Feather.
The wind became stronger.
With the wind whirring through his body, Zen jumped down a height of more than a thousand meters. With the combined energy released from the Phoenix Crystal and the natural power of wind, he floated like a leaf in the air. He had never felt this light in his life. After finding an ideal landing point, Zen slightly slowed down and let the wind take over. He floated freely but slowly before finally landing on the ground.
This method was quite the same as the one Lewis had used.
Meanwhile, two nature creatures who were on their way to town were stunned when they saw Zen who appeared to be flying. They couldn't believe their eyes. Zen was also a nature creature like them, but he was already able to fly.
These two practitioners came from Cloudy City. They were aware that there was a grade four sect called Cloud Hall from a thousand meters above this area. They guessed that Zen must have floated down from that sect. Cloud Hall was known to be a great place where only very talented cultivators had the opportunity to practice. So, did that also mean that a nature creature from Cloud Hall could fly? Even after giving it a thought, the two nature creatures could not comprehend the possibility of a practitioner on their same level could learn how to fly. It was beyond anyone's imagination.
Zen had seen the two nature creatures as he was attempting to land, but he ignored their presence. He rushed toward Cloudy City along the road he picked. Before taking on this journey, Zen had asked Lasseter about the branch of the World Commercial Alliance. He was told that it was in Cloudy City, hence the reason he was here.
As he successfully landed, he immediately made his way to Cloudy City. As he entered, Zen couldn't help but notice the difference between the Central Region and the Eastern Region.
With Cloud Hall and Cloud School located here, Cloudy City could be considered as the main city in the Central Region. Despite its size, it was still far better compared to the Burning Sky Imperial Capital in the Eastern Region.
Top powerful clans were also present in the Burning Sky Capital, such as the top seven noble clans and the royal family. Cloud Sect was located there too, which was a grade two sect. Aura's royal family could only be regarded as a grade two force too, while the top seven noble clans had no rank.
The Cloudy City, on the other hand, had eight grade three sects. This did not include the Cloud School as it was affiliated to Cloud Hall and they shared the same system.
On way to Cloudy City, practitioners at the Illuminating Soul Realm could be seen everywhere. And if one was lucky, he could even see some Internal Elixir Realm practitioners. They walked in the streets in small groups. Their only purpose in coming to Cloudy City was to buy some supplements.
On the streets of Cloudy City, no one paid attention to Zen. Though he was known in many other locations, in here, he was nobody. It was quite a relief for Zen because he didn't like much attention. This would make his journey a more pleasant one.
He followed the instruction that Lasseter gave and immediately found the location of the branch alliance.
Zen also had done some research about the World Commercial Alliance. He found
out that although this alliance didn't rank in the power list, the power behind it was striking. It was even a little higher than Cloud Hall and at par with Ethereal Spirit Sect, the most powerful sect in the Central Region.
Given its striking power, Zen was expecting to see a grand location of the branch. For the first time, he was concerned that he wasn't dressed enough to enter its office. However, when he finally reached the location, he was stunned. The branch alliance kept a very low profile. It was located among the dwellings and if not for the two Illuminating Soul Realm practitioners guarding the gate, no one would think that this was a special place.
When Zen approached, one of the Illuminating Soul Realm practitioners gestured to him and said coldly, “Stop! This is the branch of the World Commercial Alliance. This is no place for a child like you. Now, turn around and be on your way!”
The World Commercial Alliance owned many shops in the Central Region, so generally, its branch wasn't involved in retail businesses. The practitioners would usually come here only for important issues or block trading. And these practitioners should have reached at least the pinnacle of the Illuminating Soul Realm, Internal Elixir Realm, or any level higher.
Upon seeing Zen, the two Illuminating Soul Realm practitioners immediately recognized that Zen was just a nature creature. Given his level, he was not qualified to enter the gate. Thus, the two Illuminating Soul Realm practitioners insisted on driving Zen away. “Hey, buddy! You better leave soon. Don't waste our time. Our patience is short!”
Zen didn't like the attitude that the two Illuminating Soul Realm practitioners showed him. He frowned and thought, 'The World Commercial Alliance seems to think highly of itself! If I didn't need something from them, I wouldn't have come here!' Then he took out an invitation letter from his pocket and tossed it to them. He said, “This is the invitation letter the World Commercial Alliance gave to me!”
One of the Illuminating Soul Realm practitioners picked up the invitation letter. He thought that it was a bluff that Zen was trying to play. He was smirking as he opened the letter. But when he read the name of Lasseter, his attitude immediately changed and the smirk on his face was wiped away instantly.
Lasseter was an ordinary steward at the headquarters of the alliance, but he was the top at the branch. He had that reputation at the branch, and everyone knew who Lasseter was. So, it was just customary that these two practitioners guarding the gate became curious as to why Lasseter would have given an invitation letter to a nature creature.
Despite being Illuminating Soul Realm masters, they could only become the doormen of the branch alliance. That meant that even at their level, they still didn't deserve a high-ranking position. So, it was a bit odd for a mere nature creature to be greeted and welcomed by the alliance. 'Is he related to Lasseter? Does he come here for a job?' they wondered.
While they were in a dilemma, a burst of loud laughter roared from behind them. When they turned to see, an old man appeared from the gate and walked towards Zen with a smile. He greeted Zen politely, “You must be Zen! Welcome, my little friend! I apologize for being late. I hope you can forgive me!”
Their jaws dropped open in shock. They immediately bowed before the old man as a sign of respect. They could feel their breath becoming heavy and their hearts pumping harder. It was no other than the leader of the branch alliance named Michael Mo.
'What's going on? Is this guy some bigwig? Why is Michael greeting him in person?' The two Illuminating Soul Realm practitioners were so stunned that sweat started to show on their face. They could feel the mighty presence of Michael.
They almost believed that Zen was a big shot when they heard him say, “There must be a mistake. Could you please tell me who you are?”
'He doesn't know Michael?! But why Michael is so polite to him? This young man..." Though they didn't like Zen's straightforwardness towards Michael, they were worried that Zen would speak ill about them to Michael. Given the arrogance they had shown him earlier, it was highly possible. This could be the end for them.
“My name is Michael Mo. Zen, may I invite you to come in? Let's discuss in detail over some tea,” Michael said with a smile. The tone in Michael's voice felt like he was talking to his senior.
Zen politely nodded. As he was about to follow Michael, he glanced at the two Illuminating Soul Realm practitioners indifferently. The two practitioners were relieved.
The look on Zen's face appeared to them as calm. If he wasn't that annoyed, they guessed that he wouldn't rat them out in front of Michael.
As Michael's and Zen's figures eventually faded from afar, they started to wonder as to who Zen really was.