The harbor of Kui Star Island was just as bustling as ever. Countless sea vessels of all sizes churned through the waters, sailing out and returning to port in an endless stream. Occasionally, streaks of multicolored light flashed through the sky as cultivators flew in and out. The mortals on the ground had long since grown accustomed to the sight and paid it no mind.
But today, a streak of white light came hurtling toward the island from beyond its shores, fast as lightning. It paused only briefly above the harbor before shooting straight toward the island's interior.
If anyone had managed to get close enough to the white light, they would have been able to make out the faint outlines of two figures within. It was none other than Han Li, who had just completed one cycle of the "Three Revolutions Repeated Essence Technique" and pushed his Magical Power to the peak of Foundation Establishment, and Qu Hun, whose cultivation had been raised to a level roughly equal to Han Li's through an enormous accumulation of pills.
Truth be told, over twenty years of compressing and refining his True Essence had not only made Han Li's techniques far purer and denser than those of cultivators at the same level — the fact that Qu Hun had caught up to his own cultivation during this period filled him with even greater delight.
Had it not been for the fact that condensing Qu Hun's Yin Core still required several special auxiliary materials, and that Han Li himself needed to prepare for his own Core Formation attempt, he would not have left the cave dwelling in Little Huan Mountain.
But this outing, he had already made up his mind about. Aside from purchasing supplies and collecting the spirit stones that Master Gu of the Gu family had promised him years ago, he would head straight back to the mountain and go nowhere else.
After all, this was a critical period in his cultivation, and he simply could not afford to be distracted.
With that thought, the Divine Wind Boat carried Han Li and Qu Hun straight toward Kui Star City, which lay at the heart of the island.
He still had plenty of spirit stones on him, so there was no rush to visit the Gu family first. Better to buy what he needed first — it would be more efficient that way.
Several hours later, Han Li caught sight of the faint outline of a massive city enclosed by towering walls.
Though he had never been to Kui Star City before, based on the map markings and the imposing grandeur of the place, it could only be that city.
As he was thinking this, Han Li suddenly felt the Divine Wind Boat beneath his feet sink slightly, growing heavy as though weighed down by a thousand jin.
He was startled for a moment, but quickly realized he had been caught within an anti-flight restriction.
As befitting the largest city on Kui Star Island, it had deployed a wide-area anti-flight ward at considerable distance from the city itself.
In truth, with his current peak Foundation Establishment cultivation, Han Li could have completely ignored the restriction and continued flying forward — it would only cost him a bit more Magical Power.
But Han Li had no desire to attract attention. He stepped lightly on the bow of the Divine Wind Boat, and the magical treasure gently descended.
Han Li and Qu Hun stepped off the Divine Wind Boat without haste, their feet touching the ground.
After shrinking the boat and stowing it in his storage pouch, Han Li glanced at the distant city, then led Qu Hun forward at an unhurried pace with a casual smile.
Kui Star City was at least three or four times larger than the other city he had visited — East Stone City!
Walking along one of Kui Star Island's streets, Han Li gazed at the road wide enough for several beast-drawn carriages to travel abreast and felt a twinge of emotion.
He casually asked a mortal for directions to "Tiandu Street," and then he and Qu Hun headed toward the northern part of the city without hesitation.
"Is this what they call Tiandu Street?"
Han Li stared at the scene before him with some surprise, his expression one of undisguised astonishment.
A vast, luminous white barrier enveloped the entire northern district of Kui Star City. This was no mere street — it was easily equivalent to a hundred or more streets combined. This was nothing like the single, isolated street he had imagined.
But what truly stunned Han Li was that, right in the center of this district, an enormous pavilion floated in the air more than thirty zhang above the ground.
The entire structure was a deep, vivid green, exuding a faint phosphorescent glow, like some impossibly massive piece of jade. It was an utterly striking sight.
Han Li stood frozen for a long while, gazing at the pavilion as it shimmered under the sunlight.
He had no idea how the building managed to remain aloft, but he found the sight absolutely extraordinary.
Just then, Han Li's expression shifted. He swiftly withdrew most of his spiritual energy, suppressing the aura he was radiating to a level consistent with the eighth or ninth layer of Qi Refinement.
Moments later, footsteps sounded behind him, and a sweet, clear female voice came from over his shoulder.
"Is this your first time visiting Tiandu Street, Senior? Every cultivator who sees the Cloud Dream Pavilion for the first time is stunned for a good while!"
The woman's voice was as melodious as an oriole's song, and Han Li couldn't help but turn to look.