Chapter 2044: Chapter 2049: Flag Mountain, Kindred Cultivator

After a full day of observing and inquiring, Xia Liu almost completely understood Flag Mountain.

But only superficially completely.

Flag Mountain connects to the northern border.

The border is a vast expanse of the Weak Water Ocean, stretching millions, even tens of millions of miles.

As for how large Flag Mountain is, even Golden Core Stage cultivators would likely not reach its border.

Thus, Flag Mountain became a hot spot for exploration by many Golden Core Stage cultivators and Nascent Soul Stage cultivators.

Seeking breakthrough opportunities within the Secret Realm.

Within the Flag Mountain Secret Realm.

If fortunate, one might encounter a Millennial Spirit Herb.

One might come across a precious Divine Herb.

And even the ancient caves of powerful cultivators from bygone eras.

Perhaps, if lucky, one might also find ancient Spiritual Artifacts and Magic Artifacts.

The mystery of Flag Mountain’s formation.

Even the most senior Northern Realm elders can’t explain it.

Ancient texts offer no detailed explanations.

They merely summarize.

This place is a Secret Realm of opportunity for cultivators above the Golden Core Stage!

Unlucky cultivators entering might encounter Spirit Beasts.

Or run into Ferocious Beasts that devour cultivators.

Many terrifying things are likely to appear in the Secret Realm.

So, ten thousand years ago, when the Cultivation Alliance established the Myriad Realms Branch.

They agreed upon rules with major forces.

Cultivators below Golden Pill Stage cultivation are forbidden from entering.

Even with Nascent Soul Stage experts accompanying, Foundation Establishment Cultivators are not allowed inside!

Initially, many ignored this rule.

Yet a few times, the Cultivation Alliance and major forces relented, allowing Foundation Establishment Cultivators to enter.

That expedition was guarded by several Nascent Soul Stage cultivators.

In the end, only a few Foundation Establishment Cultivators led by Young Master Liao emerged.

The rest perished.

Sensible people questioned the surviving Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

And received an unforgettable answer.

Eventually, cultivators throughout the Myriad Realms, spanning millions of miles around, understood one thing.

Without reaching the Golden Core Stage, do not enter Flag Mountain.

With time passing.

The number of Golden Core Stage cultivators who disappeared or died miserably inside the Secret Realm increased.

To ensure the safety of the Myriad Realms, and prevent large-scale unexplained deaths of Northern Realm cultivators.

The Cultivation Alliance and major forces of the Myriad Realms crafted another rule.

To enter Flag Mountain, one must form a team with four Golden Core Stage cultivators!

When this rule was announced.

Many elders unanimously applauded.

They understood the dangers within Flag Mountain.

Having four Golden Core Stage cultivators together.

Reduced risks significantly.

Of course, rewards would decrease.

Compared to one’s life, they’d rather attain less than lose their lives.

After these rules were established, people slowly began settling in front of Flag Mountain.

Eventually forming what is now Flag Mountain Town.

Calling it a town, yet in truth, Flag Mountain Town’s scale.

Already surpasses many ordinary cities.

However, its administrators.

Are high-ranking members of the Cultivation Alliance and strong figures from various forces.

Not belonging to anyone.

It’s shared by everyone in the Myriad Realms.

Because top forces oversee it within Flag Mountain Town.

No one dares to break the rules.

Entering Flag Mountain requires teaming up with four people.

If able to gather more, it’s naturally better.

In Flag Mountain Town, whether in taverns, teahouses, or inns, even on the streets.

One might be invited to join a team by cultivators.

Of course, the leader of a team would be discerning in who they invite.

If shrouded in ominous energy.

They naturally wouldn’t dare to recruit.

Just like Xia Liu, cloaked in a black robe, naturally, no one approached.

His attire already signified ’do not approach.’

Interestingly, ordinary Nascent Soul Stage cultivators couldn’t discern Xia Liu’s strength.

Golden Core Stage cultivators upon sensing, retreated from Xia Liu.

Who knows what kind of temperament this guy has?

In case he’s a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator.

Approaching him willingly could risk being crushed.

Because Nascent Soul Stage cultivators face no restrictions entering the Secret Realm.

They can freely go alone.

As night fell, Xia Liu had to consider finding an inn to stay.

However, he heard some news.

Tonight, in the Hundred Beauties Pavilion on the town’s main street, there’s a Singing Girl troupe performance.

Singing girls and dancing girls are of no interest to Xia Liu.

But tonight, many cultivators would surely gather below the Hundred Beauties Pavilion.

Xia Liu planned to take advantage of this opportunity.

To actively recruit some cultivators of good character for a team.

Or offer some Spirit Stones to join a team and leave them inside Flag Mountain.

Cultivators attending singing and dancing performances.

Are either lustful or free-spirited.

In such a place, there should be suitable candidates.

In that case, Xia Liu followed behind several Golden Core Stage cultivators, heading to the Hundred Beauties Pavilion to watch the performance of Singing Girls and Dancing Girls.

After paying ten Supreme Grade Spirit Stones, Xia Liu entered, and spent another twenty Supreme Grade Spirit Stones.

To sit in a corner.

What surprised Xia Liu was.

When he entered.

There were hardly any people here.

But once dusk fell.

The venue was almost full!

Due to limited space.

Many tables had strangers.

Or unfamiliar teams.

Yet Xia Liu’s area was somewhat different.

No one dared to sit at his table.

Let alone initiate conversation.

He pondered whether he should remove his black robe.

Releasing some Power of Righteous Law.

Otherwise, they’d assume he’s a mysterious powerhouse and avoid him.

Just as Xia Liu was about to lift the black robe from his head.

Swish.

The crisp sound of a fan opening reached his ears.

Before him, a young man with a fairly handsome appearance and a well-dressed demeanor, smiled and said.

"Daoist Fellow, there’s no seat available in the vicinity, may I sit here? I’m willing to split the previous entry fee with you."

Looking at the young man, Xia Liu felt an overwhelming sense of familiarity.

A very strong feeling.

Making it impossible for him to refuse.

"Power of Righteous Law?"

Finally, Xia Liu understood why he felt a kinship towards the young man.

This fellow also possessed the Power of Righteous Law within!

Such a cultivator was his first encounter; Xia Liu was quite amazed.

Yet he was not in a rush.

Gesturing for the young man to sit.

"Thank you, Daoist Fellow, I am Zheng Qi."

"Liu Xia."

"I have a question."

Almost simultaneously, upon exchanging names, both spoke.

The atmosphere froze briefly, and they together said, "Daoist Fellow, you go first."

Uh uh uh...

Another instance of speaking simultaneously.

The eerie atmosphere persisted for three brief moments before both laughed aloud.

"Haha..."

"Let Daoist Fellow Zheng go first."

Xia Liu personally poured wine for Zheng Qi, showing great courtesy.

"Daoist Fellow Liu, my question might seem presumptuous, but upon meeting a cultivator of the same path, I couldn’t resist."

Zheng Qi set aside his fan, printed with mountains and rivers, raising his cup to drink fully at first.

"I’ll drink a penalty cup, asking Daoist Fellow a presumptive question, is your cultivation the Path of Righteous Energy?"

Xia Liu smiled slightly, similarly downing his cup.

"It is and isn’t."

"Ah! So straightforward!"

Zheng Qi roughly understood.

"Daoist Fellow Zheng, how did you discern the power within me?"

Xia Liu was confident that even Nascent Soul Stage cultivators needed effort to probe into him.

Yet Zheng Qi clearly saw through effortlessly.

No simple feat!

"Daoist Fellow Liu, I too have restrictions, yet you saw through them, didn’t you?"