Main Text Volume Three Chapter 139 Emerald City

One month later, a sand camel moved slowly through the raging sandstorm.

Atop the sand camel, a man and a woman sat one behind the other. They were none other than An Shu and Yu Mu.

Despite being caught in the fierce sandstorm, neither of them, nor the sand camel they rode, nor the little Strawberry nestled in An Shu's arms, showed the slightest trace of dust. Instead, they looked radiant and fresh, as if they were out on a casual excursion, a stark contrast to their previous miserable plight.

This was because a faint pale-green energy fluctuation rippled around them, keeping the howling wind and sand at bay. Additionally, a shimmering water barrier was vaguely visible, nourishing the two people and two beasts within the seal.

These two layers of seals were the result of Yu Mu and An Shu's month-long study of the Dao texts inscribed on the stone coffin.

This sealing technique was remarkably peculiar, containing cultivation methods for nine distinct attributes: metal, wood, water, fire, earth, wind, darkness, light, and space. Consequently, this Dao technique could be practiced by anyone.

However, due to differing attributes, the resulting effects varied slightly, which was immediately obvious upon observing the energy layers surrounding the two of them.

Yu Mu had originally assumed that although these Dao texts were extremely complex, he possessed the rich experience of having comprehended the equally intricate Rejuvenation Art, and he believed that mastering this Dao text would not be too difficult.

To his surprise, after nearly a month of study, the two of them had merely grasped the underlying principles of this Dao technique. The technique consisted of nine layers, corresponding to the nine attributes.

Right now, he could barely claim to have mastered the first layer, the one related to the wood attribute. An Shu was the same, except she had successfully cultivated the water attribute layer.

These nine layers of the Dao technique were equal in standing, but each additional layer produced a cumulative stacking effect. With the two of them currently setting up one barrier each, the compounding effect was enhanced by at least fifty percent.

One could only imagine that if a single person managed to cultivate all nine layers, the combined effect would truly be described as impregnable.

All in all, Yu Mu finally had a sealing technique of his own.

Seals and restrictions were, in fact, two different things.

A restriction was a lower-tier Dao technique that most ordinary cultivators could easily execute. When Yu Mu first fell from the sky, the restrictive barrier he shattered was one set up by Xiao Mei, which was why it was not particularly sturdy.

A seal, however, was a designation belonging to the realm of spiritual techniques. It could not only erect a barrier, but powerful sealing methods could also suppress and trap a person in a specific location for thousands or even tens of thousands of years. The entrance to every single level of the Sage King's Tomb utilized sealing techniques.

However, sealing methods required auxiliary artifacts, much like the three sacred artifacts on the fourth level of the Sage King's Tomb.

It was precisely because those suppression artifacts were missing that they had been able to easily enter the ancient kingdom's palace and open the stone coffin. Otherwise, with their abilities, it would have been utterly impossible to break the seals laid down by a sage.

Lacking the corresponding artifacts now, Yu Mu could only use it as a slightly more powerful sealing restriction technique.

"There's a city ahead!" An Shu suddenly cried out in surprise.

Their current location was already at the edge of the desert. The momentum of the sandstorm had waned, and visibility had cleared up somewhat.

Yu Mu immediately halted his comprehension of the Dao texts upon hearing this and raised his head.

Sure enough, at the limit of their vision, the outline of a city loomed indistinctly.

An Shu suddenly remembered something and said worriedly, "Do you think this is still a mirage?"

Yu Mu observed carefully for another moment before replying, "It doesn't look like an illusion. Besides, judging by the distance we've traveled, we should have reached Emerald City by now."

Ever since they encountered Ye Yun, the two of them had been caught in sandstorms the entire way. In such climate conditions, let alone the two of them, even a revived earth bear would find it difficult to cross this desert.

The only reason they survived and made it out was entirely thanks to Little Strawberry. It wasn't that the little creature recognized the way; rather, after its evolution, its sense of smell had increased dramatically, allowing it to detect water sources along the path.

Following the water sources, the two of them had walked all the way here.

Although the journey had been arduous, they had not taken any unnecessary detours, so according to their calculated distance, the city before their eyes had to be Emerald City.

With a cheer, the two urged the sand camel to pick up the pace. Before long, a massive city clearly revealed itself before them.

At this moment, even little Strawberry in An Shu's arms emitted a series of happy, chirping cries.

"Emerald City," three emerald-green characters, were carved onto the city gates.

In front of the city gates, Yu Mu and An Shu led the sand camel, standing in line as they headed toward the entrance.

Having returned to the mortal world, the two felt an overwhelming sense of familiarity as they looked at the bustling crowds around them. After paying the city entry fee, they entered the city.

This city was comparable in scale to Pearl City and was equally exceptionally prosperous. These two cities bordered different realms and served as vital transportation hubs, so their size and level of prosperity were very similar.

As soon as they entered the city, a dazzling array of snacks instantly caught An Shu's attention.

Having acquired the wealth of Black Wind Ridge, she could now consider herself quite a wealthy little landowner, so she could indulge in a massive shopping spree.

The treats she had bought previously in Pearl City had dwindled to almost nothing, even though she had been rationing them along the way. Yu Mu had simply relied on drinking alcohol the entire journey to hold out until they reached this place; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to sustain his protective barrier all this time.

Having endured countless hardships with their arch-enemies eliminated, walking leisurely along the stone-paved streets of the city, Yu Mu felt an unprecedented sense of relaxation.

He decided to properly treat himself, so he asked a vendor who was currently packing snacks for An Shu, "Pardon me, brother, are there any decent inns in the city? The two of us would like to find lodging."

The vendor first cast a disdainful look at him, but when he caught sight of a mid-grade spirit crystal An Shu handed him, his attitude changed instantly. "There are far too many good inns in the city, but the closest one is called the Dust-Clearing Pavilion, just two streets ahead. It's the preferred choice for passing merchants and nobles in the city."

"Oh, excellent. Thank you."

Following the vendor's directions, the two soon found the Dust-Clearing Pavilion two streets away.

Judging solely by its exterior, the vendor had not exaggerated; this inn could unquestionably be described as luxurious.

Yu Mu wore a satisfied smile and was about to step inside when a welcoming attendant at the door stopped him. "Hold on, sir. This is a high-end inn with very steep rates. You..."

As the attendant spoke, he looked Yu Mu up and down.

An Shu followed the attendant's gaze and burst out laughing. Yu Mu's current appearance could truly be described as disastrous.

Because his hemp robe had torn too severely, Yu Mu had simply tied a hemp rope around his waist as a belt. Combined with the rather ordinary bamboo hat on his head, he looked every bit like a peasant who had just arrived from the countryside.

No wonder the attendant doubted his purchasing power.

Yu Mu gave a wry smile and tossed a spirit crystal to the attendant, saying, "We ran into a fierce gale on the road, which tore our clothes. Go find a tailor for me; the two of us need to make some new clothes. Consider this spirit crystal a reward for your trouble."

Seeing that there was a tip, the attendant's attitude underwent an immediate, dramatic shift. Beaming with joy, he said, "Alright, alright, alright. Please follow me, honored guests." With that, he led the two into the inn.

Upon entering, the pair had their horizons broadened, especially An Shu, who had never stayed in such a luxurious place before.

Right inside the doorway lay a pure-wool embroidered carpet that ran straight toward the second-floor staircase. Several tea tables and wooden chairs were arranged around the perimeter, clearly intended for guests to rest. The tea sets on the tables were of extraordinary quality, and wisps of fragrant smoke curled up from a censer, refreshing anyone who caught a whiff of it.

From a patterned moon-veranda nearby drifted the enticing aromas of food and wine, making one's mouth water—clearly a dining hall.

To the left of the entrance was the reception counter, where two stunning beauties were attending to guests. Just as the attendant led the two up to the counter, a whistle echoed from the upper floor.

Hearing the sound, the two looked up and saw a man leaning over the second-floor railing, winking at An Shu with a playful and mocking expression. At a glance at the man's features, Yu Mu knew trouble had arrived.

The man was around twenty years old, with a pale greenish complexion and puffy eyelids, clearly the result of overindulgence in alcohol and women. Looking at his attire, he wore a brocade robe studded with jade—the quintessential outfit of a pampered scoundrel.

Standing behind him were two other men, presumably his subordinates. Judging by their cultivation levels, which were slightly higher than their master's, they were at the mid-stage Golden Core realm. Based on Yu Mu's experience from his two lifetimes, once a person like this latched onto you, they stuck like plaster and were extremely difficult to shake off.

An unnamed fire surged within Yu Mu. He had thought that coming to this place would allow for a period of peace, but no sooner had they entered the city than they ran into such trouble.

An Shu was about to flare up, but Yu Mu silently pressed her down. He cast a cold glance at the man, took out a superior-grade spirit crystal, tossed it onto the counter, and said, "Two superior rooms. My young lady is exhausted from the journey and requires a fragrant herbal bath—arrange it immediately. Also, bring whatever exquisite pastries, dried fruits, and candied preserves you have. In addition, prepare some top-grade spirit fruits; the young lady's pet needs to eat."

Upon seeing that although Yu Mu looked destitute, his spending was remarkably extravagant, the two receptionists nodded repeatedly and said, "Yes, yes, yes. We will arrange it right away."