Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather Chapter 1408: 893: Composite Great Array, Tier 2 Puppet (2)

“Are the regulations this stringent?” Yang Zhenshan inquired, raising an eyebrow.

“Indeed, the White Cloud Patrol comprises not cultivators, but automatons that adhere to rules with unyielding precision! Observe, those are the White Cloud Patrol!” Yun Xiao indicated the two statues standing sentinel at the city's entrance.

Yang Zhenshan’s gaze fell upon them, and he immediately sensed a subtle, yet palpable, threat emanating from the two effigies.

Second-Order Puppets!

And quite possibly, puppets of the Second Rank, Top Grade!

A tremor ran through Yang Zhenshan’s heart; even a glimpse of these two automatons was sufficient to reveal the profound depth of White Cloud Immortal City’s foundations.

While automatons may possess inherent weaknesses, Second-Order Puppets wield power equivalent to that of Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

A Third-order Protective Array coupled with Second-Order Puppets – every detail spoke volumes of White Cloud Immortal City’s immense strength and opulent resources.

“Let us proceed!”

Yun Xiao presented two hundred low-grade spirit stones, procuring two tokens in exchange.

“Two hundred spirit stones?”

“Affirmative, the daily charge for city access is ten spirit stones!” Yun Xiao elucidated.

“Does every individual incur this charge?”

“Naturally, anyone lacking official identification within the city must remit the fee!”

“In that case, how does one acquire official identity within White Cloud Immortal City?”

“It is quite straightforward; a one-time payment of ten thousand low-grade spirit stones suffices to secure property within the city!” Yun Xiao stated with a smile.

Yang Zhenshan clicked his tongue, astonished by the sheer commercial acumen of White Cloud Immortal City.

Passing through the mist-shrouded gates, the vista within the city dramatically expanded. Structures, meticulously crafted to harmonize with the undulating Cloud Sea, dotted the landscape. Their glazed rooftops shimmered, lending an ethereal beauty that seemed to fuse the earthly mountains and rivers with the celestial heavens.

The principal thoroughfare, named “Sky Street,” stretched approximately twenty yards in width, meandering like a slumbering dragon. Its surface was paved with luminous, semi-transparent jade bricks. Cultivators traversed the street in elegant carriages or mounted upon tamed, mutated beasts.

“Mounts are permitted within the city, but they necessitate the registration of an identity token, a process costing three thousand low-grade spirit stones!” Yun Xiao imparted.

As he spoke, he produced a white token and, with a gentle wave, summoned forth a docile Cloud Horned Deer.

“This is a Beast Taming Token; three thousand low-grade spirit stones is a reasonable expenditure!”

Yang Zhenshan offered a slight nod; the Beast Taming Token was a sophisticated magical artifact capable of storing mutated beasts. In Qingli Immortal City, a comparable token could command a price of two thousand low-grade spirit stones.

“Let us depart. My first task is to escort you in obtaining an identity token for your mount. You possess one, do you not?” Yun Xiao inquired of Yang Zhenshan.

“Indeed!” Yang Zhenshan retrieved a Beast Taming Token, which he had foresightedly prepared as Yun Xiao had advised him in advance.

Given White Cloud Immortal City's expansive nature, aerial movement was restricted. Navigating the city on foot would prove exceptionally taxing, thus necessitating a mutated beast for transit.

While mutated beasts could be acquired independently, the crucial identity token required official processing within White Cloud Immortal City.

Following this, Yun Xiao accompanied Yang Zhenshan to complete the registration for his mount’s identity token. The mutated beast Yang Zhenshan presented was, in fact, a Cloud Tiger Cub, a mere First-order specimen.

Since flight was prohibited within the city’s confines, a mutated beast sufficed for transportation. Employing a Second-Order mutated beast was rendered superfluous.

After finalizing the beast’s identity token, Yun Xiao and Yang Zhenshan proceeded to secure a rented cave mansion within the city’s boundaries.

The spiritual vein underpinning White Cloud Immortal City was presumed to be a Third-order, Top Grade spiritual vein, consequently resulting in an exceptionally high concentration of spiritual energy throughout the city. The Ding-ranked cave mansion they secured boasted a spiritual energy concentration of Second-order, Low Grade.

The cave mansions in White Cloud Immortal City were systematically classified into four tiers: A, B, C, and D. Qingli Immortal City’s own ranking system, it was noted, was modeled after White Cloud Immortal City’s structure.

White Cloud Immortal City was undeniably a hub for a vast number of cultivators. According to Yun Xiao’s estimation, the city was home to three hundred thousand cultivators, among whom were over two thousand Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

The sheer magnitude of over two thousand Foundation Establishment Cultivators presented a sobering contemplation.

Having settled into their new abode, Yun Xiao embarked on a comprehensive tour of the city with Yang Zhenshan. They visited the imposing towers of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, paid their respects at the Dao Field of White Cloud True Monarch, and surveyed the prominent headquarters of both the Cloud Wild Alliance and the Thousand Array Alliance.

Upon reaching the Cloud Wild Alliance’s premises, it was evident that a celebration was in progress; numerous Foundation Establishment Cultivators were observed entering and exiting the alliance’s main building.

“This edifice serves as the Cloud Wild Alliance’s headquarters. However, they maintain an additional stronghold beyond the city limits, specifically at Yunye Manor, situated three hundred miles north of the city, which is also the residence of many families belonging to independent practitioners,” Yun Xiao elaborated.

Yang Zhenshan's eyes swept over the imposing structures of the Cloud Wild Alliance, a question forming on his lips: "Can we become members of the Cloud Wild Alliance?"

The Cloud Wild Alliance was known as a self-governing coalition, a structure built upon the foundations of numerous families, including those dedicated to immortality cultivation, aristocratic houses, and even lone wanderers.

"It's a possibility, but whether it's your Yang family or our Xuanqing Sect, we currently stand as independent powers. Gaining entry into the Cloud Wild Alliance wouldn't immediately place us at its inner circle," Yun Xiao commented.

A subtle nod from Yang Zhenshan indicated his comprehension of Yun Xiao's underlying meaning.

The heart of any significant power is typically held by a select few. The prospect of both the Yang family and the Xuanqing Sect joining the Cloud Wild Alliance might not be warmly received by its current leaders, and could potentially stir up internal friction.

This resistance stems from the intricate division of interests within the Cloud Wild Alliance; the introduction of a new entity would invariably lead to demands for a share of these existing benefits.

Yang Zhenshan harbored no serious intention of joining the Cloud Wild Alliance; his inquiry was born purely from curiosity.

Naturally, if advantages could be reaped from within the Cloud Wild Alliance, he would not dismiss the idea of joining.

However, as a recent arrival, it seemed prudent to avoid immediate entanglement with such a major power, opting instead to observe from a safe distance.

While the pair perused the city streets, a sudden flash of light zipped into view from beyond the Immortal City's borders.

The streak of light momentarily hovered near the city’s perimeter before traversing the protective array embedded within the wall, accelerating towards the White Cloud Dao Field situated at the city's core.

This Dao Field served as the sacred ground for White Cloud True Monarch's cultivation and teachings, and also functioned as the administrative center governing White Cloud Immortal City.

Standing sentinel before the Dao Field was the True Monarch Tower, the nerve center for White Cloud Immortal City's administration, analogous to a governor's mansion or a sovereign's royal court.

The brilliant golden light made no attempt to hide its passage, blazing across the sky of the Immortal City at breathtaking velocity before alighting within the True Monarch Tower.

Numerous inhabitants caught sight of the fleeting gleam, their gazes following its trajectory with contemplative expressions.

Yang Zhenshan, too, registered the streak of light. He even managed to discern that it was a female cultivator, clad in radiant golden spirit armor and emanating a powerful, vital aura.

"What is happening? I was under the impression that flying was prohibited within these grounds?" Yang Zhenshan questioned.

"That is correct, flight is generally forbidden. However, under specific circumstances, certain individuals are permitted to fly within the city limits!" Yun Xiao's demeanor shifted, becoming more serious.

"And what might those special circumstances be?" Yang Zhenshan pressed.

Yun Xiao offered a slight shake of his head. "I am uncertain. But perhaps we will soon discover the reason!"

"Let us return for now."

As relative newcomers, they possessed limited understanding of the myriad affairs within White Cloud Immortal City. Should a significant event unfold, they would find themselves ill-equipped to navigate its complexities.

The most sensible course of action was to remain discreet within their cave mansion, awaiting the dissemination of information to grasp the nature of the unfolding events.

Upon their return to the cave mansion, they did not rush into any immediate actions. Instead, they maintained vigilance regarding external developments while formulating plans to acquire essential spiritual items.

Yang Zhenshan was tasked with the refinement of two vital magical treasures tied to his lifeblood: the Divine Wood Treasure Cauldron and the Green Wood Purple Lightning Sword.

The Divine Wood Treasure Cauldron, a magical artifact designed to complement the Qingmu Longevity Scripture, was primarily intended for defensive purposes, nurturing, healing, and aiding in cultivation advancement. Its creation necessitated the amalgamation of three distinct types of Third-order spirit wood to forge the artifact's nascent form, along with a variety of wood-attribute spiritual materials.

The precise material composition was not rigidly defined; while three types of Third-order spirit wood were indispensable, the remaining spiritual materials offered flexibility. The superior the quality and the greater the quantity, the more beneficial the outcome.

Regarding the Green Wood Purple Lightning Sword, Yang Zhenshan had already secured the primary component, the Golden Thunder Bamboo. However, supplementary materials, specifically those imbued with thunder and wood attributes, were still required from various spiritual sources.

Yang Zhenshan had pinpointed several spiritual materials he intended to purchase. Yet, he also hoped to discover if White Cloud Immortal City could offer superior alternatives. If such options presented themselves, he would gladly procure them in greater quantities.

For him, spiritual materials of the Second and Third Rank were exceedingly precious. The Spirit Source Land, in its current state, could muster only a handful of Second-Order spiritual materials, falling significantly short of his extensive requirements.

Consequently, his disposition towards materials exceeding the Second Order was one of enthusiastic acquisition: the more, the better.

As long as these materials were available for purchase, he was determined to buy them in the largest possible amounts.

After all, these valuable items possess an indefinite shelf life and will not degrade during storage.

Each additional piece of spiritual material amassed in reserve effectively strengthens the foundational capacity of the Spirit Source Land.

The profound foundations of every formidable power are meticulously constructed over extended periods, precisely in this manner.