Sect: Starting with Comprehending Thunder Skill Chapter 1453 - 611: Different Schemes, Each with Their Own Calculations

Li Yunjing’s aura was ethereal like smoke; not to mention Qi Refinement or Foundation Establishment cultivators, even a Golden Core Master’s divine sense sweeping through would find it hard to detect any trace of him.

After leaving the city, he traveled swiftly along the way, without causing a ripple.

"Celestial Star City," where the "Celestial Star Pavilion" was located, was no more than a thousand miles from here.

It should be noted that the entire "Sunken Star Island" was only about three thousand miles in circumference.

On the island, large cities were spread out like stars, and small towns adorned it like pearls, collectively weaving this prosperous land of the Human Race.

Li Yunjing’s figure flickered intermittently in the wilderness.

These uninhabited areas outside the city were overgrown with wild grass, occasionally with demon beasts roaring, yet it’s rare to see traces of cultivators.

His figure flitted across mountain streams, stepping over dead branches, without even stirring a speck of dust.

Traveling by night, after several hundred miles, Li Yunjing felt much more at ease.

In his observation, apart from the occasional patrol teams from the large cities, those small towns and villages did not have cultivators coming and going, making his passage much easier.

The night was like ink, and under the moonlight, Li Yunjing’s figure turned into a vague afterimage.

A thousand-mile journey, for him, was merely a matter of a few hours.

By the time the first light of dawn appeared in the east, the outline of a towering giant city was already in sight from afar.

This was "Celestial Star City."

It was also the largest city on "Sunken Star Island," serving as the administrative center and trading hub, with sixty percent of the current remnants of the "Celestial Net Dao Sect" gathering here.

The city walls towered high, entirely built from jet-black profound stones, with silver runes faintly flowing on the surface, evidently arrayed with a High-Tier Array.

At the city gate, several silver-armored guards stood solemnly, their aura stable, all of them Foundation Establishment cultivators.

At this time, the city gates had not yet opened.

And a mile outside the gate, there were men and women, old and young, in various attires, and all sorts of vehicles and caravans, quietly waiting for the curfew to end.

Evidently, ever since the war began, the "Celestial Net Dao Sect" had intensified its control over its domain.

Even such a large island was under curfew.

Li Yunjing did not hurry to enter the city but hid in a dense forest outside, quietly observing.

As one of the core cities of "Sunken Star Island," "Celestial Star City" was heavily guarded. Even he was unwilling to recklessly expose his whereabouts.

"Open the city gate..."

Finally, a cultivator shouted loudly from atop the city gate tower.

"Creak! Creak!"

The gate of "Celestial Star City," several stories high, slowly opened.

Looking out, Li Yunjing saw many carriages in the city, one after another, trade caravans were about to leave the city.

"What happened?"

"Why are so many trade caravans leaving?"

"Which commerce associations do these belong to?"

"Don’t you know? It’s said that recently, the ’Celestial Net Dao Sect’ is buying up something called ’Profound Yin Sand.’ Each major association has a quota and is going crazy!"

"Some are coming, some are going, but in any ten trade caravans, at least three or four are carrying ’Profound Yin Sand’!"

...

Someone well-informed explained.

Li Yunjing also understood this among the crowd.

He didn’t expect it to be for this reason.

It seems that it’s not just the "Wuya Sect" that’s busy!

Li Yunjing followed the crowd, revealing his identity, paid the entrance fee, and only then entered the city.

Entering the city, the clamor immediately hit him.

The wide bluestone streets surged with people, shops lined both sides one after another, with all sorts of banners fluttering in the morning breeze.

The air was mixed with the scents of spirit medicines, talisman papers, demon beast materials, and the enticing aromas wafting from street food stalls.

Li Yunjing appeared indifferent, slowly moving along with the crowd.

He seemed nonchalant, but in fact, his divine sense had already quietly spread out, capturing every slight movement around him.

"Did you hear? The price of ’Profound Yin Sand’ has gone up another thirty percent!"

"Shh, lower your voice!"

"This stuff is in high demand now. I heard even an elder from the ’Celestial Net Dao Sect’ is personally inquiring about it..."

"These days, anyone who gets their hands on a large amount of ’Profound Yin Sand’ is going to make a fortune!"

"Don’t even think about it, if you really have a lot of ’Profound Yin Sand,’ you’d have to worry about your own head."

Li Yunjing’s brow slightly arched as the whispers of several cultivators on the street reached his ears.

It seems the matter of ’Profound Yin Sand’ is even more significant than he imagined.

He turned his steps, entering a somewhat secluded alleyway.

At the end of the alley, a modest teahouse stood quietly, with a sign bearing three ancient and simple characters "Qingxin Residence."

This was a secret post of the "Wuya Sect" in "Celestial Star City."

Li Yunjing stepped inside, where the lighting was dim, with only a few scattered guests savoring their breakfast.

Behind the counter, an elderly man with grey hair and beard was fiddling with an abacus, and upon seeing him enter, his eyelids slightly lifted.

"What tea would you like, sir?"

The old man’s voice was hoarse.

"A pot of ’Cold Mountain Mist Rain,’ the one from last autumn."

Li Yunjing said casually.

The old man’s finger paused slightly in its abacus play, then he said matter-of-factly, "Please wait, sir."

Moments later, Li Yunjing was led into a quiet chamber at the rear hall.

The old man closed the door, and when he turned around, his back was already straightened, his eyes gleaming brightly, leaving no trace of his former aged demeanor.

"Who are you?"

The old man asked.

"This is my Identity Token."

Li Yunjing didn’t keep him guessing and directly took out the "Wuya Sect" Identity Token, showing it before the man’s eyes.

"Subordinate Wang Gui, pays respect to Steward Li!"

The old man respectfully saluted.

"No need for formalities."

Li Yunjing waved his hand, "How’s the situation in the city?"

"Reporting to Steward Li, recently the ’Celestial Net Dao Sect’ has been active, not only purchasing a vast amount of ’Profound Yin Sand’ but also covertly investigating spies from various sects. I’ve already seen three dark spots of other sects and clans being uprooted."