After a while, the black dot gradually grew larger as it approached from afar, revealing an enormous black silhouette.
Although not yet clear, the colossal outline, like a pillar holding up the sky, made Han Li feel an overwhelming and astonishing aura.
When Han Li secretly startled and flew closer, he finally got a rough look at the black shadow.
It was indeed a city, a super city that occupied the entire island.
But what shocked Han Li deeply was that the main structure of this city was completely different from the cities he had seen before. It was not built on flat ground, but based on a towering mountain in the center of the island that reached into the clouds, constructed in a spiraling pattern around its surface.
At the bottom of the giant mountain, layers upon layers of various buildings extended all the way to the edges of the island, with almost no gaps.
Without a doubt, this must be the largest city in the Chaos Star Sea, "Tianxing City".
Looking at the densely packed houses that extended into the clouds, small as ants, Han Li was astonished for a long time.
It wasn't until the Divine Wind Vessel approached within dozens of miles of the island that he came back to his senses and couldn't help but slow down his flying artifact.
Because he was no longer the only one flying in the sky nearby; from time to time, several streaks of light appeared in the distance, all heading towards Tianxing City.
Han Li secretly sighed inwardly, worthy of Tianxing City indeed! To see other cultivators even at such a great distance.
After flying another ten or twenty miles forward, the various colored lights in the sky became even more numerous, and even some huge sea ships appeared below, cutting through the waves.
What made Han Li speechless was that there were also some cultivators not flying in the sky with artifacts, but instead riding small boats or low-ranked demonic beasts, speeding across the sea just the same.
Han Li shook his head, sighed slightly in his heart, then transformed into a white light and increased his speed.
After a short while, Han Li arrived at the edge of Tianxing City.
Only then did he realize that the city before him was surrounded by a towering stone wall dozens of zhang high along the coastline.
And under that wall that stretched beyond sight, within Han Li's view alone, there were over a dozen large and small gates of various types.
There were docks specifically for mortal ships to dock, bays where various demonic beasts could rest, and of course, the most numerous were small city gates that cultivators could pass through individually. Han Li followed a green light and flew towards one of the smaller gates.
Called small! But when Han Li flew over and landed, he couldn't help but twitch his mouth corners in self-mockery.
In front of him was a dignified-looking woman in green robes, whose cultivation appeared to be at the mid Foundation Establishment stage.
She spoke a few gentle words to the two white-robed cultivators standing at the gate, handed over several spirit stones, and received a blue ring from them, which she casually put on her hand.
Then she walked in with delicate steps.
Only then did Han Li walk over unhurriedly with Qu Hun.
"Are you two staying temporarily, or planning to reside in this city long-term? If..."
"Huh? So it's an esteemed senior! Welcome to Tianxing City, senior. According to our city's rules, all senior cultivators at the Core Formation stage may reside in this city permanently for free. Here is your identity ring, please accept it, senior!"
One of the white-robed cultivators, without even blinking, was about to recite what must have been countless repetitions of the same words, but had only gotten halfway when the other cultivator beside him noticed Qu Hun's identity. He quickly tugged the first one's sleeve, and the latter looked at Qu Hun again with surprise, hastily putting on a respectful expression and changing his tone. He then took out a red ring from his chest and handed it over.
"This is my first time in Tianxing City. What is this ring for?" Qu Hun said with a slightly hoarse voice.
"This is a spirit ring for proving identity. The blue ones are for cultivators who are staying in the city temporarily. You only need to pay three spirit stones. The red ones indicate permanent residence; ordinary cultivators need to pay eight hundred spirit stones to stay in the city long-term. Therefore, the blue ring's spiritual light only flashes for seven days. Before the light extinguishes after seven days, the ring's owner must leave Tianxing City or go back to the city gate to exchange for a new ring. The red ring's spiritual light is permanent, but once you drip your essence blood on it, it will recognize its master and glow, so you don't have to worry about it being stolen by others." This early Foundation Establishment white-robed cultivator explained to Qu Hun in an even tone, then raised one of his hands, showing a similar ring on one finger that indeed glowed with red light.
Qu Hun nodded silently, took the ring, and after a slight hesitation, dripped his essence blood on it before putting it on.
"Trouble you, fellow Daoist, to give me a red one as well. I will be residing in the city for a long time." Han Li smiled and took out eight spirit stones from his storage pouch, handing them to one of the cultivators.
The two white-robed cultivators looked at Han Li with some surprise but said nothing as they accepted the spirit stones, then similarly handed over a red ring.
After Han Li also dripped his essence blood and put it on, he smiled and walked through the gate with Qu Hun.
The street behind the gate was neither too small nor too wide, basically spacious enough for four people to walk side by side or two beast carts to pass.
Along the street were rows of bluestone houses, clearly mortal shops, selling mostly mortal goods with nothing particularly noteworthy.
There were almost no cultivators on the street, only some ordinary people buying things or chatting about something. None of them showed any unusual reactions or curiosity towards Han Li and Qu Hun, the two cultivators.
Han Li glanced around briefly, then casually looked up at the sky, noticing many streaks of light flying back and forth, with cultivators actually flying overhead with their artifacts.
The largest city in the Chaos Star Sea had no restrictions on aerial flight, which greatly surprised Han Li.
But this also made things convenient for him and Qu Hun, so he raised his hand and summoned the Divine Wind Vessel, intending to board it and fly up with Qu Hun.
"Gentlemen cultivators, please wait!"
Suddenly, a male voice came from beside the street, followed by a thin man with two small mustaches walking out from a nearby shop. He bowed respectfully to Han Li and the other.
This man's eyes darted about, clearly a quick-witted person, but there was no magical fluctuation from his body at all, unmistakably a mortal.
Han Li showed a slight hint of surprise, frowned slightly, and asked:
"What is it? Do I know you?"
"Hehe! I am Lu Er, also..."