CHAPTER 383: CHAPTER 383 CAREFREE CITY

"Isn’t anyone taking care of this?"

Jiang Yuan was quite puzzled, and at the same time, his understanding of the daytime dangers in Wilderness World rose another level.

After all, even a cultivator at the Nascent Soul Realm like Xie Chenyuan did not dare to leave the city casually. One could only imagine the terrifying things that might exist outside without the protection of city walls.

"Actually, strictly speaking, there is someone managing it, but Wilderness World is just too vast." His companion quickly stepped through the already open city gate and explained, "Generally, it’s directly overseen by the City Lord, but the City Lord is not an omnipotent god and can’t protect the city’s citizens at all times."

The next in line would be the Lord responsible for the area. If the Lord has enough deterrent power, evil cultivators would be much more restrained. Clearly, the City Lord of An Yi Island isn’t that formidable, and its Lord isn’t that strong or responsible either.

The last and most important reason is—this is the Wilderness.

The spiritual energy is abundant, with many species, most of which are occupied by demon beasts that have not yet awakened their intelligence but possess great strength. The law of survival of the fittest has always been the main theme of this world.

Even if some groups can allow the new generation to awaken intelligence and cultivate, a significant number of loose cultivators continue the wilderness characteristics, skilled in plundering and fighting, becoming the barbarians despised by orthodox cultivators."

Saying this, the two had already reached outside the city.

Without the tall city walls blocking the view, a blue-green lake suddenly appeared before their eyes.

The lake’s water was clear to the bottom, revealing unknown green plants swaying in the water. The blooming white flowers blended with the reflection of white clouds on the lake’s surface, creating the illusion that the lake was shallow.

[Morning Light Ascension in the Wilderness]

At six in the morning, as the system prompt appeared, Jiang Yuan saw rolling clouds envelop the sky.

Standing on the Ascension ground for the second time, the view felt very different. How to describe it? He thought it was like filming one of those videos where the scene suddenly changes. A massive, gleaming golden sun "rolled" up from the blue-green edge of the lake to the east, painting the lake and sky a dazzling golden color.

"No matter how many times I see it, I always feel delighted! But it’s best to leave after watching it; these centaurs risk danger to harvest spices, no need to take risks ourselves." Xie Chenyuan always made a point to see the sunrise on the lake whenever he passed An Yi Island, as the breathtaking scene lingered in his memory for quite a while.

"Indeed, it has a beauty of rebirth," Jiang Yuan agreed, thinking about organizing a sunrise trip for his courtyard members next time!

"Are you Immortal Masters here to purchase spices?" A centaur maiden preparing to set sail to harvest spices noticed Jiang Yuan. For some reason, she felt a peculiar favor toward this unfamiliar cultivator and invited, "Do you want to join us?

The spices our family harvest are from the richest depths of Perfume Lake. If you need any, we can discuss the price!"

Was a centaur maiden really initiating a conversation?!

This time, Xie Chenyuan was shocked, looking at Jiang Yuan and then at himself, unable to figure out the difference between them. They were about the same height, had distinct looks but both appeared harmless, yet why had he always been treated cautiously by the Centaur Race despite many visits, and this was Jiang Yuan’s first visit, yet he was warmly welcomed?

Could it be because he looked better?

"We’re not in a position to join in the harvesting, but if there are ready spices available, I could use some." Jiang Yuan, seeing the harvest was clearly far from the city walls, didn’t dare to take the risk.

"Are you Immortal Masters here to purchase spices? Come and see what we have!"

"This Immortal Master looks very kind-hearted, though it’s just some spices. Feel free to take as many as you need!"

"From where does the Immortal Master hail? Our An Yi Island is picturesque and prosperous, why not stay for a few days?"

"This is a scented cake I made myself. Immortal Master, please take some to try the incense effect..."

......

The affinity under the new title seemed a bit excessive. Out of courtesy, Jiang Yuan responded, unexpectedly hitting the right note with the hospitable Centaur Race. People of all ages and genders eagerly invited him, and several centaur maidens shyly offered sachets they wore around their necks to him.

Seeing this, Xie Chenyuan was left dumbfounded. Even as the two of them made a hasty escape from the enthusiastic crowd to reach the teleportation array and quickly chose to teleport to Carefree City, he still hadn’t fully recovered. He stared at Jiang Yuan for a long time before his curiosity got the better of him, and he asked, "Brother Jiang, isn’t your romantic luck a little too abundant?"

Jiang Yuan was also bewildered, questioning whether the system’s definition of affinity was different from what he had understood?

To avoid unnecessary attention and trouble, the moment they arrived in Carefree City, he quietly switched his title back to the Mountain God title that increased defense.

"What a massive teleportation array!" In a rush, Jiang Yuan didn’t have time to carefully compare the teleportation array with the one at his own home. He saw a flash of light and found himself inside a huge building.

Rows of round teleportation arrays about two meters in diameter were quite impressive, and even a demon beast came out of the large teleportation array, twisting its massive body and going out through a designated pathway.

"Carefree City is considered a relatively large city, capable of teleporting to many places and serves as an important hub in Wilderness World. This is only the eastern teleportation array of the city; there’s an even larger one to the west," Xie Chenyuan said, seeing Jiang Yuan’s astonished face, and couldn’t help but chuckle, "I only found out how interesting the daytime in Wilderness World is when I traveled here during my wanderings."

"Teleporting to Cloud City costs five hundred Spirit Stones." Jiang Yuan recalled the most important task of his trip, scanned around, and indeed found Cloud City, causing his eyes to light up!

"Dare I ask, Brother Xie, is an identity certificate or travel permit required to reside in Carefree City?"

"If you are temporarily staying here, you don’t need anything, but if you want to buy property or open a shop, or teleport to cities with strict management, it’s best to have an official travel permit." Xie Chenyuan answered every question, leading him to the bustling main street.

The architectural style of this place was varied, obviously more prosperous and affluent than An Yi Island, with all kinds of demon beasts, half-human-half-demons, and demon cultivators filling the streets.

"I always thought cities were inhabited only by demon cultivators. I didn’t expect there to be so many non-intelligent demon beasts. Do they have identity certificates too?" Jiang Yuan wondered aloud as he walked, realizing he needed to reshape his impression of Wilderness World’s cities.

After all, at first glance, there were far fewer humans like himself on the streets. Most were demon beasts or demon cultivators similar to Song Zhi, bearing distinct animal characteristics.

"These demon beasts have fixed residences and are not the homeless ones from outside, so their animal instincts aren’t too strong," his companion whispered, "As the saying goes, someone who attains the Dao can elevate their entire household. This principle holds true everywhere.

A family might have demon cultivators who have awakened intelligence and cultivated successfully, while naturally, there are demon beasts in the family that can never awaken intelligence. Some families drive out the members who can’t awaken intelligence, leaving them to fend for themselves in the Wilderness;

Most, however, include demon beasts as family members, carefully nurturing them. Most cannot awaken intelligence to speak human language, but they can understand words and don’t cause trouble in the city. Some, after years of guidance, still can’t cultivate or transform, but they can speak and act, giving rise to such a spectacle of demon beasts rampant in the city, which is entirely different from cities built by human cultivators.

Additionally, we’re currently at the edge of the city, where demon beasts are many, and demon cultivators are few. As you head towards the inn where I am staying, close to the city center, demon beasts are rarely seen, with mostly demon cultivators around."