Published: December 28, 2024
Qin Chen's figure flashed and he arrived on a large street surrounded by various towering buildings.
"I wonder where Qing Ling and the others are."
Qin Chen glanced around, frowning slightly, but he wasn't anxious. He walked along the street, observing his surroundings.
The Martial Department and the Refiner Department were truly different; the Refiner Department was very classical. Although there were many buildings, most of them were functional structures for work and cultivation. However, the Martial Department was different, as it surprisingly had many shops.
As Qin Chen walked down this broad street paved with white jade, he noticed shops and inns lining both sides, giving off a sense of being in the secular world. The only difference was that the people doing business here were all staff members from Tian Gong, including Earth Saints and Heavenly Saints, each with varying strengths.
These were all disciples from the Martial Department of Tian Gong. The Martial Department was much more expansive than the Refiner Department, with a more complex population. Just from the number of disciples recruited from Yunzhou by the Martial Department compared to the Refiner Department, one could see the vast difference in numbers, even by dozens of times.
Moreover, the Martial Department was more open. With Tian Gong's fame, many top-tier forces in the Guanghan Palace wanted to send their disciples for cultivation in Tian Gong. However, the Refiner Department was the core of Tian Gong, and no one could easily gain entry. The Martial Department, on the other hand, allowed those with sufficient connections to send their disciples for study and cultivation.
This also led to many connections being made within the Martial Department.
Compared to the Refiner Department, the Martial Department resembled a secular melting pot, which led to the emergence of many shops and businesses. As long as major forces had the conditions, they would open shops in Tian Gong to foster connections and earn a substantial amount of Saint Crystals.
Moreover, doing business here was different from the outside world; it was calmer and had fewer disputes.
The air was filled with a refreshing energy, perfect for cultivation. The entire nation of the Martial Department operated slowly, with Saint Qi permeating the atmosphere, creating a fertile ground for cultivation.
Qin Chen was unfamiliar with the Martial Department, so he couldn't directly find Ao Qing Ling and Qin Ting Ting. However, he had already informed Chi Mei in advance. Now, all Qin Chen needed to do was wait for Chi Mei to arrive. Given Chi Mei's extensive experience in Tian Gong over the years, finding Ao Qing Ling and Qin Ting Ting shouldn't be too difficult.
Qin Chen casually walked into an inn and checked the menu, which contained many bizarre delicacies, such as Dragon Fungus and Phoenix Liver, Demon Heart Stir-fry, Azure Luan Tongue, and Braised Qilin Brain...all these dishes were things one could not find in Yunzhou, along with some exquisite wines brewed from the rare Saint Water between heaven and earth.
Of course, the prices of these food and drinks were exorbitant. If one were to pay with Saint Crystals, they would be worth a fortune. Some top-tier dishes could even cost as much as a piece of extraordinary earth vein. However, they could also be paid for with contribution points, with cheap ones costing just a few points and expensive ones costing over a thousand contribution points, making it unaffordable for the average person.
Qin Chen casually ordered a plate of steamed dragon fish, a serving of stir-fried Qilin tendons, and a portion of Heavenly Saint tea marinated Phoenix eggs, along with a small pot of Blood Purifying Dragon Blood wine. While casually observing, his divine sense permeated the inn, scanning the entire structure of the Martial Department and sensing powerful figures.
Inside the inn, there were many martial artists and disciples engaged in lively discussions. Qin Chen sipped his drink, waiting for Chi Mei's arrival while also capturing various conversations among the guests.