Xia Feng suddenly felt his vision go black as he was pulled into an abyss.
The entire space was pitch black, and he couldn't see his hand in front of his face. Xia Feng's body was out of his control.
After an unknown period of drifting, Xia Feng suddenly felt his body begin to adapt. A surge of power erupted from within him.
This power impacted Xia Feng, and his cultivation realm kept breaking through, much like shaking a can of soda vigorously before opening it, causing it to erupt.
Xia Feng was in this state now. His cultivation had been stagnant for a long time, possibly due to being on Earth and suppressed for too long.
It was as if he had finally found release.
Mortal Immortal - True Immortal - Mystic Immortal - Golden Immortal - Immortal Lord - Immortal King - Immortal Emperor - Immortal Venerable - Immortal Emperor.
Xia Feng continued to break through until he stabilized his realm at the early stage of Immortal Emperor.
Although Xia Feng's body was not under his control, his eyes were wide open, filled with disbelief.
He had directly broken through nine major realms to reach the early stage of Immortal Emperor?
Even novels wouldn't dare to write something like this.
Xia Feng was certain he hadn't misperceived; this surging power was indeed the realm of early Immortal Emperor.
(The point is to feel awesome, that's all that matters. Grinding through levels and fighting monsters for ages wasn't my original plan.)
While Xia Feng was in a daze, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he fell directly into the water, splashing into the air.
This was an unpolluted world. The scent of soil and fragrant grass permeated his senses, refreshing his mind and spirit.
The spiritual energy was abundant, and lush trees grew in profusion. The land stretched as far as the eye could see, filling him with a sense of exhilaration.
Xia Feng leaped out of the water, and his soaked clothes dried themselves in moments.
"What kind of world is this?" Xia Feng took to the sky, looking around for a while, and muttered to himself.
A figure flashed by, and Xia Feng disappeared from his spot.
After flying in the sky for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Xia Feng finally saw a figure.
A young lad was walking briskly with a wolf slung over his shoulder.
Xia Feng landed ahead of him, waiting for him to approach.
As the young lad came closer, Xia Feng initiated the conversation, "Brother, may I ask you a few questions?"
Xia Feng's sudden appearance startled the lad, who quickly put down the wolf and prepared himself for a potential confrontation.
"I mean no harm. I just wanted to ask you, where is the nearest city? And what is this place?" Xia Feng asked with a smile, exuding a friendly demeanor.
"Head west and walk for about three months, and you can reach Peng Hu City," the lad said, pointing westward.
"Thank you," Xia Feng replied, and then vanished before the lad.
Flying aimlessly, he didn't know when he would find his way. This world wasn't like Earth; this world was too vast.
Xia Feng reached the city the lad mentioned in just one day, a journey that the lad said would take three months.
Peng Hu City, a small city on the Tian Xuan Continent, was considered the largest city in the vicinity.
This world was composed of four continents: Tian Xuan Continent, Hong Ming Continent, Wan Yao Continent, and An Xu Continent.
As a newcomer, Xia Feng needed someone to guide him.
He couldn't search for the Spirit Sensing Grass without a clue.
Dong dong qiang... Qian qian guang guang...
On the street, a drum and gong troupe was playing, shouting loudly, "The City Lord is recruiting talented individuals again! Those interested should sign up at the City Lord's mansion tonight."
As the troupe passed him, Xia Feng decided to go and see.
The City Lord was likely the most influential person in the city, so asking him would be better than asking anyone else.
Xia Feng wandered around the city for half the day, heading towards the City Lord's mansion as evening approached.
The City Lord's mansion was located in the center of the city. Xia Feng stated his purpose and was granted immediate passage.
It was again the day the City Lord recruited extraordinary individuals. Anyone with strength could participate.
This was a world where strength spoke louder than anything else; strength determined everything.
"Brother, are you also here to sign up?"
Shortly after Xia Feng entered the City Lord's mansion, a胖子 (pàngzi - fat person) beside him greeted him and asked.
"Yes," Xia Feng nodded.
"I heard that one needs to be at the True Immortal realm or above to sign up this time. It's a big mission," the胖子 whispered conspiratorially, leaning closer to Xia Feng.
"Do you know what this big mission entails?" Xia Feng asked, looking at him with curiosity.
"I don't know the details. I only heard that we need to go to Qing Long City," the胖子 explained.
Qing Long City was the main city of the Tian Xuan Continent, akin to the capital.
Xia Feng nodded upon hearing this and said no more.
When the time was right, the City Lord emerged with a group of people. He first waved to everyone and then announced loudly:
"The requirement for this recruitment is for cultivators at the True Immortal realm or above. You will represent Peng Hu City in a trial in Qing Long City. You will find out the specifics once you arrive in Qing Long City. All eligible participants will receive 1000 spirit stones upfront, and an additional 5000 spirit stones upon successful return."
As soon as the City Lord finished speaking, a murmur went through the crowd.
One thousand spirit stones was a considerable sum. Many cultivators would not earn that much in their entire lives.
This was certainly a lavish offering.
However, risk and reward went hand in hand. The City Lord's generosity likely meant the task ahead was extremely demanding.
One's life could be forfeit at any moment.
But this was also the way of survival. Humans die for wealth, birds die for food – an eternal truth.
"I participate."
"I participate too."
In an instant, several people stepped forward to sign up.
The recruitment targeted cultivators at the True Immortal realm and above, a threshold that excluded many.
Those who had not reached the True Immortal realm shook their heads, lamenting their misfortune.
With so many spirit stones, they could further advance their cultivation.
The world of cultivators relied on resources. The more resources you acquired, the faster you could improve your cultivation realm.
Xia Feng glanced at the City Lord. His cultivation was at the early stage of Immortal Lord.
Once one reached the Immortal Lord realm, they could dominate a region and become a powerful figure.
Peng Hu City was a small city, and having an Immortal Lord powerhouse presiding over it was not surprising.
He wondered how many native inhabitants hadn't even reached the Nascent Soul realm.
Although they were born in this world, they had cultivated step by step, starting from the Qi Refining stage.
Xia Feng suddenly changed his mind upon hearing the City Lord mention going to Qing Long City.
Being unfamiliar with the surroundings, he decided to tag along. After consideration, Xia Feng stepped forward and said, "I also participate."
The City Lord glanced at Xia Feng, saw that his cultivation was at the early stage of True Immortal, and then nodded in agreement.
In the end, seven True Immortals and one Mystic Immortal were recruited.
The City Lord was quite satisfied with the result and announced loudly, "Those who have signed up, please register. You will have three days to prepare. We will gather at the City Lord's mansion in three days to depart."
"Yes," the individuals replied.
After leaving the City Lord's mansion, Xia Feng found a place to rest.
Having just arrived in this world, he felt somewhat unaccustomed, like an ignorant, naive child.
His cultivation was only at the early stage of Immortal Emperor. Who knew if there were mid-stage or late-stage Immortal Emperors in this world.
In an unfamiliar environment, it was best to keep a low profile in all matters.