A moment later, the black dot gradually grew larger as it approached from the distance, slowly revealing an enormous, shadowy silhouette.
Although it was still unclear, its colossal outline — like a pillar propping up the heavens — had already sent a tremendous, overwhelming sense of pressure sweeping toward Han Li.
When he flew a bit closer in quiet amazement, he finally managed to make out the rough shape of the shadow.
It was indeed a city — and one of staggering proportions, occupying an entire island.
But what truly shocked Han Li was that the city's main structure was nothing like any city he had seen before. It was not built on flat ground. Instead, it used an enormous mountain that soared into the clouds at the island's center as its foundation, with buildings spiraling upward along its surface in ring after ring.
At the base of the great mountain, layer upon layer of various structures stretched all the way to the island's shores, leaving almost no gaps whatsoever.
Without a doubt, this had to be the largest city in the Scattered Star Seas — Heavenly Star City.
Han Li stared at the densely packed houses, some so high they pierced the clouds yet looked as small as ants, and was stunned for a long while.
It was not until the Divine Wind Ark had drawn to within several dozen li of the island that he came back to his senses and could not help but slow his flying treasure beneath him.
He was no longer the only cultivator flying through the air here. In the near distance and further afield, streaks of light periodically appeared, all heading in the direction of Heavenly Star City.
Han Li sighed to himself in admiration. It truly deserved its reputation as Heavenly Star City — he was still dozens of li away and could already spot other cultivators.
After flying forward another ten or twenty li, the colorful lights in the sky grew even more numerous. Below, enormous ships also appeared on the sea, cutting through waves and riding the wind.
What left Han Li even more speechless was that some cultivators were not flying on treasures at all. Instead, some rode small boats while others sat atop low-grade spirit beasts, all galloping across the ocean's surface.
Han Li shook his head, let out a brief sigh of wonder, and transformed into a streak of white light as he picked up speed.
After a short while, Han Li arrived at the edge of Heavenly Star City.
Only then did he realize that the city before him was encircled by an enormous stone wall dozens of zhang high that ran along the coastline.
Beneath that seemingly endless wall, Han Li could already see more than a dozen gates of various sizes and styles. There were docks for the sea vessels of mortals, bays for all manner of spirit beasts to roost — and most numerous of all, the small city gates that a single cultivator could pass through on his own. Han Li followed a streak of cyan light toward one of the smaller gates.
He called it small! But when he flew over and landed, then looked up at the towering gate easily seven or eight zhang high, his mouth twitched and he let out a few self-deprecating chuckles.
Ahead of him stood a young woman dressed in green robes, composed in appearance and at the mid Foundation Establishment stage in cultivation. She exchanged a few words with the two white-robed cultivators standing beneath the gate, then handed over several spirit stones. From their hands she received a blue ring and slipped it casually onto her finger.
Then, with delicate steps, she walked inside.
Only then did Han Li approach unhurriedly with Qu Hun in tow.
"Are you two staying temporarily, or looking to settle in the city for the long term? If you — "
"Oh! So it's an honored senior. Welcome to Heavenly Star City! Per city regulations, all Jie Dan stage seniors may reside here permanently at no cost. Please accept this identity ring, senior."
One of the white-robed cultivators had been about to rattle off a speech he had no doubt recited countless times, but halfway through, the other cultivator at his side noticed Qu Hun's aura and hastily tugged his sleeve. The speaker reexamined Qu Hun with visible surprise, quickly adopted a respectful tone, produced a red ring from within his robes, and offered it forward.
"First time in Heavenly Star City. What's this ring for?" Qu Hun asked in a hoarse voice.
"This is a spirit ring for identity verification. The blue one is for cultivators staying temporarily — three spirit stones and you're set. The red one signifies permanent residency. Ordinary cultivators must pay eight hundred spirit stones to remain in the city long-term. The blue ring's spiritual glow only lasts seven days. Before the light fades, the wearer must either leave the city or return to a gate to exchange for a new ring. The red ring's glow is permanent. Once you drip vital blood on it, it binds to you and lights up — no need to fear it being stolen by someone else." The white-robed cultivator, at the early Foundation Establishment stage, explained to Qu Hun in a measured, neither servile nor arrogant tone, then raised one hand, displaying a finger on which an identical ring gleamed with red light.
Qu Hun nodded silently and accepted the ring. After a brief hesitation, he dripped a drop of vital blood onto it, then slipped it onto his finger.
"Sorry to trouble you — I'll take a red one as well. I plan to stay in the city for the long haul." Han Li smiled and produced eight mid-grade spirit stones from his storage pouch, handing them to one of the cultivators.
Both white-robed cultivators glanced at Han Li with mild surprise, but said nothing as they accepted the spirit stones and handed over a red ring in return.
Han Li similarly dripped his vital blood on it, put it on, and then walked through the city gate with Qu Hun, a faint smile on his face.
The street beyond the gate was neither too narrow nor too wide — four people walking abreast or two beast-drawn carts passing each other would still have room to spare.