As soon as Yuan Ming set off, the voice of Void sounded again in his ear:

"By the way, let me remind you, when you walk through the cities in the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range, it's best not to let people notice the demonic aura on you, otherwise it would invite unnecessary trouble."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Ming silently noted down Void's advice and did not respond.

On the way to Yin Mountain City, the roar of demon beasts continuously echoed from the dense forests of the mountain range that he passed.

This was just the outskirts of the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range. Most of the demon beasts residing here were only at the third-level or fourth-level, and there were not any excessively powerful demons. Naturally, they dared not seek trouble with him, and thus the journey was peaceful.

Seven days later, Yuan Ming arrived at Yin Mountain City.

Yin Mountain City was located in a valley between two towering peaks, with walls over a hundred feet high, entirely built from large slabs of refined steel rock. These walls reflected a metallic luster in the morning sunlight, appearing indestructible.

Yuan Ming stood outside the city, looking up at the city walls. On the hundred-foot-wide city head stood a grand gate tower, and on either side, there were octagonal watchtowers echoing each other, emanating a formidable aura of hostility.

On the city walls were engraved densely packed and intricate runes, extending into the gateway. This seemed to be part of the entire gate's defense magic array.

Yuan Ming shifted his gaze to the two peaks flanking the city gate, where he saw towering fortress-like structures similar to watchtowers, equipped with some sort of giant bed crossbow and arrows, faintly showing traces of rune arrays.

Yin Mountain City, rather than a city, resembled a fortified stronghold on alert, ready to transform into something else should an external enemy invade.

It was early morning, and not many were entering the city gate, but quite a few were leaving, mostly in groups of seven or eight, with few traveling alone.

Yuan Ming watched for a moment, then stepped toward the city gate.

Just as he reached the gate, he was stopped by a squad of armored guards stationed there.

"Stop, where's your entry permit?" asked the bearded man leading the guard, after sizing Yuan Ming up and down.

"I am here for the first time and don't have a permit." Yuan Ming replied honestly.

Upon hearing this, the bearded man frowned and, noticing Yuan Ming's aura only at the Nascent Soul Early Stage, did not say much, merely gesturing for Yuan Ming to follow him, before turning around and walking ahead.

Following behind him, Yuan Ming entered the gate tunnel.

As soon as he entered the tunnel, Yuan Ming felt a wave of spiritual energy sweep over him from top to bottom.

He looked up and saw a circular copper mirror, the size of a washbasin, embedded in the wall above the tunnel. The wave of spiritual energy had just emanated from this copper mirror.

"That's a Demon Mirror, capable of revealing the demonic aura on you, to prevent demons from sneaking into the city." The bearded man walking ahead stopped when he saw no abnormalities on the copper mirror and explained it to Yuan Ming.

"Do demons often sneak into the city?" Yuan Ming asked.

"Not really. However, in this Yin Mountain City, most people are here to hunt demon beasts in the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range, and over the centuries, they've become mortal enemies with the demons within, always needing to be vigilant." The bearded man replied.

Yuan Ming nodded at this statement without saying anything further.

Soon, the two entered inside the city gate and arrived at a barracks to handle the entry permits.

The entry permits were of two types, one for long-term residency, allowing a thirty-year stay in Yin Mountain City, and the other short-term, permitting only a one-year stay.

To Yuan Ming's surprise, the long-term permit only required one hundred Spirit Stones, whereas the short-term permit came at a hundred times the price, requiring ten thousand Spirit Stones.

"Why is the short-term permit so expensive? Normally, wouldn't it be the other way around?" Yuan Ming asked in a low voice.

Could this bearded man be taking advantage of his unfamiliarity and holding him to an unreasonably high price?

"It seems that Fellow Daoist is visiting the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range for the first time and is completely unaware of the situation here. All nineteen cities within the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range are like this…" The bearded man smiled and then explained the reason behind it.

It turns out, those cultivators who acquire long-term permits, although allowed to reside within the city for an extended period, would be under the supervision of the Yin Mountain City Lord Mansion, not allowed to leave the city without permission, and required to regularly receive tasks from the City Lord Mansion, essentially becoming part of the Mansion.

The short-term permits, however, had no restrictions and offered more freedom, naturally making them more costly.

Within the city, most low-level cultivators had long-term permits, while only those strong enough to venture out hunting demon beasts could afford the short-term permits.

"If Fellow Daoist is financially tight, you might consider obtaining a long-term permit. The tasks issued by the City Lord Mansion are not difficult, mostly patrols and guard duties. With Fellow Daoist's strength, they can be easily completed, and joining the City Lord Mansion provides more convenience for actions within many areas of the city." The bearded man suggested.

Yuan Ming still planned to go to Black Tiger City, so he immediately paid ten thousand Spirit Stones for the short-term permit.

"Fellow Daoist is quite wealthy, keep this permit safe, don't lose it, otherwise, you will have to spend Spirit Stones to re-acquire it. Additionally, do not engage in unauthorized battles within the city, otherwise your permit will be immediately confiscated and you will be expelled from the city." The bearded man handed Yuan Ming a black Jade Token and advised him.

"Thank you." Yuan Ming cupped his hands in thanks.

Then, the burly man with a bushy beard left him and returned to his post.

Yuan Ming proceeded alone towards the city.

Inside Yin Mountain City's gate, there was a straight and wide green stone avenue, flanked not by shops but by towering arrow towers, seemingly constructed for defense against demon invasions.

Each arrow tower had a dozen cultivators stationed.

These cultivators wore uniform black tight-fitting outfits, none spoke, each had a solemn expression, closely monitoring the situation outside the city, the air filled with an atmosphere of tension.

Yuan Ming crossed the wide green stone avenue, ahead the terrain suddenly dropped steeply, descending the stone steps for several dozen steps, the terrain suddenly opened up, with streets and towering buildings appearing in sight.

The tense and solemn atmosphere vanished, morning sunlight falling on the streets, casting a warm orange glow, the long-missed bustle of life greeting him.

Street stalls selling food had already begun operations, milky-white steam mixed with the aroma of food wafted through the air.

Yin Mountain City is a city of cultivators, with most street vendors also being cultivators, selling largely spirit foods made from spiritual materials.

Yuan Ming, long missing the craving for food, felt his Adam's apple move as he walked over.

He sat at a stall selling lamb soup, upon the staff's recommendation, he ordered a bowl made from demon beast triangular lamb, enjoying it with freshly baked bread, devouring a large bowl.

Yuan Ming did not leave immediately, giving the staff several spirit stones, and inquired about the affairs of Yin Mountain City.

Though the staff was only at the Qi Refinement realm, he had been in Yin Mountain City for over a decade, quite familiar with the situation here, answering all questions Yuan Ming posed.

After a round of inquiries, Yuan Ming basically understood the situation of Yin Mountain City.

The Yin Mountain City Lord is named Long Shan, his cultivation has reached mid-stage Dharma manifestation, he commands a deputy city lord at early-stage Dharma manifestation, and over twenty leaders at the Returning to Void stage, each leader in charge of five hundred household soldiers directly under the city lord's mansion.

The entire Yin Mountain City essentially revolves around the Yin Mountain City Lord as the center of cultivation forces; as for other cities in the Ten Thousand Demons Mountain Range, it is much the same.

Yuan Ming nodded slowly, the strength of cities in the Ten Thousand Demons Mountain Range is indeed formidable, no wonder Dongji Palace has to submit to White Emperor City's command.

As they spoke, a team of black-clothed cultivators walked down the street, wearing the same tight-fitting black outfits as those on the arrow towers, their cultivation all in the Nascent Soul stage.

Other cultivators on the street showed immense respect for these individuals, clearing the path from afar.

"Who are these people?" Yuan Ming asked.

"They are the household soldiers of the city lord's mansion, no one dares to interfere even if they commit murder, senior must absolutely avoid conflict with them," the staff quietly advised.

"Does the city lord's mansion truly have such absolute control over Yin Mountain City? As far as I know, this Yin Mountain City was built long ago and is not privately owned by the city lord," Yuan Ming asked.

"That I do not know, but the nineteen city lords of the Ten Thousand Demons Mountain Range gather periodically, perhaps someone governs them," the staff said, scratching his head.

Yuan Ming pondered, the three big forces in the Extreme East region—Dongji Palace, Luo Jia Mountain, Azure Dragon Pond—all have backing, the nineteen cities in the Ten Thousand Demons Mountain Range likely are no exception.

The city lord Jin Mu of White Emperor City has deep ties with Ancestor Bing Lan from Heavenly Saint Academy, could it be Heavenly Saint Academy governing the Ten Thousand Demons Mountain Range?

Just then, Yuan Ming detected a gaze upon him.

Yuan Ming looked over, finding another guest at the stall drinking lamb soup.

It was a tall man wearing a silver robe embroidered with floral patterns, his posture erect, not imposing yet quite robust, with well-defined features and smooth lines, sporting flowing silver long hair and a bushy short beard, which added a touch of dashing boldness rather than untidiness.

Upon sensing Yuan Ming's gaze, the silver-haired man offered a slight smile and resumed drinking his soup.

Yuan Ming subtly assessed the person, then withdrew his gaze and continued to ask the staff, "Are there any large trade associations within Yin Mountain City?"

"Of course, most in the city are cultivators who hunt demons outside, bringing back numerous demon beast materials, spirit grasses, and ores daily, there are up to seven or eight trade associations in the city." The staff appeared envious, seemingly aspiring to be those demon-hunting cultivators.

"Does Ten Thousand Goods Immortal Trip have a branch here?" Yuan Ming inquired.

"Certainly, Ten Thousand Goods Immortal Trip is the foremost trade association on the continent, with branches in all cities of the Ten Thousand Demons Mountain Range," the staff replied.

After extracting the location of Ten Thousand Goods Immortal Trip from the staff, Yuan Ming didn't linger further, settling the bill and headed over.

A short while later, Yuan Ming arrived at Yin Mountain City's commercial district, and without much effort, he found Ten Thousand Goods Immortal Trip.

Yin Mountain City's Ten Thousand Goods Immortal Trip was taller and grander than that on East Extreme Island, towering above nearby shops, visible even from afar.

(Wishing Fellow Daoists a Happy New Year, with health, harmony, and prosperity!)

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