In the presence of a Nascent Soul cultivator, the two of them couldn't conveniently use Secret Voice Transmission. However, the matter was significant, and it wasn't easy to make a decision on the spot. Mo Tiange and Nie Wushang both fell silent, each lost in their own thoughts.
City Lord Mei wasn't in a hurry either, merely sitting there with a smiling expression as he watched them.
Mo Tiange pondered for a while, feeling that this matter was best discussed. She wasn't overly eager for treasures. To casually enter some Ancient Secret Land without understanding the full story was too risky. Who knew if there were any hidden circumstances? As for Nie Wushang, she was currently trustworthy and possessed considerable strength. If the two of them joined forces, it would be safer.
Thinking of this, she said, "City Lord Mei, this junior is merely passing through Starfall City, just here to take a look. I have long since made arrangements to meet a friend in a few months, so this..."
"Little Friend Qin, rest assured," City Lord Mei said. "At most, it will take a month for the matter to conclude. You will be free to leave afterwards."
"City Lord Mei," Nie Wushang continued, asking, "I wonder what the exact circumstances are regarding this secret land you mentioned? Is there any danger to life? If one passes the trial, they receive rewards. But what if one fails? Furthermore, if the Heavenly God Fruit is found, what will City Lord Mei offer in exchange? And if it is not found, what then?"
Mo Tiange's earlier words had a tone of evasion, as if she wasn't very keen on entering some secret land. However, Nie Wushang's string of questions indicated she was seriously considering the feasibility of entering this secret land.
Hearing this, City Lord Mei was overjoyed and said, "As long as you two agree to enter the secret land, this lord will assist you with all his might. If you retrieve the Heavenly God Fruit, this lord is willing to exchange it for a spiritual treasure. On this point, you two can make your requests. If you have no specific requests, you may also select some items from this lord's collection. As for this secret land, this lord can tell you frankly: this place should be a testing ground left over from the Ancient Era. The mechanisms themselves are not life-threatening. Of course, if you enter with others, you must be careful of ambushes."
Nie Wushang considered for a moment and asked again, "City Lord has invited so many Core Formation Fellow Daoists. Is it because the specifications of this secret land are for the Core Formation Stage? And can one only enter once?"
"Correct," City Lord Mei said. "After discovering this secret land, this lord entered long ago to investigate. This lord possesses Nascent Soul cultivation and triggered a Nascent Soul-level trial. In ancient times, the divine abilities of Nascent Soul cultivators were earth-shattering, far beyond what cultivators today can compare to. This lord undoubtedly failed to pass. Later, I ordered subordinates of various cultivation levels to enter and investigate, but they all failed as well. In fact, Foundation Establishment cultivators can also enter, and the triggered power wouldn't be too great. However, the rewards for the Foundation Establishment Stage aren't very rich, and there is certainly no Heavenly God Fruit. This lord had no choice but to ask Core Formation cultivators passing through Starfall City for assistance..."
Mo Tiange frowned and asked, "City Lord Mei, hasn't this matter leaked out? If it's an Ancient Secret Land, presumably many Fellow Daoists would be willing to go."
Hearing this, City Lord Mei hesitated for a moment before answering frankly, "This lord has also considered this. Recently, so many Core Formation cultivators have come. They are not Foundation Establishment cultivators who can be dealt with arbitrarily. This news certainly cannot be concealed for long. My Starfall City is not large in scale. Among the seven small demonic domains of Beilin Kingdom, it is not considered powerful. If other demonic domains, or the great sects of Dongtang or Nanzhou countries wish to enter this secret land, this lord cannot stop them. At that time, whether I can exchange for the Heavenly God Fruit from them is also unknown. Therefore, this lord must seize the time and obtain the Heavenly God Fruit now, while they haven't yet made a decision."
Mo Tiange nodded in agreement. Although the Heavenly God Fruit didn't have any miraculous effects, it was, after all, an item from the Ancient Era. If it could neutralize the residual toxins of spiritual herbs, the great sects would likely want to preserve it.
"Two Little Friends," City Lord Mei said again, "This lord's collection cannot be shown to you two at the moment. However, this lord can guarantee they are absolutely treasures that Core Formation cultivators dream of. As long as you two agree to enter and give it a try, even if you fail to obtain the Heavenly God Fruit, this lord will give you some benefits."
The collection of a Nascent Soul cultivator would, of course, be rare treasures for Core Formation cultivators. Neither Mo Tiange nor Nie Wushang doubted this.
"This junior naturally believes City Lord Mei's words," Nie Wushang said. "However, passing the trials in this secret land must be very difficult, right?"
"Of course," City Lord Mei admitted. "You two must be mentally prepared. This is an Ancient Secret Land. The Core Formation Stage trials are extremely arduous. You might not even pass the first trial."
Mo Tiange knew this. Before she formed her Core, the Xuanqing Sect had discovered that Mount Taikang concealed a Myriad Laws Natural Formation, similar to this secret land—both were ancient testing grounds. City Lord Mei's words were not false.
After City Lord Mei finished speaking, Mo Tiange and Nie Wushang exchanged a glance, seeing the same message in each other's eyes.
Mo Tiange understood tacitly. She turned to City Lord Mei with a smile and said, "This matter is of great importance. This junior still needs to consider it carefully. I wonder..."
"Oh, that's only natural," City Lord Mei said. "Little Friend may stay in the residence for now and consider it properly."
Nie Wushang also said, "This junior is the same. I ask City Lord Mei to grant us this convenience."
"That is of course," City Lord Mei smiled. "If you two have already decided, this lord will have someone take you to rest now. How about that?"
"That would be excellent. We trouble the City Lord."
City Lord Mei clapped his hands to summon a maidservant and instructed, "Take these two Little Friends to the Wind Lotus Courtyard. Treat them well and ensure they are satisfied."
The maidservant bowed in response. "Yes, City Lord." After speaking, she respectfully bowed to the two of them. "Two Seniors, please follow me."
Mo Tiange and Nie Wushang stood up, bowed to City Lord Mei, and followed the maidservant out.
A moment later, the maidservant led the two into a courtyard. The courtyard was small and exquisitely refined, with winding covered corridors and a clear pond. Pink lotuses stood gracefully in the pond. On the plaque of the courtyard's small hall were inscribed four characters: 'Wind Lotus in Winding Courtyard.'
Mo Tiange thought to herself, she really couldn't tell that this City Lord Mei was actually a man of refined taste. Moreover, the courtyard was also set with restrictions that blocked the heavy Demonic Qi, making the small courtyard appear exceptionally elegant.
After leading them into the courtyard, the maidservant said, "This is the Wind Lotus Courtyard. As Seniors who cultivate immortality, staying here is most suitable. This is the east wing, and this is the west wing. You two Seniors may choose whichever room you wish. This servant will order someone to come attend to you later."
While Mo Tiange was still surveying the surroundings, Nie Wushang had already said, "Attending to us is unnecessary. We prefer peace and quiet the most. If there is something, come call us. If there is nothing, there is no need to disturb us."
"Yes." This request was quite normal for cultivators. The maidservant curtsied respectfully and withdrew.
Once the maidservant left the courtyard, the two immediately took action, checking the surroundings for any spying restrictions. After confirming there were none, Mo Tiange made a slight move, setting up a restriction to block Divine Sense. Only then did she and Nie Wushang sit down by the pond.
"Fellow Daoist Nie, what do you think?" Mo Tiange asked first. She could tell Nie Wushang was inclined towards entering the secret land, but she didn't know exactly what plans Nie Wushang had in mind.
"I think we can give it a try," Nie Wushang indeed said this. She took off her bamboo hat and pulled down her face covering to get some air. Suddenly, she asked an unrelated question: "Do you think City Lord Mei has seen through my disguise?"
Mo Tiange was taken aback. "I don't know. He's a Nascent Soul cultivator; it wouldn't be strange if he saw through it. Besides, since he hasn't said anything, he doesn't care. What does it matter if you're disguised or not?"
"That's true," Nie Wushang sighed. "I'm most afraid of meeting high-level cultivators. If they become curious and sweep with their Divine Sense, no secret can be hidden." At the very least, her secret of being a woman couldn't be hidden.
Mo Tiange felt the same. If not for the Concealing Spirit Pendant on her person, she would be in even greater danger than Nie Wushang. Moreover, having the Concealing Spirit Pendant wasn't foolproof. For example, Ling Yunhe and Demon Lord Xuanyue had detected her concealed cultivation through other means.
"High-level cultivators are, after all, few in number. Besides, they wouldn't casually sweep with their Divine Sense for no reason. Even if they know, if it has nothing to do with them, they won't say anything."
"Yes, fortunately that's the case." Nie Wushang wiped her face and returned to the original topic. "Why do you seem not very interested? If what City Lord Mei says is true, this is a rare opportunity."
Mo Tiange smiled. "You managed to get quite a few treasures from your master, right? Do you still need to be tempted by what City Lord Mei mentioned?"
Nie Wushang was startled, then helplessly spread her hands. "True. When I defected, I almost swept clean all the assets my master kept outside. Since I'd already done it, even if I didn't take a single item, he wouldn't let me go if he caught me anyway, so I might as well do it thoroughly. However, the Demonic Yuan energy in my body hasn't been resolved yet. This City Lord Mei is a demonic path cultivator. Perhaps there are one or two related treasures in his collection. It's always good to get them if possible."
That made sense. Mo Tiange thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "You tell me things like this. Aren't you afraid I'll develop greedy thoughts?"
Nie Wushang glanced at her, looking completely unconcerned. "If it were before, I really would be afraid. But now, I'm not. You are someone with 'great aspirations,' wanting to attain the Dao and become an Immortal. Your state of mind cannot relax. How could you neglect the fundamental for the trivial?" After saying this, she laughed again. "Moreover, you, although you appear shrewd and calm, are actually a bit rigid inside. If others offend you, you won't be polite. But if others are polite, you will also be polite in return. To deal with someone like you, one must be good enough to make you unable to disregard feelings and face, right?"
"..." Mo Tiange was speechless, looking up at the sky. Ling Yunhe had said this to her before. Now even Nie Wushang said the same. Was her personality that obvious? However, this wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Precisely because they saw through her personality, both Ling Yunhe and Nie Wushang dared to trust her. In the world of cultivation, having someone to trust was a rather rare thing.
Thinking of this, Mo Tiange sighed. "Ah, wanting to attain the Dao and become an Immortal also comes with more restraints than others."
"That's natural," Nie Wushang said without hesitation. "If you want to obtain more, you must also give more. That's a very fair thing."
Mo Tiange also understood this principle. However, judging by Nie Wushang's tone, it seemed she had made up her mind to walk the path of becoming an Immortal. This was a good thing. In the future, she would have someone to discuss this with. Back in Tianji, among the people she was close to, Luo Fengxue valued power, Ye Jingwen enjoyed combat. Although Qin Xi shared her firm Dao heart, his realm was higher than hers. Often, it was Qin Xi guiding her, not a discussion between equals.
"Actually, the so-called Dao heart, if cultivated to a certain realm, becomes natural. From this perspective, it isn't necessarily painful, because by that time, it has already become one's true heart."
"Like you are now?" Nie Wushang asked. "I've always felt that you seem to lack the greed commonly found among cultivators. Is it because after restraining it so much, this desire naturally disappears?"
"This..."