Fire City.
This was a place where rain was unseen throughout the year, barren with no flowers or trees at all.
Fire City was famous for its volcano.
Every year, when the volcano erupted, it spewed out a large amount of Holy Crystals.
Holy Crystals were the universal currency in the Holy Realm and also used for cultivation.
Absorbing Holy Crystals could increase one's strength.
Therefore, even though Fire City's environment was harsh, it was still populated by many people.
Because they needed Holy Crystals and resources for cultivation.
One could be poor, but not lose one's ambition. No matter how arduous the conditions in Fire City were, everyone persisted in waiting here every year.
When Xia Feng and his companions arrived at Fire City, it was unlike other cities. It had no city walls, and no densely packed houses on the streets.
Most of the dwellings here were small, low-rise houses.
However, on the mountainside opposite the volcano, in a place untouched by the volcanic eruptions, there were many buildings constructed for commercial purposes.
After all, people coming here needed places to stay.
As for outsiders coming here, they had only two reasons: either they came to wait for the volcano to erupt and collect Holy Crystals, or they were fire-elemental spirits who came here for cultivation.
"I didn't expect Fire City to be truly this hot, and so crowded," Li Yurou said with a smile, looking at the bustling crowd.
Liu Chan sensed the atmosphere here and chuckled, "You know, this place is actually quite suitable for my cultivation."
Liu Chan possessed a fire-elemental spiritual root, and her cultivation techniques had always been fire-attribute.
Therefore, she was very comfortable here.
"Chan'er, this place is indeed very suitable for your cultivation. Since we're here, I'll help you break through from the middle stage of Saint Venerable to the late stage of Saint Venerable," Xia Feng said with a laugh, also sensing that the elements in the air were conducive to Liu Chan's cultivation.
Xia Feng did not want Liu Chan to miss such a good opportunity.
Moreover, Liu Chan genuinely needed to break through but had not had the chance until now.
"Thank you, Young Master," Liu Chan replied with a sweet smile.
Whether she could break through was no longer her primary concern.
She was content as long as she could stay by Xia Feng's side.
If Xia Feng wanted her to break through, then she would break through.
In reality, Liu Chan wasn't particularly eager for this cultivation advancement; she desired Xia Feng to surpass her.
"Let's explore first. I'll take you to the volcano's summit for your breakthrough later," Xia Feng said with a smile.
Although Fire City appeared somewhat run-down, its large population made up for it. Consequently, there was no shortage of food or entertainment.
The prosperity of a city was entirely dependent on its population.
A larger population indicated a more developed city.
Despite Fire City's unfavorable geographical location, its large population fueled its thriving economy.
Its seemingly poor appearance was solely due to environmental factors, preventing the construction of better housing.
As Xia Feng and his group walked a few steps, a group of people suddenly appeared and blocked their path. One of them asked nonchalantly, "Where are you from, and what business do you have in Fire City?"
Xia Feng frowned, a bad feeling emanating from these people.
They resembled bandits blocking the road, demanding tribute for passage.
"State your intentions directly," Xia Feng said, his tone cool and dismissive, unwilling to waste words.
"Hahaha, you're quite sensible, kid. The volcano in Fire City is about to erupt. If you're here for Holy Crystals, you'll surely have to leave us some wine money," the man guffawed, thinking Xia Feng was cooperative.
"How much do you want?" Xia Feng inquired.
"Not much, not much. Ten thousand Holy Crystals each." The man then counted the people around Xia Feng and added, "There are seven of you, so that's seventy thousand Holy Crystals. You'll be able to collect much more when it erupts, so you won't be at a loss."
The man spoke with a hint of smugness.
Xia Feng's expression turned cold as he asked,
"Are you courting death then?"
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