"This Chaotic City is truly chaotic," Li Xuan remarked, his gaze falling upon a spiritual sword impaled in the city's very name displayed on the wall. He mused that a city's name was its hallmark, and Chaotic City's hallmark was a sword.
Upon closer inspection, Li Xuan’s expression shifted. The spiritual sword, though only of King Sword grade, was ancient, judging by the rust. More striking was the fact that despite its age and mere King Sword status, no one dared to remove it, a clear indicator of its wielder’s immense power.
Upon entering the city, Li Xuan was again struck by its sheer size, estimating it to be larger than five Dou Cities combined. He observed that unlike Dou City, there were no shops, inns, or even roadside stalls. Instead, a massive central plaza dominated the landscape, surrounded by grand, varied mansions of differing heights and sizes.
"These mansions, are they like the Qing Mansion?" Li Xuan murmured, then walked forward with a hint of resignation. He had hoped to gather information about Chaotic City in a teahouse or tavern, but with no shops, his options were limited.
Soon, however, he encountered someone. Or rather, a powerful being resembling a human. While their physique was human-like, their faces were covered in fur, and even their exposed hands bore a light golden fuzz.
"Newcomer?" the man asked, glancing at Li Xuan.
Li Xuan nodded and clasped his fist. "I am Li Xuan. I've just arrived and would appreciate any guidance you could offer."
The man nodded. "Only a newcomer like you would wander the streets so openly. Anyone from within the city would likely have been killed by now. Come, let's go to my residence." With that, he turned and left, seemingly unconcerned whether Li Xuan followed.
Li Xuan blinked in surprise but quickly recovered and followed.
"Yuan Mansion."
Two minutes later, Li Xuan arrived at a mansion with the man. He looked up, and with a wave of the man's hand, the grand gate swung open.
"This is my residence. Please, come in," the man said, turning to Li Xuan.
"Alright," Li Xuan nodded and followed him inside.
As Li Xuan stepped into Yuan Mansion, the gate closed behind him. Inside, he discovered a space that defied its external appearance. What seemed large from the outside was merely a few square meters within, devoid of furniture except for a single column of light.
"This is a symbol of Chaotic City. All residences here are the same; they have this column of light. It represents each individual. In your human terms, it's a symbol of status," the man explained, noticing Li Xuan’s surprise.
Li Xuan was taken aback. What was this?
"It's normal for you not to know, having just arrived. You will also need to gain the recognition of the Heavenly Dao here and receive your own column of light and mansion. Only then will you be considered a resident of Chaotic City," the man continued.
"Heavenly Dao?" Li Xuan frowned. The term wasn't entirely unfamiliar, but the man's words suggested a tangible Heavenly Dao. He recalled Li Yao and Elder Yi Qin mentioning that the Heavenly Dao in the three-dimensional space was incomplete. The existence of a real Heavenly Dao here piqued his curiosity.
"This rear district is essentially ruled by the Heavenly Dao. However, it usually doesn't interfere in our affairs. Even if we spill blood, the Heavenly Dao remains uninvolved. But if the very foundation of the rear district is threatened, or if a newcomer arrives, it will intervene," the man explained.
Li Xuan nodded in understanding. The rear district of this land of chaos was different from what he had imagined.
"Do you have any more questions?" the man asked.
Li Xuan pondered for a moment. "Forgive my bluntness, but are you telling me all this simply out of kindness?"
The man was silent for a beat, then nodded. "Actually, it's a rule set by the Heavenly Dao. All beings in Chaotic City are obligated to introduce newcomers to the city."
Li Xuan recalled. "If I remember correctly, you also mentioned what happens if someone from within the city wanders around..."
The man chuckled. "Though Chaotic City appears orderly, it is, as its name suggests, chaotic. There is constant conflict, hidden currents. And to improve oneself, seizing another's mansion is one of the quickest ways."
"Seizing mansions to improve oneself?" Li Xuan frowned.
"Indeed. As you've seen, each mansion has a column of light. This column is not just a status symbol; it contains the origin essence of this rear district. At our level, we cultivate the origin essence of the Heavenly Dao. To become stronger, more is naturally better."
"But you needn't worry. There is some order in Chaotic City. For instance, we cannot attack newcomers like you. Naturally, you have the best chance to choose. However, if you encounter someone formidable, your life could be forfeit very quickly."
Li Xuan managed a wry smile. This was clearly another rule from the Heavenly Dao, but it served as a form of protection for newcomers.
The man continued, "One more thing to note: the closer a mansion is to the center, the stronger its inhabitant. Even among those of the same cultivation level, there are differences in strength. In Chaotic City, the central location of a mansion is also a mark of status."
"How do I find the Heavenly Dao to obtain my identity and mansion?" Li Xuan finally understood. Chaotic City was akin to checking into an inn; one had to register before residing there. The subsequent struggle for survival was left to the individual, with the Heavenly Dao remaining indifferent. Improvement came through two avenues: cultivating within one's mansion, though constant threat of attack existed, or actively challenging others. Simple, brutal.
"Punch the sky," the man said with a smile.
Li Xuan blinked, surprised by the directness.
"I'm serious," the man stated gravely.
"Thank you for your enlightenment, sir," Li Xuan said, clasping his fist.
"It's nothing. We just happened to meet. The order limits us, so no need for ceremony," the man waved his hand.
Li Xuan smiled and turned to leave.
Outside Yuan Mansion, Li Xuan looked up at the sky and threw a punch.
Boom!