The Floating Immortal City, with its spiritual mist steaming and the Immortal Pavilion standing tall within the clouds, saw Li Ji’an strolling leisurely with Guo Wanzhi and Yao Rui, all feeling a sense of awe.

Compared to the Celestial River Immortal City of the Celestial Cyan Domain, this Floating Immortal City in the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain’s Fuyun State seemed more like a place where immortals would reside.

First of all, the Floating Immortal City truly was a series of continuous mountains suspended above an endless abyss below, unlike the Dao Artifact used by the Si Shui Commerce Association in the Celestial River Immortal City which could only conjure a Floating Marketplace.

Secondly, the Floating Immortal City stretches for thousands of miles, grand and solemn, with spiritual mist wreathing above, indeed a fairyland.

Fuyun State is a significant border region in the northeast corner of the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain, and is the first state to rest for those coming from various eastern domains, with the largest commerce association in the state being the Five Blessings Commerce Association.

The Five Blessings Commerce Association also owns the Floating Immortal City, occupying the state’s highest Tier Three Upper Grade Spirit Vein Dao Field.

It is worth mentioning that within the entire Ten Thousand Merchants Domain, the highest Spirit Vein Dao Field is only Tier Three Upper Grade, and they are relatively evenly distributed across states.

Half a month ago, the Spiritual Ship landed at this Immortal City, marking the end of the cross-domain journey.

Afterwards, each commerce association would start from the Floating Immortal City, distributing the goods obtained from this trip to their subsidiary merchants, and subsequently transporting them throughout the domain.

Prior to disembarking from the Spiritual Ship, Li Ji’an and Guo Wanzhi had politely declined Master Meng’s invitation, insisting on following Yuan Yishui to the Si Shui Commerce Association.

To avoid unnecessary trouble, Li Ji’an had been staying at the Si Shui Commerce Association’s premises in the Floating Immortal City, waiting quietly for half a month.

Until today, when Yuan Yishui brought definite news that they could return to the Si Shui Commerce Association headquarters in the neighboring Treasure Bottle Continent tomorrow.

Before departure, Li Ji’an came out to see for himself what this Independent Practitioner Holy Land, so revered and unattainable by numerous loose cultivators in the Celestial Cyan Domain, was truly like.

After strolling around, both Li Ji’an and Guo Wanzhi secretly praised.

In the Floating Immortal City, there is no contempt for ones’ cultivation level, at least among the merchants in the city, whether dealing with Qi Cultivation Junior Cultivators or True Pill Masters, all were smiling and courteous.

If both a Qi Cultivation Junior Cultivator and a Core Formation True Man fancy the same treasure, the Qi Cultivator need not yield, nor would the merchant fawn over the True Man; instead, everything is based on skill, and whoever bids higher gets it.

Moreover, Li Ji’an also discovered an issue: the True Men in the Immortal City are not necessarily of higher status than the Qi Cultivation Junior Cultivators.

"Is there really a cultivation effect that multiplies several times?"

"How could such a divine miracle be available to the public?"

"It must be some cunning merchants’ trick!"

...

Half a day later, Li Ji’an and the others stood in front of a grand and splendid tower in the center of the Immortal City, discussing privately.

It was during today’s stroll through the Immortal City that they accidentally saw many people heading here, thinking there might be a large auction or something similar, so they followed.

The result was unexpected; upon arrival, they discovered that this tower named the Tower of Creation was actually a Dao Artifact, and possessed a magical effect that made all cultivators scream in awe.

Cultivating within this tower results in a certain increase in cultivation efficiency, with the amplification effect varying from person to person.

It is said that some have doubled their cultivation efficiency. There was once a family young master who cultivated throughout his entire middle Qi Cultivation Stage within the Creation Tower and successfully broke through in just a year and a half.

However, this miracle only works for the Qi Cultivation Stage and Foundation Establishment Stage, and the higher the realm, the weaker the effect. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

This Creation Tower belongs to the Business Alliance. It was not kept a secret but instead has been put out as a commodity for public rental.

The Creation Tower has nine layers, the higher you go, the smaller the space, accommodating fewer cultivators, but the effect is the best.

The Business Alliance differentiates the rental fees accordingly.

In a cultivation domain like the Celestial Cyan Domain where rulers occupy all resources, Guo Wanzhi and Yao Rui have become accustomed to the idea that anything good would surely be hoarded by those in power.

Not to mention such a treasure Dao Artifact capable of enhancing the overall strength of the Holy Palace Sect.

In the Celestial Cyan Domain, even if it was collecting dust, it would absolutely not be allowed for public use.

No amount of spirit stones would suffice.

"Could it be real?" The three stood outside the tower for a long time, observing the cultivators coming and going, overhearing their conversations, unexpectedly finding no illicit schemes or the like.

"Why not try it?" Yao Rui was a little eager to give it a go.

Guo Wanzhi looked at Li Ji’an, clearly taking him as the leader.

"Let’s go!" Li Ji’an nodded.

Compared to Guo Wanzhi and Yao Rui, he understood many of the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain’s business models better, having previously plotted such schemes in a past life.

Due to differing ideologies, many things within the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain differ from the Celestial Cyan Domain.

Apart from this Tower of Creation, the business model of the Immortal City, the way merchants treat their clients and each other, and more differ significantly.

"Greetings esteemed guests, since it is your first time here, please allow me to explain a few things," said a little servant from the Business Alliance who welcomed them as soon as they entered the tower, eagerly explaining some of the rules.

"Our Creation Building is infused with the Dao principles of Venerable of Creation from the ancient heaven collapse, thus it has an effect of doubling cultivation efficiency. However, this effect varies from person to person...

The Creation Tower has nine layers. If it’s your first trial, cultivating on the first layer for one day only requires one spirit stone, the second layer requires ten, the third layer...

In addition, we have many customized membership systems for esteemed guests. If you are able to join our Creation Building membership, there are corresponding discounts and supporting services available.

Iron Members can enjoy advance booking services, limited to towers below the fifth floor, with a ten percent discount on cultivation fees.

Silver Members are not restricted by floor for reservations...

...

Spirit Crystal Members not only have no appointment required for all floors but can also be served by master-level musicians to enhance cultivation efficiency. Additionally, they have the privilege of exclusive floor use once a year..."

...

After patiently listening to the servant’s introduction, Li Ji’an was struck with realization.

Capital is indeed terrifying!

This divides people far more explicitly than the Celestial Cyan Domain.

And yet, it is done openly, in broad daylight, more inescapable than any conspiracy or deceit.

Li Ji’an could already imagine the hardships faced by the local cultivators, especially those with children.

Even a lone loose cultivator might find it difficult to stay at peace, as this place is likely to stir desires within the heart.

After a moment of silence, Li Ji’an turned to look at Guo Wanzhi and Yao Rui.

He was reluctant to let the two experience this heightened cultivation speed, as once they have a good experience, they would likely never forget it in their future cultivation endeavors.

Fortunately, both are already at the late Foundation Establishment Stage, so even if they had any thoughts, this place wouldn’t fulfill their needs.

Ultimately, the efficiency brought by these enhancements can become addictive; fearing experiencing once will lead to continuous reliance on external forces for cultivation.

In the end, Li Ji’an didn’t say much as it wasn’t appropriate right then.

The three proceeded to choose the Creation Building’s ninth-floor first-time trial card.

Just as the three were ascending the tower, a mass of white clouds descended slowly, carrying a young cultivator.

Flying within the Creation Tower is restricted, but there is an additional cloud artifact ascending and descending service, though that requires at least a Gold Membership to enjoy.

---------

Half a day later, their experience time was up.

Declining the still enthusiastic maid, the three decisively exited the tower.

After the experience, it was clear there was no trickery within the Creation Building, and indeed there was a miraculous effect in enhancing cultivation efficiency.

However, for cultivators at their late Foundation Establishment stage like the three, the effect was not very pronounced, perhaps around a five percent increase.

Li Ji’an noted the expressions of the two, sensing some sort of expectation, very evidently influenced by the capitalistic notions.

Besides the Creation Building, the Immortal City also had many spiritual resources for sale that boosted cultivation, albeit at costly prices. Yet, compared to the Celestial Cyan Domain where such resources are monopolized by rulers, it seems somewhat acceptable.

Clearly, after entering the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain, Guo Wanzhi and Yao Rui were already attracted by some local customs.

Yet they completely missed seeing the more terrifying cause-and-effect connections behind them.