Chapter 155: Cloudrise City
The journey forward was surprisingly peaceful. Perhaps it was because of the formidable force guarding the carriage—but not a single bandit or opportunist dared block their path.
During the uneventful ride, Su Tianhao and Wang Bing chatted casually, getting to know each other better—leaving Elder Xuan entirely out of the picture.
When Su Tianhao tried to ask about her heavenly constitution, Elder Xuan's cold glare shut it down before he could finish the sentence. Even Wang Bing said nothing—making it clear the topic was a heavily guarded secret. Su Tianhao understood without needing it explained. As someone who possessed a heavenly constitution himself—the Heavenly Devouring Dragon Physique—he hadn't told a single soul about it. Such heaven-defying gifts invited danger, and danger was easier to invite than dispel.
He didn't press further.
By the time the sun began to dim on the horizon, the carriage finally arrived at Cloudrise City.
The city gates stretched high into the sky—ancient and towering, like sentinels that had stood watch since before memory.
"Wow," Su Tianhao murmured, staring through the carriage window.
Wang Bing glanced at him with a knowing smile. "First time visiting Cloudrise City?"
He nodded. "It's more grand than I expected."
"Hehe." Wang Bing giggled, her luminous autumn eyes shimmering with mischief.
---
Outside, Captain Kang stepped forward and approached the guards stationed at the gate.
Su Tianhao watched quietly through the window, reading their exchange. Though he couldn't hear what was being said, the guards' expressions shifted the moment Captain Kang spoke—shock, then awe, then the faint edge of fear. The Wang Mansion's authority was clearly recognized, and clearly felt.
Without inspection or delay, the gates opened.
"I never thought the Wang Mansion would command this much prestige," Su Tianhao noted.
Wang Bing's lips curled into a radiant smile. "Of course. The Wang Mansion is one of Longzhou Country's ancient families. Our influence is second only to the Three Great Sects."
"I see."
Then the massive gates creaked apart, opening just wide enough for the carriage to pass.
"Let's get moving!" Captain Kang's voice rang out from beyond the carriage walls.
The sound of hooves and rolling wheels filled the air once more.
---
As the carriage rolled through the gates, Cloudrise City slowly unveiled itself.
Wide stone-paved streets bustled with life. Cultivators in varied robes moved like flowing currents—purposeful, sharp, unhurried in the way of people accustomed to a world where power mattered. Elegant buildings with curved eaves lined the roads, their rooftops brushed by lazy strands of mist that hung perpetually in the air, casting a dreamlike veil over the city. The faint scent of spirit herbs lingered, mingling with the distant clatter of commerce and the soft hum of spiritual tools being tested in nearby shops. Overhead, drifting clouds curled low between the buildings, catching the amber hues of the setting sun and painting the city in shades of gold and silver.
The deeper they went, the more vibrant it became. Towering structures loomed on either side, many adorned with glowing talismans and clan emblems. Every few blocks, a bustling plaza opened up—filled with hawkers peddling spirit herbs, beast cores, and rare materials. The air buzzed with haggling voices, clashing qi signatures, and the occasional flare of spiritual light.
Su Tianhao took it all in quietly, golden eyes sweeping the scene with calm intensity.
'This city is a different world compared to Oakwood.'
Here, power wasn't just respected—it was expected. Even the so-called common folk walking these streets carried cultivation of their own. This was truly a city that belonged to cultivators.
'So this is Cloudrise,' he thought, his grip on the window frame tightening slightly. A glint of anticipation crossed his gaze.
'This is where the real path begins.'
---
Soon, the carriage rolled to a halt before an open area.
"Looks like this is where I leave," Su Tianhao said, picking up his cloth mask and covering his face once more.
But before departing, he reached into the Shrouded Dragon Veil, shifting from the first layer—Silent Pulse—to the third—Phantom Cloak.
As he focused, his very existence seemed to blur at the edges, like smoke curling into still air. He remained present yet without presence—more illusion than man. A ghost walking in daylight, a phantom hidden in plain sight.
Untraceable. Untouchable. Unseen.
Elder Xuan's eyes widened, his weathered face shifting with something close to disbelief. "Such a profound concealment technique..."
Wang Bing was equally stunned—but realizing Su Tianhao was about to leave, the surprise gave way to reluctance. Her brows tightened slightly. "So this is goodbye?"
Su Tianhao nodded once. "Until the Qingyun Sect entrance examination."
He turned briefly to Elder Xuan. "Thanks for the ride."
Then, without another word, he walked out of the carriage, his footsteps completely silent on the wooden floor.
Elder Xuan watched him leave, a profound look in his eyes—intrigue, quiet calculation, and a thread of genuine respect.
Wang Bing bore a deeper expression as she watched him go. Though they had just met, she felt a strange pull—something that didn't come purely from emotion. Something deeper. Something that resonated from her constitution itself, as though it recognized him.
'Tian Hao... just who are you?'
---
Su Tianhao was naturally oblivious to any of that.
After leaving the carriage, he retrieved his white horse from Captain Kang, said brief farewells, and immediately began searching for lodging.
He had adjusted the Phantom Cloak—restricting it slightly rather than running it at full suppression. Instead of masking his presence entirely, he concealed only his cultivation base and the unfathomable depth of his aura, allowing him to pass as an ordinary young man with no notable prospects. He also removed the cloth mask and cloak to avoid looking suspicious when asking locals for directions.
After some time asking around, Su Tianhao settled on a place—Cloudveil Resthouse.
According to the locals, it was clean, quiet, and affordable. Perfect for low-key travelers who didn't want to draw attention. Despite its humble appearance, the establishment had a reputation for discretion—making it a favored stop for rogue cultivators, wandering experts, and merchants who valued privacy.
He arrived on foot, leading the white horse by the reins.
The Cloudveil Resthouse sat along a quiet street lined with aged pine trees and stone lanterns—just far enough from the city's core to offer peace, close enough to remain convenient. The building was modest, constructed from weathered jadewood and pale stone, with wisps of mist curling lazily around its tiled rooftop—drawn naturally by the spiritual mist that gathered in this part of the city. A simple wooden plaque hung above the entrance, etched with the name Cloudveil Resthouse in flowing silver script.
Despite the unassuming appearance, Su Tianhao's perception caught faint traces of formation arrays layered into the structure—a quiet security measure that hinted at clientele well above the ordinary.
"Interesting," he murmured with a faint smile.
He tied the horse by the fence and stepped inside.
The receptionist was already looking up before he reached the counter—a mature woman with average features, composed bearing, and professional attire.
"Welcome to Cloudveil Resthouse. What can I offer you?" Her tone was polished, unhurried.
Su Tianhao held back a flicker of surprise.
Though she carried no remarkable presence on the surface, this woman was a 3rd level Martial Core Realm expert. Someone capable of ending him in a single exchange even if he played every card available to him.
He kept his expression neutral. "A room—nothing extravagant, but spacious enough, and with a good bathroom."
"I have just the thing," she replied.
She retrieved a silver key from the drawer, its tag marked clearly: Room No. 17.
Su Tianhao accepted it calmly.
"Your name?"
"Tian Hao."
"How long will you be staying?"
"One month."
After a few more routine questions, she looked up and said, "The cost will be one hundred gold coins."
Su Tianhao's lips twitched slightly. "That's the price of a mid-grade Mortal Rank weapon."
"Please understand," she said, expression unchanged, "you'll be staying for an entire month. No other inn in this city would offer the same value."
"I understand," he said with a faint smile.
The price itself didn't trouble him. With roughly five thousand spirit stones in his spatial ring, he had no shortage of funds. His only concern was ensuring he wasn't being cheated—and judging by the formation arrays quietly woven into the building's structure, it seemed he wasn't.
He reached into his pocket and retrieved his storage pouch—the one Lu Ruyi had gifted him—he had kept some currency inside for everyday use. Using his spatial rings in public was out of the question. That kind of display invited the wrong kind of attention.
As the saying goes—a hidden blade lasts longer than a drawn sword.
Gold coins poured from the pouch onto the desk in a small, glittering pile.
"One hundred and ten gold coins," Su Tianhao said. "The extra ten are for you—please take care of my horse while I'm here."
The receptionist's composed expression held, but her eyes brightened. Ten gold coins to board one horse for a month. Any stable hand would have done it for one.
"Please enjoy your stay at Cloudveil Resthouse," she said warmly.
"Thanks." He gave a brief nod and turned down the hallway.
Room numbers marked every door. He found No. 17 without trouble, fit the key into the lock, and pushed it open with a quiet creak.
The interior was exactly as he'd requested—simple, yet refined. Smooth wooden floors, clean stone walls, a wide bed with crisp linen, a meditation mat in the corner, and a bathing area enclosed behind a sliding screen. Quiet elegance arranged for comfort and focus.
A perfect space for rest—and cultivation.
"Aah..." Su Tianhao stretched, feeling the full weight of the day's travel finally catching up with him.
He dropped onto the bed with a tired exhale and stared up at the ceiling, thoughts drifting quietly.
'Tonight, I rest. Tomorrow... I begin.'