In addition to abundant spiritual energy, the earth's spiritual milk also possesses a profound virtue of the earth, nurturing all things.
This is what makes this thing so precious.
Lin Yi closed his eyes and quietly savored the mystery within.
A moment later, he opened his eyes and exclaimed, "The things created by the heavens and earth are indeed extraordinary."
Liu Yuyan said with a smile, "If you like it, Daoist, you might as well build a Daoist temple in the mountains, so that you can enjoy the earth's spiritual milk every month."
Lin Yi shook his head slightly and warned, "The earth vein spiritual milk is the primordial essence of the earth's creation, and it is extraordinary. Even if you are a mountain god, you cannot collect it at will. Otherwise, you will lose the way of heaven and earth and there will surely be great disaster."
Liu Yuyan responded softly, "Yes," inwardly cursing the wooden figure before her.
Three days later, Lin Yi left Cuiping Mountain and continued his journey towards Zhongzhou.
Under the rule of the Great Xia Dynasty, first-level cultivators need to go to the Hundred Schools Academy in the county city to take the exam, second-level cultivators need to report to the Hundred Schools Academy in the state, and third-level cultivators correspond to the Hundred Schools Academy in the capital city.
After registering, you can enjoy many benefits and receive generous treatment.
Although this rule is not explicitly stated or enforced, it has long since become a customary practice over the millennia.
………………
Zhongzhou, the capital, Shangjingcheng.
Ships laden with all sorts of passengers, goods, and grains, coming from the upper and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, and even from the ocean, sailed into the capital's South Lake.
This was a national blood transfusion, transporting the dates of Anyi, the oranges of Jiangling, the lacquer of Chenxia, the hemp of Qilu, the ginger, cinnamon, and millet, the silk and cloth, the fish, turtles, abalone, fermented salt, vinegar, and soybeans, the rice, wheat, and other grains... all from the waterways to the capital. This vibrant and bustling atmosphere could be heard even ten miles away.
As the land route along the shore continued forward, it branched out and converged with more and more roads. Heading west, the main road was constantly widening, reaching a width of a hundred paces, yet it remained crowded with oxen, horses, carriages, pedestrians, laborers, caravans, wealthy merchants, officials, and dignitaries—all sorts of people were present.
The sheer number of people from all over the world who gather and disperse here is staggering.
The flow of people and vehicles was endless, moving forward like a black mass of ants. In the distance, a jade ribbon appeared on the horizon, which was everyone's destination: the capital city.
This city, located at the highest heavens, is the center of the world, the head of the dragon vein, the heart of the imperial dynasty, the Great Xia Dragon Court... Too many praises have spread throughout the world, and its glorious aura attracts countless people to flock here to pursue their dreams.
On a large ship in the middle of a wide river, Lin Yi stood at the bow, enjoying the cool morning breeze and admiring the lively scene around him.
Different abilities and different mindsets lead to different perceptions and gains.
Along the way, there were few large cities on both sides of the river, mostly small towns with populations of less than 20,000 or 30,000, but each town had its own unique characteristics and was engaged in a certain handicraft industry, and the scale of these towns was quite good.
Some were clusters of steel workshops, where large hydraulic forging hammers roared and clattered from miles away, their sounds like thunder.
Newly made farming tools, pots and pans, sharp blades, as well as scissors and needles, were all transported to the dock, where they were bathed in the soft light of the morning sun.
After traveling several miles, beyond a stretch of fertile fields lay a town, where thousands of oxcarts of all sizes were parked in front of rows of looms, weaving workshops, embroidery workshops, and garment workshops, transporting exquisite fabrics and garments made by female workers...
Meanwhile, laborers carried bags of grain up and down between the boats and the dock, while vegetable farmers, walking briskly, carried loads up from the fields, their fresh vegetables still glistening with dew.
This is the pinnacle of the immortal-style agricultural society. Under the aggregation effect of the Daoist teleportation, the surrounding prefectures and counties under the direct influence of the capital not only have developed agriculture, but also have evolved a huge network of industry and commerce.
With the Yangtze River and the Grand Canal as its arteries, it forms a vast industrial and commercial network that combines points and surfaces. The "surface" refers to the commercial districts where shops line the streets and extend to the city centers.
This is especially true in the capital region, where numerous specialized handicraft towns are built along waterways to take advantage of the water resources. These towns serve as large-scale nodes, providing services to the capital while also exchanging goods with other prefectures and counties, thus supporting the lives of countless people in the capital.
Carrying out industry exchanges, the main waterway was busy, and merchant boats had to queue up to travel. The short 50-mile waterway was filled with stops and starts, and it wasn't until late at night that they finally entered the capital's South Lake.
Nanhu is a deep lake, and its irregularly shaped, elliptical, 30-mile-long embankment has been almost entirely transformed into docks and shipyards.
After paying the last part of the fare, Lin Yi disembarked and set foot on the land of the capital.
As you approach the dock, you can see two lights hanging not far away, illuminating the area brightly.
A teahouse not far away was still open, with six or seven people sitting inside drinking tea, smoking, eating melon seeds, and chatting. Further away, one could see a continuous stretch of streets and alleys, with various brothels and taverns brightly lit at night.
From time to time, noble young men would pass by, and when they saw Lin Yi wearing a Taoist robe, they would nod and smile in greeting. They would then take their concubines and go up to the high building, where they would see a feast and revelry, with music playing loudly. There were even several scholars leaning on the railing, singing to each other across the street.
Another burst of thunderous hoofbeats and the neighing of horses filled the air as a large group of people galloped down the embankment. Elegantly dressed figures appeared and disappeared beneath the weeping willows, and some women even excitedly followed along on horseback.
The prosperity of the capital city is indeed well-deserved.
This is the life of ordinary people!
Lin Yi strolled around casually, enjoying the scenery of the southern suburbs of the capital.
After taking the third step, a cultivator gets closer to immortality and further away from humanity, but they can never lose their mortal heart, because that is the very beginning.
The next day, Lin Yi entered the city. The area around South Lake was just the suburbs.
Passing through the two city gates and the barbican between them, you enter a straight street a hundred paces wide. New taverns and old teahouses stand side by side, their eaves overlapping each other. The street is crowded with pedestrians, and shops with their windows and doors open welcome customers. Numerous stalls sell all kinds of groceries, fresh fruits and vegetables.
What's most remarkable is that there are ancient trees everywhere, growing either by the roadside, in the courtyard, or on the street corner.
Lin Yi headed north of the city. The Hundred Schools Academy was located on a large lake with a smooth, mirror-like surface. In the center of the lake was a small island with bamboo groves, pavilions, and towers.
Looking from afar, one can see several corridors leading to the middle, with winding white marble railings and stone bridges. The buildings here are half on the island and half on the water, with exquisite layout and a deep, far-reaching layout.
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Chapter 137 Return to Lingzhou
Lin Yi arrived at the lakeside, where many boats were moored. He rented one at random. The boatman was a middle-aged man with some cultivation. He rowed the boat and headed towards the island in the middle of the lake.
Ripples spread outwards from the calm water surface.
Lin Yi stood at the bow of the ship, gazing at the Hundred Schools Academy in the distance, pondering what he should do next.