From the perspective of the Cyan Mountain Sect, they would not allow a cultivation clan to develop and expand, to contend with the sect’s prestige and resources.

This is possible only in the vastness of the Qingli Sea, where the various powers are far apart with seas isolating them.

In such an environment, cultivation clans thrive there, giving rise to prominent families like the Bai Family of Thousand Star Island and the Li Family of Spirit Void Mountain.

Within the Lingxi State, the highest cultivation for such clans is merely at the Golden Core Stage, already considered the pinnacle of existence, and they too develop under the sects’ dependency, facing limitations in growth.

"You are going to the Li Family, so take this chance to truly understand this clan."

The Void Celestial Extreme Saint’s clone said.

The group chatted casually on the road and soon reached Yu Yang City.

Due to the city’s regulations prohibiting the flying of magical artifacts, they descended at the city gate.

During this period, the city gate was guarded by cultivators from the Long Family.

The three of them, Lu Ping included, were just about to enter but were quickly stopped and questioned about their identity and origin. After roughly explaining, one of them still did not allow them to pass.

"Please show your residence ring."

The Long family cultivator said indifferently.

Upon hearing this, Lu Ping was puzzled; what is a residence ring?

But to the side, Wey Yingxu chuckled wryly and said, "Senior, we are newcomers and have not yet obtained a residence ring; can we enter the city and then apply for one?"

"According to the rules, you cannot enter the city without a residence ring."

That Long family cultivator replied.

Living in Yu Yang City allows cultivators not only to enjoy cultivation on the spirit vein but also to receive some protection, with no fear of being attacked or killed openly in the city.

Combat is forbidden in Yu Yang City.

Daily patrols conducted by joint teams from the Li and Long Families traverse various parts of the city.

"You all come here to apply."

Another Long family cultivator spoke up; this one was named Long Taihe, with a cultivation of Mid-Stage Crystallization, inviting Lu Ping and the others over.

"I almost forgot regular cultivators also need to apply for a residence ring to enter Yu Yang City, almost forgot to inform you."

The Void Celestial Extreme Saint’s clone laughed and said, "Go and get one, it will make things easier in Yu Yang City moving forward."

Following Wey Yingxu and Wey Ling’Er, Lu Ping came to Long Taihe to begin the process of obtaining a residence ring.

Wey Yingxu found out that there are temporary and permanent types of residence rings.

The temporary version is charged monthly; every month requires ten spirit stones, and if it expires without renewal, one will be expelled from Yu Yang City.

The permanent version can be acquired by contributing to Yu Yang City or by having cultivation at the Golden Core Stage and above, for permanent residency rights.

Mortal humans have free residency rights and are protected by both the Li and Long Families.

But for cultivators, it’s calculated per person, based on each headcount.

Wey Yingxu first paid twenty spirit stones to obtain temporary residency rights for himself and Wey Ling’Er, each obtaining a silver ring.

There are two types of residence rings.

The Silver ring represents temporary residency.

The Golden ring represents permanent residency.

When it was Lu Ping’s turn, out of kindness, he intended to apply for a one-month residency for Lu Ping, as thanks for bringing them to Yu Yang City.

Just as he was taking out the spirit stones to apply, Lu Ping slowly spoke.

"With cultivation at the Golden Core Stage, one can gain permanent residency rights, correct?"

Long Taihe nodded and said, "Correct."

As soon as he finished speaking, Long Taihe realized something, and his expression tightened as he asked, "Could senior be..."

Before he finished, he felt a powerful force gradually approaching, its aura surpassing the Crystallization Stage, far superior to his.

"Greetings, senior!"

Perceiving the aura released by Lu Ping, which reached the Golden Core Stage, Long Taihe immediately showed respect, bowing and saluting towards Lu Ping.

"Senior?"

By the side, Wey Yingxu and Wey Ling’Er, seeing Long Taihe’s demeanor, exchanged glances.

The Long family cultivators guarding Yu Yang City’s gate were said to have reached the Crystallization Stage.

Both of them could perceive that the cultivation aura emanating from these two Long family cultivators reached at least Mid-stage Crystallization.

Yet the young Lu Ping before them was addressed as senior by a Mid-stage Crystallization cultivator.

This indicates that Lu Ping’s strength is at least Late-stage Crystallization?

With such a suspicion in mind, the grandfather and grandchild duo were shocked.

Continuing to observe, they saw Long Taihe taking out a golden ring and handing it to Lu Ping.

"A Golden ring, for permanent residency rights!"

Seeing the golden ring, Wey Yingxu could not help but exclaim in disbelief.

The strength signified by the Golden ring?

"Golden Core, a Golden Core Stage Great Cultivator!"

Wey Ling’Er exclaimed, pressing a slender jade hand to her mouth in sheer disbelief.

At this moment, Long Taihe’s respectful voice rang out again.

"Congratulations, senior, you are the five hundred and sixty-ninth Golden ring recipient, Yu Yang City’s gates will be perpetually open for you."

As he spoke, the other Long family cultivator also bowed his head in salute, showing great respect toward Lu Ping.

The five hundred and sixty-ninth Golden ring recipient, meaning that Yu Yang City has already certified five hundred and sixty-nine Golden Core Stage and beyond high-tier cultivators.

This number took even Lu Ping by surprise.

"Mm, thank you."

He nodded calmly, putting on the Golden ring.

This time, adhering to the principle of keeping a low profile, Lu Ping did not unleash his full cultivation; he only maintained it at the First Layer of the Golden Core Stage.

This way he could save spirit stones, and with the Golden ring’s identity authentication, his future affairs in Yu Yang City would undoubtedly be more convenient.

"Senior, I underestimated your strength earlier, I’m truly sorry."

Wey Yingxu said with a wry smile and saluted Lu Ping.

Who would have thought that when first meeting Lu Ping, they had mistaken him for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator?

Later, when witnessing Lu Ping wielding a flying ship, it dawned on them that they had underestimated Lu Ping’s strength, guessing he was a Crystallization Stage cultivator.

Now, they found they had still underestimated Lu Ping.

Who would have imagined that this Lu Ping was still so unfathomable and turned out to be a Golden Core Stage cultivator!

"Indeed, there are always people beyond people, skies beyond skies, today I have indeed witnessed it." 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

"Today’s younger cultivators, the se successors are indeed formidable."

Wey Yingxu lamented internally; comparing his own cultivation, he paled in comparison.

Even Wey Ling’Er, the proclaimed genius girl from the Wey Family, could only look up to Lu Ping.

"Senior, no need to be so formal; we are all cultivators, only differing in our years of cultivation."

Lu Ping smiled faintly.

He had cultivated for over three hundred years compared to Wey Yingxu, who was no more than one hundred fifty years.

Even Wey Ling’Er, at eighteen or nineteen years old, reached the Ninth Layer of Qi Cultivation and could seek Foundation Establishment, a potential that surpasses Lu Yuanshan significantly.