Huh? Isn't this an adventure kingdom building game?!-Chapter 734 - 713: Turned Away at the Door

In the courtyard, there was another puppet that needed patient guidance. Fortunately, Hu Zhile had the experience of taking care of Yun Shu, which made it easier to handle.

Meanwhile, the diligent study of the "Heaven-Burning Scripture" by the lark kept it undisturbed by the hustle and bustle, as it was keen on comprehending the entire cultivation technique thoroughly.

Opportunities for cultivation were rare and should be cherished. It once was foolish and ignorant, easily swayed by Old Li's words and led astray. It was determined to become as wise as the seniors and never be a silly little bird again.

The teacher also said that the "Heaven-Burning Scripture" was only an entry-level profound tier cultivation technique, and once fully mastered, there would be more advanced heart methods and techniques to learn, understand, and grow stronger.

Sister Qing Niao was planning to broaden its horizons while helping it master the use of the Heaven-Burning Flame, and just the thought made it feel blissfully bubbling over!

Meeting the teacher was truly a rare fortune across lifetimes!

The more the lark thought about it, the happier it became, singing merrily while reading. Its clear, melodious, and lively voice enveloped the whole courtyard in a joyful atmosphere.

As night fell and the wilderness descended from the sky once more, Jiang Yuan, having dealt with all sorts of tasks, took Leng Yutang and directly headed to Sand Hill City using a teleportation scroll!

"Phew!"

As they landed, the hot gusts of wind mixed with fine yellow sand blew against their faces.

The moon had already shown its thin "crescent" in the sky, yet the desert surrounding Sand Hill City remained scorching.

"After all these years, the city walls and gates haven't changed much." Leng Yutang was stunned for a while before he realized that not far off was his hometown.

He vividly remembered the vague and confused steps he took when he was banished, and his heart was filled with a mix of emotions.

After so many years, he never thought he would return alive and well!

"The city has a defense array, and since this is my first time arriving in Sand Hill City, we could only teleport here," Jiang Yuan said, not fond of the hot, dry wind, squinting at the city not far away. "Let's go in; I believe your friends and family will be very happy to see you return safely."

Friends and family?

Leng Yutang walked towards the city gate, laughing as he explained, "You may not know, sir, but our Furious Fire Bear Race differs from other demon beasts in habits.

Whenever a cub is born, they are sent to the Infant Nurturing Garden. After all, not every demon beast can grow into a demon cultivator. Resources in Sand Hill City are scarce, so resources are concentrated on the talented young Angry Fire Bears, capable of cultivation and transformation, to avoid waste.

According to other races' customs, if parents raise their children and deep feelings are developed, it becomes hard to let go.

Therefore, all newly born cubs are raised in the Infant Nurturing Garden until adulthood, creating a very thin emotional bond with their parents. If a cub is abandoned or expelled, it won't affect the family.

Similarly, if a cub successfully transforms and becomes an outstanding demon cultivator, there are not many ties to parents, but a stronger sense of belonging to the city that nurtured them.

The life of an Angry Fire Bear truly begins after leaving the Infant Nurturing Garden, establishing friendships, and connecting with family. When I contracted the cold poison, I was still very young and had not formed deep connections with friends and family.

Therefore, upon returning safely, it might be the Lord City Lord or clanmates suffering from cold poison who will be more joyful."

Jiang Yuan sighed inwardly upon hearing this, acknowledging once more how local customs shape its people, surprised that the Furious Fire Bear Race doesn't raise its own young.

Recalling the palace dramas that Yang Hongye often watched, where less favored concubines had their children taken away amid tears, he curiously asked, "So, if a mother has her cub taken away, doesn't she feel sad? After all, it's her own child."

"It's always been this way; everyone is used to it," Leng Yutang thought for a moment and said. "As the mothers in the Infant Nurturing Hall often say, without seeing or holding the newborn cubs, no deep feelings are formed.

The bonds between parents and cubs mainly come from daily care.

In other words, the more someone participates and interacts during the cub's growth, the deeper the feelings become. So, every year when Angry Fire Bears leave the Infant Nurturing Garden as adults, it's the nannies who took care of them the longest that cry the most.

Additionally, the clan rules provide generous compensation for mothers who give birth to cubs, favoring them with more cultivation resources if they have more cubs. The Infant Nurturing Garden is not isolated from the world; if a mother really can't bear the separation, she can visit anytime, although long visits might delay cultivation for both parties.

Thus, exchanging cubs for precious resources isn't overwhelmingly difficult for demon cultivators."

Good heavens! Why does this sound a bit like... trading cubs for milk?

Seeing Mr. Jiang, usually so knowledgeable, wearing a surprised expression, Leng Yutang felt a tiny bit of secret triumph, thinking that finally, he knew something the teacher didn't!

"Additionally, if the cub born lacks talent and is abandoned, compensation is given to the mother; if the cub is talented and occasionally receives care, upon becoming a demon cultivator and entering city life, it can also provide support to the family."

He continued to explain, "Overall, adequate resources equal stronger growth, creating a cycle. The females in the city are willing to reproduce even without dual-cultivation partners, ensuring a continuous influx of fresh blood. Even if the elimination rate is high, it keeps the city from declining.

This has resulted in Sand Hill City being different from other tribes, with the majority of the mighty being females who exchange breeding offspring for resources.

In contrast, some males rely on females to survive. After all, there's no war here and no need for expansion, so the ways to acquire resources are limited and fixed. To live stably and cultivate, they rely on females to spend time and energy nurturing new life."

What peculiar customs!

Jiang Yuan looked from a distance and sure enough, even the guards on the city wall were tall and robust female demon cultivators. Compared to them, Leng Yutang, perhaps long troubled by the "cold poison," seemed slender and delicate in contrast.

"Who goes there? What brings you two friends to visit Sand Hill City?" Upon arriving at the closed city gates, a guard on the wall shouted at them in a booming voice.

Leng Yutang transformed into a towering and mighty Angry Fire Bear, crossing his arms over his chest and pounding his forearms, producing a drum-like thumping, and greeted them with a tribal greeting, "I am Leng's Yutang of the Furious Fire Bear Race.

Years ago, I was exiled from the city due to the cold poison. The Lord City Lord repeatedly urged me to return if I could cure it; if not, I should end myself in a deserted place. After years of wandering, fortune finally smiled upon me, and I discovered a cure and brought back Miracle Doctor. Please open the gate for us, elder!"

Exiled with cold poison and still returned safely?

The guard, who had been at the city for years, had never heard of this. Even in city records, no one had truly recovered from ancient times till now.

"Please, Daoist Leng, wait a moment. We need to verify your true form. As for the friend who is not of our tribe, we're sorry but we cannot permit entry at the moment. There are important matters within the city preventing us from receiving guests."

Jiang Yuan: ???

Didn't you hear that I was invited by Leng Yutang as the "Miracle Doctor"?

Could it be that the Angry Fire Bears no longer suffer from cold poison and have lost interest in curing strange illnesses? What else could have happened that I am not allowed to enter the gates?

Leng Yutang was also full of questions. He had considered various scenarios before attempting his return, but he never thought Jiang would be stopped at the gate. What's going on?

In memory, although Sand Hill City was remote, it was not isolated. Normally, the gates were open, allowing free entry and exit after a simple check. Why the new rules now?

"Did I not explain clearly?" He was on edge, fur bristling like leaping flames, and yelled, "I specifically invited Mr. Jiang back, he can cure the cold poison! Our Furious Fire Bears no longer live in fear of it, how can you refuse him entry?"

The reply was unmoved, "You explained clearly, and we understood it well. Solving the cold poison is indeed a great thing, but we are sorry, considering our friend's safety, please return.

Since you know each other, you may come back when needed. The gates of Sand Hill City have been closed for over three years now, not just refusing outsiders now. We ask for your understanding."

"Unbelievable! What could make such a good city dangerous? And engulf it for more than three years, do you know Mr. Jiang's abilities? No danger could threaten him..."

Leng Yutang was so angry he began to rant.

Jiang Yuan gazed at the city, but his system gave no alerts, so he advised, "Forget it, if the gate has been closed to outsiders for a long time, let's not make it difficult for the guards. You've been away and don't know what transpired, so take it easy."

"Thank you for your understanding," the guard replied loudly. "If Daoist Leng finds sending your friend back unwise, you may accompany him and return in two months. When the doors open, both of you will be welcome anytime."

Hearing those words, Leng Yutang was fuming.

Inviting Mr. Jiang from afar just to face closed doors is no way to treat a guest!

"Hmph! Let's go!" He grunted, turning away. "I apologize, sir, I didn't know Sand Hill City had changed like this, and you've made the journey for nothing. If any Furious Fire Bear suffers from cold poison again, let them fend for themselves!"

Little did I expect, the usually gentle Leng Yutang could live up to the name of an Angry Fire Bear when angry.

Jiang Yuan, who came eager to obtain some Silver-footed Snow Nether Worms and curious about the events in Sand Hill City, hoping to trigger a side quest and gain some rewards, tried to persuade with a smile, "The gates have been long closed, not specifically against me, don't be angry.

You've come back safely after many years, you're at the gates already, go back and see. Also, find out what's happened. If there's nothing else, so be it; if I can be of use, keep in touch and let me know."

Leng Yutang was deeply moved, thinking Mr. Jiang truly had a good temperament, always composed and gracious.

If another highly-level cultivator faced such treatment today, they would be angry already, disregarding kin visits or assistance needs.

"I'm really sorry, then... I'll return to check. Please wait here for a moment. If nothing else, we'll leave together." He apologized again, thanked him earnestly, and after verifying his identity with the guard, squeezed through the slightly opened gate.

Jiang Yuan watched as the closed city gate opened slightly. As Leng Yutang, now transformed back to human and slender, stepped through, there was a "buzz" in his head, and a scene unfolded before his eyes—Foreknowledge Technique, activated!