Chapter 173: City of Giants
Chapter 173: City of Giants
Shan Yue Village, Ten-Mile Slope.
A bitingly cold wind swept down the mountain peaks, as snowflakes drifted through the gloomy sky.
The Great Waterfall plunging thousands of meters had frozen solid. From afar, it resembled a white dragon clinging to the rocky cliffs, its frost armor shimmering crystal-clear—a sight both grand and bizarre.
Strangely though, the deep pool beneath showed no sign of ice. Instead, slight steam rose, while water still gurgled downstream through the Mountain Stream, maintaining its original level.
On a huge rock beside the stream, Gao Jing honed his Combat Technique wearing nothing but shorts.
Whoosh!
Battle Qi transformed into a fiery long blade cut through the air. Flames rippled fiercely, radiating boiling heat that instantly evaporated nearby snowflakes.
Swing! Slash! Flick! Parry! Step! Thrust!
Intensely focused, Gao Jing practiced the Seven Enemy-Slaying Blades technique—moves he’d perfected through thousands of tries.
His strikes accelerated, seven sword moves flowing into one, the blade morphing into a fire dragon with double force.
“Haa!”
At his fiercest moment, Gao Jing roared. Blaze surged from his blade.
Totemic Power exploded as the Crimson Python Rune shone blindingly, causing his body to swell instantly.
He had just breached three meters in height!
Unmatched strength flooded his senses.
Indescribable joy surged within him.
A month had passed since returning to the Great World.
Gao Jing hadn’t stepped out. With rain or hail, he’d trained daily at Ten-Mile Slope, mastering blade work.
Not only solidifying his rank as an Advanced-rank Totem Warrior, but also pushing his growth further.
His grasp of the Flame Blade Totem Combat Art now reached mastery combined with Seven Enemy-Slaying Blades earning an “impressive” nod from Old Shaman Shan Yan.
He exhaled deeply.
That plume of air shot straight like an arrow six meters away before fading!
Releasing the Flame Blade and sealing the Crimson Python Rune, Gao Jing swiftly returned to normal size.
Cross-legged on the rock, he conjured a chunk of stiff bear jerky from his Storage Space, devouring every shred.
After two swigs of bear blood.
The Monster Beast flesh filled with life energy digested rapidly. Guided by the Primer of Totems method, pure Totemic Power refilled the Crimson Python Rune’s drain!
Though Earth Fury Bear’s blood now offered no direct boosts after so much use, its rich power remained irreplaceable.
Without the hundreds of kilos stored alongside Old Shaman Shan Yan’s herb-cured bear jerky, his growth would’ve dragged!
“Gao Jing!”
A thunderous call echoed with heavy footsteps.
Gao Jing dressed and waved at Shan Tai entering Ten-Mile Slope.
Bundled in thick furs, hauling a massive vine basket, Shan Tai grinned. “Time to go.”
“Right.”
Gao Jing sprang high while flicking his Weaver’s Wrist—a silver thread zipping to Shan Tai’s shoulder.
Using the silk’s tug, he soared instantly into the air. Flawlessly into the vine basket towed behind Shan Tai.
Inside, stacks of plump clay pots sat orderly-packed.
“Off we go!”
Shan Tai spun away from Ten-Mile Slope, quickly reaching the village gate.
Thwomp! Thwomp! Thwomp!
Four or five snowballs strafed icy pellets through the air.
Days of snow had cloaked the Training Ground thickly.
Village kids amused themselves, building snowmen and waged snowball fights!
Shan Guoer was among them.
“Brother Shan Tai!”
She and her friend Shan Cuier raced over. “Going to Qinghe City now?”
“Yes.”
Shan Tai chuckled fondly ruffling her hair. “Want something? I’ll bring it.”
“Hmm…”
Shan Guoer tilted her head thoughtfully. “Nothing I want.”
Her tastes had grown picky.
Daily treats like Peanut Sesame Candy, White Rabbit Milk Candies or Super Lollipops, owning cuddly Teddy Bears, Garfield dolls or My Little Pony figures…
Things in Qinghe City barely tempted her now!
“All right then.”
Shan Tai shrugged. “See ya.”
Shan Guoer cried out gazing up: “Gao Jing, return soon!”
Seated atop the Back Basket, Gao Jing smiled, waving back. “Got it!”
The Great Wilderness’ winters struck cruel—Wild Beasts vanished from plains and forests. After first snowfall, most Giants hibernated in village forts till spring.
But Gao Jing and Shan Tai journeyed today to Qinghe City hundreds of li away.
The only City of Giants within a thousand li!
Why?
Well… for love.
Beyond the village, Shan Tai headed north.
Giants measured steps: a li every 1000 paces, each stride about five meters—distance Gao Jing knew well from his Primary World.
Hundreds of li was far.
Typically Qinghe City took three-four days from Shan Yue Village.
Wilderness had no trails; mountains and rivers blocked paths. If trouble struck, delays were certain.
With deep snow freezing grounds, Giant Rhinoceros Beasts slept enclosed in stables—no ride available.
Without them Great Totem Warrior Shan Tai sprinted faster.
Stride after giant stride, he tore through snowy wastelands. Speed gathering force.
Riding his Back Basket, Gao Jing felt airborne.
His bones vibrated sensing—
The raging power coiled inside this Shan Yue Giant!
Only a mighty warrior dared brave winter wilderness solo while Monster Beasts hunger-hunted vicious Outcasts lurked.
But their trip stayed smooth—met no beast nor outcast.
They threaded north all through daylight.
Over plains, dipped past rolling hills,
pausing to sleep in frigid woods.
At dawn’s earliest hint, they surged anew.
By dusk, Gao Jing glimpsed Qinghe City—fortress guarding a river under a mountain’s shadow.
“Just in time.”
Shan Tai panted roughly. “Gates close at dark—no entry past then.”
Gao Jing understood now why he’d dashed relentlessly—so they’d beat nighttime lock-up.
Per Old Shaman Shan Yan, Qinghe City’s a minor settlement. Barely 10,000 folk. Such towns littered the Great Wilderness so deep few beyond a thousand li knew its name.
Yet “Abyss Remnant Clan” Gao Jing stood awed—Qinghe City loomed colossal.
Mountains anchored it southeast plains stretched wide westward river thundered past. Prime location.
Its walls—a hundred meters tall—stacked with green-black stones.
Promising absolute safety.
A river branching off fed a moat fencing the city: 200-300 meters broad spanned solely by one giant drawbridge linked shore to gate!
This Giant city struck Gao Jing… like stepping from stone age into feudal times.
The sun dipped low.
Across the drawbridge streamed Giants—many.
From attire—tribesmen resembling Shan Tai carried bundles large tiny.
“Border villages.” Shan Tai answered the unspoken question. “Come for the Year-End Fair!”
The Qinghe City ruled this thousand-li realm undisputed founder Qinghe Tribe allied with two clans commanded dozens of forts.
Some clans nested close eating from three giants’ palms.
Their journey… short.
So as Year-Fest burned near villagers always crowded the city trading goods.
Yearly stock-hunt! Year-End Fair!