I Can Use Myriad Divine Abilities-Chapter 169: Entering the Ruins City

An imposing Ruins City appeared before Zhang Yuan’s eyes.

Zhang Yuan had passed through many cities and encountered some abandoned villages and towns, but he had never seen such a city, reduced to ruins yet bustling and prosperous.

The scale of this Ruins City was much larger than Nanxun Prefecture City.

This is the Xia Ruins!

To the northwest was the majestic Taiwu Mountains stretching for thousands of miles, and a major river originating from the depths of the mountains flowed from north to south, giving it a superior geographical advantage.

To the east and southeast of the Xia Ruins were plains cultivated with numerous farms and estates.

Villages were scattered everywhere, combined with the settlements around the city, forming what was called the Outer Ruins!

Since Zhang Yuan was situated at a higher altitude, he was able to overlook the entire Ruins City and the Outer Ruins.

He noticed that there were hardly any tall buildings inside or outside this ancient city, and most of the houses were weathered and worn, looking dilapidated and old as if they had stood for countless years.

In the very center of the Ruins City stood a broken tower, silently narrating the calamities it had once faced.

But despite being a city near to ruins, the streets were bustling with people, and countless smoke trails spiraled into the air!

"In the Xia Ruins, building tall structures is not allowed, it’s the rule."

Mu Guangcheng clearly saw Zhang Yuan’s confusion and explained: "And newly built houses must not exceed two stories in height. However, there is no vacant land in the city for new buildings, one must purchase from others if they want to live inside."

"There is no government office here, no forced labor, and no poll tax."

This trade team leader gazed steadily at the Xia Ruins and said in a deep voice, "But surviving here isn’t easy."

He then looked at Zhang Yuan: "Brother Zhao Yun, if you want to make a living in the Xia Ruins, going it alone is entirely out of the question."

"It’s best to align yourself with a faction!"

Align with a faction?

Zhang Yuan smiled and said, "I understand, thank you for the advice, Brother Mu."

Mu Guangcheng had previously told him that the Xia Ruins was divided into five inner ruin zones—east, south, west, north, and center—and the Outer Ruins, collectively known as the "Six Ruins".

And the Six Ruins were carved up and occupied by various groups, large and small.

These groups then sent representatives to form what is known as the "Holy Ruins Alliance."

The Holy Ruins Alliance serves as both a tool for the major powers to vie for interests and a means to mediate and balance their conflicts.

It maintains the stability inside and outside this vast Ruins City.

However, despite the existence of the Holy Ruins Alliance, the overt and covert struggles between different factions have never ceased.

Sometimes they are extremely intense and brutal!

Of course, finding a powerful faction as a backer is the fastest way to establish oneself in the Xia Ruins.

Mu Guangcheng knew that Zhang Yuan was very capable, and his suggestion was made in good faith.

However, Zhang Yuan’s experiences with the Furious Whale Gang had left him disinterested in these martial world factions.

He only wished to find a peaceful place to practice his skills and ascend to a higher martial arts realm!

"Brother Mu."

Zhang Yuan clasped his fists in salute to Mu Guangcheng, "Thank you for bringing me here, let’s part ways now!"

Mu Guangcheng was momentarily stunned, then returned the salute, "Take care!"

In the martial world, chance meetings and separations are quite commonplace.

This trade team leader, having long experienced the bustling world, was accustomed to separations and reunions, so despite some regret and reluctance, did not forcibly retain Zhang Yuan.

"Until we meet again!"

Zhang Yuan flicked his whip, and his steed charged down the hill towards the Ruins City ahead.

The Xia Ruins had a total of three city gates, and Zhang Yuan took the east gate.

Interestingly.

Though this grand city had towering walls, the main city gate itself was nonexistent.

The gate was entirely open, allowing free passage with no obstructions.

Nor were there any guards or tax-collecting soldiers at the bustling entrance.

Zhang Yuan noticed that whether solitary knights or teams of traders, everyone dismounted at the city gate on their own accord.

Either leading their horses or sitting on carriage shafts, they entered the city.

It was clearly another rule of the Xia Ruins!

Being new to the place and not having had his brains devoured by Desert Wolves, Zhang Yuan naturally followed local customs and dismounted to walk.

At the city gate, he saw that the weathered walls were covered with various notices.

There were announcements for lost items and people, as well as bounties and wanted notices.

Zhang Yuan glanced over them quickly but found no bounty targeting him.

This was actually quite normal.

The Xia Ruins was not within the territory governed by Daqian, more than several thousand miles from the Cyan Cloud Temple. Even if the latter issued a broad bounty, it could not possibly reach here in ten or fifteen days.

But it’s better to be safe than sorry, and one must hide oneself well wherever they are!

Zhang Yuan pondered quickly, then retracted his gaze, calmly entering this grand and peculiar city.

Inside the Xia Ruins was much livelier than outside, the dusty streets bustling with crowds, and the calls from shops on both sides competing loudly, assaulting everyone’s eardrums.

And here, martial artists made up a significant portion of the population.

Even ordinary people mostly had a tough demeanor, with strong and vigorous individuals everywhere.

Even among the women, few appeared gentle and delicate!

Zhang Yuan noticed that almost everyone carried weapons like swords, daggers, bows, etc.

"Catch the thief!"

Suddenly, a yell came from ahead.

The crowd quickly parted, revealing a young man in cotton clothing fleeing for his life, chased by a burly man.

Zhang Yuan calmly stepped aside, making room for the two to play out their cat-and-mouse drama.

The young man in cotton clothing darted past him swiftly, surprisingly agile.

The burly man chased in a fury, but the distance continued to widen, making it evident he couldn’t catch up.

"This young master..."

At this moment, someone suddenly approached Zhang Yuan with a fawning smile, "Would you like to stay at my place? Our guest rooms are clean and comfortable, and we have pretty young ladies to serve you, guaranteed to satisfy you!"

Zhang Yuan: "..."

The solicitor was a middle-aged woman, heavily made up and unbearably vulgar, her eyes on Zhang Yuan filled with greed.

Zhang Yuan was speechless—did he really look like a drifting traveler?

Zhang Yuan ignored her, leading his horse and continuing on.

The middle-aged woman was unwilling to give up, nagging on for some distance, only to leave grumbling in the end.

"Kind sir, please be generous, spare a copper coin!"

Just then the solicitor’s departure was followed by the sudden appearance of a gang of young beggars.

They surrounded Zhang Yuan, pleading for alms.

Some even stealthily reached for the pouch hanging from his saddle.

"Scram!"

Zhang Yuan’s eyes flashed as he shouted angrily!

The pestering beggars were startled and frightened, their eyes showing fear as they looked at Zhang Yuan.

Realizing Zhang Yuan was not to be trifled with, they scattered quickly.

Disappearing into the crowd.

Truly chaotic!

Zhang Yuan shook his head.

It wasn’t that he lacked compassion, but there was no room for sympathy towards these obviously controlled beggars.

Otherwise, he’d be entangled endlessly!