Chapter 00138: Not the Target
# Not the Target
Chapter 138
Novel: After the Myth
Chapter 138: Not the Target
For anyone visiting for the first time, entering the Four Directions Star Continent required obtaining an identity certificate at the Four Directions Star Station.
If one only intended to rest briefly at the interstellar plaza outside the Four Directions Star Continent without entering, no formalities were necessary.
Ding Huan, accompanied by Qi Xin Yue and Lao Liu, first purchased an introduction to the Four Directions Star Continent and a book on its laws.
No matter where you go, understanding the local rules is essential.
After reading the introduction, Ding Huan realized that the Four Directions Star Continent was entirely different from what he had imagined.
This was not the star continent he had intended to visit.
It could only be said that the Four Directions Star Continent had a favorable position in this part of the universe, and its services and facilities far surpassed those of neighboring life-bearing star continents.
Most spaceships traveling through the universe would stop at the Four Directions Star Continent for supplies when needed.
Unlike other star continents, the Four Directions Star Continent had a Star Lord.
From the introduction he purchased, Ding Huan only knew that the Star Lord shared his surname, Ding, and was named Ding Qi.
As for his cultivation level, Ding Huan had no idea.
What puzzled Ding Huan was that the introduction didn’t show much respect for the Star Lord.
Instead, it provided detailed descriptions of some major families and factions within the Four Directions Star Continent, with a tone that seemed more respectful.
After learning that the Four Directions Star Continent was resource-poor, even scarce in resources, Ding Huan lost interest in the rest.
The main resources of the Four Directions Star Continent were imported from other star continents in the universe, making it entirely dependent on imports.
Such a star continent was definitely not a place he would settle in.
Ding Huan planned to obtain an identity certificate and live on the star continent for a while.
Once he understood the specifics of this part of the universe, he would make further plans.
Purple gold coins were not the most valuable currency on the Four Directions Star Continent.
There was another currency called Crystal Yuan Coins, with one Crystal Yuan Coin exchangeable for ten thousand Purple Gold Coins.
According to the introduction, Crystal Yuan Coins were not native to this part of the universe but were brought by advanced civilization planets.
Ding Huan’s divine sense swept over his star house, looking at the ten thousand Purple Gold Coins, feeling somewhat speechless.
From the looks of the people around him earlier, he had thought he had gained a great advantage.
Turns out, his Blue Star was sold for just one Crystal Yuan Coin.
How ironic.
Fortunately, Crystal Yuan Coins were rarely used, with most transactions conducted in Purple Gold Coins or Black Gold Coins.
One Purple Gold Coin could be exchanged for one hundred Black Gold Coins.
Thus, on the Four Directions Star Continent, only these three currencies were in circulation.
For Ding Huan and Qi Xin Yue to enter and reside on the Four Directions Star Continent, they only needed to pay two Purple Gold Coins to obtain two identity tokens.
As for Lao Liu, he was completely ignored and could enter without spending any Purple Gold Coins.
This showed that the Four Directions Star Continent was indeed friendly to outsiders.
The identity certificate for the Four Directions Star Continent was a bronze plaque engraved with the holder’s name and the time they arrived at the interstellar plaza.
Obtaining an identity token was simple and cheap, almost like getting it for free.
However, entering the Four Directions Star Continent from the interstellar plaza was not so straightforward.
Ding Huan and Qi Xin Yue each spent one hundred Purple Gold Coins to purchase a ticket to the Four Directions Star Continent, and even Lao Liu had to pay one hundred Purple Gold Coins.
Lao Liu didn’t need an identity token, but to board the flying vehicle to the Four Directions Star Continent, the one hundred Purple Gold Coins were mandatory.
The so-called flying vehicle indeed had two wings.
When Ding Huan and Qi Xin Yue boarded the flying vehicle with Lao Liu, there were already over a hundred people inside.
Ding Huan’s divine sense could reach up to twenty thousand meters, allowing him to easily observe his surroundings.
As he continued to observe, he noticed something odd.
The flying vehicles heading to the Four Directions Star Continent didn’t seem to be going to the same place, something no one had mentioned when he bought the ticket.
When the number of passengers reached two hundred, the flying vehicle took off, leaving the interstellar plaza and heading towards the Four Directions Star Continent.
The Four Directions Star Continent had an atmosphere.
As soon as the flying vehicle entered it, Ding Huan could see the general outline of the star continent.
It looked somewhat oval-shaped, and in size, it was probably less than half of Earth.
It was a small planet.
The flying vehicle was extremely fast, taking less than twenty minutes to land on a plaza.
Ding Huan sighed inwardly at how easily the one hundred Purple Gold Coins were earned.
As soon as the flying vehicle landed, people approached.
Some asked if they needed accommodation, others offered to guide or help with renting.
This reminded Ding Huan of the distant past on Earth, where similar scenes played out at train stations.
Several vendors who initially wanted to approach Ding Huan changed their targets upon seeing him carrying a large iron pot.
Someone who carried an iron pot everywhere probably didn’t have much money to spend.
The Purple Gold Coins for the flying vehicle were likely all he had.
Ding Huan’s divine sense scanned the area, and within his range, there were hardly any tall buildings.
There were no signs of advanced infrastructure, indicating this wasn’t a technologically advanced planet.
Even the spiritual energy here wasn’t much better than Earth’s.
“Friend, are you new to the Four Directions Star Continent?”
A young man approached.
Ding Huan noticed that he had failed to attract other customers, who had been taken by other vendors, so he came to him.
“Yes, I’m looking for a quiet place to stay for a while.”
Before the young man could speak, Ding Huan proactively stated his needs.
Hearing that Ding Huan was looking for accommodation, the young man’s spirits lifted:
“Haha, friend, you’ve come to the right person with Peng Zhan.”
Peng Zhan’s voice became more enthusiastic.
Ding Huan took the opportunity to inquire:
“I heard the Star Lord is a peerless expert, which is why the Four Directions Star Continent is so peaceful, right?”
Peng Zhan looked at Ding Huan blankly for a moment before bursting into laughter:
“Friend, you’ve got it wrong. Our Star Lord doesn’t practice Dao or martial arts. The Four Directions Star Continent is jointly managed by four families—the Zhan, Zuo Shi, Yu, and Tong families—and three factions: the Fa Zi Sect, the Four Directions Sect, and the Star Bridge Commerce Association.”
“I see, I must have misunderstood,” Ding Huan said, realizing his mistake.
Peng Zhan waved his hand:
“It’s normal. Everyone new here thinks the same.”
“Then who’s the strongest? What’s their cultivation level?” Ding Huan asked cautiously.
Peng Zhan lowered his voice this time:
“It’s said to be the Zhan family’s patriarch, Zhan Changjing, rumored to be a peak Dan Yun Realm expert.”
Ding Huan was stunned.
He had heard of Foundation Establishment and even Core Formation and Nascent Soul realms, but he had never heard of the Dan Yun Realm.
Was he just ignorant, or was the cultivation system in this part of the universe different from his own?
“What’s the Dan Yun Realm?”
Ding Huan quickly asked.
Peng Zhan laughed, looked around, and then whispered:
“Let me tell you, but don’t spread it around. The Four Directions Star Continent is a hub in the universe, but truly powerful individuals rarely come here. Everything here is barren. The Zhan family’s patriarch, Zhan Changjing, has exceptional talent. He achieved Foundation Establishment early on…”
Hearing about Foundation Establishment, Ding Huan relaxed.
This was familiar territory.
Although he hadn’t achieved Foundation Establishment himself, genetic Foundation Establishment was the first step in Dao cultivation.
In other words, up to now, he hadn’t even taken the first step in Dao cultivation.
Without Foundation Establishment, his goal of seeking immortals and deities was just empty talk.
Peng Zhan continued:
“After reaching the peak of Foundation Establishment, Zhan Changjing couldn’t progress further and couldn’t leave the Four Directions Star Continent…”
“Wait, you’re saying people can’t leave the Four Directions Star Continent? There are so many spaceships at the interstellar plaza. Aren’t they from other places?”
Ding Huan quickly interrupted.
Peng Zhan scoffed:
“You’re new, so you don’t understand. There are indeed many star continents around the Four Directions Star Continent, but they are far behind in Dao and martial arts compared to here. The people from those star continents are still barbaric and backward. They dream of coming to the Four Directions Star Continent. What could you possibly learn from those places? To reach more advanced civilization star continents, you must use the Four Directions Star Continent as a stepping stone. Otherwise, why would it be so prosperous here? Now you understand.”
Ding Huan truly understood.
In other words, if he wanted to find more advanced martial or immortal cultivation planets, starting from the Four Directions Star Continent would be extremely difficult, if not impossible.
Even someone as powerful as Zhan Changjing, who held immense influence on the Four Directions Star Continent, was trapped here, let alone a newcomer like him.
If he stayed on the Four Directions Star Continent to cultivate, how was it any different from staying on Earth?
He might as well have stayed on Earth.
His goal was to find the immortals and deities from Chinese mythology, to follow in their footsteps and become one of them.
He couldn’t stay here.
“Patriarch Zhan is truly a genius. Because he couldn’t leave the Four Directions Star Continent, his cultivation was stuck at Foundation Establishment. Once, a spaceship from an advanced civilization stopped at the Four Directions Star Continent. Zhan Changjing wanted them to take him away, but he failed. However, after conversing with these powerful individuals, he gained inspiration. So, he created a new realm after Foundation Establishment, called the Dan Yun Realm.”
Ding Huan was stunned.
Could it really be done like this?
Not knowing how to progress after Foundation Establishment, so he just created a new realm called the Dan Yun Realm? This Zhan Changjing was quite something.
No wonder he had never heard of the Dan Yun Realm.
It was a makeshift realm.
“Friend, now you understand why Patriarch Zhan holds the highest status, right?”
Peng Zhan said proudly.
Ding Huan asked with some confusion:
“Is it because other families or sects have experts stuck at the peak of Foundation Establishment, unable to break through and lacking the necessary techniques? So, they want Zhan Changjing to teach them how to advance to the Dan Yun Realm?”
“Exactly. Creating a new realm isn’t something just anyone can do.”
Peng Zhan gave a thumbs-up.
Ding Huan felt a bit uneasy:
“Brother Peng, do spaceships from advanced civilizations come here often?”
Peng Zhan immediately replied:
“How could that be? Even if they come occasionally, they rarely enter the Four Directions Star Continent. At most, they stop at the interstellar plaza to rest before continuing their journey.”
He then sighed:
“For the surrounding barbaric star continents, the Four Directions Star Continent is a dream destination. But for truly advanced civilizations, the Four Directions Star Continent is beneath their notice. Of course, I’ve heard rumors that spaceships from advanced civilizations secretly visit every now and then. Whether it’s true or not, I don’t know.”
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