As the Dongjixing cruise ship approached the port, the sea around it became lively, with a large number of ships leaving and entering the port. Most of the ships' designs matched Tiran's memory of ancient Chinese ships, with the majority likely being merchant ships and cargo ships, and some easily identifiable as fishing vessels just by looking at the nets they were trailing behind them.

Most importantly, the majority were wooden sailing ships in line with the local artistic style, so when a colossal eight-story behemoth steel cruise ship like the Dongjixing entered the port, the scene appeared quite surreal.

"The British colonialists blasted open the gates of the late Qing Dynasty with their iron ships and cannons, only to be sunk by countless immortal swords wielded by local fishermen… This scene is just too beautiful," Tiran said, covering his face as he inexplicably started imagining magical scenarios.

"What are you talking about, Your Highness Tiran?"

"Nothing at all," Tiran shook his head. "By the way, we still have some time before docking, so why don't you introduce me to the East, particularly about cultivation and such? I am quite interested."

"Cultivation, you say? It would be my honor."

The history of cultivation in the Eastern continent is not shorter than that of the West, and the established systems developed rapidly and even earlier, depending on the direction of cultivation.

"Our cultivation emphasizes the 'Great Dao of Three Thousand'. Oh, the 'three thousand' is just symbolic of a large number, regardless of which 'Dao' of cultivation, reaching a certain realm can be called 'Immortal'."

The most orthodox, and therefore most commonly chosen, method of cultivation generally involves starting with martial arts, then advancing to the realm of martial arts mastery before attempting to cultivate inner energy, thus stepping into the ranks of immortals. This is the most common and easiest way to enter cultivation as the foundation of physical training is achievable by everyone, even if most are limited by talent in cultivating inner energy; mastering martial arts and strengthening the body is also a good outcome.

"However, aside from martial arts, there are many other choices, such as the mechanical arts I study, the Miaojiang witchcraft, the primordial witch doctors, as well as chess, calligraphy, the path of alcohol, and even stories of individuals becoming immortal through culinary arts, self-titling themselves the 'Middle Kingdom'… however, these 'Daos' that are rare and difficult to practice are referred to as 'External Paths'."

Wait, are you naturally inserting strange things into this? Tiran raised an eyebrow.

Whether it is the commonly practiced 'Great Dao' or the arduous 'External Paths', there is a possibility to enter the path of immortality because no matter what one cultivates, eventually they will reach an understanding of the 'Dao' between heaven and earth, which is also what the Westerners call the laws of the world.

"So, are all so-called immortal cultivators Holy Rank?" Tiran was astonished. Previously, she didn't believe it when she saw in Minglin's memories that there were around a hundred immortals in the immortal realm at the same level as the deities, but now it seemed to be true.

"Of course, it hasn't reached that point."

Moyi quickly shook his head. "I myself am considered an immortal cultivator, but I'm sure Your Highness Tiran can see that I'm not at the level of Holy Rank, right?"

"Well, that's true…"

Tiran had witnessed Moyi in battle, generating formidable destructive power with mechanical arts similar to magitech cannons, but in terms of combat ability, he was at the level of a Great Mage or Grand Knight.

"This is probably the difference in the methods of cultivation between the East and the West. We in the East have always been exploring ways to communicate with heaven and earth on a personal level, making it easier to sense the existence of the 'Dao' but merely sensing it is not enough; mastering it requires a considerable effort. In the West, Holy Rank individuals can wield the laws as easily as raising their arms, and we have counterparts in the East known as 'Earthly Immortals.'"

"Earthly Immortals."

At the mention of this term, Tiran's hand on the railing suddenly tightened.

The terrestrial immortal, she was quite familiar, an existence in Mingyin's memory that brought about the destruction of the immortal realm and a series of painful memories for Mingyin.

"So, if there are terrestrial immortals, there must be true immortals too," Tiran asked. "Is there such a thing as an immortal realm?"

"Well, there are legends of the existence of immortals, but as far as known history goes, no one has successfully transcended and become an immortal. Over two thousand years ago, the powerful cultivators of the Immortal cultivation world collectively participated in an expedition to find the immortal realm. While they did discover remnants resembling immortal mountains and acquired many treasures, leading to a significant leap forward for the cultivation world at that time, the existence of immortals and the immortal realm remained unproven."

"Is that so?" Tiran nodded thoughtfully.

The Eastern Polar Star quickly docked. According to Mo Yi, the capital of Magitech had invested heavily in building berths specifically for the Eastern Polar Star at almost all famous harbors in East Land. While it might seem extravagant, compared to the value of the Eastern Polar Star itself and the profits it brought, it was a small price to pay.

"Anyway, welcome to the Eastern Continent."

Before allowing the other passengers on the Eastern Polar Star to disembark, Mo Yi stepped off the gangway ahead of them, arms outstretched, addressing Tiran and his companions who were about to set foot on unfamiliar land.

Tian'an Port, one of the three major deepwater ports in the Eastern Continent, fully capable of accommodating large ships. The city of Tian'an behind it was a port metropolis even larger than Beacon City, ranking in the top three globally in terms of large port cities. Besides seeing faces with black hair and black pupils, Tiran also spotted many Westerners with various hair and eye colors.

"Gentlemen, the convoy is waiting for us ahead, please follow me."

After stowing all their luggage in storage magitech devices they carried with them, the group felt at ease and followed Mo Yi quickly through the exclusive passenger channel of the Eastern Polar Star to the side of the port.

What was once a bustling street had now been completely cleared to make space for the welcoming convoy. Tiran could even see soldiers guarding the street corner in the distance.

The sight of the carriage in front of them surprised Tiran. A carriage drawn by five horses? Not because a carriage pulled by five horses was particularly stable or comfortable, but in a land with such ceremonial etiquette as "nobles ride with five," its significance was extraordinary.

"I'm flabbergasted... I must say, does your Lord Xiangling really think highly of me?"

"Tiran, Your Highness jests. You are also a princess from a powerful Western nation, and coupled with Lord Xiangling's respect for those with strength, it's not surprising for him to send his carriage."

Mo Yi smiled humbly and calmly explained.

"Mo Yi, why are you still chatting?"

Just then, behind Mo Yi, the door of the five-horse carriage was suddenly pushed open from inside, almost hitting Mo Yi's waist. As the door swung open, a woman in white, as fair as snow, leaned out of the carriage, her expression akin to that of a cat.

"Sister Zhilan? What are you doing inside?"

Mo Yi, who had maintained a relaxed and hospitable demeanor throughout, finally showed a flustered expression. "Didn't the academy say you were in seclusion?"

"Yeah, I was cultivating in seclusion, but when I heard news of her arrival, I came out." The young girl replied naturally, pointing a finger towards Tiran.

"Me?" Tiran followed the finger down, looking at herself in bewilderment, then raised her head in confusion.

She remembered this child, the captain of Dongfang Gai Xia Academy back then, whose strength outshined everyone at the academy Martial Arts Festival. If it hadn't been for Milt Academy sneaking in a Darkborn Sword Demon, it would have been a one-sided victory for Gai Xia Academy, making Milt Academy almost powerless against them.

Furthermore, before Darkborn Sword Demon rose to the Holy Rank, the nine flying swords of Zhi Lan suppressed him tightly, ranking her as the top in terms of attack power below the Holy Rank. Even Tiran himself would not dare to claim superiority over her in terms of attack power without using rules. In short, she is incredibly strong.

But the issue is that after meeting as representatives during the commission, the two seemed to have no further interactions. So, sister, what brings you to me? Don't tell me it's because you fell in love with me at first sight; I already have Aya!

Ah...and Coco...*cough cough*!

"Of course, I am here for a sword fight."

Zhi Lan stated confidently, "I have gained insights into swordsmanship during my recent closed-door training. My master mentioned seeking an opponent for a sword fight at this juncture, but as my master is still in seclusion and Prince Ling is also absent, I couldn't find anyone."

Although the girl's expression remained unchanged, her tone sounded somewhat troubled.

Princess Ling felt uneasy about this premise, Masaka...

"Luckily, you came." Zhi Lan gestured with her right hand, and a flying sword flew out from her sleeve and landed in her hand, pointing towards Tiran. Though she kept a poker face, her tone definitely revealed excitement.

"Mo Yi said that you are one of the strongest in the west and you also wield a sword. Furthermore, Prince Ling thinks highly of your abilities, so you must be formidable. Last time, Mo Yi mentioned the need to adhere to the customs of the west, so I couldn't challenge you casually, but this is Shenzhou."

Please, don't say such childish things with an icy beauty demeanor, okay? It ruins people's fantasies... although I already saw through it the last time we met.

"So, let's have a match."

As expected... Tiran sighed.

...

"I apologize, Lord Tiran, our senior sister here is a bit...eccentric. Please forgive her."

On the carriage leaving the port, Mo Yi sincerely apologized, while Zhi Lan sat upright, occasionally glancing at Tiran with a smile that thawed like a gentle spring breeze.

Typically, a man might interpret this as a rare display of kindness from an ice-cold goddess, but only the challenger himself understood that it was undeniably the grin of a sword enthusiast getting a chance to prove her swordsmanship, akin to a child receiving a lollipop.

Tsk.

As for why he agreed, on one hand, he considered that he might encounter enemies from the Shenzhou cultivation system in the future, seizing the opportunity to assess his current abilities. On the other hand, despite Zhi Lan's somewhat disappointing personality, she was undoubtedly a first-class beauty in appearance.

He had no resistance to requests from beautiful girls.

That's all.

"Oh, by the way, I forgot to ask earlier, where are we heading now?" Tiran glanced out the window, judging from the passing scenery that they were leaving the Tianan Harbor and city area behind.

"Oh, my apologies for the oversight in introductions."

Mo Yi drew back the curtain behind him, revealing a towering mountain peak continually expanding in their view through the glass.

"Welcome to the Gaixia Academy."