Chapter 195: Chapter 194: Imperial City
The towering city walls coiled like a dragon lying dormant upon the land, a truly monumental achievement. Within, the streets bustled with traffic, painting a picture of peace and joy as a ray of sunlight bathed the entire street.
The Imperial City of the Celestial Martial Country was unmatched in its scale and prosperity throughout the nation.
"Young Master, I’ll be taking my leave now," said Jie Jiachun.
Wen Qingye nodded. "Go on."
Jie Jiachun had his own social circle in the Imperial City of the Celestial Martial Country. Since many of the Pill Masters knew each other, he planned to visit some old friends. Meanwhile, Wen Qingye had to head to the location he had arranged with Nie Qinglan, so the two parted ways for the time being.
South City, Yiyun Pavilion.
Wen Qingye gazed at the pavilion’s name above the entrance and slowly walked inside.
"May I help you, Young Master?" a middle-aged man standing at the entrance asked, looking at Wen Qingye with some confusion.
Wen Qingye said calmly, "I am Wen Qingye."
Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man scrutinized Wen Qingye, and a look of delight spread across his face. "So you’re Wen Qingye! Quick, please, come in! Vice Director Nie has already told me all about you."
The middle-aged man smiled and said, "I am the steward for Qig Mountain Academy here in the Imperial City. My name is Chen Feng."
Wen Qingye nodded, and the two of them walked inside together.
Chen Feng asked, "Your accommodations have already been arranged. Would you like to see Vice Director Nie first, or...?"
"Let’s go to Vice Director Nie’s first," Wen Qingye said without hesitation. ’Since I’m here, I might as well see Nie Qinglan right away. Otherwise, it would feel a bit strange.’
Chen Feng nodded and led Wen Qingye deeper into Yiyun Pavilion.
Before long, the two arrived at a private courtyard.
Nie Qinglan was standing at the entrance. Upon seeing Chen Feng and Wen Qingye, he hurried over. "Hahaha, I was starting to think you’d gotten lost!"
Wen Qingye chuckled. "It was a long journey and took quite some time. I apologize for making you worry, Vice Director."
"Not at all, not at all! Let’s go inside and talk, come in," Nie Qinglan said, beaming from ear to ear.
After the three had entered the main hall, Nie Qinglan personally poured cups of tea for Wen Qingye and Chen Feng.
Nie Qinglan said with a sigh of admiration, "By defeating the students from Celestial Academy, you have greatly boosted the prestige of our Qig Mountain Academy! I can’t remember the last time a student of ours managed to overwhelm Celestial Academy. You are truly the most remarkable prodigy Qig Mountain Academy has seen in centuries."
"You flatter me, Vice Director Nie," Wen Qingye said modestly.
"No, no, not at all," Nie Qinglan quickly replied. "Your ability to defeat Nie Shuang is more than enough proof of your aptitude. Nie Shuang is my nephew; I know his strength very well."
Wen Qingye raised an eyebrow. ’I never would have guessed Vice Director Nie and Nie Shuang were related.’
Nie Qinglan’s expression turned serious. "There’s still some time before the Thousand Rivers Secret Land opens. You are Qig Mountain Academy’s most promising candidate, so there are some things I need to discuss with you."
Wen Qingye nodded, his own expression growing solemn.
"The Thousand Rivers Secret Land serves as a trial ground for the Celestial Profound Sect’s selection process, and it’s also a method for the various nations to divide resources. The place has existed for so long its origins are lost to time. A total of sixteen countries participate—those surrounding the Celestial Martial Country. Each of these sixteen countries selects a few of their ’chosen ones,’ all of whom are top-tier geniuses. It’s held every eight years in the middle of September. The Secret Land will open in about twenty days, so we will have to wait here for half a month. Then, the three academies will head there together."
Chen Feng nodded and added, "That’s right. The Sixteen Countries are all in fierce competition within the Thousand Rivers Secret Land. The land itself is perilous, but the hearts of men are even more so. That makes traversing it incredibly difficult. When you go, you must be extremely cautious. The human heart is treacherous, and nothing is ever as it seems."
Nie Qinglan nodded. "And the Thousand Rivers Secret Land is merely the first step to entering the Celestial Profound Sect."
Wen Qingye’s expression remained unchanged as he gave a calm nod.
Nie Qinglan watched Wen Qingye, nodding in appreciation. ’With a temperament like that,’ he thought, ’I believe few in the younger generation of the entire Celestial Martial Country can compare to him.’
"Alright, you’ve only just arrived. I think you should go get some rest," Nie Qinglan said, rising to his feet. He then turned to Chen Feng. "Chen Feng, please take Wen Qingye to the room that’s been prepared for him."
Chen Feng quickly stood up and led Wen Qingye to his new room.
Nie Qinglan watched Wen Qingye’s departing figure, a gratified smile in his eyes. He believed that even if Wen Qingye failed to enter the Celestial Profound Sect, his future prospects would still be limitless.
.......
Back in his room, Wen Qingye immediately began to cultivate. As he activated the Longevity Technique, a torrent of potent Primordial Qi, so dense it seemed almost liquid, rushed toward him.
FWOOSH!
The Yang Fire within Wen Qingye’s body roared to life, blazing in his Dantian.
Any discerning Pill Master would be utterly astonished if they could see the Pill Fire within Wen Qingye, for it was already a Sixth Grade Yang Fire. This was a level that even some masters at the Yin-Yang Realm had yet to achieve.
Wen Qingye’s cultivation continued its slow but steady growth.
Two days passed in the blink of an eye. During that time, Nie Qinglan stopped by once to chat for a bit before leaving.
Then, one day, Chen Feng arrived with an invitation for Wen Qingye.
"What’s this?" Wen Qingye asked, taking the invitation with a puzzled look.
Chen Feng smiled teasingly. "It’s an invitation from the Eighth Prince, Ling Xiao. It’s for three days from now. I imagine he wants to discuss some important matters with you."
Wen Qingye frowned but then nodded. "I understand. I’ll pay a visit to the Eighth Prince’s Mansion."
’Although I don’t know why Ling Xiao went to such lengths to protect me back then—perhaps it was because of Ling Jiao—he did me a great favor. Regardless, I have to go to the Eighth Prince’s Mansion.’
Ling Xiao was one of the most famous masters in the Celestial Martial Country. Within the current Royal Family, there were two other experts of his caliber: the Grand General, Huang Yi, and the National Master, Liu Ying. Liu Ying was a notorious figure, serving not only as the National Master but also as the Mansion Master of Purple Sun Prefecture. His methods were exceptionally vicious and mercilessly cruel. The mere mention of the National Master of the Celestial Martial Country was enough to make one’s heart tremble and send a cold shiver down their spine.
The National Master, Liu Ying, had a cultivation at the Refining Spirit Ninth Layer Heaven. However, Ling Xiao’s cultivation was rumored to be a notch higher, which strongly suggested that the prince had already reached the Peak of Refining Spirit.
Just then, the sound of several light footsteps came from the doorway.
’The footsteps are light and agile... one of them belongs to a woman. Is it Chen Feng and Vice Director Nie?’
"Princess, this is the room. I shall take my leave now," came Chen Feng’s respectful voice.
"Yes, you may go," replied a light, ethereal voice that carried a hint of spirited authority.
Wen Qingye looked toward the door just as a graceful woman slowly entered. She wore purple clothes, and her sharp, competent eyes held a hint of a smile as she looked at him.
"It’s you?" Wen Qingye couldn’t help but smile.
