Chapter 124: Chen Qiu, It's You!!!

Chapter 124: Chen Qiu, It's You!!!

"Is this the Capital City?"

Chen Qiu stood in place, wearing a mask that concealed his spirit sense from detection, and scanned the long queue of people entering the city in the distance. He then looked towards the bustling scene within the capital through the wide-open city gate.

"The capital's gates remain open day and night," a scholar beside him explained. "As the capital of Great Xia, it has its own pride. Even at night, the gates remain open, showing no fear of enemy attacks, and in reality, it's impossible for any enemy to attack."

"Unless a Nascent Soul cultivator were to attack, but even then, closing the gates wouldn't make much difference."

"In the capital, even at night, it's a scene of prosperity and peace. It's just that there aren't usually this many people, but tomorrow the Heaven's Pride Ranking Competition is about to begin, so the capital has gathered quite a crowd tonight."

"After all, this is a rare grand occasion."

"Hmm."

Chen Qiu nodded, refraining from extending his spirit sense to avoid alerting certain Golden Core cultivators within the city. The reason he wore the mask that concealed his spirit sense was to keep a low profile for the time being.

Then, he looked into his inner world and saw the shopkeeper from Kai Shan City, who was lying in the disciple's dormitory and sleeping.

Before coming to the capital, he had taken a detour to Kai Shan City in the North Province and temporarily placed the shopkeeper, who was extremely skilled in breaking the restrictions on storage rings, in his Little World. After all, in the Talent Realm, he would definitely need to seize some Heavenly Materials to contribute to his Celestial Artifact.

He had already made his plans.

He intended to seize all the Heavenly Materials of the talented youths in this Celestial Realm and then forge a Celestial Artifact. Inevitably, there might be some who are unwilling to cooperate and hand over their treasures, and that's when the shopkeeper's help in breaking restrictions would be needed.

Seizing the treasures was a must.

After all, only the top three had the qualification to forge a Celestial Artifact, and it depended on the Heavenly Materials one possessed to forge a Celestial Artifact of different ranks.

He had almost nothing on him.

No one had prepared these resources for him.

But it didn't matter.

With his strength, it meant that others' resources could become his.

When leaving Fat Province, he released Liu Zide and his lord, allowing them to help him acquire Malevolent Wood and Eight Directions Fruit in Fat Province. He also kept the over two hundred people who had provided him with Foundation Establishment Cultivation Pills, tasking them with the same mission.

Liu Zide had said that these people were trained by him, and they were already accustomed to running errands.

So he left them there.

He had wanted to leave some spirit stones for Liu Zide's group to use for the purchases, but after breaking through to the Golden Core stage, he didn't have a single low-grade spirit stone left. He could only promise verbally that Liu Zide's lord would advance the funds, and he would make up for the spirit stones when he came to collect the goods next time.

He had wanted to explain further.

But he didn't expect Liu Zide's lord to agree so quickly and without hesitation, patting his chest and assuring him that he would handle the matter perfectly.

So he didn't say anything more.

If only everyone could communicate so well.

"Let's enter the city."

Chen Qiu glanced at the long queue for entering the city in the distance but didn't join it. Instead, he walked directly towards the city gate. No matter which city it was, Golden Core cultivators always had special privileges. Even if you were the emperor, you couldn't ask a Golden Core cultivator to queue like a mortal.

Are you crazy? Not teleporting directly into your city is already giving your defensive array face.

Every city entrance had a dedicated entrance for Golden Core cultivators.

The capital was no exception.

After Chen Qiu released his Golden Core pressure, he didn't even have to pay the entrance fee. The guards at the gate respectfully invited them to enter through a side gate.

The journey was uneventful.

No one dared to provoke him, as the Golden Core pressure was very real. No one dared to challenge it and come forward to mock him.

When entering the city, Chen Qiu noticed a mural carved on the wall above the city gate, just as the scholar had described—a vague immortal holding mugwort and sprinkling water.

"This city gate is the Great North Gate of the capital."

"And the main road after entering is called Black Tortoise Avenue."

The scholar introduced, "This main road is also the widest and straightest road in the capital. There are a total of four such roads in the capital, named 'Black Tortoise Avenue,' 'White Tiger Avenue,' 'Azure Dragon Avenue,' and 'Vermilion Phoenix Avenue,' according to their different directions."

"In the center of these four roads lies the Imperial Palace."

"At the heart of the Imperial Palace is the Imperial Throne."

"The Great Xia Emperor sits there during morning court."

It was almost midnight.

But Black Tortoise Avenue was still bustling with people. The vendors shouted loudly as if they knew no fatigue, and many groups of women in long skirts giggled and chatted as they passed by. There were also groups of disciples wearing long robes with swords at their waists, representing various sects.

For these sect disciples, most of their time was spent cultivating in their sects, and they rarely visited such bustling places. They were now observing everything with great interest.

From time to time, a team of soldiers in armor with cold expressions would pass by.

"What do you say, shall we go and listen to some music tonight before tomorrow's Heaven's Pride Competition?"

The scholar turned his head and smiled at Chen Qiu and the others, "The brothels in the capital gather the best girls from Great Xia and the Hundred Nations, each with their unique skills."

". . ."

Chen Qiu looked at the scholar with a strange expression, "I thought you said you were a Sword Cultivator and didn't indulge in the secular world?"

"Last time, Brother Qiu, you brought me into the secular world, and I finally realized that I was too obsessed before."

The scholar's face turned serious and sincere, "I used to believe that as long as I didn't indulge in the secular world, I would be free from it in the path of the sword. After the last time, I finally understood—"

"The so-called freedom from the secular world is when you enter it and then withdraw, treating it as if it never existed."

"That is true freedom."

"You've never experienced the secular world, how dare you say you're free from it?"

"You've never tasted the allure of a beauty, how dare you say you don't love them? Just because of a red powder skull, you convince yourself? That kind of freedom is just self-deception."

Fat Dragon, standing nearby, couldn't help but mutter, "It's clear that only those who are rough and greasy can truly be free from the secular world. Why make such a fuss? Sword Cultivators are always so sentimental."

"You might as well name the girl you're looking for 'Secular World' and then not enter it, pretending to be free from it."

"Let's go."

Chen Qiu didn't mind. Since the scholar wanted to go, they decided to take a look: "Lead the way."

In the capital, within the Qu family compound.

The head of the Qu family solemnly handed two storage rings to Qu Qi, "This storage ring contains the best heavenly materials and treasures suitable for a Law Cultivator to forge a Celestial Artifact."

"Together with the heavenly materials and treasures in your storage ring, it's enough for you to forge a Celestial Artifact that perfectly suits you."

"But there's only one Dragon Vein Stone left."

"Originally, I prepared nine for you, but the Dragon Vein Stones in the forbidden area of the Ten Thousand Toxins Sect's Sect Leader were stolen by thieves, leaving only this one. They said they were going to investigate in the North Continent, but suddenly lost contact and no one knows where they went."

"Remember—"

"You definitely can't beat that Chen Qiu. His Fifth Rank Celestial Golden Core is not to be underestimated. You just need to avoid him and then strive to rank in the top three. That's success."

"Do you understand?"

"I understand."

A hint of unwillingness flashed in Qu Qi's eyes, but he rasped, "Even if I can't beat Chen Qiu, I won't be much weaker than him. With the three Mid-grade Golden Core Talismans you gave me, and being the Great Xia's peerless Law Cultivator Heaven's Pride, the top three won't be too difficult!"

He had this confidence!

He possessed five Celestial Beauties that enhanced Law Cultivators, a large number of bodyguard and offensive artifacts suitable for Law Cultivators, a large number of talismans, various pills, three complete Early Stage Golden Core Law Techniques, and four to five Foundation Establishment Peak Law Techniques.

Additionally, over the past few years, his father had collected many Attribute Scrolls for him. At this moment, he had seven Attribute Scrolls that were highly compatible with Law Cultivators, along with several other auxiliary Attribute Scrolls, totaling twelve in all.

This was a terrifying number. Normally, an Early Stage Golden Core would only have three Attribute Scrolls, and they might not even be suitable.

Almost all of his Attribute Scrolls were highly compatible with him.

Whether it was fate or family background, he was among the top two in Great Xia.

The conversation between the head of the Qu family and Qu Qi was overheard clearly by the Supreme Elder in the guest room at the back of the compound.

"Hmm..."

The Supreme Elder of the Qu family lay on the bed, his brows furrowed in deep thought. Unconsciously, he picked up a slice of watermelon and chewed on it. From his perspective, the Qu family was doomed to perish.

Qu Qi clearly had no brains.

No matter how you looked at it, Chen Qiu was the true Child of Heaven's Pride. Qu Qi was bringing a large amount of heavenly materials and treasures into the Talent Realm, clearly delivering materials to Chen Qiu.

Chen Qiu was precisely worried about lacking materials to forge a suitable Celestial Artifact for a Law Cultivator.

You, Qu Qi, just eagerly rushed over, saying, 'I have it, I have it, I have everything.'

It seemed the Qu family couldn't be relied upon.

However, one must be flexible. Although he was the Supreme Elder of the Qu family, it didn't mean he couldn't abandon them and switch sides. If he found Chen Qiu and informed him of this news, perhaps he could gain Chen Qiu's favor?

This Chen Qiu seemed destined for greatness. Gaining a bit of his favor was clearly better than waiting to die in the Qu family.

That made sense!

One must be adaptable! But where could he find Chen Qiu?

The Supreme Elder of the Qu family hesitated, turning over in bed and grabbing another green grape to eat.

In the end...

Chen Qiu and the others didn't go to the Qu family, not because of any complicated reasons, but because they suddenly realized their pockets seemed to be empty of Spirit Stones.

"Let's find an inn to stay for now."

Chen Qiu patted the scholar's shoulder, "After the Talent Realm competition ends, we'll have Spirit Stones. Then, I'll take you there."

The inns in the capital were almost fully booked that night.

However, they managed to find a decent one and paid the fee with a few worthless Spirit Treasures from the Little World's warehouse.

Soon, dawn broke.

That night, Chen Qiu didn't cultivate but slept soundly, enjoying a deep slumber.

After eating a quick breakfast with Fat Dragon and the others, they headed towards the city's north gate. The Talent Realm would appear five li outside the city, and the Talent Ranking Competition would also begin there.

Upon reaching the Golden Core stage, one could go without food for extended periods.

However, he still enjoyed eating and found the food quite fragrant. As for the so-called impurities, they were nothing compared to the amount in a Qi Supplement Pill.

Soon, they arrived at a massive square that had been under construction for several years, located five li north of the city.

The square was already bustling with people, creating a chaotic atmosphere. Golden Core Cultivators, who were rarely seen on regular days, were now visible every few steps. Each family and sect had sent a Golden Core Cultivator to escort their Talented Youth, as it was a matter of face and prestige.

Firstly, it was to prevent hostile sects from ambushing and killing the participants before the competition even started.

Secondly, it was a matter of saving face.

Every family and sect had sent a Golden Core Cultivator; not doing so would be a loss of face.

Most of the Talented Youths were at the Foundation Establishment stage, with only a few at the Golden Core stage. These Golden Core Talented Youths were considered strong contenders for the top three spots.

When the time came, the entrance to the Talent Realm would appear in the center of the square, and the scenes within the realm would be projected into the air. Tens of thousands of seats had been constructed around the square for the various sects and families to watch their Talented Youths' performances in the realm.

Additionally, the scenes here would be transmitted through a Sub-Realm to various parts of the capital, allowing solitary cultivators and ordinary people to watch the competition.

As soon as Chen Qiu and his group arrived, a servant approached and asked for their sect's name and the name of their participant.

"Mock Heaven Sect, Sect Leader Chen Qiu," he replied.

The servant's expression changed instantly, and he respectfully led Chen Qiu and his group to the very front of all the seats. Only then did he inform them that they could wait patiently here, and when the Talent Realm opened, the Mock Heaven Sect's elders could also watch from this spot.

Chen Qiu nodded and sat down.

He didn't plan to let Fat Dragon and the others watch the competition here. If he entered the Talent Realm and his enemies took Fat Dragon and the others hostage to threaten him, it would be a nuisance.

Instead of watching the competition, he'd rather stay inside the Little World.

Even if the servant assured him that it was absolutely safe and no one would dare to make a move here, he pretended not to hear.

"Oh?"

At that moment, Chen Qiu heard an exclamation of surprise next to him.

A middle-aged man sat beside him, his eyes glinting with joy as he smiled and said, "Friend Chen, it's been a long time. I never thought we'd meet here. Our two sects' seats are right next to each other, huh."

This middle-aged man was none other than Zhao Yi Shi's master and the leader of the Heavenward Sect, the one who had given him a storage ring filled with Malevolent Wood.

Chen Qiu smiled back warmly, "Indeed, it has been a long time, Sect Leader Zhao."

". . ."

The Heavenward Sect Leader's lips twitched, and he forced a smile, "Friend Chen, you're quite humorous. I've never heard anyone call me that before. My name is Zhao Dezhu, but most people call me Sect Leader Zhao."

"Yes, Sect Leader Zhao."

Chen Qiu suddenly remembered something and took out the storage ring filled with Malevolent Wood that Zhao Dezhu had given him last time. He returned it to Zhao Dezhu with a serious expression, "Last time we parted in a hurry, and I forgot to return this to you."

"This ring contains several thousand pieces of Malevolent Wood. It's too precious; I feel unworthy to keep it."

"I'm returning it to you now."

"Hey!"

Zhao Dezhu pretended to be angry and pushed the storage ring back, "Are you looking down on me, Zhao Dezhu? This Malevolent Wood is not valuable. There's no need to feel unworthy. I'll take it back."

"You really don't want it?"

"No, I don't."

"Alright then."

Chen Qiu smiled and put his arm around Sect Leader Zhao's shoulder, saying warmly, "Sect Leader Zhao, you're so generous. Where's Zhao Yi Shi? Is he not coming to the Talent Realm this time?"

Of course, he knew that Sect Leader Zhao wouldn't accept it.

But he found this man quite amusing, completely devoid of the airs of a Golden Core Cultivator.

He intentionally brought it up, knowing that when the Great Xia Kingdom's Nascent Soul restriction was broken and everyone learned the true value of Malevolent Wood, he would definitely visit the Heavenward Sect to see if Sect Leader Zhao could still smile as happily as he did now.

"Sigh."

Sect Leader Zhao let out a sigh, "He prefers peace and isn't too keen on pursuing such empty fame."

"That's good. I'm the same."

"You too?"

"Yes."

". . . That's good."

The two chatted casually as more and more sects took their seats. Those seated at the front were often from sects with high rankings on the Talent Ranking. The Mock Heaven Sect was an exception.

Soon, the area around the massive square was filled with people.

Six terrifying Golden Core Peak Cultivators suddenly unleashed their auras, enveloping the entire square.

In the center of the square, six elderly men dressed in royal attendant robes sat cross-legged, their faces expressionless. The pressure they emitted reverberated in everyone's hearts.

"These are all members of the Great Xia royal family," Sect Leader Zhao whispered to Chen Qiu. "They are here mainly to maintain order and prevent any conflicts that might arise if a Talented Youth dies in the realm and their sect is attacked by enemies upon leaving the Talent Realm."

"Leaving the Capital City, no one will care about the chaos."

"But within the city, even with the greatest of grudges, one must hold it in."

"On the other hand, this is also a display of the Great Xia Royal Family's heritage. In all of Great Xia, aside from the Royal Family, no other power can boast six Peak Golden Core Stage experts."

"Mhm."

Chen Qiu lightly nodded, indicating his understanding.

Just then—

The square, which had been quieted by the pressure of the Peak Golden Core Stage cultivators, suddenly buzzed with chatter once more. A group of a dozen young men and women, their faces devoid of expression, clad in luxurious robes, were escorted by a group of eunuchs to the front row of chairs, separate from the rest.

Even without the introduction of the Heavenward Sect Leader, Chen Qiu knew the identity of this group. They were the children of the Great Xia Royal Family, the Xia Family, each of whom was said to possess over a dozen beneficial Attribute Scroll effects.

He had never encountered them before.

And now, he would finally get to see them.

Among the dozen or so young men and women of the Xia Family, only three were at the Early Golden Core Stage, the rest were at the Foundation Establishment Peak, and they all appeared to be in their early twenties, quite young. They were truly the Heaven's Pride.

Right after.

Before Chen Qiu could even shift his gaze away from the group, he saw a girl at the Early Golden Core Stage, followed by four or five attendants, slowly approaching him. She then stared at him with an expressionless face.

"My sister died at your hands."

"This grudge, I will avenge for her."

"Within the Talent Paragon Realm, not only will strengths be tested, but lives will be decided."

After saying this, the girl at the Early Golden Core Stage turned and walked towards a nearby seat.

". "

Chen Qiu was left alone, feeling a bit confused. When did he kill her sister? He didn't seem to have killed many people, how could he have an unknown enemy?

The Heavenward Sect Leader, noticing the rather eye-catching patterns on the attendants, had a hint of surprise flash in his eyes, his voice lowered.

"It's the Great Xia's Hidden Clan, the Liu Family."

"Chen Qiu, how did you offend them?"

"Hidden Clans are not to be trifled with. Every Hidden Clan has at least two Peak Golden Core Stage experts, but due to their inability to break through, they can only hide in their Little World, barely surviving."

"Every Hidden Clan has a Little World."

"This is the strength of the Hidden Clans. Since you don't know where they hide, they can attack you at any time. You can never completely eradicate them, which means you'll constantly face attacks from the Liu Family."

"They haven't shown themselves for seventy or eighty years, but for some reason, they've sent out the younger generation."

"And they call themselves a Hidden Clan?" Chen Qiu's eyebrows rose slightly.

To put it bluntly, they just have one more Peak Golden Core Stage expert on the verge of death than the old clans, and they have a Little World.

And they'll emerge from the Little World to attack me?

Aren't they here to give me Spirit Stones? How can they be called a Hidden Clan?

However, after seeing the markings on the two attendants, he recognized them. After leaving Fat Province's "Luo Feng," he had casually killed an old man and a youth, and the old man's robe had a similar marking.

So it was these two.

When they first met, they had a condescending attitude, saying that he had passed the trial and could be their dog. He hadn't even heard the rest of their words before taking action, mainly because he really hated it when people talked about testing him, and then saying that he could be their dog if he passed.

If you can test me, then I can test you too, right? If you can't even withstand a single attack, how dare you test others?

Chen Qiu casually glanced at the woman walking away and paid her no more attention. He would play around in the Talent Paragon Realm later.

Just then—

Everyone had taken their seats, and the time for the Talent Paragon Realm to open was drawing near.

A middle-aged man in a robe walked onto the stage, standing in the center of the square. He looked around and smiled warmly, "The annual Talent Paragon Realm is about to begin. In this Talent Paragon Realm..."

"First, we thank His Majesty..."

"Secondly, we welcome..."

After a series of formalities...

"Finally, let's introduce the strong contenders for this year's Heaven's Pride Ranking."

The middle-aged man took a deep breath, his palm flat as he pointed in Chen Qiu's direction, his voice booming with vigor, "The first strong contender is..."

"The Mock Heaven Sect Leader, the Celestial Saint, the possessor of the Fifth Rank Celestial Golden Core, the one who slaughtered over a hundred thousand of the Evil Tribes..."

"Chen Qiu!"

The man dragged out the last two syllables.

At that moment, a bright light descended from the heavens, striking Chen Qiu's seat. Everyone in the square turned to look at Chen Qiu, clapping continuously. However, the expressions on their faces were varied.

There was envy, jealousy, admiration, confusion, malevolence, helplessness, and resentment.

Indeed, people's reactions were as diverse as their personalities.

PS: Typos will be corrected later.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end