Chapter 142: Chapter 141: Qingyang Commandery City

In an instant, the room fell so silent you could hear a pin drop.

Shi Meng swallowed hard, a terrifying glint erupting in his eyes—an indescribable fervor.

Even Yun Qianyue, Li Feng, and Huang Ling’er could no longer remain completely calm.

Yun Qianyue pursed her lips slightly beneath her purple veil, a starlike glint flickering in the depths of her eyes.

A sharp glint appeared in Li Feng’s eyes, and the frigid aura surrounding him temporarily vanished.

Huang Ling’er subconsciously sat up straight, her small hands gripping the chair’s armrests.

Though they came from extraordinary backgrounds and were worldly, a supreme treasure like the Earth Core Stone Milk was the stuff of legends even to them. How could their hearts not pound with excitement at the chance to obtain it?

And Fang Han’s heart burned even hotter as a particular possibility occurred to him.

’The system panel’s boost isn’t a one-time enhancement to my Root Bone. It’s a multiplier; it doesn’t fundamentally change the Root Bone itself.’

’This means that when my Root Bone is enhanced by the Earth Core Stone Milk, the boost I’ll get will likely be the effect of the Earth Core Stone Milk, multiplied by sixteen!’

’If my guess is right, the benefits I’ll get from the Earth Core Stone Milk will be sixteen times greater than what the other four will receive.’

"Excellent," Elder Chen Xuan said in a deep voice, looking on with satisfaction at the fighting spirit and desire burning in their eyes. "Remember this desire. The competition is in the Commandery City, and it’s a long journey. Go back and prepare. We gather at the mountain gate tomorrow morning and depart for the Commandery City together."

"Yes, Elder!" the five replied in unison, their voices filled with irrepressible excitement.

After leaving the reception room, Fang Han stepped out into the somewhat chilly October air, but his heart was ablaze.

He didn’t linger, heading straight back to Room C-7.

Pushing open the door, he deftly began to pack his belongings: a few changes of clothes, the Peiyuan Pills he used for cultivation, his Identity Jade Token, and the Cyan Blade Sword.

His movements were swift and methodical, but four words echoed endlessly in his mind: "Earth Core Stone Milk."

’If I can get it, this will be a massive opportunity.’

’My path on the Martial Dao will take an unprecedented leap forward.’

...

「The next morning.」

Fang Han arrived promptly before the imposing mountain gate of the Qingxuan Sect.

It was nearly November, and a fog had settled in the mountain mornings. Qingxuan Mountain was shrouded in a hazy mist.

When he arrived, Yun Qianyue, Li Feng, Huang Ling’er, and Shi Meng were already present.

Yun Qianyue, her face hidden by a purple veil, stood silently to the side with a graceful posture, her cool gaze fixed on the distance.

Li Feng cradled his long saber, his eyes sharp and his aura frigid.

Huang Ling’er, wearing a daffodil-yellow hair ornament that made her look both cute and sharp, blinked her large eyes upon seeing Fang Han arrive—the one who had outranked her. She sized him up with a hint of curiosity before pretending to be uninterested and looking away.

Shi Meng was burly, with a rugged appearance.

The five of them didn’t exchange any words.

Aside from Huang Ling’er, the other four were all people of few words. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Before long, the sound of footsteps came from within the mountain gate.

Elder Chen Xuan emerged at a slow pace, followed by three Stewards from the Sub-Branches.

"Everyone’s here. Let’s go."

Elder Chen Xuan’s gaze swept over the five disciples. He gave a slight nod, wasting no words.

Two enormous carriages were already waiting at the mountain gate.

The carriages weren’t pulled by ordinary steeds, but by two Demon Beasts that resembled elk, with jade-like horns and bluish-brown coats—Cyan-hoofed Deer.

These Demon Beasts had a docile nature and incredible stamina, allowing for a smooth ride. Their strength and endurance far surpassed those of ordinary horses.

They were often domesticated as mounts, and the great Noble Sects commonly used them to pull carriages.

The carriage was built from dark hardwood with metal-inlaid corners, giving it a simple yet sturdy appearance. It was several times larger than a typical carriage.

Elder Chen Xuan and the three Stewards boarded the first carriage.

As instructed, Fang Han and the other four boarded the second carriage.

The carriage interior was indeed incredibly spacious. Soft animal-hide cushions were laid out, and there was even a small, fixed table in the center.

The five of them each found a place to sit, and it wasn’t crowded in the slightest.

With a soft cry from the driver, the Cyan-hoofed Deer set their hooves in motion. The two carriages slowly started moving, following the main road down the mountain toward the Commandery City.

Whether it was due to special modifications to the carriage or not, the ride in the Demon Beast-pulled vehicle was exceptionally smooth. The usual bumps and sways of a carriage were almost nonexistent.

There was only a very faint, rhythmic sway, like being on a large, steadily sailing ship.

Silence filled the carriage.

Almost the instant the carriage began to move, Yun Qianyue, Li Feng, Huang Ling’er, and Shi Meng all closed their eyes in unison and formed Mantra Seals with their hands, clearly entering a state of cultivation.

The allure of the Earth Core Stone Milk and the pressure of the Seven Sects competition left these four talented disciples no room for complacency. They seized every available moment to increase their strength.

Fang Han was no exception.

He took a deep breath, suppressed his sense of novelty at riding in such a vehicle for the first time, and also sat cross-legged to circulate the Xunfeng Technique.

His Inner Qi surged ceaselessly between the four acupoints, growing stronger little by little as the Cultivation Technique circulated.

The only sounds in the carriage were the five disciples’ long, even breaths and the whistle of the wind outside the windows.

Time slipped by quietly as they remained focused on their cultivation.

They traveled by day and rested at night in the towns or waystations along the route.

Five days passed in the blink of an eye.

For these five days, Fang Han was free from distractions and focused all his energy on cultivation.

Boosted by his sixteen-fold Root Bone Talent, the results were remarkable.

He could clearly feel that the Inner Qi within his Zhongfu Acupoint had grown considerably fuller, and he had taken a solid step toward the Middle Stage of Eighth Grade.

The auras of Yun Qianyue, Li Feng, Huang Ling’er, and Shi Meng had also grown stronger over the five days.

As the chosen representatives of the Qingxuan Sect’s new disciples, their talent was naturally exceptional.

On the afternoon of the fifth day, Fang Han was circulating his Inner Qi when he felt the carriage begin to slow.

He slowly ceased his cultivation and opened his eyes.

Across from him, Yun Qianyue opened her eyes at the same moment. Their gazes met, and he gave her a slight nod in greeting.

Since their last conversation, the two were no longer strangers.

The other three also gradually emerged from their cultivation.

Huang Ling’er curiously leaned toward the window to look outside, then let out a soft exclamation. "Wow!"

Fang Han also peered out the window into the distance.

On the horizon, the silhouette of an incredibly magnificent, massive city was gradually coming into focus.

The city walls towered like mountains, stretching for countless miles. Its sheer scale far surpassed any city he had ever seen, including Qingxuan City.

The watchtowers were imposing and banners snapped in the wind. Even from so far away, they could feel a vast, weighty aura washing over them.

"Is that the Qingyang Commandery City?" Shi Meng asked in his booming voice, his eyes filled with shock.

"I’ve heard the Commandery City has a permanent population of over two million. It’s the heart of Qingyang County," Li Feng said, cradling his saber. His tone was as flat as ever, but his gaze was locked on the massive city’s silhouette.

Fang Han’s heart also stirred.

’A great city with a population of two million... Its prosperity and complexity were far beyond anything Liangshui City or even Qingxuan City could match.’

’The Seven Sects competition is held here, with factions from all over gathering. This must be a place where storms are brewing.’

The convoy reached the towering city gates and passed through a special channel, entering the city directly without being inspected.

The bluestone-paved streets were exceptionally wide, broad enough for ten carriages to travel side-by-side.

Pavilions lined both sides of the street, and shops stood in dense rows. The crowd moved like a flowing river, and a cacophony of noise filled the air. A mixture of countless auras permeated the atmosphere, which was thick with the scent of prosperity and vigor.

Eventually, the carriage pulled into a sprawling, stately residence in the western part of the city.

A plaque hanging over the main gate read "Qingxuan Villa." This was the Qingxuan Sect’s base of operations and lodging within the Commandery City.

Inside the villa, dedicated staff received them and saw that everyone was properly settled.

The next day, Fang Han and the other four were habitually preparing to continue their secluded cultivation when they were summoned to the front hall by Elder Chen Xuan.

"The path of cultivation is one of balance."

Elder Chen Xuan looked at the five of them and shook his head, particularly sensing the tension they carried.

"You’ve all been training hard for days on end, and your spirits are showing signs of fatigue. That’s not conducive to cultivation. Take today to relax. Go out and explore the city."

Upon hearing this, Huang Ling’er’s eyes immediately lit up. Fang Han, Yun Qianyue, Li Feng, and Shi Meng, however, were hesitant.

"The Commandery City is a den of dragons and snakes, full of experts. To prevent anyone from trying to stop our Qingxuan Sect disciples from competing at their best, I’ll have Steward Wu Hao accompany you for your safety," Elder Chen Xuan continued.

"Yes, Elder!"

Knowing they couldn’t refuse, Fang Han and the other four replied in unison.

And so, under the guidance of Steward Wu Hao, Fang Han, Yun Qianyue, Li Feng, Huang Ling’er, and Shi Meng left Qingxuan Villa and blended into the bustling crowds of the Commandery City.

The streets were bustling with traffic. The cries of vendors, the sound of laughter and conversation, and the clatter of hooves were incessant.

All sorts of shops sold a dazzling variety of goods, from common food and clothing to Weapons and Elixirs, and even some strange and peculiar trinkets. They had everything imaginable.

Huang Ling’er was the most excited. Curious about everything, she frequently pulled Yun Qianyue into shops selling women’s accessories or specialty snacks.

Though Yun Qianyue remained her usual cool and distant self, she didn’t refuse, and would occasionally give an exquisite item a second glance.

Li Feng, on the other hand, was more interested in the weapon shops and stores selling materials related to the Martial Dao, his sharp gaze sweeping over the displayed armaments.

Shi Meng, however, seemed uninterested in everything he saw, a look of complete boredom on his face.

Fang Han went along with the group, occasionally stopping at shops to pick out some gifts to bring back for his parents and younger sister.

Steward Wu Hao remained silent, seemingly following the five of them casually, but his eyes were constantly scanning the surroundings. His steady aura was reassuring.

After several hours of wandering, it was noon. Steward Wu Hao spoke up, "Let’s find a place to eat."

No one objected, so they chose an impressive-looking restaurant nearby called the Hundred Flavors Building and went inside.

The restaurant was clamoring with voices and packed to the rafters.

Seeing the group’s distinguished air, a waiter quickly led them to an elegant private table by a window on the second floor.

As the aromatic dishes were served and they began to eat, the conversations of the surrounding diners drifted to their ears.

Nearly all the talk centered on the upcoming competition between the new disciples of the Seven Sects.

"The Seven Sects competition is about to start again. I wonder which sect will come out on top this year?"

"I think the Qingxuan Sect has a good chance. Their top new disciple, Yun Qianyue, is the younger sister of Yun Muyao, the ’White Mist Sword,’ who is ranked eighteenth on the Celestial Pride List. I hear her Swordsmanship is exceptional, and she’s incredibly strong."

"I think the Lingyun Sword Sect has a better shot. I’ve heard their top new disciple, Lin Zihua, is incredibly strong. His Swordsmanship is as fast as lightning!"

"No, I think the Overlord Blade Sect has the best chance. Their number one new disciple, Guo Lie, is rumored to have a tyrannical and ferocious Saber Technique. They say he’s extremely powerful."

"The Vajra Temple isn’t to be underestimated either. I hear their top new disciple, a young monk named Wu Fan, has incredibly solid Body Hardening Skills. His strength is nothing to scoff at."

"The Netherworld Pavilion is in the running, too. Their top new disciple, Xin Wuming, is supposedly an expert in the Combat Killing Blade Technique."

"Baihua Valley has a shot as well. Their top new disciple, Liu Yiyi, isn’t just beautiful—she wields the Hundred Flowers Swordsmanship with divine skill. Her strength is certainly not to be underestimated."

"My money’s on Tingyu Building. I’ve heard their top new disciple, Mo Chen, has a treacherous Body Technique and his Hidden Weapons are impossible to guard against. Several Martial Artists with higher cultivation have already died by his hand. He’s also extremely strong."

The diners debated animatedly, speculating on which sect would take the top spot in the Seven Sects competition. The air was thick with their anticipation and guesses.