Chapter 478: Liu Xingyi (Fourth Update)

The gates of Xiling City were cast from gilded bronze, heavy and towering. Rumor had it that even an eighth-rank martial artist could barely leave a shallow mark upon them, let alone break through.

The city walls were constructed from bluish-gray rock, incredibly hard.

A thousand years of wind and frost had added a touch of vicissitude to this ancient and sacred imperial capital.

There were three gate openings in total. The middle one was the largest, and only the most noble individuals of the Tianling Empire were permitted to pass through it.

Under normal circumstances, this central gate remained tightly locked.

A golden plaque hung above it, inscribed with the words "Xiling."

It was majestic, solemn, and grand.

The side gates on either side were for the entry and exit of ordinary people.

Although they were smaller than the central gate, each was still large enough to accommodate hundreds of people passing through simultaneously.

Near every gate opening, hundreds of Black Cavalry soldiers stood guard.

Anyone entering or leaving Xiling had to undergo strict inspection.

Even so, the place remained bustling with a constant flow of people.

As the imperial capital of the Tianling Empire, countless cultivators arrived every day as if on a pilgrimage.

Chu Liuyue and Jian Fengchi walked forward with the crowd.

However, perhaps because the two of them possessed such extraordinary looks and grace, combined with the commotion at Pingliang Square that many had witnessed earlier, there seemed to be a transparent barrier around them, isolating them from others.

As they reached the gate opening, a guard standing at the front looked up, saw Jian Fengchi, and immediately spoke respectfully

"Greetings—"

Jian Fengchi waved his hand and tossed the token in his hand over.

"Bringing one person."

The guard could tell that Jian Fengchi did not wish to draw attention, and he couldn't help but feel secretly surprised.

Looking at the entirety of Xiling, this master was definitely considered one of those who loved excitement most; it was rare for him to be this low-profile.

His gaze fell upon Chu Liuyue beside him, and a flash of admiration crossed his eyes.

"This person is—"

Chu Liuyue handed over the token.

"Chu Liuyue, from the Yaochen Kingdom."

*So she comes from beyond the Sky Curtain Realm... and she is only a third-rank martial artist?*

However, since she was coming with Jian Fengchi, he certainly had to show respect.

He inspected Chu Liuyue's token and was startled.

This was clearly Vice General Mu's token!

*It seems this woman's background is even more complicated than imagined...*

He respectfully returned the token to the two of them and looked at Chu Liuyue

"You've arrived at a good time. The 'Wan Zheng Assembly' begins tomorrow. Just go to Xinli Garden to register, and you can officially participate in the competition tomorrow."

Chu Liuyue was stunned.

The Wan Zheng Assembly?

She had never heard of it.

Seeing Chu Liuyue's expression, the man assumed she didn't know where Xinli Garden was and said

"Do you need someone to lead you there?"

Chu Liuyue instinctively shook her head

"I—I will just ask Young Master Jian for help. There is no need to trouble you."

Jian Fengchi raised an eyebrow.

*This girl seems quite easy to handle?*

The guard was startled and glanced cautiously at Jian Fengchi. Seeing that he was not angry, he felt slightly relieved.

"Not at all. This Young Master will naturally take her."

Jian Fengchi beckoned to Chu Liuyue.

"Follow me."

Chu Liuyue gave a faint smile and followed.

Xinli Garden was a famous royal garden in Xiling City, existing since the era of the Founding Emperor.

In her past free time, she had quite enjoyed going there.

She hadn't expected that upon her return, the first place she would go to would be there.

Jian Fengchi walked ahead, swaying a green jade fan in his hand.

"Xinli Garden is a good place; you can go in and take a look in a moment. In the past, not just anyone could enter that place."

Chu Liuyue sensed there was more to his words, so she feigned curiosity and asked

"In the past?"

"That garden used to be... forget it, there's no point telling you this. Regardless, the scenery is nice."

Chu Liuyue tactfully changed the subject

"And this Wan Zheng Assembly, what is that about? Vice General Mu did not mention it to me before."

Jian Fengchi's movements paused. He folded the green jade fan and rested it against his chin.

"That... is nothing more than some boring competitions. You'll know once you go there tomorrow."

In any case, in his eyes, that was merely the official explanation given by people like Shangguan Wan.

They had inexplicably organized this Wan Zheng Assembly, calling it a way to cultivate geniuses into powerhouses, but who knew what they actually intended to do?

Seeing Jian Fengchi's indifferent expression, Chu Liuyue nodded slightly and did not ask further.

The two continued forward and soon arrived at Xinli Garden.

However, upon reaching the entrance of Xinli Garden, Chu Liuyue keenly sensed that several experts were actually hidden here!

Several scrutinizing gazes swept over her body!

Chu Liuyue feigned ignorance, following obediently behind Jian Fengchi.

Two attendants stood before the gates of Xinli Garden.

Chu Liuyue scanned them quickly; as expected, they were two unfamiliar faces.

But both of them clearly recognized Jian Fengchi, and the solemnity on their faces immediately gave way to eager smiles.

"Greetings, Eldest Young Master Jian!"

Jian Fengchi waved his green jade fan impatiently and said

"How does one register for the Wan Zheng Assembly?"

The two men's gazes fell upon Chu Liuyue.

It went without saying that she was the one registering.

But Jian Fengchi didn't seem to be on the list of people bringing others, did he?

Yet they did not dare to ask, saying respectfully

"Please, come inside, you two. The registration area is at Xiaofu Garden. Once you arrive there, someone will naturally assist you."

Jian Fengchi winked at Chu Liuyue and led the way inside.

Chu Liuyue maintained her composure and followed him through the gates.

A rich fragrance wafted toward her, mixed with a faint bitterness, yet it was refreshing to the mind.

Xinli Garden covered a vast area and was planted with a large amount of medicinal herbs, which was why the entire garden smelled of this scent.

Medicinal materials that were rarely seen outside were commonplace here.

Chu Liuyue's gaze swept lightly over the plants and trees around her, and she sighed inwardly.

She had perished in self-immolation, and her subordinates had been scattered and displaced, yet these medicinal herbs had all been preserved intact.

*Oh, I almost forgot, Shangguan Wan is also a Heavenly Physician.*

She had personally and meticulously cultivated these things in the past; in the end, they had all benefited Shangguan Wan.

At this thought, Chu Liuyue's eyes turned cold for a moment, but it passed instantly, and her expression quickly returned to normal.

Because there was something even more impossible to ignore—the number of hidden cultivators within Xinli Garden was even greater!

As they walked, she felt as though she had been scrutinized over and over again!

Jian Fengchi had clearly noticed this as well, and his expression turned somewhat cold.

Passing through the front courtyard and around the Seven Star Bridge, the two finally arrived at Xiaofu Garden.

A man who looked to be around thirty years old was sitting quietly behind a desk.

Hearing footsteps, the man looked up. Seeing it was Jian Fengchi, he smiled.

"I wondered who it was; it turns out to be you."

Jian Fengchi frowned.

"Liu Xingyi? Why are you here?"

Truly, a narrow road for enemies!

"The Third Princess sent me. If I'm not here, where else would I be?"

As Liu Xingyi spoke, he looked toward Chu Liuyue with a playful glint in his eyes.

"Is this the person you brought?"