Chapter 19: Chapter 19: Imperial City
Amid the puzzled gazes of the disciples, the flying demon beast finally departed, disappearing into the horizon.
Ji Xiaotian stood in front of an ancient hall, hands behind his back, watching them leave the entire time.
After a long while, he couldn’t help but let out a long sigh, his eyes full of relief, as he said, "Jinglan, Chen’er has truly grown up..."
...
Celestial Essence City.
This is the core of the Chu Kingdom, as well as the location of the Imperial Capital, nestled against mountains and rivers, endlessly prosperous, with a vast flow of people coming and going daily.
Led by the flying demon beast, three days later, Ji Chen and his two companions finally arrived here.
The Celestial Essence City today was noticeably more bustling than usual.
Because the annual alchemist examination was to take place here.
Experts from the major factions of the Chu Kingdom gathered here, eager to observe.
For any faction, alchemists have always been a highly sought-after profession.
And those who perform outstandingly in the examination often receive enthusiastic invitations from the major factions.
For instance, Li Huayuan of past years, it was only after he became a Second Grade Alchemist that Ji Xiaotian invited him to be an Honored Guest Elder of the Lingyun Sect.
"It’s truly bustling. I wonder how many people will participate in this year’s alchemist examination?"
"There are indeed quite a few alchemists who have gathered in Celestial Essence City now, but only a portion of them will actually take the examination."
"It is said that the Eldest Princess will also participate in the examination this time. I wonder if that’s true?" someone suddenly spoke.
At these words, everyone was immediately taken aback, "Eldest Princess Qu Luoning?"
Daughter of Emperor Chu, stunningly beautiful, she is the treasured pearl of the Royal Family.
It is said that the Eldest Princess is highly talented, having condensed three Spirit Veins in the Spiritual Sea during her vein condensation.
Now, she is only twenty-two or three years old, but her cultivation has already reached the Ninth Layer of the Vein Condensation Realm, with Spirit Transformation imminent, thus she is hailed as the number one talent in Chu Kingdom of the current era.
Not only that, despite her extremely high martial arts talent, the Eldest Princess Qu Luoning is also an alchemist.
Years ago, she was introduced to the Alchemy Dao and was then taken in by the ’Dan King,’ who taught her the alchemy technique.
Dan King Zhuang Miao is currently the number one alchemy master within the Chu Kingdom, having attained Fourth Grade proficiency many years ago. Many say that he is highly likely to achieve Fifth Grade within these two years.
This examination is presided over by Dan King Zhuang Miao himself. He is the key figure of the Alchemist Master Hall residing in Chu Kingdom and is also one of the top ten Honorary Elders of the Alchemy Master Alliance, possessing real power and influence!
"The Eldest Princess is also going to participate in the examination..."
"Two years ago, she obtained the identity of a First Grade Alchemist, so if she is participating in the examination again, could it mean she is about to be promoted to a Second Grade Alchemist?"
As people discussed this, they couldn’t help but be surprised.
A Second Grade Alchemist, it might sound ordinary, but knowing that Qu Luoning, at such a young age, possessed proficiency of a Second Grade Alchemist, is quite a terrifying feat.
Throughout the centuries of Chu Kingdom’s history, there are few who reached the level of a Second Grade Alchemist at her age.
"Who exactly is this Eldest Princess?"
Ji Chen and his companions had long since arrived in Celestial Essence City, and obviously heard the discussions along the way. He couldn’t help but ask curiously.
"Young Sect Leader doesn’t know?" Li Huayuan and Qin Lan were somewhat surprised.
After all, among the people of Chu Kingdom, there are hardly any who have not heard the name of Eldest Princess Qu Luoning.
She is the number one talent of the current era in Chu Kingdom.
They heard Li Huayuan explain, "The cherished jewel of Chu Kingdom, truly favored by the heavens, excelling in both Pill and Martial Arts, on the verge of Spirit Transformation, while also having the proficiency of a Second Grade Alchemist. Such a character, in today’s Chu Kingdom, is unmatched."
"Isn’t there one right before your eyes?" Qin Lan suddenly chuckled.
Li Huayuan was momentarily stunned upon hearing this, only then realizing that compared to Qu Luoning, Ji Chen was evidently far more astonishing.
"Now that the Eldest Princess is under the tutelage of the Dan King, and at such a young age is about to become a Second Grade Alchemist, many say she is highly likely to inherit the next throne. If that truly is the case, it would be an unprecedented occurrence, for among the Ten Countries of the Profound Domain, throughout history, there’s been no record of an Empress ever appearing," Qin Lan spoke.
Upon hearing this, Ji Chen was also slightly surprised.
It seems this Eldest Princess is indeed extraordinary.
However, compared to Liu Qingcheng, she seems still somewhat inferior.
For in terms of age, Liu Qingcheng is only nineteen years old now, yet her cultivation has already formally entered the Spirit Transformation Realm, while possessing four Spirit Veins. Such talent, even throughout the Ten Countries of the Profound Domain, is rarely matched.
Soon, the three of them headed to the northern part of the city.
This is where the Anomaly Pavilion of Celestial Essence City is located, and it’s also the Alchemist Master Hall of Chu Kingdom, with the Pavilion Master being none other than Dan King Zhuang Miao.
Considering Qin Lan and Li Huayuan are both alchemists of the alliance, with rich experience, arriving to participate in the examination, the master hall had already arranged accommodations for them early on, and Ji Chen, of course, benefited from this.
They settled in a place within the master hall.
"The examination officially begins in two days. It should be the Young Sect Leader’s first visit to Celestial Essence City, so maybe you can take this opportunity to have some fun," Li Huayuan suggested.
Celestial Essence City is also known as the City That Never Sleeps. Compared to daytime, nighttime in Celestial Essence City is far more vibrant.
Rumor has it that the city’s shops, taverns, and tea houses, large and small, do not close their doors at night.
And with the examination imminent, various figures from sects across Chu Kingdom have flocked here, making the nighttime of Celestial Essence City immeasurably more lively than usual.
Ji Chen was indeed somewhat interested in this.
After all, since crossing over, he really hadn’t had much chance to play.
Soon, as night fell, Ji Chen left his room alone.
He walked out of the Anomaly Pavilion, arriving at a bustling street.
On both sides of the street, red lanterns were hung high, stretching far without end. Looking down from a height, it seemed like a giant fiery dragon coiled within Celestial Essence City, magnificent and grand.
"Tonight, there seems to be a gathering of young talents at the ’Celestial Saint Garden.’ It appears the gathering is personally hosted by the Eldest Princess."
Shortly after leaving the Anomaly Pavilion, Ji Chen overheard such news amidst the discussions of passing cultivators.
He couldn’t help but become interested.
It is said that the Celestial Saint Garden was the summer retreat of the previous generation of Emperor Chu, and it had never been open to the public. Since the passing of the late Emperor, it lay idle for a long time, unexpectedly now used by the Eldest Princess as a venue for a gathering.
With such thoughts, Ji Chen swiftly traversed several bustling streets. Before long, he arrived at the gates of the Celestial Saint Garden.
Looking ahead, the gates of the garden stood wide open, with two rows of soldiers in battle armor, holding long halberds, guarding the entrance.
Nearby the garden gates, quite a number of young figures were gradually gathering, all entering the Celestial Saint Garden in an orderly manner.