Chapter 87: Chapter 87: Kunlun’s Invitation
Soon, Ji Chen and the other two left the area and headed far away from the Demon Beast Mountain Range.
Before long, they returned to Celestial Essence City and briefly informed everyone about what they had witnessed in the Demon Beast Mountain Range.
Upon learning that an ancient Great Demon was slumbering beneath the ground of the Demon Beast Mountain Range, everyone became restless.
Clearly, this piece of information was far more shocking than the impact of the beast tide.
"The current strategy can only involve having the Ye Family and Kunlun dispatch reinforcements here to suppress the demon beasts in the mountain and quell the beast tide disaster. Besides, I suggest that Chu Kingdom relocates its capital, as residing near the Demon Beast Mountain Range is no longer suitable. When the reinforcement from the Ye Family and Kunlun arrives, this place will become the first line of defense." In one of the Imperial Palace’s Ancient Halls, Si Ruyan spoke this way.
"Relocate the capital..."
Upon hearing these words, both Qu Luoning and Emperor Chu couldn’t help but furrow their brows.
Such a decision would usually cause significant damage to a nation’s fortune, and unless it is absolutely necessary, few would choose to relocate the Imperial City.
But clearly, this was one of those unavoidable situations.
Indeed, as Si Ruyan stated, the most prudent decision now was to relocate the capital.
Moreover, it is said that the large crack in the Demon Beast Mountain Range will continue to expand and might even extend toward Celestial Essence City. By then, the entire city would be split into two by the cracking, rendering it unsuitable for habitation.
"Father Emperor, relocating the Imperial City to the south is a forced decision. We should select a new site as soon as possible," Qu Luoning said.
Emperor Chu nodded, "In fact, I had considered this matter since the outbreak of the beast tide and have several good options in mind. Yang City might be the best choice."
"Yang City?"
Hearing this, Ji Chen couldn’t help but be taken aback.
It was the Cultivator City closest to the Lingyun Sect, only a few dozen miles apart.
So, in the future, the Lingyun Sect and the Royal Family would become neighbors?
This could be a good thing. After the relocation of the capital, Yang City will surely be expanded by the Royal Family and will eventually become a first-rate city in the Chu Kingdom.
And with the Lingyun Sect in such proximity, development could indeed proceed more smoothly and rapidly.
"Eldest Princess, may I have a word with you?" Si Ruyan suddenly spoke.
Upon hearing this, Qu Luoning was slightly surprised. Although she didn’t know why the other party was seeking a private conversation, given that it was the Kunlun Saintess speaking, the matter was probably not ordinary.
She quickly joined Si Ruyan in heading to the back of the hall.
Watching them depart, Ye Yunge withdrew his gaze and turned to Ji Chen. He slightly furrowed his brows before speaking, "So Brother Ji is actually from the Lingyun Sect, and also has the surname Ji. May I know what relationship Sect Leader Ji Xiaotian has with Brother Ji?"
"The Lingyun Sect Leader is indeed my father," Ji Chen replied.
Ye Yunge’s sudden inquiry suggested that he probably knew something about the events of the past.
Upon reflection, it’s only natural.
Ji Chen’s mother, Ye Jinglan, was once the cherished jewel of the Ye Family, yet she bore a child with Ji Xiaotian.
This matter, although suppressed by the Ye Family and not widely known, is known by many high-ranking members within the Ye Family, and as the top prodigy of his generation, how could Ye Yunge not have heard?
"The son of Ji Xiaotian..."
Upon hearing this, Ye Yunge seemed a bit surprised and sized up Ji Chen.
A moment later, he suddenly smiled, clasped his fist, and said, "It looks like we will have more occasions to meet in the future."
"The matter of the Divine Source is critical, so I won’t stay longer. I need to return and inform my elders about today’s events. Brother Ji, fare thee well."
With these words, he did not linger. He turned and left the hall, then swiftly transformed into a stream of light, disappearing into the distant void.
Watching him depart, Ji Chen’s brows knitted slightly.
He wondered if his quick encounter with someone from the Ye Family was ultimately a good or bad thing.
...
Night fell, and Si Ruyan had already left.
In a certain garden of the Imperial Palace, Ji Chen and Qu Luoning sat together in a pavilion.
"What did Fairy Ruyan want to talk to you about?" Ji Chen curiously asked.
Though she was the Eldest Princess of Chu Kingdom, in terms of status, it was insignificant to someone like Si Ruyan, the Kunlun Saintess.
The two had no previous interactions, yet Si Ruyan suddenly sought a private conversation with Qu Luoning, suggesting something important must have been discussed.
Qu Luoning pondered for a moment and didn’t conceal it, "She invited me to join Kunlun."
Upon hearing this, Ji Chen was a bit surprised, but he quickly relaxed and smiled, "To be honest, with your three Spirit Veins, your talent is indeed remarkable; no wonder she wants to recruit you."
"But that’s not the reason for Ruyan’s invitation. It wasn’t because I have three Spirit Veins," Qu Luoning shook her head.
"Oh? Then what is it?" Ji Chen was puzzled.
Did Qu Luoning possess something more significant than her three Spirit Veins that caught Kunlun’s attention?
"Fairy Ruyan said my constitution is special, making it extremely suitable for cultivating their Kunlun’s Ancient Scripture, which is why she extended the invitation," Qu Luoning explained.
"Kunlun’s Ancient Scripture?"
Even with Ji Chen’s composure, he couldn’t help but be surprised.
It’s known that as one of the most ancient Sacred Lands in the current world, Kunlun’s inherited Ancient Scripture is at least of Saint Level.
Such a heritage isn’t accessible to ordinary disciples; Si Ruyan’s invitation to have Qu Luoning join Kunlun signifies more than a mere disciple recruit; it implies focused cultivation.
What kind of constitution could make Si Ruyan value her this much?
Ji Chen was curious but refrained from asking more because from Qu Luoning’s demeanor, it seemed she also was unfamiliar with this so-called constitution. Only by going to Kunlun could she truly understand it.
He said, "Joining Kunlun is indeed a good opportunity. It is said that even Emperor Ye was once a Kunlun disciple. This position as a Kunlun elite disciple should garner enough respect to make a nation’s emperor treat it with courtesy and caution."
Qu Luoning nodded, "Father Emperor wants to entrust Chu Kingdom to me, but frankly, I aspire to the martial path. I only wish to focus on cultivation, having no regard for so-called royal power. I plan to head to Kunlun once the capital is relocated."
...
Time passed, and in the blink of an eye, seven days had flown by.
Ji Chen had already returned to the Lingyun Sect.
And within these seven days, many things happened within Chu Kingdom.
The Imperial City relocated south, moving into Yang City, accompanied by many families originally rooted in Celestial Essence City.
Yang City is currently undergoing expansion, and it may not take long to form a significant size.
As for Celestial Essence City, experts from Kunlun and the Ye Family arrived long ago, making it the first defense line, advancing toward the Demon Beast Mountain Range. With the intervention of these two powers, it’s said the beast tide disaster might be quelled in just a month.
But the beast tide is just a minor issue; what really concerns Kunlun and the Ye Family is the ancient Great Demon slumbering beneath the earth, within the Divine Source.