Chapter 129: Emperor's City

Chapter 129: Emperor's City

"The third method is to accumulate merit points. If you gather 100 merit points, you can cultivate in the Heavenly Palace for one day," the Deputy Headmaster said.

Ning Xiaochuan asked, "What are merit points?"

"That... you’ll have to go to Emperor's City to find the answer yourself. I’ve already told you everything I can. How you proceed with your cultivation is now up to you. I hope that in a year’s time, your cultivation will surpass Ming Yang’s and bring further glory to our Three Masters Martial Academy," the Deputy Headmaster replied.

Ning Xiaochuan and Yu Qianqian left the Deputy Headmaster’s presence and stood in the courtyard of the Three Masters Martial Academy, gazing at the distant Furnace Mountain, where smoke billowed into the sky.

Yu Qianqian said, "This year will be crucial for you. Ming Yang has surely already gone to Emperor's City to challenge the Heavenly Bridge. He wants to rapidly improve his cultivation so he can defeat you in a year. What are you thinking about?"

Ning Xiaochuan retrieved a wooden box from his Heaven and Earth Bag and handed it to her. "This is for you."

Yu Qianqian naturally remembered that this was the reward the Deputy Headmaster had given Ning Xiaochuan—a seventh-grade Jade Fungus, a treasure that was incredibly rare even for a Heart Nurturer.

"You... why are you giving me something so precious?" Yu Qianqian’s heart fluttered slightly as she nervously tugged at the hem of her sleeve, her rosy lips pressed tightly together.

Ning Xiaochuan said, "You’ve helped me so much, Princess—auctioning the Blood Toad Pill, gifting me the Heaven and Earth Bag, searching for the mystic medicine Millennium Slumber, and even taking care of me when I was severely injured. This seventh-grade Jade Fungus is my way of repaying your kindness."

Yu Qianqian’s eyes sparkled, her lashes fluttering. "Just repayment for kindness?"

Ning Xiaochuan nodded.

"Then I won’t take it!" Yu Qianqian smiled slyly. "You owe me so much, and you think a single Jade Fungus can settle it all? Do you really think it’s that easy?"

Ning Xiaochuan asked, "Then what do you want?"

"Nothing much. I just like you owing me. The more you owe, the harder it’ll be for you to forget me." The moment she said it, she regretted it, her cheeks flushing red. How could she say something so bold? It was far too direct, almost like lovers teasing each other.

Forcing herself to remain composed, she added, "What I mean is, the more you owe me, the less you’ll be able to refuse when I ask for your help in the future."

Even if Ning Xiaochuan was completely clueless about matters of the heart, he could still understand Yu Qianqian’s feelings for him.

He didn’t know what to do next—perhaps it was best to let things unfold naturally.

Ning Xiaochuan didn’t press further and put the Jade Fungus away again. "This Jade Fungus is enough to serve as the main ingredient for refining an Intermediate Elixir. However, its medicinal properties lean toward cold energy, so a few auxiliary ingredients will be needed to refine it properly."

Yu Qianqian thought for a moment. "A small amount of Flame Lotus and fourth-grade Ice Muscle Grass should work as auxiliary ingredients."

Ning Xiaochuan smiled. "That’s what I was thinking too. It would be even better if we could add a drop of Jade Marrow Essence."

"There are places in Emperor's City that sell mystic medicines. Let’s go there now," Yu Qianqian suggested.

Emperor's City was located in the heart of the Emperor's Ruins, an ancient city with a history spanning over a thousand years.

Legend had it that Emperor's City was a celestial city that had fallen from the heavens—a place where the Heavenly Emperor once resided.

Furnace Mountain is located 600 kilometers from Emperor's City. Since students of the Three Masters Martial Academy frequently traveled between these two locations, centuries ago, powerful experts from the academy carved out an Ancient Path through the towering mountains.

The Emperor's Ruins span a vast territory, often roamed by ferocious mystic beasts, with many unknown creatures lurking among the peaks. Every year, numerous students perish at the jaws of these beasts. However, this Ancient Path remains relatively safe, as the lingering aura of Martial Venerables scattered along its length keeps the mystic beasts at bay, preventing them from approaching within 5 kilometers of the path.

On the Ancient Path, two figures raced toward Emperor's City. Though they appeared to be walking, each step carried them seven or eight meters forward, their speed rivaling that of a Green Deer Horse. These two were none other than Ning Xiaochuan and Yu Qianqian.

"At our current pace, we should reach Emperor's City before nightfall," Yu Qianqian said.

Around them stretched dense, primeval forests, with gnarled roots protruding from the earth and towering canopies blotting out the sky. From the depths of the jungle came the roars of mystic beasts, exuding an untamed, primordial aura. The place felt like a world from the dawn of time.

Ning Xiaochuan asked curiously, "What kind of place is the Emperor's Ruins? Why was Emperor's Martial Palace built here? The territory here must be nearly as vast as the Yulan Empire."

Yu Qianqian's expression turned solemn. "Emperor's Martial Palace has existed far longer than the Yulan Empire itself. I only know that its founder was a man called the 'Son of Heaven.' Because so much time has passed, the exact founding date is debated, but it was roughly between two to three thousand years ago. As for why the Son of Heaven chose to establish the palace in the Emperor's Ruins—that remains a complete mystery. Even the origin of the ruins themselves is unknown."

Ning Xiaochuan asked, "Did Emperor's City exist before the palace was founded, or was it built afterward?"

"Emperor's City likely predates the palace. It was probably an ancient city built by the Natives of the ruins. After they were driven out, this place became the stronghold of Emperor's Martial Palace," Yu Qianqian explained.

Ning Xiaochuan was slightly startled. "So, besides the palace's students, there are other humans in the Emperor's Ruins?"

The Natives were the indigenous people who originally inhabited the ruins, while the students of Emperor's Martial Palace were outsiders—or invaders—from the Yulan Empire.

Yu Qianqian nodded. "I've heard that some among the Natives are formidable martial artists, even hunting down palace students. However, most have been forced into the distant Desolate Lands. If any dare to sneak back, they face brutal suppression and expulsion by the palace."

"Another case of the law of the jungle—the strong devour the weak," Ning Xiaochuan remarked.

Before sunset, Ning Xiaochuan and Yu Qianqian finally arrived at the outskirts of Emperor's City.

Beneath the evening sun, the city's bluish-gray walls loomed like a mountain range, exuding an ancient, weathered aura, as if a colossal beast lay sprawled among the peaks.

"You two must be first-year students. Hurry inside—the gates close at nightfall," a warrior clad in black armor called out to them.

Ning Xiaochuan and Yu Qianqian walked through the city gate, which immediately closed behind them. Ning Xiaochuan carefully observed the warrior clad in black armor. This warrior had reached the Second Level of the Divine Body Realm, but he was at least thirty years old, clearly not a disciple of the academy.

Yu Qianqian, who was well-versed in the details of Emperor's Ruins, explained, "That's a palace guard, an elite selected from the military. However, unlike the disciples of Emperor's Martial Palace, they can only stay in Emperor's Ruins for one year before returning to the army. Even serving as a guard in the academy is an opportunity many vie for but rarely obtain."

The streets of Emperor's City were paved with bluestone, wide enough for four Green Deer Horse Carriages to pass side by side. Yet, pedestrians were scarce, making the city seem almost like a ghost town. "Disciples from Diamond Martial Academy, Five Elements Martial Academy, and Heavenly Phenomenon Martial Academy all train in Emperor's City. It's just that the city is so vast that you rarely see people around," Yu Qianqian said.

Ning Xiaochuan remarked, "It's already quite late. The Heavenly Bridge is probably closed by now. I'll attempt it tomorrow. Tonight, let's see if we can find the auxiliary mystic medicines needed to refine the Intermediate Elixir."

Naturally, Emperor's City had its bustling areas, such as the trading market. Here, many disciples gathered, and even some palace guards and attendants came to sell their treasures. Emperor's Ruins was rich in resources, and after obtaining them, some disciples exchanged them for merit points, while others brought them to the trading market to sell for Green Gold or other desired treasures.

The trading market was predominantly filled with first-term and second-term disciples. Some had hunted mystic beasts and laid them out on the streets, bloodily skinning them and bottling the blood, while selling the hides, bones, and eyes separately. Some palace guards had also returned from outside Emperor's City with mystic medicines, spreading them on blankets and waiting for other warriors to purchase them.

Mystic Artifacts, ores, mystic beasts, mystic medicines, elixirs, ancient treasures—all kinds of items could be found here, making it a veritable cornucopia of goods.

Ning Xiaochuan stopped by a stall and picked up a fiery red lotus, examining it closely before nodding. "This Flame Lotus must be at least five hundred years old, a Five-Star Spiritual Herb suitable for medicinal use. Senior Sister, how much for this Five-Star Flame Lotus?"

Beside the stall sat a rather beautiful woman, cultivating Martial Arts Profound Qi. Her petite frame was enveloped in the profound qi, showcasing her formidable cultivation. Luo Li, clad in a Heart Nurturer robe, retracted the qi into her body and opened her eyes, giving Ning Xiaochuan a slight glance. "Are you a new disciple from Three Masters Martial Academy this term?"

Ning Xiaochuan nodded.

Luo Li asked, "Are you also a Heart Nurturer?"

Ning Xiaochuan nodded again.

Luo Li said, "Since you know the Flame Lotus is a Five-Star Spiritual Herb, you should understand that only an Intermediate Heart Nurturer can refine it." She didn't believe a new disciple could be an Intermediate Heart Nurturer and kindly reminded him that attempting to refine a Five-Star Spiritual Herb would be a waste if he couldn't.

Ning Xiaochuan felt a hint of goodwill toward this senior sister and said, "I am already an Intermediate Heart Nurturer. I bought this Flame Lotus to refine a batch of Intermediate Elixir."

"You’re an Intermediate Heart Nurturer?" Luo Li was slightly startled, as if suddenly realizing something, and exclaimed, "Could you be the prodigy of this year’s batch—Ning Xiaochuan?"

Ning Xiaochuan was somewhat surprised and smiled. "Senior sister knows my name?"

Luo Li no longer treated Ning Xiaochuan so coldly, a faint smile appearing on her face. "I doubt there are many in Emperor's Martial Palace who haven’t heard of you now. Becoming an Intermediate Heart Nurturer at just sixteen, and even rivaling Supreme Sword Dao Practitioners in martial arts—such talent has overshadowed countless other geniuses. You’re practically the pride of all Heart Nurturers. Have you attempted the Heavenly Bridge yet?"

Ning Xiaochuan replied, "I just arrived in Emperor's City today. I’ll probably try the Heavenly Bridge tomorrow."

Luo Li said, "Then you’d better hurry. I heard Ming Yang already attempted the Heavenly Bridge today and surpassed the first three levels, entering the Heavenly Palace to cultivate. This is the best result among new students in a century and has caused a huge sensation in Emperor's City."

For other talented newcomers, merely passing the first level of the Heavenly Bridge would already be remarkable. Yet Ming Yang cleared three levels directly. This was undoubtedly a shock—a shock to all the new students, and a shock to Ning Xiaochuan as well.