Great Luo Sacred Qi

"Doesn't that mean there are other types of Qi besides Righteous Qi?" Qin Jun asked excitedly in his mind, while Chen Miaoyin and Chen Shuli were still bickering with Cheng Jie.

"Indeed, there are. These so-called Qi are collectively known as Sacred Qi, because someone in their ancestor's generation achieved the Great Luo Realm, thus creating Sacred Qi. Later generations' bloodlines spontaneously changed, with a chance of triggering Sacred Qi."

Sacred Qi?

Great Luo Realm?

Qin Jun's eyes widened. That was a lot of information!

Just as he was about to ask further, the System interrupted him, saying, "The Host is not qualified to access this information, so even if you ask, I won't answer. I can only tell you that the chance of Sacred Qi appearing is extremely low. If the Host can subdue Chen Shuli, the chance of the Gan Yue Kingdom advancing to an Imperial Dynasty will increase!"

Advancing to an Imperial Dynasty!

Qin Jun's eyes burned with fervor.

"System, is the Imperial Dynasty above the Kingdom?" Qin Jun continued to ask.

"That's right. After advancing to an Imperial Dynasty, the country will possess National Destiny, which concerns the nation's rise and fall, and can even influence weather and natural disasters. Above the Imperial Dynasty is the Sacred Dynasty, but those are too far away for the Host. The conditions for a Kingdom to advance to an Imperial Dynasty alone are extremely harsh," the System explained patiently.

At this moment, Cheng Jie sneered, "Do you really think the City Lord can cover the sky with one hand? Today, I will take you back and cook raw rice into cooked rice. By then, the City Lord might have to marry you off to me!"

"You!"

"Shut up!"

Chen Miaoyin trembled with anger, her dirty little face flushed red. Chen Shuli even threw a punch at Cheng Jie, but he was no match for Cheng Jie.

Cheng Jie didn't even need to dodge. He easily caught Chen Shuli's right fist with one hand and casually pushed him back. Chen Shuli stumbled back three to four meters. Just as he was about to fall, a strong hand pressed behind him, preventing him from falling awkwardly. He instinctively looked back and saw Qin Jun's handsome, smiling face.

"Thank you."

Chen Shuli said softly, then charged at Cheng Jie again.

Knowing he couldn't win, this guy still dared to charge. He was completely different from the scholar Qin Jun imagined. Was this the effect of Righteous Qi?

Qin Jun shook his head. Chen Shuli was still too reckless. However, from Chen Shuli's perspective, he could only fight head-on. Otherwise, would he just watch his sister get taken away?

"Don't be impulsive!"

Qin Jun strode behind Chen Shuli and placed his right hand on his shoulder, immobilizing him. At this moment, Chen Miaoyin and Cheng Jie also looked at Qin Jun.

It's him!

Chen Miaoyin's clear eyes lit up. The accidental collision at the city gate that afternoon was the first time she had physical contact with a stranger. Coupled with Qin Jun's imposing demeanor, she remembered him.

Cheng Jie couldn't help but frown because he recognized the uniform Qin Jun was wearing – the uniform of the Imperial Guards from the royal capital's palace.

Could this person be an Imperial Guard?

"Why must you push someone to a dead end?" Qin Jun asked Cheng Jie slowly. Cheng Jie's two servants behind him only had cultivation at the Qi Refining Third Layer, and Cheng Jie himself had cultivation at the Qi Refining Fourth Layer. He might be outstanding among the younger generation in Qing Tan City, but in Qin Jun's eyes, he was no different from a cat or a dog.

"Your Excellency, are you an Imperial Guard?" Cheng Jie asked in a deep voice. Although the emperor was far away, they were in a marketplace now. If they opposed an Imperial Guard, it would be easy for other families to find fault with them.

Imperial Guard!

Hiss—

The surrounding commoners gasped in unison. Some family spies also had their pupils contract and retreated, preparing to report back to their families.

Qing Tan City was barely considered a middle-tier city in the Gan Yue Kingdom. The Imperial Guards were under the control of the royal family, and even the City Lord would not dare to be negligent when meeting them.

"This has nothing to do with my identity. Be merciful when you can be. Let them go!" Qin Jun said calmly. He was currently a wanted man, and it wouldn't be good if he was discovered.

Cheng Jie's expression flickered between anger and resignation. Finally, he gritted his teeth and said, "Fine! I'll give the Imperial Guard face! Let's go!"

As expected of a young master from a prominent family, he understood who he couldn't afford to offend.

Watching Cheng Jie and his two followers leave, Qin Jun smiled and shook his head, then turned to Chen Shuli, who was staring at him blankly.

As a scholar, he naturally understood the various official ranks in the Gan Yue Kingdom.

Was there such a young Imperial Guard?

Imperial Guards were generally selected from the army, and one had to be at least sixteen years old to join the army. He didn't believe Qin Jun could have been selected as an Imperial Guard so quickly after joining the army.

Most importantly, unless the Emperor personally ordered it, Imperial Guards were not allowed to leave the royal capital!

The last time the Emperor mobilized Imperial Guards seemed to be related to the Third Prince's demotion...

Chen Shuli's mind raced. If Qin Jun knew what he was thinking, he would definitely be astonished. Damn it, this guy was a monster, to be able to deduce that much?

Qing Tan City was far from the royal capital, and they didn't know much about the news from the capital. Only the great figures of various families might know. Yet, Chen Shuli had grasped the latest developments in the capital, indicating that his ambition had long been set on the imperial palace!

"How about it, interested in following me?" Qin Jun raised an eyebrow. He didn't want to let go of such a promising talent who could become a capable ruler in the future.

"Follow you?" Chen Shuli was stunned. Did he have to be so blunt?

Chen Miaoyin sized up Qin Jun, her beautiful eyes filled with curiosity.

"Is this young master really an Imperial Guard?"

"I don't know. I've never left Qing Tan City in my life."

"His clothes look extraordinary!"

"To make the eldest son of the Cheng family lose face, this person is definitely not simple!"

The surrounding commoners chattered. The common people weren't all familiar with Imperial Guard uniforms, otherwise, the soldiers at the city gate wouldn't have dared to charge Qin Jun an entrance fee.

The Howling Celestial Dog trotted up to Qin Jun's side. It sized up Chen Shuli with disdain in its eyes, seeing the frail scholar's cultivation as barely Qi Refining First Layer, not much different from an ordinary person.

"No, my ambition is to become the Top Scholar, enter the court as an official, and benefit the nation!" Chen Shuli declared righteously.

Chen Miaoyin couldn't help but cover her forehead. She truly didn't understand what her brother was thinking. What was so good about being an official?

Cultivating Qi and seeking immortality was the path to freedom and ease!

Pursuing longevity was the true way!

"Of course, I hope you do that too. However, if you encounter any problems during the process, you can always find me!"

Qin Jun patted Chen Shuli on the shoulder, his expression one of confidence.

The imperial examinations, held every three years, were always a game of chess among the court officials. Even princes and kings would try to win over the talents they favored.

If Chen Shuli managed to become the Top Scholar, it would surely cause many powerful figures to fight tooth and nail over him.

"Who exactly are you?" Chen Shuli asked, frowning. Daring to say such things, Qin Jun's identity was certainly more than just an Imperial Guard!

"Let's find a quiet place to talk!" Qin Jun looked at the surrounding commoners and chuckled softly.

Chen Shuli nodded. He was very interested in Qin Jun now.

"Miaoyin, you should go back first. Father is urgently looking for you," Chen Shuli said, turning to Chen Miaoyin, who was dressed like a little beggar.

"I'm not going back!" Chen Miaoyin rolled her eyes. "I want to cultivate and become immortal. I won't stay here to be a tool for a political marriage!"