"Didn't that mean that besides Righteous Qi, there were other kinds of qi?" Qin Jun asked excitedly in his heart, while Chen Miaoyin and Chen Shuli were still trading insults with Cheng Jie.
"There are indeed. These so-called qi are collectively known as Sacred Qi. It is because someone among their ancestors reached the Great Luo Realm and thus created Sacred Qi. Their descendants' bloodlines then changed on their own, giving them a chance to awaken Sacred Qi."
Sacred Qi?
The Great Luo Realm?
Qin Jun's eyes widened. That was a bit too much information!
Just as he wanted to continue asking, the system interrupted him. "The host is not qualified to access information on this matter, so even if you ask, I will not answer. I can only tell you that the chances of Sacred Qi appearing are extremely low. If the host recruits Chen Shuli, Gan Yue Kingdom's chances of advancing into an Imperial Dynasty will increase in the future!"
Advance into an Imperial Dynasty!
Qin Jun's eyes burned with excitement.
"System, above a kingdom is an Imperial Dynasty?" Qin Jun continued asking.
"That is correct. After advancing into an Imperial Dynasty, the nation gains national fortune. National fortune concerns a country's rise and fall, and can even affect weather and natural disasters. Above an Imperial Dynasty is a Sacred Dynasty, but those matters are far too distant for the host. The conditions for a kingdom to advance into an Imperial Dynasty alone are incredibly harsh," the system explained patiently.
At that moment, Cheng Jie sneered viciously. "Do you really think the City Lord can Cover the Sky with One Hand? Today, I'll take you back and make the rice into cooked rice. By then, the City Lord might even have to marry you off to me!"
"You!"
"Shut up!"
Chen Miaoyin trembled with rage, her dirty little face flushed red. Chen Shuli directly swung a fist at Cheng Jie, but how could he possibly be Cheng Jie's match?
Cheng Jie did not even need to dodge. With one hand, he easily caught Chen Shuli's right fist and casually shoved him away. Chen Shuli staggered back a full three or four meters. Just as he was about to fall, a strong hand pressed against his back, keeping him from collapsing in disgrace. He subconsciously looked back and saw Qin Jun's handsome, smiling face.
"Thank you."
Chen Shuli said softly, then charged at Cheng Jie again.
Knowing he could not win, this guy still dared to rush in. He was completely unlike the scholars Qin Jun had imagined. Was this the effect of Righteous Qi?
Qin Jun shook his head. Chen Shuli was still too reckless. But from Chen Shuli's perspective, he really could only fight head-on. Otherwise, was he supposed to watch his sister get taken away?
"Don't be rash!"
Qin Jun took a step forward and appeared behind Chen Shuli. He pressed his right hand onto Chen Shuli's shoulder, rendering him unable to move. At this moment, Chen Miaoyin and Cheng Jie both looked toward Qin Jun.
It was him!
Chen Miaoyin's clear eyes immediately brightened. Their accidental collision before the city gates that afternoon had been her first physical contact with a strange man. Combined with Qin Jun's distinguished bearing, she still remembered him.
Cheng Jie could not help but frown, because he recognized Qin Jun's clothes—the uniform of the royal palace's Imperial Guard.
Could this man be an Imperial Guard from the palace?
"Why force people into a dead end?" Qin Jun looked at Cheng Jie and asked unhurriedly. Cheng Jie's two servants were only at the Qi Refining Third Layer, while Cheng Jie himself was at the Qi Refining Fourth Layer. Perhaps he was outstanding among Qing Tan City's younger generation, but in Qin Jun's eyes, he was no different from a cat or dog.
"Sir, are you an Imperial Guard from the palace?" Cheng Jie asked in a low voice. Though the emperor was far away, they were currently in the marketplace. If he went against an Imperial Guard, other families could easily use it against him.
Imperial Guard from the palace!
Hiss—
The surrounding commoners all sucked in a breath. Some family spies also narrowed their eyes and hurried away, preparing to report the news to their families.
Qing Tan City barely ranked as middle-tier within Gan Yue Kingdom. The palace's Imperial Guard was directly controlled by the royal family. Even the city lord would not dare show disrespect when meeting them.
"This has nothing to do with my identity. Spare people when you can. Let them go," Qin Jun said calmly. He was currently a criminal awaiting punishment, so it would not be good if someone investigated him.
Cheng Jie's expression shifted constantly. In the end, he gritted his teeth and said, "Fine! I'll give Lord Imperial Guard some face! Let's go!"
As expected of a descendant of a great family—he understood whom he could not afford to offend.
Watching Cheng Jie and his two men leave, Qin Jun shook his head with a smile and turned to Chen Shuli. At that moment, Chen Shuli was staring blankly at him.
As a scholar, Chen Shuli naturally understood the official ranks throughout Gan Yue Kingdom.
Could there really be such a young Imperial Guard soldier?
Imperial Guard soldiers were generally selected from the army, and one had to be at least sixteen to enlist. He did not believe Qin Jun had been selected into the Imperial Guard so quickly after joining the army.
More importantly, unless the emperor personally issued an order, Imperial Guards were not permitted to leave the royal capital!
The last time the emperor had mobilized the Imperial Guard seemed to have been related to the Third Prince's demotion...
Chen Shuli instantly thought of many things. If Qin Jun knew what he was thinking, he would definitely be dumbfounded. Damn, what a monster. He could deduce all that?
Qing Tan City was far from the royal capital, and it knew little of the news there. Only the heads of various families might know such things, yet Chen Shuli had grasped the latest developments in the royal capital. It was clear that his ambitions had long been set on the royal palace!
"So, are you interested in following me?" Qin Jun raised a brow and asked. He did not want to give up on such a promising prospect who could become a capable statesman in the future.
"Follow you?" Chen Shuli froze. Did he have to put it so bluntly?
Chen Miaoyin sized Qin Jun up, her beautiful eyes filled with curiosity.
"Is this young master really an Imperial Guard?"
"Who knows? I've never left Qing Tan City in my life."
"Those clothes he's wearing look quite extraordinary!"
"Anyone who can make the Cheng Family's eldest young master suffer definitely isn't simple!"
The surrounding commoners discussed among themselves. Not everyone knew what an Imperial Guard uniform looked like; otherwise, those soldiers at the city entrance would not have dared charge Qin Jun an entrance fee.
The Howling Celestial Dog moved to Qin Jun's side and looked Chen Shuli over, disdain flashing in its eyes. This frail scholar was barely at the 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 people!" Chen Shuli declared righteously.
Chen Miaoyin could not help rubbing her forehead. She truly did not understand what her brother was thinking. What was so good about becoming an official?
Cultivating immortality was the true freedom!
Seeking immortality was the proper path!
"Of course, I hope you do exactly that. But during that process, if you run into any trouble, you can come find me anytime!"
Qin Jun patted Chen Shuli's shoulder, wearing an expression that said he had high hopes for him.
The Imperial Examination, held once every three years, was about to arrive. Every Imperial Examination was a contest among the court ministers, and even Princes and royal lords would Make a Move to recruit the talents they favored.
If Chen Shuli became the Top Scholar, many powerful figures would surely fight fiercely over him.
"Who exactly are you?" Chen Shuli frowned and asked. Anyone who dared say such things could not merely be an Imperial Guard!
"Let's find somewhere quiet to talk!" Qin Jun glanced at the surrounding commoners and said with a low smile.
Chen Shuli nodded. He was now quite interested in Qin Jun as well.
"Miaoyin, go home first. Father is anxiously looking for you," Chen Shuli said as he turned to Chen Miaoyin, who was dressed like a little beggar.
"I'm not going back!" Chen Miaoyin rolled her eyes. "I'm going to cultivate immortality. I refuse to stay behind and become a tool for a political marriage!"