Journey to the Imperial City

At dawn, inside an inn in Jiuyuan City, a youth slowly moved his body. It was Zeng Fan, practicing the Fish Dragon Fist. Today was the day he would set out for the Imperial City.

After settling those matters, he returned to the inn and continued helping out there. However, when he returned, he had already told the innkeeper's wife that he had passed the Spirit Vein test. Upon hearing this, her eyes actually reddened, and she repeatedly sighed that good people would ultimately be rewarded. She no longer allowed Zeng Fan to do any work around the inn.

"Now that you have a Spirit Vein, you'll be an immortal in the future. How can you still do such menial work? Even if you stay at this inn a while longer, we'll be basking in your spiritual aura!" the innkeeper's wife said to Zeng Fan with a smile.

Hearing this, Zeng Fan no longer insisted and asked the innkeeper's wife to let him stay a few more days.

"What are you saying, child? You can stay as long as you want. This can be considered our fate!" The innkeeper's wife agreed with a smile.

Afterward, Zeng Fan continued staying at the inn, waiting for the day of departure. Yet what left him both amused and helpless was that the inn's business suddenly flourished because of him. Hearing that a youth with a Profound Vein aptitude was staying here, many people rushed over to see for themselves, to see whether the youth had three heads and six arms, or a tiger's back and a bear's waist.

The inn's booming business left the innkeeper's wife beaming from ear to ear. Zeng Fan also knew that everyone had come because of the crane, so each day he would show his face out front to satisfy their curiosity before returning to the back of the inn to continue cultivating.

After completing a set of fist techniques, Zeng Fan slowly exhaled. A glint of sharp light flashed through his eyes. "Today is the day of departure. My Body Tempering Realm is still at Minor Accomplishment. Although I've constantly used Spirit Stones these past few days to speed up my cultivation, I can't advance again in such a short time. Let's see whether I can reach Major Accomplishment by the time the selection begins. That would give me a few more chances of success."

After taking a quick bath, Zeng Fan packed his luggage and left ten Spirit Stones in the room. Of course, he could have left more, but a common man was innocent, yet guilty for possessing a jade. It was no good for an ordinary household to possess so many Spirit Stones. Someone might inevitably be tempted by wealth and do something rash. Thus, Zeng Fan did not dare leave too many behind. If he had the chance in the future, he would return and repay them.

With the innkeeper's wife's reddened eyes watching him, Zeng Fan bade them farewell. Next came the Imperial City selection. Zeng Fan clenched his fists and slowly headed toward the city gate.

When he arrived at the city gate, several people had yet to arrive. Yuan Jin, however, had been waiting there early. With his arms folded across his chest, he lazily leaned against the city wall. Seeing Zeng Fan approach, he greeted him, "Zeng Fan! Over here, over here!"

Zeng Fan walked over. "The selection you mentioned that day—do you know the specific details?" he asked Yuan Jin.

"Actually, for people like us, passing the selection is certain. After all, we all have Profound Veins. The selection is merely meant to weed out some Yellow Vein disciples. For people with Profound Veins or even higher-grade Spirit Veins, sects generally won't reject us. What matters is showing enough potential during the selection. Only then will we have the chance to receive the sect's nurturing in the future. There are hundreds of thousands of people in the Five Mountains Sect. If you don't display a certain amount of potential, you'll only become stepping stones for those geniuses. My, Yuan Jin's, goal is not so simple!" As Yuan Jin spoke, an unyielding, arrogant aura gradually emanated from him.

"Then do you know what the selection entails? And how do you know so much?" Zeng Fan asked.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Jin's arrogant aura immediately vanished. He waved his hand. "How would I know that, big brother? The selection content is different every year. As for why I know these things, it's because I have someone at court."

It turned out that Yuan Jin was a member of the Yuan Family, a cultivation Lineage under the Five Mountains Sect's jurisdiction. The Yuan Family guarded a region for the Five Mountains Sect and paid tribute to it, while the Five Mountains Sect protected the Yuan Family's safety. Members of the Yuan Family could also enter the Five Mountains Sect to cultivate. If they achieved success in cultivation and gained accomplishments within the sect, they could naturally give back to their Lineage. It could be said to be mutually beneficial.

Yuan Jin's elder cousin was currently cultivating within the Five Mountains Sect and had already reached the Spirit Control Realm. Yuan Jin could naturally learn some less confidential information with ease, which was why his cousin had reminded him to perform well during the selection.

"I don't know the contents of the selection right now either, but if there's a chance, how about the two of us work together and strive for a better ranking?" Yuan Jin asked with a smile.

"No problem. Happy cooperation." Zeng Fan extended his hand toward Yuan Jin and spoke solemnly.

Yuan Jin extended his hand, and the two clasped palms tightly. Although Yuan Jin was curious why Zeng Fan had already begun cultivating yet knew nothing of this information, everyone had secrets. Some matters were better treated as though he knew nothing.

"Gentlemen, everyone has arrived. We will set out now," the lead soldier said, cupping his fists toward the group.

Zeng Fan and Yuan Jin left the city together with the others, slowly making their way outside. Their destination: the capital of the Profound Spirit Dynasty!