Yujing City Is Full of Troubles

After chatting for a while, Xu Zhaoying began her preparations to leave. Chen Qing, meanwhile, sat cross-legged on the couch, a Jade Slip resting on his knees.

He caressed the Jade Slip, focusing his mind within it. Instantly, starlight flowed, and countless stars erupted in his sea of consciousness! Each star seemed to contain a profound Talisman, while the starlight transformed into swimming fish, flying birds, mountains, and rivers, drifting and swirling in the vast sea of stars.

Buzz!

His body trembled as the Qi within Chen Qing's body resonated mysteriously with a star in the night sky outside!

"The cultivation method in this Jade Slip isn't text, but the myriad phenomena of the starry sky! It's directly mapped into my inner consciousness! It's too profound, and it also contains a strange power that makes my mind resonate with a star in the sky. Perhaps it should be called Star Power?"

His pupils contracted slightly, and fine sweat beaded on his forehead as he attempted to touch the nearest Star Talisman with his consciousness.

The Talisman was shaped like a Qingluan with outstretched wings. The moment he touched it, a vast amount of information surged in—

"Qingluan Void-Escaping Talisman, requires drawing upon the star power of the Eastern Seven Mansions..."

Boom!

Just one breath of contact felt like being struck by lightning!

Chen Qing grunted, his mind feeling drained!

"No wonder Xu Zhaoying said to focus on one path; it's truly vast and profound! This Jade Slip might really be the original text of a divine art. I wonder how it ended up in Li Xiao's hands..."

This Cosmic Star Tribulation was all-encompassing, but at his current level, he was completely unable to comprehend it all. If he forced himself to cultivate it, he feared he would suffer harm before gaining any benefit.

"I can only settle for the next best thing..."

Chen Qing pondered for a moment, thinking of a clever workaround.

Since he couldn't directly obtain the profound methods from the Jade Slip, why not use the Jade Slip as a medium to draw upon and refine the Star Power?

This dream body of his, before his cultivation was crippled, had practiced this Star Path method. It might be suitable for bearing Star Power. Moreover, once refined, it might even feed back to his true body in the real world after he woke up!

With this thought, he immediately circulated his cultivation technique.

He had expected it to be very difficult, but to his surprise, it went smoothly. With a mere thought, a wisp of starlight was drawn out and merged with the Supreme Harmony Qi within his body.

Swish—

The starlight flowed like water, coursing through his meridians, and finally converging into his Destiny Talisman. The mountain and sea patterns on the Destiny Talisman then began to absorb and emit starlight!

"It really works!"

Chen Qing's spirits soared, and he continued to guide it carefully.

He repeated this nine times. The Destiny Talisman was now covered in a faint layer of starlight, with starlight flowing within.

"Although I haven't obtained the profound methods, the quality of my Destiny Talisman has improved. I should be able to wield my techniques with greater ease when I use them."

Just as he was about to continue, he suddenly heard Xu Zhaoying's footsteps outside the door.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, it's time to go."

As Xu Zhaoying's voice fell outside the door, Chen Qing had already finished his cultivation and stood up. The Jade Slip transformed into a stream of light in his palm and disappeared into his sleeve. He pushed open the door to see someone dressed in snow-white robes.

Xu Zhaoying wore a fitted outfit with her hair tied back. The short sword at her waist had its cold glint concealed, making her appear like a drawn sword.

Seeing the change in Chen Qing's complexion, she asked, "How did your comprehension go?"

Chen Qing shook his head and said, "The profundities of the Star Path are difficult to grasp."

"That's a good thing," Xu Zhaoying said with a smile. "The more genuine the inheritance, the harder it is to comprehend. Li Xiao is willing to offer such an inheritance, so his intentions are not small. Keep it safe. Once we reach the capital, the Princess might have a way to help you comprehend it."

A moment later, the two quietly left the inn.

Xu Zhaoying formed a sword seal, and the Flowing Water Sword shimmered with a jade-green light.

"Get on," Xu Zhaoying stepped onto the sword body. "The city gates aren't open at night, so we'll have to enter the city via the Nine Heavens Cloud Path."

The Flowing Water Sword's jade-green light surged, carrying the two of them into the sky.

Amidst the Nine Heavens clouds, Chen Qing's robes fluttered as he looked down at the picturesque landscape and gazed into the distance at the lights of Yujing.

Ahead, a golden ribbon stretched across the sky.

"Is that the Nine Heavens Cloud Path?"

Xu Zhaoying nodded. "It's an Immortal Dynasty restriction; only those with the token can pass." As she spoke, she flashed her jade token, and the sword light, like a rainbow, pierced into it!

Instantly, heaven and earth seemed to invert!

When the golden light before their eyes dissipated, the majestic Yujing appeared before them—

Within the city, nine-layered palaces shone with gold and jade. Jade towers and pavilions floated in the clouds; buildings in the four directions were arranged in neat rows, divided into one hundred and eight wards. Spiritual plants and flowering trees dotted the houses, and spiritual mist swirled on the streets.

"That's Qingwu别院," Xu Zhaoying pointed to a courtyard below.

Before she could finish speaking, three streaks of green light broke through the clouds!

"Careful!"

Chen Qing's right hand had already reached for the Talisman at his waist, but he saw Xu Zhaoying's sword seal turn slightly, and the Flowing Water Sword drew three jade-green arcs in the air.

Upon seeing this, the three streaks of green light immediately changed their trajectories, intertwining in the air to form a Qingqiu Fox Shadow.

"One of us," she whispered. The sword light suddenly accelerated, following the three streaks of green light as they veered southeast. Before long, they landed in front of an old temple at the corner of the city.

Under the shade of an ancient cypress tree stood a hunched old woman, holding a green rattan staff.

"Granny," Xu Zhaoying whispered, then said to Chen Qing, "This is Granny Qing, the commander of the Princess's Estate's secret guards."

"Young Master Chen," the old woman rasped, "The Princess ordered me to bring you something and a message."

Chen Qing bowed. "Please, speak."

"After entering the capital, no matter what news you hear, do not act rashly," the old woman said, revealing a withered palm. On it lay a Green Jade Whistle, emitting a faint glow. "If you encounter danger, blow this whistle."

Xu Zhaoying suddenly interjected, "Granny, has the situation in Yujing City changed?"

The old woman nodded respectfully, then gave Chen Qing a deep look before her form flickered and vanished like smoke.

Three streaks of green light flew out from a corner and also disappeared into the distance.

"I'll go investigate the news," Xu Zhaoying said, her tone grave as she put away the jade whistle. "You go to Qingwu Courtyard and meet the Princess along the path I showed you." Without waiting for Chen Qing's reply, she mounted her sword and shot into the sky like a streak of emerald light.

Chen Qing sighed softly and walked forward, alone on the long street.

As he walked through the streets of Yujing City, fragments of memories surfaced. Clearly, the Chen Xu from the narrative had visited this city before.

Qingwu Villa was located on Qifeng Mountain, south of Yujing City. Ancient trees towered around it, and spiritual energy permeated the air.

The courtyard walls were built of green jade, subtly displaying patterns of phoenixes and luan birds. On either side of the gate stood a thousand-year-old phoenix tree, its branches and leaves intertwining to form a natural archway.

As soon as Chen Qing arrived, the courtyard gate opened on its own.

He stepped over the threshold, and the world transformed!

The ordinary courtyard suddenly expanded!

Rockeries erupted into peaks, streams surged into lakes, and winding corridors floated amidst clouds and mist.

The phantom image of an ancient tree rose from the center of the courtyard. Strands of azure energy dripped from its branches, each containing pure essence of wood spirit.

Chen Qing's breath hitched. The Supreme Harmony Qi within him began to circulate on its own. The ancient tree seemed to sense this, and a tender branch suddenly lowered, lightly tapping his forehead.

"Buzz—"

He felt his mind clear, and previously perplexing points in the Sea and Mountain Remnant Scroll suddenly became apparent!

"Little friend Chen, you've finally arrived."

Lord Dingbo's voice came from behind the ancient tree.

Chen Qing came back to his senses, finding that the strange phenomena around him had returned to normal. Only a green leaf clinging to his clothes proved that what had just happened was not an illusion.

Princess Xiyao was brewing tea under a phoenix tree. With a lift of her delicate hand, a teacup flew to Chen Qing's side. "The Qingwu Courtyard has the Myriad Phenomena Azure Spirit Array set up by our ancestors. The manifestation of the Jianmu phantom just now indicates you have a connection with Lord Chen."

The tea was emerald green, with three golden-patterned leaves at the bottom, emitting a rich aroma that cleared the mind.

The Princess gestured, and vines converged, forming a chair.

Chen Qing, holding the teacup, was about to sit down when a loud shout suddenly came from outside the courtyard—

"The Sixth Prince has arrived—"

The expressions of everyone in the courtyard changed drastically, but the Princess's face remained calm.

"Whoosh!"

The courtyard gate burst open again, and a golden-robed young man entered with his hands behind his back.

He had a handsome face, but his brows held a hint of malice. Four purple-robed cultivators followed him like shadows, their oppressive aura causing the phoenix tree's leaves to rustle and fall.

"Imperial Sister," the Sixth Prince said, looking only at the Princess and ignoring everyone else, his smile gentle. "Father is in seclusion. I am here to handle the conferment of rewards. You are to go to the palace immediately to pay respects to the Empress. As for the others who have contributed," his gaze swept over Chen Qing, "I have issued a special decree allowing them to choose one reward from the Treasure Pavilion."

Lord Dingbo frowned. "Your Highness, by precedent, merits for offering counsel should be personally bestowed by the Holy Emperor..."

"What?" The Sixth Prince's smile turned cold. "Does Lord Dingbo think I am unfit to act as regent for the conferment?"

The atmosphere froze.

Princess Xiyao suddenly stood up. "Lord Chen, you shall accompany His Highness." She looked at Chen Qing, her eyes seemingly holding a deeper meaning.

"My Imperial Sister understands reason," the Sixth Prince said with satisfaction, not another word wasted. He turned and left.

The four purple-robed cultivators stood on either side, subtly surrounding Chen Qing.

Chen Qing was not intimidated. He drank the tea in his cup in one gulp, feeling refreshed. He then stood up. "Then I shall go and see."

After they left, Lord Dingbo said urgently, "Princess! The Sixth Prince likely has ill intentions! By taking Lord Chen away, he probably intends to win him over or sow discord!"

"It's fine," Lord Zhengshuang suddenly interjected. "Little friend Chen is exceptionally clever and will know how to handle himself. However, the Sixth Prince arrived immediately after Chen Xu did. The news must have leaked from somewhere."

Lord Dingbo's face turned ashen.

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