Palace Check-in, Nine-Dragon Divine Fire Cover

The Fire Emperor frowned and said in a low voice, "Give them to him. Your Su Family started this trouble!"

"Your Majesty, this is our Su Family's strongest set of offensive artifacts!"

The Fire Emperor said quietly, "Do you want to take another strike from the Sword Saint?"

Huo Ling'er fanned the flames from the side. "Exactly! You were the ones bullying him. You're an array formation realm expert, yet you attacked a little child. Have you no shame?

"If he didn't have someone backing him too, wouldn't he have been completely at your mercy?"

Su Nantian frowned and sighed softly. Then he waved his right hand, sending eight flying swords toward Shi Teng.

They flew incredibly fast, carrying intense killing intent mixed with the Su Family Ancestor's fury.

Shi Teng struck out with his Qilin Arm, knocking all eight flying swords to the ground in an instant.

The eight swords had ancient-looking blades engraved with all manner of strange runes.

Shi Teng made a show of bowing. "Then thank you for the Eight Fierce Swords, Su Family Ancestor. I'll practice hard and, when the opportunity comes, show you what the true Eight Fierce Swords look like!"

Su Nantian ground his teeth in rage, but there was nothing he could do.

The Fire Emperor spoke. "Enough. This matter ends here. If anyone dares cause more trouble, don't blame me for showing no mercy!"

The Fire Emperor then addressed the Sword Saint again. "Sword Saint, would you have time for a brief visit to Fire Emperor Palace?"

The Fire Emperor had witnessed the Sword Saint's strength firsthand. With the might of a single sword strike, he had shown that he thought nothing even of the emperor.

If he could recruit him, the Fire Kingdom would surely grow even stronger.

The Sword Saint's face remained utterly expressionless, filled with nothing but coldness and arrogance.

With a single sword strike, he forcibly cleaved space apart and vanished.

The Fire Emperor paused. With a slight stirring of his will, the Fire Emperor Spirit Body also disappeared from the sky.

Huo Ling'er beat her wings and flew toward Shi Teng, her face beaming with joy. "Little Teng, you've grown taller!"

Shi Teng swept his gaze over Huo Ling'er and said warmly, "Little Ling, you've grown fatter!"

A fierce glint appeared on Huo Ling'er's face. "Hmph! Where have I grown fat?"

"I didn't mean your body's gotten fat. Certain parts have gotten bigger!"

Huo Ling'er immediately understood what Shi Teng meant and rapped him hard on the forehead. "Hmph! Little Teng, keep talking nonsense and I'll beat you up!"

"Ow!"

Shi Teng rubbed his forehead. That really hurt.

Then he continued, "It's one thing when other people call me Little Teng, but you should just call me Shi Teng. You make me sound like a eunuch!"

"A eunuch?"

"Where we come from, we call people whose bodies aren't complete-who are missing a leg-eunuchs!"

"Oh."

Huo Ling'er's brows knitted together. She only half understood, looking adorably bewildered.

"Last time, I wanted to take you back to Fire Emperor Palace for treatment, but a willow branch snatched you away. My father said that willow branch was very powerful!"

Shi Teng nodded, the image of collapsing into Huo Ling'er's arms instantly flashing through his mind.

So soft. I really miss that.

"Mm, thank you for your kindness. The one who rescued me last time was Sister Willow Deity!"

Hearing Shi Teng address the Willow Deity so affectionately, Huo Ling'er showed a clear trace of jealousy. "Sister? Since when did you have another sister? And you call her that so affectionately!"

Confusion appeared on Shi Teng's face. A woman's heart was a needle at the bottom of the sea. Women really did think in strange ways.

"She's just a willow tree!"

"A willow tree!"

Only after hearing Shi Teng's words did Huo Ling'er's expression return to normal.

Then she asked happily again, "What brings you to Vermilion Bird City this time? How long are you staying?"

Shi Teng looked serious. "I'm going to the Hundred Clans Battlefield to look for my grandfather. Since I was passing through the Fire Kingdom, I came especially to see you!"

Warmth appeared on Huo Ling'er's face. Ever since childhood, all she had known was cultivation. Apart from servants, she had practically no friends.

Hearing Shi Teng say he had come specifically to see her naturally made her happy.

"Come on, I'll take you somewhere!"

Huo Ling'er and Shi Teng quickly left the street and sped into the distance.

Before long,

a gigantic palace rose before them, its roof crowned with a carved golden Vermilion Bird divine bird.

It glittered with golden light, so lifelike that it seemed to have been fashioned from pure gold.

Under Huo Ling'er's guidance, they passed through avenue after avenue and corridor after corridor, arriving directly at Fire Emperor Palace.

The floor, paved with fine white jade, shone with a gentle luster. In the distance, wisps of mist seemed to veil indistinct palaces.

Phoenixes spread their wings as if ready to take flight on sandalwood eaves, above projecting windows carved from blue tiles and walls built of jade.

At the end of a straight path, a vast plaza descended gradually along jade steps. A straight pillar on the enormous central altar was carved with lifelike dragons, facing the phoenixes on the palace from afar...

Shi Teng was deeply awestruck. Previously, he had only heard through television and novels how imposing, lofty, and magnificent imperial palaces were.

Now that he saw one with his own eyes, he could not help being overwhelmed.

Huo Ling'er twirled in the spacious hall and asked brightly, "What do you think of this place?"

Shi Teng nodded lightly and offered just two words. "Fucking awesome!"

Huo Ling'er frowned, but then said with a delighted expression, "I usually cultivate here. If you like it, you can cultivate here too!"

Shi Teng shook his head. "Forget it. The boundless world is my training ground. I won't confine myself to this tiny palace!"

Huo Ling'er lowered her head slightly. "Oh, but Father only lets me cultivate here!"

Seeing Huo Ling'er's unhappy expression, Shi Teng murmured, "It's all right. I'll take you out to have fun when I get the chance!"

At the mention of having fun, Huo Ling'er's eyes instantly lit up. "Great!"

Ding! Congratulations, host! You have checked in at the Fire Kingdom Imperial Palace and received: Nine-Dragon Divine Fire Cover ×1.

[Nine-Dragon Divine Fire Cover: A divine-grade treasure capable of offense and defense. It can trap an opponent and release nine fire dragons that breathe Samadhi True Fire to refine the opponent. It can also form a protective formation to safeguard the host.]

[Growth-type: The higher the host's level, the greater the power this treasure can unleash.]

Joy appeared on Shi Teng's face. Fire Emperor Palace really was a wonderful place!

I have to explore. Maybe I can check in and get a few more treasures.

Shi Teng scratched the back of his head and said excitedly, "Huo Ling'er, are there any other good places in Fire Emperor Palace? Take me around!"

Good places?

Huo Ling'er's brows shifted slightly as she thought. Then a smile appeared on her face.

"Follow me!"

They left the palace one after the other and arrived at a side hall.

Countless fiery-red trees and flowers grew all around it.

Huo Ling'er pushed open the door in the middle and walked inside.

Shi Teng followed closely, and an enticing fragrance greeted him.

"You're... actually taking me to your bedroom?"

Huo Ling'er said happily, "Well? Is it pretty? I arranged everything in here myself!"

Inside the bedchamber, sandalwood formed the lofty ceiling beams, crystal jade discs served as lamps, pearls made up the curtains, and cast gold formed the column bases.

Beside the six-foot-wide agarwood bed hung a precious merfolk-silk canopy, embroidered all over with silver-thread begonia blossoms scattered with pearls. When the breeze stirred the silk, it felt like falling into cloud-wreathed mountains and a sea of dreams.

On the bed lay a fragrance-holding blue jade pillow, a cool mat of soft silk, and folded gauzy quilts bound with jade ribbons.

A huge luminous moon pearl hung from the ornate ceiling, shining brilliantly like the moon itself.

The floor was paved with white jade carved into lotuses, each forming a cluster of five stems. Their petals were vivid and exquisite, even their stamens finely distinguishable.

Shi Teng was once again stunned. Money really did let you do whatever you wanted.

At the sight of the large bed in the center, Shi Teng's eyelids could not help fighting each other. He had always slept on stone beds and had long grown used to them.

It had been ages since he had seen such a soft, spacious bed. He had probably already forgotten what the Simmons bed from his previous life felt like.

He leaped straight onto Huo Ling'er's bed.

His whole body bounced back up. It really was soft.

Huo Ling'er immediately became angry. "Hey! Get off! That's my bed!"

Shi Teng ignored her, rolled over, and clamped the quilt between his thighs. Both the pillow and bedding gave off an enticing fragrance.

Huo Ling'er called out for a long time. When Shi Teng showed no response, she could only sulk and rummage through a nearby cabinet.

She muttered, "Hmph, you heartless thing. I kindly brought you back to get medicine, and now you're refusing to get off my bed!"

Ding! Congratulations, host! You have checked in at Huo Ling'er's bedroom and received: Elder Vermilion Bird Egg ×1 (hatchable).

Shi Teng looked utterly bewildered. What's this supposed to mean? Checking in at a girl's bedroom rewards me with an egg?

People are going to get the wrong idea!

If nothing else, you could at least give me a Vermilion Bird Treasure Technique!

Huo Ling'er stood up and tossed the small bottle in her hand beside Shi Teng.

Shi Teng picked it up, opened it, and sniffed. A peculiar smell drifted out.

"What's this stuff? I'm Shi Teng, young and full of vigor. Why would I need medicine?"

Still somewhat angry, Huo Ling'er said, "This is vermilion bird saliva, a specialty of our Fire Kingdom. It works wonders on external wounds and can heal them almost instantly.

"I saw that you suffered several injuries fighting the Su Family Ancestor, so I brought you back especially to get medicine!"

Warmth welled up in Shi Teng's heart.

He said gently, "Thank you!"

In truth, the extraordinary healing power of the Azure Emperor Wood Sovereign Art had already completely healed his wounds.

He then climbed off Huo Ling'er's bed.

Huo Ling'er was treating him so well. He could not keep acting shamelessly.

Huo Ling'er said, "You just defeated the Marquis of Zhenyuan and fought the Su Family Ancestor. You must be exhausted already. If you're sleepy, go ahead and sleep!"

Huo Ling'er's attitude had taken a complete turn, leaving Shi Teng somewhat overwhelmed by her kindness.

"Well..."

"Forget it. I won't sleep after all. Is there anything good to eat here? Get me some food. That's what I really need.

"I haven't eaten all day. I was going to have a proper feast in Vermilion Bird City, but then I ran into that beast, the Marquis of Zhenyuan.

"He wouldn't even give me a chance to eat!"

Huo Ling'er nodded. "Mm, wait here. I'll find someone to prepare food for you!"

Before long, exquisite palace dishes were delivered to Huo Ling'er's bedroom one after another.

Without the slightest table manners, Shi Teng swept through the food like a gale scattering clouds. He did not even use chopsticks, grabbing everything with his hands.

Huo Ling'er stood nearby, watching Shi Teng's ridiculous behavior, unsure whether to be angry or amused.

As he ate, Shi Teng declared boldly, "A true man born between heaven and earth should eat meat in great mouthfuls and drink wine in great gulps!"

"I throw back my head in laughter and stride out the door. How could men like us remain among the weeds?"

"One day, the great roc shall rise with the wind, soaring straight up ninety thousand miles."

Read three hundred Tang poems by heart, and even if you could not write poetry, you could certainly steal it.

Instead, Shi Teng's lines of poetry made Huo Ling'er feel an increasingly special fondness for him.

She especially liked the feeling of being with Shi Teng,

and even when Shi Teng made her angry, she still felt happy inside.

Huo Ling'er asked, "Then what are you planning to do next?"

Shi Teng wiped the grease from the corners of his mouth and said spiritedly, "Head to the Hundred Clans Battlefield. But I don't seem to know where it is, so I thought I'd stop by and get a map from you!"

With a slight stirring of Huo Ling'er's will, a parchment map appeared in her right hand. "This may only be a map, but it has a formation built into it. You can zoom in and out at will, and it can even guide you!"

That impressive? This is practically futuristic tech!

As Shi Teng spoke, he deliberately tapped it twice. The spot he tapped instantly expanded countless times.

Shi Teng said warmly, "Thank you, little sister Huo Ling'er. I'll definitely repay you properly when I get the chance. I'll even pledge myself to you without hesitation!"

"Pah! Who wants you to pledge yourself to them?"

Huo Ling'er continued, "In a few days, it'll be our Fire Kingdom's once-a-decade Genius Championship. All the kingdom's outstanding young talents and heaven's favored prodigies will gather in the Fire Kingdom Capital!

"It'll be lively here. If you have time, you can come participate!"

The Genius Championship!

Shi Teng's brows stirred slightly. Somehow, he felt this sort of event had been tailor-made for him.

What geniuses? If even I don't participate, how can they call it a Genius Championship?

Shi Teng continued, "With such a grand event, the prizes must be generous, right?"

Huo Ling'er nodded. "Of course. The Genius Championship only takes place once every ten years. The winner not only receives a treasure personally presented by my mother,

"but can also directly claim the title of Champion Marquis!"

Champion Marquis?

The more he heard, the more his blood boiled. Champion Marquis sounded far more impressive than the Wild Sky Marquis title bestowed on Shi Hao in Perfect World.

Shi Teng nodded. "All right, I'll definitely participate!"

Then Shi Teng asked curiously, "By the way, who is your mother? From what the Fire Emperor said before, she sounded very powerful!"

Huo Ling'er's eyes shifted slightly, and she said in a low voice, "Of course. My mother is actually a Primordial Vermilion Bird Divine Bird!"

Disbelief appeared on Shi Teng's face. Tang San next door messing around with a rabbit was one thing, but this Fire Emperor won't even leave birds alone!

He's worse than a beast!

In Fire Emperor Palace,

the meditating Fire Emperor suddenly gave two light coughs.

"Cough, cough!"

What's going on? Has the weather turned cold, or did my cultivation stir up my true qi?

Huo Ling'er saw through Shi Teng's thoughts and hurriedly said, "What nonsense are you imagining? Although my mother is a Primordial Vermilion Bird Divine Bird, she's already taken human form!"

Shi Teng said nothing more. Did I really need you to explain that?

Without taking human form, even the Fire Emperor would have found it beyond his power!

Shi Teng stayed in the Fire Kingdom for a while, and Huo Ling'er took him around to sample all the delicacies in Vermilion Bird City.

To the people, food was heaven.

No matter the plane, eating was indispensable, and all sorts of delicacies could spring from it.

With Huo Ling'er spending time with Shi Teng so openly, they naturally drew the attention of the Fire Emperor and the Primordial Vermilion Bird Divine Bird.

The Fire Emperor had never minded. He was positively eager for Shi Teng to join the Fire Kingdom.

The Fire Kingdom needed young prodigies like Shi Teng.

The Primordial Vermilion Bird Divine Bird, however, had never interacted with Shi Teng. Worried that his daughter might be deceived, he had been quietly watching from behind the scenes.

He had no favorable impression of Shi Teng's words or conduct.

Aside from his silver tongue, formidable talent, and youthful passion, the brat seemed to have no redeeming qualities.