The royal capital

Over the next several days, the Cangyun Sect grew lively.

Just before their departure, Luo Tian appeared, ready to take the thirty selected participants to the royal capital of the Yue Kingdom for the Dynasty War.

The mountains were high and the road long; they had to set out early.

But when they saw the participants, the people gathered below raised their eyebrows.

Every one of those present was either a personal disciple of a peak or an outstanding inner sect disciple. They represented the highest standard of this generation in the Cangyun Sect.

Barring any mishaps, all of them would become the sect's future pillars-except Lu Changsheng.

He stood out awkwardly among them, looking thoroughly unwilling. Going out was the last thing he wanted to do.

But no one minded or blamed him for taking up a spot.

After all, everyone knew perfectly well that, apart from Zhou Qingyu, none of these people had much chance. Or rather, their chances were slim, infinitely close to zero.

So whether Lu Changsheng went made absolutely no difference.

Instead, someone called out teasingly, "Go for it, Senior Brother Changsheng! We have faith in you!"

"That's right! Make sure you join the Divine Firmament Sect, then come back and look out for us!"

"..."

Lu Changsheng was speechless as he listened. These fellows were actually teasing him in public.

"Just you wait. When I get back, I'll help you cultivate, one by one-especially the ones shouting the loudest!" Lu Changsheng muttered.

He certainly held grudges.

After staying for several days, Xiaohei had more or less figured out the situation here.

The man beside it possessed heaven-defying talent and had entered the Nascent Soul stage at eighteen, yet insisted on posing as a Spirit Gathering Realm disciple and blending into the crowd.

"No wonder you made me swear such a vicious oath. Playing the pig to eat the tiger-my friend, you're pretty underhanded. Whoever runs into you must have eight lifetimes of bloody bad luck!"

Xiaohei spoke.

Lu Changsheng's sword-like brows drew together slightly. "What do you mean, eight lifetimes of bloody bad luck? If you can't say anything nice, keep quiet!"

"That's exactly what you're planning, and you won't even let me say it?"

"I have plenty of plans. I'm even thinking of trading you for Spirit Stones!" Lu Changsheng said leisurely.

Xiaohei immediately shut its mouth. After several days together, it had discovered that this man had absolutely no scruples. He really did seem capable of something like that.

Once the clamor subsided, Luo Tian finally spoke.

"Let's go!"

This time, he was taking the disciples to compete. The royal capital was no short distance away; the journey would take at least a month.

Unexpectedly, Ning Yuxin, whom they had not seen for days, arrived.

Several elders of the Ning Household had also come. They proposed traveling with the Cangyun Sect to the royal capital, then conjured a warship to carry everyone away together.

Luo Tian did not refuse. He had received the Ning Household's goodwill during the previous calamity, so he had no objection to their present actions.

On the journey, Lu Changsheng was bored out of his mind, gazing at the scenery along the way. This was his first time leaving Cang Province.

Ning Yuxin no longer sought out Zhou Qingyu either, often coming to his side instead.

"Junior Sister Ning, what are you going to the royal capital for?" Lu Changsheng was bored too. He had originally wanted to pry some information out of Xiaohei, only to discover that it had fallen silent, leaving him with nothing to do but chat.

Ning Yuxin said, "The Ning Household has businesses in the royal capital too, and members of our lineage are participating in the Dynasty War this time. Many of our elders have gone there!"

"I see!" Lu Changsheng nodded. "By the way, where's your uncle Ning Cang? I haven't seen him in ages!"

"Uncle Cang went back to report to the lineage!"

The two chatted on and off like this.

Lu Changsheng was bored as well.

The only thing he found strange was that, after reaching Core Formation, Zhou Qingyu had not gone into seclusion at all during the journey and had been free the entire time, yet Ning Yuxin had not sought him out even once.

Instead, Zhou Qingyu came to see her from time to time to check her progress in the Sword Dao.

After chatting for a while, Ning Yuxin ran off. Unlike her initial enthusiasm, she now seemed uninterested.

"Women really are fickle!"

Lu Changsheng took it all in and could not help clicking his tongue.

Soon, they approached the royal capital.

With the Ning Household's warship, they arrived ten days ahead of schedule.

They then came to a manor in the city, a property belonging to the Ning Household.

Someone was already waiting there.

Before them stood a middle-aged man dressed in splendid robes, his bearing imposing. He was Ning Yang, the head of the Ning Household and Ning Yuxin's father.

Two others of roughly his age stood beside him: the two Ning Household brothers, Ning Jing and Ning Xiao.

Lu Changsheng had also heard from Ning Yuxin that Ning Yang headed this generation of the Ning Household, with Ning Jing and Ning Xiao assisting him. Together, they managed the vast family estate.

Seeing everyone arrive, Ning Yang stepped forward toward Luo Tian.

"Sect Master Luo, it's been years. I trust you've been well!" Ning Yang said.

Luo Tian smiled. "Household Head Ning, you're as distinguished as ever!"

The two exchanged pleasantries, and Ning Yuxin stepped forward to pay her respects as well.

Seeing his daughter, Ning Yang noticed the changes in her and revealed a look of delighted surprise.

"It seems Xin'er has benefited greatly at the Cangyun Sect. Thank you all for taking such care of her!"

Just as the earlier letter had said, Ning Yuxin had entered the Essence Condensation Realm and attained the Sword Dao. Her entire bearing had undergone an earth-shaking transformation.

Ning Jing nodded too, his gaze involuntarily turning toward Zhou Qingyu.

"You must be young friend Qingyu. You truly are as extraordinary as the rumors say. You really do have the makings of a sword immortal!"

Ning Jing regarded Zhou Qingyu with great appreciation. Knowing that Ning Yuxin had gone to Qingyun Peak, he presumed that her breakthrough and her attainment in the Sword Dao must be closely connected to him.

After all, the young man before him had the highest Sword Dao cultivation in the entire Cangyun Sect.

"You flatter me, Senior!" Zhou Qingyu bowed humbly, never showing any arrogance.

Precisely because of this, the Ning Household appreciated him all the more.

As they spoke, everyone headed toward the main hall. Having arrived early this time, they still had some time before the Dynasty War, so the Ning Household invited them to rest here.

The two sides already had a friendship, and Luo Tian agreed.

Someone then led Changsheng and the others to their lodgings, while Luo Tian stayed behind with Zhou Qingyu, the head of the Ning Household, and the others.

A maid led the way for Lu Changsheng, with Ye Tianyi following alongside, feeling somewhat wistful as well.

"The scenery is exactly as it was back then!"

Hearing this, Lu Changsheng asked, "Second Senior Brother, you've been here before?"

"Yes. I visited with Master a few years ago!"

"Master..."

At the thought of that nominal master of his, Lu Changsheng was speechless. He had long since forgotten what the man looked like. Strictly speaking, he had only met him once...

"Alas!"

Lu Changsheng sighed softly and kept shaking his head. He had no idea what sins he had committed in his previous life to end up saddled with such a piece of work in this one. The more he thought about it, the angrier he grew.

The two then arrived at a courtyard. Before they had time to do anything, someone delivered an invitation!

Opening the invitation brought a surprise.

"Genius Exchange Conference!"

The two exchanged a glance. The invitation had come from the Yue Kingdom Royal Family, inviting Zhou Qingyu and Ye Tianyi to attend.

According to the messenger, the Yue Kingdom Royal Family had invited the personal disciple of the Moon Venerable, one of the Divine Firmament Sect's Four Venerables, and had therefore organized this gathering.

They called it a gathering to sit and discuss the Dao, but in truth, they had already learned that this person would be overseeing the Yue Kingdom's selection this time. Their purpose went without saying.

Ye Tianyi took a look, then rose to find Zhou Qingyu.

Lu Changsheng was happy to enjoy the peace. He lay on the bed, planning to sleep straight through until the Dynasty War began. But not long after his senior brother left, someone arrived and handed him another invitation.

Unexpectedly, the person who had sent this invitation was Ye Qingchen!