Hidden Dragon City

Star-Gazing Tower, Eight Trigrams Platform.

Song Qing ascended the Eight Trigrams Platform, while the Imperial Supervisor bowed with his back turned.

"Teacher, Wei Yuan's body has been reconstructed, but he only has a human soul; his celestial and terrestrial souls are missing. If these souls cannot be recovered, he will never wake up."

The supervisor gave him a cold, sidelong glance and said, "Didn't you list the materials for making the Soul-Summoning Bell to him?"

Song Qing looked slightly embarrassed, after all, her teacher had said before that she should not tell Xu Qi'an that Wei Yuan was still alive.

He had been patient until now, and only after the situation had stabilized did he relay the news that Wei Yuan still had a glimmer of hope to the Alchemy, Young Master Xu, so that he could collect the materials to refine the Soul-Summoning Bell.

Song Qing, who had disobeyed his master's orders, was only slightly embarrassed, as this seemed to be the norm, and said regretfully:

"But this level of cultivation..."

The supervisor slowly said, "With his talent, it's a real pity that he's chosen the path of a martial artist; a crude martial artist is not suitable for him."

Then he fell silent and said nothing more.

Song Qing continued, "It's a pity that Young Master Xu has left the capital, so Junior Sister Zhong Li has to go back to the sealed area at the bottom of the building. I wonder when she will be able to overcome this misfortune."

"It won't be long."

The supervisor gazed at the distant horizon.

"You've been in the field of Alchemy for too long. When will you advance to the fifth rank?"

The supervisor withdrew his gaze and looked at Song Qing.

Song Qing looked puzzled and asked, "Why do I need a promotion?"

The supervisor paused for a moment, then looked towards the distant horizon, ignoring his fourth disciple.

The Star-Gazing Tower.

Oil lamps illuminated the space, casting a dim, yellowish glow.

Zhong Li, draped in a linen robe, her long, disheveled hair framed by bright eyes reflecting the candlelight, walked slowly down the quiet, deep corridor.

As I passed by a certain room, I heard a man's voice coming from inside:

"Is that Junior Sister Zhong Li?"

Zhong Li stopped in her tracks, standing before the door, her soft voice saying, "Mmm!"

"Why are you back again? That kid said he'd take the blame for you, but he keeps sending you back every few days." Yang Qianhuan snorted twice.

The Star-Gazing Tower has three underground levels, used to imprison heinous criminals with excessively high cultivation levels. After all, ordinary prison cells cannot hold fifth or fourth-rank prisoners.

However, not many martial artists could be imprisoned at the bottom of the Star-Gazing Tower, and these people usually did not live long. Therefore, the prison at the bottom of the Star-Gazing Tower was very quiet.

On the contrary, Yang Qianhuan and Zhong Li were frequent visitors here.

It's worth mentioning that both of them have designated "private rooms" on the first floor. Zhong Li's room was set up by the supervisor himself to help her suppress the bad luck. Yang Qianhuan's room was also set up by the supervisor himself to prevent him from escaping.

"He... he has left the capital."

Zhong Li said with some sadness.

"It's good that he's leaving the capital. Wei Yuan is dead, and his patron is gone. If he doesn't leave now, will he wait for the emperor to settle accounts with him?"

Yang Qianhuan chuckled, feeling both delighted and wistful.

The joy stemmed from Xu Qi'an's departure, leaving Yang Qianhuan as the sole star in the capital.

The sense of loss stemmed from Xu Qi'an's departure, leaving him with a desolate feeling of losing a close friend and being left alone at the pinnacle of life, feeling lonely and isolated.

"The emperor is dead, so they won't hold him accountable," Zhong Li whispered.

The emperor is dead? Yang Qianhuan was shocked and asked blankly:

"Yuan Jing has achieved great success in his cultivation; his lifespan shouldn't be so short."

Zhong Li stated succinctly, "Xu Qi'an killed him."

The room fell silent for a moment, then Yang Qianhuan's trembling voice came through:

"While I was being held here by my teacher, did something major happen in the capital?"

Zhong Li hummed in agreement. "Xu Qi'an, he..."

"No, please don't tell me!"

Yang Qianhuan immediately interrupted, saying she didn't want to listen and that it was all just nonsense.

Zhong Li said "Oh," and started to leave. After taking a few steps, Yang Qianhuan's slightly shrill voice came from behind her:

"No, don't go, junior sister, I really am still..."

He paused, then said in a tone of disappointment:

"I really couldn't resist that man's temptation."

Zhong Li returned to the door.

"Why would he kill the emperor? The emperor is the ruler of the country; the one who murders the emperor is condemned by heaven and earth. His hard-earned reputation will be ruined in an instant. Wait, how could he possibly commit regicide?!"

Just as Yang Qianhuan finished speaking, she heard Zhong Li's soft voice say:

"He's already a third-rank official! The emperor deserves to die!" The people cheered.

She wasn't good at telling stories, but with just that one short sentence, heavy breathing filled the room.

"This, this..."

He made a gulping sound, as if swallowing saliva, and said, "Can you tell me about it?"

Zhong Li briefly recounted the events that had occurred during this period to Yang Qianhuan, presenting them in a straightforward and concise manner, solely to reconstruct the course of events without providing excessive detail.

But the breathing in the room grew heavier and heavier.

"Damn it, damn it!"

The sound of pounding on the wall rang out, accompanied by Yang Qianhuan's extremely envious voice:

"Why does he get to do all the spotlighting? The emperor is a tyrannical and incompetent ruler, why isn't it Yang who gets to punish him? I'm so envious!"

"After killing the emperor, the entire capital city applauded, and all the loyal and upright officials praised him highly. From then on, he became famous and the center of attention, and he no longer needed to pay for groceries."

Yang Qianhuan imagined the people of the capital cheering and shouting, "If Heaven hadn't given birth to Yang Qianhuan, the Great Feng Dynasty would have been shrouded in eternal darkness," and "Young Master Yang is truly the conscience of the Great Feng." Then, standing on a high place, with his back to the crowd, he leisurely said:

I would reach out to invite the bright moon and pluck the stars from the sky; there is no one like me in this world.

As he thought about it, Young Master Yang couldn't help but tremble.

It is foreseeable that Xu Qi'an will be remembered in history, leaving a significant mark on the history of the Great Feng.

"That bastard, it's one thing to show off in the eyes of the world, but he also wants to show off in the eyes of future generations. But I really can't imitate such behavior, I'm so unwilling to accept it."

Zhong Li comforted him, "If Senior Brother Yang were here, he would surely be remembered in history. It's a pity he's in seclusion downstairs."

"What, what do you mean?"

Yang Qianhuan's voice trembled slightly.

"Chu Yuanzhen, Li Miaozhen, and others made outstanding contributions by intercepting the emperor's clone outside the city, and they were nominated in this morning's proclamation. Also, Xu Qi'an told me at the time that it would have been better if Senior Brother Yang hadn't gone into seclusion."

"Your teleportation skill is extremely useful, it's a pity you're locked up here by the teacher."

After Zhong Li finished speaking, Yang Qianhuan didn't respond for a long time. She seemed to realize that she had said something wrong, so she shrank back and slipped away with small steps.

A few seconds later, Yang Qianhuan's heart-wrenching wails came from behind:

"This Bureau of Astronomy is better off abandoned!!!"

Yunzhou.

Nestled amidst towering mountains, a magnificent city is built against the hillside, with houses and pavilions hidden among the trees, bustling with people.

The name of this city is -- Hidden Dragon!

The city has a population of over 200,000, consisting of ordinary people from Yunzhou, Rogue Person, outlaws, and soldiers, who live a semi-agricultural, semi-hunting lifestyle.

The most powerful person in the city is the city lord. Under his rule, Qianlong City is well-ordered, and even desperate criminals who come here have to obediently restrain their violent nature.

Those Rogue Person were dissatisfied with the Great Feng Dynasty called Qianlong City a pure land and its lord a wise ruler.

As for the people who were originally captured from various parts of Yunzhou to increase the population, they settled down here because they were living relatively well. For the common people, as long as they could eat their fill and stay warm, it didn't matter where they settled down.

Outside Qianlong City are mountain strongholds used to garrison troops, responsible for raiding outside the strongholds, serving as defensive outposts, and training new recruits.

Outside the city, a group of armored soldiers, along with more than 300 militiamen, were cutting down trees and widening roads, preparing to build new houses on solid ground to accommodate the refugees they had just taken in.

Leading the group was a handsome young man, shirtless, holding a large axe and chopping at the trees.

His muscles bulged with his movements, exuding masculine beauty.

An elderly man in a Daoist robe stood to the side, watching the young master, who, despite his extraordinary cultivation, was chopping down trees with the same effort as an ordinary man.

The old Daoist priest sighed and said, "Young master, this area has such excellent feng shui; it would be a waste to let refugees live here."

"It's alright, it's alright. Once we're in Qianlong City, we're all on the same side."

The robust young man wiped away his sweat and continued chopping wood.

The old Daoist priest, whose Daoist name was Banana Leaf, smiled freely. He was originally a wandering Daoist priest with a wide range of knowledge. He knew a little about the Human Sect's sword Swordsmanship, a little about the Earth Sect's merit techniques, and was also somewhat versed in mountain medicine, physiognomy, and divination.

Years ago, out of indignation at the corrupt officials who oppressed the people, he killed someone and was wanted by the local government. He then wandered to Yunzhou and, fortuitous opportunity chance, entered Qianlong City.

After staying here for several years, he was appreciated by Ji Xuan, the seventh son of the city lord, who is the young man in front of him, and was recruited as a guest minister.

The old Daoist priest was initially a little apprehensive, after all, he was used to a life of leisure and didn't understand or want to understand the rules; he was not suited to doing the work of serving others.

Unexpectedly, this young master was even more carefree and unconventional than him, spending his days wandering around the city, drinking and gambling with outlaws, and chatting with ordinary people about their hunts and harvests.

He was also a skilled worker, doing everything himself and working alongside soldiers and laborers.

In Qianlong City, anyone who mentions Young Master Ji Xuan will show a friendly smile.

The old Daoist priest, exasperated, said:

"Young Master, now that Ji Qian is dead, it's time for you to show your talent and compete for the position of heir. Why are you still so lazy? I understand your previous policy of keeping a low profile, but if you don't seize the opportunity now, when will you?"

The young man squinted and smiled:

"Master, those things are mine only because my father gave them to me. I can't take them away from me even if he didn't give them to me."

The old Daoist priest stomped his foot in anger. "Then you have to show some skill too!"

The young man stopped chopping wood, raised his axe, and smiled broadly, "I've been doing it all along."

At this moment, an armored guard rushed over and announced loudly, "Young Master Ji Xuan, the city lord orders you to go to the Star Gazing Pavilion."

The young man and the old Daoist priest exchanged a smile.

The Star Gazing Pavilion is located on the mountaintop, offering panoramic views.

Ji Xuan changed into a brand new blue robe and followed the stone steps laid out in the mountains until he finally arrived at a forest garden.

"Young Master Xuan!"

The guards outside the garden bowed and clasped their hands in greeting.

Ji Xuan greeted the guards with a smile, paused, chatted for a few moments, and then entered the small garden.

After passing through courtyards and pavilions, Ji Xuan stopped outside a small garden, where two guards in black stood at the entrance.

This is his father, the shadow guard of the Lord of Qianlong City.

The Shadow Guards are few in number, but each one possesses a cultivation level of at least the fifth rank.

The two shadow guards bowed but did not greet them.

Before them, Ji Xuan suppressed his smile, politely clasped his hands in greeting, and then entered the garden.

He arrived at a pavilion with practiced ease and respectfully greeted, "Father, Imperial Advisor."

The attic door opened automatically, and a deep, gentle voice came from inside. "Come in!"

Ji Xuan stepped across the threshold and entered the lobby on the first floor.

The candlelight was bright, the curtains were drawn, the floor of the hall was covered with an expensive knitted carpet, and a four-legged golden beast was placed on the table, emitting wisps of sandalwood incense.

A middle-aged man in a purple robe sat upright in a large chair, scrutinizing Ji Xuan with a stern gaze. This was his seventh son, the seventh son who was good for nothing.

"Father!"

Ji Xuan kept his eyes straight ahead, bowed again, and called out.

Then, he looked behind the lowered curtains at the figure in white robes sitting cross-legged, and smiled with narrowed eyes, "The Imperial Advisor!"

The middle-aged man in purple robes slowly said, "The spirit of the dragon vein has been destroyed, and the foundation of the Great Feng has been further weakened. It is foreseeable that the Central Plains will be thrown into great chaos."

Ji Xuan smiled and said:

"Congratulations, Father! Congratulations, Imperial Advisor! You are destined for greatness."

The man in white, sitting cross-legged, remained silent.

The middle-aged man in purple robes shook his head, saying regretfully, "Although the dragon vein is destroyed, its fortune has not been extracted."

Ji Xuan showed surprise, his usually gentle and approachable face turning slightly serious as he said, "Even the Imperial Advisor's personal intervention couldn't solve it?"

The man in white behind the curtain chuckled.

"Not only did it fail, but I almost died in the capital. I never underestimated the Supervisor, but I underestimated him."

Upon hearing this, Ji Xuan narrowed his eyes. Even the Imperial Advisor almost died in the capital, which showed how fierce the struggle had been.

When the Imperial Advisor spoke of "him," was he referring to his cousin Xu Qi'an, the vessel in the capital?

What did Xu Qi'an do again? Judging from the Imperial Advisor's words, it seems he suffered a major setback at his hands.

He had always kept an eye on his cousin, who was born to be used as a vessel—or rather, all the people in their lineage had been secretly watching him.

Ji Qian, the eldest son on whom the Lineage placed high hopes, was consumed by jealousy because of the constant attention he received. He used the excuse of traveling to provoke trouble, and was eventually killed by Xu Qi'an in Jianzhou.

Xu Qi'an is a man of extraordinary talent, that much is known to all, but to say that he could thwart the Grand Preceptor's plans and almost cause the Grand Preceptor to stumble is truly unbelievable.

The white-robed figure behind the curtain sighed, "He's already a third-rank official, and he's known my identity for a long time, secretly making plans. With him and the Supervisor joining forces, no one in the world can outwit these two."

Ji Xuan, whose innate talent surpassed even that of the eldest son Ji Qian, narrowed his eyes and clicked his tongue twice.

"My cousin is probably the number one person in Kyushu today. Like father, like son!"

A third-rank martial artist in his early twenties is unparalleled among his peers throughout the entire land.

The middle-aged man in purple robes said, "His cultivation has been sealed by the Demon-Sealing Nails; his path to Martial Dao has been severed."

Ji Xuan nodded and looked at the white-clad figure behind the curtain.

Xu Pingfeng said, "Among the Buddhist School, only the Arhat Du'e is willing to unseal the demon nails for him, but that means he has to Buddhist School, be made into a Buddha, and renounce the four elements."

"Outside of Buddhist School, only Shen Shu can unseal the Demon Nails. He will likely seek out Shen Shu's remains, which will inevitably lead to conflict with Buddhist School."

Ji Xuansong commented, "What a pity."

The middle-aged man in purple robes looked at him and said in a deep voice, "Xuan'er, I summoned you here today as a test."

Ji Xuan bowed. "Please enlighten me, Father."

The middle-aged man in purple robes slowly said:

"The spirit of the dragon vein has disintegrated and scattered throughout the Central Plains. You don't need to worry about the other scattered dragon energies, but there are nine dragon energies that are of utmost importance. Go to the Jianghu and find the people who reside in the nine dragon energies and subdue them."

"Of the nine, kill four and spare five. Bring the five back to Qianlong City to enhance our fortune. Refine the four with a grand formation, supplemented with blood pills, to help you advance to the third rank."

As they spoke, the middle-aged man in the purple robe took out a sandalwood box from his sleeve.

Ji Xuan's gaze fell on the box and he couldn't look away.

The middle-aged man in the purple robe opened the box. On the yellow silk was a dull crimson pill, about the size of an egg.

"This was left behind by one of our ancestors five hundred years ago when he was severely injured by Emperor Wuzong and was on his deathbed. It is a shortcut to promotion from the fourth rank to the third rank, but only those with great fortune can withstand the backlash of the Blood Pill."

"The Imperial Advisor has calculated that four strands of dragon energy are enough for you to refine the Blood Pill and advance to the third rank."

Blood pills are indeed precious, but for a top-tier power with sufficient resources, obtaining them is not difficult. Besides those left behind by third-rank martial artists, blood pills can also be obtained by refining living beings.

The difficulty lies in the fact that anyone at the fourth rank who tries to take the shortcut of consuming the Blood Pill will almost certainly die.

Either you are already a third-grade cultivator, unafraid of the backlash from the Blood Pill, and it can even enhance your own Qi and Blood; or you possess great fortune, with luck bestowed upon you, in which case you have a chance to withstand the backlash.

The former is represented by the Prince of Zhenbei, while the latter is represented by Xu Qi'an.

Of course, Xu Qi'an not only possesses great fortune, but his physical body has also undergone some modifications by divine Essence Blood, providing double protection.

Ji Xuan took a deep breath, his hands trembling slightly as he stretched out his arms, and said loudly:

"Your son will certainly live up to your expectations, Father."

What he received with both hands was not only a tremendous gift, but also a legacy.

Although their father never designated an heir, Ji Qian, as the eldest son, was widely recognized as the strongest contender, and his brothers were eager to make their move and were secretly vying for power.

The meaning behind the test his father gave him, this brocade box, is self-evident.

After Ji Xuan took the brocade box, he suddenly sensed something was wrong and pondered:

"The matter of the dragon vein's spirit is of utmost importance. Although I am confident, I feel it is not safe enough. Why doesn't the Imperial Preceptor take action personally?"

The white-clad figure behind the curtain said calmly, "I suffered a backlash from my luck and am severely injured. I need to go into seclusion to recuperate."

Backlash of luck? Didn't they say they didn't extract any luck from Xu Qi'an? Ji Xuan didn't ask further, and said:

Ji Xuan understands.

The middle-aged man in purple robes said, "I will send several experts from the Guest Hall to accompany you in the search for the Dragon Vein Spirit. We will depart in three days."

"Yes!"

Ji Xuandao.

The man in purple waved his hand, and after Ji Xuan left, he looked at the white-robed Warlock and said:

"Compared to other sons of concubines and legitimate sons, Ji Xuan is outstanding in both talent and ability. What's even more remarkable is that he knows how to bide his time. Regardless of what he's thinking, his ability to do this shows he has a promising future."

The white-robed Warlock said, "He is also the most prestigious of all your sons."

The middle-aged man in purple robes squinted. "You chose him a long time ago?"

He paused, then said, "I remember you saying that Warlock cannot extract the spirit of a dragon vein."

The white-robed Warlock closed his eyes and adjusted his breathing.

Ji Xuan, clutching the sandalwood box, left the attic, shaking his head and sighing, "This thing is really hot to handle."

After walking for a while, I came across a girl in a purple dress. Her black hair was like a waterfall, tied with a purple ribbon, simple and elegant.

"Seventh Brother!"

The girl in the purple dress smiled demurely and said, "My mother invites you over; she has something to ask you."

"Is my aunt looking for me?"

Ji Xuan pondered for a moment, then smiled with narrowed eyes, "Alright, I'll trouble you to lead the way, cousin."

P. S.: I recommend a book by Old Devil Tong: "The Fire Thief of Tomorrow". The premise is very interesting, and Old Devil Tong's imagination and writing skills are always reliable.