350: Ten Thousand Year Ice

The Ten Thousand Year Cold Ice was massive, and dissolving it in such a gentle manner would definitely take three to five months to melt completely.

Feng Ming was not impatient. He only left a wisp of Divine Sense lingering in the storage ring to constantly monitor the movement of the dissolving ice, then paid it no further mind. The rest, he would simply leave to time.

By the time he withdrew from the storage ring, the moonlight outside the window had already set in the west, and the night watch was nearing its end; it was already the middle of the night.

Tomorrow morning was the time to enter the court and receive their titles, allowing no room for error. Feng Ming dared not delay further. He quickly sat cross-legged to regulate his breathing for a moment, then closed his eyes to rest, seizing the remaining few hours to recuperate, conserve his energy, and await the court's proceedings after dawn.

The next day, just as the sky was faintly lighting up, Lu Qianqian's urgent knocking sounded.

“Brother-in-law, hurry up! It's time to enter the court and receive your titles!”

Hearing the sound, Feng Ming opened his eyes, the anticipation weighing on his heart finally settling. After quickly washing up, he went downstairs and saw that everyone was already dressed and ready. Furthermore, a squad of armored guards stood at the Inn entrance, clearly sent specifically to escort them.

Seeing him arrive, Jiang Bing quickly waved him over: “You finally came down. I have instructions before you leave: follow the guards, they will take you into the Imperial City. Whatever demands they make along the way, just comply. I'll wait for you back at the Inn.”

Feng Ming was stunned: “You're not going?”

“You are the ones receiving the titles; why would I have the qualifications to meet King Haoyue?” Jiang Bing said helplessly. Before he could finish, Zhang Bai squeezed over and patted his chest: “Don't worry, Uncle, with me here, nothing will go wrong! We should go now, the guards are urging us.”

The guards at the entrance had already formed ranks and shouted in a deep voice: “Those entering the court to receive titles, follow us and depart!”

Everyone responded and followed, while Feng Da and Jiang Bing remained at the Inn.

Before departing, the Guard Captain sternly warned them again: “Anyone who leaves the formation without authorization during the journey will be deemed to have forfeited their title, and will be severely punished! Consequences are your own responsibility! Depart!”

As the procession walked along the Imperial Capital streets, Feng Ming noticed that there were quite a few similar escort teams along the way.

Nine Provinces each sent ten people, making ninety, plus those like Zhang Bai who used connections, the total likely exceeded a hundred.

Zhang Bai leaned over and chuckled: “I know this procedure well. My family told me long ago that the guards only escort us to the city gate, where someone else will take over. I will also be taken aside separately. Those of us who take the back door don't qualify to see King Haoyue, but we'll meet at the Celebratory Banquet tonight, and I'll tell you more then.”

Feng Ming nodded, just as he was lamenting the multitude of rules, Zhang Bai suddenly scratched his head: “Oh right, I haven't had a chance to ask these past three days. Did you talk to the County Princess about me?”

“I did, and no chance,” Feng Ming stated bluntly. “The County Princess said she's not interested in you, so give up quickly.”

Zhang Bai sighed and slumped his shoulders: “I guessed as much, but hearing it is still hard to accept. My love died in the womb before it even sprouted.”

“Give me a break. You've only known each other for a few days,” Feng Ming glanced at him. “Instead of thinking about useless things, why don't you think about what position you might be granted?”

While the two chatted, the procession reached the Imperial City gate. Sure enough, just as Zhang Bai had said, the guards outside the Palace stopped, and another team of guards inside the Palace took over, with one guard assigned to escort each person.

Zhang Bai waved goodbye and was led elsewhere. Feng Ming followed Lu Qianqian and the others, proceeding deep into the Imperial City. He secretly sensed that these guards were uniformly in the Mahayana Realm.

Such strength was top-tier in Qingyang City and Liumian Prefecture, yet here in the Imperial Palace of the Imperial Capital, they only qualified as guards. The depth of King Haoyue's foundation was evident.

After about half an hour, a magnificent Palace appeared before them. Everyone was led to a designated spot at the bottom of the Stone Steps outside the Palace gate, where several dense teams stood, perfectly aligned horizontally and vertically, much like the military training of Feng Ming's previous life.

A guard shouted in a deep voice: “Silence and stand still! Await the summons of King Haoyue!”

No one dared to disobey, not even daring to breathe loudly. But this wait lasted from early morning until noon. During this time, people were constantly being brought in, until finally, the nine teams were perfectly aligned, all ninety people having arrived.

Feng Ming muttered inwardly: Could it be that King Haoyue doesn't start work early either, and only handles business after lunch? Even in the Cultivation World, one couldn't escape the fate of being a workhorse. Fortunately, after receiving his title, he would return to his own territory, where the mountains were high and the emperor was far away, and no one could control him.

Just as he was thinking, a voice finally came from inside the Palace: “Summon! The top ten of the Qian Prefecture Trial, enter the Palace to receive your titles!”

The ten people from Qian Prefecture answered and entered the Palace. About half an hour later, the Palace summoned the ten people from Qin Province. When the Qian Prefecture group emerged, they all looked joyful, clearly having finished receiving their titles.

Summoning them one by one like this was very slow. Feng Ming estimated that by the time it was their turn, they might go straight to the Celebratory Banquet.

Finally, the fifth summons sounded: “Summon! The top ten of the Liangzhou Trial, enter the Palace to receive your titles!”

Feng Ming and the others followed the guards up the Stone Steps. Just as he lifted his foot, the Ten Thousand Year Cold Ice in his storage ring suddenly trembled violently, and the speed at which it was melting abruptly increased!

Feng Ming was startled. He had set up a Constant Temperature Space inside the storage ring, and the melting speed of the ice had never been abnormal. Such a sudden change must mean there was a problem internally. Could the sealed Poisonous Creature have awakened?

But on second thought, the ice was quite large. Even if the Poisonous Creature woke up, it would take two or three days to melt through. Furthermore, the item was inside his storage ring and couldn't cause major trouble. He just needed to be careful not to let it knock over the basin of poisonous water. Thus, he suppressed his thoughts and followed the team into the Palace.

Inside the Palace, the atmosphere was solemn and respectful. Civil Officials and Military Generals stood in separate rows on both sides, and there was dead silence. Feng Ming looked up at the Throne, only to see it empty. Only a middle-aged man wearing the court robes of a Civil Official stood to the side, holding a roster.

The Guard Captain stepped forward and bowed: “Reporting, sir, the ten people from Liang Province have all been brought here.”

“Very good,” the middle-aged man said. “I am the Herald appointed by Your Majesty personally. I shall now announce the titles granted to the top ten of the Liangzhou Trial.”

As the announcement began, Feng Ming secretly observed that the granted titles were linked to strength: the tenth and ninth place, both at the sixth or seventh layer of Nascent Soul, were only appointed as City Lord Aides; from eighth place onwards, those at the eighth or ninth layer of Nascent Soul were all appointed as City Lords, governing cities about half the size of Qingyang City.

With such strength, they might Break through to the Mahayana Realm within three months, making them fully qualified. He calculated that since he was first in Liang Province, he would likely be granted a Prefect-level title. However, Liang Province already had a Prefect. Could he be transferred to another province?

Just as he was pondering, the Herald's voice reached Lu Qianqian: “Fifth place: Lu Qianqian! Specially recruited into the Tianxuan Division! Specific duties shall be decided by the Chief of the Tianxuan Division!”

Lu Qianqian could barely hide the excitement in her eyes. Feng Ming also sighed inwardly, Senior Gan Lei had indeed kept his promise.

Before long, the Herald finally read his name: “First place: Feng Ming! Appointed as the Prefect of Qianzhou, assisting the Provincial Governor in overseeing all Qian Prefecture affairs, reporting to the Imperial Capital Political Affairs Department!”

As soon as these words were spoken, the Civil Officials and Military Generals who had been standing silently in the Palace all simultaneously looked toward Feng Ming, their gazes varied—some surprised, some probing, and some cold.

Feng Ming instantly became the focus of attention. Even Lu Qianqian and the others looked surprised. When others received their titles earlier, there had been no such reaction, clearly indicating that the position of Prefect of Qianzhou was far from simple.

The Herald finally instructed: “After you all take office, specific duties will be arranged by your direct superiors. For positions under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Capital, the communication stones will be delivered shortly. You must report to your posts within three months from the date of this announcement. Unexcused delays will be severely punished! You may withdraw. Next batch, Zhen Province!”