162: The imperial capital, the holy city of Gama!

When the outline of Jiama Holy City appeared before Mo Yuhan, he felt as if he had crashed into a boiling furnace.

The tranquility of Wutan City and the serenity of Canaan Academy's Inner Courtyard were instantly shattered, replaced by an overwhelming, almost suffocating clamor and grandeur.

Magnificent! That was the first impression.

The city walls, dozens of zhang high, constructed from obsidian cut as smooth as mirrors, gleamed with a cold, majestic luster under the midday sun, winding like a prostrate ancient beast, tightly embracing an unimaginably prosperous land within.

Along the city walls, giant magic-guided artillery platforms stood at regular intervals, their deep muzzles aimed at the vast plains outside the city, emitting heart-pounding energy fluctuations, silently proclaiming the inviolability of this Imperial Capital.

The massive city gates stood wide open, and the flow of people and carriages surged in and out like a rushing tide, day and night, an immense and unparalleled torrent of sound composed of various accents, hawkers' cries, the rattling of carriage wheels on bluestone, and the whistling of flying magical beasts sweeping low through the air, all impacting the eardrums.

Prosperity! This was the second impact.

Stepping through the city gate, the sight before Mo Yuhan almost made him dizzy.

The main road, wide enough for ten carriages to travel abreast, was paved with smoothly polished gray-white megaliths, worn to a warm sheen by countless footsteps.

On both sides of the street were shops arrayed like fish scales, their signboards and banners a riot of colors, vying for attention.

There were artifact refinement pavilions selling high-grade magic cores and rare minerals, dan medicine shops exuding rich herbal aromas with jade bottles and brocade boxes displayed in their windows, weapon shops hanging magnificent armor and blades, and clothing stores showcasing shimmering silks and satins...

Each establishment was bustling, with well-dressed customers coming and going, many of them Dou Shi (Fighting Master) and Great Dou Shi with powerful auras and sharp eyes, and occasionally, the restrained aura of a Dou Ling (Fighting Spirit) expert could be felt passing by.

The air was filled with a complex mix of scents: the wheaty aroma of freshly baked pastries, the exotic smell of cooked magical beast meat, the bitter pungency of herbs, the sweet stickiness of cosmetics, the salty tang of sweat, and a faint, distant scent from the depths of the Imperial Capital, a blend of the iron-blooded and the extravagant, belonging to the core of power.

The streets were packed with people, and besides local residents, there were even more faces from all corners of the Empire, carrying the dust of travel and the excitement of anticipation.

Their gazes were mostly fixed on the conspicuous notice boards along the streets, where large posters were displayed—deep purple backgrounds, with a radiant medicine cauldron pattern in the center, seven-colored pill clouds spewing from its mouth, and beside it, golden characters written in a flamboyant, powerful script: Gama Empire Alchemist Convention · Glorious Opening · Gathering of Heroes!

The date was clearly just a few days away.

"Alchemist Convention... it truly is extraordinary," Mo Yuhan murmured to himself, his Dou Qi circulating slightly to dispel the faint dizziness from the long-distance spatial teleportation. His gaze swept over the posters, finally settling on the most majestic complex of palaces in the city center, symbolizing imperial authority. That was also the location of the Alchemist Guild headquarters.

The flow of people carried him forward, but he was not in a hurry, instead slowing his pace, observing with interest the pulse of this Imperial heart.

At a street corner, in a makeshift tea stall, several Dou Zhe who were clearly travelers were vigorously discussing.

"Did you hear? This Convention is a rare spectacle, seen only once in a century! Even young geniuses from the Chu Yun Empire and the Mulan Empire have come to challenge us!"

"Indeed! It's said that Princess Princess Yao Yue, the Imperial family's little princess, will also participate. She's Great Master Vice President Chemier's top disciple, already at the peak of Third-Rank at such a young age!"

"Hmph, what's Third-Rank? Haven't you heard about Liu Ling, Pill King Gu He's disciple from the Yunlan Sect? It's said he's already a Third-Rank Alchemist and is about to break through to Fourth-Rank Alchemist. He's a hot favorite to win!"

"Yunlan Sect? Hmph, they're so arrogant, looking down on everyone! I still favor a few of the seeds cultivated within the Black Rock City Guild, like that Yan Xiao. I heard he's also quite formidable..."

"Shh! Keep your voice down! How dare you criticize people from the Yunlan Sect? But speaking of which, the rewards for this Convention are truly enticing! Besides becoming an honorary Elder of the Alchemist Guild, enjoying benefits and power on par with the Grand Elders, the champion will also be able to receive assistance within the scope of their authority at any branch of the Gama Empire Alchemist Guild. Furthermore, they'll have priority in exchanging for rare medicinal ingredients from the Guild's treasury.

In addition, it's said the Alchemist Guild is offering a scroll for a Sixth-Rank pill as a reward, and I heard they can even get recruited by the Imperial family! Tsk tsk, it's truly a step to heaven!"

Mo Yuhan's heart skipped a beat. If he remembered correctly, the Sixth-Rank pill formula should be the Soul Fusion Pill. This would be very useful for Queen Medusa.

To prevent future retaliation from Queen Medusa, he could use this as a bargaining chip.

He subtly moved a few steps closer, continuing to listen.

"Alas, it's a pity we can only watch the excitement. I heard the registration threshold is a Second-Rank Alchemist, and you also need Guild certification or a recommendation letter from a major power. It's difficult!"

"Who's saying it isn't! Oh, and the Mittel Auction House has been making a fortune these past few days! All sorts of rare medicinal ingredients and cauldrons, usually hard to come by, have seen their prices skyrocket! Especially the few high-end auctions hosted by Miss Ya Fei, they were absolutely packed..."

Ya Fei!

The name was like an electric current, instantly piercing Mo Yuhan's ears and reaching his heart.

Before his eyes, that captivating, enchanting figure seemed to automatically appear—a perfectly tailored red dress embracing breathtaking curves, her eyes full of natural charm with every glance, yet also holding the sharp shrewdness of a merchant.

The brief time they spent together at the Mittel Auction House in Wutan City, her seemingly casual pointers, her subtle closeness, and her meaningful "Yu Han, Younger Brother, your Elder sister is waiting for you in the Imperial Capital" upon their farewell, instantly resurfaced clearly in his mind.

An indescribable warmth and urgency surged in his chest.

Mo Yuhan no longer lingered. His footsteps abruptly quickened as he identified the direction and hurried towards the Mittel Family's iconic, ice crystal-like towering headquarters in the Imperial Capital.

The Mittel Family headquarters was located beside the most bustling central avenue of the Imperial Capital.

More than a building, it was a fortress constructed from massive ice-blue crystals and hard black iron ore.

It soared into the clouds, reflecting a cold yet magnificent luster under the sunlight. At its peak, the Mittel Family's unique flag, embroidered with a golden balance scale and coin pattern, fluttered, silently showcasing its immense wealth, comparable to a nation, and its transcendent status in the Empire's business world.

When Mo Yuhan stood at the foot of this ice crystal giant tower, even with his composure, he couldn't help but be awed by the overwhelming grandeur that assailed him.

The massive archway was large enough for even enormous magical beast carriages to pass through easily. On either side stood eight guards, clad in uniform silver chainmail, with calm, formidable auras and eyes as sharp as eagles, scanning everyone entering and exiting.

Their cultivation was at least Dou Shi Peak, and the squad leader at the front had even reached the Great Dou Shi level.