329: Chapter 329 The Spiritual Rhinoceros Stele

"My... Dao Ancestor above..."

"Is... is this truly something humanly possible?"

"Those floating mountains... how is that done?"

"Is this... the center of the Dynasty?"

Even the several well-informed true Disciples revealed shock in their eyes.

Yun Wuji stood at the bow with his hands behind his back, his dark robes fluttering slightly. His gaze towards the city remained calm, yet as deep as the night.

Feng Xuan gently stroked the book in his hand, as if verifying the descriptions in ancient texts.

Pei Tieshan's mouth hung wide open, unable to close for a long time.

Shui Qingdie's beautiful eyes darted around, filled with wonder.

A hint of ripples also crossed Yu Miaoqing's cold face.

Dongfang Xinghe had long since leaned over the ship's railing, his fingers unconsciously tracing in the air, attempting to analyze the basic principles of those floating Formation.

Ye Tian withdrew his gaze, the ripples in his heart gradually calming.

The more the Imperial Capital exceeded his imagination, the more it demonstrated the vastness of this world, and that what he knew and had seen was merely a drop in the ocean.

His Dao did not lie in the prosperity of this city or that, but in the sword in his hand and the Dao in his heart.

But this place was undoubtedly an excellent location to verify that Dao and sharpen that sword.

The "wave-breaker" followed the invisible Spiritual Qi flight path in the air, flying towards an open heavenly gate on the massive city wall.

The gate was several dozen zhang high, shaped like spread wings, with golden runes flowing along its edges.

There was already a long line in front of the gate, all consisting of Magical Artifacts from various states, counties, and even foreign lands, with strange and varied shapes, all converging on this center of the Dynasty.

Maintaining order were the Golden Feather Guards, clad in golden spirit-patterned armor, with murderous auras and a cultivation of at least True Martial Third Layer. They silently checked the passage jade talismans of every single flying Magical Artifact.

While waiting in line, the discussions from other cloud ships nearby were faintly audible.

"Look, that's the 'Heavenly Sword Sect's 'Sky-Splitting Sword Shuttle', what powerful Sword Intent!"

"The 'Xuanming Way's 'Nine Nether Ghost Boat' has arrived too..."

"The one surrounded by red flames over there is the 'Flowing Fire Flying Chariot' of the Nangong Family, one of the four great protector families!"

"The 'Zhenbei Princes Mansion's 'Black Kun Warship'! It is said that the hull is forged from the remains of a real Black Kun!"

The Disciples excitedly identified these forces and vehicles that only existed in rumors, now right before their eyes.

"Silence!" Elder Xing Tiexin's voice, carrying a trace of Spiritual Qi, reached the Disciples' ears. "Put aside distracting thoughts and guard your hearts. At this moment, you represent the Liuli Xuan Sect. After entering the city, follow instructions in all actions. Do not cause trouble, but do not fear it either. Do you remember?"

"Yes!" The Disciples responded solemnly.

After strict inspection, the "wave-breaker" slowly sailed into the heavenly gate.

The concentration of Spiritual Qi inside the city was several times higher than outside!

The ship traveled along the designated low-altitude flight path, with lush gardens and buildings of various styles below, not the crowded streets they had imagined.

Occasionally, smaller floating platforms could be seen scattered about.

Clearly, they had entered the "airport" and VIP reception area of the Imperial Capital.

Finally, the "wave-breaker" landed at a berth in a medium-sized floating courtyard marked with the Liuli Xuan Sect emblem.

The courtyard had white walls and blue tiles, with several courtyards inside. The scenery was tranquil, and the Spiritual Qi was even more abundant; this was the Sect's property in the Imperial Capital.

Everyone disembarked and settled in under the arrangements of the resident Deacon Disciple.

Ye Tian was assigned an independent small courtyard, featuring a quiet room and a tea room. Pushing open the window, he could see the sea of clouds in the distance and other floating scenic spots appearing and disappearing, the environment was excellent.

After a short rest, Xing Tiexin gathered everyone to announce: "Today is free time; familiarize yourselves with the branch courtyard and the limited surrounding areas. It is strictly forbidden to leave this 'Reception Area', and strictly forbidden to conflict with unknown forces. Assemble here at the hour of the Dragon tomorrow to head to Huangji Square for the Supreme Ranking registration, collect your identity spirit pendant, and understand the specific rules."

Everyone agreed and dispersed. Many young Disciples couldn't suppress their curiosity and agreed to look around within the permitted range.

Ye Tian, along with Leng Feng, Lei Zhen, Luo Qiushui, and Liu Ruyan, also walked out of the courtyard and strolled nearby.

This area seemed to be a temporary station specially designated for the major top Sects and Families; the architectural styles varied, but all appeared extraordinary.

There were not many pedestrians on the road; occasionally they met others, nodding in greeting or coldly sizing each other up, the atmosphere subtle.

"Tsk, those few who just passed by, their aura is like blocks of ice. Are they from the 'Cold Silence Valley' in the Northern Ice Plains?" Lei Zhen lowered his voice.

"Those few over there, their steps are light, with natural energy flowing around them; they should be Disciples of the Eastern Pole Qingmu Sect." Liu Ruyan said softly.

As they were walking, a commotion came from in front of an elegant teahouse named "Pinyun Pavilion".

They saw several youths wearing tight-fitting clothes embroidered with ferocious black tiger totems blocking another group of young people dressed in cyan cloud-patterned robes, their expressions arrogant.

"What? We at Tianhu Gate saw this private room in 'Liuyun Creek' first, so naturally it's ours. If you Qingyue Sect are short on funds, go somewhere else early; don't be an eyesore here."

The leading Tianhu Gate Disciple, with an aura of the True Martial Eighth Stage, crossed his arms and squinted at the other party.

The leader of the Qingyue Sect was a scholarly youth with a cultivation of the Seventh Stage of True Martial Realm, his face pale with anger: "It was clearly us who negotiated with the shopkeeper first! You..."

"Negotiated? Where is the deposit? Where is the contract?" The Tianhu Gate Disciple sneered and interrupted, "Anyone can say empty words. If you keep nagging, believe it or not, I'll make you crawl back to Qingyue Mountain?"

The Qingyue Sect group glared, hands on their sword hilts, but were forcibly stopped by the scholarly youth.

He took a few deep breaths and gritted his teeth: "Let's go!" He led his fellow Disciples away in anger, amidst the mocking gazes of the others.

"Too bullying!" Lei Zhen frowned as he watched.

"The weak are prey to the strong; it's like that everywhere." Leng Feng's tone was cold and hard, "It's just that in the Imperial Capital, they have to restrain themselves a bit; they don't dare to cause any deaths."

Ye Tian just glanced at it indifferently and then withdrew his gaze. He had seen too much of this bullying of the weak by the strong.

However, the trace of shrewd calculation deep in the eyes of that Tianhu Gate Disciple beneath his arrogant posture made him feel that this matter might not be as simple as just fighting over a private room.

However, it had nothing to do with him.

The group continued forward, arriving at an open viewing cloud terrace.

In the center of the terrace stood a jade stele about three zhang high, entirely translucent white.

Many people were gathered in front of the stele, pointing at the surface.

"Look! It's the Preliminary Spirit Rhinoceros List! It is said to be connected to the deduction Formation within the city and can reflect real-time predictions summarized from various parties' attention and intelligence!" Someone whispered.

"Oh? There's such a thing? Let's take a look!"

Ye Tian and the others also walked closer to watch.

They saw the words "Great Yan Youth Supreme Ranking · Preliminary Spirit Rhinoceros" at the top of the jade stele.

Below, there were several columns, with names and brief comments flashing in gold, silver, and copper light. Behind the names were subtle fluctuations, light spots representing support rates or predicted rankings.

"golden gate list (Favorites to Win): Yun Wuji (Liuli Xuan Sect, Tianshu Peak, Sea Transformation First Layer. Comment: Ethereal and Traceless)."

Bei Minghong (Young Lord of the Beiming Family, Sea Transformation First Layer, Freezes All Things).

Qin Pojun (Zhenbei Princes Mansion, Heir, Sea Transformation First Layer. Comment: Military Dao Slaughter).

Li Xuanxiao (Heavenly Sword Sect, Sword Child, True Martial Tenth Level Great Perfection. Comment: Innate Sword Heart).

Ghost Girl (Xuanming Way, Saintess, True Martial Tenth Level Great Perfection. Comment: Xuanming Phantom Ghost)..."

"silver glow list (Strong Contenders): Feng Xuan (Liuli Xuan Sect), Yu Miaoqing (Liuli Xuan Sect), Xiahou Ba (Xiahou Family), Zhao Mao (Young Lord of Tianhu Gate), Han Xiao (Suspected Ancient Clan Walker), Nangong Chi (Young Lord of the Nangong Family)..."

"bronze thread rank (Potential Rising Stars / Need Attention): Ye Tian (Liuli Xuan Sect, newly promoted True Disciple of Tianshu Peak, True Martial Tenth Stage Peak. Comment: Rising from the Northern Region, battle record questionable, wait and see), Pei Tieshan (Liuli Xuan Sect), Shui Qingdie (Liuli Xuan Sect), Tang Yun (Liuli Xuan Sect), Jiang Chuxue (Liuli Xuan Sect Inner Disciple)..."