53: Chapter 53 Encounters on the Road

"Hmm?"

After hearing Li Youming's words,

Zhao Fengnian, the commander of Tiebi City, finally retracted some of the coldness in his eyes.

They all knew about Wang Chen's Imperial Decree to establish the Divine Martial Guard.

However,

Li Youming and his group were the first people he had encountered who intended to head to the Imperial Capital to join the Divine Martial Guard.

"Even though you are heading to the Imperial Capital in response to the decree, that is no excuse to ignore the rules. Given the circumstances, I'll let you off this once. Don't let it happen again!"

It wasn't that Zhao Fengnian had a good temper.

It was mainly because the other party was going to join the Divine Martial Guard; for that alone, he had to give them a bit of Face.

After all, the Divine Martial Guard was personally established by Wang Chen and could be considered his direct line.

Once they truly joined the Divine Martial Guard, they might cross paths in the future. Since they would likely see each other often, it wouldn't be good to make things too tense.

Of course.

The main reason was that the other party had a good attitude.

As the saying goes, one does not strike a smiling Face. Although he was someone summoned by Wang Chen, he still understood these social graces.

Just like that.

Amidst profuse thanks, Li Youming and the others entered Tiebi City.

The group did not linger, passing straight through the city and quickly heading towards the Imperial Capital.

However,

They had learned their lesson from Tiebi City. Along the way, whenever they encountered a city—whether large or small—they would immediately and honestly report for registration.

In the beginning,

Some among them were worried about whether they would be targeted after joining the Imperial Dynasty.

But,

After what they saw and heard along the way, they were completely at ease.

Why was that?

Naturally, it was because they weren't worthy!

Along this damn road, whether it was a large city or a small one, there were actually experts of the Celestial Realm stationed there.

One could only imagine how powerful the Imperial Dynasty was now. With such strength, they didn't even have the qualifications to be targeted by the Imperial Dynasty!

Especially when they passed through the largest city in the north of the Tianxuan Dynasty, "Qingxuan City."

The moment they stepped into Qingxuan City,

They were sensed by a middle-aged man in armor who was resting with his eyes closed on the city tower.

The man merely cast a casual "glance" toward the city gate.

It really was just a casual glance.

It didn't even carry any hostility or scrutiny, as if he were looking at insignificant weeds by the roadside.

However,

It was that one look!

Behind Li Youming, several Elders at the Early Stage of the Great Grandmaster Realm with weaker cultivation could no longer hold themselves up. Their knees buckled, and they collapsed directly onto the ground.

Of course.

The others weren't much better off, standing frozen in place with blank stares.

Even Li Youming

Was desperately circulating his Cultivation Technique and gritting his teeth hard, barely managing to maintain a semblance of calm.

But in his heart, a stormy sea had already been whipped up!

"Too strong! How can he be so strong? This has completely exceeded the Celestial Realm. Could it be..."

Thinking of this,

Li Youran shuddered all over. If even a mere Qingxuan City had an expert of the Land Deity Realm stationed there,

Then what about other places?

One must know that within the Imperial Dynasty, there were four other large cities of the same scale as Qingxuan City!

And what about the even more important four borders?

And the core of the Imperial Dynasty, the Imperial Capital of the Tianxuan Dynasty?

What kind of power would be needed to guard that?

It was precisely this thought that made Li Youming's legs go weak with fear, nearly making him wet his pants!

In this complex mood mixed with awe, expectation, and trepidation,

They spent a full three days

Before finally arriving at the Tianxuan Imperial Capital!

Standing on the Official Road about a dozen miles from the Imperial Capital, Li Youming and the others couldn't help but stop in their tracks.

This wasn't their first time coming to the Imperial Capital.

In the past,

As high-level members of top Jianghu forces, they had visited many times, both openly and in secret.

Back then, although the Imperial Capital was still majestic, it always gave off a feeling of being strong on the outside but hollow on the inside, shrouded in a deathly gloom.

They had even discussed it privately.

The Imperial Dynasty that had been the Dominator of this world for thousands of years was likely to fall apart before long.

But,

Who could have imagined?

In just a few dozen short days!

A world-shaking change had occurred!

An excessively young yet incredibly powerful emperor had emerged, sweeping away internal troubles and suppressing all directions with thunderous momentum.

And the Imperial Capital before them

Seemed to have undergone a Rebirth through fire, completely shedding all its gloom and becoming vibrant, majestic, and flourishing!

"Thousands of years of Legacy... I thought its fate was sealed, but I didn't expect... it would actually welcome a true Dragon!"

Li Youming muttered to himself, a complex light flickering in his aged eyes.

There was both lamentation and relief.

Of course.

There was also the excitement of witnessing history and being about to throw himself into the current of change.

"Old Ancestor, are we... really going in?"

At this moment,

A Great Grandmaster asked, his voice somewhat dry.

Looking at the magnificent and towering Imperial Capital ahead, they suddenly felt incredibly small.

Especially when they felt the faint, majestic Aura emanating from the Imperial Capital ahead.

For a moment, they were actually a bit afraid to step inside...

Li Youming took a deep breath and then said with a firm expression.

"Go in! We must go in! This is our chance!"

"You've seen it all along the way; the Imperial Dynasty now possesses terrifying strength. If I'm not mistaken, there must be more than one expert of the Land Immortal Realm in the dynasty!"

"The person in Qingxuan City we passed by is very likely a Land Deity Realm expert."

"If a mere Qingxuan City has a Land Deity Realm expert guarding it, then how many Land Deity Realm experts must the entire Imperial Dynasty have?"

"As long as we sincerely join the Imperial Dynasty and work hard for it, perhaps we can reach that Realm in the future!"

"People... sometimes need to take a gamble!"

Hearing this,

The people behind Li Youming nodded instinctively.

They felt these words were absolutely right.

Facing the temptation of the Land Immortal Realm, only a fool wouldn't gamble!

Even if there's only a sliver of a chance, as long as one is a Martial Artist, they wouldn't pass up the gamble.

However,

It was one thing for others to say this.

But coming from your mouth, Old Ancestor, why does it feel so out of place?

With your cautious personality,

You have the nerve to talk about gambling?

Does the word 'gamble' have even a cent's worth of relation to you?

Perhaps sensing the strange looks, Li Youming turned to glance at the crowd behind him and quickly said,

"Alright, everyone follow this Old Ancestor into the city!"

After Li Youming finished speaking,

He directly led the group toward the Imperial Capital.

However,

As they walked,

Li Youming also kept warning the people behind him.

"Once we enter the Imperial Capital, you all better behave for this Old Ancestor!"

"The Imperial Capital now is not like before. If anyone causes trouble, don't blame this Old Ancestor for not looking after you!"

"No matter what happens, don't be impulsive. Act according to this Old Ancestor's cues, understood?"

...

Just like that.

Under Li Youming's constant reminders, the group finally reached the gates of the Imperial Capital.

However,

Just as they arrived at the Imperial Capital gates,

They felt two terrifying gazes sweep over them.

In an instant,

They only felt their scalps go numb.

"This... how is this possible..."

"There are... actually... two... two..."

[I would like to hear everyone's suggestions for the upcoming plot, feel free to share your ideas!!]