109: A good dog doesn't block the way!

Five days later.

An indescribably majestic colossal city appeared on the horizon.

Its city walls soared into the clouds, resembling a continuous black mountain range.

Above the city gate, the four gilded characters 'Great Xia Royal Capital' shone brilliantly in the sunlight, emanating an imperial aura that seemed to suppress all directions.

Even from a great distance, one could feel the overwhelming sense of prosperity and majesty.

Inside the carriage, Zhao Cheng was utterly dumbfounded.

Having grown up, this was the first time he had ever seen such a magnificent city.

In comparison, Jinling City seemed like a small, rustic village.

Even the usually aloof Qin Shuang had a flash of astonishment in her eyes.

This was the heart of the Great Xia Dynasty, the gathering place of power and the strong.

Only Li Qing remained composed.

In his previous life, he had seen too many steel and concrete skyscrapers. Although the scene before him was grand, it couldn't evoke much surprise.

However, the construction techniques here still made him marvel at the skill of the people of this era!

Compared to modern steel, concrete, and mold-cast structures,

everything before him was carved from wood.

The shoddy construction projects of his past life paled in comparison!

The carriage slowly passed through the city gate.

Inside the city was a different scene altogether.

The wide streets were paved with smooth bluestone slabs, wide enough for more than ten carriages to travel side by side.

On both sides of the streets stood rows upon rows of shops and pavilions, exquisitely carved and painted, displaying extraordinary grandeur.

Pedestrians on the street jostled shoulder to shoulder, forming an endless, bustling stream.

Moreover, Li Qing keenly noticed that the proportion of Martial Artists here was astonishingly high.

Almost every passerby was a Body Refining Realm Martial Artist.

Experts at the Condensing Essence Realm were also a common sight.

He even sensed many auras at the Meridian Opening Realm.

Of course, those at the Spirit Transformation Realm were not uncommon either!

"Truly worthy of the Royal Capital,"

Li Qing thought to himself.

The cultivation level here was indeed incomparable to a small place like Jinling City.

Led by Zhang Long, the carriage passed through several bustling streets and finally arrived before an expansive complex of buildings.

This was the Tiantian Garden, temporary accommodations specially prepared by the Royal Capital for the Prodigies from various regions coming to participate in the Great Xia Martial Selection.

"We're here,"

Zhang Long said, getting off the carriage and addressing those inside.

The three of them got off the carriage one after another.

As soon as they stood firm, they felt several hostile gazes directed at them from all directions.

Gathered at the entrance of the Tiantian Garden were many young Martial Artists who had also come to register.

They stood in small groups, dressed in luxurious clothes, exuding powerful auras, their faces openly displaying arrogance.

When they saw the 'Jinling City' emblem on Li Qing's group's carriage, their eyes filled with contempt and disdain.

"Well, well, if it isn't Jinling City, the perennial bottom-feeder? You actually dared to come this year?"

A Young Master dressed in brocade robes and holding a folding fan said in a mocking tone.

The people around him immediately burst into laughter.

"Haha, Brother Wang, don't say that. Jinling City's motto is 'participation is what matters'!"

"Exactly, exactly! Maybe they'll produce a Genius who makes it into the top thousand this year?"

"Top thousand? You're giving them too much credit. I bet they'll be completely wiped out in the first round!"

These cutting taunts instantly flushed Zhao Cheng's face red with anger, and he clenched his fists.

Qin Shuang's expression also turned icy, a cold light flashing in her eyes.

Zhang Long was trembling with rage, but he knew.

This was the Royal Capital. These people all had extraordinary backgrounds, far beyond what he could afford to provoke.

He could only swallow his anger and whisper to the three of them,

"Ignore them. Let's go inside and register first."

With that, he was about to lead the three of them inside.

"Halt!"

However, the brocade-robed Young Master addressed as 'Brother Wang' shifted his body, blocking their path.

"What's the hurry?"

He pointed his folding fan at Qin Shuang, a flash of admiration and lewdness in his eyes.

"A backwater like Jinling City can actually produce a beauty of this caliber?"

"Little beauty, what's your name?"

"Interested in having a drink with this Young Master tonight?"

"You!"

A surge of killing intent erupted in Qin Shuang's eyes.

When had she ever suffered such humiliation?

The longsword at her waist emitted a clear ring, about to be drawn from its sheath.

"Stop!"

Zhang Long quickly pressed her hand down, giving her a meaningful look.

They couldn't start a fight here!

If they did, they would definitely be the ones to suffer.

"Oh? Want to fight?"

Young Master Wang's smile became even more teasing.

"Come on then. I'm standing right here. Let you have a swing."

"Let's see if you dare to lay a finger on me!"

He was utterly confident.

He was none other than Wang Teng.

Qingzhou City was one of the top ten major cities in the Great Xia Dynasty, its strength far surpassing that of Jinling City.

Moreover, he himself was an expert at the Initial Stage of the Meridian Connecting Realm!

He didn't give a damn about these 'country bumpkins' from small places.

Qin Shuang's chest heaved with anger, but reason told her she couldn't act impulsively.

Zhao Cheng's face was flushed crimson!

Having been hailed as a Prodigy in Jinling City since childhood,

he had never encountered such an arrogant person.

But, this was the Royal Capital.

And the person before him was the son of Qingzhou City's City Lord.

He didn't dare to make a move.

Just as tensions were reaching a boiling point,

Li Qing, who had remained silent all this time, suddenly took a step forward.

He glanced at the arrogant Wang Teng, then his gaze fell upon a massive Mysterious Iron Stone at the entrance of the Tiantian Garden, used for testing strength.

On the Mysterious Iron Stone were engraved numerous fist and palm prints, clearly left by previous testers.

"Where did this dog come from that's so fond of blocking the road?"

Li Qing spoke calmly.

His voice wasn't loud, but it was clearly heard by everyone present.

Wang Teng was stunned for a moment, then sneered.

"Dog?? Kid, are you looking to die?"

"A Late-stage Condensing Yuan Realm trash?"

He had already discerned Li Qing's cultivation level and didn't take him seriously at all.

Li Qing ignored him and walked straight over to the Mysterious Iron Stone.

?

Wang Teng frowned.

I'm talking to you, punk!

Ignoring me!

If I don't make you wish you were dead, I'll write my name backwards!

Wang Teng thought viciously to himself!

They saw Li Qing raise his hand and gently pat the incredibly hard Mysterious Iron Stone, as if brushing dust off it.

Then, he turned around, looked at Wang Teng, and said indifferently,

"A road is meant for walking."

"It's not meant for dogs to stand on."

After saying that, he turned and walked towards the gate of the Tiantian Garden.

"You're fucking looking to die!"

Wang Teng flew into a rage. How could he, the esteemed Young Lord of Qingzhou City, ever have suffered such an insult!

Am I, at the Initial Stage of the Meridian Connecting Realm, afraid of a little punk like you?

Die!

Without a second thought, he sent a palm strike straight towards Li Qing's back!

"Watch out!"

Qin Shuang and Zhang Long were both horrified.

This incoming palm strike was no small matter.

Qin Shuang could feel the terrifying power contained within it!

However, Li Qing seemed to have eyes on the back of his head, not even turning around.

Just as Wang Teng's palm was about to strike him,

A sudden change occurred!

Boom!