80: Wangyue Tower

Qin Chen covered the journey of over three thousand kilometers in just half an hour.

Passing through layers of clouds, he looked down—

A magnificent city gradually emerged, becoming increasingly clear.

At the center of the city stood a towering imperial palace, with four wide main roads extending from the palace gates and connecting to the city gates in all four directions.

The main roads branched out in all directions, crisscrossing into countless streets and alleys. Buildings lined both sides, and the streets were bustling with crowds and heavy traffic, creating a lively scene.

This was the first time he had seen such a magnificent city in reality.

If it were an ordinary Mortal, they probably wouldn't be able to walk from the east side of the city to the west in a day and a night.

Qin Chen landed in a deserted alley near the south gate, then activated his movement technique and quickly headed toward the Martial Arts Academy.

To get rid of this black gold twin fish jade pendant, it would be best to find a Genius at the Perfected Innate Realm, so as not to arouse the suspicion of Liu Ruyan.

He already had a candidate in mind—Fang Chen.

That guy was a well-known Genius at the Martial Arts Academy; he had reached the Perfected Innate Realm at a young age and had even been taken in as a Disciple by Xiao Tianci.

Qin Chen even suspected that it was Xiao Tianci who had deliberately used the "Steward Jia Case" in the previous simulation to lead him to Eunuch Xiang.

Originally, he had planned to take action himself in reality.

But now that he was being watched, he dared not act rashly.

For now, the most important thing was to get rid of this hot potato of a jade pendant.

After arriving at the Martial Arts Academy, Qin Chen activated the "Illusionary Form Technique," and his appearance and figure changed quietly—

In the blink of an eye, he had transformed into the appearance of "Liu Jinfeng," with a cold and refined temperament, like a beauty carved from ice and jade, devoid of any worldly aura.

This appearance was exactly the same as the "Liu Jinfeng" he had seen before.

Qin Chen looked at his current image, felt very satisfied, and then walked into the Martial Arts Academy.

A young man dressed in black martial attire, with a golden "Wu" character embroidered on his left chest, spotted "her" at a glance and immediately came up to greet her with a smile:

"Young Miss, are you here to participate in the Martial Arts Academy assessment?"

"I am here to find Fang Chen." Qin Chen replied with a faint smile, imitating a woman's voice.

"Looking for Junior Brother Fang Chen?" The smile on the man's face stiffened slightly, and a flash of imperceptible jealousy crossed his eyes, but he still said politely, "Alright, I will take you there."

"Thank you, Senior Brother. May I ask your name?" Qin Chen asked as they walked.

"My name is Kuang Tianyou, and I am from Nanjiang City. How about you?" Kuang Tianyou replied with a smile.

Upon hearing the name "Kuang Tianyou," Qin Chen was stunned for a moment, then laughed out loud: "Oh! So it is Senior Brother Kuang, I have heard so much about you!"

"You know me?" Kuang Tianyou was somewhat surprised.

"Big Brother Kuang is the number one Genius of Nanjiang City, who hasn't heard of your name? I've also heard that you are determined to win this graduation competition, and your Breakthrough to Grandmaster is just around the corner!" Qin Chen feigned a look of admiration.

This flattery made Kuang Tianyou feel very comfortable, and he scratched his head with a smile: "Young Miss, you flatter me. Those are just empty titles, not worth mentioning."

"By the way," he couldn't help but ask again, "what is the matter with you looking for Junior Brother Fang Chen?"

"This..." Qin Chen deliberately stammered, then seemed to make up his mind, "Since Big Brother Kuang is one of us, I'll be direct. Actually, I have something to give to Fang Chen."

As he spoke, Qin Chen took out the black gold twin fish jade pendant and waved it in front of Kuang Tianyou.

This jade pendant looked extraordinary at first glance, faintly exuding an unusual aura.

Kuang Tianyou came from a prominent background and naturally saw that this jade pendant was no ordinary object; his eyes immediately lit up.

Qin Chen took the opportunity to say: "I picked up this jade pendant, and I heard from passersby that it belongs to Young Master Fang Chen, so I came to return it to him."

"However, since I met you here, Big Brother Kuang, could you please pass it on for me?"

As he spoke, he handed over the jade pendant.

A trace of a smile flashed in Kuang Tianyou's eyes, and after taking the jade pendant, he nodded and said: "Easy, easy!"

"Then thank you, Big Brother Kuang. This little sister will take her leave now." After saying this, Qin Chen turned and left.

Watching "her" graceful back, Kuang Tianyou suddenly shouted: "By the way, what should I call you, Young Miss?"

"My name is Jinfeng." Before the words fell, Qin Chen's figure had already disappeared.

"Jinfeng... What a good name!" Kuang Tianyou smiled as he savored the name, while tucking the jade pendant into his bosom.

After leaving the Martial Arts Academy, Qin Chen restored his original appearance, but his heart was still somewhat uneasy.

He planned to stay in the Imperial Capital for a few more days to see if there would be any movement from Kuang Tianyou and Fang Chen's side.

As he walked, a magnificent pavilion appeared before his eyes, with three gilded characters written on the sign: "Wangyue Tower"

"Wangyue Tower? Isn't this the place where I had a secret meeting with Cheng Rongrong in the simulation?" Qin Chen's heart stirred.

He subconsciously felt his pocket and found it empty.

He tried rummaging through his bosom, unwilling to give up, but as a result, there was not a single copper coin.

Only then did he remember that he had come out in such a hurry that he hadn't brought any silver at all.

Just at this moment, an elegant female voice came from behind:

"Young Master, are you wanting to go to Wangyue Tower, but didn't bring any money?"

Qin Chen turned around at the sound and couldn't help but be slightly stunned—

The woman before him had a plump figure, like a ripe peach, but her eyes were like a blooming peony, with a lazy charm amidst her beauty.

Behind her followed a heroic-looking woman, holding a long spear, who was staring coldly at Qin Chen.

"As expected of the Imperial Capital, even a random woman you meet is so beautiful." Qin Chen sighed inwardly.

Seeing such a beauty, his mood inexplicably improved quite a bit.

"You make me laugh, Young Miss. I left in a hurry and forgot to bring silver." Qin Chen smiled somewhat embarrassedly.

"It doesn't matter. I happen to be free, so why not let me treat you to some tea, Young Master?" She suggested softly.

If it were the Qin Chen of the past, he would never have refused an invitation from a beautiful woman.

But ever since the incident with Liu Jinfeng, he was now much more vigilant toward strange women.

So he quietly released his Divine Sense to carefully examine the woman before him—there was no fluctuation of cultivation aura; she was either stronger than him or an ordinary person.

"Since that is the case, then thank you for your kind offer, Young Miss." Qin Chen quickly cupped his hands in thanks.

The woman smiled slightly, led Qin Chen into Wangyue Tower, and arrived at a private room on the second floor.

The private room had a balcony, and the two sat opposite each other, while the spear-wielding maid stood to the side like a pillar.

"I am Qin Chen. May I ask how to address you both?" As soon as he sat down, Qin Chen asked.

"My name is Cheng Rongrong, and this is Yaoer, who is like a sister to me." Cheng Rongrong introduced with a smile.

Although Yaoer was Cheng Rongrong's personal maid, the two had grown up together since childhood and could be considered as close as sisters.

Upon hearing the name "Cheng Rongrong," a trace of imperceptible softness flashed in Qin Chen's eyes.

Cheng Rongrong noticed his expression and asked curiously: "Young Master Qin, do you know me?"

"I was just wondering who could be born with such beauty; it turns out to be the Imperial Capital's number one beauty, Young Miss Cheng." Qin Chen smiled.

"Lecher!" Yaoer, who was to the side, said coldly.

Qin Chen was not angry but laughed instead, and casually recited: "The hibiscus of the Imperial Capital surpasses all flowers, travelers fight to see it, stirring the depths of their hearts. The stars and moon should hide in shame upon seeing you, and I would move the stars to protect your radiant glow."