65: Tianyang Xiongcheng, undercurrents begin to emerge

After the ambush by the Blood Fiend Sect, Lin Fan and his group became even more vigilant. Traveling day and night, they finally caught a distant glimpse of the Great Xia Imperial Capital, Tianyang City, standing tall upon the endless plains at dusk on the ninth day.

Even from a hundred miles away, one could feel the majestic atmosphere surging toward them.

The city walls were a hundred zhang high, constructed entirely from massive stones that shimmered with a pale gold light, stretching for thousands of miles like an ancient dragon coiled upon the earth. Flags fluttered atop the walls, and soldiers stood as numerous as ants, their armor glinting with a cold light under the setting sun. High arrow towers were positioned every thousand zhang along the walls, their tips embedded with massive crystals that faintly pulsed with energy, clearly indicating the presence of powerful city defense Formations.

What was most shocking was the sky above the city. It was not a clear, empty sky, but instead, nine "Floating Sun Disks" of varying sizes and colors hung suspended there! They were not true stars but were instead refined through immense divine abilities. They followed profound trajectories, slowly rotating and eternally showering the city below with pure, gentle light and heat, dispelling all evil and gathering unimaginable Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi.

The entire Tianyang City seemed to be enveloped in a colossal barrier of light and Spiritual Qi—prosperous, sacred, and majestic, inspiring awe in all who beheld it.

“As expected of the first mighty city of the Middle Region, the capital of the Human Realm's Imperial Dynasty,” Lin Feng murmured to himself, staring out of the cloud piercer boat's porthole in a daze.

A look of shock also flashed through Lin Xue's cold eyes. Such a grand scale was beyond the imagination of ordinary Cultivators.

Lin Fan's gaze was calm. Beneath his Delusion-Breaking Divine Pupils, he could see much more. Those nine Floating Sun Disks were not simple lighting and gathering devices; dragon-shaped phantoms faintly coiled at their cores, connected to the ley lines of the imperial city below to form a vast and precise Imperial Great Array. It could both protect the city and suppress its Luck, possessing infinite power.

“The dynasty's Foundation is indeed unfathomable,” Lin Fan thought to himself. It was no fluke that the Great Xia Dynasty could rule the vast Middle Region of the Human Realm for ten thousand years.

The cloud piercer boat did not fly directly into the city. Thirty miles from the gates, flying riders of the dynasty's Sky-Patrol Guards arrived to guide them, signaling that all flying artifacts coming for the Prodigy Assembly must land at the designated “Welcoming Guests Flat” outside the city and enter on foot as a sign of respect to the imperial capital.

The Welcoming Guests Flat occupied a vast area and was currently filled with all sorts of flying artifacts—flying boats, multi-storied ships, lotus platforms, and even domesticated giant spiritual birds. Forces from various regions of the Human Realm arrived in an endless stream, creating a cacophony of voices and a complex, powerful aura.

Lin Fan and the others landed and put away the cloud piercer boat. The two clan elders shrunk the flying boat until it was the size of a palm-sized model.

“Divine Son, according to the rules, our escort mission is complete. We must head to the Lin Family's villa here to wait and are not permitted to accompany you into the assembly area,” one of the clan elders said with a cupped-fist salute. “For the road ahead, you, Young Master Feng, and Young Miss Xue must proceed on your own. This is the villa's address and contact method.” He then handed over a Jade Slip.

“Thank you for your trouble, elders,” Lin Fan said as he took the Jade Slip. He understood that the Prodigy Assembly was a stage for the younger generation, and it would be against the rules for the older generation to participate too much.

Bidding farewell to the two elders, Lin Fan led Lin Feng and Lin Xue toward the massive city gate along with the flow of people.

The city gate was twenty zhang high with a deep tunnel. The gates, forged from profound iron, stood open, and two ancient, vigorous characters for “Tianyang” were inscribed above. Imperial Capital Guards in golden bright-mirror armor and with stern auras stood guard at the gate, checking the identity of everyone entering the city.

When it was the turn of Lin Fan's group, Lin Fan presented the gold-leaf invitation from the Great Xia Dynasty.

The guard leader took the invitation and, after checking it carefully, showed great respect. He cupped his fists and said, “So it is the Lin Family Divine Son. My apologies for the lack of respect. The invitation is correct; please enter the city. According to the invitation number, your temporary residence is arranged at Courtyard No. 7 of the First Rank in the ‘Qingyun District.’ These are your access tokens and a map of the city districts. Please keep them safe.” He then handed over three green jade tokens and a Jade Slip.

“Thank you,” Lin Fan said, taking the items and leading the two into the city gate.

Once inside the city, the scene changed once more.

The wide streets, enough to accommodate ten horse carriages side-by-side, were paved with smooth azure jade planks and were clean and tidy. Buildings lined both sides of the street with flying eaves and bracket sets, carved beams, and painted rafters. There were both magnificent palaces and exquisite, elegant gardens. Shops and restaurants stood in rows, selling all kinds of Spirit Medicines, Magic Treasures, Materials, and Cultivation Techniques—a dazzling array of goods shrouded in spiritual mist.

Pedestrians thronged the streets, and the proportion of Cultivators was extremely high, with generally strong cultivation levels. Those in the Condensing Spirit Realm could be seen everywhere, and those in the Divine Power Realm appeared from time to time. Even more frequent were richly dressed young men and women of extraordinary temperament walking past, surrounded by guards—clearly the prodigies of various forces who had come to participate in the assembly.

The air was filled with dense Spiritual Qi, even superior to the Lin Family's ancestral land, making one feel refreshed with every breath.

“It’s so lively!” Lin Feng’s eyes could hardly take it all in as he looked here and there, appearing very much like a country boy entering the city for the first time. Although Lin Xue was also curious, she maintained her composure, though her gaze occasionally lingered on shops selling rare spiritual plants.

Lin Fan observed everything secretly while walking toward the Qingyun District according to the map's guidance.

“System, detect if the current location is available for check-in,” he thought silently.

【Detecting... Current location: Great Xia Imperial Capital · Tianyang City Outer District (A place where the Human Race Imperial Dynasty's Luck converges, with a heavy history)】

【Check-in Rank: Four Stars (Upgradable)】

【Hint: Entering the core area of the imperial city or participating in major events can trigger a five-star check-in or higher.】

A four-star check-in was not bad. However, Lin Fan did not perform it immediately. As a newcomer in an unclear situation, he wanted to wait until he was in a relatively safe and private environment.

The Qingyun District was located in the southeast of the imperial city, a zone specifically set aside to house the participating prodigies and their followers. The environment here was quiet and the architecture was exquisite. Each courtyard came with its own defensive and sound-isolating Formations to ensure the privacy and safety of the residents.

Courtyard No. 7 of the First Rank was a three-entry courtyard with white walls and green tiles. The courtyard featured rockeries, flowing water, and decorative spiritual plants, making it quite elegant. Lin Fan used the token to open the gate's Formation, and the three of them walked inside.

“We’ve finally settled in,” Lin Feng said, plopping down on a stone stool in the courtyard and letting out a long sigh of relief.

Lin Xue began to meticulously check each room to confirm their safety.

Lin Fan kept the main room for himself and gave the east and west side rooms to Lin Feng and Lin Xue. Afterward, he set up several simple warning Restrictions in the inner chamber of the main room before sitting down cross-legged.

“System, check-in.”

【Check-in successful! Congratulations to the host for obtaining: Imperial Luck Protection (Temporary) *1, Detailed Map of Tianyang City (Divine Thought Version) *1, Breath-Concealing Talisman *3】

【Imperial Luck Protection (Temporary): While inside Tianyang City, it slightly increases your own fortune and reduces the success rate of malicious spying and curses. Lasts until leaving Tianyang City.】

【Detailed Map of Tianyang City (Divine Thought Version): A Divine Thought map recording the main areas, important locations, some Formation nodes, and secret passages (incomplete) of Tianyang City.】

【Breath-Concealing Talisman: After use, it perfectly conceals your own aura for two hours. It is difficult for anyone below the Peak Divine Power Realm to see through it.】

“These are all practical items,” Lin Fan nodded with satisfaction. Especially the Imperial Luck Protection; although its effect was weak, it was better than nothing. In such a place where dragons and snakes were mixed, an extra layer of protection was always good. The detailed map was an even more unexpected pleasant surprise.

He immediately immersed his Divine Thought into that map. Suddenly, a vast and detailed 3D city model appeared in his consciousness. Streets, buildings, and district divisions were all clearly visible, along with some red-labeled “Forbidden Grounds” and “Important Locations.” For example, the “Ziwei Palace” at the core of the imperial city, the “Tianjiao Platform” which was the main venue for the assembly, the villa areas of various major families, and the famous trading market “Ten Thousand Treasures Street,” and so on.

“With this, things will be much more convenient,” Lin Fan withdrew his Divine Thought and began to think about his next moves.

The Prodigy Assembly would officially open in seven days. These seven days were a time for the various groups to familiarize themselves with the environment, test each other, and gather intelligence.

“Lin Feng, Lin Xue,” Lin Fan called the two over. “For these few days, you may move about freely to familiarize yourselves with the imperial city's environment. You can also visit places like Ten Thousand Treasures Street to broaden your horizons. But you must be careful. Do not cause trouble, and do not easily trust others. Especially you, Lin Feng—rein in your curiosity and don't let others trick information out of you.”

“Yes, Divine Son (Brother Fan)!” the two replied. Although Lin Feng was lively, he also knew what was important.

“I need to go into seclusion for a day or two to stabilize my cultivation and comprehend some things. Unless it is an emergency, do not disturb me,” Lin Fan instructed.

After dismissing the two, Lin Fan closed his eyes again and began to comprehend the combined application of the Initial Deciphering of Boundary Runes and the Star Finger. The battle with the Blood Robe Leader had given him a taste of success, but it had also shown him his shortcomings.

A day passed quietly in cultivation.

The following evening, while Lin Fan was slowly practicing a set of fist techniques integrated with the Concept of the stars in the courtyard, his heart suddenly stirred, and he looked toward the courtyard gate.

Almost at the same time, a clear and gentle male voice came from outside the gate:

“Ye Lingyun of the Heavenly Sword Sect has come to pay a visit. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Lin Fan of the Lin Family can meet?”

Lin Fan stopped his movements, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. The Heavenly Sword Sect was the number one sword dao Sect in the Human Realm, and its strength and influence even slightly surpassed many ancient families. The leader of its younger generation was known as the “Sword Son,” a position of great honor. Could this Ye Lingyun be the Sword Son of this generation of the Heavenly Sword Sect?

He walked to the gate and opened the Formation.

Three people stood outside. The leader was a young man in moon-white sword robes, about twenty years old. He stood as straight as a pine tree and had a handsome face with a gentle smile on his lips, but his eyes were as bright as stars, with a faint flow of Sword Intent that made one dare not look directly at him. His cultivation had remarkably reached the Mid-stage Divine Power Realm, and his Foundation was incredibly solid.

Behind him followed a young man and a young woman, both with sharp auras—clearly elite Disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect.

“I am Lin Fan. Greetings, Fellow Daoist Ye,” Lin Fan said with cupped fists, neither humble nor arrogant.

Ye Lingyun’s gaze lingered on Lin Fan for a moment, and a flash of hard-to-detect amazement crossed his eyes. His smile then grew even wider. “I have long heard of Fellow Daoist Lin’s ‘Eternal Indestructible Body.’ Seeing you today, your bearing is indeed extraordinary, even exceeding the rumors. Lingyun has taken the liberty of visiting because I wish to invite Fellow Daoist Lin to a gathering at the ‘Wave Listening Pavilion’ tomorrow at noon. At that time, several other friends who are also Fellow Daoists here for the assembly will be there. It would be a pleasure for us to get to know each other and discuss the Dao.”

The Wave Listening Pavilion was a famous elegant tea house in Tianyang City where scholars, refined individuals, and high-level Cultivators often gathered.

Lin Fan’s mind raced. Was this active invitation from Ye Lingyun of the Heavenly Sword Sect a simple gesture of friendship, or did it have another purpose? He remembered Xia Qingyue saying that the Prodigy Assembly gathered prodigies from all realms, and many among them would try to test others.

“Fellow Daoist Ye is very kind; how could I, Lin Fan, refuse?” After a brief deliberation, Lin Fan accepted. Whether he was a friend or foe, he would only know after meeting him. Closing oneself off was not the way of a wise man.

“Good! Then tomorrow at noon, I will be waiting for Fellow Daoist Lin in the ‘Guanlan’ private room of the Wave Listening Pavilion.” Ye Lingyun smiled warmly and handed over a sword-shaped jade talisman as a token. After a few more pleasantries, he led his Junior Brother and sister away.

Lin Fan held the jade talisman, which still had a faint trace of Sword Intent, and watched them leave, his eyes narrowing slightly.

“Ye Lingyun of the Heavenly Sword Sect...” He faintly felt that these seemingly peaceful seven days would likely not be very peaceful at all.

Almost less than half an hour after Ye Lingyun left, there was more movement outside the courtyard gate.

This time, the visitors were two young men dressed in magnificent brocade robes with arrogant expressions, followed by several guards with fierce auras.

“Heir of the Duke of Zhenguo from the Huangfu Family has come to visit the Lin Family ‘Divine Son’!” the leading youth with a gloomy face and sharp eyes called out, his tone carrying an undisguised hint of provocation.

The Huangfu Family? Lin Fan remembered that the outline of the second volume mentioned the Huangfu Family’s divine son would be one of the early competitors. He hadn’t expected them to come knocking so soon.

A slight curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.

It seemed the waters of Tianyang City were even muddier than he had anticipated.