71: The capital of Western Yan, the Jingjiang Prince's Mansion

After that minor interlude, Qin Dong and his companion encountered no further obstacles, flying straight into the territory of the Western Yan Dynasty.

For the rest of the journey, they no longer needed to consult the map.

With Wang Wantang, a native of the Western Yan Dynasty, as his guide, they soon arrived at the largest city in the dynasty, the Western Yan Royal Capital.

This place was not only the heart of the Western Yan Dynasty but also the convergence point of its culture and history.

Looking from afar, the entire city was built on a magnificent and grand scale, exuding a majestic Aura.

Upon the city walls, soldiers stood in solemn ranks, and flags blotted out the sky.

Even from a hundred miles away, Qin Dong could feel the vast and powerful presence of the place.

“Wantang, your Western Yan Dynasty is truly extraordinary.”

Hearing his praise, Wang Wantang shook her head slightly, her voice carrying a hint of faint helplessness.

“Although my Western Yan Dynasty is considered an upper-middle-tier nation among the Thirty-Six States of Donglin,”

“Spiritual Qi is scarce here, and the number and quality of Cultivators are still far inferior to those of the Nine Sects.”

“Those places with high concentrations of Spiritual Qi have all been occupied by the Nine Sects and their affiliated forces.”

“The Nine Sects, with their formidable strength and possession of grotto-heavens and blessed lands, will only grow stronger.”

“While those places barren of Spiritual Qi will only continue to be weak.”

Hearing this, Qin Dong nodded in agreement.

Great powers were indeed like that, prioritizing interests above all else. Never mind that the Wuji Sect and Star Arrival Sect were currently fighting tooth and nail.

If a power capable of threatening both of them suddenly appeared, the two might immediately set aside their grievances and form an alliance at lightning speed.

The status of the Nine Sects was transcendent.

That was why so many outside Cultivators tried every possible means to join the Nine Sects and become Disciples, and why some nations even begged to become their affiliated forces.

As they approached the Western Yan Royal Capital, they saw that the clothing of the common people in the city appeared wealthy and decent compared to other nations.

Compared to those in countries plagued by disaster, the living conditions of the commoners in the Western Yan Dynasty were undoubtedly better.

The Cloud Heaven Sect and Dao Xian Palace seemed to have a tacit understanding, neither interfering in the turmoil of the Thirty-Six States of Donglin.

They allowed the situation in the Thirty-Six States to develop as it would; as long as it didn't affect the two sects, everything was permissible.

The two continued to chat as they flew forward on Fierce Sky Seat.

Meanwhile, inside the Jingjiang Prince's Residence in the Western Yan Royal Capital.

Young talents were gathered in the courtyard, each with a look of resentment on their face, making the atmosphere heavy and oppressive.

They were all dressed in bright and magnificent clothes, indicating their extraordinary status and position.

The reason they were here was, naturally, for a specific purpose.

“Two days, then another two days, and another two days after that.”

“Steward Hu, may I ask how many more days we must wait?”

A man with feminine features, wearing a moon-white brocade robe, was the first to speak, his tone filled with anger and impatience.

“This Young Master doesn't have the leisure to keep waiting here with you!”

As soon as he spoke, it immediately triggered agreement and dissatisfaction from the others.

“Exactly, are you playing us for fools?”

“When exactly is Princess Xunyang coming back?”

“We have already waited another two days. If this continues, won't it delay important matters?”

For a moment, everyone voiced their opinions, appearing very impatient.

Just then, a man who looked like a middle-aged butler slowly walked out from within the residence, his expression calm.

Despite hearing the complaints, the Middle-aged Man known as Steward Hu remained unfazed.

He responded calmly, “Rest assured, everyone, Princess Xunyang will return very soon.”

After saying that, he turned and walked back into the residence.

Hearing his words, the previously agitated young men had no choice but to settle down again.

In the inner hall of the residence, a handsome youth sat, holding a teacup and drinking slowly.

Within the residence, in a high hall, a youth sat leisurely, sipping his tea.

A dark green brocade robe lightly wrapped around his slender frame, making him look even more handsome.

His face was exquisite and his features were sharp, yet his brow held a faint arrogance, giving off an unapproachable feeling.

“What's going on with those fellows?”

“In response to the Heir, it's just those people making a noise.”

“I have already appeased them.”

Wang Yao nodded slightly, signaling the other to withdraw, and then continued to savor his tea.

However, not long after, a sudden burst of loud clamor erupted from outside the residence, completely ruining his mood for tea.

Just as he was about to order his attendants to find out what was happening, Steward Hu, who had just left, rushed back in with a nervous expression.

“Reporting to the Heir, Princess Xunyang has returned.”

“However, Princess Xunyang is accompanied by a remarkable-looking young man, and they are riding a Yao Beast.”

A remarkable-looking young man? A Yao Beast?

Wang Yao's brow furrowed slightly. His plan was to use Wang Wantang as a bargaining chip to win over other forces in the capital and strengthen the power of the imperial faction he supported.

He hadn't expected such a development to occur midway, which inevitably caused a faint sense of unease in his heart.

“Come, take me there quickly.”

...“Ga ga ga ga!”

As Fierce Sky Seat circled in the air, Qin Dong looked down at the residence, which he felt was somewhat modest in scale, and an involuntary look of surprise appeared on his face.

Is this where Wantang has lived for over a decade?

It looks a bit too shabby!

Seemingly sensing the doubt in Qin Dong's eyes, Wang Wantang couldn't help but shoot him a sideways glare.

“Lecher, this isn't the Nine Sects.”

“How could our tiny Western Yan Dynasty compare to a behemoth like the Nine Sects?”

Reminded by Wang Wantang, Qin Dong finally snapped out of it.

After living in the Cloud Heaven Sect for so long, he had grown accustomed to those towering structures and massive building complexes.

The small prince's residence before him seemed as simple and crude as a cowshed or a chicken coop in comparison.

He looked around at the crowd below gazing up at them and couldn't help but feel curious.

“Wantang, does your family like to host events? Why are there so many people?”

Wang Wantang shook her head gently, her soft face complementing her clear eyes as her hand wrapped around the crook of his arm.

“That has nothing to do with me; I only care about you.”

Meanwhile, the young men and the residence guards below had already gathered together, staring dumbfounded at the pair in the sky.

Could they be seeing this right? Princess Xunyang was actually taking the initiative to cling to this man.

Just who was this person who could make the famously proud Princess Xunyang act in such a manner?

It truly was... enviable.

One had to know that in the past, Princess Xunyang had never been close to any man.

Qin Dong was also stunned for a moment upon hearing her words, then he gave a bright smile and held the soft body in his arms tighter.

“Let's go, let's head down.”

“Alright,” Wang Wantang replied obediently.

As Fierce Sky Seat landed on the ground, a group of residence guards immediately surrounded them.

Qin Dong bent slightly and picked Wang Wantang up in his arms; she didn't struggle, allowing him to carry her down from Fierce Sky Seat.

“Fierce Sky Seat, go wait outside the city.”

“Don't wander too far.”

Qin Dong patted its neck, and Fierce Sky Seat gave a 'ga ga' in response before flapping its wings and leaving.

“So it is Princess Xunyang.”

The Guard Captain cupped his fists in a salute to Wang Wantang, then his gaze shifted slightly to land on Qin Dong beside her.

This one look was enough to startle him.

Though he had seen many handsome men, he had never seen anyone as dazzling and eye-catching as the person before him!

His appearance was extraordinary, and his temperament was otherworldly, just like an Immortal stepped out of a scroll painting!

The Guard Captain clicked his tongue in secret amazement and couldn't help but swallow hard.

No wonder Princess Xunyang had lost her heart to this person; even he, a man, had to admit this man's looks were top-tier!

Although he was only a residence Guard Captain, he had heard something of the changing winds in the Western Yan Dynasty.

Currently, in the capital, various factions were actively recruiting forces to develop themselves.

Those young men waiting in the Jingjiang Prince's Residence were precisely sent by those factions trying to win over the Prince of Jingjiang.

They not only came from prominent families, but the power dynamics behind them were also intricately intertwined.

Now that Princess Xunyang had returned with a man, and with such intimate behavior, it would undoubtedly trigger many complications.

However, he was just a Guard Captain; such matters were not for them to meddle in.

Thus, he waved his hand and led his subordinate guards away.

Once the residence guards had left, in the next moment, the group of angry-faced young men crowded forward.