Meeting An Old Acquaintance in Emperor City

Meeting An Old Acquaintance in Emperor City . . .

The Eastern Prefecture, among the thirteen regions governed by the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor, stood as the epitome of opulence and power. It held the prestigious title of being the leader among all the prefectures.

Nestled within these thirteen domains, the Eastern Prefecture was home to the most formidable sects, with the pinnacle of power resting firmly in the hands of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect, the ultimate authority over all the prefectures.

The Eastern Immortal City, often referred to as the Emperor City of the Thirteen Prefectures, reigned as an immense and sprawling metropolis. It was a city of unparalleled grandeur, a place where ordinary folk could only dream of setting foot within.

For most, Emperor City was but a transient stop on their journeys, where they sought lodging in inns. Permanent residence within its bounds was a mere fantasy, an aspiration too lofty to grasp.

Yet, the city's governance was uncompromisingly strict, with vigilant patrols maintaining order at every hour. Criminal activities were not tolerated within these walls, and even the thought of taking another's life was deemed abhorrent. If disputes escalated to a life-and-death struggle, they were settled on the sanctioned battle arenas, with assassination remaining a forbidden act.

Thus, while Emperor City stood as the largest and most impressive of all cities, its crime rate was astonishingly low. Under the watchful gaze of the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor, criminals dared not reveal themselves within these confines.

At the city's farthest reaches lay the enigmatic Eastern Immortal Mountain Range, veiled in ethereal mists. Within this range, the palace of the paramount figure of the thirteen prefectures, the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor, resided.

Due to the city's unique status, its martial cultivators boasted strength beyond the norm. It was said that Emperor City was teeming with immortal-foundation experts, to the point that even mere ordinary-tier immortal kings hesitated to act rashly, given the numerous entities capable of subduing them.

Moreover, the Celestial Phenomenon Ascendants who resided here, despite their lower cultivations, commanded respect. Anyone living in the Emperor City was assumed to possess an exceptional background. Otherwise, they would merely be transient travelers passing through.

Amid the bustling streets, a group of experts suddenly came to a halt, prompting others in the air to cease their movement as well. All eyes were fixed upon a phenomenon unfolding before them—a radiant beam of light seemingly descending from the heavens, causing the surrounding space to quiver with anticipation.

Following this, an immense, shimmering mirror materialized in the air, revealing countless figures within its depths. In the next instant, a blinding golden radiance erupted, and a procession of individuals stepped forth into the open sky. Surprisingly, there were over a hundred of them, and the spatial fluctuations continued unabated. In the blink of an eye, yet another wave of participants materialized.

The citizens of Emperor City observed this scene with measured composure. Their gazes swept over the newcomers, landing on the medallions affixed to their garments. An immortal-foundation expert hovering above chuckled, "It seems the Cloud Prefecture's chosen prodigies have arrived. Each of the thirteen prefectures has a connection with this array, and today marks the day when geniuses from every corner will converge here."

"Yes, this banquet promises to be a grand spectacle. I can still recall the one held a century ago. Time truly flies," another immortal remarked, taking a leisurely sip of wine from a gourd.

"Isn't it a bit disheartening? After a hundred years, we still lack the qualifications to receive an invitation to witness the selection test. Instead, we must watch from a distance like common folk. Hahaha," the first speaker said, his laughter tinged with self-deprecation.

"You dream of receiving an invitation? First, attain the realm of an immortal king before you entertain such thoughts. Even ordinary-tier immortal kings wouldn't receive invitations. Those are reserved for illustrious figures like the Undying Immortal King, for instance. I wonder just how old he truly is now."

"A few centuries are but a fleeting moment to individuals of their caliber. However, I heard that one immortal king is especially delighted this time—the lord of the Scarcemoon Immortal Manor, the Scarce Moon Immortal King."

"Of course, it's only natural. I heard that a few years ago, during a disciple recruitment event hosted by the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor in a particle world, the Scarce Moon Immortal King's descendant was chosen as a disciple. Rumor has it that Que Tianyi has made remarkable progress since joining the sect and even gained the personal favor of the Immortal Emperor himself. It's no wonder the Scarce Moon Immortal King is overjoyed."

"Haha, our conversation has veered off course. Look, the 1,000 participants from the Cloud Prefecture have finally arrived. That person should be the lord of the Cloud Prefecture, the Idlecloud Immortal King." The two observers redirected their attention to the newly arrived group, and they were not alone. Everyone in the vicinity had fixed their gaze on this assemblage.

"The Cloud Prefecture contingent is complete," the crowd murmured. They had heard that geniuses from eight other prefectures had arrived earlier. The Cloud Prefecture was the ninth to make its entrance.

Qin Wentian and his companions were transported here, where they steadied themselves and surveyed their surroundings. They couldn't help but be impressed by the high level of cultivation and the serene demeanor of those around them. They silently acknowledged that Emperor City lived up to its reputation. Moreover, the range covered by the spatial transference array was truly astonishing, transporting them directly from the Cloud Prefecture to the Eastern Prefecture's Emperor City.

"Follow me," the Idlecloud Immortal King's voice resonated, leading the way. The Cloud Prefecture's entourage, numbering over a thousand, followed closely behind. Their imposing procession drew the attention of many passersby.

"Senior brother, the Eastern Prefecture's Emperor City is truly magnificent," Jun Mengchen remarked, admiring the majestic ancient structures that adorned the streets. "Everything here seems to operate with remarkable order."

"Emperor City has its own set of regulations to maintain its order," explained a nearby individual, prompting Jun Mengchen to nod in understanding. "I appreciate the explanation. Pardon my lack of knowledge in this matter," he replied.

After several hours of travel, they found themselves in an opulent district. The area sprawled widely, adorned with numerous inns lining the streets. Surprisingly, most of the inhabitants here were younger generation experts, all hailing from the Celestial Phenomenon Realm. As they approached, these ascendant individuals inclined their heads, their eyes gleaming with sharp curiosity. Meanwhile, hushed conversations rippled through the crowd.

"Look, those must be the Cloud Prefecture's prodigies. I wonder how strong they are," whispered a young man, his countenance etched with an air of fierce determination. His intense battle intent radiated palpably.

"Welcome. This area is teeming with taverns and inns, and all expenses are covered by the medallions on your robes. The Eastern Sage Immortal Sect has made all necessary arrangements. Feel free to choose any lodging you desire," the Idlecloud Immortal King announced. "However, I advise against straying too far for the next few days. This region spans several thousand miles, offering plenty of opportunities for exploration. I'll summon you once I receive any updates."

"Immortal King, when does the banquet commence?" an eager participant inquired.

"I cannot provide a precise time. At the very least, we must wait for representatives from all thirteen prefectures to assemble. Exercise patience; there are already numerous prodigies here. Take your time to assess the strength of participants from other regions," the Idlecloud Immortal King advised. He continued with a more serious tone, "Remember, all forms of combat are strictly prohibited within the city. Security is especially tight during these days. Refrain from causing any trouble, and do not say I did not forewarn you. That concludes my instructions."

With his final words, he waved his hand and led some of his followers away. Notably, even his own descendant, Mu Yun, remained behind in this area.

As the lord of a prefecture, the Idlecloud Immortal King had an obligation to bring the experts of major powers from his region to pay their respects to the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect. He himself had originated from the sect and could be considered one of its disciples.

"We've finally arrived."

"Let's find a place to rest."

The 1,000 participants dispersed. Qin Wentian and his fellow sect members naturally stuck together, while others formed small groups of three to five or ventured solo.

Several gazes turned their way, causing Qin Wentian's expression to shift momentarily. However, he soon realized that the attention was not focused on him but on his junior brother, Jun Mengchen.

"Ranked number two from the Cloud Prefecture, and he's actually so young," one of the bystanders whispered, their gazes fixed on the medallion adorning Jun Mengchen's robe. Then, their attention shifted to Zi Qingxuan, contemplating her achievements. Among the three of them, Jun Mengchen and Zi Qingxuan were the most dazzling, with Jun Mengchen holding the number 2 spot and Zi Qingxuan ranking 5th.

Naturally, the person who garnered the most attention was the number 1 ranked participant, Gu Zhantian.

These onlookers were unaware of what had transpired during the Cloud Prefecture's selection test. All they could see were the rankings etched on the participants' medallions.

The top-ranked contestant always drew the most scrutiny.

"The top-ranked participant from the Cloud Prefecture— I wonder how talented he is," someone in the crowd mused. Meanwhile, Qin Wentian and his companions had already landed. The surrounding people closely observed them, many of whom also wore medallions representing other prefectures. Clearly, these individuals would be their competitors in the near future.

"Our knowledge about the geniuses from the Cloud Prefecture may be limited, but it doesn't matter. After all, the Cloud Prefecture is ranked among the lowest of the thirteen, and they surely can't compare to the Eastern Prefecture, Qian Prefecture, and Li Prefecture."

"Indeed, our Eastern Prefecture is undoubtedly the strongest. We have experts aplenty, and apart from the peak-level powers' demon-level characters, some disciples cultivated by the major powers are also incredibly impressive. I heard that the stunning Myriad Incarnations Immortal King has taken on a disciple named Hua Taixu, and both of them will be arriving soon."

"Yes, the capable general under the Eastern Sage Majesty, Deepflame Immortal King, also has a disciple participating in the selection test. It's going to be quite a lively event. I wonder how many geniuses will emerge."

The crowd buzzed with excitement and anticipation for the upcoming banquet.

As Qin Wentian and his companions continued on their way, the people on the streets remained engrossed in their discussions.

At that very moment, Qin Wentian suddenly came to a stop, his gaze fixed on a figure ahead. His eyes first widened in astonishment before a smile tugged at his lips.

The figure he was looking at was exceptionally handsome and exuded an extraordinary air with casual elegance. Recognition flashed across his face as he spotted Qin Wentian, replacing his initial surprise with a warm smile. "To think that we would meet again in the vast immortal realms after all these years. Qin Wentian, it's been a long time."

"It truly has been a while." Qin Wentian smiled as he gazed at the figure before him.

The wind was gentle, the tranquil lake mirrored the moon's glow, and Yi shot up into the nine heavens. This man was none other than Gu Liufeng, one of the eight era-suppressing geniuses from their particle world and arguably the most brilliant among them.

"How did you end up here?" Gu Liufeng approached, curiosity gleaming in his eyes.

"The Royal Sacred Sect was destroyed, and I arrived here with the help of a senior. How about you? You joined the Immortal Martial Realm, right?" Qin Wentian replied, his smile warm. Back when Gu Liufeng had disappeared, rumors had circulated that he had joined the Immortal Martial Realm.

"Yes, I did. The Immortal Martial Realm is a formidable power in the immortal realms, with a presence in many particle worlds. They select geniuses to join their ranks. It's a shame you didn't choose to join; with your talent, you would have shone brilliantly," Gu Liufeng remarked, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. He still remembered that Qin Wentian had been the top-ranked participant in the Immortal Martial Realm's rankings, with himself sharing the second spot with Hua Taixu. It was a memory he held dear.