The Nine Districts of Zhenwu Capital and the Path to the Blazing Sky Sword Sect

Currently in Zhenwu Capital.

The night atmosphere in Zhenwu Capital remained lively as the city's residents prepared for the upcoming Sect Entrance Examination in two days.

Leading the way, Jiantong explained the various locations, shops, and buildings within Zhenwu Capital to Qi Yuan and Xun Yi.

Xun Yi also provided Qi Yuan with additional explanations to expand his knowledge of the capital. Before long, the three of them arrived at an inn within the city.

This area was known as the Red Fire District. Jiantong explained that Zhenwu Capital was divided into districts ranked from lower to higher levels, similar to a tier system.

The city was structured into nine districts, each inhabited by noble families of varying ranks. Below is the ranking of the districts and the noble families that reside in them.

District Rankings in Zhenwu Capital:

Golden Fire – The highest-ranking district, home to the most powerful noble families: Bai, Tang, Chen, Gu, and Lin. These five families dominate the capital as high-ranking nobles.

Blue Fire – The second-ranking district, controlled by three noble families: Feng, Duan, and Wu. Despite being in the second tier, they are still considered high-ranking nobles.

Red Fire – The third-ranking district, also home to high-ranking nobles. The leading families here are Di, Lu, and Guo. Currently, Qi Yuan, Xun Yi, and Jiantong were in this district.

Orange Fire – The fourth-ranking district, occupied by mid-tier noble families: Shen, Ling, Qu, and Guan.

Green Fire – The fifth-ranking district, also dominated by mid-tier nobles: Sun, Zhu, He, and Zhang.

Purple Fire – The sixth-ranking district, split between two mid-tier noble families (Huang and Jiang) and two lower-tier noble families (Yang and Yu).

Yellow Fire – The seventh-ranking district, occupied by lower-tier nobles such as the Chu, Dong, Xiang, and Ming families. Commoners also reside here, and its buildings are simpler compared to the upper districts.

Silver Fire – Despite its name, this district ranks far below Golden Fire. Five lower-tier noble families dominate this area: Qin, Wang, Long, Xiao, and Liu. These families have a history dating back hundreds of years.

Black Fire – The lowest-ranking district, known for its eerie atmosphere. Entry is forbidden to all except those with official positions in Huo Zhou Continent. The district is controlled by two noble families, whose backgrounds remain a mystery known only to the Huo Zhou Emperor.

Each district had its own unique characteristics. Jiantong thoroughly explained these details to Qi Yuan.

"Ah, thank you, Brother Jiantong. Now I understand the names and rankings of Zhenwu Capital's districts, as well as the noble families from the highest to the lowest rank," Qi Yuan said gratefully.

Afterward, the three of them entered their respective rooms at the inn and fell into a deep sleep.

Cock-a-doodle-doo!

(Insert your own details here, haha.)

As the morning sun shone brightly and roosters crowed, the three of them woke up.

Qi Yuan and Xun Yi were the first to leave their rooms. They waited on a bench near the inn's entrance for Jiantong.

Tap, tap, tap.

Moments later, Jiantong descended the luxurious golden-red staircase inside the inn. "Wow, you two are already here. I'm late, haha," he said as he approached them.

Since the day had begun, Jiantong and Xun Yi invited Qi Yuan to explore Red Fire District, one of the top three districts in Zhenwu Capital.

As they walked through the district, Qi Yuan was briefly stunned by its magnificent architecture. The roads were neatly paved, and the buildings all shared the same vibrant red hue. In the district's center, a grand banner bore the emblem of Huo Zhou Continent, depicting nine flames transitioning into gold.

After touring Red Fire District, Qi Yuan curiously asked Jiantong about his family.

"Brother Jiantong, your family is a high-ranking noble, isn't it?" Qi Yuan inquired.

Jiantong laughed at the question. "Haha! You're quite sharp, Brother Qi. Yes, I come from a high-ranking noble family. My full name is Lu Jiantong. That's my real name, haha!"

Now Qi Yuan realized that Jiantong was part of the Lu Family, one of the dominant noble families in Red Fire District.

"Wah, that's amazing, Brother Lu. I should call you that to show respect," Qi Yuan said.

As the day passed, they came across a grand building near the border between Red Fire District and Blue Fire District.

"Ah, that is the Blue Fire Sect," Jiantong explained. "It is managed by the Feng, Duan, and Wu families and ranks fourth in all of Huo Zhou Continent. Only two sects from Zhenwu Capital qualify to represent the city."

"Above Blue Fire Sect is Golden Fire Sect, which ranks third among the top ten sects in Huo Zhou Continent," Jiantong continued.

Then he asked, "Brother Qi, did you know that Purple Lotus Sect ranks even higher than both of them?"

"I already heard about it from Brother Xun, but your explanation makes it even clearer. Thank you, Brother Lu!" Qi Yuan responded, surprised by the sect's strength.

Curious, he asked, "Brother Lu, Brother Xun, which sect holds the number one rank in Huo Zhou Continent?"

Xun Yi and Jiantong answered, "That sect is located atop Mount Huatian, and it only accepts ten disciples in total. It is called Blazing Sky Sword Sect. Most cultivators don't dare apply, as its entry requirements are extremely high."

Jiantong added, "Every three years, only one disciple is accepted into Blazing Sky Sword Sect. No one knows why the sect keeps its numbers so low. Additionally, there are no distinctions between inner and outer disciples—all members receive personal training from top-tier masters."

Xun Yi nodded. "Yes, Brother Jiantong is right. Every disciple is directly trained by an expert suited to their abilities."

This sect was renowned for shaping young prodigies into powerful cultivators.

"You should try joining the entrance exam tomorrow," Xun Yi suggested. "Don't hesitate just because I invited you."

Qi Yuan hesitated. "I feel bad… You invited me to join Purple Lotus Sect with you."

"Haha, just follow your heart!" Xun Yi encouraged him. "If you want to become the strongest cultivator, apply for Blazing Sky Sword Sect! Don't worry about me. I'll pursue my own dream of becoming the strongest female cultivator in the world!"

"Xun Yi is right, Brother Qi," Jiantong added. "You should give it a try tomorrow. As your brother, I will protect Xun Yi while she's in Purple Lotus Sect, so don't worry!"

Finally, Qi Yuan agreed to their advice and decided to take the Blazing Sky Sword Sect Entrance Exam.

"Alright, since you both insist… Please take care of Sister Xun, Brother Lu," Qi Yuan said, his resolve strengthening.

The three of them continued exploring Red Fire District until nightfall. Then, they returned to their inn to prepare for the day ahead.

To Be Continued...