AGM 0032 – Royal Capital
The Royal Capital of the Chu Country had a land area of over 10 million li*, was the biggest city in the whole of Chu Country, and the population was 10 times that of the Sky Harmony City — it was exceedingly ludicrous.
* – Roughly 3,106,060 miles, or 5,000,000 kilometers.
At this moment, at the entrance of the Royal Capital, the dust-covered Qin Wentian sat atop his horse. He couldn’t help but feel a slight tremble in his heart as he inclined his head and gazed at the majestic city walls.
The city walls were over 16m tall, and were manufactured from special materials. Even someone with a cultivation level that was at the peak of the Body Refinement Realm, couldn’t hope to damage these walls.
“Master, we’ve arrived, let us enter the city.” Francis intoned in a low voice. Qin Wentian lightly nodded his head, as the of two of them dismounted from their horses and proceeded forward on foot in the direction of the city gates, joining the queue to enter the city. The city streets were paved with bluestones, and had a width of over 10 metres. Roars of beasts could be heard clearly, despite the fact that they hadn’t even entered the city yet.
“There’re so many strong cultivators around… and to think that so many of their mounts would actually be demonic beasts.” Qin Wentian drew in a deep breath, as he gazed excitedly in the distance. A short distance away, there was a demonic beast of immense size that looked to be a Viridian Ape. But what was truly awe-inspiring, was that a young cultivator standing was actually standing atop the shoulders of the beast.
The Viridian Ape was a 4th-level demonic beast, and had a cultivation level equivalent to the Arterial Circulation Realm. To think that it was merely used as a mount…
Demonic Beasts could be classified into nine levels. 1st-level demonic beasts had a cultivation base that was roughly equivalent to the 3rd level of the Body Refinement Realm; 2nd-level demonic beasts had cultivation bases that would roughly be at the 6th level of the Body Refinement Realm; 3rd-level demonic beasts would be roughly equivalent to the 9th level of the Body Refinement Realm.
Based on this analogy, 9th-level demonic beasts were all fearsome existences that had a cultivation base at the peak of the Yuanfu Realm. For Demonic Beasts that had strength beyond the 9th Level, they would then be able to transform into the shape of a human, shedding the form of their demonic bodies.
“Junior Brother.” At this moment, a voice drifted over, causing Qin Wentian to turn his head in the direction of the voice. There were two silhouettes that were walking over to him, and they were none other than Luo Huan and Mountain from the Emperor Star Academy.
A smile broke out on his face, as Qin Wentian stated, “What are you guys doing here?”
“Wasn’t it because of junior brother?” Luo Huan walked over and placed her hand around Qin Wentian’s shoulder, as her buxomy figure purposely brushing against the body of Qin Wentian. This caused him to smile bitterly, this senior sister of his……
“The Ye Clan will usually have a couple of spies in this location. Naturally, teacher had to be more cautious, and because of you, I, your elder sister, have suffered a lot these few days.” Luo Huan fluttered her eyelashes flirtatiously as she pouted.
“Many thanks, Elder Apprentice Sister.” Qin Wentian exclaimed as he felt thankfulness in his heart. Teacher Mustang had it all planned out — he’d thoughtfully sent Qin Wentian’s seniors to protect him, fearing that the Ye Clan might send men to ambush him here.
“Little Junior Brother gets shy too easily, I shall not tease you any further.” Luo Huan, upon seeing the embarrassed and awkward look of Qin Wentian, stepped back a few steps as she cast her gaze at the snowy puppy in his embrace, “What a beautiful little fellow, come here to sister.”
The snowy puppy blinked its eyes, following which, it leapt right into the bosom of Luo Huan. Causing eyes to pop out of their sockets, the snowy puppy began to rub its paws all over the Luo Huan’s twin peaks — as Qin Wentian went slack jawed. Black lines appeared atop his head. Why was the puppy he had just adopted such a perverted dog……
Luo Huan froze, before she broke out into laughter, her beautiful eyes looking at Qin Wentian, causing him to blush with shame.
“You really understand your owner’s intentions, yet you’re so much bolder than him.” Luo Huan hugged the snowy dog as she stated, causing the number of black lines on Qin Wentian’s head to multiply. At this moment, Luo Huan blew into a whistle, causing the shrill cry of a eagle to sound out from far up in the skies. A few moments later, a huge black eagle could be seen descending, as it landed behind Luo Huan.
“Junior Brother Qin, I’m called Mountain. Don’t mind Luo Huan, she always behaves like this, you’ll get used to it. Now, let us board the black eagle.” Mountain appeared much more simple and honest as he smiled. Qin Wentian nodded his head, while silently he thought in his heart that he would have to really temper his will-power if he would be hanging out with Luo Huan — the temptation was too great!
“The Royal Capital is too vast. If we don’t use flying transport, it would take too long to arrive at our destination. Let’s set off, while I give you a brief introduction of the places in the Royal City.” Mountain laughed, appearing amiable and easy-going. However, Qin Wentian had personally witnessed the might that Mountain was capable of wielding when he unleashed his Demonic Ape and Stoneman Astral Soul. He possessed tyrannical battle strength, as well as a terrifying defence.
Qin Wentian and Francis allowed their horses to roam free, and the four of them hopped aboard the huge black eagle. The black eagle cried out shrilly as it took off and soared through the skies, causing a gust of wind to blow past, and cause their robes to flutter about.
“Junior Brother Qin, although the Royal Capital is huge, each sector has its own laws of discipline. The current sector that we are in, is known as ‘The Slums’, which means that this section of the city is inhabited by temporary visitors, as well as people with no money or authority. The area of this sector, other than being the largest, is also the most densely populated, consisting of about half of the entire population in the entirety of Royal Capital.
The words of Mountain caused Qin Wentian to be immensely shocked. Looking down from a great height, all he could see was a vision of prosperity. Tall majestic buildings, crowded streets, demonic beasts mounts all about. The Sky Harmony City couldn’t even be compared to this, and yet, this was merely ‘The Slums’ sector.
“The Royal Capital has a total of seven sectors:
The first sector – ‘The slums’.
The second sector – A place where chaos thrives; a region where fish and dragons mix together; where crooks hang alongside honest folks.
The third sector – Where the Nine Academies and the countless minor clans are located.
The fourth sector – Where the Star River Association, Divine Weapon Stores, as well as all of the major clans are located.
The fifth sector – The ‘Aristocratic Sector’; a place where the nobles as well as extremely powerful clans reside.
The sixth sector – The Royal Palace.
Finally, the seventh sector – The Dark Forest.”
Mountain first described the layout of the Royal Capital, before going into detail. The Dark Forest was on the outskirts of the Royal Capital. The external boundary of half of the land owned by the Royal Capital, was surrounded by the Dark Forest. It abounded with countless demonic beasts, which means that the 6th Sector, the 5th sector, the 4th sector, and the 3rd sector’s periphery was the same place – the incomparably dangerous Dark Forest
They treated the dangerous Dark Forest as a training ground.
The Royal Capital, was incomparably immense, filled with countless minor and major powers, while the Nine Academies was located within the heart of the city.
The speed of the black eagle was extremely fast, and about four hours later, it stopped as it hovered about in the air.
“Yiyah.”
“Roar.”
The sounds of the demonic beasts created an unceasing cacophony of noise. Qin Wentian’s pupils contracted as he gazed at the flying demonic beast steeds hovering in the skies, as well as the various demonic beasts mounts that were on the streets. He couldn’t help thinking to himself, ‘So many strong cultivators, so many demonic beasts!’
“Where is this place?” Qin Wentian felt shock in his heart. Beneath him, there were several main roads that converged together, and lead simultaneously to the same place — through an arch-shaped, immense gate. The other side of the Arch Gate was incredibly spacious, but although there were many people, no flying steeds hovered about in the air.
“Haha, we’ve already passed through the first and second sector, and after passing through that Arch Gate, it can be considered that we’ve reached the heart of the Royal Capital – the 3rd sector, where the Nine Academies are located. In the 3rd sector, ordinary people aren’t allowed to fly. This special privilege is only granted to cultivators at the Yuanfu Realm, and our destination lies after passing through the Arch Gate — the examination ground of the Nine Academies’ recruitment area.
“Come, let us descend.” As Luo Huan’s voice sounded out, she jumped from the back of the black eagle, before landing gracefully onto the ground, and joining the endless stream of people who were walking in the direction of the Arch Gate.
“The beginning of Spring is also the day when the academies begin their recruitment. The majority of the youths in the Royal Capital choose to come here — how could there not be many people.” Qin Wentian silently exclaimed in his heart. There were even people hailing from the Sky Harmony City, who’d come to the Royal Capital in order to partake in the recruitment examination.
“Junior apprentice brother has no need to take the examination again, you can proceed straight to the teacher who’s in charge of the examinations and obtain your Emperor Star Jade Medallion. This Emperor Star Jade Medallion is something that only our Emperor Star Academy possesses, and it’s critically important. The academy only allows the teacher-in-charge to pass the medallion to prospective students during this time of the year, which is why Teacher Mustang didn’t give it to you earlier.” Mountain explained as they walked on the road.
“Right.” Qin Wentian lightly nodded his head, however, at this moment, the crowd of people suddenly surged over.
“Huh, what happened?” Mountain furrowed his brows. In the distance, they saw that the endless stream of people had parted to the sides, and that there was a draconic horse with a sedan mounted on it, trotting forwards. Many people were on tiptoes, craning their necks, as they gazed in its direction.
“Oh, it’s that lass, no wonder it created such a huge commotion.” Luo Huan laughed lightly. The sedan gradually moved forwards, and through the light gauze material that was covering the sedan, one could see two graceful and beautiful silhouettes within.
“Woof.” The snowy puppy in the arms of Luo Huan leapt out of them, as it scampered towards the sedan, causing the expression of Qin Wentian to freeze.
Inside the sedan, Mo Qingcheng didn’t even have the time to exclaim in surprise before she saw a snowy white shadow leap into her embrace. “Little fellow, why are you here.”
Nolan, who was by her side, rolled her eyes, “This little rascal, it’s really comparable to a persistent ghost that insists on haunting us.”
Mo Qingcheng cast a glance at Nolan as she laughed. The sound of that musical laughter was capable of even moving the soul of humans. As she extended her hands and pulled away the curtains covering the sedan, it caused the gaze of the majority of those in the crowd to be fixated on her.
“How beautiful.”
“This is the number one beauty of the Chu Country — she’s just too beautiful. If I could just sleep with her for a night, I wouldn’t mind dying the next day.”
“What a beautiful lady.” Qin Wentian had seen plenty of beautiful ladies: Qin Yao, Autumn Snow… they were all top beauties in the Sky Harmony City. But compared to the lady in the sedan, even the top class beauties of the Sky Harmony City lost some of their luster.
Mo Qingcheng smiled after spotting Qin Wentian, as she closed the curtains again.
“Did she just smile at me…?” Someone beside Qin Wentian asked in a daze.
“Smile at your head, she was smiling at me.”
Hearing the conversations breaking out around him, Qin Wentian blinked his eyes. Was he, like those in the crowd, under the wrong impression? Just now, he’d felt that the lady in the sedan was smiling at him.
“Isn’t she beautiful?” the sound of a voice drifted over.
“Extremely.” Qin Wentian replied, very naturally, before his countenance stiffened, as he hurriedly turned his head back, smiling wryly, “Senior apprentice sister is beautiful as well.”
However, Luo Huan wasn’t someone who would fall for such antics. She only stood to the side, staring at Qin Wentian teasingly.
“Erm, based on Senior sister’s charms, if you were to compete in the number of men who’ve fallen in love, then you’d definitely win hands down.” Qin Wentian continued saying, as sweat rolled down his back.
“Your mouth is sweet indeed.” Luo Huan lightly laughed, “But as for that lass, she’s definitely at the grade where she could topple over kingdoms. No wonder even you were distracted. If I were a man, I’d also fall in love with the number one beauty of the Chu Country.”
“Hehe.” Mountain, who was at the side, chortled in agreement.
“But, after thinking about it, the 10 prodigies of the Royal Capital all wanted to chase after her. However, not a single one of them managed to obtain her approval. For ordinary people who still want to chase after her, I’m afraid that they would all fail badly.”
“It seems like you can still be considered to know your own worth.” Luo Huan laughed out loud, while at the same moment, a snow-white blur of shadow once again leapt up into her bosom.
“What a perverted puppy.” Luo Huan cast a glance at the puppy, only to see the puppy burrowing itself into her bosom, refusing to budge an inch, while staring at her sorrowfully through puppy eyes — it was so adorable that it caused the heart of people to melt.
In the sedan, Nolan looked to Mo Qingcheng and asked, “Was it really him?”
“Yes, I didn’t expect him to come to the Royal Capital too, and to think that that little fellow also tagged along with him” Mo Qingcheng lightly smiled. “I wonder what he come here for?”
“What? Our great beauty, miss Mo, would be concerned about some random guy she met?” Nolan teased.
“Who said so.” Mo Qingcheng glared at Nolan.
“You’re right. After all, our great beauty, Miss Mo, saved him. Not only that, there was also close physical contact, therefore it’s perfectly normal for one to be concerned. But what a pity, that fellow doesn’t know that you’re the one who saved him,” Nolan continued teasing. Mo Qingcheng was only somewhat curious, so she could only bitterly shake her head, and endure the teasings of Nolan.