Chapter 1048: Prince Ning’s Invitation

"Of course, if you no longer need the high-tier demon python's essence blood, I can offer you a chance to compete for the Black Iron Token."

Prince Ning stood with his hands behind his back, watching Li Qing with a half-smile.

The moment those words left his lips, Li Qing swallowed the excuse he had been about to use to refuse.

The Black Iron Token—the sole credential for entering the Xuantian Divine Palace. Even though Li Qing had always maintained a detached attitude toward such opportunities, his heart couldn't help but race.

But he didn't let the promise cloud his judgment. There was no such thing as a free lunch in this world; a pie wouldn't simply fall from the sky, let alone a priceless treasure like the Black Iron Token.

Li Qing quickly calmed his mind and asked, "Oh? May I ask, Senior Prince Ning, what kind of 'chance' is this to compete for the Black Iron Token?"

"Surely you're not asking me to compete against Body Integration Realm experts like yourself?"

If that were the case, Li Qing would rather not have the chance at all.

Prince Ning shook his head. "Of course not. A few days ago, a palace maid in the Imperial Palace stumbled upon a Black Iron Token."

"My good-for-nothing brothers and uncles have been fighting tooth and nail over it in the palace. In a fit of rage, the Emperor decided to settle the matter of the Black Iron Token with an arena tournament."

The current Emperor of the Great Yu Kingdom had already seen several generations of descendants, and Prince Ning was his third-generation grandson.

These princes and grandsons of the imperial line typically cultivated within the palace, drawing from the only seventh-tier spirit vein in Yujing City.

Once they reached the Body Integration Realm, they could be enfeoffed as royal marquises, ruling their own territories and wielding real power—just as Prince Ning did.

But there were always some worthless ones who indulged in pleasure and neglected their duties, their cultivation stalling at the Nascent Soul or Divine Transformation Realms.

This was why Prince Ning, despite being a third-generation grandson, dared to call his own brothers and even his uncles "good-for-nothing."

Even in the strictly hierarchical Imperial Palace, one's cultivation strength was the ultimate authority.

"The competition for the Black Iron Token is restricted to those below the Body Integration Realm. Although I have long since advanced to that realm, I still possess a recommendation quota."

"If you produce twenty more ginseng herbs imbued with Qilin Treasure Blood, this Prince promises to recommend you to represent Prince Ning's Mansion in the competition within the palace."

With the offer on the table, Li Qing was indeed tempted to agree immediately.

However, he still had one concern: if he were to represent Prince Ning's Mansion in the competition for the Black Iron Token, what would happen if Prince Ning demanded it from him after the deed was done?

This was the key to entering the Xuantian Divine Palace. Wouldn't Prince Ning want to enter himself?

As if sensing Li Qing's hesitation, Prince Ning burst into laughter. "Hahaha! You can rest assured. This Prince has already obtained a Black Iron Token. I would never let your hard work go to waste."

As he spoke, Prince Ning produced a small Black Iron sword engraved with a complex pattern—undoubtedly a Black Iron Token.

Before Li Qing could even speak, Shopkeeper Fang, who was standing nearby, was the first to clasp his hands in a salute. "Congratulations, Your Highness, on acquiring a Black Iron Token! Your Highness is truly blessed by heaven's will. With such profound opportunity, you will surely shine in the Xuantian Divine Palace, seize your immortal destiny, greatly advance your cultivation, and ascend to the pinnacle of the great dao in the near future!"

Li Qing was utterly stunned by this torrent of flattery. He shot Shopkeeper Fang several looks of profound admiration, thinking, No wonder he's a manager of a merchant house in Yujing City. I couldn't match his sycophancy in several lifetimes.

Hearing this, Prince Ning's smile widened. He turned to Li Qing and asked, "Young man, have you considered my offer?"

Li Qing took a deep breath. "I have one last concern. The other contenders for the Black Iron Token are all princes from the palace. I'm worried I might offend someone I can't afford to provoke."

Prince Ning's brow arched, and he sneered. "Hmph, if they lose, it's because they're too weak. You represent my Prince Ning's Mansion. Go ahead and act without restraint. I will take full responsibility for whatever happens."

With this guarantee, Li Qing had no reason to refuse.

He took another deep breath. "Then I must thank Your Highness for your generosity!"

With that, Li Qing produced thirty Qilin Purple Blood Ginsengs. Each was the size of a palm, round and full, their translucent flesh shimmering like purple jade.

Seeing these Qilin Purple Blood Ginsengs, Prince Ning's expression finally showed a hint of emotion. He took them into his hands and examined each one carefully.

"Good, good, good. These are truly ginsengs imbued with the Qilin Treasure Blood. Incredible. Even a True Spirit as immortal as the Qilin had its blood spilled." Prince Ning put away the thirty Qilin Purple Blood Ginsengs with great satisfaction, then tossed Li Qing a token engraved with the character Ning.

This was the token of Prince Ning's Mansion. With this token, one could walk freely through the capital.

Having obtained the Qilin Purple Blood Ginsengs, Prince Ning immediately turned and flew away, leaving only a single sentence:

"The Grand Competition in the palace will be held in thirty days. You should prepare early. After that, you can participate in the Grand Competition by presenting this token."

"We bid farewell to His Highness Prince Ning (Senior)!"

Li Qing and Shopkeeper Fang both cupped their fists respectfully in the direction Prince Ning had flown.

"Haha, congratulations, Fellow Daoist Limitless. Everyone in the world today covets the Black Iron Token, yet you now have a fair chance to compete for it," Shopkeeper Fang turned to Li Qing and said with a smile.

However, Li Qing did not let himself get carried away. He shook his head and said, "Shopkeeper Fang, you must be joking. The princes in the palace are all awe-inspiring heavenly prodigies. How could I claim to have much confidence? I'm afraid I'll be nothing more than a foil in this grand competition."

Shopkeeper Fang smiled and said, "Putting aside the grand competition, Fellow Daoist Limitless, being able to establish a connection with Prince Ning is a tremendous fortune in itself."

Li Qing still couldn't agree with this. He and Prince Ning were merely exchanging things, each taking what they needed. What "establishing a connection" could there be? The token in his hand was merely for participating in the grand competition.

And so, after Li Qing bid farewell to Shopkeeper Fang, he returned directly to his cave abode.

"Although Prince Ning said those princes and grandsons were all useless things, they are still imperial relatives and nobles. The cultivation resources they can enjoy are far beyond what ordinary people can imagine."

"Winning this grand competition will probably not be that easy. I still need to increase my own strength as much as possible."

As he spoke, Li Qing took out the Earth Nether Python's essence blood that Prince Ning had given him.

When he opened the sealed bottle, a thick demon qi wafted out.

"Hiss!"

The small snake formed from the essence blood coiled upward, glaring at Li Qing with a ferocious expression.