36

Haicheng, the capital of Jing Kingdom, holds a prominent second place among its nine major cities.

It spans over two hundred li in circumference, boasting a dense population exceeding one million.

The city borders the vast ocean, its waves surging and seemingly endless.

From Jincheng to Haicheng, Qingchen trekked thousands of li, nearly traversing the entire Jing Kingdom, finally arriving here.

The moment Qingchen finally stepped into Haicheng,

the scene before him overwhelmed him with its beauty.

Compared to Jincheng, where Qingchen had previously lived,

Haicheng was far more prosperous and thriving, like a dazzling pearl.

Shops lined both sides of the streets,

Silk shops, jewelry stores, teahouses, and restaurants—

a dazzling array of shops, bustling with activity and filled with the sounds of people.

Pedestrians thronged, carriages and horses moved in droves, and various dialects mingled with the cries of vendors.

In comparison, Jincheng seemed like a rural town, its brilliance fading.

Haicheng boasts a unique architectural style, blending the antiquity of the Central Plains with the vibrancy of the seaside.

The blue bricks and gray tiles exude a distinctive elegance, captivating visitors.

“Oh, you look like a stranger here.”

A rather clever long-haired youth approached Qingchen and struck up a conversation.

“How did you know?” Qingchen looked at the long-haired youth with some wariness.

“That’s our livelihood. If I couldn’t tell you were new here, I’d be wasting my time.

People who frequently visit Haicheng are already used to the sights here.

When you led your horse into town just now, you were looking left and right at both sides of the street, and I knew you were a newcomer,” the long-haired youth said.

“Oh, so what do you do for a living?” Qingchen asked curiously.

"You've come to the right place! I grew up in Haicheng. I know every teahouse, tavern, brothel, and inn here like the back of my hand.

Whether you need a room or something, just ask me. A small tip will suffice."

The long-haired youth's eyes gleamed with eager anticipation.

Qingchen casually tossed out a tael of silver, which the youth caught with overjoyed delight.

Ordinary customers would only give a few copper coins, but this tael was enough for his monthly expenses—truly a VIP.

"This is a deposit. If you answer my questions well, there will be a generous reward," Qingchen said magnanimously.

"Please ask, sir! I will answer to the best of my knowledge!"

The long-haired youth said eagerly, his eyes fixed on Qingchen as if he had seen a god of wealth.

"Are there particularly many out-of-towners this month?" Qingchen asked.

“Yes, yes, yes, this month has been quite strange. Not only have dignitaries from other cities in Jing Kingdom arrived, but people from the other six kingdoms have also been arriving one after another.

And look at their luxurious clothes; they are all either rich or noble. The entire city is under martial law now, and the controls are very tight.”

The long-haired youth answered hastily.

“Where do these people usually stay?” Qingchen continued to ask.

“The dignitaries from the other six kingdoms are usually entertained by officials from the city's Court of State Ceremonies and housed in the Guest House. Our Jing Kingdom's dignitaries are personally entertained by the city lord and usually housed in the Hall of Honors next to the city lord's mansion,” the long-haired youth replied.

“Take me to the inn closest to the Hall of Honors,” Qingchen said calmly after listening.

So, Qingchen followed the long-haired youth for about half an hour, arriving at a place called “Haicheng Inn.”

Qingchen casually tossed out another tael of silver and, amidst the other party's profuse thanks, entered the inn.

A month ago, he and Zhao Ningyi had arranged to meet here.

At noon, they met at the inn closest to the Lixian Hall.

Now, Qingchen sat comfortably at the first table near the entrance of the Haicheng Inn.

The table was laden with five or six exquisite dishes, and a bottle of aged wine awaited opening.

Time passed, and suddenly a woman in red entered the inn.

Her face, originally cold and aloof, blossomed into a smile upon catching sight of the familiar figure inside the inn.

At that moment, she attracted the attention of passersby.

"This past month, I've missed you dearly, haven't I? And you, have you missed me, or that token?"

Zhao Ningyi approached Qingchen, her words tinged with a hint of teasing.

Upon hearing this, Qingchen lost his usual quick wit, merely humming in response, his expression slightly strange.

"What's wrong? Are you unhappy?" Zhao Ningyi keenly noticed his change and asked with concern.

"If I truly possessed spiritual roots, what would you do?"

Qingchen asked this question as if possessed.

"Hmph, then I'd have Father tie you up and prevent you from leaving!"

Zhao Ningyi feigned anger, then smiled,

"Why did you suddenly ask that?

In another hour, the immortal from Ningxuan Sect will arrive; you'll naturally know then.

Look, I even specially made you a pair of blue boots.

I've been learning for so long, and I've only ever made them for Father and Mother."

Hearing this, a warm feeling welled up in Qingchen's heart. This was the first time in his two lifetimes that someone had sewn clothes for him.

He was somewhat bewildered, unsure how to respond, and only murmured:

"It's so beautiful, but why is it blue?"

"Because I feel like you have a lot on your mind.

Seeing blue things makes people feel better.

I spent a whole month making it, so praise me!"

Zhao Ningyi, like a child, looked on expectantly, eager for praise.

Qingchen opened his mouth, took the boots, but fell silent.

Zhao Ningyi maintained her cheerful expression, then handed Qingchen an antique-looking token.

"Keep it safe, there's only one in Jincheng," she instructed.

Qingchen took the token and softly said, "Thank you."

"That's it?" Zhao Ningyi muttered somewhat discontentedly.

"If tomorrow's test shows I don't have spiritual roots, I'll give up everything and wander the world with you."

Qingchen gazed at Zhao Ningyi and said firmly.

Hearing Qingchen's words, Zhao Ningyi felt a sudden, inexplicable panic.

"Why do I suddenly feel so uneasy?"

Qingchen didn't answer, but instead took a jade piece from his robes and handed it to Zhao Ningyi.

"This is a jade piece I found on a mountain. It's very precious; I haven't encountered the same material before. I'm giving it to you."

Actually, these were the jade pieces Qingchen had collected after breaking the jade bottle containing the elixir. He'd gathered them all up, just in case they came in handy later.

Even a small mosquito is still meat, and this one came in handy.

"It's beautiful." Zhao Ningyi took the jade piece from Qingchen, but unlike usual, she wasn't happy and remained silent.

The two sat there quietly for some time, until Qingchen suddenly felt the effects of the alcohol rising in his head.

Just as they were about to drink, a sudden roar of crashing waves erupted, followed by thunder in broad daylight!

Then, a series of clear, ringing bells echoed in the air.

"They've arrived," Zhao Ningyi said softly, but her tone lacked its previous joy.

"Let's go," Qingchen stood up and continued walking.

The two walked silently along the path, passing a small pond where colorful carp darted about.

Zhao Ningyi suddenly spoke:

"Look at those two carp. The one on the left desperately wants to leap over the Dragon Gate and transform into a dragon, while the other, though knowing it can't compare, still willingly swims with it to the Dragon Gate.

In the end, it can only watch helplessly as the carp on the left transforms into a dragon and soars into the sky, or perhaps, the carp on the left never even leaps over the Dragon Gate and falls onto the riverbank.

Tell me, how wonderful it would be if they could just swim freely in the water like that."

Time flowed by, and before they knew it, they had arrived at the seashore.

The scene before them left Qingchen utterly astonished: on the sea, a celestial ship lay quietly anchored.

This celestial ship was hundreds of feet long and several dozen feet wide, resembling a small island floating in the air.

It emitted a faint spiritual light, illuminating the surrounding space in a hazy and mysterious way.

The ship's surface was covered in mysterious runes, exuding an extraordinary aura at first glance.

Suddenly, auspicious clouds appeared on the horizon, and a group of immortals in magnificent Taoist robes descended from the sky.

The robes were embroidered with intricate runes, radiating a faint spiritual light.

They seemed to walk on thin air, each step creating ripples.

Hundreds, even thousands, of people, all distinguished nobles in fine attire, had already gathered beside the immortal ship.

The moment the immortals appeared, they all knelt down, bowing reverently.

Qingchen quickly pulled Zhao Ningyi to her knees as well. A hush fell over the scene; no one dared to speak.

A divine voice seemed to echo from the void, not loud, but exceptionally clear to everyone:

"The one holding the token, step forward."

The words fell, but no one dared to step forward. Clearly, they were stunned by the sight of the immortals' appearance.

For a moment, their minds trembled, and their bodies were paralyzed.

"You all hurry forward, or I will no longer be able to guide you!"

A loud shout snapped everyone back to reality.

A few people scurried along,

heading down towards the immortal.

Qing Chen glanced at Zhao Ningyi, his expression complex,

then turned and walked towards the immortal's large ship.

The immortal made a hand seal, and beams of spiritual light shone upon those who approached.

"No spiritual root."

"No spiritual root."

...

"Low-grade water and wood spiritual roots, aboard."

"No spiritual root."

"No spiritual root."

...

"Mid-grade Five Elements Spiritual Root, not bad, come aboard."

"No spiritual root."

"No spiritual root."

...

"High-grade Wind Spiritual Root? Not bad, come aboard quickly."

"No spiritual root."

"No spiritual root."

...

Although there were over a hundred people, it seemed like a lot, but under the flashes of light in the air,

the tests were all completed in less than fifteen minutes.

Only about ten people remained on this side of the large ship.

The others without spiritual roots had their tokens confiscated and were sent back.

Only then did Qingchen realize that not everyone had the opportunity,

like the City Lord of Jincheng, to have a master test their children's spiritual roots.

Most people just came with their tokens to try their luck.

"Qingchen!" A woman in red suddenly ran out from the crowd,

"Why do you have spiritual roots! Why!" Tears streamed down her face.

Everyone present was stunned, speechless.

They never expected that someone would actually dare to shout loudly in front of an immortal.

Has this person lost their mind, courting death?

"Ningyi, step back immediately! An immortal is here; no disrespect is allowed!"

A dignified middle-aged man grabbed the woman in red and reprimanded her in a low voice.

Qingchen looked at the woman in red, opened his mouth, but said nothing, then turned and walked towards the immortal ship.

Watching Qingchen's retreating figure as he boarded the immortal ship, Zhao Ningyi seemed to have gone mad.

"May you become an immortal!" Her voice drifted gently in the wind.