February 21.
Spring equinox, light rain.
The road from Golden Light Prefecture to Qian Yuan Divine Sect’s Fenzong Mountain Gate was completely congested. The carriages in the narrow sections were overtaking each other, with none yielding to another.
Inside the carriage.
Li Che, Zhang Ya, Nurse Momo, and Xi Xi were sitting in one carriage. Xi Xi was lively and restless, feeling very excited.
She did not feel that attending the Divine Sect’s examination was something to be nervous about, it felt like going out for a spring outing, filled with curiosity and a desire to explore new things.
She looked through the carriage window at the dense queue of carriages outside and the many people walking hurriedly with their children, continuously exclaiming in amazement.
“Daddy, there are so many people!”
This was the first time Xi Xi had seen so many people and she was very surprised, realizing there could be so many people in the world!
“Indeed, the number of people attending the examination this year has increased a lot compared to previous ones,” Nurse Momo said affectionately as she looked at Xi Xi, her eyes filled with some reluctance.
After today, Xi Xi would be entering the Divine Sect and would have to go up to the high Qing Peak of the Divine Sect, meaning the days she could come home would be few.
However, Nurse Momo could take comfort in knowing that Li Qingshan would take her to visit Xi Xi, which somewhat scattered her melancholy.
“Li Qingshan said that this year’s examination seems to be related to the Four Royal Mysterious Temple in the river heart of Nine Dragons River outside the prefecture, dealing with the Mysterious Temple involves risks, yet it also holds great opportunities,” Nurse Momo explained.
Zhang Ya’s eyes revealed a worried look, “Related to that Four Royal Mysterious Temple? Isn’t that too dangerous?”
“But Xi Xi has no choice but to go to the Divine Sect…”
Zhang Ya glanced at Li Che with an entreating look as if seeking rescue.
“Don’t worry, since the Divine Sect dares to set a trial at the Four Royal Mysterious Temple to test these children, they naturally have some measures in place,” Li Che said reassuringly.
Li Qingshan mentioned that the Divine Sect Branch actually used the “Prison Lotus Wind Fire Golden Light Wheel,” certainly a Four Royal Divine Weapon!
It was clear they took it very seriously, and since they dared to open it, they obviously had confidence, and this was not their first time doing such a thing.
Since Li Che said it was okay, Zhang Ya believed him.
She just blindly trusted Li Che.
“This carriage is completely stuck, we can’t move forward much at all… we might as well walk,” Li Che suggested, glancing at the sky.
If they were stuck on the road and missed the designated hour, that would really be bad.
Li Che was not the only one with this thought; others in the carriages also got out, either leading or carrying, heading towards the Divine Sect Mountain Gate.
Zhang Ya and Nurse Momo raised no objections; they were both cultivators, and a little walking was nothing to them.
Li Che picked up Xi Xi, who opened a small oil-paper umbrella, got directly out of the carriage, and started walking, basking in the spring wind and rain as if he were on a spring outing.
After getting out of the carriage and walking, they moved even faster.
Soon, they passed through the bustling area of Golden Light Prefecture City and arrived before the gate of Divine Sect Mountain.
The grass stretched on both sides, lush green, swaying with the spring breeze, tinged with translucent raindrops.
A conspicuous green peak rose from the ground, reaching into the sky; from afar, behind the majestic city gates, this mountain peak could be seen, with the entire Golden Light Prefecture City built around it.
But upon drawing closer, one could see that there was an extremely vast area around the mountain.
Continue reading at empire
Looking up at the green peak, towering and majestic, filled with lush vegetation, one could see mist enveloping the mid-mountain, amidst the rain.
…
By the bank of Nine Dragons River, a mountain peak rose abruptly from the ground, known as Golden Light Peak, the main peak where Lingnan Road Qian Yuan Divine Sect’s branch in Yun Province resides.
Around Golden Light Peak, there are many smaller peaks, which, although not as conspicuous, were completely overshadowed by Golden Light Peak.
Those peaks are where the Illusory Phase Cultivators of the Divine Sect Branch could establish their cave dwellings.
People like Li Qingshan, because of possessing Illusory Phase combat power, earned the privilege to establish a cave residence, his cave dwelling’s mountain was named “Zheng Lei Peak.”
Passing through a stretch of lush green grassland, they saw at the foot of Golden Light Peak, a massive white jade archway.
In front of the archway, a vast expanse of green grass was used to construct a large and exquisite wooden platform.
Around the wooden platform were spaces occupied by the top powers from Golden Light Prefecture City.
The Five Great Clans, Qin, Gong, Hai, Shangguan, and Gongyang Family, all took it very seriously, not only did the family heads come, but even the Diviner Ancestors from the families appeared in person.
For example, Qin Dikun, the Diviner Ancestor of the Qin Family, appeared right in the midst of the Qin family’s area, seated in a distinguished position.
To the side, were Qin Cang, the Patriarch of the Qin Family, and relatives of the late Qin Yuqing like Qin Haonan, Qin Leixiao, and other second-generation members.
The Five Great Sects also sent representatives.
Gold Split Gate, Bamboo Forest Academy, Watching Tide Pavilion, and Sand Scorpion Forest’s experts were all present; though not deploying their Sect’s Diviner Ancestors like the Five Great Clans, they still had Illusory Phase experts in attendance.
Black Jiao Gang, Beggars’ Sect, which had now become two gangs, also sent experts, and the leaders of Black Jiao Gang and Beggars’ Sect appeared as well.
Although the aura of the Diviner Ancestors was somewhat restrained, the subtle emanations and impacts still formed a terrifying atmosphere, suffocating those around.
Li Che, carrying Xi Xi, arrived amidst the crowd below the wooden platform, which was already densely packed with people.
Suddenly, Lu Chi popped his head out from the crowd; he was wearing the clothes of an Inner Sect Disciple of the Divine Sect today, the green outfit quite conspicuous, making many unconsciously make way for him.
“Uncle Li, Aunt Zhang, and Xi Xi, over here, come this way,”
Lu Chi waved excitedly.