Qin Chu nodded. Who doesn't enjoy the respect of others? As long as one has thoughts, as long as one is a living person, one will care about the respect of others.
"Many times, people don't live for themselves. If a person has high prestige, they can bring a stable life to those around them. Just like our Vermilion Bird Sacred Family, if there was an invincible expert revered by thousands, there would be no need to worry about invasion." Looking at Qin Chu, Qin Longxuan emphasized the importance of prestige again.
"Third Uncle, rest assured, Qin Chu will definitely strive for what needs to be strived for," Qin Chu said, looking at the somewhat uneasy Qin Longxuan.
After hearing Qin Chu's words, Qin Longxuan finally breathed a sigh of relief. He was truly worried about Qin Chu's unstable mindset.
After traveling for less than two more days, the group of three arrived at Saint Martial City.
Saint Martial City is the largest and most ancient city among the thirteen states of the Saint Martial Continent. Its city gates are tens of zhang high, and its city walls are even higher. Even if a Yao Beast tide appeared, besides flying Yao Beasts, other Yao Beasts would be unable to shake Saint Martial City's defenses. As for flying Yao Beasts, there were powerful weapons on the city walls: Sky-Rending Crossbows!
"Isn't it shocking? The history of Saint Martial City is untraceable; this city has existed since the beginning of humanity. It is also a city with the best rules and order, managed collectively by many forces. The City Lord, Deputy City Lord, and Elders are all chosen through an election system. People of improper conduct cannot hold high positions in Saint Martial City. Even if improper conduct is hidden for a while, they will be removed. The City Lord's Mansion is responsible for establishing the Azure Cloud Ranking and the Dragon Ascension Ranking. There was once also a Tier 6 War King Ranking, but because the level of Cultivators is not as high as before, and there aren't many King Realm Cultivators, the War King Ranking was canceled," Qin Longxuan said.
"There are many Empires in the Central State. Don't the rule of those Empires conflict with Saint Martial City?" Qin Chu asked, knowing that within the vast territory of the Central State, there were many Sect forces, Empires, and Imperial Dynasties. Not to mention, the West Wind Imperial Dynasty of the White Tiger Sacred Family was very powerful.
"How could there be a conflict? No force dares to cross Saint Martial City. Saint Martial City is a comprehensive force of many families, and its status is transcendent. Any force that is so blind as to stir up trouble is just courting death!" Qin Longxuan said.
"Young Lord, you may not be very clear, but forces like the Demon Castle and the Alchemist Guild are all developing within Saint Martial City. If any force causes trouble, they will naturally take action. So, over countless years, some rules have become ironclad. Scheming against Saint Martial City makes one an enemy of the Central State, and even the entire Saint Martial Continent," Qing Yi added, seeing the doubt on Qin Chu's face.
After listening to Qin Longxuan and Qing Yi's explanations, Qin Chu understood what was going on with Saint Martial City.
As they were about to enter the city, Qin Longxuan put on his bamboo hat. He used to be an Enforcement Elder of the Vermilion Bird Sacred Family, and some older generation Cultivators knew him, so he didn't want to expose his identity yet.
After entering the city, Qin Longxuan drove the beast carriage, turned a few corners, and entered a private courtyard.
Upon entering the courtyard, Qin Longxuan removed his bamboo hat, and at this time, everyone in the courtyard bowed to him.
Qin Longxuan introduced Qin Chu's identity, and Qing Yi was introduced as Protector Qing. Qing Yi had previously held the identity of a Protector of the Vermilion Bird Sacred Family.
After hearing Qin Longxuan's introduction, the people in the courtyard bowed to Qin Chu.
This situation made Qin Chu realize that this was a stronghold of the Vermilion Bird Sacred Family within Saint Martial City.
"Young Lord, Enforcement Elder, your subordinate has been ineffective. Most of our Vermilion Bird Sacred Family's industries in Saint Martial City have been encroached upon by the White Tiger Sacred Family and the Blazing Thunder Sacred Family, leaving only some hidden private courtyards and residences," the leading Elder in the courtyard bowed and said to Qin Chu and Qin Longxuan.
"This is not your fault; it's due to the current situation. Our Vermilion Bird Sacred Family has fallen, so naturally, they would target our industries. It's already very good that some could be preserved, allowing our people to have a place to stay when they arrive in Saint Martial City. Furthermore, whoever consumed our Vermilion Bird Sacred Family's industries, they will have to spit them back out." Towards the end, Qin Longxuan's voice turned cold.
Someone then arranged for Qin Chu to settle down. Qin Longxuan went to handle some Family matters, while Qin Chu and Qing Yi rested first.
In the evening, Qin Longxuan found Qin Chu and Qing Yi.
"Saint Martial City is quite chaotic right now. All parties are very focused on the competition for this Azure Cloud Ranking. People from the White Tiger Sacred Family, the Blazing Thunder Sacred Family, and the Blade God Valley have all arrived," Qin Longxuan told Qin Chu and Qing Yi about the situation.
"These pieces of trash, they're really everywhere," Qin Chu cursed.
"Our forces are relatively few. Directly confronting them would put us at a disadvantage, so there's no need to clash for now. Of course, if they dare to go too far, then we will kill!" Qin Longxuan said.
"I will follow Third Uncle's arrangements," Qin Chu offered no opinions. This was Saint Martial City, and he didn't understand it at all.
Qin Longxuan then explained the upcoming difficulty: to participate in the Azure Cloud Ranking competition, one needed to register at the City Lord's Mansion. As soon as Qin Chu registered, he would be exposed, because all forces were paying attention to the registration area, gathering information on the registering Cultivators. This way, when their own forces' people qualified, they would know themselves and their opponents.
"I understand what Third Uncle means. Once I'm exposed, I'll naturally be targeted, and if I return here, our Vermilion Bird Sacred Family's hidden base will be exposed. How about this! I'll go to the Alchemist Guild first, get certified as a Tier 5 Five-Star Alchemist, and then refine Medicinal Pills for a few days. After attracting the attention of all forces, I'll go register. After registering, I'll return to the Alchemist Guild to stay. The Alchemist Guild is a neutral force; they can't attack the Alchemist Guild." Qin Chu thought for a moment and said. He felt that staying at the Alchemist Guild was suitable. It was different from the past; when he was in Heavenly Sword City, he had a personal relationship with Chu Shan, and his stay at the Alchemist Guild had the suspicion of taking advantage of someone. Now, he was merely using the Alchemist Guild to refine Medicinal Pills, which was not a problem.
"Alright! We'll do as you say. Our people will also be guarding you in the shadows, and if anything happens, they will provide support. When it's time to fight, we will absolutely not retreat," Qin Longxuan said.
"Young Lord, your subordinate will stay at the inn closest to the Alchemist Guild, so I can contact the Young Lord at any time," Qing Yi said. His mission this time was to ensure Qin Chu's safety.
After a night's rest, Qin Chu took out his Alchemist robe and put it on. Then, he left the Vermilion Bird Sacred Family's stronghold and headed towards the Alchemist Guild.
Qin Chu's Tier 4 Five-Star Alchemist robe was very conspicuous. There were many Tier 4 Alchemists in Saint Martial City, but a Tier 4 Five-Star was different. Five-Star Alchemists were as rare as monsters; being able to consistently refine top-grade Medicinal Pills was not an easy task.
Under the gaze of countless eyes, Qin Chu entered the Alchemist Guild.