SWNOVELXO Chapter 157: The Imperial Capital
Chapter 157: The Imperial Capital
Over the next period of time, Xu Lian was far from idle.
He believed that hard work would be rewarded by heaven.
And indeed, it was. Through his diligent efforts:
Yu Qingning’s favorability rose from 90/100 to 91/100, earning him a progression point. He used it to enhance his rank, adding the ingredients of Joint Grass, and advanced to the 9th Stage of the Transformation Strength Realm.
Jiang Yunyan’s favorability broke through the 90/100 mark, granting him another progression point.
Miao Yueyue’s favorability increased from 75/100 to 80/100, nearing another progression point.
Huo Xin’er’s favorability increased from 70/100 to 75/100.
As for his other companions, their favorability was already quite high, making further improvements difficult. He simply spent time with them periodically to maintain stability.
One day, while Xu Lian was out strolling with Miao Yueyue to build rapport, he felt a vibration from the purple jade token in his spatial bag. He knew that the White Fox Town Guard Commander probably had something important to discuss.
He led Miao Yueyue to a secluded corner, took out the purple jade token, and focused his mind to activate the communication. “Town Guard Commander, what matter requires my attention?”
The White Fox’s voice, clear and youthful, came through the token. “The imperial capital.”
Xu Lian’s expression changed instantly. He understood immediately – the Yin Dynasty royal family had probably begun the selection process for Li Xiya’s consort!
This was an urgent matter that could not be delayed. If he were late… he would be devastated.
He quickly took Miao Yueyue back to house number 5 in the A section and then rushed to the spirit tree.
“Has the Yin Dynasty royal family started to choose a husband for Sister Xiya?” Xu Lian asked anxiously as soon as he saw the White Fox.
The White Fox’s intelligent eyes fixed on him. “This is strange. You live on First Street, right under my nose. I’ve never seen you training hard. Instead, you spend your days surrounded by women, yet your cultivation has reached the 9th Stage of the Transformation Strength Realm. Are you practicing dual cultivation techniques?”
“…” Xu Lian didn’t know how to answer. She had seen through him. “To be honest, yes, it is dual cultivation.”
The White Fox frowned. “No wonder your cultivation is progressing so fast. However, dual cultivation is not a true path – it is more like a shortcut. While it speeds up progress in the early stages, it leads to an unstable foundation in the mid-stages, causing cultivation to stagnate. In the later stages, it may even come to a complete halt. Throughout history, no one has ever become a peak expert through dual cultivation.”
Xu Lian clasped his hands in gratitude. “Thank you for your concern, Town Guard Commander. I’m aware of the risks and will only use it temporarily… Please tell me about the news from the imperial capital.”
The White Fox didn’t press further. “The news from the Imperial Capital is that the Yin Dynasty royal family has begun the selection process for Li Xiya’s consort.”
Xu Lian asked urgently, “When does it start? Will I still have time to get there?”
The White Fox looked at him. “You’ll make it in time, but the competition will be fierce. Don’t get your hopes up too high.”
Xu Lian frowned. “Why? Isn’t my 9th Stage Transformation Strength cultivation enough to qualify?”
The White Fox slowly explained, “The Yin Dynasty royal family places great importance on Li Xiya’s perfect royal bloodline. The selection process is extensive, open not only to the top male talents of the imperial capital, but also to male geniuses from all over the world.
While not every top male genius in the world will seek to join the Yin Dynasty royal family, some certainly will. You can imagine how tough the competition will be.
This is essentially the pinnacle of competition among the younger generation-a battle for supremacy among the most talented young men. Do you really think that your 9th Stage Transformation Strength cultivation gives you much of a chance?”
Xu Lian’s eyes turned red with determination. “If 9th Stage Transformation Strength isn’t enough, then I’ll break through to the Grandmaster Realm! Will that be enough?”
The White Fox thought for a moment. “You’ll need at least the 5th Stage of the Grandmaster Realm, along with mastery of the most advanced combat techniques, to even stand a chance against the world’s top young male geniuses.”
Xu Lian quickly calculated in his mind. If he brought Jiang Yunyan, Miao Yueyue, and Huo Xin’er-those with the potential to provide progression points-to the imperial capital, he could continue to advance while participating in the selection. Reaching the 5th Stage of the Grandmaster Realm wasn’t impossible!
As for the combat techniques, he wasn’t worried. The Sacred Spirit Record was a fragment of an immortal technique obtained by the ancestors of the Thirteen Clans at their peak when they ventured beyond the heavens. In their later years, these ancestors integrated their lifetime of learning into the Sacred Spirit Record, thus completing the technique. It was undoubtedly one of the most advanced fighting methods available.
“Have the rules for participation been announced?” Xu Lian took a deep breath.
The White Fox nodded. “They have. Male geniuses from high-ranking factions or families who are willing to participate in the consort selection in the Imperial Capital will be welcomed by the Yin Dynasty Royal Family. They can skip the preliminary round and the first round and go directly to the one-on-one elimination matches.
Ordinary contestants don’t have this privilege. They have to pass the preliminary and initial rounds to qualify for the elimination matches. Given your current 9th Stage Transformation Strength cultivation, barring any surprises, passing the preliminary and initial rounds shouldn’t be too difficult.
The real challenge lies in the elimination rounds. Every opponent you face will be a top male genius of the younger generation.”
“I understand. I’ll go to the imperial capital immediately!” Xu Lian’s gaze was determined. No matter how difficult it was, he would never give up on Sister Xiya.
The White Fox stopped him. “Do you even know where the Imperial Capital is?”
“…” Xu Lian halted in his tracks, turning back awkwardly. “Where is it?”
The White Fox sighed. “The Imperial Capital isn’t like ordinary counties or prefecture cities. It doesn’t exist in the mortal world.”
“Not in the mortal world?” Xu Lian was stunned. “Then where is it?”
The White Fox explained, “It is located within a spatial rift in the territory of the Yin Dynasty. Its position is not fixed. Wherever a spatial rift appears, it might be there.
So it could be very far away, or it could be near Pingyang County or Green Bamboo Town.
You’ll have to wait.
When a spatial rift appears, you’ll need to hurry over there to find it.”
Xu Lian felt a pang of worry. “What if it doesn’t appear? Won’t I miss the consort selection?”
White Fox reassured him, “How could you miss it? Since the Yin Dynasty royal family has issued the decree for the consort selection, they’ll surely find a relatively stable spatial rift to allow male geniuses from all over the world to attend.”
Xu Lian smacked his forehead. He had been so anxious that he’d forgotten this detail. “If there’s any news about the location of the Yin Dynasty’s capital, please inform me immediately, Town Guard Commander.”
And so he waited anxiously every day, missing Sister Xiya terribly.
No matter how many companions he had, Sister Xiya held an irreplaceable place in his heart. She was the only one he recognized as his rightful wife, while the others were secondary. For the sake of maintaining their favor, however, he kept this to himself.
Six days later, the purple jade token received a message from the White Fox Town Guard Commander. “A spatial rift has appeared on Qifeng Mountain in Yuzhou Prefecture. The imperial capital has appeared.”
Xu Lian immediately left with Jiang Yunyan (90 favorability), Miao Yueyue (80 favorability), and Huo Xin’er (75 favorability). These three companions were likely to provide progression points in the near future, so he had to bring them along. By advancing while competing, he might stand a chance against the world’s top male geniuses.
As for the two sword disciples, Yun Conglong and Feng Conghu, they weren’t of much use on this trip. He left them in Pingyang County to protect his other companions, as the White Fox Town Guard Commander was always occupied with her cultivation at the Spirit Tree and had no time to deal with his affairs.