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"And our connection will deepen even further."

"For instance, my Qingfeng, even if he is hundreds of miles away, I can still maintain a spiritual energy connection with him, precisely because a Dragon Vein Stone was added during its forging."

"And here you have hundreds..."

"Although only nine are fully mature, the rest were plucked while still saplings, but they still have an effect, just not as strong. Dragon Vein Stones, such treasures of heaven and earth, have extremely harsh growing conditions."

"They must be on an Earth Vein, and moreover, that Earth Vein must pass through underground water, and only after years of relentless clashes between the malevolent energy and the Earth Vein's righteous energy can they form."
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"A single mature Dragon Vein Stone takes a good three hundred years to form."

"Hmm..."

Chen Qiu, with a somewhat odd expression, turned around to look at the stream behind him: "Given how rare they are, I just followed that yellow fish all the way here, and then I found so many."

"..."

Even the scholar fell silent, tilting his head towards the stream. Was that yellow fish really a fortunate encounter? He had lived there for a long time before, so why hadn't the yellow fish shown him the way then?

Moreover, why would the yellow fish grant Brother Qiu such fortune?

He just ate a lot of your kin, is this how you treat your family grudge?

After a long silence, the scholar softly said, "Brother Qiu, this is also your destiny, and since you have encountered this opportunity, it means you must embark on your journey to the Capital."

"No."

Chen Qiu shook his head firmly: "Without reaching Golden Core, stepping into Jing Province is forbidden; opportunities can arise anytime, but life is only one."

"This opportunity might not always be available..."

The scholar's expression turned complex as he explained, "Why do the young ones of the world aspire towards the Heavenly Pride Leaderboard so eagerly? Apart from the rewards of the Heavenly Dao Blessing and the fame, the most crucial is the rewards during the ranking confirmation of Heavenly Pride Leaderboard itself."

"'Heavenly Pride Leaderboard' confirms the ranks at the end of each year and starts a new leaderboard."

"It updates once a year."

"In a few days, on the first of the New Year, it is the day when the sect's leaderboards and the Heavenly Pride Leaderboard among other rankings refresh and confirm."

"That day."

"The favored youths gathered in the Capital will enter a Heavenly Dao Secret Realm exclusive to them; only cultivators below the age of fifty and above the first layer of Foundation Establishment can enter."

"Inside the Secret Realm, they undergo various trials to determine the top three of the new year's 'Heavenly Pride Leaderboard.'

"After the ranking confirmation, this ranking will remain fixed for an entire year, unless someone at the top unexpectedly dies, the ranks won't rise further."

"After ranking confirmation."

"Those ranked in the top thousand of 'Heavenly Pride Leaderboard' will receive the Heavenly Dao Blessing, and the top three will have the chance of receiving treasures bestowed by the Heavenly Dao."

"Simply put, you provide the materials for forging a Spiritual Treasure, and then the Heavenly Dao helps you forge the most suitable Spiritual Treasure for you."

"This kind of Spiritual Treasure is known as a Heavenly Dao Spiritual Treasure."

"It's a result even the peak artifact creators in Da Xia Country cannot achieve, perfectly tailored to you and it's also a Lifebound Spirit Treasure that can grow as your cultivation advances."

The scholar suddenly had a hint of indulgence on his face, looking down at the miniature long sword in his sleeve: "My Qingfeng here is a Heavenly Dao Spiritual Treasure, full of spirit."

"'Dragon Vein Stone,' such a rare heavenly and earthly treasure, Brother Qiu aren't you saying you've never had a suitable Spiritual Treasure for a Magic Practitioner?"

"This time at the Heavenly Pride Leaderboard is your chance, Brother Qiu. With your skills, winning the top three should be no problem."

"Top three?"

Chen Qiu frowned deeply without speaking; indeed, the prospect of obtaining a Heavenly Dao Spiritual Treasure was enticing. Even though he was resolute about not entering Golden Core before reaching the Capital, he did need a Spiritual Treasure that suited him especially well.

Thinking for a moment, he then inquired.

"Is the selection of the Heavenly Pride Leaderboard conducted within the Heavenly Dao Secret Realm, not on some platform?"

"It is not."

"Can those Golden Core old demons meddle in matters within the Heavenly Dao Secret Realm?"

"They cannot, but the Heavenly Dao Secret Realm used for the selection of Heavenly Pride can be seen by outsiders."

Chen Qiu nodded in understanding; a few days ago it was the winter solstice, and in seven days a new year would begin, which also meant there were only seven days until the start of the Heavenly Pride Leaderboard competition.

Then he made up his mind, looking up at the scholar.

"Let's set off."

...

As night fell, during the hour of the pig.

In DaMing City near the Capital of Jing Province, inside a named 'Xinghua House' in a brothel private room.

Chen Qiu sat by the window overlooking the bustling street below, occasionally hearing the shouts of the old madam and the laughter of the girls, casually picking up a grain of golden-brown peanut and tossing it into his mouth.

He chewed leisurely, savoring it.

Then, he picked up a cup of clear liquor and took a light sip, the spicy sensation soothing his mood quite a bit as the street below filled with the smoke and scent of people carrying loads and hawking their wares, imbuing the entire city with a sense of liveliness.

The scholar sat opposite him, also smiling as he looked down at the scene below.

At this moment, only the two of them were in the private room.

Fat Long and the scholar's brother had gone out to gather information, with Fat Long responsible for gathering the information and the scholar's brother handling crucial moments of escaping.

Just then, a knock came at the door.

The old madam entered laughing, waving a handkerchief and followed by seven or eight girls in a row standing neatly in front of Chen Qiu and the scholar, hands stacked above and below on their abdomens, looking at Chen Qiu and the scholar with synchronized moves, their voices carrying a flirtatious tone.

"Greetings to the young masters."

"What do you think?"

The old madam looked eagerly at Chen Qiu and his companion: "These girls are all transferred from the Capital, each skilled in numerous arts, many officials and nobles specifically come here to enjoy their company, what do you young masters think, are they satisfactory?"