Chapter 141 - 140
The massive, towering doors of the provincial palace in Sky Jade City were forged from profound steel, standing nearly a hundred feet tall. As the imperial carriage touched down in the central courtyard, these gates began to glide open, revealing the staggering opulence of the Zhao Province’s absolute center of power.
Waiting just inside the threshold, flanked by two seemingly endless rows of heavily armored palace guards and bowing provincial officials, stood the Chief Herald of the palace. He was an elderly man dressed in elaborate, flowing robes, holding a jade scepter of office.
The moment Lord Zhao Shenming stepped into view, followed by his guests, the Chief Eunuch drew in a massive breath.
"THE LORD HAS RETURNED!" the herald screamed. "ALL KNEEL AND WELCOME THE LORD OF ZHAO! WELCOME THE SUPREME HONORED GUEST, LIN YUAN! WELCOME THE LADY BAI AND THE YOUNG MASTER BAI!"
In absolute synchronization, the hundreds of officials, guards, and servants lining the corridor dropped to their knees, bowing their heads so low that their foreheads rested against the floor. The sheer display of martial and political authority was staggering, a stark reminder that they had entered the very heart of the province’s ruling hierarchy.
Lord Zhao Shenming walked forward with the easy stride of a man who had commanded such reverence for centuries.
Right beside him, entirely unfazed by the overwhelming display of imperial grandeur, walked Lin Yuan, who gently pushed Bai Qingyue on her wheelchair.
Bai Qingyue sat comfortably within the chair, her black hair cascading over the plush backing, a serene, appreciative smile on her beautiful face. Lin Yuan kept one hand firmly on the handles of the chair, projecting a localized barrier to completely insulate her from the overwhelming presence of the kneeling officials.
Bai Chen walked a half-step behind them, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. The young cultivator tried his absolute best to maintain a stoic, professional demeanor, but his eyes darted around the grand hall, wide with undeniable awe. He had grown up in a prestigious clan, but the sheer scale of the provincial palace was on an entirely different level of existence.
"The journey from the emerald valley is swift, but the change in altitude can leave one feeling restless," Lord Zhao Shenming announced, his voice carrying warmly over the kneeling masses. He turned to Lin Yuan with a gracious, inviting gesture. "Come, Daoist Lin. Lady Bai. Let us wash away the dust of the road before we discuss the matter at hand."
They were led through a series of breathtaking corridors, past indoor waterfalls and gardens of glowing flora, until they arrived at the Reception Hall.
The hall was vast and open, its ceilings seemingly touching the sky. At the center were low, circular tables surrounded by plush seating.
Once the four of them were comfortably seated—Lin Yuan positioning Bai Qingyue’s chair directly beside him—Lord Zhao Shenming smiled and clapped his hands together twice.
The sharp, echoing sound was an immediate command.
From the side entrances of the vast hall, a troupe of palace performers gracefully floated into the room. The air was instantly filled with the melodious, enchanting plucking of guqins, the soft trill of bamboo flutes, and the rhythmic chiming of silver bells.
A dozen dancers, dressed in iridescent, flowing silks that shifted colors like the aurora borealis, took to the center of the hall. They were cultivators trained specifically in the Illusory Crane Dance Art. As they moved, their Qi manipulated the fabrics, making it appear as though a flock of cranes were taking flight over a moonlit lake.
They spun, leaped, and glided through the air with breathtaking synchronization, trailing ribbons of soft, glowing light that illuminated the hall in a dazzling display of martial artistry.
Bai Qingyue watched the performance with genuine delight, her eyes following the graceful movements of the dancers. Having spent many years playing the zither, she possessed a deep appreciation for music and the arts, and the performance clearly captivated her.
Lin Yuan watched the dancers as well, his posture relaxed, his deep purple eyes calm.
As the music swelled to a beautiful, cascading crescendo, the dancers formed a final, blooming lotus shape with their silks, bowing deeply before gracefully retreating from the hall.
A group of silent, impeccably dressed palace servants immediately approached the table, carrying trays of steaming tea. They set down delicate cups and a teapot that radiated a rich, intoxicating aroma.
"This is Cloud-Piercing Dragon Tea," Lord Zhao explained, pouring the tea himself—a gesture of profound respect to his guests. "The leaves are harvested only once a century from the peaks of the Heaven’s Reach Mountains. It is excellent for settling the mind and warming the meridians."
Lin Yuan reached out, his fingers wrapping around the delicate cup. However, he did not drink it immediately. Instead, he channeled a fraction of his Qi into the ceramic, perfectly regulating the temperature of the liquid inside. Once it was comfortably warm, he gently placed the cup into Bai Qingyue’s waiting hands.
"Careful, the spiritual energy is dense," Lin Yuan murmured softly to her.
"Thank you, Yuan," she smiled, taking a slow, delicate sip. The warmth bloomed in her chest, bringing a faint, healthy flush to her cheeks.
Lord Zhao Shenming watched this simple, profoundly intimate exchange from across the table. For a man who had confessed to cultivating a false Dao Heart just hours prior, seeing a peerless Spirit Severing expert openly tend to a crippled mortal woman was a staggering sight. It was a living testament to the conversation they had shared in the carriage. Lin Yuan truly did not care what the Heavens thought of his attachments.
"In exactly five days," Lord Zhao said, smoothly shifting the topic as he took another sip of tea, "the envoys of the Central Continent will arrive. The champions from all nine Lower Division Provinces and the six Upper Division Provinces will gather here."
"I assume the participants will be eager to test the waters before it officially begins?" Lin Yuan asked, taking a sip of his own tea.
"Undoubtedly," Lord Zhao nodded, his expression turning serious. "The other Provincial Lords are bringing their absolute best. Monsters hidden in snow-capped mountains, ancient experts unsealed just for this era, and ruthless geniuses bred solely for slaughter. They will see you, a man who recently rose to prominence in the Zhao Province, as a target. You must be prepared for provocations, Daoist Lin."
"Let them provoke," Lin Yuan replied, his voice completely level, devoid of arrogance but saturated with a terrifying certainty. "If they stand between me and victory, they will simply cease to exist."
Bai Chen, sitting quietly and sipping his tea, felt a shiver run down his spine at the casual, lethal promise in his brother-in-law’s voice.
The conversation flowed smoothly over the next hour, touching upon the geopolitical layout of the Central Continent, and the various factions that held power in the upper echelons. Lin Yuan absorbed every detail, filing it away for the impending tournament.
Eventually, the tea in the pot ran dry, and the evening shadows began to stretch across the vast floors of the Reception Hall. Bai Qingyue let out a faint, delicate suppress of a yawn, the journey finally catching up to her.
Lin Yuan immediately noticed. He set his empty cup down on the table with a soft clink.
"We have traveled far today, and the hour grows late," Lin Yuan announced, standing up smoothly and moving behind his wife’s wheelchair. He placed his hands upon the handles. "I will be heading to our quarters now, Lord Zhao."
Zhao Shenming nodded in immediate understanding, standing up as well to offer a respectful bow.
"Of course. Rest is paramount before the tournament begins," the Provincial Lord said, gesturing to a waiting servant. "I have ordered the preparation of our finest royal quarters in the eastern wing of the palace. There is a grand master suite for you and your Dao Companion, Lin Yuan, and a separate suite for young Bai Chen right next door."
"Thank you, Brother-in-law, Thank you, Lord Zhao," Bai Chen said respectfully, bowing to the provincial ruler.
"Your hospitality is appreciated, Lord Zhao," Lin Yuan offered a slight, courteous nod.