At the center of the basalt formation, Li-Wen remained rooted in his cross-legged posture. The radiant, silver-gold aura enveloping his figure had condensed into a shimmering, solid shell, locking all ambient energy inside his body.
Within his Dantian, the Divine Spiritual Core was undergoing a magnificent, violent metamorphosis.
The crimson vitality from the three Blood-Vein Spirit Fruits fused continuously with the dense, purple elemental energy of the Fourth-Tier Beast Core. Under the supreme control of the Void Sovereign Technique, these two vast lakes of power were stripped of their wild, chaotic nature and forced to compress into pure, liquid Ki.
RUMBLE—!
A low, resonant tremor echoed within Li-Wen's skeletal frame.
The silver-gold liquid in his Dantian overflowed, surging into his physical channels like molten starlight. His blood screamed with newfound power, each drop carrying the heavy, dense weight of a primeval mountain. The translucent jade luster of his Jade-Bone Foundation darkened into a deeper, ancient gold hue, radiating an aura of absolute invulnerability.
BOOM!
A soft, internal shockwave detonated at his Dantian!
The physical barrier restricting his cultivation cracked and dissolved into nothingness. The liquid silver-gold Ki within his body expanded by double, surging through his limbs with unstoppable, torrential force.
Li-Wen opened his eyes.
The twin golden suns within his pupils flashed with blinding, divine brilliance, cutting through the dark cavern like two celestial blades before slowly receding back into his pitch-black irises.
Earth-Realm—Second Stage!
"Second Stage..." Li-Wen murmured smoothly, rising to his feet with fluid, effortless grace.
He lightly clenched his right hand into a fist.
AIR-CRACK!
Without utilizing a single drop of Ki, the raw, physical force of his tightening grip compressed the air within his palm, creating a sharp, miniature sonic boom that echoed against the cave walls.
"With my physical body hardened by the Blood-Vein Fruit and my Ki expanded by the Fourth-Tier core, my physical strength has officially surpassed eighty thousand pounds," Li-Wen analyzed, his voice carrying a calm, cold confidence. "Even without employing high-tier martial techniques, a mid-stage Earth-Realm cultivator will be crushed instantly under my fist. If I encounter a Peak Earth-Realm expert, they will pose no threat."
He swept his sleeve, dissolving the remnants of the golden barrier around the cave.
Walking to the entrance of the high mountain cave, Li-Wen stood on the edge of the ten-thousand-foot cliff, looking out toward the vast, misty expanse of the Cloud-Piercing Mountains. The sea of purple clouds stretched endlessly toward the south. Beyond those distant peaks lay the central territory of the region—the sprawling, massive Provincial Capital.
Li-Wen reached into his robe, feeling the cool, metallic surface of the Gold-Feather Token given by Su Qing-Er and the heavy, gilded Imperial Recommendation Pass provided by Captain Liu.
"One month is approaching," Li-Wen said, his eyes reflecting the deep horizon. "Su Qing-Er should have gathered the intelligence regarding the ancient ruins and rare medicinal herbs in the capital. It is time to leave this wilderness."
He stepped off the cliff edge.
SWOOSH!
A silver-gold streak of light pierced through the cloud layer as Li-Wen glided across the sky like a celestial shadow, leaving the primeval Demon-Beast Valley behind as he set his path directly toward the Provincial Capital.
The journey across the vast southern territory was long and desolate, but for a cultivator at the Second Stage of the Earth-Realm, distance was merely a matter of time.
Crossing thousands of miles over roaring rivers, jagged mountain ranges, and dense forests, Li-Wen moved like a phantom ghost. Where ordinary travelers would take weeks with armored carriages and guard escorts, Li-Wen covered hundreds of miles each day, relying on his formidable physical speed and Ki reserves.
After five days of unhurried travel, the dense wilderness began to thin out, replaced by broad, paved stone highways lined with bustling roadside inns, merchant caravans, and patrolling regional guards.
In the distance, rising from the horizon like a sleeping primordial beast, stood the giant silhouette of the Provincial Capital—Azure Sky City.
The city walls alone were a terrifying sight—built from dark blue obsidian blocks over three hundred feet high, embedded with ancient warding runes that hummed softly with defensive Qi. Towering spires and grand martial pavilions reached into the clouds, while the constant roar of crowds, flying mounts, and spiritual carriages echoed miles beyond the grand gates.
Compared to Azure Mist City, which was merely a backwater town in the countryside, Azure Sky City was the undisputed heart of authority, wealth, and power in the entire province.
Li-Wen descended quietly into a secluded bamboo grove a few miles outside the city gates. He adjusted his light-grey robes, concealing the surging aura of his Divine Spiritual Core behind a veil of ordinary, calm Ki, making himself appear as a normal, unremarkable young traveler.
Walking along the wide main road toward the grand southern gate, Li-Wen observed the sheer volume of people entering the city.
There were wealthy merchants riding atop broad-backed spiritual beasts, proud young geniuses from regional sects wearing colorful silk robes, and wandering mercenary groups carrying blood-stained weapons. All of them were drawn here for a single reason—the upcoming Imperial Academy Selection.
"Keep moving! Have your entry permits and identification tokens ready!" a stern-faced guard captain shouted at the gate, flanked by armored guards holding heavy iron spears embedded with defensive talismans.
The queue for entry was hundreds of feet long. Commoners and low-tier cultivators were subjected to rigorous searches, while wealthy nobles showed heavy purse bags or merchant tokens to pass through the priority lanes.
Li-Wen walked calmly toward the priority lane.
"Halt!" an arrogant guard stepped forward, raising his spear to block Li-Wen's path. He looked at Li-Wen's plain, unadorned light-grey robes and sneered. "Kid, this lane is reserved for VIP merchants, regional sect envoys, and high nobles! The common queue is on the right! Back off before I charge you with obstructing official city traffic!"
Li-Wen didn't even blink. He reached into his sleeve, casually pulling out the dark gold token embedded with a shimmering violet crystal—the VIP Gold-Feather Token of the Su Merchant Association.
The moment the guard's eyes landed on the shimmering violet crystal and the intricate golden feather emblem, his arrogant sneer froze instantly. His face went pale, and his knees trembled so violently his iron armor clattered.
A Gold-Feather Token!
That was a token reserved exclusively for core members of the Su Family or guests of the highest honor! Even the City Governor had to treat a holder of this token with deep respect!
"M-My apologies, Young Master!" the guard stuttered frantically, dropping his spear and bowing so low his nose almost touched the dusty cobblestones. "I was blind! I failed to recognize an honored guest of the Su Association! Please, enter immediately!"
The surrounding guards and queuing cultivators stared in utter shock as the grey-robed youth casually slid the token back into his sleeve and walked through the grand gates without paying a single copper coin.
Inside Azure Sky City, the sheer grandiosity of the province's capital unfolded before Li-Wen's eyes.
The streets were wide enough for eight carriages to drive side by side. On both sides stood multi-story pavilions made of rare fragrant wood, selling everything from low-grade spirit pills, rare beast hides, array scrolls, to exquisite martial weapons. The concentration of spiritual energy in the air was at least three times higher than in Azure Mist City, fed by a massive subterranean spirit vein beneath the city's foundation.
Li-Wen navigated through the bustling crowds, heading straight toward the central district where the main branch of the Su Merchant Association was located.
Standing at the heart of the commercial district was a magnificent, five-story building crafted from polished white marble and gold leaf—the Golden Pavilion. A grand banner bearing the emblem of a soaring golden feather fluttered proudly above the entrance.
As Li-Wen approached the main doors, two neatly dressed attendants stepped forward, bowing respectfully.
"Welcome to the Golden Pavilion," one of the attendants said politely. "How may our association assist Young Master today? Are you looking for spirit herbs, weapons, or trade auctions?"
"I am here to see Su Qing-Er," Li-Wen stated plainly.
The attendant blinked in surprise. Manager Su Qing-Er was the secondary manager of the branch, but her status had recently skyrocketed after returning from her mission in the wilderness. She was currently handling major provincial affairs and rarely met unannounced guests.
"May I ask if Young Master has an appointment or a token?" the attendant asked carefully.
Li-Wen casually showed the edge of the Gold-Feather Token.
The attendant's breath hitched. "P-Please follow me to the VIP lounge on the top floor immediately! I shall inform Manager Su at once!"
A few minutes later, inside an elegant, lotus-scented private pavilion on the fifth floor.
The door opened smoothly, and Su Qing-Er stepped inside. She was dressed in an exquisite, crimson silk dress that accentuated her graceful figure, her dark hair pinned with a delicate jade hairclip. However, despite her professional composure, her eyes lit up with genuine delight the moment she saw the grey-robed youth sitting quietly by the tea table.
"Young Master Wu!" Su Qing-Er said, bowing deeply with her hands folded in front of her. "I did not expect you to arrive in the capital so quickly!"
Li-Wen took a slow sip of the fragrant tea and looked up at her calmly. "I do not like wasting time. How are the preparations I asked for?"
Su Qing-Er smiled subtly, taking a seat across from him. She pulled out a delicate, velvet-lined spatial box from her ring and placed it gently on the table.
"Everything Young Master requested has been gathered," Su Qing-Er said, her voice dropping to a low, professional tone. "Inside this box is a detailed map of Azure Sky City, as well as intelligence reports on three major matters happening within the next few days."
She opened the box, revealing several sealed parchment scrolls.
"First," Su Qing-Er pointed to the blue scroll, "the Grand Capital Auction organized by our association will take place in three days. Among the items being auctioned is a three-hundred-year-old Ice-Heart Lotus and a fragment of an ancient, unknown metallic meteorite. I recalled Young Master's interest in rare materials and spirit herbs."
Li-Wen's eyes flickered slightly. An Ice-Heart Lotus was a rare herb capable of stabilizing internal meridians, while ancient metallic meteorites often contained rare cosmic ores useful for forging high-grade divine weapons.
"And the second?" Li-Wen asked.
"Second," Su Qing-Er opened the purple scroll, "regards the Imperial Academy Selection. Due to the sudden influx of geniuses from across the province, the competition this year is unprecedentedly fierce. The major noble clans of the capital, including the prestigious Lin Clan and the Imperial Guard Faction, have produced several young experts at the Middle and Late Stages of the Earth-Realm. They are openly boasting about taking the top spots in the selection."
Li-Wen let out a cold, soft chuckle. "Mortal children playing at genius. Their ranks mean nothing to me."
Su Qing-Er nodded, having witnessed Li-Wen's terrifying power firsthand. She then leaned forward slightly, her expression becoming unusually grave as she pointed to the black scroll at the bottom of the box.
"Third... and most importantly," Su Qing-Er whispered, her eyes showing a trace of caution. "Intelligence indicates that deep beneath the northern ruins outside the city, an ancient subterranean tomb—the Sovereign Night Tomb—has shown signs of unsealing. Several secretive factions and dark-market organizations have already sent scouts into the area."
Li-Wen's golden pupils narrowed slightly as he heard the name 'Sovereign Night'.
In his past life as a God Emperor, he had encountered ancient sects that utilized the power of the primordial night. If this tomb truly belonged to an ancient cultivator of that era, the resources inside would be far superior to any ordinary mortal treasure.
"Sovereign Night Tomb..." Li-Wen repeated softly, a cold, expectant glint flashing in his dark eyes.
"This intelligence has been kept strictly confidential," Su Qing-Er added. "Only our association and a few top-tier powers know of its existence. If Young Master wishes to explore it, our association can provide a hidden entry route."
Li-Wen picked up the black scroll, sliding it into his robe along with the others.
"You have done well, Su Qing-Er," Li-Wen said calmly, rising from his chair. "Your association's efficiency pleases me. In return, if you encounter any trouble in the future that your guards cannot resolve, bring my name."
Su Qing-Er's heart skipped a beat. A promise from a youth who could crush Fourth-Tier beasts with a single punch was more valuable than millions of high-grade spirit stones!
"Thank you, Young Master Wu!" Su Qing-Er bowed gratefully. "Where will Young Master be staying? I can arrange the highest suite in the pavilion for you."
"No need," Li-Wen replied coolly, walking toward the balcony. "I prefer quietude. I shall return in three days for the auction."
SWOOSH!
Before Su Qing-Er could offer a guard escort, Li-Wen stepped onto the balcony railing and blurred into a shadow, leaping across the rooftops of Azure Sky City and vanishing into the evening mist within seconds.
Su Qing-Er stood by the open balcony, watching the distant sky where the youth had disappeared, a deep, thoughtful smile appearing on her lips.
"The capital is about to become very interesting," she whispered softly.
See you in next chapter.....