Naturally...
As the rulers of Lan Mao City...
The Jiang Family had become the busiest force.
Hundreds of Jiang Family disciples continuously patrolled the city.
Their duty was no longer simply maintaining order.
Now...
They had to prevent conflicts between cultivators arriving from different regions.
Regardless of one's background...
Inside Lan Mao City...
Everyone had to obey the Jiang Family's regulations.
Even the great sects respected those rules.
After all...
This was still Jiang territory.
...
Inside the Jiang Family Manor...
Disciples constantly hurried through the halls carrying jade slips and communication talismans.
The atmosphere had become increasingly tense.
Inside the main hall...
Grand Elder Jiang slowly placed a jade slip onto the table.
After reading its contents...
His expression became slightly serious.
The current Patriarch immediately noticed.
"Father..."
"Has something happened?"
Grand Elder Jiang nodded.
"The Imperial Family has entered Lan Mao City's territory."
The entire hall instantly became silent.
Even the elders unconsciously straightened their backs.
"The Imperial Family..."
"So they've finally arrived..."
Grand Elder Jiang slowly stood.
"Prepare to welcome them personally."
"No mistakes are allowed."
Every elder immediately cupped their fists.
"Yes, Grand Elder!"
...
Outside the city...
Thousands of cultivators still gathered around the Ancient Golden Gate.
Some meditated.
Some studied ancient records.
Others simply stared at the silent gate.
Suddenly...
A disciple guarding the northern watchtower widened his eyes.
He pointed toward the distant horizon.
"Look!"
"Something is coming!"
His shout immediately attracted everyone's attention.
Far beyond the northern mountains...
A tiny golden light slowly appeared.
At first...
It looked like an ordinary flying artifact.
However...
With every passing breath...
The golden light rapidly grew larger.
An invisible pressure gradually descended upon the city.
Many spirit beasts instinctively lowered their heads.
Even several flying mounts became unusually quiet.
An experienced elder narrowed his eyes.
"This..."
"This is Imperial Authority..."
Immediately...
The noisy city became much quieter.
One conversation after another stopped.
Disciples from every great sect walked out of their camps.
Mo Chenyu looked toward the northern sky.
Li Tianjian slowly ended his cultivation.
Long Yuntian gently stroked the white fox resting upon his shoulder.
Mu Qingxue stepped out from her temporary alchemy pavilion.
Almost every young genius...
Turned toward the same direction.
...
Within moments...
Its true appearance finally emerged.
A magnificent Imperial Heavenly Ark slowly descended through the clouds.
Gasps immediately echoed throughout the city.
The ark was nearly three hundred meters long.
Its hull had been forged from Heavenly Spirit Ironwood reinforced with countless ancient formations.
Golden runes flowed across its surface like rivers of light.
Nine majestic golden dragon sculptures guarded its bow.
At the highest point...
A black-and-gold imperial banner fluttered proudly.
Only one character was embroidered upon it.
Jun.
"The Imperial Family!"
"It's the Crown Prince's Heavenly Ark!"
"So they've finally arrived!"
Excitement spread across the city.
Even many sect elders personally stepped forward to watch.
...
The Heavenly Ark slowly landed outside the eastern gate of Lan Mao City.
Its descent was perfectly steady.
Not even a grain of dust rose into the air.
Rows of Imperial Guards immediately stepped forward.
Each wore black-and-gold armor.
Every movement was perfectly synchronized.
Without speaking...
They formed two perfectly straight lines leading from the ark's entrance.
No one dared step closer.
...
Moments later...
Three young men walked down the jade staircase.
The first casually stretched his shoulders before smiling.
"Haha..."
"So this is Lan Mao City?"
"There are far more people here than I expected."
It was...
Qin Huang.
The Young Master of the Qin Family.
Behind him...
A young man wearing bright crimson robes descended while lazily waving a folding fan.
The moment he saw the crowd...
His eyes immediately brightened.
"Hahaha!"
"I knew this trip wouldn't disappoint me."
"There are so many beautiful young ladies here!"
Several nearby disciples almost stumbled.
Qin Huang sighed helplessly.
"Feng Xun..."
"Can you be serious for once?"
Feng Xun laughed.
"If I become serious..."
"I won't be Feng Xun anymore."
Just then...
Another calm voice sounded.
"That's exactly the problem."
A young man wearing elegant blue robes slowly stepped down.
His expression remained calm.
His sharp eyes quietly observed everything around him.
He was...
Yun Chen.
The Young Master of the Yun Family.
Looking at Feng Xun...
He sighed.
"You haven't even entered the city..."
"And you've already embarrassed us."
Feng Xun shrugged.
"I'm simply appreciating beauty."
"Is appreciating beauty a crime?"
Qin Huang burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!"
"Brother Yun..."
"Just ignore him."
"We've known him since childhood."
"If he ever becomes quiet..."
"That would truly be frightening."
Even Yun Chen couldn't help smiling.
Watching the three chatting so naturally...
Many cultivators were surprised.
"So..."
"The famous young masters of the Qin, Feng, and Yun Families really are close friends."
...
At that moment...
A familiar voice came from ahead.
"Feng Xun."
"I leave Lan Mao City for a few days..."
"And you've already started causing trouble?"
Everyone turned.
Jiang Yisheng was walking toward them with several Jiang Family disciples.
The moment Feng Xun saw him...
His eyes lit up.
"Yisheng!"
"You finally came!"
Without hesitation...
He threw an arm around Jiang Yisheng's shoulder.
"Hahaha!"
"I almost thought you'd forgotten your brothers after becoming the Young Master of Lan Mao City."
Jiang Yisheng smiled helplessly.
"And I thought you'd become more mature."
"It seems I expected too much."
Qin Huang laughed.
"I told you."
"He still hasn't changed."
The four old friends chatted naturally.
Months apart had done nothing to weaken their friendship.
Watching them...
Many disciples looked on with envy.
...
Meanwhile...
Inside the highest room of the Heavenly Cloud Inn...
Luo Qiki quietly stood beside the window.
From there...
She had witnessed the Imperial Heavenly Ark's arrival from beginning to end.
Her gaze swept across the majestic ark...
The perfectly disciplined Imperial Guards...
And finally...
The four young masters laughing together below.
Her lips twitched ever so slightly.
"..."
After watching them for another moment...
She quietly muttered,
"...Such a show-off." 😒
Inside her mind...
Situ Ee almost burst out laughing.
"Host... those are the four most famous young geniuses of the Tian Wu Empire."
"Countless girls dream of meeting them."
Luo Qiki simply shrugged.
"So?"
"A show-off is still a show-off."
Situ Ee became completely speechless.
"..."
Outside...
The Imperial Guards remained perfectly still.
The four young masters also gradually stopped talking.
Their expressions slowly became respectful.
The atmosphere instantly changed.
Everyone understood...
The true master of the Imperial Heavenly Ark...
Had yet to appear.
To Be Continued...