.
As news of Xiao Ling's return to the Jiama Empire gradually spread, knowledge spread to every clan in the capital, large and small.
Since Xiao Ling had made no secret of himself when he appeared at the Ghost-Suppressing Pass, many ordinary people who had previously been unfamiliar with Xiao Ling now had a preliminary understanding of this young man, known as the "Gama Empire's greatest genius in a thousand years."
Some time after Xiao Ling's return to the Jiama Empire, the Xiao family, whose power had plummeted after the death of their former patriarch, Xiao Lin, had been forced to relocate from the imperial capital over a decade earlier, returned to the Jiama Empire due to Xiao Ling's ascendancy.
Furthermore, because Xiao Ling was also a distinguished sixth-rank alchemist, the Xiao family's status seemed poised to surpass its former peak.
Furthermore, the return of Ice Emperor Hai Bodong, one of the "Ten Powerful Men of the Jiama Empire" a few days earlier, to the imperial capital, where he engaged in a sparring match with the imperial guardian, Jia Xingtian, brought a new lease of life to the long-calm capital.
While the outcome of this Dou Huang battle remains unknown, Hai Bodong's return has given the Mitel family an additional Dou Huang warrior.
Originally the weakest of the three great families in the imperial capital, the Mitel family has suddenly become a top power in the Gama Empire, second only to the imperial family and the Yunlan Sect.
Furthermore, those with ulterior motives have noticed that Hai Bodong, the Mitel family's Grand Elder, has been frequently flirting with the newly relocated Xiao family since returning to the imperial capital. He
not only provided considerable assistance to the newly relocated Xiao family, helping them regain their footing in the capital, but also publicly stated that the Mitel family is the Xiao family's staunchest ally.
Seeing Hai Bodong's close friendship with the Xiao family sparked speculation among the leaders of various factions, considering that Hai Bodong had returned to the Gama Empire shortly after Xiao Ling's return. To suggest that these two had no connection was simply unbelievable.
The Xiao family, originally unfamiliar with the area, gained the full support of the Mitel family led by Hai Bodong, and their long-standing friendship with the Nalan family. Even though the legendary prodigy Xiao Ling hadn't returned to the Xiao family, they had already secured a place in the Jiama Imperial Capital, becoming one of its leading factions.
...
The sky was like a blue canvas, dotted with white clouds and sunlight, reflecting an endless sense of vastness and freedom.
Amidst the layers of white clouds, a slender black figure stood out. It was breaking through the clouds ahead at breakneck speed, leaving behind a bright blue trail.
Xiao Ling stood atop the Split Sky Seat, the oncoming turbulence unaffected by his form. His long, silvery blue hair, swept by the wind, shimmered in the sunlight.
Beside Xiao Ling, Qing Lin, brushed her wind-twisted hair behind her ear, her gaze fixed forward, a city looming before her.
"Young Master, is that city up ahead the capital of the Jia Ma Empire?" Qing Lin's face was filled with curiosity, glancing sideways at Xiao Ling ahead.
"Yes, that's the capital. My family should have relocated there by now." Nodding gently, Xiao Ling gazed at the city as it appeared before his eyes, a feeling of emotion welling up in his heart.
After all these years of traveling through the Dou Qi Continent, this was Xiao Ling's first visit to the Jia Ma Empire's capital. He was about to return to his family, and his emotions were subtly fluctuating.
Zi Yan and Xiao Yi Xian, who were standing behind him, overheard their conversation and came closer, their gazes fixed on the horizon.
Although Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin were born in the Jia Ma Empire, they had only heard of the capital. Zi Yan, on the other hand, had lived in the Warcraft Mountains for as long as she could remember, and later followed Great Elder Su Qian into the inner courtyard of Canaan Academy. She was also quite curious about a city as large as the Jia Ma Capital.
As the Sky Breaker flew rapidly, the looming city gradually became clearer in everyone's sight.
The majestic city walls contrasted sharply with the surrounding natural scenery, further highlighting its unique charm and historical value.
The streets were bustling with people, as if beating the pulse of the city. Hurrying crowds streamed through the streets and alleys like a torrent of humanity.
As the imperial capital of the Jia Ma Empire, it was home to all the major factions within the Empire. After countless years of accumulation, the exquisite and prosperous architecture exuded an ancient and timeless aura.
Xiao Yixian and Qing Lin had never seen such a scene before, and were both stunned by it. Even Zi Yan and Xiao Ling, who had lived in Canaan Academy, were deeply moved by the prosperity of this holy city.
At that moment, Zi Yan sniffed her nose and pointed forward, her face brimming with excitement. "Xiao Ling, Xiao Ling, I've sensed the scent of many rare medicinal herbs in that city ahead. Let's go grab them together later, and I'll give you half!"
Rubbing Zi Yan's head, Xiao Ling looked at her and said helplessly, "Zi Yan, those herbs are treasured possessions of other factions. They're all already taken. This isn't the Black Horn Region. Seeing someone else's possessions pass to you, you can't just go and grab them."
Back when she lived at Canaan Academy, Zi Yan would occasionally visit the Black Horn Region. Whenever she took a fancy to someone else's property, she would forcibly seize it. Relying on her unique spatial talent and her proximity to Canaan Academy, the factions within the region lacked any powerful threat, allowing her to frequently harvest rare herbs.
Since the people of the Black Horn Region were known to be extremely vicious, Su Qian didn't stop Zi Yan from doing so. However, now that they were in the Jiama Empire, these people hadn't provoked Xiao Ling, so directly snatching the herbs from them was inappropriate. If others knew about this, they wondered what they would say about them.
Zi Yan's face instantly fell upon hearing Xiao Ling's words. She could sense many precious herbs, but she couldn't take them away, which made her very upset. "Those herbs are useless in their warehouse. It's better for me to eat them all and grow up faster."
Seeing Zi Yan's sadness, Xiao Ling laughed. "It's just some herbs. When I return to the Xiao family, I'm sure many people will bring them to us."
"Really? But why would they take the initiative to deliver the herbs to our door?" Zi Yan's eyes lit up, and she asked curiously.
"Xiao Ling is a sixth-rank alchemist. Unlike Gu He, the guest elder of the Yunlan Sect, who already has a position, Xiao Ling is a first-time alchemist in the imperial capital. The higher-ups will undoubtedly want to cultivate good relations with him. The most appropriate gift for an alchemist is naturally precious medicinal herbs. If you want Xiao Ling to refine elixirs, you'll need to prepare sufficient herbs and a reward worthy of his status. It's a considerable sum," explained the Little Medical Immortal behind her to Zi Yan.
After spending several days together, Xiao Ling and the other two had become familiar. Drawing on his experiences in the Black Horn Territory and his knowledge of the original text, Xiao Ling shared some previously unfamiliar information with Xiao Yixian. During these days of study, Xiao Yixian also gained a deeper understanding of the situation outside of Qingshan Town.
Zi Yan's eyes lit up as she listened to Xiao Yixian's explanations. She imagined herself lying amidst a pile of medicinal herbs, stuffing her mouth with a variety of delicious herbs.
Gazing at the approaching Jiama Imperial City, Xiao Ling released the spiritual power from his brow. After some exploration, he discovered the newly relocated Xiao family residence in the heart of the city.
Touching his chin, Xiao Ling thought to himself, "I'm afraid I won't be returning to the Xiao family much in the future. Since this is my first time in the capital, I need to showcase my strength and intimidate the various factions within. This will prevent those arrogant individuals from thinking the Xiao family is vulnerable after I leave."
With a thought, the Sky-Splitting Throne beneath him transformed, evidently a Mega Evolution that Xiao Ling rarely used in public.
...
The central area of Jiama Holy City was dotted with numerous powerful mansions, and at its heart stood a magnificent palace. This was the residence of the Jiama Imperial Family, the most prominent faction in the Jiama Empire.
Surrounding it were the Alchemist Guild, the Nalan Family, the Mu Family, and the Mitel Auction headquarters. Without a Dou Wang-level warrior within the family, settling here would be impossible. This demonstrates the preciousness of the central area of the Holy City.
At that moment, the azure sky shifted abruptly, and a domineering aura spread recklessly.
The previously bustling center of the Jiama Imperial City suddenly became restless with the appearance of this aura.
As this aura spread, the powerful within the Jiama Imperial City sensed its presence.
In a moment, several elders, each bearing Dou Qi wings, appeared in the sky above the center of the Imperial City.
"Who are these arrivals, bringing such a commotion?" Jia Xingtian murmured to himself, stroking his beard.
He was the strongest of the group and the first to arrive.
Hai Bodong narrowed his eyes, observing the scene in the sky. "This aura gives me a sense of déjà vu."
"If they're hostile and a fight is necessary, we alchemists aren't good at that." The person who spoke these words, atop an alchemy furnace and with a pair of delicate wings of Dou Qi spread out behind him, was Fa Ma, the president of the Jia Ma Empire Alchemist Guild.
Behind the three of them were Mu Chen, patriarch of the Mu family, and Nalan Jie, the former patriarch of the Nalan family. Both were Dou Wang cultivators, and their future actions would depend on the plans of the three Dou Huangs in front of them.
As they pondered this, a black dragon head pierced through the clouds, half emerging and letting out a high-pitched roar. From its upper and lower jaws, long, golden ribbons stretched out, fluttering in the wind, a majestic presence.
Immediately afterwards, the demonic beast emerged completely from the clouds. Its slender figure, its hide like a black gemstone, its back and shoulders adorned with red rings. Three sharp claws gleamed with a cold gleam on its limbs. Its
ruby-like eyes swept calmly over the five elders before it, as if they were nothing, without a trace of emotion.
Jia Xingtian frowned at the aura emanating from the black demonic beast. He sensed that the beast's aura was comparable to his own, likely a peak-level sixth-tier beast. However, he felt a sense of danger. A battle with it would be highly unlikely.
A demonic beast of this high level should be able to understand human speech. He first asked its purpose, hoping to avoid any hostility.
Just as Jia Xingtian was about to speak, a voice shattered the silence.
"Master Xiao Ling, I didn't expect you to arrive in the Jiama Imperial Capital so quickly. I thought it would take you a while to resolve the situation in the Tagor Desert." Hai Bodong flapped his icy blue wings of Dou Qi and flew towards the Split Sky Seat.
As the Split Sky Seat appeared, Hai Bodong sensed four figures atop it. Three of them bore familiar auras: Master Xiao Ling, who had refined the Evil-Breaking Pill for him, and the two young girls he kept with him. He didn't know why there was another young girl, but it had nothing to do with him.
Upon hearing this, the other four elders cast their gazes above the Split Sky Seat. There stood four figures, and the young man at the center suddenly dawned on them.
They had seen Xiao Ling's portrait before, but they hadn't expected this renowned Jiama prodigy to have tamed such an unknown sixth-tier monster.
"Mr. Hai, it's been a long time. Seeing you look so energetic, you seem to have recovered quite well." At this moment, Xiao Ling, standing atop the Split Sky Seat, spoke calmly.
"Haha, the elixirs refined by Master Xiao Ling are naturally extraordinary." Hai Bodong laughed heartily, then pointed to the elders behind him. "That one with the glasses is Jia Xingtian, the guardian of the Jia Ma Empire's royal family. The one with the cauldron on his head is Master Fa Ma, the president of the Alchemist Guild. That one is Mu Zhan, the head of the Mu family. That one is Nalan Jie, the former head of the Nalan family..."
As Hai Bodong finished introducing the men, Xiao Ling also got to know them. They were all prominent figures in the imperial capital.
Xiao Ling exchanged a few pleasantries with the elders and prepared to leave, returning to the Xiao family.
Just as Xiao Ling was about to leave, Jia Xingtian smiled broadly and said to Xiao Ling, "Master Xiao Ling, I wonder when we can start refining the elixir we agreed on earlier."
Hearing Jia Xingtian's question, Xiao Ling suddenly realized what he had almost forgotten.
Nodding slightly, Xiao Ling smiled at Jia Xingtian and said, "I'll go back to the family first. Send someone to deliver three batches of herbs tomorrow, and then I can help you refine them."
"Okay, Master Xiao Ling has been away from home practicing since he was young, and I think he misses the family very much. I won't bother you for now. I'll send someone to deliver the herbs to your house tomorrow." Jia Xingtian smiled and stroked his beard.
(End of this chapter)