Volume Two: Travels in the State of Qi Chapter 123: The Grand Competition Begins

“This young lady, share half with me,” Zhang Heng said, trying to coax her.

“No,” Qi Sisi turned her head away.

“Without me, did you win so much? I was fighting desperately up there. Sharing half with me is only fair.” Seeing Qi Sisi ignore him, Zhang Heng began to whine pitifully.

“It wasn’t me who sent you there; you insisted on fighting,” Qi Sisi replied with a sly smile.

Zhang Heng looked solemnly at the martial arena, no longer arguing with Qi Sisi, and instead quickly walked away.

“Don’t be mad, I’m just joking. Here, all of it’s yours,” Qi Sisi thought Zhang Heng was angry and hurriedly handed over all the spiritual stones she had won.

Spiritual stones were primarily used for cultivation. Since she disliked cultivation, holding onto so many was useless; better to give them all to Zhang Heng. With his cultivation improved, she would have a powerful free bodyguard.

Zhang Heng did not refuse; he took the spiritual stones casually. The spiritual energy contained within was substantial. Although not as potent as spirit spring water, it was useful when resources were scarce.

As a princess of the Qi Kingdom who disliked cultivation, Qi Sisi naturally had no shortage of such resources.

“Why are you walking so fast? Wait for me!” Zhang Heng walked quickly ahead, with Qi Sisi chasing after him desperately.

Naturally, he had to move quickly. Eight pieces of spiritual essence were no small amount. Even in this grand martial arena, they would be reluctant to lose it. If he delayed, he might never get away.

Safely outside the martial arena, Zhang Heng paused, wondering if he had been overthinking things.

It made sense—this martial arena dared to possess such treasures, so it was not afraid of people winning spiritual stones from them.

“What are you staring at?” As they reached a distance, Zhang Heng kept his eyes fixed on Qi Sisi, making her blush and appear demure.

“Have you fallen for me?” Qi Sisi smiled mischievously, leaning close to Zhang Heng’s face.

Qi Sisi was not unattractive, but because she disliked cultivation, her strength was low and she lacked the ethereal aura that cultivators with high cultivation possessed, making her incomparable to powerful female cultivators.

“Had enough fun? If you’re done, just go back to the palace on your own,” Zhang Heng said coldly, turning away. Before Qi Sisi could respond, he activated the Little Aurora Phantom technique and dashed rapidly toward the inn where he was staying.

Qi Sisi was left stomping angrily in place.

“Zhang Heng, no matter how fast you run, you can’t escape my grasp,” she said with a smile, then walked toward the imperial city.

With the imperial city competition approaching, as a member of the Qi royal family, she naturally had to contribute.

Ten days remained. Back at the inn, Zhang Heng lay on his bed, silently calculating.

There were ten days until the imperial city competition began. His current cultivation was at the ninth rank of the Qingling Realm. Without using the “Heart-Protecting Sword,” his combat strength was roughly equivalent to a sixth-rank Yuan Dan cultivator.

That was still insufficient.

Qi Xuan and Mu Wanqing were both ninth-rank Yuan Dan cultivators, and both were absolute prodigies. Their combat power might even rival the Return Ruins Realm.

Thus, if Zhang Heng wanted to defeat them through his own strength, he had to hurry and level up!

He had been preoccupied with practicing martial skills lately and hadn’t made much progress in cultivation. From now on, he only needed to stay in this room, drinking spirit elixir continuously.

Without shaking his foundation, ten days would be enough for him to reach around the third rank of the Qi Sea.

While Zhang Heng closed his door and diligently drank spirit elixir, various parts of the Qi imperial city were preparing for the upcoming imperial city competition.

Ordinary young cultivators hoped to showcase themselves as much as possible, aiming to catch the royal family's attention and secure a position in the palace.

If they performed extraordinarily, they might even attract the notice of major sects and soar to great heights.

Everyone knew one purpose of the Qi royal family's imperial city competition was to recruit outstanding talented cultivators to strengthen the nation.

Major sects also used it as an opportunity to recruit gifted independent cultivators.

Therefore, it was taken very seriously.

The true prodigies, though indifferent to the rewards offered by the Qi royal family, saw this as a prime chance to compete against peers of similar age. With the pride of geniuses, none wanted to miss it. To avoid falling behind, they adjusted their state meticulously.

As for those without strength or past their prime, they were enthusiastic spectators, for each imperial city competition was a rare visual feast showcasing dazzling talents.

Cultivation knows no age; time flows like water.

In the blink of an eye, the long-awaited imperial city competition finally arrived.

On that day, most inns and shops in the imperial city's streets closed, and countless cultivators flooded into the palace.

The competition was held at the palace’s martial arena. At such times, the palace gates opened wide, welcoming all cultivators and common folk alike.

Zhang Heng ended his cultivation session, stood up, and gazed ahead.

“The imperial city competition. I, Zhang Heng, have arrived!” With a confident smile, Zhang Heng pushed open the door and stepped out.

Today was the opening and preliminary round of the imperial city competition.

Zhang Heng walked for a long time on the street but saw few people. Most were rushing toward the palace, eager to secure good viewing spots.

With a flash, Zhang Heng activated the Little Aurora Phantom technique and dashed toward the imperial city—not to compete with ordinary folk for space, but to practice his life-saving speed technique.

Speed decided everything.

Cultivation level, strength, and martial extremes mattered little. The Little Aurora Phantom technique was a true life-saver. As long as Zhang Heng ran fast enough, no danger could catch him.

Outside the palace, red decorations filled the air, and a ten-mile carpet stretched ahead. The Qi military stood on both sides, while countless cultivators crowded at the gate, all impatiently peering inside.

Zhang Heng was stunned. Judging by the scene, he might really be unable to get in. If he missed the competition because of the crowd, it would be a huge loss.

“Brother Zhang, you’re here,” Qi Xuan’s voice appeared beside him. The white-clad Qi Xuan walked toward Zhang Heng calmly.

“Brother Qi, were you waiting for me?”

“Brother Zhang, the palace gates are wide open. The number of people wanting to enter is overwhelming. Since you are a prodigy of this generation, you shouldn’t crowd with them. So I’m waiting here for you.”

“Please lead the way, Brother Qi,” Zhang Heng smiled helplessly.

Qi Xuan led Zhang Heng around, then entered the Qi imperial palace through a side gate. Zhang Heng was truly enlightened— even a prince had to use a side gate to enter the palace?

Inside the palace, flowing water gardens and courtyard walls complemented each other—a bona fide mansion standard!

Zhang Heng thought to himself that if he ever lost the motivation for cultivation, he would buy a palace like this to enjoy life.

“Brother Zhang, the ceremony has begun. My father is probably speaking now. Let’s head directly to the participants’ area,” Qi Xuan said.

Zhang Heng nodded. He had been locked away practicing and didn’t even know the basic flow of the imperial city competition.

After following Qi Xuan for about a quarter of an hour, they finally arrived at the royal martial arena.