Zhou Ruolin looked into his sister’s eyes and saw an unquestionable sense of determination.
He knew he was destined to be unable to change her decision.
He followed with a soft sigh, offering a cautious reminder befitting an emperor.
“Since you have this resolve, I will not stop you. But remember, in all things, you must plan before you act.”
“Master Lu seems easygoing, but in reality, his mind is sharp. Do not expose too much in front of him, lest you cause unnecessary trouble or misunderstandings. Remember, the Jin Royal Family will always be your support…”
“I understand, Royal Brother.”
Zhou Ruoxi nodded slightly.
“I will act with caution. When the time is right, I will find a reasonable way to rejoin Master’s sect. In this life, I will certainly protect him, and I will never let anyone harm him in any way again!”
Zhou Ruoxi’s voice was cold and resolute, echoing through the empty Imperial Study of the Imperial Palace like an inviolable oath.
Outside the window, the moonlight was cold, reflecting in her eyes.
Within them burned an intensely frigid flame of ice, capable of incinerating any obstacle.
***
The next morning, the light of dawn was faint.
Lu Li calculated the time and pushed open his room door, preparing to leave the Inn silently before his two disciples woke up.
He intended to conduct a solitary investigation into the bizarre Dream Phenomenon within the Royal City.
However, just as Lu Li stepped out, the two neighboring doors creaked open simultaneously.
As if they had made an appointment, Gu Qingying and Gong Shangyu appeared at Lu Li’s doorway on his left and right the moment he stepped out.
Their faces wore identical smiles, tinged with a bit of fawning and anticipation.
“Hehe… Master, you’re up early!”
Gu Qingying’s voice was clear, her Purple Eyes curving into crescents.
“Are you preparing to head out?”
Gong Shangyu immediately chimed in, curiosity flickering in her pink eyes.
“Ara~ Master, where are you going? Take us with you when you go out. We haven’t had a good chance to explore this Imperial Capital of Jin yet!”
Hearing this, Lu Li paused, inwardly lamenting his luck.
The reason he had woken up so early was to act alone and facilitate a secret investigation of the city.
He hadn’t expected these two disciples to wake up even earlier than him and block him so accurately.
“Ahem…”
Lu Li cleared his throat, maintaining a calm expression while casually making up an excuse.
“Your teacher… just saw that the weather in the city is fine and wanted to take a casual walk to see the prosperous scenery of the Imperial Capital of Jin.”
“After all, it is rare for us to visit the Kingdom of Jin. The Imperial Capital of Jin is so prosperous; it would be a pity not to take a look around.”
Lu Li tried to appear relaxed and casual, as if he truly were just going sightseeing.
However, his two “considerate” disciples clearly did not intend to let him have his way.
“Oh? Shopping? That’s wonderful!”
Gu Qingying immediately took a step forward, grabbing Lu Li’s sleeve and shaking it gently with a thick tone of acting spoiled.
“Hey… Master~ take us with you!”
“I am also very curious about this Imperial Capital of Jin! How boring would it be for you to go out alone… with us accompanying you, we can entertain you and help carry your things!”
Gong Shangyu refused to be outdone, approaching from the other side and expressing her sincerity with an unusual degree of earnestness.
“Indeed, Master. Your disciple has long heard of Yicheng’s reputation, especially the Fangshi in the south of the city. It is said to gather rare treasures and specialty snacks from all over. I’ve wanted to see it for a long time.”
“So… Master, please take us along. We promise to be obedient and definitely won’t cause any trouble for you!”
The two disciples, one on each side, pleaded with soft words and expectant gazes, sandwiching Lu Li in the middle.
Lu Li looked at the two “youths” before him.
Seeing their desire to follow their teacher and see the world, he truly could not harden his heart enough to sternly refuse them.
After all, in his understanding, children of their age were at a stage where they were naturally playful and curious.
Lu Li sighed and helplessly rubbed his brow.
“Sigh… fine, fine. Since you want to go, then come along and wander with me. However—”
Lu Li’s expression turned serious as he emphasized once more, “You must stay close to your teacher. Do not act on your own, and especially do not run off to cause trouble. Understood?”
“Mm… understood! Thank you, Master!”
The two disciples spoke in unison, their faces instantly blooming with brilliant smiles as if they had received a massive boon.
Following Lu Li, the master and disciples left the Inn and casually merged into the morning flow of people in Yicheng.
Lu Li walked silently in front, seemingly wandering aimlessly, but his gaze carefully swept over the pedestrians, shops, and even certain ordinary-looking corners, secretly searching for any clues related to that Collective Dream.
Gu Qingying and Gong Shangyu, these two rebellious disciples, followed obediently behind Lu Li.
On the surface, they also looked like curious children, looking left and right to admire the scenery of a foreign capital.
However, their gazes were equally sharp.
Relying on their experience as Reincarnators and their spiritual senses that far surpassed ordinary people, they were also secretly searching for suspicious points in the city.
As Lu Li and his disciples walked through the streets of Yicheng, they could clearly feel that the Royal City was even more lively today than when they arrived yesterday.
The air was permeated with a faint sense of excitement and anticipation.
At the same time, among the crowds passing through the streets, the proportion of cultivators had significantly increased.
Cultivators wearing various Sect robes or dressed as Scattered Cultivators could be seen everywhere.
Many shops in the city were decorated with lanterns and streamers, displaying even more special goods aimed at cultivators.
In some open squares and clearings, cultivators had even marked out areas in advance, seemingly preparing to hold events there.
The level of Qi activity in the surrounding air was two or three times higher than usual.
Children played and frolicked on the wide streets; Scattered Cultivator illusionists were surrounded by residents watching their performances; musicians and singers wore four-colored painted masks…
The large and small streets of the entire Yicheng were filled by the ceaseless surge of visitors, bustling with noise and excitement.
Gu Qingying was dazzled by the sights along the way.
Such prosperous scenery was something she had not seen in either her Former Life or her current one.
The air was thick with the aroma of honey and gourmet food.
The restaurants and eateries along the streets were packed to capacity, and many temporary tables had even been set up outside.
These tables were laden with various spirit foods, fragrant spirit wine, fresh fruits, and precious Spirit Vegetables.
Almost all the residents of Yicheng had gathered here to spend this celebratory time before the Secret Realm opened.
The people of Jin on the streets, regardless of gender or age, were all dressed in decent clothing.
The shops in the city displayed their most attractive signs outside, and dark-skinned vendors stood at the entrances of restaurants, loudly hawking their specialty dishes.
Even on a distant street corner, several women in magnificent dance dresses with graceful figures danced elegantly in front of some grandly decorated restaurants to attract customers.
Echoing over the entire city were stirring and cheerful melodies full of a festive atmosphere; hanging everywhere were bright, shining Glazed Lamps and candles.
Naturally, there were also performance platforms built in various places, and musicians in the square playing wind and string instruments or the huqin.
Furthermore, some cultivators would occasionally fly past overhead.
At this moment, on the streets and alleys of Yicheng, the faces of all the citizens were overflowing with joy, showcasing the wealth and prosperity of this Imperial Capital of Jin and the peace and harmony of its people.
Lu Li and his two disciples followed the crowded flow of people, slowly moving toward the Central Square of the city.
Listening to the discussions of the people around them, it seemed that beneath the giant statue of the Founder of Jin in the Central Square, there would be even grander song, dance, and acrobatic performances.
Brilliant flashes of magic occasionally exploded in the sky, reflecting on the surface of the calm moat that ran through the city.
It looked like a galaxy of dazzling colors pouring down from the nine heavens, flowing wantonly on the mirror-like water.
At the docks along the city’s waterways, countless boats flying various flags were silently moored, their sails furled and anchors dropped.
At this moment, many boatmen and sailors leaned against the gunwales, singing loudly and drinking a mellow, foaming liquor brewed from spirit grain and honey.
Following the river loop stood rows of tall, slender flagpoles, upon which colorful flags fluttered constantly.
These flags were embroidered with the insignias of the major cultivation clans and prestigious families of the Kingdom of Jin.
The prosperous scenes before her were sights that Gu Qingying had never seen even in her Former Life.
She looked at the cultivators around them who were dressed beautifully and possessed extraordinary temperaments.
Many among them were clearly individuals with profound cultivation, and some cultivators did not even bother to hide their presence, bringing the Ling Shou they had tamed along with them.
Consequently, snow-white, extraordinarily majestic Spirit Deer could be seen pacing the streets, and there were also foxes with red fur and spiritual light in their eyes following obediently…
Even in the sky above, several Spirit Birds with wondrous forms and gorgeous feathers occasionally flew by.
The residents of Yicheng were clearly long accustomed to these high-status cultivators and their spirit pets in the Royal City.
Their gazes held mostly envy and admiration rather than the fear common people usually felt when seeing supernatural creatures.
Gu Qingying looked at the festive atmosphere on the street, which was different from a normal market, especially those cultivators who were rubbing their hands and eager to try their skills.
She couldn’t help but feel a bit curious.
After all, she hadn’t stayed in the Kingdom of Jin for long in her Former Life, so she didn’t have a deep understanding of the customs and habits here.
“Eh? What’s going on with this street? Why does it feel like everyone is so excited? It’s like they’re preparing for a festival?”
While Gu Qingying was muttering curiously, Gong Shangyu, who had once been a beggar in the Imperial Capital of Jin, understood the situation with a single glance at the surroundings.
She spoke to Gu Qingying in a knowledgeable tone.
“Sigh~ You don’t understand, do you? Looking at this posture, the Dharma Combat Assembly is probably about to begin.”
“Ah? The Dharma Combat Assembly?”
Gu Qingying blinked her Purple Eyes, expressing her confusion.
“Mm,” Gong Shangyu explained patiently.
“Every time before the Secret Realm Trial of the Jin Royal Family opens, cultivators from the surrounding regions—whether they are Sect disciples or Scattered Cultivators—will spontaneously gather at the hosting site in advance. On one hand, this is to trade resources and gather information; on the other hand, it’s an opportunity to make a name for themselves or settle some grudges between each other.”
Gong Shangyu pointed to the cleared open areas and arenas in the distance and explained, “Do you see that? Those are the temporary combat platforms. That is where the local cultivators of Jin will hold the Dharma Combat Assembly in a moment.”
“Actually, this so-called Dharma Combat Assembly can be considered an appetizer before the opening of the Secret Realm of the Jin Royal Family. It is also the liveliest time in Yicheng every few years.”