C40 Hongxing City

After the incident in White Rock Town, over the next few days, the relationship among the five travelers warmed significantly. Even the usually reserved Tong San occasionally joined in the group's conversations.

Hong Tengqing, having splurged on a set of gold teeth in a city, let go of all his grudges against Liu Xingchang. In fact, he seemed eager to ingratiate himself with Liu Xingchang.

Hong Tengqing was like a troublemaking child who had finally found someone who could tame him, and since that person had also saved his life, he naturally warmed up to him in a rather sycophantic manner.

However, the most significant change during these days was not the group's dynamics or Hong Tengqing's attitude toward Liu Xingchang, but rather the evolving relationship between Liu Xingchang and Hu Gewan.

As they journeyed on, whether through cities, towns, or even countries, Liu Xingchang and Hu Gewan never brought up the idea of purchasing another White Fox. They continued to ride together on the same White Fox, transitioning from initial discomfort to a sweet and cozy companionship.

By sheer coincidence, as the group passed through a city called Seven Moons, they encountered a hunter's caravan specializing in Demonic Beasts, with no fewer than ten White Foxes in tow, all priced quite affordably at eighty Low-grade Spirit Stones each.

Liu Xingchang and Hu Gewan acted as if they hadn't seen them, with Hu Gewan blushing while Liu Xingchang remained the picture of serenity.

Hong Tengqing, eager to please Liu Xingchang, took some Low-grade Spirit Stones from his Qiankun Pouch and loudly offered to buy a White Fox for Liu Xingchang. However, he was met with a stern glare and a swift kick that sent him tumbling off his mount.

Feeling utterly aggrieved, Hong Tengqing climbed back onto his White Fox and lamented, "I was just trying to be nice, why treat me this way?"

Yan Tianni arched an eyebrow and gave Hong Tengqing a dismissive glance, remarking, "Some things aren't meant for children's ears. It's best you don't understand. If you're upset, just channel your frustration into your appetite and have a few extra bowls of rice later."

Hong Tengqing let out a sigh and remarked, "I'm feeling down today. Looks like I'll only manage seven bowls of rice."

A passerby overheard him and couldn't help but gape, looking at Hong Tengqing as if he were some kind of oddity, his lips twitching involuntarily.

Yan Tianni burst into hearty laughter.

The group's journey was filled with laughter, camaraderie, and mutual assistance, making the time fly by. Before they knew it, the half-month journey had come to an end without any incidents like those in White Rock Town, and they were fortunate enough to avoid any encounters with formidable cultivators.

After half a month, the party of five finally reached the border of the Central Region of the Azure Sky Realm—Hongxing City.

The Hidden Dragon Sect was a premier cultivation force in the heart of the Azure Sky Realm, revered as a sacred land by mortals and seen as the ultimate cultivation destination by cultivators. Each year, countless prodigies from the Azure Sky Realm would converge to participate in the Hidden Dragon Sect's selection trials. Joining the Hidden Dragon Sect was seen as a monumental leap towards greatness.

Due to the overwhelming number of participants, the Hidden Dragon Sect was divided into four audition regions: east, west, south, and north.

Hongxing City served as the southern audition region for the Hidden Dragon Sect. Situated on the fringe of the central area of the Azure Sky Realm, its location was somewhat remote, yet its significance was immense.

Because Hongxing City was the southern audition site for the Hidden Dragon Sect, it boasted greater prosperity than many of the central cities and nations within the Azure Sky Realm.

The city featured towering walls that seemed to stretch into infinity, a formidable protective formation that radiated a fearsome power, and a variety of trading caravans that made their way here annually.

But above all, the city was home to an innumerable array of young geniuses.

Year after year, scores of gifted youths from across the Azure Sky Realm would arrive in the southern region to try their luck at the Hidden Dragon Sect's auditions. Many who didn't make the cut opted to stay, as the city was, after all, part of the central region of the Azure Sky Realm. Even at its periphery, it offered more opportunities than returning to their local powers on the periphery.

This place was a haven for geniuses, yet it also served as their crucible.

Countless geniuses from peripheral, ordinary forces came here to measure themselves against even more of their kind. Some were indeed rare talents, but others began to fade into obscurity. The once-celebrated brilliance of these geniuses was now mercilessly trampled underfoot, ignored like mud underfoot.

Despite the fierce competition in Hongxing City, each year saw a relentless influx of geniuses, drawn by the allure of the city. For Cultivators, this was where dreams took flight!

They could either soar to great heights through Hongxing City's selection trials or start from the bottom, struggling every step of the way to eventual success. To the populace, only the weak would opt to leave after tasting defeat.

Liu Xingchang and his companions had also come to this city of dreams. What awaited them here?

The party of five reached the outskirts of Hongxing City, and before they could marvel at the city's grandeur, they were halted by two men clad in silver armor.

These men were muscular and towering, their silver armor shimmering with a radiant light that accentuated their formidable presence. Their eyebrows, sharp as blades, crowned their eyes with a remarkable air of authority.

Indeed, the central region was different; even at its fringes, the city guards were far more imposing than those from the outer forces.

The leader, spear in hand, squinted and declared, "Within Hongxing City, riding Demonic Beasts is forbidden."

Liu Xingchang, seasoned as he was, understood such regulations were common in bustling locales. Demonic Beasts, untamed by nature, could cause serious incidents if they collided with someone in a crowded area, where the stakes were higher and some individuals were not to be triflicted with. A collision involving the progeny of a major power could pose a thorny issue even for the City Lord’s Manor to resolve.

Dismounting from the White Fox, Liu Xingchang assisted Hu Gewan to the ground. He was about to respond when Yan Tianni let out a cold huff from the sidelines.

Yan Tianni sat proudly atop her White Fox, pointing at the girl who was riding a Heart Swallowing Snow Leopard into the city, and snorted coldly, "We're not allowed to ride Demonic Beasts into the city, so why is she permitted?"

With a hiss, the Heart Swallowing Snow Leopard reared up, leapt onto the wall, and then turned back with a swift twist. The girl on its back raised her eyebrows defiantly.

The leopard was pure white, and the girl was clad in a black outfit, the stark contrast accentuating her striking and heroic presence.

Her hair was neatly tied up high, giving her a crisp and tidy appearance. Her face appeared even paler against the black outfit, harmoniously echoing the leopard's snowy fur.

Her eyes shone like stars, bright and spirited, and her demeanor was not only valiant but also carried the refreshing essence of a spring breeze.

The girl surveyed the group of five before her gaze settled on Yan Tianni, speaking with scorn, "Demonic Beasts are ranked, as are people. Do you really think you, hailing from the outer cultivation forces, are on par with me? I am from a prominent family in the central region. If it weren't for this selection, why would I bother coming to such a backwater to mingle with the likes of you?"

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