Chapter 749

Chapter 749: Arrival at Luo Capital

After nearly two weeks, the Xiangyu Sect’s floating boat finally arrived outside the walls of Luo Capital.

Under the sunset, this majestic city lay sprawling on the ground, perfectly square, with walls tens of kilometers high towering above, and the people coming and going below were as tiny as ants, almost invisible.

On the northern side of this enormous city that could house millions of people, a straight mountain rose abruptly from the earth, standing like a seal on the ground. Its peak reached up into the sky, far beyond sight.

“That mountain is Yuzhang Mountain. It is said that Lord Red Phoenix resides there.”

On the deck of the floating boat, Gu Lie pointed to the distance, introducing to his disciples beside him. He had been there many times before and was quite familiar with it.

Although compared to the entire giant city, Yuzhang Mountain might only be one percent of its size, its lofty posture was ethereal and captivating.

“It is said that the current Emperor was also taught by Lord Red Phoenix on Yuzhang Mountain when he was young.”

“Wow, how envious! To be able to see Lord Red Phoenix directly.”

Some fellow disciples exclaimed in amazement. In the Eastern Region, the Five Virtues Phoenix was as revered as a deity, holding a high status, not something ordinary people could see.

Seeing everyone’s envy, Gu Lie smiled but did not speak, instead turning his gaze to a girl in the corner.

This silver-haired girl sat by the window, her hands resting beside her, gazing at the bustling city below, her thoughts seemingly drifting far away.

“Lolan, are you thinking of someone?” Gu Lie walked over slowly.

“Mm, actually, I knew quite a few friends back in the West. I wonder how they’re doing now. Oh, and a few seemed to be from the Eastern Continent. After they returned, I don’t know where they ended up.”

“This junior sister can tell me about them. I know many people in Luo Capital, perhaps I can help find out more.”

“Really? Thank you, Senior Brother Gu Lie.” Lolan Hill looked up, her face lighting up with joy.

Looking at this silver-haired girl, Gu Lie couldn’t help but pause for a moment before reacting.

“It’s nothing, just a small matter.”

Lolan then mentioned the name of Ye Ling, and Gu Lie stroked his cheek in thought.

“Could it be one of the Ye family’s children? From your description, she seems to come from a good background and has excellent talent. She should be well-known, but I haven’t heard of her before. Perhaps it’s because I don’t have much contact with the Ye family.”

Seeing Gu Lie’s response, Lolan mentioned Ye Ling’s cousin, Nan Ke, and then mentioned Bu Lu Shuang and Bu You Dao.

“Bu You Dao, I think I’ve met him before,” Gu Lie finally recognized one of them.

“He is the third son of the Bu family and currently studies under the Bile Xiao Yao Palace. I met him three years ago when I toured the North.”

“At that time, I sparred with some of his peers from the Xiao Yao Palace, and he watched from the side. I saw that he was quite strong and once wanted to challenge him, but he refused, saying he was improving his cultivation and his strength was unstable, unsuitable for combat.”

“The Xiao Yao Palace mainly practices the Feather Transformation (Angel Sequence) and Hundred Flowers (Nature Sequence) paths, making it one of the renowned sword sects in the world. It shares roots with the Qinglian Xijian Palace, though the latter has produced many geniuses, overshadowing its reputation. The Xiao Yao Palace remains formidable, perhaps second only to the Qinglian Xijian Palace.”

“Do different sects have distinct differences? Why are they called so?” Lolan asked her recent query.

“Haha, if we’re talking about differences, they aren’t really significant. Mainly, these sects were proficient in swordsmanship since ancient times and had wide influence. Our Xiangyu Sect, strictly speaking, belongs to the Curse Word Sect, thanks to the inheritance of Incense Ancestor and Yellow Phoenix.”

“There are also other specialized sects like those who control giant dragons and beasts, those skilled in Dragon Vein techniques, and those who excel in crafting. Even unique sects like the Crimson Immortal Sect from hundreds of years ago, which specializes in manipulating poisonous insects and toxins, are called the Poison Insect Sect.”

“However, in recent centuries, various sects have exchanged knowledge, complementing each other’s strengths, so their characteristics are no longer as distinct as they once were.”

“Alright, the floating boat is about to land. Let’s go down together. I’ll go to the Bu family and ask around; perhaps Bu You Dao’s sister is in Luo Capital.”

“Thank you.”

Following, Lolan leaped down from the windowsill and descended the tall stairs with her fellow disciples, arriving outside Luo Capital.

Passing through the towering walls, they entered this ancient capital, bustling with magnificent buildings of varying heights, like overlapping ridges of roofs.

‘Living in Luo Capital is no easy feat.’ Because it gathers nobles and wealthy individuals from across the land, the land prices are exorbitant, making the buildings close together.

As these disciples in yellow and green robes entered the city, a dedicated official immediately came forward to guide them.

“Are you disciples of the Xiangyu Sect? Please follow me,” a government official in blue and gold robes said to lead them.

“Now, thirty-six sects have arrived, twenty-one of them, with another dozen on the way. The Crimson Tower Sword Duel will commence shortly before the Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival.”

He introduced the arrangements of the Luo Capital government, his tone gentle and patient.

Many of the Xiangyu Sect’s disciples were relatively young, visiting Luo Capital for the first time. They marveled at the bustling streets and the various figures around, occasionally whispering among themselves.

“Thank you,” Gu Lie nodded with a smile, then beckoned his fellow disciples to follow.

This guiding official belonged to Chun Guan, responsible for ceremonies and rituals. All wore blue clothes with golden embroidery on their cuffs and chests, very attractive.

“Embroidered with peach blossoms, Sister Lolan,” Yu Tingyu whispered beside the girl, and Lolan turned her gaze.

In the Jinquehua Dynasty, officials wearing embroidered gold flowers were usually the four seasons officials. Chun Guan embroidered peach blossoms, Xia Guan water lilies, Qiu Guan fire chrysanthemums, and Dong Guan frozen green. Other ministers of the dynasty embroidered dragons, with those guarding the coast wearing dragon-crest robes, those guarding the northern border wearing tiger-eyed bì’àn battle robes, and those overseeing large construction projects wearing dragon-ox power robes.

The emperor’s attire embroidered with golden phoenixes symbolized his lineage from the Five Virtues Phoenix, and he wore a seven-stringed pearl headdress to correspond with the Seven Phoenix True Flame Lord.

“We’re here.”

The official led everyone to a grand courtyard gate, where eight guards in gold and red mountain-pattern armor stood guard, all of them at least Sequence Four experts.

The words [Nandou Academy] were carved in gold on the gate.

The official led everyone into the academy to arrange their accommodations.

“In the past, this was where students came to take exams. This year’s major exams are over, so it’s empty now,” he explained as they walked, with several young men occasionally emerging from the buildings on either side, all members of major sects from various regions.

“Jialan!” A soft voice echoed from a pavilion, and Lolan looked up to see the girl standing by the window.

“Tang Nanlian?” Looking at her cute face, Lolan finally recalled the girl she had met in Lei Xiaze before.

[End of Chapter]