The night air was cool, and because of Zong Shaoqing’s words, it felt even colder.
Under the looming city walls, sharp wooden stakes were bundled together to form deer antlers to fend off night raids from dark beasts and enemy troops.
Hanging from the antlers were dried beast skins, bloodied flesh, and shattered battle armor, symbolizing the brutality of war.
"Born from war," these words out of the mouth of a Divine Son from the Divine Court felt out of place. Yue Jinghua paused, taking a closer look at Zong Shaoqing’s expression. His eyes at this mont were as deep and unfathomable as the night sky.
Tonight, Zong Shaoqing seed sowhat unusual.
"The Divine Court was initially established to bless the spirits of the dead in war. Frankly, I’m nothing but a God Stick Head," said Zong Shaoqing with a wry smile.
Even Zong Shaoqing himself hadn’t realized that he smiled more after Yue Jinghua’s appearance than he had in the past two decades combined.
A God Stick Head? Such a demigod-like figure actually claid to be a God Stick Head. Rembering those divine won dancing bizarre ghostly dances, putting on mysterious airs, and then looking at Zong Shaoqing’s serious deanor, Yue Jinghua couldn’t help but laugh.
In her laughter, her eyebrows revealed a rare endearing and childish charm, and Zong Shaoqing, gazing at the lively and beautiful woman before him, found the seriousness of the battlefield dissipating into thin air.
Just then, from above the Four Symbols City, a series of crisp bell sounds echoed.
It was the Wind Concealing Bell, hidden high above the Four Symbols City, invisible to the naked eye, only manifesting its form when triggered by an external invasion, emitting a warning sound.
On the horizon, a massive dragon chariot ship appeared, the imperial flag of the Dragon War Empire hanging at its bow.
Upon seeing that flag, Yue Jinghua’s heart leaped with joy, but why was there an imperial dragon chariot present, could it be...
By the ti Yue Jinghua and Zong Shaoqing reached the city gate, City Lord Changsun was already greeting the guests disembarking from the dragon chariot ship.
Standing at the forefront was Princess Long Xue of the Dragon War Empire, accompanied by a noble-looking man dressed in golden robes.
"It is indeed Princess Long Xue, but why isn’t she with the Jian Rider, and who is that man in golden robes?" Behind Princess Long Xue, a group from the Dragon War Empire stood orderly, including Yue Minzhi, Long Rui, Little Jinuo, Ji Yun, and others who looked familiar.
"He is Prince Yu Ji of the Ruison Federation, the highest officer of its military. Rumor has it, he’s harbored feelings for the princess of the Dragon War Empire for over a decade," Zong Shaoqing recognized the man in golden robes.
Yet, one holds military power as a prince, while the other is the soon-to-be successor of the empire’s throne. If they were to unite, the relationship between the two nations would beco complex, and with Zhan Tian in the way,
"I didn’t expect you to be interested in such romantic gossip?" Tonight, Zong Shaoqing truly opened Yue Jinghua’s eyes, and she smiled wryly, averting her gaze, silently chanting to herself, "n are beguiling, n are beguiling."
"Welco Princess Long and Prince Yu to Four Symbols City," Gui City Lord warmly welcod them.
Though Four Symbols City belonged to no major nation on the continent, its relations with the two major factions had always been cordial.
"City Lord Changsun, no need for formalities. This ti we’re not here as princess and prince. We’re here representing our respective countries, to observe the Xuyang Trial and help recover the lost treasure. Just call Xue Lingshang," Princess Long Xue was dressed casually, her expression joyful, showing no signs of travel fatigue.
Xue Lingshang was the na Princess Long Xue used when traveling among the common folk. In her teenage years, she secretly road the continent with Zhan Tian, who was then her trusted aide. On a whim, she had even served as the deputy director of the Outer Court at Xuanji Academy in the Shang Kingdom. Her outgoing personality and knack for making connections were typical of a rcenary persona.
Unfortunately, Princess Long Xue’s unique status compelled her to end her days as Xue Lingshang after the ailnt of Long Teng the 72nd, returning to the Imperial City to face piles of endless morials and an aging father. However, due to unusual circumstances, this Xuyang Trial was held in Four Symbols City.
Getting caught in the mont, Princess Long Xue, ignoring Zhan Tian’s objections, invited Prince Yu Ji of the Ruison Federation to accompany her to Four Symbols City, assuming the title of Overseer. City Lord Changsun, realizing the oversight of not needing an overseer for the Xuyang Trial, slyly chuckled twice, "Welco, both of you. Please proceed to the Sun District City Lord Mansion."
With dignitaries from both nations present, it would be a waste not to seize the chance to demand extra provisions and equipnt.
Xue Lingshang and Prince Yu were honored guests and naturally resided in the City Lord Mansion in the Sun District.
anwhile, the other contestants from the Dragon War Empire, along with nearly a hundred strong from their empire, were housed in temporary accommodations.
Yue Minzhi, seeing his sister Yue Jinghua safe, finally let go of the weight on his mind.
He originally intended to find an appropriate transmission array on the continent to enter Four Symbols City, as Yue Jinghua suggested.
However, on a whim, Princess Long Xue invited Prince Yu Ji to accompany her to Four Symbols City.
Prince Yu Ji, possessing a shortcut to Four Symbols City, had rely been delayed by the preparation of the dragon chariot, which explained the tardiness.
The Ruison Warship with Helian Sheng’s Dark Crystal Cannon Ship was the first from the Ruison fleet to depart, with subsequent groups to arrive in the following days.
"When Princess Long Xue and Prince Yu Ji ntioned the search for treasure, could it be the true purpose of this Xuyang Trial?" It seed the major factions and other organizations already knew the real reason for this Xuyang Trial, yet the participants, like themselves on the front lines, were still in the dark.
"Only those in power likely know the real situation. Princess Long Xue didn’t ntion it on the way. In a few days, once all the contestants arrive, we’ll be inford of the true reason for coming to Four Symbols City. Huahua, you take Ruru to the residence; I’ll stay to settle the remaining people," Yue Minzhi, noticing Yue Jinghua with an unfamiliar man, looked more attentively.
Realizing the person’s identity as the Divine Son of the Divine Court, Yue Minzhi was taken aback, wondering how his sister had entangled herself with such a figure.
After sending Yue Jinghua away, Yue Minzhi exchanged a few pleasantries with Zong Shaoqing, probing the relationship between him and his sister.
But Zong Shaoqing was no easy target; his responses were watertight, leaving Yue Minzhi unable to extract any useful information.
At that mont, the Wind Concealing Bell sounded again from the sky.
City Lord Changsun had just escorted the two dignitaries and hadn’t yet returned.
Zong Shaoqing, Yue Minzhi, and others looked up to see, beyond the city gates, a pitch-black armored ship swiftly cutting through the Hurricane Rocky Area, heading towards Four Symbols City.
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