Daoqi Huangcheng

Chapter 7.7. The world is bustling and noisy.

In the candlelit room, two somewhat similar pretty faces, bathed in a pale red glow, gazed at each other in silence.

When Madam Pei Qianxue saw that her younger sister did not respond, she knew that she might have her own story, which was normal. Her younger sister was pretty and cute, and there were many people pursuing her. Perhaps one of them had moved her heart. So, she frowned slightly and said, "Qingyue, don't forget that the reason we have been able to get to this point is entirely because of the status of the Que family lineage."

Now that Que Shenyun is dead, this lineage is on the verge of losing power again. If they don't seize this opportunity to do something, they will never have a chance to rise again. If they had never had power, that would be one thing, but those who have gained power and then lost it are less than dogs.

Pei Qingyue's eyelashes were long and shone faintly in the candlelight. She stared at the air for a few breaths before saying, "He's just a man about my age who was transferred here at the beginning of this year. He doesn't have a good family background, but he's very hardworking, fearless, and often asks me how I am doing."

Pei Qianxue suddenly asked, "Can one cultivate?"

Pei Qingyue shook her head and said, "Like me, you are a Celestial Talisman Guard who can only use spiritual energy to activate Celestial Master talismans."

Pei Qianxue said coldly, "Sometimes life is just this cruel. If Que Shenyun were still here, I might be able to tolerate your willfulness."

Pei Qingyue said, "Sister, it's just a good feeling, far from that. Besides, we don't even know if Song Chen will succeed yet, so let's not put on a hard face over this kind of thing."

As she spoke, she giggled and stuck out her tongue. Her flushed face and delicate features made her look like an adorable doll.

Pei Qianxue's expression softened slightly. She was still wearing mourning clothes and ornaments. She tidied her hair slightly and said, "You have a mission. It's too late to return now. Go see Shenyun one last time and ask him to bless the seedlings he left behind so they can successfully cultivate. Then, come with me to the secret chamber. The three-day deadline is almost here."

After a while.
Pei Qingyue walked around the mourning hall, followed her elder sister into the depths of the mansion, and arrived at the door of the secret room. She took a deep breath and looked at the man in the secret room who might have a connection with her, and suddenly froze.

She had seen this man before; he had been sitting on the side of the street when she crossed a bridge in the capital. He was filthy, and her female companion had joked, "These people suffer every extra moment they live."

She had no particular likes or dislikes, nor did she agree or disagree with her female companion's opinions. However, if one day this person were to become her husband, even if he had washed away the dust and dirt and become slightly thin and handsome, she would still remember the filth and stench.

She didn't turn and run away; she still had a smile on her face, which was already very good.

In her eyes, the thin boy and his elder sister exchanged a few words and then went to the end of the secret room. The elder sister then moved a candlestick outside the secret room and stopped at the end of the passageway, which was a hundred feet away.

Techniques like "extinguishing a candle with a flying needle from a hundred feet away" are not uncommon in the martial arts world; while beings like the Immortal Talisman Guard, who can only absorb human energy, can extinguish a candle flame directly without any external objects under certain circumstances. However, only those who have truly preserved their spiritual energy can easily extinguish a candle flame without any external conditions.

Qi exists within the Qi domain.

A true Qi Gathering Realm expert can easily expand their Qi Domain; a wisp of spiritual energy is enough to stretch a hundred feet, effortlessly extinguishing a candle flame.

After Mr. Shenyun's tragic death, she inquired with her colleagues about the ferocious demon known as the "Marrow-Eating Crane Demon" over the past two days. She learned that the demon had somehow inherited the power of "water-based" supernatural abilities. In rainy or snowy weather, its energy could spread extremely far with the help of the rain and snow. With a slight flick of its claws in the air, it could create rain needles several miles away. These rain needles formed silently around people, enveloped in spiritual energy, and could even penetrate steel.

Mr. Shenyun's coachman was a Celestial Talisman Guardian, but the Celestial Talisman Guardian died without even the slightest reaction.

However, if the situation had been reversed, whether it had been her or any of the other celestial guards, the outcome would not have been any different.

Being able to utilize the power of a celestial master and truly reaching the Qi Gathering Realm are two different levels.

Just as he was thinking this, the thin boy didn't even lift a finger, but the candlelight a hundred feet away suddenly went out.

Madam Pei Qianxue, still dressed in mourning clothes, could not suppress her joy. A smile bloomed on her cold and mature face, and she clapped her hands and praised, "Truly a fine seedling that her deceased husband risked his life to protect."

Song Chen breathed a sigh of relief and looked up at the sky excitedly, saying, "I have finally lived up to your kindness in saving my life, Master."

He himself did not know whether he was originally capable of cultivation.

But the moment the Book of Three Lifetimes came into existence, many things had already changed.

He and his wife couldn't stop talking about "Mr. Shenyun saving him," as they were both desperately trying to maintain their relationship through this connection, afraid that the other would abandon them.

Pei Qianxue approached with her sister and asked affectionately, "Little Song, what do you think of the lady beside me?"

Song Chen looked over.

The young woman was petite and exquisite, with jet-black hair, crescent-shaped bangs that slightly covered her eyebrows, and her cheeks were flushed. She was like a beautiful woman from an ancient painting, or an adorable doll.

To be honest, as a normal man, Song Chen naturally likes any beautiful woman, but if you look closely, he prefers the charming type rather than the cute type.

The young woman in front of him felt like a cute little sister.

However, he soon realized something.

Pei Qianxue smiled and said, "Why aren't you saying anything? Are you staring in a daze?"

Song Chen said, "At first glance, it was like looking at a celestial fairy through clouds and mist; I couldn't see her clearly."

Pei Qianxue said with satisfaction, "This is my younger sister, Pei Qingyue, who is now a Celestial Guard. After her late husband's funeral, I would like to choose an auspicious day to arrange your wedding. What do you think?"

Song Chen said, "I will leave it to you, Madam."

Pei Qingyue remained silent for a few moments, then slowly nodded.

Song Chen sensed the meaning behind the silence. He gave a bitter smile to himself, thinking, 'It seems we have no choice.'

He hadn't forgotten Que Shenyun's suspicion that he had some kind of destiny and the subsequent search of his residence, nor had he forgotten the "soul-searching technique" or similar magic possessed by the Imperial City Temple. It wasn't that what he feared would necessarily happen, but life was precious, and he had to prepare for any danger. He needed this background.

With context, some dangers can be automatically filtered out.

Arranged marriages have always been for the sake of interests and self-preservation;
Whether the people involved in the marriage are willing or not is not important.

While the family test is one thing, to gain official recognition, one still needs to participate in the test at the Imperial City Temple. Afterwards, some allocations will be made based on the test results.

So, when the test day arrived, Song Chen went to the outer gate of the Imperial City Temple again.

The outer gate of the Imperial City Temple.

somewhere.

A brief conversation is underway.

"Fellow Daoist Han Xian, have you found any information about why that Marrow-Eating Crane Demon appeared in the wilderness?"

"Let's talk about something else."

"It seems there's news, and you've been put on a gag order."

"Humph."

"Alright, alright, fellow Daoist, don't be angry. Let's talk about something else."

I already know very well the cause and effect of what happened to Fellow Daoist Shenyun.

There are some suspicious points here. If we can investigate them clearly, it might help you further understand why the Marrow-Eating Crane Demon appeared in the wilderness.

"what?"

"Song Chen is too lucky. He escaped two certain deaths. Once, when three of his companions went out, he did not go out; the other time was with Mr. Shenyun."

He narrowly escaped the Devouring Crane Demon twice, yet remained unharmed.

Moreover, he was just a beggar in the capital city before, how could he have comprehended the meaning of the "Bear Hunting Picture" in an hour?
Geniuses are rare, but what our Great Yong Dynasty has in abundance is geniuses.

I plan to use a soul-searching technique on him, to prevent him from being a spy for an enemy country.

The middle-aged cultivator named Han Xian was silent for a moment, then said, "Fellow Daoist Yu Cheng, it's not that you have questions. You just want to find out what his opportunity is, and you want to understand why a beggar can have such a great increase in comprehension, right?"

Yu Chengdao said, "Oh? This boy has some connection with Brother Han?"

Han shook his head.

Yu Cheng chuckled softly, "If there is an opportunity, I will share it with you, fellow Daoist."

Han Xian frowned and said, "How can we cultivators behave like this?"

Yu Cheng's smile faded, and he said in a deep voice, "If this boy has any problems, can Fellow Daoist Han bear that responsibility?"

Han hesitated for a moment and then said, "Fine, whatever you say."

Yu Cheng said, "If the opportunity arises, I will still share it with you, fellow Daoist. Alright, it's time to go take the test. There are quite a few people taking the test this year, but those who are truly qualified will certainly be few and far between."

With that, he gathered the spirit stones, the basic Qi gathering scroll, and other items, and together with Han Xian, they stepped out of the hall.

In the sunlight outside the hall, the participants had already brought their gifts and were respectfully waiting with their sleeves down.

Yu Cheng's gaze shifted and quickly landed on his target.

A thin boy stood in the golden wind, while an old man stood beside him.

The elders exuded an air of authority without anger, and it was not uncommon for them to send younger members of the clan to be tested.

But Yu Cheng was stunned for a moment, his pupils contracted slightly, and he murmured, "Third Master Que, why would he send Song Chen here?"

Master Que held a high position and wielded great power, and with General Que about to head north, his prestige was further enhanced.

Yu Cheng's mind raced, and he hurriedly stepped forward to pay his respects.

Master Que patted the young man on the shoulder and said heartily, "Good lad, do your best in the test. If you pass, you will have added another cultivator to my Que family."

The thought of "soul searching" that had been in Yu Cheng's mind vanished instantly.

(End of this chapter)