From Five Animal Exercises to being hailed as a saint and ancestor

The dark yellow boat pierced through layers of clouds, like a fish swimming out of a stream.

Suddenly, I found myself in a boundless ocean.

The view ahead suddenly opened up, revealing a colossal city whose magnificence defies description.

Like a sleeping ancient deity, it lies prostrate on the vast earth.

Its overwhelming momentum instantly captivated the minds of all the outer disciples of Qinglu Academy.

"This...this is the royal city?"

One of the disciples murmured in disbelief, instinctively rubbing his eyes as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing.

Even though they were used to the serene grandeur of Qinglu Academy and had personally experienced the bustling prosperity of Baiwei City.

But at this moment, facing the power center of the Great Xia Dynasty, the shock in everyone's hearts was still like a raging storm, difficult to quell.

If we say that Baiwei City is a prosperous river that flows endlessly with lights shining brightly on both banks.

The Great Xia capital city before us is an unfathomable and boundless ocean of laws!

The city wall is hundreds of feet high, and one has to look up very hard to see the crenellations.

The entire structure is built of massive bricks, with a faint blue halo flowing across the surface of the bricks, as if drawing upon the power of the stars in the heavens.

From a distance, the city wall doesn't look man-made; it looks more like a majestic mountain range that existed since the beginning of time.

It exudes a majestic imperial aura that suppresses all directions and endures through the ages.

On the city wall, giant runes visible to the naked eye flowed slowly as if they were alive, their phantoms appearing and disappearing, exuding a chilling aura of killing intent.

Every hundred feet, there stands a giant arrow tower several feet high.

The top of the tower is inlaid with a huge psionic crystal, its light flickering erratically.

Like the cold, merciless eyes of an ancient behemoth, it indifferently surveyed its vast territory.

The extent of the city walls was beyond imagination. As far as the eye could see, it was difficult to discern its boundaries!

Countless buildings of different styles, yet all equally magnificent.

Like an endless forest composed of towering ancient trees, it stretches densely to the horizon.

It is a martial arts arena with an ancient and grand atmosphere, where the faint sounds of blood and energy surging and metal clashing can be heard.

There is a cluster of palaces that stretch out in undulating waves, resplendent in gold, with glazed tiles reflecting a blinding light under the blazing sun.

There are also countless pavilions and towers with flying eaves, brackets, carved beams and painted rafters.

And wide streets, where ten carriages could ride abreast, bustling with traffic and a constant flow of people, ran through the area like blood vessels.

In the sky, the Xuanhuang Boat is no longer alone.

A variety of dazzling flying magical artifacts.

A magnificent and extraordinary beast mount with wings sprouting from its ribs.

There were even magnificent ships that resembled small floating islands.

They moved back and forth in an orderly fashion within a specific area, leaving behind trails of enduring spiritual energy that wove together a dynamic and magnificent celestial canopy.

On the ground, the crowd surged, shoulder to shoulder, their breaths varying in strength.

Even seemingly ordinary pedestrians often exude an air of composure and worldly wisdom, as if they were living at the heart of a dynasty.

Ultimate prosperity, flourishing civilization, and unfathomable cultural heritage!

This was the first shock that the Great Xia Royal City gave to everyone.

Compared to it, Baiwei City is like a firefly compared to the bright moon, or a stream compared to the ocean; it instantly appears "simple" and "clumsy".

Many outer court disciples clung tightly to the railings of the Xuanhuang Boat, watching with rapt attention.

His face was filled with amazement, awe, and a hint of bewilderment at his new arrival.

Even the usually aloof and taciturn Xuan Yuanpo unconsciously lowered his arms, a hint of emotion flashing in his eyes.

Zhou Tiancan opened his mouth wide, unable to close it for a long time, only able to exclaim, "My goodness!"

Mu Qingqing linked arms with him, her red lips slightly parted. Although she had heard her elders mention it, she was still deeply shocked when she actually arrived in the royal city.

Although Yao Mengkang's expression was calm, his slightly constricted pupils betrayed his inner turmoil.

Even in my past life, living in a peaceful and prosperous era, I've never seen such an exaggerated city.

"Hehe, are you stunned? Your eyes are practically popping out of your sockets."

A slightly hoarse voice, clearly lacking in strength, broke the momentary silence.

Everyone turned around and saw that Elder Qin Feng had appeared on the deck at some point.

He was still wearing that signature blue robe, but his face still looked haggard.

A few strands of hair swayed gently in the wind, silently telling the story of the tragic state of Baiwei City.

His complexion was much rosier than it had been half a month ago. Although he was still weak, he could walk freely on the deck like a normal person.

The recovery of a large amount of original essence is not something that can be accomplished overnight.

However, the cultivator's powerful vitality and the precious elixirs from Qinglu Academy have already restored much of his health.

The only way to restore the remaining essence is through a long period of time or extremely rare natural treasures.

"Elder Qin!" The disciples bowed respectfully.

Qin Feng waved his hand, his gaze also turning to the vast royal city below, which was getting closer and clearer in detail, his eyes filled with a trace of reminiscence and emotion:

"The capital of the Great Xia Dynasty is indeed magnificent. Even in the entire Eastern Region, it ranks among the top cities and giants."

"When I first came here, I was just as shocked as you are now."

He paused, his tone carrying a barely perceptible hint of wistfulness and longing.

"However, compared to the legendary Central Divine Continent, which is said to gather most of the world's fortune and top experts... hehe, then it seems rather 'ordinary'."

"Of course, compared to what I saw back then, the royal city now seems to be more prosperous and thriving."

His few words, spoken so casually, affirmed the grandeur of the royal city.

It also quietly opened a window to a wider world in the hearts of the young disciples.

It further suggests the passage of time and the changes in the world.

While the disciples were awestruck, they also quietly developed a longing for the view from the summit and a desire to climb it.

Just then, Vice Dean Shangguan Hong appeared in front of the deck.

His expression was solemn, his gaze sharp as lightning, sweeping across the royal city below, which resembled a giant beast opening its mouth, ready to swallow the Xuanhuang Boat.

He said in a deep voice, "Everyone, get ready and calm yourselves. The Xuanhuang Boat is about to land."

He turned to the crowd and clearly conveyed the arrangements:

"Because we were delayed for a few days in Baiwei City, even though we traveled day and night to catch up, we still arrived two days later than the inner courtyard team."

"I just received a message from Vice Dean Xiao."

"He and Elder Yao Tan have led the inner court disciples to the royal city first, and the royal city has already arranged accommodations for us."

"We will disembark immediately and go to meet up with Vice Dean Xiao and the others."

The Xuanhuang Boat slowly landed on a vast platform specially designated for the take-off and landing of large flying magical artifacts in the eastern suburbs of the royal city.

The platform is paved with obsidian, smooth as a mirror, and there are already many other types of flying boats and ships moored around it, appearing orderly.

As everyone disembarked, their feet touched the solid ground of the royal city, and the profound, ancient yet vibrant atmosphere became even more palpable.

They followed Shangguan Hong and Qin Feng, merging into the seemingly endless torrent of people in the royal city.

Walking on the streets of the royal city, feeling the pulse of the city up close, the sense of oppression and novelty brought by its grandeur and prosperity is even stronger.

The street was ten zhang wide and paved with some kind of warm white jade, so shiny that it could reflect one's image, and it was faintly filled with spiritual energy.

Shops lined both sides of the street, with all sorts of strange signs and banners, selling everything from elixirs, weapons, and jade slips containing cultivation techniques to rare animals, spiritual plants, and precious minerals.

Every single one is a masterpiece, brimming with spirit and radiating precious light.

Among the passersby, there were many with profound auras, and cultivators at the Spirit Sea Realm were almost everywhere.

The auras of Yuan Dan Realm and Divine Bridge Realm experts also swept past like an undercurrent, making people feel awe.

After walking for about half an hour, passing through several bustling main roads, the group arrived at a relatively quiet but extremely elegant inn area.

A group of people were already waiting in front of a huge courtyard with a vast area, an imposing gate, and a gilded plaque with the four powerful characters "Qinglu Bieyuan" hanging on it.

It was the inner court disciples of Qinglu Academy led by Vice Dean Xiao Yunhai and Elder Yao Qin.

The two teams finally met in this foreign land, and the atmosphere suddenly became somewhat subtle and complicated.

The inner disciples were fewer in number, but each of them possessed a deep and sustained aura, and sharp, confident eyes.

Their cultivation levels were all above the mid-stage of the Spirit Sea Realm, with some even reaching the late-stage.

Some of them even possessed profound auras, having already reached the peak of the Spirit Sea realm!

They were dressed in uniform, exquisitely made inner court disciple robes, and their expressions exuded an air of pride and superiority befitting a prodigy.

They initially looked at these late-arriving junior students from the Foreign Languages ​​Department with a mixture of curiosity and scrutiny.

As per usual practice.

There are always a few exceptionally talented individuals in the outer academy who stand out in the assessments and enter the Heavenly Dao Academy.

It's fun to see in advance who the potential future classmates are.

However, when their gaze swept over the foreign language team.

Especially when he sensed Yao Mengkang, who was standing at the forefront of the outer disciples and whose aura was clearly that of the Spirit Sea Realm.

This curiosity and scrutiny quickly turned into astonishment, and then into a variety of indescribable expressions.

"Hmm? Someone from the outer courtyard actually broke through to the Spirit Sea Realm this time?"

An inner court disciple raised an eyebrow slightly, his spiritual sense quietly sweeping over Yao Mengkang.

"Breakthrough at this time? Tsk tsk... really... I don't know whether to call him courageous and diligent, or... lacking foresight?"

The other person's lips curled into a half-smile, his tone carrying undisguised skepticism.

"Who knows what he's thinking? Maybe he thinks that just because he's broken through to the Spirit Sea Realm, he can be compared to us senior brothers who have been honing our skills and refining our abilities in the Spirit Sea Realm for years, even nearly a decade?"

An arrogant inner court disciple sneered, his voice not being deliberately lowered.

"Little did they know, the difference between those at the Spirit Sea Realm is far greater than the difference between the first and ninth levels of the Meridian Opening Realm! The difference between the initial stage of the Spirit Sea Realm and the later stage is like heaven and earth!"

"Hehe, just wait and see. The Heavenly Dao Academy's assessment isn't just about having a high cultivation level. The results will be clear then."

These discussions, whether direct or subtle, clearly reached the ears of the outer disciples.

Zhou Tiancan was so angry that his face turned red, and his fists clenched so tightly that they cracked. If Mu Qingqing hadn't been holding his arm tightly, he probably would have lost his temper long ago.

Xuan Yuanpo's eyes were icy cold, and a faint sword aura swirled around his body.

Most of the other outer court disciples also looked indignant, but due to the difference in strength and status, they found it difficult to refute.

Yao Mengkang's expression remained calm and composed, as if those harsh words were merely a passing breeze.

He stood there quietly, his aura restrained, making it impossible to discern his true nature.

At this moment, the two vice deans had already come together.

Xiao Yunhai was an elderly man with a thin face, slightly high cheekbones, and sharp eyes like a hawk. He cupped his hands in greeting to Shangguan Hong.

"Brother Shangguan, you must be tired from your journey. I heard you encountered some trouble in Baiwei City along the way? I'm glad you arrived safely."

Shangguan Hong forced a slightly tired smile and returned the greeting.

"Thank you for your concern, Brother Xiao. We did encounter some unexpected setbacks that delayed our journey and kept you and Elder Yao waiting."

"Fortunately, it turned out to be a close call, and the disciples all gained valuable experience from this experience."

His gaze swept over the academy disciples who had gathered together but were subtly divided into two camps.

His gaze lingered for a moment, especially on the arrogant faces of the inner disciples.

He then spoke to Xiao Yunhai in a deep voice, his tone carrying a hint of solemnity:

"Brother Xiao, the matter of Baiwei City is quite complicated, and it not only concerns the life and death of dozens of my outer disciples."

"Behind this lies...some unexpected forces and secrets."