Chapter 529: Dragon Mountain Empire
Qiongqi and the Black Wind Eagle raced through the void. Three days later, the group had lost count of how many cities they had crossed. All they knew was that they had now left Snow Moon behind.
Gazing down from above, they saw magnificent buildings far more grand and imposing than those of the Snow Moon Kingdom. Most of the structures were pure white, as white as snow.
White fortresses lined the landscape; even a casual glance conveyed an overwhelming sense of grandeur.
"Heavenly Dragon City, we have arrived."
At this moment, on the back of a Black Wind Eagle, Ruo Lanshan spoke, causing the group's eyes to flicker with sharp light.
Heavenly Dragon City, the imperial capital of the Dragon Mountain Empire. No wonder it was so vast and majestic.
In their eyes, some showed excitement, while others had a trace of nervousness mixed in with their excitement. They had walked out of the Snow Moon Kingdom and stepped into the empire, the imperial capital of the suzerain state, the Dragon Mountain Empire: Heavenly Dragon City.
"We'll prepare to descend."
Ruo Lanshan spoke again. The crowd nodded slightly. Only Lin Feng kept his eyes tightly shut, immersed in his own world, seemingly unaware of everything else.
Lan Jiao lifted her foot and walked to Lin Feng's side. Her beautiful eyes flickered slightly. This guy, he clearly wasn't cultivating anymore, so why hadn't he woken up?
Opening her mouth, Lan Jiao was about to speak when a sharp aura suddenly surged forth. The words she was about to utter were instantly swallowed back. Then she saw Lin Feng's eyes open, bright and dazzling, with a sharp edge imprinted within them. The sharpness Lan Jiao had felt earlier had burst forth from Lin Feng's pupils.
"Dragon Mountain Empire!"
His gaze sweeping over the vast city below, Lin Feng's sharp eyes seemed to hold a different kind of ambition. It had been a few years since he came to this world, and now, he had finally taken the first step onto the continent, walking out of Snow Moon.
"Descend."
A soft sound came as Ruo Lanshan's voice fell. The Black Wind Eagle swooped down, heading toward the city below.
Lin Feng merely moved his mind, and the ancient beast Qiongqi also swooped down toward the imperial capital. In no time, the group landed on the ground, in a wide-open area that seemed to be a huge training ground. It was very spacious, with even a few people occasionally walking back and forth, curiously observing this group of unfamiliar visitors who had descended from the sky.
"Welcome, everyone, to the imperial capital of the Dragon Mountain Empire, Heavenly Dragon City." Ruo Lanshan turned back to look at the crowd, a smile on his lips. Although he had come as an imperial envoy to the Heavenly Wind Kingdom and the Snow Moon Kingdom, those places were not his own territory. He had felt somewhat constrained and restricted, not daring to be too presumptuous. Now that he was back in Heavenly Dragon City, he felt as if a heavy stone had been lifted from his heart, very comfortable.
The matters from here on out wouldn't require him to worry too much.
Lin Feng surveyed his surroundings. The place they were standing on was a vast, wide training ground. To the north of the training ground was a huge archway, on which were engraved several large characters: Dragon Residence.
"Let me introduce you all. Now that you've arrived in Heavenly Dragon City, you'll need to stay at the Dragon Residence for a few days. I have already sent a letter to the Heavenly Wind Kingdom, informing them to send ten geniuses to participate in the Snow Domain Grand Competition. Once they arrive, they will join you and the sixteen genius disciples of our Dragon Mountain Empire to go and participate in the Snow Domain Grand Competition."
Ruo Lanshan spoke slowly. "For the Snow Domain Grand Competition, each of the four empires must select thirty-six geniuses. The forces represented by the Dragon Mountain Empire, the Snow Moon Kingdom and the Heavenly Wind Kingdom, each have ten genius slots, while the Dragon Mountain Empire itself has sixteen slots."
The crowd nodded slightly, not finding it strange at all. After all, it was only natural that the geniuses of the Dragon Mountain Empire were stronger than those of the Snow Moon Kingdom and the Heavenly Wind Kingdom. An empire was, after all, an empire. Whether in terms of cultivation resources or the number of powerful individuals, it was perfectly normal for it to be stronger than its vassal states.
"The Dragon Residence has many living quarters and cultivation grounds. If you wish, you may freely enter and find a place you like. This was prepared for you all."
The Dragon Residence was the official guesthouse, used by the people of the Dragon Mountain Empire to host the groups from the Snow Moon Kingdom and the Heavenly Wind Kingdom.
"An empire is, after all, an empire."
Lin Feng lowered his head slightly, a sharp thought flashing through his mind. When the people of the Dragon Mountain Empire visited Snow Moon, Snow Moon had the prince personally accompany them and arranged for the Dragon Mountain Empire group to stay directly in the imperial palace, treating them with extreme respect and courtesy, receiving them with the highest of ceremonies.
But now that they had come to the Dragon Mountain Empire, they clearly did not receive such treatment. The people of the Dragon Mountain Empire had prepared a guesthouse for them to stay in, not the imperial palace to welcome them.
However, the gap between the Dragon Mountain Empire and the Snow Moon Kingdom was clear. One was the suzerain empire, the other a vassal state. Naturally, the crowd dared not have any complaints. They all just nodded. As martial artists, they didn't care much about the place of residence, but rather about the level of importance attached to them. Their concern for face far outweighed their concern for the place of residence.
"Alright, you all have had a tiring journey. You may rest first. I won't disturb you any longer. If you have any matters, you can find me through the people at the Dragon Residence. Additionally, I have one more thing I wish to inform you all. Since you have come to my Dragon Mountain Empire and have been confirmed as candidates for the Snow Domain Grand Competition, I do not wish for any of you to die. Conflicts are allowed, but life-and-death duels are absolutely forbidden."
As Ruo Lanshan spoke, his sharp gaze swept over the crowd, pausing briefly on Yu Jian. Even back in the void, Yu Jian had wanted to make a move against Lin Feng. Now that they were in the Dragon Mountain Empire, there were quite a few among them who wanted Lin Feng's life. Without restrictions, living under the same roof, a battle could break out at any time.
The crowd nodded one after another, murmuring in agreement. Finally, Ruo Lanshan and the crowd clasped their hands to each other, and Ruo Lanshan took his leave.
The crowd exchanged glances, then turned their eyes into the distance. Now that they were in the empire, they naturally wanted to go out and have a good look around.
Soon, these people either flashed into the guesthouse or headed out onto the streets of the Dragon Mountain Empire.
Lan Jiao came to stand opposite Lin Feng, looking at him with a hint of a smile, as if waiting for him to speak.
Seeing Lan Jiao's actions, Lin Feng shook his head with a smile. "First, go pick a room, and then you can take me for a walk around the imperial capital of the Dragon Mountain Empire."
"Is this an order?" Lan Jiao glared at Lin Feng, her hands crossed over her chest, carrying a hint of seduction.
Lin Feng looked at Lan Jiao, his eyes flickered, then he turned around and walked into the guesthouse, with Qiongqi quietly following behind him.
"You..."
Lan Jiao's gaze froze. She stomped her foot in anger. This bastard... but she still followed him in.
The buildings inside the Dragon Residence were also pure white, clean and orderly. At a glance, they gave a feeling of grandeur and comfort. From the outside, it looked like a fortress, but from the inside, it was a series of independent courtyards. Following the dragon-shaped corridor in the center, one could see beautiful courtyards on the shore separated by the water. Of course, through the gates of the courtyards, one could only see a corner of the interior.
It seemed that each courtyard had a different architectural style, each with its own characteristics.
"I'll stay there." Lin Feng pointed to a courtyard. He tapped the ground with his foot and immediately entered the courtyard. He was only staying for a few days, so any place to rest was fine. Besides, to Lin Feng, these courtyards were already very luxurious.
Lin Feng left Qiongqi in the courtyard and then left with Lan Jiao.
Qiongqi was an ancient ferocious beast; taking it out would definitely attract a lot of attention and might cause quite a bit of trouble.
The imperial capital of the Dragon Mountain Empire, Heavenly Dragon City, was even more spacious and grand than the Snow Moon imperial capital. The streets were wider, and the pedestrians also liked to wear long robes, looking particularly spirited. The people of the Dragon Mountain Empire seemed to have a fondness for white.
"Where do you want to go?" Lan Jiao asked Lin Feng.
Lin Feng replied, "I don't even know what places there are to go in Heavenly Dragon City. Asking me is a waste of breath."
"Fine, then I'll take you to a place where you can see some of the outstanding young talents of my Heavenly Dragon City. If we're lucky, we might even see some beauties as beautiful as celestial maidens."
Lan Jiao smiled mysteriously, making Lin Feng slightly suspicious. "What place?"
"The number one tavern in Heavenly Dragon City, the Tang Family's Heavenly Travel Palace."