Chapter 424 - 231: Entering the Capital! The Situation Is Not Optimistic

The group traveled at high speed, finally arriving at the gates of the Cangyun Sect.

Gazing at the main peak of Cangyun Mountain towering into the clouds before them, and the pavilions and terraces faintly visible amidst the mist.

Jiang Dawu and Mrs. Zhou were once again profoundly stunned, unable to stop themselves from exclaiming that they had arrived in the legendary Immortal Realm.

However, Jiang Che’s mind was currently preoccupied with his mother’s condition, so he didn’t take his parents on a tour of the Sect.

After entering the mountain, he immediately took his mother straight to Yanluo Courtyard.

Inside Yanluo Courtyard, the scent of medicine wafted through the air.

After learning of the situation, Ye Lianzhen said little. She immediately had Mrs. Zhou sit down and placed two fingers on her gaunt wrist.

As a gentle wisp of True Qi probed within, Ye Lianzhen’s brow furrowed slightly.

Seeing this, Jiang Che’s heart leaped into his throat. He held his breath, terrified of hearing bad news.

A moment later, Ye Lianzhen withdrew her hand and looked at Jiang Che with a serious expression.

"The illness has penetrated deep into her organs, compounded by overexertion which has damaged her foundation! Fortunately, you protected her heart meridian with your True Qi in time and fed her Strengthening and Nourishing Elixir Pills to keep her alive. That’s why her condition didn’t worsen."

At this point, her tone grew heavier. "If you had been even a month later, the cold qi would have attacked her heart and her life force would have been exhausted. Not even an Immortal could have saved her then!"

Hearing this, Jiang Che’s anxious heart finally settled. He didn’t realize that a layer of cold sweat had broken out on his back.

’Thank goodness... I made it in time!’

"However," Ye Lianzhen’s tone shifted, "a complete recovery to eradicate the root of the illness won’t happen overnight. Her body is too weak to handle potent medicine, so we can only proceed slowly."

"Let her stay here at my Yanluo Courtyard. I will personally oversee her treatment. In about half a year, she should be fully recovered. Her body might even be stronger than before!"

Jiang Che was overjoyed to hear this. He bowed deeply to Ye Lianzhen and said sincerely,

"Thank you, Dean Ye! I will never forget your immense kindness!"

Ye Lianzhen looked at the young man before her, already a True Master Realm expert, who was performing such a formal bow for his mother’s sake. A trace of gentleness flickered in her eyes.

She shook her head and smiled.

"It’s a trivial matter, not worth mentioning. Compared to what you’ve done for the Sect, this is nothing."

She paused, her expression turning somewhat grave as she advised him earnestly,

"Results are important in the upcoming Celestial Strategy Guard selection, but you must remember: the tree that stands tallest is the first to be blown down by the wind. The Capital City is not like our Cangzhou. It’s full of hidden masters, and the powers there are intricate and complex! If you draw too much attention to yourself without a powerful backer, you will inevitably be targeted and framed by those with ill intentions."

"Remember, just being selected is a success. There’s no need to be overly aggressive or competitive."

Jiang Che nodded slightly, his gaze steady, and said in a low voice,

"Don’t worry, Dean Ye. I understand this principle. I will be cautious in my words and actions."

...

「Several days later.」

The day to depart for the Capital City had finally arrived.

In the early morning, Cangyun Mountain was shrouded in a light mist, appearing exceptionally solemn and majestic.

Before the mountain gate, several massive carriages, pulled by Scale Armor warhorses with Black Beast bloodlines, were already prepared to depart.

The group heading to the Capital City this time was personally led by two True Master Realm experts: Dean Yue Lingfeng of Lingxiao Courtyard and Dean Xu Qingshan of Yunhai Courtyard.

Behind them was the most elite lineup of disciples from this generation of the Cangyun Sect.

Besides the two top combatants, Jiang Che and Gu Qingxuan,

there were also Fang Muye, Shi Poyue, Wang Zhenhai, and others.

Although the hope of being selected for the Celestial Strategy Guard was slim for most of them,

according to the Court’s decree, all disciples who had reached the Refining Organ Realm were subject to conscription and had to go.

Sect Leader Xu Zhouzi personally came to the mountain gate to see them off.

He looked at the young, vibrant faces, a trace of reluctance and worry flashing in his eyes.

He didn’t give any grand, impassioned speeches. He simply waved his hand slowly.

"Children... just do your best!"

"No matter what, you must... return safely!"

...

「Ten days later.」

After a long and dusty journey, the group from the Cangyun Sect finally reached their destination.

A colossal city, like an Ancient Divine Mountain, appeared in everyone’s view.

At that moment, every disciple’s breath caught in their throat.

The Capital City!

Its walls, hundreds of feet high, soared into the clouds, seeming impassable even for birds!

The entire wall was a dark gold color, faintly radiating the light of an Array Restriction, giving off an indestructible feeling!

Standing beneath the wall, these young people, who were considered the favored children of heaven in Cangzhou Prefecture, now felt as insignificant as ants.

"This is... the Great Chu Capital City?"

Fang Muye tilted his head back until his neck ached, his eyes filled with shock.

Even Jiang Che had a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

His [True: All-Seeing Eye] could clearly see that the entire Capital City was enveloped in an unimaginably terrifying grand Array!

’What an incredible undertaking...’ Jiang Che sighed inwardly.

Filled with awe, the group underwent a strict inspection by the city’s Golden Armor Guards, verifying their identities and documents before finally being allowed to enter.

The city inside was the pinnacle of prosperity, with incredibly wide streets lined with towering buildings.

True Master Realm experts, a rare sight in Cangzhou Prefecture, were now a common sight, visible everywhere!

The group made their way through the bustling crowds and arrived near the registration point for the Celestial Strategy Guard selection.

Seeing the unconcealed exhaustion on the disciples’ faces, Dean Yue Lingfeng of Lingxiao Courtyard stroked his beard and chuckled.

"Not far ahead is the Feiyun Inn. It’s close to the examination site, a truly prime location! I had an old friend in the Capital City book rooms for us half a month ago!"