The hot, blazing sun hung in the centre of the sky, and radiated with bright light. The terrifying heat radiating from it scattered downwards, and roasted the ground below to a boiling-hot temperature.
In the centre of an endless desert, an obscure figure shot through the sky like a lightning bolt, and reached the horizon in the blink of an eye.
As Jian Chen flew, he looked at the golden desert below him. He mumbled,
According to the distance on the map, there should be another two hours before I pass through this desert. Afterwards, I need to travel for another two days before arriving at the Holy Empire.
No matter if it was from the Qinhuang Kingdom or the Gesun Kingdom, the Holy Empire was extremely distant. Even with Jian Chen’s speed, he needed to spend a dozen or so days on the road to reach the empire from Gesun Kingdom.
Although Jian Chen could use the Space Gate in Qinhuang Kingdom to directly travel to the Holy Empire millions of kilometers away, he did not do so because he already learnt some things about the Holy Empire from Bi Hai and the four Imperial Protectors of the Qinhuang Kingdom, including information about reaching Class 7 as a Class 6 Radiant Saint Master.
If Radiant Saint Masters wanted to reach Class 7, they needed to borrow the saint artifact in the Holy Empire. Also, the holy artifact would not be used at any moment. There was a set time for every time it activated, and from its next activation, there was a year and a half of down time.
As a result, Jian Chen did not need to hurry to save time, which was why he chose flying as the transportation to reach the empire. As he travelled, he could admire the surrounding scenery and it carried along with it a feeling of being carefree and leisurely.
Jian Chen flew over countless mountains and rivers, as well as large, bustling cities. Finally, he entered the borders of the Holy Empire.
Of the three empires of the continent, he Holy Empire was the most powerful. The area it covered was also extremely great, over one hundred times bigger than the Gesun Kingdom. Its population had also reached a shocking level, with over a hundred million people. To the Gesun Kingdom’s population of a few dozen million, it was like comparing an elephant with an ant.
The Holy Empire had three capital cities. The capital cities were all controlled by the three great clans, with each clan controlling one city. As for the imperial city, it was the capital city located closest to the centre, the City of God.
Towards the edge of the border, there was a bustling first class city. At that very moment in the distance, there was a young man in light-blue robes who travelled unhurriedly towards the city on a Class 4 Magical Beast.
The young man was Jian Chen of course. Upon entering the Holy Empire, he did not continue his hurried journey. He decided to first enter the city and learn about the local customs and news. After all, Jian Chen was extremely unfamiliar with the Holy Empire. He needed to grasp some more accurate information step by step.
As Jian Chen entered the first class city on his Class 4 Magical Beast slowly, he toured the wide streets. He arrived in front of a relatively large restaurant. He tied up his magical beast mount, before he strode into the restaurant.
Sir, welcome to our Aromatic Guesthouse. The dishes of our Aromatic Guesthouse are made by the best chefs of the entire city, and we have the prettiest female waiters too. We guarantee that sir will be satisfied. Sir, please come in and take a seat.
A waiter immediately went up to receive Jian Chen, inviting him in with a smile.
Jian Chen entered the restaurant and looked around. He decided to find a quiet place to sit down but shortly afterwards, his gaze landed on an old man who sat in a corner. His eyes widened from shock, while he revealed an expression of disbelief.
The old man wore grey, long robes and his grey hair was tied behind his back with a piece of string. He currently sat in front of a table full of dishes, enjoying the wine and food slowly. The old man seemed extremely ordinary and did not attract anyone’s attention. However, it essentially stupefied Jian Chen who had just come in.
Jian Chen stared at the old man astoundedly. In that moment, he basically doubted whether he was seeing properly or not. Shortly afterwards, he used his hands to rub his eyes before looking again. The shock had completely flooded the depths of his mind.
At that moment, the old man suddenly turned his head and looked at Jian Chen. With a calm expression and a profound gaze, he said simply,
Jian Chen, come sit!
The gentle calling of
Jian Chen
instead caused him to freeze when he heard it. He exclaimed quietly,
Uncle Xiu, it’s actually you!
Jian Chen’s mental state was greatly disturbed. No matter how he thought, he could never imagine that he would actually meet uncle Xiu from Longevity Valley in the Holy Empire.
Uncle Xiu did not say anything more. He sat there by himself, eating and drinking, and did not continue to pay any more attention to Jian Chen.
Jian Chen sucked in a deep breath. He forcefully suppressed the shock and agitation within him, sitting in front of uncle Xiu. Afterwards, he immediately asked with doubt,
Uncle Xiu, why are you here?
Uncle Xiu looked at Jian Chen,
This time, I’ve come specially for you!
For me!
A sliver of doubt appeared in Jian Chen’s eyes.
Jian Chen, I know you’ve come to the Holy Empire this time to reach Class 7 as a Radiant Saint Master.
Uncle Xiu said peacefully.
However, his peaceful tone caused Jian Chen to react greatly. He stared at uncle Xiu in stupefaction while great waves formed in his mental state. Jian Chen’s identity as a Radiant Saint Master always was his greatest secret. In the world, there were not many who knew his Radiant Saint Master identity. What Jian Chen struggled to believe was when did uncle Xiu know about his identity as a Radiant Saint Master?
At a certain moment earlier, a transparent barrier had been erected around the table where Jian Chen and uncle Xiu sat. Uncle Xiu’s calm voice sounded again,
Jian Chen, I cultivate darkness attributed Saint Force, so I’m extremely sensitive towards Radiant Saint Force. Also, I’ve been secretly observing you for a period of time, which is why I know your identity. And I think, it’s not just me who knows you’re a Radiant Saint Master. The grand elder of Mercenary City also probably knows already.
Jian Chen thought quickly and asked,
Uncle Xiu, are you perhaps the sect master Xiu Houston from the Bloodsword Sect? As the four Saint Rulers from the Bloodsword Sect which helped the Changyang clan survive the disaster, were they also secretly sent by you?
Uncle Xiu nodded, which basically equated to admitting it. Shortly afterwards, he did not continue the topic with Jian Chen and changed it,
Jian Chen, what identity do you plan on using to reach Class 7?
Jian Chen had already thought through the question long ago. He replied without any additional thought,
I heard that it’s extremely hard to obtain a chance to reach Class 7. The Holy Empire definitely will not give outsiders this chance, so I plan on going there with my identity as the Imperial Protector of the Qinhuang Kingdom to obtain this chance.
Uncle Xiu shook his head,
You’re wrong Jian Chen. It’s not as simple as you think it is. If you really do it like that, even if you become a Class 7 Radiant Saint Master, you’ll be forever bound to the Radiant Saint Master Union and lose your freedom.
