Three days flew by, and the day of the performance arrived.
In a royal separate courtyard within Chongtian Palace, Li Yuande sat calmly on a mat, dressed in white robes.
The spiritual power here was twice as potent as Chen Yang’s Gathering Qi.
Three maids and two attendants stood in the courtyard—all at the Early Stage of Condensing Essence.
For over three years since Li Yuande entered the palace, they had served him without leaving his side.
“Senior, your tea.”
Li Yuande took the cup from the maid and drained it.
“Senior, the incense.”
After tea, an incense burner was placed before him.
Li Yuande leaned forward, nostrils flaring as he drew in the plu of smoke.
Next ca offerings: “Senior, spiritual fruits” and “Senior, music.” Everything—tea, incense, fruits, lodies—was of Condensing Essence level.
All to prepare him for performing Gathering Qi to Condensing Essence at peak condition.
Whoosh—
A figure landed in the courtyard, scattering the attendants.
“Yuande. It’s been so ti.”
The newcor wore official robes, gripping a three-colored ruler. Starlike true essence swirled around him, glowing with inner light.
This marked him as having reached the perfect realm of Condensing Essence twelfth level, with early signs of Spirit Communication.
“Master Xuan.”
Li Yuande began to bow.
Xuan Zhou—Deputy Patrol Leader of the Imperial Capital’s Immortal Patrol Office—was his liaison for this performance.
“No need for formalities. How do you feel today?” Xuan Zhou gestured dismissively.
Li Yuande paused, then stood straight. “Never better. My strongest day since beginning cultivation.”
“Good. A royal consort’s avatar will attend today.” Xuan Zhou’s eyes locked onto him. “That girl of yours secured a spot in the observation area. She waits at Sunlight Hall’s Viewing Platform with the others.”
The first statent signaled high-profile observers. The second carried quiet warning.
Li Yuande offered a thin smile. “I’ve prepared years for this day. Nothing will go wrong.”
“Excellent. Co.”
Xuan Zhou flicked his sleeve. Both figures dissolved like bubbles in the wind.
Sunlight Hall’s Viewing Platform.
Three tiers divided the platform. The highest tier belonged solely to princes of the Tiger-Chasing royal family.
Among those Yang Lingrui could na, only Murong Qiuhan qualified to sit here. The Viewing Platform itself was shielded by an advanced concealnt technique, impervious even to Spirit Communication cultivators’ probing.
The second-tier seats hosted young representatives from major noble families and sects:
He Family: He Shenglai.
Su Family: Su Lingyun, Su Lixue.
Feng family: Feng Lan.
Wanhuan: Xiao Yize.
Daoyuanshan: Qiu Ran.
Academy: Shen Yue.
Martial Institute: Wu Zhao.
…
These were the dynasty’s acknowledged geniuses destined to lead the next generation.
Behind them gathered "second-tier" figures like Yang Lingrui. Zi He and Chu Hao occupied the front of the third-tier Viewing Platform, with others arranged by selection rank. Yang Lingrui’s strong second-round performance placed him behind Zi He, near Li Qingwan and Ye Lan.
The two girls stood hand-in-hand, closer since the trials. Zi He’s eyes flickered with violet light as he observed them. Ye Lan trembled uncontrollably, her spiritual power raging. Without Li Qingwan’s palm-to-palm energy transfer, she’d have collapsed long ago.
"Thank you," Ye Lan whispered.
"Better now, senior sister?"
"For now." Li Qingwan felt the turbulent energy through their clasped hands. Cold dread gripped her – without the Elder’s sacrificial guidance during the performance, she’d have fared worse than Ye Lan. Beauty and talent without backing made one prey to powerholders: pawns, playthings, or worse.
She glanced at Yang Lingrui. At least his Yang Family now had dynasty and He Family protection, unlike her fallen Li Family. Better a pawn than at on soone’s plate.
A clear bell chi swept through the crowd, followed by fragrant wisps that loosened limbs. Young cultivators exhaled dark vapors – marrow cleansing achieved through sound and scent alone.
"Royal techniques indeed!"
"Imagine cultivating here daily!"
Color returned to Ye Lan’s cheeks as the aroma soothed her.
"West Concubine arrives!"
Pink clouds parted to reveal a phoenix-crowned woman radiating authority, trailed by attendants. The assembly knelt.
"Begin the performance," she commanded.
At the platform’s center, a bubble burst to reveal Xuan Zhou and Li Yuande. Four Condensing Essence cultivators flanked Li Yuande as Xuan Zhou conjured a lotus platform beneath him. Protection and surveillance combined.
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