"My na is Ye Tian, and she is Zhang Xinlan! We're both from Linyuan Academy! We ca to the Imperial City to enroll in the Imperial City Academy for our Cultivation. We just happened to run into that arrogant shopkeeper from Xiangmantang and decided to teach him a lesson, but we didn't expect the City Lord of Wei City to get involved.
He acted like being the City Lord made him above the law, so we posed as a Prince and Princess to knock him down a peg. Our plan was to leave tomorrow so no one would ever know, but we never expected you and the Commandery Princess to arrive so suddenly.
We considered just slipping away, but decided against it, thinking you probably wouldn't figure out who we were. We never imagined the Emperor would be so devoted; our lie crumbled in front of you," Ye Tian said slowly, carefully watching the expressions on the faces of the Prince and Princess Qiqi.
"So that's what happened. Now that everything is clear, we won't hold it against you. But don't ever do sothing like this again. Impersonating a Prince and Princess is a capital offense. You must keep that in mind.
You can certainly learn a great deal at the Imperial City Academy, but there's sothing I don't understand. You're from the Holy Land. No matter how outstanding the Imperial City Academy is, it can't possibly compare to the academies there, can it? You ntioned the Holy Land is in a 'ti of great turmoil.' What exactly is happening?" the Prince asked.
Ye Tian remained silent, glancing at Zhang Xinlan. She knew the most about the situation in the Holy Land, and she understood the aning behind his look perfectly.
"The Holy Land has no imperial authority, but it does have several major Sects. Conflict between these Sects has always existed, but the fighting has now reached its peak. For the safety of the younger generation, our Sects sent us to the Celestial Dragon Empire. You could say we're fleeing the chaos of war.
We can only return without risking our lives once we are strong enough. It was a last resort. We need you, Your Highness, and the Commandery Princess to keep the situation in the Holy Land—and our identities—a secret. I'm sure there are others from the Holy Land in the Imperial City; they've just chosen not to reveal themselves," Zhang Xinlan said.
Princess Qiqi and the Prince nodded slightly in agreent. 'It really is true that wherever there are people, there is conflict!'
"Then let's travel together tomorrow! That way, we can look out for one another. I have faith in your abilities. If the Second Prince receives your help, I'm certain he can beco the next Emperor! But don't be too obvious about helping him, lest you attract unwanted attention. If you do, you'll be the ones in danger," said the Prince.
"We appreciate the kind offer, Your Highness, but we'd prefer to travel alone. Isn't Princess Qiqi also headed to the Imperial City Academy? If you need to reach us for any reason, she can simply pass along a ssage," Ye Tian said.
"Since you've made your decision, I won't insist. This token represents my status and should be useful to you. If you run into any difficult situations, you can present it. I can't guarantee that everyone will honor it, but most people in the Imperial City will at least have to give so face," the Prince said, producing a purple-and-gold token.
Ye Tian wanted to refuse, but seeing the insistence in the Prince's eyes, he accepted it. The token was engraved with a lifelike dragon on one side, while the other was inscribed with the word "Dragon."
"Thank you, Your Highness! If there is nothing else, we will take our leave. I hope we can share a good drink again in the Imperial City!" Ye Tian said.
The Prince nodded, and Ye Tian and his companion departed. Only then did Princess Qiqi speak. "Royal Father, how could you give them such a valuable token? This is no laughing matter!"
"Qi'er, do you truly think your father has gone senile? The token is valuable, yes, but it's nothing compared to those two. If the Second Prince can win their support, his chances of ascending the throne will increase by at least half," the Prince said.
Princess Qiqi frowned, lost in thought. After a long mont, she said, "Royal Father, are you treating them so well just because they're from the Holy Land? What if they're not?"
"My dear Qi'er, their status from the Holy Land is important, but their personal strength is even more terrifying. That Ye Tian is likely at the Early Five Veins stage, while Zhang Xinlan has probably reached the Six Veins. And yet, it seems Zhang Xinlan defers to Ye Tian, which ans he is the one truly in charge.
With people of their caliber helping the Second Prince, what is one re token in comparison? I can enter the Imperial City even without a token, so don't you worry! Besides, I believe this token will find its way back to one day," the Prince said.
「The next day.」 Ye Tian and Zhang Xinlan left the City Lord's Mansion early in the morning, not even bidding farewell to the Prince and Commandery Princess. They knew that the mont they stepped outside, they were no longer a Prince and a Princess. It was best to keep a low profile and just focus on reaching the Imperial City as soon as possible.
They had arrived in a horse-drawn carriage, but the carriage was no longer at the City Lord's Mansion. Besides, traveling by carriage would make them too conspicuous. Who knew if that Xue Jinshan had acquaintances or friends in other cities? If soone else organized a welcoming party for a "Prince and Princess," and word of it actually reached the Imperial City, they would be in serious trouble.
"Let's run for a stretch! I haven't really tested out my increased power yet. I'm actually a little excited!" Ye Tian said to Zhang Xinlan.
He could now begin the Cultivation of the Second Layer of his Dragon Form Hundred Transformations. 'I'm pretty excited,' he thought, 'and I want to see just how big the gap is between my power and Zhang Xinlan's.'
"I'll give you a head start," Zhang Xinlan said lightly, her words clearly intended as a playful jab at Ye Tian.
Ye Tian didn't say another word. With a flash, he shot forward like a bolt of lightning, leaving an afterimage as he vanished from Zhang Xinlan's sight in just a few breaths.
'Ye Tian, you're progressing so quickly. Even the geniuses of the Holy Land can't compare to you. The War Dragon Bloodline is truly sothing else. I hope that one day, you'll be able to cultivate to a level that others can only look up to in awe,' Zhang Xinlan murmured to herself as she watched his retreating figure.
Then, she too set off, quickly giving chase. A closer look would have revealed that Zhang Xinlan's feet weren't touching the ground at all. She was completely airborne, hovering just above the surface.
Ye Tian felt incredible as he raced along. With his newfound power, his speed was on a completely different level than before. At tis, he felt like he was flying, a single light step carrying him several ters, sotis even further.
Before long, however, Zhang Xinlan appeared behind him. "Ye Tian, you've reached the Five Veins, but you still need to master how to borrow the Power of Heaven and Earth. At your current speed, anyone else at the Five Veins could easily catch you."
Ye Tian gradually slowed his pace and looked toward a small hill in the distance. "Xinlan, let's rest for a mont on that slope up ahead. While I was running just now, I think I had a small insight into borrowing the Power of Heaven and Earth. I want to see if I can try it!"
"All right, then! You can't rush these things. Just rember the thod I taught you. I'm sure you'll succeed!" Zhang Xinlan said.
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