During the flight, Gu Yang ca over to speak with Xu Wuyi.
He mostly asked about Xu Wuyi’s training over the past year and his thoughts on the upcoming tournant.
Xu Wuyi’s replies were brief, but Gu Yang didn’t seem to mind. Instead, he shared many of his own experiences and what he had seen as a fourth-year student.
"The martial arts culture in the West Desert is even stronger than in the Central Province," Gu Yang said. "They place a special emphasis on practical combat."
"This tournant set up by the Fla Venerable seems to be about competing for his inheritance, but it’s also a stage for the major powers to showcase the strength of their younger generation."
"You’re representing the Royal Family, so that’s a lot of pressure."
"I know," Xu Wuyi said calmly.
Gu Yang studied him for a mont, then suddenly smiled. "Right. For soone with your personality, pressure probably isn’t much of a concern."
He chatted for a little longer before returning to his seat.
...
Five hours later, the aircraft began its descent.
Through the window, the silhouette of the Western Desert Royal Capital was already visible.
It was a city built on a desert oasis. The walls were massive, the architecture rugged, and the color palette was dominated by earthy yellows and deep reds.
The aircraft landed at a private spaceport in the eastern suburbs of the Royal Capital.
The cabin door opened, and a blast of hot air hit them.
The West Desert’s climate was arid and hot. Even in early spring, the temperature was much higher than in Yuntai City.
The group stepped off the aircraft, where several black hover cars were already waiting.
Their leader was a man of about forty, dressed in a royal uniform. He had a stern expression and a steady aura; he was clearly a Martial Artist.
Upon seeing Tana, he stepped forward and saluted by placing his right hand over his chest. "Your Highness."
"Uncle Hassan." Tana nodded and made the introductions. "These are the Martial Artists I’ve invited to aid us: Xu Wuyi, Gu Yang, ng Ke, and Su Qing."
Hassan’s gaze swept over the four of them, lingering on Xu Wuyi’s face for a mont longer, but he didn’t ask any questions.
"Please, get in the vehicles. His Highness the Prince is waiting at the Royal Palace."
Everyone boarded the hover cars, and the convoy departed the spaceport, heading into the Royal Capital.
The streets of the Western Desert Royal Capital were wide, as were the spaces between buildings. Pedestrians were mostly dressed in light, loose-fitting, brightly colored fabrics.
The hover cars traversed several main thoroughfares before finally entering a heavily guarded district.
High walls, watchtowers, and guards in full armor.
This was the palace district of the Ximo Royal Family.
The convoy stopped before a grand building.
Hassan was the first to exit, leading the group into the palace.
The interior was not luxurious, but it exuded a sense of solemn history.
Massive stone pillars supported a high, vaulted ceiling. The walls were carved with bas-reliefs depicting the history of the West Desert, and the floors were covered with thick, woolen carpets.
After passing through two long corridors, the group arrived in a reception room.
Soone was already in the reception room.
A middle-aged man of about fifty sat in the main seat. His features bore a slight resemblance to Tana’s, but he was far more imperious, with the easy confidence of soone long accustod to being in a position of power.
He was dressed in the traditional princely robes of the West Desert—deep red, embroidered with a golden fla motif.
Tana stepped forward, placing her right hand over her chest. "Father."
The Prince of the West Desert, Tamur.
Tamur nodded, his gaze falling upon Xu Wuyi and the others.
"Welco to the West Desert." His voice was deep and powerful. "Thank you all for accepting my daughter’s invitation to compete in the Fla Venerable’s tournant."
Gu Yang, ng Ke, and Su Qing all bowed slightly.
Xu Wuyi followed suit. Although the West Desert still retained so of its ancient traditions, it had been part of the Federation for many years, and its etiquette had long since been assimilated.
Tamur’s gaze swept over each of the four in turn, and he exchanged a few words with them.
Then he turned to Hassan. "Take our guests to their quarters and see that they are well taken care of."
"Yes."
Hassan bowed and led the group out of the reception room.
Tana remained behind.
Once the door was closed, Tamur looked at his daughter. "Tana, this person you’ve found is in the sa year as you. Are you sure you want him representing the Royal Family?"
"I’m sure," Tana said earnestly. "Father, Xu Wuyi is much stronger than you imagine."
Tamur picked up a silver cup from the table and took a sip of tea.
"Ta Shan has also invited soone. A genius from Black Stone Academy, with a Life Energy Level of thirty-six," he said. "Do you think this classmate of yours can defeat soone from Black Stone Academy?"
"He can," Tana replied without hesitation.
Tamur watched his daughter for a few seconds before finally nodding. "Since you insist, we’ll do it your way."
"However," his tone shifted, "you need to talk to Ta Shan. He’ll probably co looking for you this afternoon."
"I understand." Tana’s smile returned. "Thanks, Dad!"
Hearing her change of address, Tamur couldn’t help but smile indulgently as he reached out and ruffled her hair.
...
The Royal Family’s guest quarters were located in the western part of the palace, consisting of a row of detached, two-story villas.
Each guest was given their own villa, complete with a private Cultivation Room and living area.
Xu Wuyi was assigned the villa furthest inside.
Hassan escorted him to the door, gave him a few instructions, and then departed.
Xu Wuyi entered the villa.
The interior was simple and practical. The ground floor held a living room and the Cultivation Room, while the second floor had a bedroom and a study.
He set down his luggage and first inspected the Cultivation Room.
The equipnt was comprehensive, even better than the standard facilities at Star Martial University. The Royal Family had clearly spared no expense.
Xu Wuyi didn’t start his training imdiately. Instead, he walked to the window and looked outside.
The courtyard was planted with drought-resistant plants unique to the West Desert. In the distance lay a sea of palace rooftops, and further still, the walls of the Royal Capital and the vast desert beyond.
The temperature here was higher than in Yuntai City, and the ambient energy was more attuned to the Fire Attribute, making it a rather good training environnt for him.
He stood there for a while before returning to the Cultivation Room to begin his ditation.
The Hundred Refinents lting Furnace technique began to circulate slowly as his Qi and Blood surged within him, adapting to the new environnt.
...
At dusk, Xu Wuyi’s communicator rang.
It was Tana.
"Xu Wuyi, are you free? My cousin, Ta Shan, is here. He’d like to et you."
"I am," Xu Wuyi said.
"I’ll bring him over, then."
The call ended.
Xu Wuyi stopped circulating his technique and went down to the ground-floor living room.
A few minutes later, footsteps approached the door.
Tana pushed the door open and entered, followed by a tall young man.
The young man was about twenty-three or twenty-four years old, a full head taller than Tana, and powerfully built. He wore the traditional attire of the Ximo Royal Family.
However, the cuffs and pant legs were cinched, clearly a modified version designed for greater mobility.
His face bore so resemblance to Tamur’s, but his features were more chiseled and his eyes were sharp. His gait was steady, and his Qi and Blood were abundant.
"Xu Wuyi, this is my cousin, Ta Shan," Tana introduced. "Cousin, this is Xu Wuyi."
Ta Shan’s gaze fell on Xu Wuyi, openly appraising him.
After a few seconds, he spoke, his voice deep and resonant. "Tana tells you’re the most outstanding new student at Star Martial University this year. Beca a Martial Artist in a single year."
"Tana is too kind," Xu Wuyi replied calmly.
Ta Shan smiled, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes.
"I won’t beat around the bush," he said bluntly. "For this tournant of the Fla Venerable, I’ve invited an expert to fight for . He’s an elite from Black Stone Academy with a Life Energy Level of thirty-six, and his strength is no less than my own."
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