Exploring Immortality Cultivation-Chapter 293 - 47 Divine Capital
After saying goodbye to Feng Luoyi, Wang Qi set out from the Lower Capital, heading northeast for a full six days, across vast sparsely populated areas. Then, he caught sight of a large city in the distance.
This city still retained its walls, eleven zhang high, with faint Spirit Prohibition for protection. Unlike the wall-less and unguarded Lower Capital, the Divine Capital had only three gates on each side, and entry and exit were restricted. But this wasn't an Immortal City, so there were no laws prohibiting flight, and Wang Qi saw many cultivators flying straight over. The layout of Divine Capital was squarely defined, showing no signs of expansion. A great road ran straight through the city's north and south axis. At the very center stood a highland, and atop the highland lay the Da Lian Imperial Palace. However, the palace was anything but sacred; most people held no awe for the Imperial Family, so of course, no gods or holy beings would specially come here for a duel—if they followed such logic, they should be heading to the forbidden grounds of the Xin Mountain Immortal Alliance Main Temple instead. Wang Qi figured nobody would be so pretentious as to court death where Carefree Practitioners resided.
Follow curr𝒆nt nov𝒆ls on fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com.
Compared to the Lower Capital, Divine Capital lacked some vitality but possessed a unique charm. With more intricate carvings and paintings than the Lower Capital, and layers upon layers of towering buildings, it boasted a grandeur all its own.
Upon seeing the distant bustling city, Wang Qi collapsed wearily onto the desolate ground: "Finally... I'm here..."
Zhen Chan scolded angrily, "If you weren't so stubborn about not taking the Flying Boat, we'd have arrived long ago!"
"I'm allergic to that thing…" Wang Qi groaned, "Besides, coming here on foot gave me the chance to train my movement technique."
"You're just a few years away from Foundation Establishment. What use will running on the ground be then?"
"It also helps train my mana…"
"Wasn't it you who told me, the best way to purify mana for a Modern Cultivator is by analyzing the Mana Eigenvalue?"
Suffocatingly frustrated, Wang Qi muttered, "Really... I can never win an argument with you…"
After resting for a while, Wang Qi picked himself up from the ground and headed toward Divine Capital. For some reason, his mana, and even his physical strength and energy, were recovering faster and faster lately. He used to be unable to sustain his fastest speed for even fifteen minutes, but now he could run for two hours without breaking a sweat. If he slowed down, he could keep running without needing sleep or rest.
Could this be a benefit of the Holy Light?
Thinking thus, Wang Qi entered through the city gate.
The soldiers guarding the city were cultivators as well, though without mana, probably just at the Nourishing Heart or Learning Stage, yet to achieve Heavenly Communication. However, they had enough sensing power to detect. Without concealing his aura, the guards instantly recognized Wang Qi as a cultivator and dared not obstruct him, letting him pass freely.
Upon entering, Wang Qi could immediately sense the difference between Divine Capital and Lower Capital. The liveliness of Lower Capital lay in its vibrant life force, with constant trade and economic prosperity; everyone there walked with hurried steps, their faces bearing busy yet content expressions. Divine Capital was different; the people here lacked the sharp energy of those in Lower Capital, exuding instead a leisurely satisfaction. Most who walked the streets seemed to be idly strolling.
Zhen Chan marveled, "What a Divine Capital, truly worthy of being the retirement Capital City."
The nobility of the Da Lian Royal Family were all ancient method practitioners who had shifted allegiance to Modern practices. The Modern Immortal Path prohibited the spread of Ancient Methods, confining them to the mortal world. After the chaos unleashed by the Demon Emperor, the Immortal Alliance further revoked their ruling rights, turning their once sovereign lands into mere holdings. These people were concentrated in Divine Capital, indulged with food and drink, which is why it's called the "retirement Capital City."
Wang Qi curiously asked, "What have you learned now? Tell me, make me laugh and be happy."
"If I talk about cultivation, it's only good for a laugh, but when it comes to observing the world, you're no match for me, and you can't learn it." Zhen Chan said, "Only in Divine Capital do you realize how cheap royal progeny is, the streets here are full of noble families."
"All the officials and nobles are in Lower Capital dealing with Da Lian's civil affairs; those left in Divine Capital are surely descendants of Ancient Method Practitioners."
"You don't understand." he explained. "The seals on their fans, the family crests subtly embroidered on their belts, the playthings in their hands – these are all ways nobles flaunt their status. Not only do the young nobles here show off, but they do so with finesse. Can you imagine how idle they must be?"
Wang Qi looked puzzled. "Old man, you seem very… happy?"
"Of course, I'm happy to see descendants of ancient rivals being raised like pigs by the Immortal Alliance." Zhen Chan chuckled. "That youngster's aura... ha, the Three Thousand Star Impulsion Technique from the Starfall Cloud Collapse Pavilion. Over there, the Ice Soul Divine Heart Technique unique to Ice Sea Sky... Yo, even the Heavenly Laughter Ancient Sect from old times is present here... Tsk, tsk, they've modernized, but the stench of Monster Puppet Sect cannot be washed away, utterly repulsive..."
With a sweep of his Spiritual Sense, familiar mental methods revealed themselves, making Zhen Chan feel warmly familiar, while Wang Qi felt he was perhaps getting overly excited and shook his head, continuing deeper into the city. The Immortal Alliance's branch temple was near the edge of the city, not too far away; he was in a hurry to report there before heading to the Wanfa Sect's residence.
But soon, Wang Qi also genuinely felt the true meaning of the "retirement Capital City."
The air carried subtle fragrances.
There were the scents of makeup and incense, coupled with the enticing aromas of roast duck and meat soups, as well as the natural smells of fresh flowers and fruits. These scents, mixed in the air, surprisingly didn't produce any offensive odor, which was quite remarkable. It seemed even the placement of the shops on the streets had been thoughtfully arranged.
"They really know how to enjoy life..." Wang Qi's appetite was whetted by the various enticing fragrances. After having breakfast at the Feng Family, he had not enjoyed a good hot meal for days. Now, stirred by the smell of food, his appetite surged unexpectedly.
"Doesn't matter... I'm already a month late; I'm not going to rush over this one meal. I might as well satisfy my stomach's temple first."
With that, Wang Qi swiftly ducked into a tea house, summoned a waiter, and ordered one of every snack they had. While waiting, he surveyed his surroundings and noticed all the patrons enjoying their tea were cultivators.
Not far away, a group of cultivators caught Wang Qi's attention. Unlike most people in Divine Capital, they were thoroughly Modern Cultivators, and among them were two disciples from the Wanfa Sect.
"No worries about finding someone to guide me to the Wanfa Sect residence later."
