"Ye Tian, your Attack Power is pretty impressive after that breakthrough! It's already on par with a Martial Artist at the Six Veins Power Realm!" Zhang Xinlan said to Ye Tian as they flew.
"Your Power Realm is even more terrifying. You killed four experts at the Five Veins Power Realm in a single move. You must be at the Six Veins Power Realm now, right? I just wonder what your current Power Realm counts for in the Holy Land," Ye Tian couldn't help but ask.
Ye Tian was quite envious of Zhang Xinlan's current strength. 'I'll have to go to the Holy Land sooner or later, so it's better to find out more about it now. That way, I'll know what to expect!'
"Killing a Five Veins Martial Artist in one move might make you an expert here in the Celestial Dragon Empire, but in the Holy Land, you'd just be considered weak. The same goes for your strength; you'd basically be at the bottom of the hierarchy.
"There are many people at the Six Veins Realm in the Holy Land, but very few at the Seven Veins Realm. That's mainly because breaking through from Six Veins to Seven Veins is incredibly difficult. Without a major opportunity, it's almost impossible. My strength is probably equivalent to someone at the Four Veins Power Realm here in the Celestial Dragon Empire.
"Someone at the Seven Veins Realm in the Holy Land is like someone at the Five Veins Power Realm here—maybe even rarer. Do you understand now? In front of a Seven Veins expert, a Six Veins cultivator can be killed in a single blow. So, don't think your current strength is all that great. You're still a long way off and could be killed at any moment," Zhang Xinlan said very seriously, her flight speed slowing considerably.
Hearing this, Ye Tian's mind reeled. 'That's truly terrifying… a Six Veins Power Realm is still just an ant. I can't even imagine how powerful Elder Qing and Zhang Fengyu's attacks are. Could they destroy an entire city in a single move?'
'And then there was the great battle when the War Dragon Divine Venerable fought the Demon Dragon alongside the Phoenix Race Leader and the White Tiger Race Leader. What kind of Attack Power did they possess? Could they have split an entire continent in two?'
A wave of fear washed over Ye Tian as he considered this. 'My own strength is truly insignificant. Even experts at the Nine Veins Realm can fall. The only way to survive is to become stronger.'
After flying for about half an hour, a massive city appeared up ahead. However, Ye Tian knew this wasn't the Imperial City. Despite their high speed, it would still take some time to reach their destination.
"There's a city ahead. Should we go take a look?" Ye Tian asked Zhang Xinlan.
"No need. We've already been delayed long enough. According to our original schedule, we would have passed that city long ago. I'm sure Princess Yaqi and her group are already close to the Imperial City, so we should just keep flying. You're not getting tired, are you?" Zhang Xinlan asked, looking at Ye Tian.
"Not at all. Flying doesn't feel tiring in the slightest. Borrowing the Power of Heaven and Earth is amazing! Besides, I feel like the Immortal Power in my body is constantly circulating as if I'm in Cultivation. I feel completely relaxed. Do you feel that way too?" Ye Tian asked Zhang Xinlan.
"You can practice your Cultivation while flying? That's completely unheard of! Although flying uses the Power of Heaven and Earth, it still consumes the Spiritual Power in your body. The consumption rate depends on your speed—the faster you fly, the more you use. Ye Tian, you really are a monster!" Zhang Xinlan said in astonishment.
Ye Tian didn't know what was happening either. The first time he flew, he had felt a significant drain on his Immortal Power. But this time, he felt refreshed and invigorated. He couldn't sense any consumption of Immortal Power at all. In fact, it felt like his Immortal Power was slowly recovering, which was needed after the great battle earlier.
After hearing Zhang Xinlan's words, Ye Tian didn't say anything more. 'Perhaps the Power of Heaven and Earth I'm borrowing is being imperceptibly absorbed, causing this phenomenon. If that's really the case, I could fly indefinitely. That would be a terrifying thought.'
The two gradually increased their speed. When they reached the city, they bypassed it and flew on. Flying is forbidden over many cities, so to avoid trouble, this was their only option.
They finally stopped at sunset. A few li ahead, an even larger city stood tall. It was, without a doubt, the Imperial City of the Celestial Dragon Empire—the largest city in the Empire and their destination.
After finding a secluded spot, the two landed and quickly made their way to the main road. The road leading to the Imperial City was truly wide, at least fifty meters across. It was crowded with pedestrians, people in horse-drawn carriages, some riding Demon Beasts, and others on avian mounts, creating a very lively scene.
After walking along the road for a while, they arrived at the gates of the Imperial City. It had to be said, the Imperial City was different from other cities. The walls were a full twenty meters high and constructed entirely of uniform white stone.
Dozens of guards patrolled the top of the walls. Each guard wore silver armor, and all of them were at the Three Veins Power Realm.
Above the city gate, the two words "Imperial City" were written in large, flamboyant, golden script. They looked incredibly domineering. It was hard to guess whose handiwork it was.
Everyone entering or leaving the city had to undergo an inspection to pass. Those entering also had to pay a city entrance fee, and it was not a small sum: two hundred Spirit Stones. It would be very difficult for someone without money to enter the Imperial City.
A barrier was set up in front of the gate, forcing pedestrians to walk through channels on either side. Ten guards stood watch at each channel. They stood motionless, holding Longswords, looking very imposing.
The guards inspecting people entering and leaving the city wore black armor and were also at the Three Veins Power Realm. The Spirit Stones they collected were placed into a round jar. Although the jar wasn't large, Ye Tian believed it could surely hold a great deal.
However, there were two guards at the gate wearing golden armor, and their helmets were a bit unusual. They were likely the guard captains, and their strength had reached the Four Veins Realm.
Ye Tian and Zhang Xinlan queued up in the line to enter the city, slowly moving forward. As they neared the gate, Ye Tian was surprised to see a wanted poster.
Both of them were startled when they saw it. The portrait was of none other than their disguised appearances from before. It was clearly a warrant for their arrest. However, they had long since reverted to their original looks, so not even the most perceptive person would be able to recognize them.
Still, one had to admit, the Eldest Prince's method of sending a message was impressive. He had even managed to transmit their likenesses. 'That Communication Jade Token is truly something else.'
Ye Tian noticed that all young men and women entering the city were being scrutinized with extra care. The guards would even hold up the portrait to compare. It was obvious that news of the Eldest Prince's assassination had spread. Perhaps a funeral was being held in the Imperial City at this very moment.
Before they knew it, it was their turn. One of the inspecting guards asked Ye Tian, "You're entering the city?" 'What a stupid question,' Ye Tian thought. 'Why else would we be standing in line?'
However, Ye Tian showed no sign of displeasure. He and Zhang Xinlan had currently suppressed their power, appearing to be at the Mid-Three Veins and Late-Three Veins Realms respectively, so no one could see their true strength.
"My sister and I are entering the city! Here is the entrance fee." After speaking, Ye Tian took out four Middle Grade Spirit Stones. He'd had to search through his Storage Ring for a long time just to find them. Nowadays, his Storage Ring was almost entirely filled with Top-Grade and Top Grade Spirit Stones!