Marry the Demon Sect Girl with No Bride Price

Chapter 678: Chapter 338: Turmoil in the Imperial City

"These mortals actually dare to stare at us?"

"If we were in the Eastern Lands, we would have made them kneel already!"

"Shh, keep it down. We’re on their turf now."

Lin Yuan and Wu Zheng sat in the golden imperial carriage leading the way, while the people from the Three Great Sects followed behind. Along the route, both mortals and Cultivators would kneel and kowtow upon seeing the imperial carriage, extremely respectful.

Yet when they saw the Cultivators from the Three Great Sects, there was no reverence; they looked on casually.

This made the disciples of the Three Great Sects, who were usually revered, very annoyed. However, now on someone else’s turf, they dared not act rashly and could only follow their Sect Leader in silence.

Among the crowd on both sides, a charming young girl also knelt, her face respectful, but her eyes occasionally glanced towards the disciples of the Zhenyang Sect.

Qiu Zhihe met her gaze calmly and nodded slightly. The girl’s excited expression flashed briefly before she quickly lowered her head to hide it.

"My lady, it’s Tang."

Qin Gengyun also noticed the girl and used the sound transmission to speak to Qiu Zhihe.

A few months ago, Qiu Zhihe had instructed Xue Wen and Xue Wu to lead the remnants of the Cyan Lotus Sect into West Imperial City. Seeing Liu Xiaotang now suggested that the Cyan Lotus Sect had already established a foothold there.

But this wasn’t the time for a reunion. Qin Gengyun and Qiu Zhihe exchanged a glance and said no more.

Once they had moved on, Liu Xiaotang rose from the ground and maneuvered through the crowded streets, passing through several alleyways, eventually entering a pharmacy.

A refined and scholarly physician was in the midst of preparing medicine. When he saw Liu Xiaotang enter, he quickly finished with his customer and led her into the backyard.

A burly man was sitting cross-legged, cultivating. Hearing footsteps, he suddenly opened his eyes and leaped up:

"Is there any news?"

"Uncle Master, the Master has arrived!"

Liu Xiaotang said excitedly to Xue Wen.

"That’s great!"

Xue Wen was overjoyed, but then he heard Liu Xiaotang add:

"She came with her husband."

Xue Wen said angrily, "Why is he here?"

Liu Xiaotang tilted her head, "Uncle Qin is the Master’s husband, isn’t it normal for him to come along?"

Xue Wen glared at her, "What husband, stop talking nonsense!"

Xue Wu said, "Brother, now’s not the time to discuss these things. Sound Transmission Talismans can’t be used in the West Imperial City. We have to find a way to contact the Saintess and inform her of the events of late!"

Though the use of cultivation techniques wasn’t banned in the West Imperial City, provided they didn’t violate its laws, the use of Sword-controlling Talismans was strictly forbidden, making Sound Transmission Talismans unusable.

Lately, many strange occurrences had happened in the West Imperial City, such as Cultivators participating in the Immortal Ascension Ceremony being murdered one after another.

Moreover, several unknown forces had secretly infiltrated the city, but Xue Wu and his team couldn’t determine their identities.

All signs indicated that significant changes might occur during this Immortal Ascension Ceremony. It’s hard to say what impact these would have on the Saintess’s plans, so they needed to report them to her immediately.

"The Saintess and her people are likely already in the Imperial Palace. How can we contact her?"

Xue Wen knew now wasn’t the time to argue but couldn’t think of a solution despite racking his brains.

Liu Xiaotang suddenly spoke, "Uncle Masters, I saw the Miscellaneous Affairs Bureau outside the Imperial Palace recruiting yesterday. I could give it a try, maybe find a way to approach the Saintess."

Xue Wen immediately shook his head, "No, it’s too dangerous for you at the Third-Layer of Qi Cultivation."

Liu Xiaotang’s delicate face showed a bright smile as her Spiritual Power gradually increased, surprising Xue Wu and Xue Wen:

"Fifth-Layer of Qi Cultivation? When did you reach that level?"

Liu Xiaotang’s voice was clear, "Back then, the Master said if I didn’t reach the Fifth-Layer of Qi Cultivation, I wouldn’t be able to join your operations. Uncle Masters, I’ve achieved it now."

Xue Wen still disagreed, "No, if Xiaotang’s identity is discovered, there will be trouble!"

Liu Xiaotang said, "Don’t worry, Uncle Master. I’m a fresh face at Cyan Lotus Sect, no one knows me, so there definitely won’t be any danger!"

Xue Wu said, "Alright, since the Saintess has approved, you can try it tomorrow."

"Thank you, Uncle Master!"

Liu Xiaotang was delighted, gracefully offered her thanks, and happily ran off to cultivate.

Watching her retreating figure, Xue Wu smiled slightly and said, "Looks like the Saintess has found a cultivation genius; the Cyan Lotus Sect will have successors!"

"Xue Wu, why did you let Xiaotang take the risk?!"

Xue Wen glared angrily at his brother, and Xue Wu looked back at him:

"Brother, this is the first time I’ve seen you so worried about anyone other than the Saintess."

"What nonsense are you saying!? Xiaotang is my martial niece; of course, I’d be concerned about her!"

Xue Wen fumed and stormed off to cultivate as well.

"The Saintess’s decision to have Xue Wen mentor Xiaotang is indeed a wise one." Xue Wu shook his head with a wry smile, then his expression turned serious, murmuring to himself:

"This West Imperial City, a great chaos is likely to unfold."

...

Western Emperor Palace.

Cyan Simurgh Hall.

At this moment, over a thousand Loose Cultivators were seated in the hall, chatting noisily, surrounded by the Golden Snake Guards maintaining order.

Si Mingcheng, the commander of the Golden Snake Guards, was among them.

He looked at these Loose Cultivators coldly, a tinge of disdain flashing in his eyes.

These people had been given access to the Immortal Ascension Ceremony after passing the preliminary selection.

They were considered the elite among the Loose Cultivators.

But in Si Mingcheng’s eyes, they were nothing more than a mob, and his task was to restrain these rabble and prevent any disturbances.

Currently, the Empress should already be leading the Three Great Sects and other sects to the Purple Gold Hall, the place for welcoming distinguished guests in the West Imperial Palace. The Empress had arranged a banquet there to entertain these sect representatives.

The Loose Cultivators in Cyan Simurgh Hall, on the other hand, weren’t qualified to attend the welcoming banquet and could only have some tea here.

Once the banquet at Purple Gold Hall concluded, the sect Cultivators and Loose Cultivators would gather to draw lots for the first round of the Immortal Ascension Ceremony.

During this time, Si Mingcheng and the Golden Snake Guards he commanded had to ensure these hillbilly Loose Cultivators did not move around indiscriminately.

"Damn it, this woman doesn’t know what’s good for her!"

"Everyone, let’s show her the might of the Three Fierce Beasts of the North!"

Just then, a small commotion erupted in Cyan Simurgh Hall as three burly, bare-chested men surrounded a petite, seemingly frail female Cultivator.

One of the men had several scratch marks on his face, likely from trying to flirt and getting his face clawed by the female Cultivator instead.

Such incidents were common among Loose Cultivators, and Si Mingcheng waved a hand, leading a few subordinates to intervene.

However, the Three Fierce Beasts of the North had already started attacking, their muscles swollen, and they launched their mountain-like fists with a gust of wind towards the female Cultivator.

"My lord, save me!"

The female Cultivator’s face turned ashen as she cried and took refuge behind Si Mingcheng, her delicate boneless hand clasping his arm. Her tender voice sounded in his ear, and though pure and terrified, it carried an implicit hint of charm.

Si Mingcheng suddenly felt a little parched, promptly commanding his men to restrain the three Northern Body Cultivators. Turning around, he looked at the delicate female Cultivator:

"Dare to join the Immortal Ascension Ceremony despite being so frail, what’s your name?"

The female Cultivator appeared terrified, curtseyed softly and said gently:

"Thank you, my lord, for saving me. This humble woman is... Ming Chou."