Cultivation Begins with Skill Points-Chapter 194: Return to the Capital City

Outside the Hengduan Mountains, Zhong Lin and Jiang Yuan each on horseback slowly walked along the mountain path.

Although it was a desolate mountain range, one could still see various powerful factions continuously entering one by one.

Jiang Yuan’s eyes were full of envy and longing. These people before her were representatives from various forces, be it sects, noble families, or loose cultivator experts. If they were willing to help the Jiang Royal Family, there would be no need to sell the ancestral treasures.

Zhong Lin turned his head to glance at Jiang Yuan, naturally understanding what was on her mind.

"Don’t look any longer; it’s useless. When you’re poor in a busy market, no one cares. But when wealthy in the mountains, even distant relatives come to visit. These people trek here through difficult terrain simply because the Sword Cauldron Sect has enough power to make them come. In this world, the only thing that matters is unyielding self-improvement. The Jiang Royal Family has the Spiritual Pool, a significant foundation just as strong as the Sword Cauldron Sect. You played yourselves into ruin," Zhong Lin teased.

Jiang Yuan was taken aback by his words, then let out a deep sigh.

Zhong Lin’s words indeed struck a chord with her. The talent within the Jiang Royal Family had dwindled, and the royal disciples were blinded by worldly pleasures, knowing only how to indulge.

The Spiritual Pool’s secret cache not only aids in breaking through to the First Grade and condensing True Qi, but its greatest use is breaking through to the Innate Realm, even reaching the pinnacle of Innate.

Yet, they couldn’t even find a qualified Second Grade martial artist among the royal family and could only rely on the dwindling support of the old ancestor.

"Hyah!"

Zhong Lin flicked his horsewhip, and the fine steed beneath him instantly accelerated.

Given Zhong Lin’s current cultivation, the fastest way to reach the Capital would be on foot rather than horseback. His innate realm cultivation made his speed and endurance far surpass that of any fabled swift steed, but there was no urgency, so he naturally wouldn’t mind.

Jiang Yuan followed closely, not daring to slack off.

This time, there were no assassination attempts en route. The last time Jiang Yuan returned to the Chen Kingdom Capital, she directly eliminated her restless brothers and sisters, and this time, she came discreetly with no one aware of her movements.

Traveling at a relaxed pace, it took them just over half a month to reach the Chen Kingdom Capital.

Zhong Lin looked up at the towering city walls before him. It was here he came last, only to leave without entering. Half a year had passed, and here he was again.

The capital’s walls were tall and imposing, over twenty zhang high and seven or eight zhang wide, allowing three carriages to travel side by side.

The gate tower was even more grand, with many crenellations and watchtowers built on both sides, making the city impervious.

It was, without doubt, a magnificent city.

The city walls were covered with mottled marks left by years of weathering, as well as sword and spear traces left by the enemies’ experts attacking the city years ago.

Clatter!

From afar came the sound of footsteps, and soon, a large group of armored cavalry guards galloped from the city, led by a familiar general.

"Subordinate Niu Dali, pays respect to Princess, greets Young Master Zhong."

Niu Dali dismounted, kneeling on one knee to pay his respects.

Zhong Lin showed a slight smile: "General Niu, it’s been a long time."

Niu Dali felt a surge of joy; he didn’t expect Zhong Lin to remember him.

These days, he knew about the Sword Cauldron Sect’s widespread invitation to the grandmaster banquet. Young Master Zhong was now a Grandmaster level expert, one of the continent’s mightiest figures.

A Grandmaster alone could stabilize a nation. Being remembered by such an expert was the greatest honor.

Niu Dali had a naive smile: "Young Master Zhong still remembers a humble one like me?"

"Of course I remember. If there’s a day you can’t make it in the Chen Kingdom, come to me and be my guard," Zhong Lin laughed.

Niu Dali showed surprise, opening his mouth to thank him but then sheepishly glanced at Jiang Yuan standing by.

Jiang Yuan pouted with mild displeasure: "Senior Brother, how could you poach in front of people like this? However, if Senior Brother really wants him, Junior Sister is willing to let go."

Zhong Lin waved his hand; it was merely a joke.

"Senior Brother, Father and Ancestor wanted to personally bring the civil and military officials to welcome you outside the city. Knowing you dislike such, I let them wait in the Imperial Palace instead."

Zhong Lin nodded: "Your arrangements are fine."

"General Niu."

"Subordinate is here."

"Clear the way, return to the palace."

"Yes."

Niu Dali mounted his horse, waving his right hand as the guards split to clear the path ahead.

The city had long been under strict vigilance, with areas tightly sealed.

Jiang Yuan had already sent messages by pigeon, so the entire Jiang Royal Family dared not slack in welcoming Zhong Lin. Even if they couldn’t greet him outside the city, other preparations were made.

Passing through a combined thirty-zhang wide double gate, the grand city gates were part of eighteen such passages in the city, required for the capital’s functions.

Riding into the city slowly, the roads were devoid of pedestrians, making for an unimpeded passage.

After passing the outer city, they arrived at the inner city’s edge.

Unlike the towns or counties Zhong Lin visited before, those places had relatively fewer people. Even with dignitaries, a few streets sufficed, negating the need for an inner city.

The Capital City, housing several million, was vast and full of high-ranking officials and noble families.

Thus, the division between the inner and outer cities formed.

A robust and majestic wall clearly separated the inner and outer city, common folk and low-ranking officials could only reside in the outer city.

Only true noble families, high officials, and esteemed lords were qualified to live in the inner city. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

Gradually passing through the inner city, they finally arrived at the palace grounds.

This was the core and most important place of the entire capital, perhaps the entirety of Great Chen.

Zhong Lin looked at the palace gate before him, guarded by hundreds of heavily armored and fully armed Yulin Guards.

These Yulin Guards were elite, all from respectable families.

Many were even cadet branches of noble families, with ambition, and decent martial arts cultivation, enabling them to join the Yulin Guards.

A glance revealed a dozen guards among them with skills no less than Niu Dali, all at Fifth Grade level with robust Qi-Blood.

The remaining guards were also generally strong, at least Third Grade martial artists with adept bone tempering.

This was impressive; a Seventh Grade martial artist is a rare talent anywhere, and someone who cultivated Qi-Blood could establish a hundred-year family.

The Yulin Guards’ strength shows the Jiang Royal Family isn’t entirely lacking.

"Young Master Zhong, this is where I must leave you; Princess, I take my leave."

Niu Dali bowed to Zhong Lin and Jiang Yuan, then turned with his guards and left.

Before them lay the Imperial Palace, where he naturally couldn’t bring soldiers inside.

Zhong Lin nodded and smiled at Jiang Yuan: "I heard one must dismount to enter the Imperial Palace on foot. Shall we?"

"You’re joking, Senior Brother. Others can’t, but you certainly can. Hyah!"

Jiang Yuan urged her horse forward, and Zhong Lin laughed heartily, following closely behind.