NOVEL NEXT Chapter 815: Tianyuan City!
Zhao Yuqing walked up to Jing Yi Immortal and knelt down on both knees.
Her sudden action took everyone by surprise.
Jing Yi Immortal's face stiffened, and she asked, "Yuqing, what are you doing?"
Zhao Yuqing looked up at Jing Yi Immortal, and said each word deliberately: "Master, thank you for teaching me over these past two years. Yuqing will always remember your grace in this life and never dare to forget it!"
Upon hearing Zhao Yuqing's words, Jing Yi Immortal became furious and shouted sternly at Li Chen: "Yuqing, what do you mean by this? Are you leaving the Moon God Palace to go with him?"
Zhao Yuqing glanced at Li Chen with tears in her eyes and choked, "Master, I'm sorry!"
Seeing that scolding was ineffective, Jing Yi Immortal began to persuade earnestly.
"Yuqing, you are an Innate Spiritual Body, an excellent choice for cultivating immortality. Moon God Palace is your best destination. Don't let your emotions interfere with your cultivation!"
Zhao Yuqing remained unmoved, firmly saying: "Master, without Li Chen, Yuqing might already be mere bones under a lonely grave today. If I must choose between the future and someone I like, I choose the latter. I hope Master will fulfill my wish!"
Jing Yi Immortal angrily laughed, pointing at Li Chen and mocking, "Yuqing, open your eyes and see clearly. The one you love is just a playboy who loves at every place. Is he worth what you're doing?"
"There's no such thing as worthy or not; if I gain it, I'm fortunate; if I lose it, it's fate, with no regrets!" (Note 1)
Though Zhao Yuqing's voice was not loud, her tone was extraordinarily resolute. It sounded like a thunderclap, awakening profound feelings in those who heard it.
Having some experience with love, Shui Yue seemed to understand Zhao Yuqing's actions, her eyes slightly reddening.
What is love in the world, that makes life and death a commitment!
Though a rival in love, Lian Hongshang was also moved by Zhao Yuqing's reckless spirit.
"Yuqing, stand up first!"
Li Chen was also caught off guard by Zhao Yuqing's sudden action and hurried forward to help her up.
No matter what, Jing Yi Immortal was still Zhao Yuqing's master. Moreover, she seemed to have treated her well over the past two years.
Jing Yi Immortal looked at Li Chen and sternly said: "Li Chen, I admit your talent is quite good, but that alone is far from enough. Here's the deal: if you can win the Immortal Sect Martial Arts Competition three months from now, I'll let Yuqing go with you. Otherwise, forget about it!"
Li Chen looked at Zhao Yuqing, whose face was covered with tears, nodded gently, and said: "Alright, I agree. I also hope Immortal will keep your word then!"
Jing Yi Immortal was stunned by his words. Though Li Chen's talent was good, winning the Immortal Sect Martial Arts Competition was not easy. Her intention in making this request was to have Li Chen back off, but she never expected him to agree readily.
"Of course, I can swear by it. But you must also promise that if you can't do it, don't bother Yuqing again!"
"I am determined to win the top place in the Immortal Sect Martial Arts Competition!"
Li Chen's confident words gave people an undeniable feeling.
After saying this, he walked over to Zhao Yuqing, smiled slightly, and said: "Yuqing, you should stay at the Moon God Palace for three months. I will come for you then!"
Although Zhao Yuqing had countless reluctances in her heart, she nodded gently.
She smiled gently, dimples appearing, and replied: "Mm, I'll wait for you!"
"Hmph, alright then, I'll see how you win the top place in the Immortal Sect Martial Arts Competition!"
Jing Yi Immortal huffed angrily, glaring fiercely.
Li Chen glanced at her, said nothing.
Now words are useless; time will prove everything.
...
The Immortal Sect Martial Arts Competition is a grand event in the Cultivation Realm, held every 60 years. It has never been interrupted throughout the centuries.
Whoever wins the top place, as long as they do not perish midway, invariably grows into a dominant figure of the Immortal Sect.
However, over the centuries, no Loose Cultivator has ever won the top place. Even those from Earth-level Sects who make it to the top ten are exceedingly rare, let alone winning the competition.
These spots are basically monopolized by the Ten Great Heavenly Sects and the Four Great Cultivation Families, making it hard for outsiders to break in, no matter the effort.
Of course, once you make it in, it means a direct step to the heavens!
Therefore, for such an event, whether sect disciples or loose cultivators, none would miss this chance to make a name for themselves; even if unlikely, they would still try.
This time, the Immortal Sect Martial Arts Competition is held in Tianyuan City.
Tianyuan City, located at the center of Penglai Immortal Island, is also the headquarters of the True Immortal Alliance.
After leaving the Moon God Palace, Li Chen, together with Lian Hongshang, headed straight to Tianyuan City.
"Are you really confident you can defeat that Jian Wuheng and Dugu Ming?"
Lian Hongshang blinked her big, bright eyes and asked Li Chen.
Li Chen thought for a moment and said: "Even if I'm not confident, I have to try!"
Lian Hongshang stared unblinkingly at Li Chen, asking: "Is it for Zhao Yuqing?"
Even though Lian Hongshang's expression remained calm and unchanged, Li Chen could sense a slight hint of jealousy in her tone.
"It's not just for her!"
"Oh please, if it's for her, just admit it openly, why be so hypocritical?"
Lian Hongshang folded her arms, and said with a sour tone.
Li Chen had a line of black on his forehead; he didn't reply but started sniffing the surrounding air.
Lian Hongshang, puzzled, asked: "Hey, what are you doing?"
Li Chen, in all seriousness, said: "I smell something sour. I wonder whose vinegar jar got overturned; it's so sour!"
As he spoke, he leaned toward Lian Hongshang, inhaling deeply again.
Only then did Lian Hongshang realize she had fallen for Li Chen's antics again. She reached out her slender hand and pushed his head away.
"Hmph, it's your vinegar jar that's overturned. Stay away from me; I barely know you!"
Outside Tianyuan City, True Immortal Alliance cultivators mounted guard.
To enter the city, one must pay a certain amount of Spirit Stones, which are at least ten times more expensive than in Thunder City. Moreover, the procedure is quite cumbersome, requiring registration and obtaining relevant documents.
"These are your temporary passes; you can stay in Tianyuan City for a month. Once expired, please leave automatically. If you don't want to leave, come back for registration and renew your fee!"
A True Immortal Alliance cultivator took out two Jade Tokens, wrote the names of Li Chen and Lian Hongshang on the back with a vermilion pen, and handed them over respectively.
"There is a map inside the wooden token, marking some forbidden areas' locations, which you must not trespass. Otherwise, if you die inside, don't blame us for not warning you beforehand!"
...
Note 1: "If I gain it, I'm fortunate; if I lose it, it's fate" is a phrase from Xu Zhimo's divorce announcement.