Chapter 416 Marquis of Rising Sky

It was the day of the birthday banquet of the empress.

Lin Xun arrived in the inner palace city area on a jeweled carriage. Then, he advised Third Old Zhu to leave while he entered the inner palace city alone with the invitation card.

The inner palace city belonged to the imperial family, and the entry and exit were strictly controlled. Even powerful and influential figures weren’t allowed without an invitation.

It was like another world. Grand, ancient buildings stood tall as far as the eye could see, and they were bathed in the glorious glow of the morning sun.

Anyone would feel small and insignificant standing among the majestic buildings.

The palace was easy to find as it was located in the utmost center of the inner palace city. A white jade path that was dozens of feet wide led straight up to the entrance of the palace.

Palace guards stood on both sides of the white jade path with stern, murderous expressions.

Many guests had already arrived before Lin Xun; most of whom were noblemen and some were great renowned cultivators.

He quivered inwardly.

There is no doubt that the banquet is going to be very lively.

Lin Xun trod forward alone, glancing around. It was his first time in the inner palace city. A layer of violet qi blanketed the sky, and the surrounding ancient buildings and structures exuded indescribable authority.

The Ziyao Empire was tremendous, and the Forbidden City was incredibly prosperous. Therefore, how could the inner palace city located in the heart of the Forbidden City not be extraordinary?

Along the way, many people recognized him as they all looked at him strangely and whispered to one another.

Unquestionably, Lin Xun had made a name for himself in the Forbidden City. After all, he had defeated Hua Wuyou, became a rune grandmaster, and repaired the Sword of Apocalypse belonging to the empress. He had stirred up several storms in the Forbidden City and caught the attention of many people.

It was normal that many people recognized him.

Soon, Lin Xun noticed a familiar figure—Bai Lingxi!

She was also alone. She looked particularly ethereal and stunning in a light blue dress that accentuated her graceful and slender figure with her silky black hair draping her shoulders.

𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

She was breathtakingly beautiful even from behind.

She also came.

Lin Xun thought for a moment, contemplating whether he should go up to greet her. After all, Bai Lingxi had repeatedly stood up for him in Precious Laughter House. Although she clearly didn’t think much of it, he was full of gratitude.

To his surprise, Bai Lingxi suddenly halted and turned her head around like she had noticed something. Instantly, her clear and bright eyes landed on Lin Xun.

Lin Xun’s appearance in the palace surprised her as she walked over and asked, “You came too?”

Lin Xun nodded with a smile. “What a coincidence.”

“Let’s go in together.” She walked next to Lin Xun as she was speaking.

Her face was delicately stunning, and her brows were perfect. She had a graceful figure and her skin was fair and soft like jade. She walked leisurely like a fairy from a painting.

Even though Lin Xun was acquainted with her, her beauty still took his breath away. The maiden with the innate talent Eternal Shining Stars had become more beautiful than ever.

“When we were at Blood Kill Camp two years ago, I thought I had formed a better aeth power reservoir than you, but I now have realized that your aeth power reservoir isn’t just a first-grade aeth power reservoir,” said Bai Lingxi suddenly.

Lin Xun narrowed his eyes, smiled, and said, “There’s no difference.”

Bai Lingxi’s bright eyes swept over Lin Xun and she responded, “There is a difference. At least, the foundation of a first-grade aeth power reservoir can’t possibly help you reach the intermediate Spirit Sea Stage in less than two years.”

After a pause, her brows furrowed as if she had thought of something odd. “Besides, a few months ago, you defeated Hua Wuyou, who is at the intermediate Spirit Sea Stage, even though you were only at the initial Spirit Sea Stage. Not anyone can do that.”

“I know how strong Hua Wuyou is. She is regarded as one of the strongest in the Dao Martial Department of Qinglu Academy, and she is strong enough to be ranked on the Spirit Sea Gold Rankings. Since you could defeat her, it’s no longer about the foundation.”

She suddenly lifted her eyes and stared at Lin Xun’s face. Her soft lips suddenly parted and she said aloud, “If my guess is right, your innate talent might not have vanished when your Origin Aeth Artery was taken away.”

Lin Xun trembled inwardly with shock. Bai Lingxi discovering his greatest secret was outside of his wildest expectations.

“You don’t have to answer me. That’s just my speculation.”

Bai Lingxi shifted her gaze to the towering palace building afar. “A while ago, I learned something. Can you believe it? Beyond the Ziyao Empire is a vast, mysterious place with ancient Dao traditions. It is a paradise-like, blessed land with unimaginable cultivation resources.”

Lin Xun was inwardly shaken. Inexplicably, he thought of the bloody tragedy more than ten years ago and thought of how Yun Qingbai had killed his parents and clansmen!

According to the old man of the Black Glory Sacred Hall, Yun Qingbai had come from a mysterious sect with Dao traditions called Omega Sword Sect!

“The elders in my clan said that only there can a cultivator seek the true Dao there, transcend worldliness, enter sainthood, and live with heaven and earth. But not everyone is qualified to go there.”

Bai Lingxi seemed to be murmuring half to herself, and there was a hint of longing on her beautiful, flawless face.

Lin Xun’s mood changed because he had a feeling that the mysterious domain that Bai Lingxi spoke of was where Yun Qingbai had come from!

Bai Lingxi drew a deep breath and said aloud, “Soon, I’m going to set out on a journey to seek the path there.” Although her voice was indifferent, it was filled with unquestionable determination.

As Lin Xun looked at the maiden radiating a dreamy and sacred aura bathed in the morning sunlight, he couldn’t help but feel admiration for her. He said with a smile, “I wish you a smooth trip and hope you achieve what you set out for.”

He could tell that Bai Lingxi had an extraordinary determination toward cultivation and seeking the Dao. This was the reason why she stood out so much in the mundane world.

Bai Lingxi smiled sweetly. The hint of a smile she inadvertently revealed seemed to make the world dim when compared to her indescribable beauty.

“Let’s not talk about this. Many geniuses and talents are going to attend the birthday banquet. Do you know why they came?” Bai Lingxi suddenly asked.

“Did they not come here to celebrate the empress’s birthday?”

She shook her head. “This birthday banquet is different from those in the past. I heard...that several masters from the mysterious domain beyond the Ziyao Empire will attend. If you can win their favor, perhaps you can soar to the sky in one leap and be allowed to cultivate in the mysterious domain.”

It was only then that Lin Xun realized why Bai Lingxi had mentioned the mysterious domain to him. It turned out that was also the reason she came.

Lin Xun speculated that Bai Lingxi was under the mistaken assumption that he had come to the birthday banquet to compete for that opportunity.

He was about to explain when loud rumbles rang behind him and drew the attention of everyone.

They were in the inner palace city where the white jade path led directly into the palace. Who would dare to arrogantly cause such a disturbance?

He turned around and saw a gorgeous jeweled carriage pulled by four ink-hooved dragon beasts clattering towards them with incredible speed.

The jeweled carriage was overflowing with colors and adorned with purple cloud patterns, and the four ink-hooved dragon beasts were all fierce and terrifying.

The owner of the jeweled carriage had to be impressive given that he dared to move freely on the white jade path. Furthermore, no one dared to stop the carriage.

”Ink-hooved dragon carriage! The Marquis of Rising Sky has returned!”

“Five years ago, the Marquis of Rising Sky left the Forbidden City when he was at the Spirit Dipper Stage and went to train alone in the desolate wasteland. He has killed an unknown number of trash from the Darkness Race and made a name for himself. I never thought he would return to the Forbidden City after five years!”

“After five years, I wonder how strong he has become. He should at least be at the Spirit Sea Stage, right?”

Many figures on the white jade path exclaimed. They recognized it was the Marquis of Rising Sky, Zhao Jingyin, a young marquis in the imperial family!

He was a domineering, arrogant, and bad-tempered cultivation genius.

Five years ago, the Marquis of Rising Sky, Zhao Jingyin, was only fourteen years old, but he had slaughtered dozens of cultivators for a brothel woman. Not only did he forcibly take the woman away, but he also set fire to the brothel. The incident shook the Forbidden City.

In the end, the incident spread to the emperor, and he issued a decree to expel the Marquis of Rising Sky from the Forbidden City. He was sent to the frontier to pay off his sins with meritorious service.

No one would have thought that after only five years, the Marquis of Rising Sky, Zhao Jingyin, would return to the Forbidden City!

Just from overhearing the discussion around him, Lin Xun realized the carriage was moving recklessly on the white jade path because the owner of the carriage was arrogant and fearless.

“That guy came back…”

Bai Lingxi frowned, her bright eyes flashed a look of disgust. She had also heard about the Marquis of Rising Sky’s past misdeeds.

Unexpectedly, the ink-hooved dragon carriage abruptly halted as it passed him. Because the stop was too sudden, the sinister dragon beast in front reared up on its back legs, and its iron-pillar-like front legs almost slammed into Lin Xun!

Uproar broke out.

This scene happened so suddenly that many ordinary cultivators couldn’t evade it in time.

In truth, Lin Xun was also a little caught off guard, but his years of battle experience made him subconsciously dart to the other side with miraculous speed.