178: Factional strife
The periphery of the Qinglan Prefecture's Direct Jurisdiction was tightly encircled by a ring of “cities” personally built by Refugees.
Most of these people were Exiles who had struggled to escape from Desolate Borderlands like Luoxia Prefecture, many of whom were New Prefecture people who had just completed their Ascension, or their descendants.
Zhang Sheng lightly tapped his finger, immediately dropping one million Spiritual Crystals—the aura he revealed at that moment was not that of the Divine Breath Realm, but the genuine Pressure of the True Fetus Realm!
The Guard didn't even lift an eyelid, handing over an Identity Token upon which cold numbers were silently counting down.
Without it, or once the time hit zero, there was only one outcome: Expulsion.
When Zhang Sheng finally walked out of that long, secluded Corridor, the sight before him instantly seized his breath.
Prosperity!
Dense Buildings pierced the sky, and brilliant, colorful Flying Boats silently sliced across the Horizon.
The Spiritual Qi flowing in the air was docile and peaceful, extremely easy to Refine and absorb. Compared to the violent and Polluted environment of Luoxia Prefecture, it was like Heaven had crashed into the cracks of Hell.
What shocked him even more was that the seemingly ordinary clothes worn by Pedestrians on the road faintly emitted the unique glow of a Spiritual Artifact!
His gaze swept over the area, and he even saw an establishment named Zhenshi Tower, whose exterior walls were actually cast from Fine Gold—that was a top-tier Spiritual Material used for Forging Second-tier supreme-grade Spiritual Artifacts!
“Lord Zhang Sheng, may I ask if you require a Guide?”
A clear, sharp Sound Transmission entered his ear.
Zhang Sheng looked toward the source of the sound. A young Woman, appropriately dressed and with decent looks, was standing not far away, her eyes holding just the right amount of deference and anticipation.
“How do you know my name?” Zhang Sheng raised an eyebrow, his voice carrying a trace of imperceptible Vigilance.
Hearing this, the Woman's eyes instantly burst forth with joy, and she was certain in her heart: A Big Fish! Definitely a Fledgling newcomer!
She quickly stepped forward and curtsied gracefully:
“How could anyone in Qinglan Prefecture not know a Prodigy like you, who has climbed onto the fledgling tiger ranking?
Of course, more importantly, This Little One makes a living by Eating in this line of work.” She raised her head, her smile bright yet restrained.
“This Little One is Feng Yin, greetings, Lord Zhang Sheng. I only ask to Guide the Lord and earn a Living Wage.”
Zhang Sheng pondered for a moment.
Being new here, he certainly needed a Local Expert. “Feng Yin, how many Spiritual Crystals per day?” he asked directly.
Feng Yin was delighted inside, but maintained a Professional demeanor:
“Hiring This Little One for one day only requires one thousand Spiritual Crystals. This Little One constantly moves through the Direct Jurisdiction; I dare not say I know all the Secrets and Anecdotes, but it is absolutely worth the price.”
“Fine, I'll hire you for a few days.” Zhang Sheng decisively flicked ten thousand Spiritual Crystals from his storage ring.
Feng Yin almost had to suppress her Ecstasy as she took the heavy bag of Spiritual Crystals, her voice becoming noticeably lighter:
“Lord, do you have anywhere you wish to go next?
The newly arrived Courtesan Queen at Chun Lai Tower has not yet made her public debut. If the Lord is interested, This Little One can make an Appointment on your behalf!
Zhenshi Tower just received a batch of Bodhi Leaves from the Imperial Capital. It is said that brewing them into tea can temporarily enhance Comprehension Ability, perhaps allowing the Lord's Spell to achieve a Breakthrough to the Perfected State in one go?”
With ten thousand Spiritual Crystals in hand, she promoted her services with extra effort.
“There's no need for those.” Zhang Sheng interrupted her.
“I want to enter Qinglan Academy. What are the Tricks of the Trade here?”
A trace of imperceptible disappointment flashed in Feng Yin's eyes—her Commission was gone.
But her face immediately shifted to Admiration: “Of course, given the Lord's Talent, Qinglan Academy is naturally the first choice! However...”
She lowered her voice, “If you have a Referrer, the path will be smoother.”
“Oh?” Zhang Sheng's gaze sharpened. “There are rules about this?”
Feng Yin glanced left and right, her expression suddenly becoming Cautious. “Lord, step aside with me.”
She guided Zhang Sheng into a Secluded Alley before whispering:
“Lord, please just hear what This Little One is about to say; the truth or falsehood will be revealed later. Where there are people, there is Jianghu, and Qinglan Academy is no exception, perhaps even...”
She paused, seemingly afraid to elaborate, “The Academy is mainly divided into three factions: the ‘Ascension Faction,’ which advocates for absorbing Ascenders; the ‘Local Faction,’ which strongly supports local Cultivators. These two factions fight almost openly. The other faction... is the Imperial Clan Descendants.”
She looked at Zhang Sheng, her eyes carrying a Warning:
“If the Lord enters the Academy without a Referrer, you will inevitably become the Focus of contention between the two factions. No matter which side you choose, you are destined to become a Thorn in the Side of the other!”
Zhang Sheng's heart sank. He hadn't expected the seemingly glamorous Qinglan Academy to have such Deep Waters.
“In your opinion, which faction should I join? And whom can I ask for a referral?”
Feng Yin replied without hesitation: “The Lord is an Ascender, so naturally, the Ascension Faction is the first choice!
Lord Wei Qing, who is on the divine ability ranking, most enjoys promoting Ascenders. He has a Separate Residence in the South District.
Of course, if the Lord finds Qinglan Academy too complicated, Major Powers like Youyuan Chamber of Commerce or Sihai Tower are also excellent choices...”
Under Imperial Authority, Zhang Sheng had no interest in other powers.
“Feng Yin, is it... impossible to join the Imperial Clan Lineage?”
“The Imperial Clan?” Feng Yin burst out laughing, then realizing her Impropriety, quickly covered her mouth.
“Lord, your surname isn't Song? Unless... the Lord intends to Marry into the Family?”
Surname Song?
Zhang Sheng's heart gave a fierce jump!
Commander Song Hao of Hua Prefecture, Shopkeeper Song Yu of Qinglan Chamber of Commerce, Song Xuan Sha of the Heavenly Injury City Arena... All three are surnamed Song! Could they all be of the Imperial Clan?
Recalling Song Hao's earlier words, he asked in a deep voice, “Feng Yin, do you recognize a Commander named Song Hao?”
“Commander Song Hao?!” Feng Yin gasped,
“A Divine Power Realm Peak expert, a Powerhouse on the divine ability ranking, and a member of the Imperial Nobility—who in Qinglan Prefecture doesn't know him? Lord, do you... know him?”
“Do you know his Separate Residence? Take me there.”
Feng Yin's face instantly filled with Difficulty:
“Forgive me, Lord! Lord Song Hao does not live in the Jurisdiction Area, but in the Central Command City!
Based on This Little One's status, I simply cannot enter!” She quickly pulled out a Jade Slip.
“However, This Little One does know the location of Lord Song Hao's Mansion; it's all recorded in this Jade Slip.”
Zhang Sheng took the Jade Slip. Seeing Feng Yin about to hand back the remaining nine thousand Spiritual Crystals, he waved his hand dismissively:
“No need. Your Information is worth that price. Now, take me to buy some Bodhi Leaves.”
After buying the Bodhi Leaves, Zhang Sheng transformed into a Streak of Light and shot straight toward the Inner City.
Left behind was Feng Yin, tightly clutching the Spiritual Crystal Bag, her face showing irrepressible Ecstasy.
This flight took several days.
As far as his eyes could see, Buildings within the Jurisdiction Area were like a forest, and even though a considerable Spiritual Qi Tax had to be paid daily, Cultivators still crowded here like Migrating Crucian Carp.
Zhang Sheng simply couldn't imagine what an Astronomical Figure the Wealth accumulated annually by the Qinglan Prefecture Government was.
Where did such a Massive Amount of Spiritual Crystals ultimately flow?
At this moment, in front of the majestic City Gates of the Central Command City.
A young man and Woman were locked in a Stalemate.
Beside the Woman, an Old Servant's face was ashen, and the Veins on his forehead subtly pulsed.
The man's face held Helplessness and Determination:
“Qing Qing, I truly have a Wife! I admit I like you, but I cannot abandon her for you.
Do you... understand? I can only see you off here. We are fundamentally not on the Same Path. Go back to your Qingchuan, and forget me.”
The Woman, however, suddenly lunged forward, fiercely hugging his waist, her voice filled with a Sob and reckless Stubbornness:
“Brother Xian! Just come back with me to see my father! It doesn't matter if you have a Wife! I am willing to Be a Concubine!
And... and don't you have that precious Clone Talent? Dealing with the two of us... you can definitely manage it!”
“Pfft—!” The Old Servant beside them could no longer hold back; he nearly spat out a mouthful of Old Blood.
His Withered hand clenched, making cracking sounds,
His gaze was so fierce he wished he could slap the Scoundrel Young Man in front of him into a Paste of Flesh!