292: Shuangwang Town

One month, over two thousand li of travel.

Qin Feng, relying on the warnings from the daily intelligence system, led the group to cleverly avoid trouble from forces like the Gu Jian Sect, Hehuan Sect, and Blood Spirit Gate. The journey was surprisingly peaceful. Occasionally, they encountered bands of blind bandits or thieves, but they were all dealt with by Yan Chi, who took the lead. Under her crimson flame spear, none were a match for a single strike.

The formidable combat prowess displayed by this daughter of the city lord left Tao Yuanyi and Cold Peach Blossom, who were originally responsible for protection, from initial shock to later numbness, and finally to admiration—Yan Chi could not only fight but also tank. No matter what emergency occurred, she was always the first to rush forward and the last to retreat. Wherever her crimson flame spear went, it swept through everything.

After a month of living together, Yan Chi had completely integrated into the team. She was straightforward and fiery, yet valued affection and loyalty. She was as close as sisters with Su Yuchun, beat Xia Ya until she cried out in submission during sparring, exchanged movement technique insights with Ji Ruxue, and even asked Tao Yuanyi for advice on how to control flames more exquisitely during Artifact Refining.

The practice of the Four Symbols Battle Array also became increasingly proficient. The coordination between the five people became more tacit. Qin Feng sat in the center to coordinate the overall situation, Xia Ya's Black Tortoise defense was as stable as a rock, Ji Ruxue's Azure Dragon speed was unpredictable, Yan Chi's White Tiger offensive was destructive, and Su Yuchun's Vermilion Bird support was like a gentle spring breeze. Although they had not fought against a Martial Emperor level powerhouse again, Qin Feng could feel that the overall power of the battle array had increased by at least fifty percent compared to when they were in Juyan City.

Little Fire also grew rapidly during this month. It had completely absorbed the extreme Yang energy of the two sun crystal stones. Now it had grown to half a person's height, its red-gold fur was shiny, the flame patterns on its forehead were becoming clearer, and the pair of fleshy wings on its back could already be used for short-distance flight. Its aura was stabilized at the Peak Early Stage Martial King, and the flames it spat carried the characteristics of the sun true fire, the temperature of which even made Yan Chi click her tongue in wonder.

At dusk, the group arrived at "Shuangwang Town".

This was the last small town before the Imperial Capital. It was named after two princes of different surnames who met here three hundred years ago to serve the king. The town was not large, but it was exceptionally prosperous. Merchants, Martial Artists, and officials from north and south gathered here, making it a mix of fish and dragons. Martial Artists in various clothes could be seen everywhere on the streets, restaurants and inns were bustling with noise, and the air was filled with various dialects and fluctuations of true essence.

More eye-catching were the government troops stationed outside the town—a five-hundred-man elite cavalry unit, with bright armor and a murderous aura, was strictly screening pedestrians and carriages on the official road to the Imperial Capital.

"It seems the Imperial Capital is heavily guarded recently," Tao Yuanyi said in a low voice. "This screening formation does not look like a routine patrol."

Qin Feng nodded. He noticed that the officials were checking extremely meticulously. They not only had to verify road passes and identities, but also probe storage Magical Artifacts, ask about their intentions and destinations, and even conduct separate interrogations for Martial Artists with higher cultivation levels.

"Let's find a place to stay first," Qin Feng said. "We will pass the checkpoint tomorrow."

The group found the largest inn in the town, "Shuangwang Tower", and asked for three superior rooms. After settling down, Qin Feng stayed in his room alone and pulled up the System panel.

[Name: Qin Feng]

[Age: 19]

[Rank: Mid-stage Martial King (Meridians fully recovered)]

[Talent: Sword Heart (Advanced, repaired), Sword Bone (Advanced, repaired)]

[Cultivation Technique: Primordial Unity Qi Art (Level 4 Major Achievement), "Daoist Primordial Chaos Art" (Volume 1, Perfection)]

[Martial Skill: Finger Sword Among Flowers (Earth Rank Advanced), Hundred Flowers Sword Technique (Earth Rank Advanced, infused with Thunder-Fire True Intent, 100% mastery), Wind Spirit Illusion Steps (Earth Rank Advanced, 100% mastery)]

[Special: Sword Intent Prototype · Thunder-Fire (First glimpse of the door), Xuanyuan Dragon Slaying Art First Form "Start-Hand Startling Waves" (Proficient)]

[Status: Peak]

[Partners: Su Yuchun, Mid-stage Martial King, Favorability 150]

[Ji Ruxue, Mid-stage Martial King, Favorability 95]

[Xia Ya, Mid-stage Martial King, Favorability 90]

[Yan Chi, Late Stage Martial King, Favorability 40]

After a month of hard training and the tempering of continuous battles, Qin Feng finally broke through to the Mid-stage Martial King. His Meridians were fully recovered, his Sword Heart and Sword Bone were repaired, and more importantly—the first form of the Xuanyuan Dragon Slaying Art, "Start-Hand Startling Waves", had been practiced from entry to proficiency!

Now the power of this sword was more than twice as strong as it was in Juyan City. Qin Feng was confident that if he were to fight Yan Di again, even without the help of the Four Symbols Battle Array, this sword alone would be enough to make the other party take him seriously.

"The one-month deadline has arrived," Qin Feng muttered to himself.

Since leaving Juyan City, he refreshed the intelligence every day, mostly getting news about the movements of forces along the way, warnings of potential dangers, and some scattered information about opportunities. But according to the System rules, there must be a green Opportunity every half month and a blue Opportunity every month.

Today, it was exactly one month.

"Before stepping into the Imperial Capital, there will be at least one blue intelligence," Qin Feng's eyes flashed with expectation.

The Imperial Capital was deep and full of crises, but also full of opportunities. If he could get some key intelligence in advance, he might be able to gain the upper hand.

He focused his mind and waited for the arrival of the zi hour.

Outside the window, the night in Shuangwang Town was still noisy. The sound of fist-fighting in restaurants, the shouting in gambling houses, the sound of silk and bamboo in brothels, and the faint sound of drilling from the military camp in the distance intertwined into a prosperous and complex picture.

The Imperial Capital was just a hundred miles away.

There was the second volume of the "Daoist Primordial Chaos Art", clues to the middle and lower parts of the Xuanyuan Dragon Slaying Art, the connections of the Medicine King Valley in the Imperial Capital, the dark stakes of the Yin Demon Sect, Hehuan Sect, and Blood Spirit Gate, and the complex power game between the royal family, Sects, and aristocratic families.

"Tomorrow..." Qin Feng looked toward the Imperial Capital, a firm light flashing in his eyes.

No matter what kind of dragon pool or tiger den was ahead, he had to go through it.

The zi hour was approaching.

The System light screen was about to refresh.

The blue intelligence of this night might determine the opening of their trip to the Imperial Capital.