110: Chapter 110 The Fifth Life, The Blazing Sun Illuminates the Martial Path (58)

After descending the mountain, Chu Shi and his companion immediately activated their movement techniques and rushed forward, arriving at the walls of Jinwu City in just the time it takes to brew a cup of tea.

Upon reaching the city gates, they saw that the gate, over ten zhang high, was grand and magnificent, with the three ancient, golden-patterned characters for "Jinwu City" embedded in the lintel, shining brilliantly.

On both sides of the gate stood guards clad in standardized golden armor, each with a steady aura and sharp gaze.

Chu Shi sensed them slightly and was surprised to discover that they all possessed cultivation at the Copper Bone Realm; it was truly worthy of being a massive city exclusive to the Sacred Ground.

Afterwards, the two walked directly into the city. As the guards' gazes swept over them and caught sight of the robes Chu Shi was wearing, their expressions immediately turned solemn, and they bowed slightly in salute.

After entering the city, they found the streets wide and smooth, paved with green-veined stones, with shops lining both sides; stalls selling spirit herbs, medicinal pills, weapons, and talismans were everywhere.

The passersby were dressed in gorgeous clothing and looked prosperous, and the sounds of hawking and conversation intertwined, revealing a scene of prosperity and wealth everywhere.

Chu Ming led Chu Shi straight toward the east side of the city, introducing it with a smile along the way:

"Brother Shi, our Jinwu City is divided into four districts: East, South, West, and North. The East District is the area with the most concentrated Yuan Qi and the most elegant environment in the entire city.

It is a designated settlement area specifically set aside by the sect for the families of Core Disciples. Others, no matter how much silver they have, are not qualified to establish a residence here."

Hearing this, Chu Shi couldn't help but feel a bit puzzled and asked while walking:

"Why is that? Are Core Disciples able to enjoy the best treatment?

But above the sect, there are still True Inheritor Disciples and various elders. Are their families and kin not arranged to be in this place instead?"

A flash of genuine envy crossed Chu Ming's eyes as he patiently explained:

"This is the sect's regulation.

As the name implies, True Inheritor Disciples are the core of the sect's inheritance and the reserve of top combat power; their status is incredibly esteemed.

The sect will directly allocate an independent small mountain peak within the Sacred Ground as a True Inheritor Peak; their status is comparable to, or even exceeds, that of Inner Sect elders.

Their families have no need to be brought to Jinwu City at all; they can be settled directly on their own True Inheritor Peak, and they can also enjoy a better Yuan Qi environment within the Sacred Ground, which is far superior to a residence in Jinwu City.

As for the sect elders, although they do not have independent True Inheritor Peaks, their residences within the Sacred Ground are already grand in scale and filled with abundant Yuan Qi, sufficient to house all their close kin.

If an elder wants to establish a family outside, they will actively apply to be stationed in the core regions within the three provinces to control a force.

They would never squeeze themselves at the foot of the Sacred Ground, where they would be tied up and unable to fully exert themselves.

Only Core Disciples, who have excellent talent but have not yet reached the qualifications to independently control a peak, would have the sect provide such exclusive residences in the East District of Jinwu City."

Hearing this explanation, Chu Shi completely understood the sect's settlement regulations and gained a deeper understanding of the sect's hierarchical system.

The two walked and chatted all the way, crossing carved wooden bridges and passing through bustling streets, and before long, they stopped in front of an imposing and elegant mansion.

The mansion's vermilion gate was hung high, with stone pedestals carved with Lieyang patterns standing on both sides, and a black-bottomed, gold-patterned plaque hung on the lintel, upon which were written two vigorous and powerful characters: "Chu Mansion."

Inside the courtyard walls, pavilions and towers were arranged in a staggered and orderly fashion, with greenery and flowers complementing each other, while Yuan Qi slowly lingered, revealing the grandeur and elegance of a Core Disciple's mansion everywhere.

Chu Shi looked at the mansion before him, and waves of warmth welled up in his heart.

He raised his hand to push open the gate and heard familiar voices of conversation coming from inside the courtyard.

It was his mother, Madam Liu, strolling and chatting with Li Hao in the front courtyard. Hearing the sound of the gate being pushed open, both turned their heads to look.

Seeing that it was Chu Shi, expressions of joy instantly welled up on their faces, and they hurriedly crowded around him.

His mother walked quickly to him, her eyes full of heartache and pride, examining him carefully, continuously muttering that he had lost weight but had also become increasingly spirited.

Chu Shi responded to each of them. After a reunion and catching up, since it was still early, Chu Shi accompanied his mother to stroll casually through the streets and alleys of the East District of Jinwu City.

The mother and son walked slowly, talking about intimate family matters, surrounded by lingering spiritual energy, with pleasant scenery; it was quite comfortable.

However, they hadn't walked far before they encountered the Princess of the Canglan Princes Mansion and her group coming from the opposite direction.

Several young girls were huddled together, chattering away. The lively Princess took the initiative to step forward and greet them, her words full of closeness toward Chu Shi, and as they walked and talked, it was incredibly lively.

When twilight dyed the horizon, Chu Shi did not return to the sect's Tingyang Courtyard, but instead stayed at the Chu Mansion to rest.

After a simple wash, he had just sat cross-legged on the couch to regulate his breath when he heard his room door being gently knocked.

"Shi'er, are you asleep? Mother is coming in to have a few words with you." His mother's gentle voice slowly came from outside the door.

Chu Shi hurriedly got up to open the door and helped Madam Liu sit down by the table.

The mother and son chatted about the hardships and trifles of his childhood, and about his current cultivation life in the sect; it was warm and quiet.

As they chatted, Madam Liu suddenly changed the subject, her eyes carrying a bit of inquiry, and brought up the Princess they had encountered in the afternoon, as well as the name of Yun Mengyao:

"Mother heard people in the clan gossiping before, saying that Yun Mengyao, you used to be quite close to her and even pursued her together with Hao'er. How is that matter now?"

Hearing this, Chu Shi was immediately covered in black lines, his face showing a mix of crying and laughing.

He was only thirteen years old now, exactly the age to focus on rooting himself in the martial path. No matter how he listened to his mother's topic, it carried a hint of urging him to marry, which was a bit too impatient.

He immediately hurried to explain, his tone carrying a bit of helplessness: "Mother, don't listen to others' random rumors.

That Yun Mengyao is not a good person; she is deep in her thoughts and accustomed to putting on an act. It was just that I was momentarily blinded by appearances before, which is why I misjudged her.

Now I have no connection with her whatsoever, and I have also resolved the past rift with Li Hao and made up."

After hearing this, a trace of faint disappointment flashed across Madam Liu's face, but she instantly perked up again, looking at Chu Shi with sparkling eyes, and continued to ask with great interest:

"Then what about that little girl who was talking to you this afternoon?

Mother saw that her attitude toward you was close, and her appearance and family background both looked excellent. Do you have any feelings for her?"

Chu Shi felt an increasing headache from being asked and hurriedly interrupted his mother's words, explaining earnestly:

"Mother, please don't guess randomly. That is the Princess of the Canglan Princes Mansion; she is the only daughter of the Mansion.

She has been pampered and spoiled since childhood, and her status is incomparably noble. She and I are just ordinary acquaintances."

He paused, then calmed his heart, his tone becoming increasingly solemn:

"I am still young, and my heart is set on the martial path; I have no other plans. Please don't spend any more effort on these matters or let your imagination run wild."

But Madam Liu clearly didn't listen to the second half of his sentence, only firmly remembering the key information of "Princess of the Canglan Princes Mansion" and "only daughter."

She first frowned slightly, feeling that the gap in status between the two families was too vast, fearing it would be difficult to have a result.

But immediately, she looked Chu Shi up and down, her eyes full of pride, and said with a smile:

"Where is my son lacking? With such a handsome appearance and outstanding talent, and now being a personal disciple of Peak Master Lieyang.

You are a heaven-favored talent who counts for something in the entire Sacred Ground; even if it is a Princess of the Mansion, it's not certain that you wouldn't be a match!"

As she spoke, his mother began to chatter on, enumerating all of Chu Shi's various merits, becoming more and more enthusiastic as she spoke.

Chu Shi listened with utter helplessness and could only emphasize again and again that he was still young, his martial path had just begun, and he had no heart to concern himself with romantic matters.