Only after becoming emperor did he realize he was in a fantasy world of immortal cultivation.

After leaving Baibaozhai, Lin Yuan strolled around the market for a while.

The streets of the market were slightly bustling in the afternoon.

The air was filled with the scents of various medicinal herbs, spirit ores, talismans, and even low-level demon beast materials. The shouts of vendors, the whispers of cultivators haggling over prices, and the faint sounds of laughter from teahouses and taverns in the distance created a vivid and bustling scene of a cultivation market.

Lin Yuan lingered for a while in front of several larger material shops and magical artifact shops, getting a general understanding of the recent market conditions and price fluctuations of various common refining materials. He also carefully observed several mid-grade magical artifacts on display, secretly comparing and studying them with his own refining works.

As the sun began to set and the crowds in the market thinned out, he turned and walked slowly toward the Gong family's territory, having gained some understanding of the market situation and with some plans in mind.

Upon returning to the outer city area of ​​the Gong family, the hustle and bustle and chaotic atmosphere unique to the market was immediately replaced by a more orderly and quiet atmosphere.

The bluestone path was clean and tidy, and the buildings on both sides were in good order. Occasionally, disciples dressed in Gong family attire would walk by in a hurry.

Lin Yuan went straight back to his temporary residence and briefly summarized what he had learned and seen that day.

Thinking back to what the messenger disciple had told him about the time when Master Yu would be giving his lecture, it was only an hour away from now.

After a moment's thought, he decided to head straight for the main hall.

After all, arriving early is always a good thing.

He changed into a neater set of dark blue disciple's robes, smoothed out his clothes, pushed open the door, and walked along the main road leading from the outer city to the inner city. The afternoon sun cast a long, slanted shadow on him, and the spiritual trees planted on both sides of the road cast dappled light and shadow.

"Lin Yuan!"

He had just stepped out of the residential area when a clear, excited shout came from behind him. The voice was bright and full of youthful energy.

It is Gong Yi.

Upon hearing the sound, Lin Yuan paused slightly. Just as he was about to turn around, a series of light footsteps approached from afar. Immediately afterward, a figure dressed in a moon-white disciple's robe with silver trim appeared in front of him with a gust of wind. It was none other than Gong Yi, whose face was beaming with joy.

"Young Master." Lin Yuan remained calm, bowing slightly in accordance with etiquette, preparing to pay his respects.

Seeing this, Gong Yi quickly extended his hands in a gesture of support, saying in a light tone, "Hey! Lin Yuan, there's no need for these formalities between us, it's too distant!"

His eyes crinkled into a smile, clearly indicating he was in a very good mood.

Upon hearing this, Lin Yuan readily straightened up and nodded, "Okay."

"Lin Yuan, I heard you passed the test too?" Gong Yi looked at Lin Yuan and said in a cheerful tone.

Lin Yuan nodded, giving an affirmative response.

From Gong Yi's words, it was clear that he had also passed the test.

But this was exactly what Lin Yuan had predicted, so his expression didn't change much.

Standing to the side, Gong Yi saw that Lin Yuan's reaction to this news, which was something countless members of the Gong family had dreamed of, was so calm, or even... completely unresponsive.

They couldn't help but compare them in their hearts.

You see, ever since the Tenth Elder, who was in charge of this matter, personally informed him yesterday that he had passed the test, he was so excited that he barely slept a wink all night, tossing and turning over what kind of profound methods the legendary immortal would impart, and wishing he could go and listen to the lecture immediately.

Even now, when he mentions this to Lin Yuan, his emotions still fluctuate, feeling excited, joyful, and expectant, perhaps mixed with a hint of nervousness—in short, his feelings are very complex.

He found it hard to imagine that anyone could be like Lin Yuan, facing such an opportunity yet remaining calm and composed, as if... he had just been talking about something as mundane as "the weather is nice today" or "it's time to have dinner."

However, after spending these few days with Lin Yuan, Gong Yi had roughly figured out his temperament.

After a few moments of surprise, she stopped bothering herself with comparing herself to Lin Yuan.

"That's perfect!" Gong Yi quickly adjusted his mindset, a smile returning to his face, and suggested, "Since we've both passed and the time is about right, why don't we go to the main hall together?"

Lin Yuan naturally had no objection and simply replied, "Okay."

The main hall is located in the inner city, the heart of the Gong clan's territory.

That was a territory where only direct descendants of the Gong family and their personal attendants, or elite disciples of collateral branches with special permission, could engage in daily activities.

The outer city area where Lin Yuan and Gong Yi currently live and operate is not only separated by their social status, but also physically quite far away.

The two left the outer city's disciple settlement area, passed through several guarded archways and a long stone path lined with tall spiritual plants, and walked for a full half hour before they finally entered the inner city.

Upon entering the inner city, the scenery was immediately different from that of the outer city.

The first thing you feel is a richer, purer, and more peaceful spiritual energy from heaven and earth, as if the entire area is shrouded in the effect of a large-scale spirit-gathering array.

Looking around, the view opened up considerably, no longer just rows of neat but somewhat dense houses.

Most striking are the many palaces and pavilions suspended in mid-air in the distance.

These buildings come in various shapes and sizes. Some are exquisite and delicate, with flying eaves and brackets, resembling a fairyland. Others are simple and grand, with towering columns, exuding a solemnity accumulated over the years.

They are not entirely suspended in mid-air, but are elegantly connected to the solid ground below by staircases or rainbow bridges of varying widths, carved from single pieces of spirit jade.

The palace walls are not ordinary bricks and tiles, but are mostly made of some kind of lustrous jade or special materials with protective arrays attached. The walls are inlaid with many colorful gemstones, pearls or self-luminous spirit crystals as decorations.

It was midday, and the bright sunlight shone down without any obstruction, illuminating these magnificent buildings. The gemstones refracted dazzling light, and the crystals flowed with a warm glow.

The entire floating complex seemed to be shrouded in a dreamlike, precious light, dazzling and mesmerizing, truly showcasing the profound heritage and extraordinary aura of the Gong Clan as a powerful force.

Their destination—the main hall—is located at the very center of all the floating palaces.

It is not the highest suspended, but it is the largest in scale and the most solemn and beautiful in design.

The main body of the hall is in a deep black color, with gold patterns interspersed. The eaves spread out to both sides like phoenix wings, and the roof is covered with shimmering glazed tiles, which look like a solidified rosy cloud in the sunlight.

The main hall exudes a majestic, solemn, and inviolable aura. Standing there quietly, it is the absolute core and symbol of the entire inner city and even the entire Gong clan territory.

Lin Yuan gazed at the straight, wide avenue paved with some kind of white jade with natural cloud patterns, leading directly to the receiving platform beneath the main floating hall, and at the majestic palace at the end of the avenue that required looking up. His face remained expressionless, but his eyes narrowed slightly before he slowly took a step.

Gong Yi also calmed down a bit, his expression becoming more serious, and walked side by side with Lin Yuan.

The avenue leading to the main hall was exceptionally clean, almost spotless. Every few feet along both sides stood a stone sculpture of a spirit beast in various shapes, so lifelike that it seemed as if it might come to life at any moment.

There weren't many pedestrians on the road, and most of them walked with steady steps and had an extraordinary demeanor, clearly indicating that they were direct descendants of the inner city or cultivators of high status.

After walking for about half a cup of tea's time, the two finally arrived at the huge white jade welcoming platform below the main hall.

At the edge of the platform, several jade staircases meander upwards, connecting to the main gate of the floating main hall above.

Just as Lin Yuan and Gong Yi were about to step onto the stairs, a voice carrying a clear sense of mockery and arrogance suddenly came from behind them: "Oh, isn't this Gong Yi? This is the main hall. Have you come to the wrong place?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Yuan looked at the man who was getting closer and closer to them.

The man's name was Gong Ren.

He is a direct descendant of the Gong family.

When Gong Ren walked up to the two of them, Lin Yuan subtly sized him up.

He wasn't very old, probably the same age as Gong Yi.

She was fairly good-looking, but the most noticeable feature was a black mole under her mouth.

As the other person spoke again, the mole moved around, becoming incredibly dazzling.

"You, a member of a collateral branch, should get out of here and get out of the city right now." Gong Ren crossed his arms, his eyes filled with disdain, and the black mole on his lip added a touch of arrogance to his expression.

Given their respective statuses, Gong Yi usually retreated whenever possible when facing Gong Ren.

But ever since Gong Ren intentionally destroyed his Azure Frost Sword last time, he has changed his approach to advancing whenever possible.

Especially now.

"Gong Ren," Gong Yi turned around, facing Gong Ren's provocative gaze. His tone was no longer as restrained as before, but carried a clear hint of anger. "I'm here because I passed Master Yu's test and earned the right to attend the lectures. It's not your place to point fingers and criticize me!"

"A test? Ha..." Gong Ren let out a short, cold laugh, as if he had heard something utterly ridiculous. The mocking curve of his lips widened, and the mole on his face twitched violently. "It's just a stroke of luck, a coincidence. You? You think you're worthy of listening to Master Yu's lecture? I advise you to be smart and get out of here, otherwise..."

Gong Ren paused deliberately at this point, his gaze becoming deep and dangerous, slowly and meaningfully shifting to the hilt of the "Azure Frost Sword" that Gong Yi was not wearing at his waist but was unconsciously holding in his hand.

Gong Yi sensed the ill intent in Gong Ren's gaze and knew exactly what he was implying. He subconsciously pulled his sword behind his back.

Seeing this, Gong Ren was very satisfied with Gong Yi's reaction.

Then, he slightly shifted his gaze to Lin Yuan.