Star Martial Soaring Cloud

While vehicles and horses are restricted, pedestrians are not.

In the end, the coachman could only pick out a few of the most urgently needed medicinal herbs, carry them on his shoulder, and run quickly into the city.

As cultivators, Wang Xiao and his two companions felt a strange sense of deprivation upon entering the capital.

Without any discomfort, resistance, or even a warning, I simply walked into the city, and then something disappeared.

It's like someone gently blew out a lamp behind you; you didn't turn around, and you didn't even know the lamp had been on.

Divine consciousness is completely ineffective.

Wang Xiao subconsciously tried to extend his divine sense outside his body. The power that used to cover hundreds of feet in radius and could clearly perceive even the crawling of ants was now as if it were being held down by an invisible hand, imprisoned deep in his sea of ​​consciousness, and remained motionless.

The aroma of fried dough sticks from the street vendors, the laughter of children in the distance, the flapping of pigeons overhead—all aspects of life remain vivid in my mind, but I can no longer "touch" them with my divine sense.

The connection to the primordial energy of heaven and earth is still present.

Wang Xiao could clearly sense that the primordial energy floating in the world was slowly flowing, and he could still absorb and refine it.

However, the passage connecting humans with heaven and earth has been compressed many times over. Like a surging river, it has been forcibly squeezed into a trickle, long and gentle, no longer as vast as it once was.

Wang Xiao is on the path of body tempering. For him, vital energy is the fundamental raw material for tempering the physical body, so he has not yet deeply felt the effects of this change.

Zhou Qian specializes in supernatural powers, and most of his skills are based on fire-based techniques.

He tried to activate the vital energy within his body, his brows furrowing.

His supernatural powers remain, and his connection with the origin of heaven and earth has not been severed, but the power he can mobilize now is probably less than one-tenth of what it used to be.

Xie An remained silent, focusing intently on sensing the formation. After a moment, he sighed softly, "The grade of this formation is at least... no, it's completely unfathomable. It's a complex formation composed of several major formations superimposed on each other, further enhanced by the dynasty's protective aura. It's truly unfathomable!"

This is the power of the capital's defensive formation.

It silently establishes the rules, revealing who truly rules this world.

From the moment you step into the capital, if you're a dragon, you have to coil up; if you're a tiger, you have to lie down.

After all, this is the capital city, the imperial city.

If cultivators could freely spread their divine sense to explore all directions, what secrets would the Nine Provinces still hold?

With the entire court and the imperial concubines all under the cultivators' perception, where was the emperor's authority and dignity?

What privacy could a vast dynasty and an entire country possibly have?

Rumor has it that the restrictions within the imperial palace are even stronger, and once a cultivator steps inside, they become almost indistinguishable from an ordinary person.

Is this saying that mortals and cultivators are equal, or is it proclaiming supreme authority? Who can say for sure?

Wang Xiao was not surprised by this.

Earlier on the Demon Island, Yan Zixi and Su Qinhe had explained the reasons to him, so he was already mentally prepared.

However, he noticed that Zhou Qian and Xie An looked calm and showed no surprise, which meant that they were already aware of these rules.

Wang Xiao couldn't help but touch his forehead, inwardly chuckling bitterly: Master, Senior Brother, what exactly did you teach me? Does knowing less about the world mean being happier? Do you want me to be happy forever?

After calming his chaotic thoughts, Wang Xiao finally took a good look at the scenery around him.

The capital city truly lives up to its reputation.

The streets were wide and straight, wide enough for eight carriages to walk side by side. The bluestone pavement was neatly paved, with white lime filling the gaps between the slabs, making it as clean as if it had been washed with water.

Shops lined both sides of the street, their various signs fluttering in the wind, and their gilded signs gleaming with a warm glow in the twilight.

Silk shops, herbal medicine shops, antique shops, stationery shops... the variety of goods is even richer than in Yuhang.

Yet within this extreme prosperity lies a unique grandeur.

It was not noisy and chaotic, but rather orderly.

Pedestrians come and go in an endless stream, each keeping to their own lane without any crowding or pushing; vehicles come and go without ceasing, all following the rules and never obstructing traffic or vying for space.

There were soldiers patrolling the streets, with long swords at their waists, their steps steady and orderly, their eyes sharp as eagles.

They do not interfere with the daily lives of ordinary people, but they act as an invisible boundary, constantly reminding everyone: this is the capital city, and you should abide by the rules.

All three were new to the capital, their eyes filled with curiosity as they quietly observed their surroundings.

Zhou Qian's gaze swept back and forth between the tavern and the weapons shop, while Xie An stared intently at a small shop selling array plates on the street.

Wang Xiao looked at the passersby: there were young masters from noble families in brocade robes, merchants in coarse clothes, military officials riding horses, and scholars traveling slowly in sedan chairs.

Everyone was in their proper place and performed their duties. In this magnificent city, they were like intricately interlocking threads, silently operating and propelling the entire Great Qian Dynasty forward steadily.

"What are your plans for the future, you two?" Wang Xiao asked.

"I want to go to the academy first!" Xie An answered first, his eyes shining with eagerness.

This was the first time Wang Xiao had seen Xie An be so proactive, which was enough to imagine how he felt at that moment.

Jingwei Academy, the supreme holy land of array formations in the Nine Provinces, is the hall that all those who study array formations yearn for throughout their lives.

"That's what I think too," Zhou Qian said, unconsciously clenching his fist.

Originally, his plan for the trip north was more to accompany Xie An, to keep him company and protect him.

But now, he actually has the opportunity to step into that legendary university.

Jixia Academy, disciples of the Emperor, what cultivator in the world wouldn't be tempted?

One is going to Jingwei Academy, and the other is going to Jixia Academy, but they don't conflict with each other.

The reason is that these two institutions of learning are located on Changqian Street, facing each other across the street to the north and south.

Changqian Street is the main east-west thoroughfare in Beijing, running through the entire city.

The Chengtian Gate of the Daqian Imperial Palace divides Changqian Street into east and west sections.

Jingwei Taoist Academy is located on the south side of Dongchangqian Street, while Jixia Academy is located on the north side.

Being located so close to the core of the Great Qian Dynasty's power demonstrates the importance the imperial court attaches to these two institutions of learning.

As the sun slowly set, the twilight bathed the entire city in a soft golden light.

Inside the Jixia Academy, lights were already twinkling.

Su Qinhe walked hurriedly through a bamboo forest.

She wore a long, moon-white dress, her long, black hair cascading down her shoulders. Her face was exquisitely beautiful, with an ethereal quality that seemed untouched by worldly concerns. Yet, her gait was incongruous with this elegance—too hurried, as if she were chasing something or running away from something.

"Sister Su, are you going to the Jingwei Taoist Academy next door again?" Yun Qingyao asked softly, leaning against the railing of the pavilion.

Su Qinhe paused and looked up.

Yun Qingyao wore a light blue dress, her long hair casually draped over her shoulders, and she was surrounded by a cool, wood-based spiritual energy, making her look like a fairy who had stepped out of an ancient landscape scroll.

But deep in her eyes lies a keen insight into the ways of the world.

"Mm." Su Qinhe responded with a light smile, offering no further explanation, and turned to continue walking.

After her figure disappeared into the distance, another figure slowly emerged from the shadows of the attic.

Yan Zixi wore a scarlet gauze dress with delicate gold thread embroidered on the hem, which shimmered faintly in the twilight.

Her figure was exquisite and graceful, and her eyes and brows exuded a charming allure, but at this moment there was no smile on her face, only a long, soft sigh.

She naturally knew why Su Qinhe went to Jingwei Taoist Temple.

After returning from Demon Island, most of them were placed directly in Jixia Academy.

From that day on, after finishing her daily studies, Su Qinhe would go to Jingwei Taoist Academy alone to study formations.

Rain or shine.

Because she could never forget her helplessness in front of the spirit-gathering array on the Demon Island.

She didn't want to experience that kind of powerlessness again.

When Wang Xiao and his two companions arrived at Dongchangqian Street, the sun had just sunk below the horizon, leaving a trail of orange-red afterglow that made the outlines of the two universities even clearer and more three-dimensional.

The Jixia Academy on the north side covers an extremely vast area, with layered halls and towering pavilions.

The eaves spread out like wings, and the glazed tiles gleam with a dark luster in the twilight, resembling an ancient beast lying dormant and sleeping.

The vermilion gate is over three zhang tall, with copper nails embedded in it. A huge stone plaque hangs above the gate, bearing the four characters "Jixia Academy" in vigorous strokes and elegant style.

Two white marble pillars stand on either side of the gate, their bodies entwined with cloud and dragon patterns, carved with lifelike detail.

The Jingwei Taoist Academy on the south side faces the Jixia Academy across the street, but their styles are completely different.

There are no towering pavilions or magnificent palaces, only well-arranged courtyards with blue bricks and gray tiles, simple and elegant.

Vines entwine the courtyard walls, and two old locust trees at the entrance are lush and verdant, their shade like an umbrella.

The ebony gate is not grand; in fact, it appears rather simple and understated.

A wooden plaque hangs above the door, with the four characters "Jingwei Taoist Temple" written in a refined and elegant style, exuding a strong scholarly atmosphere.

There were no guards at the gate, only two young men dressed in gray robes sitting on the steps, engrossed in fiddling with the array plates in their hands, completely unaware of the people coming and going on the street.

One is flamboyant and grand, the other is understated and elegant.

One is dedicated to martial arts and self-cultivation, the other to the study of Tao and the attainment of wisdom.

They are separated by a street, yet they seem to be two completely different worlds.

As dusk settled completely, the lanterns along both sides of Changqian Street were lit one after another.

The area in front of Jixia Academy was already crowded with people.

Groups of young cultivators gathered around the stone lions, gazing up at the plaque of "Jixia Academy" with burning, devout eyes, wishing they could engrave those four characters into their hearts.

Some were dressed in fine clothes and wore jade belts, with attendants and servants following behind them; others were dressed simply and stood alone in a corner, but their eyes were exceptionally firm.

A cacophony of dialects rose and fell among the crowd, including Central Plains Mandarin, Dongbin accent, and several burly men from the Northern Plains with booming voices that could be clearly heard even half a street away.

"This is Jixia Academy..." Zhou Qian stood in the crowd, looking up for a long time without moving.

His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, he seemed about to speak but hesitated, ultimately swallowing his words back.

Wang Xiao noticed that his fingertips were trembling slightly, a sign of genuine excitement.

Xie An did not look at Jixia Academy; instead, his gaze swept across the wide Changqian Street and fixed firmly on the courtyard with its blue bricks and gray tiles on the south side.

His breathing became rapid, and he subconsciously took a step forward, but Zhou Qian grabbed him.

"It's not time to register yet, don't rush," Zhou Qian said with a smile.

Xie An did not respond, but instead gazed deeply at Jingwei Academy, his expression as if he were looking at a kindred spirit or lover whom he had never met but had admired for many years.

Wang Xiaoli stood between the two, her gaze shifting back and forth between the two universities.

His feelings were neither as intense as Zhou Qian's, nor as persistent as Xie An's.

"Let's go, let's find a place to stay first." Wang Xiao turned around and gently patted Zhou Qian and Xie An on the shoulders.

The three of them wandered around the area for a long time before finally finding an inn with empty rooms.

The storefront is unremarkable, but the signboard is polished to a shine, with the four characters "Shun'an Inn" written in gilded gold.

Wang Xiao pushed open the door and entered. Behind the counter stood a chubby middle-aged shopkeeper with a round face and narrow eyes, whose smile was exceptionally kind.

"Are you three guests looking for a room?"

"Three guest rooms," Zhou Qian said.

"Alright, let me show you the rooms, gentlemen!" The plump innkeeper rubbed his hands together, his face beaming with smiles.

The guest room was smaller than Wang Xiao had expected, about ten square meters. After putting in a wooden bed, there was only enough space to turn around.

None of the three were spoiled or pampered, and they didn't mind.

Although the house was simple, it was clean and tidy, and it was very close to the university, making it an excellent location.

"How much is a room per night?"

"Two thousand silver dollars a night," the plump innkeeper said calmly, his smile unchanged.

Zhou Qian thought he had misheard: "How much?"

"Two thousand silver dollars a night," the fat innkeeper repeated.

They could accept such a simple room if the price was a little higher, but two thousand silver dollars a night was practically robbery!

"Such a small room costs two thousand silver dollars?" Zhou Qian was shocked.

"Please forgive me, young master, but the best rooms in the city cost over a hundred gold coins a night, and they are already fully booked. All that's left are these ordinary rooms." The plump innkeeper remained calm and unhurried, his smile still gentle.

Zhou Qian and Xie An exchanged a glance, both seeing disbelief in each other's eyes.

"A hundred gold coins... a single night in a guest room costs tens of thousands of silver dollars?" Zhou Qian's voice involuntarily changed.

For ordinary people, a hundred silver dollars could cover several days' worth of food expenses, while tens of thousands of silver dollars could sustain a family for an entire year.

But now, it's just the cost of one night's stay in the capital.

When they wiped out Xiang Tian's gang of pirates, all the spoils they collected amounted to no more than ten thousand taels of gold.

"Since staying in a hotel is so expensive, why don't we just buy one?" Wang Xiao said, surprising everyone. He didn't really care about money. "Anyway, we'll be staying in the capital for quite some time."

Zhou Qian and Xie An both turned to look at him, their eyes filled with disbelief as if he were some kind of freak.

Wang Xiao didn't take it seriously. Zhong Yun had been involved in a multi-billion dollar gambling spree and had seen it all.

In his mind, money is meant to be spent, so there's no need to be too concerned about it.

The shopkeeper's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and his smile became even more ingratiating: "This young master is absolutely right, buying it is indeed a good deal! Look at this location, it's a truly elegant residence next to an academy, and Changqian Street is right outside the door, making it very convenient to go anywhere..."

"How much will it cost?" Wang Xiao interrupted his sales pitch.

"The deal can be made for ten thousand taels of silver. If you pay in full at once, our shop can also offer you a discount."

Wang Xiao blinked, making sure she hadn't misheard, and raised her voice: "For such a tiny house, you're asking for ten thousand gold pieces? You're really asking for an exorbitant price, manager!"

He may not have a concept of money, but that doesn't mean he's stupid.

Ten thousand gold coins, that's a full one million silver dollars.

The portly shopkeeper's smile remained gentle, and his tone was unhurried: "Young master, you're misunderstanding my shop. This location is a prime spot near the academy; ten thousand gold is already a fair price. There are countless mansions in the capital worth millions or even tens of millions of gold. If you don't believe me, turn left after you leave, walk through two streets, and there's a mansion for sale there, priced at eight million gold. You're welcome to go and take a look."

"What?! A mansion is worth eight hundred million silver dollars?"

Just a hundred or so of these small courtyards would be worth far more than the total amount he gambled away in Zhongyun City.

Having confirmed that the shopkeeper wasn't exaggerating to raise prices, Wang Xiao opened his mouth, but was momentarily speechless.

"Hey Senior Brother Song, why didn't you come to the capital to rob some places? This place is overflowing with gold!"

This was the second impression of the capital that moved him.