[Vol. 6] Chapter 190: The Guardian in the Deep Mountains
Although Mo Ziqing initially gave the impression that he intended to chat endlessly, he was actually quite measured in his actions.
Before the tea had even cooled, he stood up and politely excused himself, leaving without taking up too much of Violet and the silver-haired girl’s time. In fact, he left before Yu Dan’er, who was still dealing with her registration, had returned.
Watching the black-clad elder disappear into the crowd, Violet leaned back against the soft cushion of her seat, her fingers gently tapping the wooden armrest in a rhythmic pattern.
During their conversation, Mo Ziqing hadn’t brought up any sensitive topics, such as the specifics of the [Four Saints' Immortal Selection Ceremony], or the jade pendant that Violet always carried at her waist. He had kept their talk to casual, trivial matters. Little more than idle chatter over tea.
“What do you think he’s up to?” Violet asked, glancing at the silver-haired girl sitting beside her.
“Testing the waters. Extending a gesture of goodwill,” the girl replied without hesitation.
“Hmm… that’s about what I thought. He seems like the type who prefers a middle ground, someone who avoids putting himself in the spotlight.”
Violet tapped her fingers a few more times. People like Mo Ziqing often played the role of mediator, defusing conflicts between different groups. In this case, he seemed to be showing a friendly face to them while keeping an eye on the situation.
It seemed General Wen Zhengyang had indeed kept his promise. Thanks to that, these influential figures were left guessing and unsure of Violet’s true standing, which made them cautious about acting rashly.
Let them wonder, Violet thought. She had no attachments here and no intention of meddling in the internal affairs of the Four Nations in the Ancient Spirit Realm. Her only goal was to peacefully make it to the [Spirit Veil Immortal Island].
“Let’s go see how Yu Dan’er is doing.”
When they returned to the registration area, the girl in fine clothing had just completed her second answer sheet and was waiting for the reviewers to finish their evaluation.
Mo Ziqing had vouched for her, essentially offering a favor to Violet and her companion by bypassing the formal process to secure her registration. However, the stubborn little girl seemed determined to go through the proper steps anyway.
Thanks to the personal endorsement of the [Ink Sect] Leader, even if Yu Dan’er had scribbled a landscape painting on her answer sheet, the lower-level staff wouldn’t dare say a word against it. Unsurprisingly, her registration went through smoothly. Taking advantage of the situation, Violet also registered herself for the event.
Although she wasn’t particularly well-versed in [Geographical Spiritual Veins], she had dabbled in the subject. For her, this was more of a casual endeavor, so there was no need to overthink it. She would go as far as she could.
Afterward, they wandered around with Yu Dan’er, chatting as they walked and gradually learning more about the young girl’s background.
Yu Dan’er hadn’t come to Xingyuan City alone. Although her hometown of Yide County was remote, it hadn’t missed the buzz surrounding the [Four Saints' Immortal Selection Ceremony]. Many ambitious individuals from her area organized themselves into what was essentially a group tour, traveling together to attend the event.
Along the way, they picked up more companions who were also headed to the capital but short on funds. By the time they arrived, their group had grown to over a hundred people, and they were all staying at a single inn in Xingyuan City.
To be honest, Yu Dan’er didn’t need to go to such lengths. Her family had a long and prestigious lineage, abundant properties, and deep wealth. They were, by all accounts, a prominent clan.
However, her parents strongly opposed her participating in public events and refused to provide any financial support for her journey. After several heated arguments, Yu Dan’er stormed out on her own, sneaking into the travel group to reach the capital.
With limited funds, she found herself strapped for cash, which was how the earlier commotion over the registration fee came about.
“So that’s what happened… but why are your parents so against you participating in the ceremony? Do they think girls shouldn’t pursue careers and should just stay home as housewives? That kind of thinking feels so outdated…”
Sipping the freshly squeezed juice Violet had treated her to, Yu Dan’er wiped the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief and shook her head with a resigned expression.
“That’s not it. My parents are actually very doting on me. Honestly, they’d probably support me even if I said I never wanted to marry. It’s just that… my family situation is a bit complicated…”
After hesitating for a moment, Yu Dan’er carefully glanced around. Seeing no one paying attention to them, the girl in fine clothing lowered her voice and explained.
“Well, you see, my family has been guarding something for generations, living alongside the mountains for as long as I can remember. Our ancestral rules require us to avoid contact with anyone outside Yide County as much as possible. That’s why my parents didn’t want me to come to the capital. They tried to use money to force me to go back.”
Violet’s expression immediately brightened with curiosity.
“Guarding… something for generations? What is it?”
“Ugh… how would I know? That thing is hidden deep in the mountains. Not only me, even my parents don’t know how to get to it. Probably only Grandpa, the clan leader, has any idea.”
“I’m not sure what exactly our family is guarding, but this stupid rule feels like a curse, keeping our whole clan trapped in the mountains for hundreds of years. Isn’t that ridiculous?”
“Other people might hesitate, but not me! I’m Yu Dan’er, I’m not afraid of anything! Besides, I think my parents might secretly agree with me. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t be using this roundabout method of pretending to ignore me. We can’t let some vague ancestral rule trap us forever, right?”
“Hmm…”
It seemed the legends about Yide County weren’t entirely made up. Some of the knowledge Yu Dan’er possessed might have been passed down through her family’s role as guardians. However, it was clear that she was only on the periphery of it all, knowing just bits and pieces.
After wandering around the registration area for a while longer, the three girls found themselves back near the sections for the [Literature/Skills] Competition and [Martial Arts] Competition. Yu Dan’er then turned to bid farewell to her newfound companions.
“Thanks for helping me today, and make sure to thank that old man for me too! Don’t worry, our clan always repays kindness. If I get the chance, I’ll definitely return the favor! See you when the [Literature/Skills] Competition officially starts!”
“Alright. Take care on your way back.”
Waving her hand, Yu Dan’er skipped away with a carefree, almost childish energy. Her slightly naive demeanor made it hard not to worry. Would she end up being tricked by some human traffickers halfway through?
That said, the security in Xingyuan City was quite robust, especially under the heightened regulations of recent days. It was unlikely that anything would go wrong.
Afterward, Violet and the silver-haired girl headed to the [Martial Arts] Competition area, where they found Murong Yun and Xiao Kong, who had already been waiting in line for quite some time. Once the group completed their registrations, they returned to their temporary lodging at the inn.
All that remained was to wait for the official commencement of the [Four Saints' Immortal Selection Ceremony].
Seven days passed in the blink of an eye. Under the strict supervision of the [Holy Sect] Alliance, Xingyuan City’s population continued to swell. All the inns and even private lodgings were completely booked, leaving no vacancies anywhere in the city. Despite the increasing crowds, no significant disturbances occurred, thanks to the meticulous preparations.
As the structured preparations reached their final stage, the long-awaited grand event was ready to begin.
…………………………………
June 12, Year 1000 of the Four Saints Calendar.
At dawn, the [Millennium Street] of Xingyuan City was alive with activity. Banners fluttered in the breeze, and the air buzzed with excitement.
Though the sunlight had just begun to appear over the horizon, the heart of the Eastern Kingdom capital was already wide awake. People crowded the streets, eager to secure the best spots to view the spectacle. Meanwhile, the city’s defense forces had been stationed across various points, maintaining vigilance and prepared to handle any potential troublemakers.
The first act of the [Four Saints' Immortal Selection Ceremony] was the traditional parade.
This was not just a global competition to select outstanding talents but also an unparalleled opportunity for nations to display their strength and prestige. Even the [Spirit Veil Immortal Island] sent envoys to the capital to witness the event. Any mistakes would be a tremendous embarrassment on an international scale.
The parade performers were a carefully chosen group of elite fighters from the [Eastern Origin Guard] and the [Five Great Sects], complemented by specially trained performers from Eastern Kingdom. They would depart from the eastern military camp, march through the entirety of the [Millennium Street], allowing the masses to witness the spectacle, and then proceed to the main venue where the Eastern Origin Saint, the Five Great Sect Leader, and other high-ranking national officials are gathered.