Chapter 2: Turbulence in the City

  But after seeing the people coming down from the back of the lion-headed eagle king, several city gate guards looked at each other secretly, and walked away to a distant place with some regret.

  "You're Ling Xiao, this is the gate of Holy City. Anyone who wants to enter Holy City must pass through here." Several people jumped off the back of Shi Yi Wang and Bai Lian looked at the not-so-distant city gate, smiling as she introduced it to Ling Wu Shuang beside her.

  Ling Wushuang nodded thoughtfully, his eyes scanning the surroundings. The high walls of the Holy City were about 30-40 feet tall, made of a special dark material that was as solid as copper or iron. In front of him, several teams lined up in an orderly fashion, entering the city one by one.

  Of course, as a disciple of the Holy Hall, there was no need to queue up like these people. After Bai Lian and others had passed by, Ling Wushuang withdrew his gaze that had been scanning around, but just as he took a step forward, he was blocked by two long spears with sharp tips crossing in front of his chest.

  "Halt!"

  Ling Wu's eyebrows slightly raised, her gaze swept across the ferocious faces of several people, then lowered to stare at the long spear held in front of her chest. She pursed her lips, but before she could speak, a loud shout rang out, "Where is your sacred decree?"

  "Imperial Edict?" Ling Wu Xiang curled up the corner of her mouth, where would she go to grab an Imperial Edict? It would be strange if the Holy Temple gave it to her.

  "You dare to slight me, Little Friend? Don't you have an imperial edict?" Both Bai Lian and Cai Yi were astonished. What was going on here?

  The holy city is only open to outsiders once a decade during the Holy City Conference, but in order to maintain order or for other reasons, not everyone can enter.

  Those who want to participate in the Genius Selection must go through the strict examination of the Holy Temple. Then, those who are considered qualified will be issued a holy order, which is equivalent to a pass. Only those who hold the holy order can follow the leadership of the people of the Holy Temple and walk through the treacherous Green Mountain Barrier, and also use it to enter the Holy City.

  "Isn't there a sacred order?" The few city guards saw Ling Wusuo's confused face and thought they had been fooled. Instantly, their anger ignited, and one of them slammed his spear on the ground, "You stinky little brat, what are you doing here without a sacred order? Get out of my sight!"

  This stinky kid, following Cai Yi Bai Lan and others, not even in line, they turn a blind eye, it's already over, now he doesn't even have the Holy Order.

  "Speak politely!" Ling Wu Xiang hadn't even had a chance to open his mouth, but Cai Yi was already angry, her beautiful face flushing with anger. "What's wrong with not having a sacred order? Jun Ling is this young lady's friend, can't he go in?"

  "The maiden in the colored dress, we are also doing things according to regulations." The city gate guard appeared to be respectfully addressing Caoyi and the others on the surface, but anyone with discerning eyes could see that there was a provocative tone underlying his words.

  But hearing Cai Yi's words, the several city gate guards seemed to grasp even tighter, "I think Bai Lian young master and Cai Yi young lady won't make things difficult for us either"

  In theory, Bai Lian and Cai Yi, as direct disciples of the Temple's elder, should have no problem bringing their friends into the city. However, the current Temple is controlled by various powers and interests, with most of the authority held in the hands of a few trusted elders appointed by the Poison Saint and the Thunder Saint.

  Although the Poison Saint is dead, his disciple, who is now the Holy Maiden Bai Qian, has gained the favor of the Holy Master and is even more ruthless than her master. With great power in her hands, she naturally will suppress and oppose the Elder Long and his clan, who have always been at odds with them.

  These people guarding the city are obviously also their subordinates. With such a good opportunity to make things difficult for Bai Lan and others today, how could they let it go?

  "It is, the Holy Maiden personally emphasized that during the grand ceremony, access to the Holy City must be strictly restricted." Several guards, you speak one word and I speak another.

  Cai Yi was once a candidate for the Holy Girl, and also Bai Qian's greatest rival. Now that Bai Qian is in power, can she let Cai Yi and others live a good life?

  Cai Yi was a straightforward person, and upon hearing this, she immediately got angry. She pointed at several people and shouted: "I must bring someone in today, what's it to you? If you have the ability, call Bai Qian over for me!"

  These people are obviously looking for trouble.

  Ling Wushuang was stunned for a moment. She didn't expect that the seemingly gentle Cai Yi would have such a fiery temper.

  "That girl in the colorful clothes, don't blame us for being impolite!" Several guards' faces turned gloomy, and they even sneered: "If we let everyone in, wouldn't the Holy City be overcrowded?"

  Ling Wushuang slightly curled the corners of his mouth, and his eyes gleamed as he glanced at the several guards with puffed up faces and arrogant expressions. He spoke unhurriedly: "I heard that there is another kind of person who can enter the Holy City."

  "Cai Yi" Bai Lan held back Cai Yi, who was about to rush off, and revealed a refined smile as he winked at her, saying with a chuckle: "Don't be in a hurry, even without the sacred order, Jun Ling is also qualified to enter."

  Cai Yi was taken aback for a moment before immediately reacting, right, how could she have forgotten this matter.

  "What did you say? Without the sacred order, do you still want to enter the holy city?" Several people heard Ling Wu's words and burst out laughing, "This kid, what will he say next? Has he already reached the holy rank?"

  That's right, during the Holy City Conference, apart from the young contestants holding the holy order, there is another kind of person who can also enter, that is, the high-ranking masters above the holy stage!

  That's the importance of strength. On the Star Continent, reaching the Holy Rank is a symbol of status. Even in the Sacred Temple where saints gather, they are respected as a class of people.

  The Holy City Conference has the restriction of the holy order mainly to avoid too many idle people rushing into the Holy City at this time. However, for high-ranking saints, they will not be refused and can even use this opportunity to pull in and recruit, after all, who would reject having too many powerful experts.

  The people queuing on one side had already noticed Ling Wusuo and his group because of Shi Yueliang's attention, and now they heard the commotion over here, so they all came over to surround them.

  "You've guessed it all" Ling Wu Shuang's hands were clasped around her chest, her red lips curled into a smile, and she really did want to say that.

  "Hahaha——"

  Several guards stared at each other blankly for a few moments before suddenly bursting into loud laughter, with some even doubling over and pointing at Ling Wu Shuang, jeering: "Did I hear that right? This stinky little brat who's still wet behind the ears actually said he reached the Sacred Stage?"

  "Hahaha, I'm dying of laughter"

  "Really?" The people around also heard and were very puzzled. They meant that the young man in front of them was a saint? How is this possible!

  "Hahaha, died laughing! I've seen people bragging before, but never to this extent!" The guards burst into a fit of laughter, "This stinky kid, I think you're still wet behind the ears!"

  A hint of apology flashed in Bai Lan's eyes. He had originally wanted to make things convenient for others, but hadn't expected to bring trouble to Jun Ling instead. These people were being difficult with him probably because of his own reasons too. Similarly, Bai Lan was also very helpless, and this wasn't the first time either.

  "Is it funny?" Ling Wu Xuan gazed at Bai Lan's slightly apologetic eyes, gave him a hint of a smile, and then his red lips curled up into an elegant yet sinister arc, his clear eyes suddenly turning cold.

  Boom!

  Originally, the onlookers were watching with interest, but suddenly they felt a chill in their hearts. The black-robed youth's clothes fluttered without wind, and at the same time, a terrifying aura burst out from his body. In an instant, he knocked to the ground several guards who were laughing and leaning forward, their bodies flying backward!

  "Hmmph!"

  A guard was knocked off and slammed into the thick city wall, falling to the ground the next second, a bloody smell gushing from his throat, his brain dazed in an instant.

  "My god, I'm not seeing things, am I? The green aura is so astonishing! This young man is actually a mid-tier saint!" The scene caused the people around to be shocked, some covering their foreheads, frightened to the point of staggering.

  "My god, a mid-tier saint in their teens"

  Cai Yi and Bai Lan exchanged a glance, although they had mentally prepared themselves, but they were still startled. A mid-tier saint in their teens was truly unimaginable. Even in the sacred halls, such a genius couldn't be found. However, this reminded them of someone.

  Ling Wushuang also held back a bit, suppressing his strength, but it was enough to create a shocking effect.

  "This... this, a mid-tier Saint!" Several guards who had been speaking sarcastically were shocked and infuriated at the same time. As members of the Holy Temple, no one had ever dared to attack them head-on before.

  If the person in front of him was a white-haired old man, several guards would probably think more about respect, but such a situation appeared on a young boy's body, and the most direct reaction of several people was jealousy and annoyance.

  "Like this, am I qualified to enter?" Ling Wu's calm and collected face had a faint expression, and his words also couldn't convey any emotions.

  She wants to keep a low profile, but that doesn't mean she can swallow her anger.

  "You——" Several guards were suddenly stunned and didn't know what to do for a moment.

  "How dare anyone be so presumptuous in my holy city!" The commotion here quickly attracted the attention of the patrolling troops.

  The majestic and powerful captain of the guard rushed over, recognizing Bai Lian and Cai Yi among others. He glanced at the people who had fallen to the ground, his eyes flashing with anger. "Miss Cai Yi, what's going on here? How did things escalate into such a big commotion?"

  The attendant in front of him, who holds a high position in the Holy Temple, equivalent to that of a great general in the country, looks at Caiyi Baolan and others with little respect, even with a hint of annoyance.

  Bai Lian furrowed his brow, taking a slow step forward. Before he could even open his mouth, a guard who had been crawling on the ground jumped up and snatched him away, pointing angrily at Ling Wusuo and gritting his teeth: "Captain of the Guard, this little brat is causing trouble!"

  "What's going on!" The captain of the guard immediately fixed his gaze on Ling Wushuang, "What a big nerve, daring to make trouble in the Holy City, are you tired of living?"

  It was just when his gaze fell on Ling Wushuang's body that he also stood still in place.

  The black-robed youth's aura that had yet to be fully retracted, as well as the faint green mist surrounding him, unintentionally revealed to the people before his eyes that he was a mid-tier saint!

  Ling Wushuang stood calmly, his hands leisurely clasped behind him. A pair of cold, piercing eyes scanned from the captain of the guard to the few people who had fallen to the ground. Suddenly, he let out a light laugh and said, "What's wrong? I just wanted you all to confirm whether this young master has the qualifications to enter here or not." As he spoke, Ling Wushuang lightly shrugged his shoulders and added with great innocence, "Who would have known that you're all so weak?"

  Several guards who had been knocked to the ground glared at him, "You, you're being unreasonable"

  Listening to Ling Wu Xuan's half-true and half-false words, the surrounding crowd also burst into waves of stifled laughter. This was indeed a fact - this young master was actually a mid-tier Saint; if he wanted to harm people, would these few individuals still have their lives intact?

  It's their own fault for being 'weak and unable to withstand the wind'.

  "Captain of the Guard, this stinking little brat..."

  "Shut up!" The guards, who were about to speak again, were immediately and severely stopped by the captain of the guard. A slap was slapped on the person closest to him, and a low growl came out, "Get out of here, don't you have anything better to do?"

  That man was slapped and fell to the ground, with a tooth being knocked out immediately.

  "Adult?" The guards were also stunned on the spot, but they didn't dare to say more. They glared at Ling Wu with a fierce gaze and then limped away in pain.

  Ling Wu's eyebrows slightly raised in surprise, but only for a moment. She soon understood what the captain of the guard was paying attention to. With an air of detachment, as if she were a transcendent being from another world, she stood calmly in her original position.

  The captain of the guard looked at him with a dim and unclear gaze, but a friendly smile floated on his face. "This young master must be here to participate in the Holy City Congress selection match, right? A few subordinates are ignorant, if there's anything wrong, don't take offense."

  Obviously, this captain of the guard is far more farsighted than several guards. This attitude is clearly meant to win people over, but perhaps also because the person being beaten is not his reason.

  "It's just a small matter, I'm just passing by here and wanted to take a look at the Saint Association's style." Ling Wu Xiang also had a smile on her face, but if it were someone familiar with her, they would definitely feel a chill run down their spine.

  The eunuch heard this and was overjoyed, his eyes gleaming with excitement as he turned them around, then pulled out a token from his bosom and handed it to him, laughing loudly: "If the young master is interested, he can participate in the Genius Selection Tournament"

  Ling Wu's eyes dimmed slightly, and he made a thoughtful expression. After a while, he raised his hand to take the thing handed over by him, weighed it, and said, "It's also good this way."

  "It's actually like this, if there's anything that needs help, you can come to the temple at any time to find me, or I can personally introduce the young master to the holy girl." Seeing Ling Wushuang accept his things, the captain of the guard was overjoyed and quickly tried to get close to him, as if he wanted to stick to Ling Wushuang's side.

  Ling Wushuang smiled, flipping the cyan token in his hand, sizing it up a few times. "This isn't needed after all. Having just arrived at Holy City, everything is novel and interesting; I'll take a stroll around first."

  Upon hearing this, the captain of the guard revealed a look of regret, "Since that's the case, then I won't force it"

  Ling Wushuang nodded almost imperceptibly and left with Bai Liancai and others, successfully entering the Holy City.

  "Captain of the Guard, why did you give him that token?" Several guards looked at each other in discontent, gazing after Ling Wusuo's receding back with gritted teeth. That stinky little brat was one of Bai Lian's people, and he actually dared to attack them in the Holy City!

  The holy order in the hands of the captain of the guard is not ordinary, with greater power and privilege. With it, one can bypass the preliminary rounds that thousands of people go through and directly enter the top 20 selection competition. Such a qualification token is extremely rare, only seven exist, equivalent to a recommendation letter. The captain of the guard had to use great effort to obtain this one, yet he gave it to this despicable little brat!

  "Foolish thing!" The captain of the guard withdrew his gaze, turned around and kicked the person who was still chattering away behind him with one foot, directly kicking him to the ground. His eyes regained their profound coldness, and he slowly opened his mouth: "Didn't you hear that he just passed by the Holy City? That is to say, he and Bai Lian and others are also strangers who met by chance." After finishing speaking, he coldly snorted again, "Such a peerless genius, if we don't win him over, won't it be taken away by the Great Elder's clan instead?"

  Such a genius will surely stand out in the selection competition, and if he gives out tokens, it would be a great favor. In the end, of course, it is also for their use, and can also strike at Bai Lan and others. If Sheng Nu can win over such talents, she will certainly value him more. This is a move that kills three birds with one stone, how could he let go of such an opportunity!

  "What a wise decision!" The several people behind the captain of the guard immediately gave a thumbs up.

  Several guards also suddenly enlightened, revealing a flattering smile, "After all, the adults have a long-term vision, and we are convinced"

  The flattering words of the crowd pleased the captain of the guard, who, although still with a cold face, was quite pleased in his heart. "You all need to learn, don't be so rash when things happen, alright, go and do your own thing."

  "Yes"

  A group of guards retreated respectfully, admiring the Captain's profound wisdom and foresight.

  However, if the captain of the guard who is still secretly pleased with himself were to find out that his supposedly clever move had in fact given a convenient key to the thief who came knocking on the door, wouldn't he be so angry that he would spit blood and die?

  Everyone was still in shock and couldn't recover, "My god, there's even such a monster, do we still have a chance?"

  "This time, the Holy Temple only accepts one hundred disciples. I'm afraid we won't have a place. Previously, I saw that there were also several Ninth-Grade Tianxuan Peak cultivators who were only around our age."

  "That's right, I heard that the genius of Nanling Country, who is only twenty years old, has already broken through to the Holy Stage. His shocking talent is almost on par with Tianye's. I heard he's also coming this time." Some people's hearts were lifted up, and it seemed that the Saint City Convention had indeed brought out all sorts of people.

  "Perhaps only Ling's nemesis can rival this young master."

  "Some people disagreed, 'Where did so many monsters come from? It's just a few extreme cases, I'm already at the peak of the 9th rank Tian Xuan now, I don't believe it, and I still can't get into the top 100. Don't worry, there will definitely be another chance.'"

  ……

  After this little episode, the already densely populated city gate area was filled with murmurs of discussion, a small commotion arose, and sounds of astonishment and worry rose and fell in succession.

  "Jun Ling, this Mu Shi Qing..." Along the way, Bai Lian wanted to speak but stopped herself, wanting to remind him of something.

  This Mu Shiqing is too familiar, as the captain of the Holy City Guard, he is hypocritical and cunning, with many tricks up his sleeve, it's uncertain what he's planning this time, Jun Ling has just arrived here and must not understand.

  Ke Bai Lan pursed his lips, and still didn't say much more. Although he hadn't been in contact with Jun Ling for a long time, he always felt that the young man in front of him, who seemed harmless but was smiling at Mu Shi Qing in a friendly manner, made him feel uneasy.

  "I think he's up to no good, a weasel paying New Year's respects to a chicken." Cai Yi was straightforward and indignantly expressed the injustice in her heart.

  Ling Wushuang's red lips curved slightly as she listened to their conversation, but she only smiled calmly and didn't offer any further explanation.

  However, the environment here is quite different from what Ling Wushuang had imagined.

  The main streets of the Holy City are all paved with rare white jade stones, which is not luxurious at all. The architectural style around it is also very different from the outside world, with white as the base tone. Whether it's a wine house or a tea house, or a pharmacy or a stone shop, they are all cast in a delicate and elegant manner, without losing their grandeur. Everywhere exudes a sense of being in a paradise on earth, and it is indeed difficult to associate such an environment with the usual style of doing things in the Holy Temple.

  Bai Lian let the few people behind him return to report peace to Qi Changlao and others, then accompanied Cai Yi with Ling Wusuo, strolling on the main street of the Holy City.

  A few people walked on the main street, handsome men and beautiful women, attracting the attention of the surrounding crowd, who couldn't help but steal glances. Especially the young master in black robes in the middle, with a calm and collected face, a slender and refined physique, so handsome that it was hard for people to look away. The girls around him all blushed with embarrassment.

  "Top-grade Energy Stone" Ling Wusong suddenly let out a surprised cry, causing the people around him to furrow their brows in unison and mutter to themselves, "What an ignorant fool."

  Some girls around heard that Ling Wusuo came up with this sentence, and they shook their heads in disappointment. Although she was beautiful, she was an ignorant country bumpkin.

  Bai Lan heard this and followed her gaze to the storefront not far away, where a radiant energy stone was placed on the central display stand, an extraordinary item that could almost rival the sacred energy stone.

  Bai Lian just slightly hesitated, then lightly laughed and said, "The energy stones here are very common, if you want one, I have an extra one that I can give to you."

  In the Holy City, Energy Stones are precious items but they are not hard to find.

  Her colorful clothes and beautiful eyes sparkled, she waved her fiery red sleeves and said warmly, "Exactly, exactly, Jun Ling, you don't have to be polite, I just so happen to have one too, and it's definitely much better than this one. If you want it, I can give it to you."

  This energy stone she herself didn't even want to use, originally intended to be left for Big Brother Master, but looking at Big Brother Master's appearance, it should be that he won't be coming back. Now giving it to Big Brother Master's good friend is also okay, let alone the fact that Jun Ling had saved her life. Thinking of this, Cai Yi's face faintly flushed with a hint of redness.

  Ling Wushuang was slightly taken aback, realizing that Bai Lian had misunderstood. He smiled and rubbed the tip of his nose, "No need, I have this thing." And there were many more, but Ling Wushuang didn't say that out loud.

  She was amazed that the energy stone, which was almost impossible to find in the outside world, could be found here after just a few steps. No wonder the Holy Temple had gathered so many masters and their disciples were far superior to those of the four countries. With such conditions, how could they not be good?

  "You don't have to be polite, Cloud's friends are my friends too," Ling said with a smile. Chuiyi patted her chest, her red clothes setting off her passionate and fiery personality, making it even more evident that she thought Yun was hesitant to accept their gift, which is why he spoke up to decline.

  "Our sacred city, I dare not say anything else, but there are indeed many treasures." Cai Yi smiled and said with a charming expression, "If you need anything, Lord Ling, please don't be polite to us."

  The Holy City is indeed a treasure trove, with many things that can't be bought outside. Therefore, many people attend the Holy City Conference just to buy these treasures.

  "Cai Yi is right, Jun Ling, you don't have to be polite with us," said Bai Lan gently nodding her head.

  Ling Wushuang even helplessly twitched the corner of her mouth, somewhat unable to withstand the enthusiasm of the two. She could only chuckle twice, awkwardly nodding her head. After all, she couldn't possibly whip out a pile of energy stones at this time and prove that she wasn't being polite, right?

  Laughing and laughing, suddenly, Ling Wusuo's eyebrows furrowed slightly, and a strange breath appeared in her spiritual sense range. Just after a slight pause, Ling Wusuo abruptly turned her head to look at the nearby shop, her spiritual sense locked onto something!

  "Jun Ling, what's wrong?" Cai Yi saw him walking away without looking back, and exchanged a glance with Bai Lan, who also looked puzzled. They both followed him.

  "What is it that you want to see, young master?"

  Ling Wushuang went to the storefront where the energy stone was placed, and the shopkeeper saw him coming in. The thick eyebrows of the shopkeeper slightly furrowed, apparently having heard Ling Wushuang's previous exclamation, thinking he was a country bumpkin.

  But when the shopkeeper saw Bailan and Caiyi behind him, his expression suddenly improved, and he smiled and greeted them, "Oh, it's Young Master Bai and Miss Caiyi, what can I show you today?"

  The shopkeeper apparently knew the two of them and was enthusiastic, even with a hint of flattery.

  Bai Leng smiled politely and nodded, but Cai Yi was a careless person who didn't care about the store owner at all. She followed closely behind Ling Wu Shuang and looked around, "Jun Ling, do you want to buy this energy stone?"

  Cai Yi naturally thought that Ling Wushuang wanted to buy this energy stone.

  But what puzzled the two was that Ling Wushuang didn't even glance at the energy stone, directly missing it, and stepped into the store.