Chapter 21: The royal city

The location of the Jiao capital was designed to be at the core of the whole Jiao country. A vast commercial hub whose grandeur was much more splendid than any other location within the state.

The Royal clan along with the nobility resided within the city.

Every aspect of it was enhanced to suit the tag of being the most prominent city in the Jiao country. Every major organization had an office in here. 

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The city was getting busier due to the upcoming event to be held here.

The city started preparing for the accommodation of all the guests, participants and spectators. 

It provided a massive opportunity for all businesses to make a sweet profit.

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The Royal Jiao clan-

Within the throne room, a man who looked like to be in his mid-30s governed over the meeting currently going on. It was Jiao Sheng, the current generation emperor of the Jiao country.

" What is the current status of preparation?"

"Reporting to his majesty, the preparation is well off on their proper path and will be ready by the time of gathering. The accommodation has been prepared. The examination ground is ready. The Arena is already set up. We are finishing the final touch-ups as of now."

Jiao Sheng nodded and proceeded to discuss other matters along with the nobles. The meeting was adjourned after some time.

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The King was known to be a cultivator at the peak of Qi master realm. There was no hard evidence to say otherwise.

"You should come out now". A young boy clad in luxurious clothes came into view.

" I suppose you have already overheard the discussion. What is your current status?"

"The peak of the 5th stage of the Qi realm, I will be able to step into the 6th stage anytime I want."

" I hope you manage to win this competition. We need to establish our authority over the nobles and the four families.

The figure's name was Jiao Shen, the third prince of the Jiao clan. He was the descendant with the highest talent in terms of martial cultivation.

Jiao Sheng wanted this royal gathering to be his son's stage to prominence. He wanted the five academies to see the power of the royalty.

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As the days passed, more and more people started gathering in the royal city. Soon the four vassal clans arrived into the city and were shown into their respective lodgings.

It was a crazy matter that the Bai and Long clan were allotted adjacent manors. A clash between the two clan's younger generations became common.

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The list of the most talented candidates for the gathering was already out.

Long Dangtian, Long Mengchen, and Long Zhengyi were the most talented characters of the Long Clan. Similarly, the Bai clan had Bai Zhong and Bai Shengyi.

The Tu clan had Tu Lao, Tu Shen, Tu Zhi, Tu Ren. The Shi clan was represented by Shi Lao, Shi Teng, Shi Ting.

The figures chose to stay in closed-door cultivation and didn't bother to make an appearance.

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The elders of both the clans silently supported the clash between the younger generation. It helped in warming up the crowd and showcase the quality of training each family has provided its people.

There was a local arena where people often use to exchange pointers. Betting houses were set up for gamblers to put their money on potential candidates.

The royal academy even released information regarding the strength of the participants.

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It was the last day before the gathering. A man clads in black with his features covered entered the gates of the city.

He entered one of the inns in the outskirts of the city and as soon as he reached his room, he summoned six other silhouettes around him.

"Start gathering the information. I want every possible detail about, all the participants, groups, and members of the clans assembled."

"Prioritize the four big families, the royal clan and the five sects."

"I want to know their faces, their interests, their behaviours, their fetish, their ambitions, and even their personalities. Price is not a matter of concern. Gather as much as you can. We will meet in the room after nightfall."

The plan needs to be properly laid. Only then can it come to fruition. All the figures nodded and left.

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The guy in black then proceeded towards the bar and ordered a table and big servings of food. There was no better place to learn about the local news then in these brothels where bickering is regular.

A hiss there and a word here revealed information about the ongoing situation of the city.

"Have you heard about the recent rankings? There is a lot of conjecture, but the rankings released by the Dragon auction house is accurate due to their extensive network spread throughout the Jiao country."

The figure glanced at the table where this conversation was going on. He got up, proceeded towards the table.

" Bring my brothers here another set of jars." He instructed the bartender.

"The night is still lively. Nice to meet you, my friends. I am a wanderer who recently got into the city and got to know about the upcoming gathering at the royal capital. Would be kind enough to include me in the conversation.".

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The people laughed looing at the figure "It would be foolish to let down someone's kindness like this. Do join us".

They chatted for a long while. The ranking was soon a topic of discussion and the figures named were Jiao Shen, Long Dangtian, Tu Lao, Shi Teng, and Bai Zhong being the top contender of this year gathering.

Especially the youngest prince who was proclaimed to at the peak of the 4th level 'Qi Child' was a hot topic of discussion.

Some even said he was at the Qi child 5th realm now. But no one could confirm that information. He was undoubtedly the biggest contender of this event.

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Soon night fell, and the figures gathered in the room again. The plan was to be formulated with the help of the collected information.

" Hope they don't disappoint me."