The mass grave is located in a remote area, some distance away from Longgang City. Except for the Xia family, ordinary people never come here unless they have something to ask me!

The man who came at this time was already familiar to the Xia family. He was a young man named Xiao Liu, who often ran errands for the city lord. He was also the one who came to get the ice grass last time. Seeing him coming, Xia Wan handed him a bowl of water. What was the emergency that made him run so fast?

Xiao Liu took the bowl, but didn't drink. He just propped himself up on his knees and said breathlessly:

"Master Xia Xiao, the envoy from the imperial capital has arrived and wants to summon you!"

"An envoy from the imperial capital?"

The Xia family became more cautious when they heard this. Since the envoy from the imperial capital would come to Longgang City, who could it be? The six people from the Xia family looked at each other, unable to figure out why, but the anxious Xiao Liu grabbed Xia Xiao and wanted to leave, as if he couldn't delay any longer.

"Don't worry."

Xiao Liu paused, unable to pull Xia Xiao, and his face turned red with anxiety.

"Master Xia Xiao, let's go quickly, otherwise it will be troublesome if that gentleman gets angry again!"

When Xia Jinghong stepped forward, Xiao Liu bent down and said embarrassedly:

"That lord only saw Master Xia Xiao."

Xia Xu was about to refute, but Xia Jinghong stopped and said:

"Go ahead!"

Xia Xiao nodded, turned around and left. If they didn't obey the order, it would be the city lord who would be in trouble. Since the last incident with the ring-shaped red snake, the city lord has often sent food and daily necessities. They can't embarrass him!

"Describe the messenger."

Xiao Liu didn't actually see it, but just glanced at it a few times.

"It was a man, wearing gold and silver, very impressive, with many people around him, and the carriage he rode was inlaid with gold. Their sudden visit scared everyone in the City Lord's Mansion. He even broke the cup because of the City Lord's tea. The City Lord is probably kneeling down now!"

Xia Xiao's eyes turned cold. He had already begun to dislike this man before he even met him. How powerful must one be to make the lord of a city kneel down and apologize? Did he think he was the emperor? But Yang Zhen's tea was indeed of poor quality.

Led by Xiao Liu, they came to the City Lord's Mansion. Outside the mansion were all civilians, but no one dared to make a noise, they just stretched their necks to look at the people inside.

They could only look up at the man sitting in the most senior seat in the main hall.

Xia Xiao, dressed in a green shirt, passed by everyone. Everyone was wondering what happened, and why Xia Xiao remained calm. What they didn't know was that when Xia Xiao was in the imperial capital, he was surrounded by hundreds of thousands of people and was beaten in public! Compared to that, what was seeing one person? Could it be that the emperor really came?

"Master Xia Xiao, I am leaving now."

Xiao Liu finished speaking in a low voice, and knelt at the door of the hall like many servants, except Xia Xiao.

Seeing the young man in the hall, Xia Xiao remained silent.

This young man has an average appearance, gorgeous clothes, and arrogant eyes. Xia Xiao has seen him several times. The young man seems to be called Jin Qi. His father is one of the most senior officials in the dynasty. He doesn't have much ability on weekdays, but he helps Wang Chao run a lot of errands. But what is he doing here? Could it be that Wang Chao knows that he can practice and has taken action?

"Oh, you look pretty energetic!"

Jin Qi blew on the hot tea, took a sip, and immediately raised his thick eyebrows. Not bad, the tea he brought was still tasty.

"Just tell me if you have something to say!"

"It's already this time, do you still think you're in the imperial capital? Kneel down and talk to them like they did!"

Xia Xiao stood in the hall with a cold face. He wanted him to kneel down? What a joke!

When Xia Xiao thought Jin Qi would do something, he put down his cup and applauded.

"Yes, I knew you were different from ordinary people!"

Xia Xiao was a little confused by Jin Qi's praise. Their Xia family and the Jin family had never had any contact with each other. What was going on?

"Brother, I'm here to tell you something. I was just joking, don't mind it!"

Jin Qi walked up to Xia Xiao and put away his condescending attitude. But just as he was about to speak, Xia Xiao's vitality gushed out, causing Jin Qi to take two steps back and fall on the chair.

When the guards around saw this, they immediately drew their swords, but were stopped by Jin Qi.

"Get lost!"

As the guards retreated, Xia Xiao helped Yang Zhen up. The latter did not dare to stand up, but Xia Xiao said softly:

"You are the face of Longgang."

Yang Zhen patted his pants, straightened up, and stood beside Xia Xiao. What the latter said made sense, but it was indeed his neglect to serve inferior tea to the distinguished guest this time.

"I was just joking."

“I know!”

Facing Xia Xiao's cold words, Jin Qi smiled indifferently. He had a really bad temper. It seemed that he couldn't joke with him like this next time.

"Okay, time to get down to business."

Jin Qi's expression gradually became serious.

"The Dynasty wants you to go back!"

"Who made the decision this time?"

Jin Qi's face was filled with surprise. The Xia family was relegated here, and their living standard was far worse than before. Wouldn't it be a good thing to be able to return to the capital? Why didn't Xia Xiao seem happy? Also, his aura was too strong, wasn't it? Awesome!

After a pause, Jin Qi answered.

"The decision is made by His Majesty, not the National Elders' Council!"

The decision of the National Council of Elders to banish the Xia family from the imperial capital was made by the Emperor. But this time was different. The decision of Xia Xiao returning to the imperial capital was made by the Emperor himself. No one participated and no one could influence it!

"oh."

Xia Xiao interrupted Jin Qi's prepared words with one word. How should he respond?

"The Xia family's courtyard is still there, so we can just go back and live there. Isn't that a good thing?"

Jin Qi raised his eyebrows and started to think. Since he accepted the mission, he must bring Xia Xiao back. Otherwise, it would be too embarrassing to fail after volunteering on his own.

"I will go back and report to His Majesty. I will go back, but not now. When the competition reaches the final moment, I will naturally appear in the imperial capital!"

"You want to go back through the selection?"

Jin Qi frowned, his face looked grim, and he quickly advised:

"My brother, think about it carefully. The age limit for participating in the competition is 18 years old or younger. Even if you wait until next year, you will only be 15 years old. I know you are already in the middle stage of the journey, but you have only practiced for less than a year and a half when you reached the finals. Others have practiced for so many years, so how could their strength be better than yours? Moreover, time is running out. You don't even have time to find a wild beast or sign a spiritual contract!"

Xia Xiao's current strength is at the late stage of walking, but only his family knows about it. He didn't tell Jin Qi, there was no need.

"I have made up my mind!"

Xia Xiao tried to leave but was caught by Jin Qi.

"Xia Xiao, this return is an opportunity. You have to prove yourself to the people in the National Elderly Institute."

"It is precisely because I want to prove myself that I need to go through the selection process."

"But the risks of the competition are too great. Look at Su Huan. She will also participate in the competition next year. Do you think you are very close to her? She has already entered the young age of the noble realm. There are many young people who are as good as her. In addition to the imperial capital, there are also many excellent young people in other places."

"Now that Zishan City has fallen, the competition point near Longgang City has been set up in Rongcheng. Do you know how many outstanding talents there are in Rongcheng? There are only five places for a competition point. Do you think you can do it? The local competition will begin in less than four months!"

The competition is divided into three stages. The first round is the local competition. There is a competition point in every few cities, and within the competition point, there are different numbers of qualifying places. After getting the qualifying place, it is the second stage. All those who get the qualifying place must enter Wanling Valley. After three months, those who persist will advance to the final competition, which will be held in the imperial capital, Yinxun!

The competition is the admission criterion set by Ningshen Academy. The whole dynasty attaches great importance to it. There are countless people participating in the competition. They all dream of becoming successful through the competition. Even if they cannot enter Ningshen Academy, they can be favored by other powerful families. In this way, their lives can be changed. But Xia Xiao's idea of ​​returning to the imperial capital through it is simply a foolish dream!

"I will succeed, and the Xia family's deaths will not be in vain!"

Jin Qi said so much, but Xia Xiao still said affirmatively. He walked out of the hall and was about to leave. Jin Qi was so angry that he scratched his head frantically. This damn guy, why is he so stubborn? He thought he brought good news and could make them happy, but he didn't expect it to be like this?

"Xia Xiao! Xia Xiao!"

Only after Jin Qi shouted angrily twice did Xia Xiao stop.

"explain!"

Xia Xiao's tone was very calm, but Jin Qi was furious. He stood in front of Xia Xiao with a little anger in his eyes.

"I hope you are right, otherwise you will waste not only an opportunity, but nearly a hundred lives! You have time to think, you can go back and discuss it with General Xia, and then tell me whether to come back or not. Don't make a decision so hastily, otherwise if you regret it in the future, you will never have another chance!"

Xia Xiao stopped where he was, thunder and lightning roaring above his head. He had also thought about what to do if he failed? But without an answer, he would only die at the end of the road!

The drizzle fell on Xia Xiao's shoulders. He looked at Jin Qi and said:

"Thank you for your kindness, I appreciate it..."

Jin Qi nodded, and when Xia Xiao came to his senses, he uttered another sentence.

"But I won't go back, and neither will the Xia family!"

"Okay, don't leave so quickly. Give me a reason so I can report to His Majesty."

Jin Qi knew a lot of gossip, but it had nothing to do with him, so his emotions gradually stabilized. But Xia Xiao in front of him had a blazing look in his eyes, even a little crazy.

"I want to prove myself in front of the whole world and wash away the shame on my body. The selection is the only way!"

After Xia Xiao finished speaking, he walked out of the City Lord's Mansion.

Everyone left and he was the only one walking on the street.

If it were an ordinary person, the people would find it strange. Why is he so persistent in walking in the rain? Isn't he hiding from the rain on the side of the street? But Xia Xiao is different. He seems to be like this all the time. The raindrops are very cold, which calms him down. Xia Xiao knows that Wang Chao asked him to go back because he is a disciple of the emperor of the First Church. But even if he can practice, he can't convince the people, so this is the only way!

Rongcheng, local competition, five places, this is what he has to do now!

Looking at his lonely figure leaving, Jin Qi shrugged.

"You are being treated as if you were a donkey's liver and lungs. It's up to you!"

Jin Qi was a little curious. Was his ability to become the Pope's disciple related to his personality? Should he learn to be more cruel?

After two dry coughs, Jin Qi said with a stiff face:

"Everyone, get up."

"Thank you, sir!"

As Yang Zhen spoke, he began to admire Xia Xiao. Only someone with his own principles could accomplish great things!