Once they decided where to go, they set off immediately, and the two of them set off early the next morning.
Geng Qi had slept well when he came down from Shangxu Peak, but he kept yawning the whole way. It was probably because someone was carrying him and he couldn't help but feel drowsy.
From Tianzhi Sect to Sangzhong City, it only took a short while. When they arrived at the city gate, Rong Yu put the boy down from his arms and led him through the city gate.
Sangzhong Imperial City certainly has the grandeur of a capital city. The city walls are several meters high, and the top of the city towers are guarded by fully armed golden-armored guards. Each golden-armored guard has a crossbow on his side, with the muzzle pointing upwards.
That was no ordinary crossbow, but a weapon powered by spiritual energy, capable of destroying a late-stage Golden Core cultivator. Sangzhong City has a rule that does not allow people to fly into the city on swords unless they are cultivators above the True Person level. Otherwise, no matter how high your status is, you must register properly at the city gate before entering the city.
Rong Yu led Geng Qi toward the city gate, took out a jade seal from his storage bracelet, and placed it against a stone tablet at the city gate.
With their cultivation level, they didn't need to register at all. Geng Qi guessed what he wanted to do and didn't stop him. He clearly saw two words appear on the stone tablet that confirmed their identity: Zongmo.
The two guards standing by the stone tablet were startled upon seeing this. They quickly bowed and stepped aside to make way for the stone tablet.
Rong Yu retrieved the jade seal and led the boy into the city.
Even after entering the city, Geng Qi was still looking back: "Those crossbows can only deal with cultivators below the Nascent Soul stage, but if experts enter the city, wouldn't the threat to the imperial city be even greater?"
After all, cultivators above the Nascent Soul stage cannot be detected by crossbows when they enter the city. Setting up this checkpoint is not as practical as setting up a barrier like other sects. However, the crowds in Sangzhong City are mixed, and setting up a barrier would be too troublesome for ordinary people.
Rong Yu said, "If a cultivator above the Nascent Soul stage enters Sangzhong City without prior notice, it will be considered a provocation and an enemy of the entire royal family."
Regardless of whether one comes from a sect or a family, or is a rogue cultivator, to be an enemy of the royal family is to be an enemy of all the people in the world, and it is unlikely that anyone would dare to take that risk.
Geng Qi nodded thoughtfully, looked away, took his hand, and followed.
Sangzhong City was bustling with activity, and was many times more orderly than other towns.
Unlike the chaotic marketplaces, the layout here is clearly defined, with ordinary vendors and legitimate shops separated. After entering the city, you have to walk along a wide street before you come across the stalls. Geng Qi pulled Rong Yu over without a second thought.
This is probably a place where high-ranking officials and nobles would not set foot. The two men had an elegant demeanor and graceful manners, which attracted the attention of many stall owners.
Geng Qi smiled broadly and intertwined his fingers with his, saying, "Don't you think we look like a couple in love?"
He leaned very close, and Rong Yu looked down to meet his gaze, her ears turning slightly red, and the strength in her hand involuntarily tightened.
To outsiders they are master and apprentice, but internally they don't seem to have established a defined relationship.
Geng Qi, always one to push his luck, practically clung to him: "You revealed your identity at the city gate. If someone recognizes you here, won't they come looking for trouble?"
Rong Yu said, "No."
"That's hard to say. What if one of your admirers sees us together, misunderstands, and kidnaps me?"
"It's not a misunderstanding."
"……What?"
Rong Yu repeated, "It's not a misunderstanding."
"..." Geng Qi was stunned for a while before he realized what he was talking about, and couldn't help but tease, "So that means there are admirers of yours here?"
Rong Yu suddenly stopped. "I grew up in the Tianzhi Sect."
Geng Qi: "..."
A calm gaze met his, and those clear eyes made him involuntarily feel guilty for his doubts.
Geng Qi turned his head to look elsewhere.
So many people in the Tianzhi Sect admire him, and there must be even more who love him. He was not wronging him!
He hummed to himself twice, his nose twitched slightly, and he caught a familiar scent. Suddenly, his eyes lit up.
"Fried shrimp! They actually have fried shrimp here!"
Following the direction of my head, I found a place selling fried shrimp next to a small stall.
The location wasn't very conspicuous, but it was very clean. The owner was a middle-aged woman with her hair styled in a bun. When Geng Qi approached, she was using tongs to flip the fried shrimp in the oil.
The shrimp are coated in flour and fried until golden brown, releasing a delicious aroma that makes your mouth water.
Noticing someone approaching, the proprietress looked up: "Buying shrimp...?"
The eager inquiry paused for a moment when she saw the two people, seemingly surprised that such refined individuals would patronize her stall.
Geng Qi's eyes were only on the fried shrimp, he was so hungry for it, but Rong Yu lowered his head and stared at his hand that had been suddenly released.
"Boss lady, give me a few more."
"Alright!"
Several shrimp were scooped out of the pot, wrapped in oil paper, and handed to Geng Qi. The fragrant shrimp whetted the appetite in his stomach.
Rong Yu was still brooding over being outdone by a few fried shrimp when suddenly a hand reached out in front of him. Before he could react, something was pressed against his lips. Startled, he instinctively stepped back.
"Sorry, did I burn you?" Geng Qi quickly withdrew his hand as he saw him step back, then took a bite himself and murmured, "It's not hot..."
Rong Yu stared blankly, speechless, as he watched him put the shrimp that was brought to his lips into his own mouth without hesitation.
Geng Qi thought he was bothered by the food at the stall, so he took a bite of the shrimp and handed him another one, saying, "Don't you like this? It's delicious, have a try!"
There was a hint of coquetry in her voice.
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