Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 899 - 899 0545 Exaggerated a Bit_2

Chapter 899: Chapter 0545: Exaggerated a Bit_2 Chapter 899: Chapter 0545: Exaggerated a Bit_2 Everyone raised their glasses in unison with Qi Tian, toasting with Xiang Bo.

Xiang Bo said, “The second matter, my father has written me a letter stating that an opportunity has been arranged for me in the Eastern Capital City. Should I manage to travel there, there is a possibility that I could study at the Imperial College.”

Qi Tian was unaware of what it meant for Xiang Bo to study at the Imperial College, yet the cultivators often circling around him knew all too well. In the Main Royal Secret Realm, scions like Xiang Bo, once selected to study systematically at the Imperial College, would be effectively entering into the selection and assessment process. Once deemed qualified in the assessments, they could obtain the right to inherit. Should they perform exceptionally well during the assessments, they might even be chosen by a noble to serve as attendants, or be appointed as officials elsewhere within the Imperial Family Secret Territory – hence, there was no need to vie for the City Lord position anymore, and they could potentially earn an enduring enterprise of their own.

In short, being selected to enter the Imperial College was an indisputable multitude of benefits. Once Xiang Bo received such advantages, these cultivators, who had been revolving around him for many years, would also accrue merit from the rising dragon; and once Xiang Bo prospered in the future, they would surely reap their share of the rewards.

“My Lord, I must accompany you on this trip to the Imperial College in the Eastern Capital. I have followed you for so many years and have always been loyal to you,” one insisted.

“Indeed, my Lord, our devotion to you is absolute. If you don’t take anyone with you to the Eastern Capital, so be it, but if you do, I must not be left behind, no matter what,” another spoke up.

…

In a moment, these cultivators were vying with one another, volunteering themselves, not wanting to be left behind by Xiang Bo.

A slight smile crept across Xiang Bo’s lips; he relished such scenes where people crowded around him, begging fervently for his favor. Without this, how could he demonstrate his absolute control over his followers and ensure they understood who truly was the boss?

Xiang Bo said, “You’ve all made your cases, but who to take with me and who to not is for me to decide. Please, everyone take your seats. Whoever continues to clamor will have their qualification revoked.”

The crowd immediately fell silent, all gazing eagerly at Xiang Bo, even Qi Tian seemed mildly moved.

In the core area of the Imperial Family Secret Territory, there were three major cities, and one of them was the Eastern Capital City. The other two were called Xidu and Zhongdu, each controlled by different factions within Great Zhao Nation. Qi Tian sought opportunities within the Imperial Family Secret Territory that could allow a Gold Core Realm cultivator to advance, as well as a way to exit the Secret Territory. These were most likely hidden within the triad of national capitals.

Given Qi Tian’s current identity, his chances of entering the three major cities by relying solely on his own abilities were virtually nonexistent. The scrutiny of one’s identity in these main cities was incredibly strict; barring the use of force, he might very well be denied at the gates of the three main cities, or even provoke a manhunt and assassination from the forces of the Secret Territory. Now, with Xiang Bo’s upcoming enrollment in the Imperial College, this provided an excellent opportunity for Qi Tian to access the three major cities.

Xiang Bo enjoyed the sensation of being flattered and waited until everyone had settled down before saying, “My father told me that I have been granted two spots for my upcoming studies at the Imperial College in the Eastern Capital. Those holding these two spots may join me in the College. I am well aware of your loyalty to me, but the matter at hand is of great importance, and sheer loyalty cannot solve all problems. To stand out among the powerful competitors I will encounter at the College, I will need to bring two strong assistants. Therefore, when choosing who to take to the Eastern Capital’s Imperial College, I will only consider one thing: whoever excels in casting spells, I will bring with me.”

Upon hearing this, the crowd was visibly excited; each felt confident in their own abilities and believed they did not fall short compared to the others. The criteria set by Xiang Bo seemed tailor-made for them.

A cultivator could no longer hold back, and without even touching his drink, he walked straight to the outside of the Flower Hall and said, “Everyone, since the young master has announced the standard for selection, what are we waiting for? Let’s not waste any time and start the competition now.”

Another cultivator, too impatient to wait, leapt up and dashed out from the Flower Hall. Mid-air, he began forming spirit runes with his hands and started casting spells.

Xiang Bo’s eyes shone as he watched their fight. It was much more exciting than their usual sparring, as they normally held back. Now, it was different. This was about the opportunity to go to the Imperial College, so no one was pulling their punches. Each brought out their most formidable techniques, with no possibility of holding back even an ounce.

Qi Tian glanced at the battle, then redirected his attention, as such a fight seemed no different than child’s play to him. After a moment of thought, he raised his cup and said, “Mr. Xiang, I toast to you.”

Xiang Bo hadn’t expected the aloof Qi Tian to take the initiative to toast him, and although he knew that Qi Tian’s gesture was likely motivated by the chance to attend the Imperial College, he still felt quite pleased. “Qi Tian, let us drink together.”

After drinking, Qi Tian said, “Mr. Xiang, there are a few things I don’t understand and hope to seek your guidance on.”

Xiang Bo replied, “Whatever you don’t understand, just ask. Go ahead.”

Qi Tian said, “Mr. Xiang, there must be many competitors at the Imperial College. May I know where these competitors come from? What is the strength of these individuals and their retainers?”

Xiang Bo said, “I’ve been to the Imperial College once before and have seen the students there firsthand. I must say, they are all very strong. Of course, I am not weak either and certainly not inferior to them.”

Qi Tian just chuckled. Given such conditions in the small city, unless Xiang Bo was exceptionally talented, it would be utterly impossible for him to stand out among his peers. Qi Tian wasn’t merely speaking offhand. Within the Great Zhao Nation, he had encountered many similar situations. For instance, in the Imperial Master Mansion, due to a lack of cultivation resources, no matter how talented the disciples of the National Master Mansion were, their achievements were limited and easily discerned. Xiang Bo’s situation was quite similar; although he lived in the Imperial Family Secret Territory, like those disciples, he faced a severe shortage of cultivation resources. Under such constraints, achieving great success was nearly impossible. Moreover, after observing Xiang Bo these past few days, Qi Tian was certain that Xiang Bo didn’t possess the exceptional aptitude required for cultivation.

“Alright, let’s not discuss the students of the Imperial College for now. Let’s talk about their retainers. Are you sure that bringing along your retainers will allow you to thrive in the Imperial College without being bullied?” Qi Tian pointed to a few cultivators who had already plunged into a melee outside of the Flower Hall.

Xiang Bo hadn’t expected the cultivators who usually performed quite well in front of him to turn into this so suddenly, resembling street brawlers in a chaotic fight. It would have been different if Qi Tian hadn’t been there to witness it, but his presence made Xiang Bo feel a loss of face.

Qi Tian said, “Mr. Xiang, don’t take offense at my words, but these guest officials you’ve invited are, frankly, nothing but a rabble. If you think you can rely on them to make a name for yourself in the Imperial College, that’s pure fantasy, and there won’t be the slightest chance of a favorable outcome.”

Xiang Bo furrowed his brows and said, “Qi, aren’t your words a bit too harsh?”

Seeing Qi Tian belittle his guest officials like this made Xiang Bo’s tone somewhat unfriendly. If he hadn’t still been considering winning Qi Tian over, he might have already scolded him, far from showing any semblance of a pleasant demeanor.