Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 910 - 910 0551 Spirit Crow_1

Chapter 910: Chapter 0551 Spirit Crow_1 Chapter 910: Chapter 0551 Spirit Crow_1 Chapter 0551: Spirit Crow

Gao Jinmei and Xia Xiaoming followed Qi Tian’s example and paid a deposit of one hundred middle-grade spirit stones to the accountant. When he handed them the receipt, he did not forget to comfort them, assuring that the City Lord’s Mansion would double the spirit stones when they returned from the Eastern Capital City.

Gao Jinmei and Xia Xiaoming sneered inwardly. As Gold Core Realm cultivators, how could they care about these measly middle-grade spirit stones? Moreover, if the City Lord’s Mansion truly intended to win them over, they wouldn’t use such a method. Not only should they not collect a deposit, but they should also take the initiative to offer middle-grade spirit stones for their travel expenses. Wooing capable individuals was never too much, instead of acting stingy with deposits—a clear sign of distrust. How could that possibly inspire their loyalty?

Of course, these were their private thoughts. On the surface, both Gao Jinmei and Xia Xiaoming expressed their gratitude to Xiang Bo. Only such behavior was fitting for their status. Appearing indifferent to several hundred middle-grade spirit stones could raise suspicion among others.

After Gao Jinmei and Xia Xiaoming had paid their deposits, no one else was willing to part with one hundred middle-grade spirit stones as a deposit. To Qi Tian, such spirit stones might seem negligible, but for the guards and guest officials of the City Lord’s Mansion, they represented a significant expense, hard-earned and not easily parted with.

Xiang Bo was furious. The guards’ and guest officials’ reluctance to provide deposits was a blatant act of disloyalty and mistrust. After all, he had promised to return their stones upon their return from the Eastern Capital City. Were his words truly so untrustworthy?

Despite his anger, Xiang Bo did not force the guards and guest officials to pay the deposit. He understood all too well that forced compliance would yield no sweetness. He then announced the other three individuals who could accompany him to the Eastern Capital City without a deposit. Lin Zhenzhao was excluded, while Xiang Bo picked those whom he believed were sufficiently loyal and capable, so they might assist him at the Imperial College later.

Once the names were announced, Xiang Bo declared they would set off for the Eastern Capital City the following day, instructing Qi Tian and the others to prepare.

Qi Tian, Gao Jinmei, and Xia Xiaoming were secretly thrilled. After so much hassle, they could finally continue their safe advance toward the core area of the Imperial Family Secret Territory, hoping the core area might present them with useful opportunities.

The next day came in the blink of an eye, and Xiang Bo’s party set off. Due to rules within the Imperial Family Secret Territory, they didn’t opt for sword-flying to the Eastern Capital City. Instead, they chose land transport; each person was given a horse, bred from royal steeds and Spirit Beasts, capable of traveling a thousand miles a day. Riding such horses at full speed, they would need only one day and night to reach the Eastern Capital City.

Through indirect questioning, Qi Tian finally understood why Xiang Bo didn’t use flying swords. The primary reason was an edict from the Imperial Family Secret Territory restricting flight. It didn’t ban everyone, but only those of certain martial statuses or cultivation levels could fly. To fly, one had to be a Gold Core Realm cultivator or hold a status comparable: a prince or a member of a special department, for example.

Of course, Xiang Bo could fly within a small city without issue, but now that they were departing his jurisdiction? Xiang Bo wisely opted for a low-profile approach. Despite his status as the son of the City Lord, in the vastness of the Imperial Family Secret Territory, his position truly meant little. There were plenty who could trample over him.

Xiang Bo didn’t plan to travel day and night to rush to the Eastern Capital City. Although the schedule was tight, keeping up a pace of four to five hundred miles a day would ensure they arrived at the Imperial College before registration closed.

Moreover, this excursion was a rare occasion for Xiang Bo—his father had been active in the Eastern Capital City since last year, and Xiang Bo had been busy filling in as the City Lord. Going to the Imperial College in the Eastern Capital City was not a trivial matter. He also looked forward to using this opportunity to relax a bit; after all, once they reached the Imperial College, things would become very tense.

Although they were somewhat anxious, Qi Tian and his companions did not show it. They were still Xiang Bo’s guards; no guard would ever rush their master.

In the blink of an eye, they had traveled over a thousand miles from the small city. One day, around noon, they found themselves in a place with no village ahead or inn behind. Xiang Bo commanded a halt, and everyone dismounted without needing further instruction. The three guest officials he had brought began to hustle, quickly preparing a pot of broth with spiritual ingredients.

The guest official in charge of cooking took out several bowls, ladled out the broth into them, and handed the bowls to Xiang Bo, Qi Tian, Gao Jinmei, and Xia Xiaoming. It must be said, during the two days on the road, Qi Tian and his party had received exceptional treatment with meals. Like today, Qi Tian’s bowl was piled high with Spirit Beast meat, forming a small mountain.