The Sword God of the Universe
Chapter 682: Holy Palace [Four Updates]

Chapter 682: Chapter 682: Holy Palace [Four Updates]

Jing Yan had spent over a month in Lanqu County City.

He had set up a high-level defense array, an attack array, and a binding array within the Prince Manor, and a defense array in the Manager’s Mansion.

Furthermore, Jing Yan also set up an attack array and a binding array in the Jing Family’s division dwelling within Lanqu County City.

In total, that was six arrays. However, due to their smaller scale compared to the arrays set up in Donglin City, they took much less time to establish and used far fewer materials than the three big arrays in Donglin City.

The person in charge of the Jing Family’s division in Lanqu County City was the Jing Family’s Eighth Elder, Jing Qingzhu. Jing Qingzhu had also stepped into the Dao Spirit Realm several years earlier. Jing Yan handed over the control cores of the attack array and the binding array to Jing Qingzhu.

And he cautioned that if anyone launched an attack targeting this division dwelling, and they were unable to withstand it, they should take refuge in the Prince Manor. The array’s power in the Jing Family division dwelling was weaker than that of the Prince Manor, and it also lacked a defense array. If the situation turned dire, the Jing Family members could directly enter the Prince Manor for safety.

After all these arrangements, Jing Yan left Lanqu County City with Hu Donghe, flying towards the Holy City.

As both were Dao Emperor Realm practitioners, they traveled at an extremely fast speed. In just over ten days, they had arrived at the Holy City.

If it weren’t for Hu Donghe’s company, had Jing Yan used his Sky Wings to travel, he would have probably reached the Holy City in just a few days.

This was Jing Yan’s first visit to the Holy City.

A towering, majestic, and enormous city.

It was also the Martial Arts sacred land on the Heavenly Origin Continent.

In name, the ninety-nine commanderies of the Heavenly Origin Continent were all under the control of the Holy City.

In reality, the Holy City also controlled about half of the commanderies on the Heavenly Origin Continent. The other half’s actual control rested with the Seven Great Families, like the Gai Family.

For instance, the Gai Family controlled a whole eight commanderies, including Flowing Light County, East Pass County, and others!

"Jing Yan, shall we go directly to the Holy Palace, or shall we take a look around the Holy City first?" Hu Donghe asked for Jing Yan’s opinion.

He had been to the Holy City more than once but had not visited in several decades.

"Let’s go directly to the Holy Palace and see the Holy Master," Jing Yan said after a brief contemplation.

"As for touring the Holy City, we’ll have plenty of time for that."

"Agreed! Then let’s enter the Holy City first, and head directly to the Holy Palace," Hu Donghe nodded.

The two descended from the sky and arrived at the city gate of the Holy City. There were a total of three city gates in the Holy City; however, only one gate is open day and night, while the other two are typically closed.

That is to say, under normal circumstances, there’s only that one gate for entering and leaving the Holy City.

As for flying directly into the Holy City, that was out of the question. There was an array in place that detected such intrusions; this array was always active. If someone tried to fly into the Holy City’s airspace, they would be immediately detected and swiftly approached by the Holy City guards.

Those with malicious intent would be directly struck down.

Even those who entered accidentally without ill intent would be temporarily detained for interrogation.

In short, even high-level figures from the Seven Great Families had to enter through the city gates when coming to the Holy City. Otherwise, they were asking for public embarrassment.

Flying within the Holy City’s airspace was not entirely forbidden, but one would first need permission from the Holy Master; otherwise, it would be seen as disrespecting and shaming the Holy Master.

Like Pill Country, entering the Holy City required payment of a certain fee.

Jing Yan and Hu Donghe, without taking any privileges for being Dao Emperor Realm practitioners, paid the fee and entered the city honestly.

The two smoothly entered the Holy City, slightly increasing their speed on the vast streets as they rushed towards the location of the Holy Palace.

The Holy Palace was situated in the center of the Holy City, atop a mountain peak. The Holy City differed from Pill Country: while the entire city of Pill Country sat on a mountain range, it was only the Holy Master’s abode, the Holy Palace, that was positioned atop a distinctively shaped mountain within the Holy City.

"So many array formations!" Jing Yan couldn’t help but exclaim, "As expected of the Holy City!"

With Jing Yan’s expertise in formations, he was easily able to sense the arrays. Although almost all the arrays were deactivated, he could still detect the presence of the majority of them.

"Before the battle with the Human Gods, in Ancient Times, this was one of the most important cities in the world. It’s natural that there are many arrays. Moreover, some of these arrays were personally set up by Saint Realm array masters, they’re extremely powerful," Hu Donghe said with a smile as he provided some explanation.

"But that’s not even the most impressive part!"

"The defensive force of the Holy Palace is truly frightening! It is said that even Saint Realm practitioners have a tough time breaking into the Holy Palace," Hu Donghe continued.

"Oh?" Jing Yan’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"I don’t have much information, but it is said that the Holy Palace itself is a Holy Artifact, possessing peerless power. Inside the Holy Palace, the Holy Master who controls the Holy Artifact can suppress anyone. Even mighty beings of the Saint Realm would be subdued," Hu Donghe, as Great Alchemist King, obviously had access to abundant information and knew many secrets unknown to others.

The Holy Palace being a Dao Artifact was knowledge known by only a very few on the entire continent.

At these words, Jing Yan couldn’t help but express his astonishment amidst his exclamations of wonder.

The Holy City was vast.

Because flying was not permitted and since they had to moderate their speed on the roads, it took them several hours from their entrance into the Holy City to reach the foot of the Holy Palace mountain.

What he had seen along the way gave Jing Yan a certain understanding of the Holy City’s strength.

In the Holy City, Dao Spirit Realm practitioners were a common sight, and there were even occasional sightings of Daoist Master Realm martial artists.

Dao King Realm martial artists, on the other hand, were rare; in the span of several hours, Jing Yan encountered only one Dao King Realm practitioner passing by.

The two arrived at the entrance of the Holy Palace’s passageway, declared their identities, and requested the Holy Palace guards to convey their arrival.

The guards first relayed the message to Chang Huan, who then went to see the Holy Master.

"Holy Master, you truly have divine foresight; Jing Yan has indeed arrived in the Holy City," Chang Huan offered some flattering remarks.

Half a year ago, the Holy Master had told Chang Huan that Jing Yan would probably come to see him in the Holy City. And now, Jing Yan had indeed come.

"Hmm, he came even faster than I expected," the Holy Master nodded. "Jing Yan and Donghe Great Pill King are together, right?"

"Yes, the two of them are just below the Holy Peak," Chang Huan said, "That’s the message the guards just passed to me."

"Holy Master, Donghe Great Pill King really treats Jing Yan quite well. It’s said that Donghe Great Pill King’s further advancement was also due to Jing Yan’s assistance," Chang Huan added.

"Donghe Great Pill King’s character is indeed exceptional, and his visit to the Holy City this time likely intends to support Jing Yan," the Holy Master smiled. "Invite them in!"