Chapter 97: The Guiding Girl Qin Xuan, Above the Imperial City, at the Peak of the Forbidden Palace, Something to Look Forward To

Just as the entire Immortal Realm was stirring with turmoil.

At the very eye of the storm, Jun Xiaoyao was nearing the imperial capital of the Panwu Divine Dynasty.

Along the way, he passed through several teleportation arrays and arrived at Panwu Daozhou.

The imperial capital of the Panwu Divine Dynasty lay at the heart of Panwu Daozhou.

There was still a little over half a month left—more than enough time for Jun Xiaoyao to make his preparations.

At this moment, a voice came from outside the carriage.

“Master, ahead lies the imperial capital of the Panwu Divine Dynasty.”

Jun Xiaoyao heard this and lifted the carriage curtain to look.

Ahead, a magnificent, colossal city rose from the earth, reaching the peak of grandeur.

The entire city stretched boundlessly; its walls extended like the Great Wall, stretching infinitely to either side.

Within the capital, pavilions, terraces, bustling markets, and surging crowds filled the streets.

Above the horizon floated numerous aerial islands, each adorned with palaces, resembling divine palaces and celestial halls.

“The Panwu Divine Dynasty truly lives up to its status as an immortal dynasty—there is indeed a grand aura to it,” Jun Xiaoyao observed.

Immortal lineages towered above all, mighty titans of the Immortal Realm, each one formidable beyond measure.

Precisely because of this, although the Jun Clan and the Ancestral Dragon Nest harbored deep enmity, they had never ignited an immortal war.

Both sides knew that completely eradicating an immortal force was no simple matter.

Of course, strictly speaking, it was the Ancestral Dragon Nest that feared the Jun Clan more.

The Panwu Divine Dynasty, founded by the ancient Emperor Panwu, though no longer at its peak, had not declined much.

Jun Xiaoyao descended from the sky; the Nine-Headed Lion broke free from its reins and followed him.

“Gou Sheng, aren’t you being too conspicuous like this?” Jun Xiaoyao glanced sideways.

The Nine-Headed Lion’s body gleamed like molten gold, radiating brilliant light so intense it blinded the eyes—too dazzling, too golden.

Jun Xiaoyao had no desire to become a monkey in a zoo, surrounded by gawking crowds.

Moreover, some of the things he needed to do were not suited for excessive publicity.

“Master, can you please stop calling me by my real name?” the Nine-Headed Lion muttered softly, sounding disgruntled.

Then, its body suddenly shrank, until, under Jun Xiaoyao’s gaze, it became…

Uh… a Shiba Inu.

Yes, in Jun Xiaoyao’s eyes, it was indistinguishable from a Shiba Inu.

Except that it had nine heads—odd and comical to behold.

“So this is a walking meme? Fine then,” Jun Xiaoyao sighed lightly.

At least the Nine-Headed Shiba Inu was no longer so ostentatious.

Jun Xiaoyao clasped his hands behind his back and entered the capital as if strolling through a tranquil courtyard.

The imperial guards at the city gate, upon seeing Jun Xiaoyao, stared with shock and hesitation, daring not to stop him.

Because Jun Xiaoyao’s aura was simply too transcendent.

Subtle divine radiance shimmered around him, celestial luminescence enveloped him, and an aura of immortality and Daoist essence permeated his entire being.

Naturally, this stemmed from the Great Luo Immortal Bone he had assimilated.

Jun Xiaoyao’s face was likewise veiled in celestial radiance, making his features indistinct.

Thus, Jun Xiaoyao entered the capital without a single obstacle.

Only after Jun Xiaoyao had passed did a young guard hesitantly ask: “Captain, why didn’t we stop that man to check his identity? The rules require all cultivators to be screened upon entry.”

“You fool, do you think someone like that can be stopped and searched? He might be the scion of some immortal lineage—his status may even rival the Princess Royal!” the captain snapped.

“Oh, I see,” the young guard nodded rapidly, a chill of dread running down his spine.

After entering the capital, Jun Xiaoyao attracted many glances.

Though his face was veiled by faint, elusive mist, his aura could not be concealed.

Many young maidens and female cultivators from powerful factions kept stealing glances at Jun Xiaoyao.

Though many in the Huangtian Immortal Realm knew Jun Xiaoyao’s name,

Very few had actually seen him in person.

Moreover, many disciples of immortal lineages bore royal bodies, divine bodies, and other such forms, all shrouded in mist and aura.

Could every person surrounded by celestial light really be Jun Xiaoyao?

Thus, no one could discern his true identity.

At this moment, a young girl dressed in a simple blue cotton dress hesitated, then finally clenched her teeth and stepped forward.

“Sir, are you visiting the imperial capital for the first time? Qin Xuan can guide you and inform you of all matters.”

The girl named Qin Xuan looked nervous.

She had guided many disciples of powerful factions before, but never before had she encountered someone as mysterious and transcendent as Jun Xiaoyao.

Other female cultivators dared only to watch from afar, lacking the courage to approach.

“Oh?” Jun Xiaoyao’s gaze settled on Qin Xuan, his eyebrows lifting slightly.

Qin Xuan was no more than fifteen or sixteen, yet her cultivation base had already reached the peak of the Divine Bridge Realm.

He noticed this, but said nothing.

“Fine, lead the way,” Jun Xiaoyao casually pulled out a piece of Supreme Divine Source.

A crowd of passersby stared in stunned silence.

“Holy shit, that’s a Supreme Divine Source—this guy is insanely rich!”

“Definitely a scion of some immortal faction. Man, I envy that girl!”

Murmurs of astonishment spread around; many female cultivators bit their lips and stamped their feet, cursing themselves for missing the chance.

Qin Xuan’s lips parted slightly, clearly overwhelmed.

Jun Xiaoyao’s expression remained calm.

Because Supreme Divine Source was the most ordinary currency he carried.

“Sir, let me tell you the latest news—within a few days, the Princess Royal will hold her wedding banquet to choose an Imperial Son-in-Law.”

“And the Champion Marquis will challenge the Jun Clan’s Divine Son atop the Forbidden City.”

“It’s said the Jun Clan’s Divine Son is a celestial figure, unmatched among his peers.”

As Qin Xuan spoke of Jun Xiaoyao, her eyes shimmered with admiration.

After all, Jun Xiaoyao was the dream of countless young maidens across the Immortal Realm.

Beside her, the Nine-Headed Lion’s eyes held a peculiar expression.

If this girl knew the man walking beside her was the very Jun Clan Divine Son she idolized, she’d probably faint from excitement.

But when she mentioned the Champion Marquis, her emotions clearly shifted, trembling with tension.

As if a thread of hatred ran through her words.

Jun Xiaoyao noticed and asked casually: “If the Jun Clan’s Divine Son truly accepts the challenge, who do you hope will win?”

Qin Xuan’s eyes filled with bitter hatred as she answered without hesitation: “I hope the Jun Clan’s Divine Son wins—no, I hope he kills the Champion Marquis!”

Jun Xiaoyao’s eyes flickered with interest. “At your age, you’ve reached the peak of the Divine Bridge Realm—your origins must be significant. Why are you reduced to guiding strangers?”

Qin Xuan clenched her fists, her voice low: “I was born into the Qin Tian Marquis House—my father was Marquis Qin Tian of the Divine Dynasty.”

“My mother was a renowned beauty of the court, later coveted by the Champion Marquis, who wished to take her into his harem. My father refused, so he killed him. My mother then took her own life.”

“The entire marquis house fell into ruin. I was left to wander alone,” Qin Xuan whispered, her hatred thick and unyielding.

“I see,” Jun Xiaoyao nodded slightly.

He felt no great pity—there were too many pitiful people in this world.

Jun Xiaoyao was no saint who pitied every tragic soul he encountered.

“Sorry for telling you so much personal history—I must have annoyed you,” Qin Xuan recovered her composure, forcing a smile.

“Don’t you want revenge?” Jun Xiaoyao asked.

“Revenge? The Champion Marquis is like a local emperor in the Panwu Divine Dynasty—who could possibly avenge against him?” Qin Xuan’s voice was bitter, utterly powerless.

“Above the imperial city, atop the Forbidden Peak—perhaps you may look forward to something soon.”

Jun Xiaoyao murmured softly, walking ahead with his hands clasped behind his back.

Watching Jun Xiaoyao’s back, Qin Xuan stood frozen, bewildered.

She didn’t understand what Jun Xiaoyao meant by those words.