The Heavenly Martial Gathering: An Invitation to Qihuang Hall

Ultimately, Chi Qiu’s persistence prevailed over Su Hanxing’s reluctance, and he agreed for them to attend together. Thus, on the second day of the preliminary selections, Chi Qiu and Su Hanxing once again arrived to observe. This time, however, their focus had shifted to finding two individuals.

The Tianyan Sect disciples who had intended to join them were swiftly dispersed by Su Hanxing, none daring to approach and witness the martial contests. From that day forward, Su Hanxing and Chi Qiu maintained their routine. If a Heart God Sect cultivator was scheduled to compete, they would proceed to the arena. Otherwise, they would remain within their residence, dedicating their time to cultivation.

Whether by fortune or ill fate, Ye Yan never made an appearance throughout the entire preliminary selection phase. Similarly, the Heart God Sect elder Chi Qiu sought remained elusive, leaving no trace of their whereabouts.

“My lords, please accept these tokens. You are cordially invited to personally attend the opening ceremony of the second stage of the Heavenly Martial Assembly at Qihuang Hall.”

Outside the residence, several Daqi soldiers, clad in verdant beast armor, formed an escort around a middle-aged man in pristine white official robes. He stood poised at the entrance. The man, distinguished by his long hair and neatly trimmed short beard, exuded an air of uncommon refinement. He held two golden invitations, ready to extend them to Su Hanxing.

“Thank you.” Su Hanxing offered a respectful bow, then stepped forward to receive the two invitations.

“If there are no further matters, I humbly request that you accompany me to Qihuang Hall now.” The white-robed official offered a slight nod after Chi Qiu and Su Hanxing accepted the invitations, then bowed deeply.

“Indeed, there are no other matters. Please, lead the way, fellow Daoist.” Su Hanxing smiled, gesturing politely with an open hand. He then turned back, calling out, “Little Chi, it’s time to depart.”

“Coming.”

From within the residence, behind the grand entrance, a crisp, cool female voice resonated. This was followed by the soft, rhythmic clinking of armor plates. Chi Qiu emerged, dressed in dark, scaled armor, and gracefully walked towards the main gate of the estate.

“Are we leaving immediately?” Chi Qiu halted beside Su Hanxing, her magnificent golden eyes gazing at him with a hint of inquiry. The black skirt-armor she wore swayed gently, and faint tendrils of dark energy subtly wreathed from the gaps between its scales, only to vanish into the air.

“Indeed, esteemed sirs, please follow me.” Before Su Hanxing could formulate a reply, the white-robed official quickly interjected.

Su Hanxing and Chi Qiu exchanged a knowing glance, then nodded in perfect synchronicity. They followed the white-robed official, preparing to set off for Qihuang Hall.

“Esteemed sirs, please board the vessel.” The white-robed official extended a hand, and with a ripple in the air, a verdant warship, dozens of zhang in length, materialized on the open ground outside Chi Qiu’s residence. “Our journey to Qihuang Hall is estimated to take approximately half an hour.”

Chi Qiu and Su Hanxing ascended onto the warship, finding a long bench where they settled. The white-robed official stood respectfully to one side, offering explanations to the pair.

“Might I inquire about fellow Daoist’s name?” Su Hanxing nodded, then posed the question.

“This humble official’s name is Miao Jin. I have been specifically dispatched by the Daqi Imperial Family to attend to your esteemed selves.” Miao Jin responded, lowering his head slightly.

“I see. Fellow Daoist Miao, do you happen to know when the arena matches of this Heavenly Martial Assembly are slated to commence?” Su Hanxing clasped his hands in a polite salute, asking with courteous inquiry.

“This… this humble official is unaware. Once you esteemed sirs arrive at Qihuang Hall, I believe you will certainly ascertain the details.” Miao Jin paused, momentarily taken aback by the question, then bowed his head even lower.

Upon hearing this, Su Hanxing fell silent. He settled into his chair, absently stroking his chin, his thoughts seemingly far away. Before him, Chi Qiu reclined languidly on the long bench, her gaze calmly sweeping over the Daqi Imperial City sprawling beneath the warship.

“Esteemed sirs, please enter. This humble official’s duties conclude here.”

Outside the colossal, dark hall, which towered over a thousand zhang, Miao Jin escorted Chi Qiu and Su Hanxing to its grand entrance. After a deep bow, he respectfully took his leave.

“This Qihuang Hall is truly magnificent.” Chi Qiu did not immediately rush into the dark hall. She paused, surveying her surroundings with wide eyes, a string of exclamations escaping her lips.

“This is one of the largest palaces within the Imperial City, surpassed only by Qihuang Palace and Wen Hall.” Su Hanxing, clearly no stranger to this place, expertly guided Chi Qiu inside Qihuang Hall. “Given that the opening ceremony is held within Qihuang Hall, it is highly probable that Prince Wen himself will grace us with his presence.”

As they entered the grand hall, they observed a multitude of cultivators gathered within. Most were clustered in small groups, engaging in animated discussions.

“What a surprise, there are quite a few familiar faces here…” Chi Qiu’s gaze swept across the hall. It was populated by renowned individuals from the Daqi Heavenly Pride Rankings, many of whom had previously fallen to her blade.

“Tianyan Sect’s Su Hanxing has arrived!”

“He’s the champion from the previous tournament.”

Su Hanxing’s imposing stature, extraordinary aura, and status as the former champion ensured he was instantly recognized upon entering the hall, sparking immediate whispers among the crowd. Su Hanxing maintained a serene smile, completely unperturbed by the surrounding chatter. He strode purposefully with Chi Qiu, heading directly towards the center of the grand hall, where a green-robed elder stood.

“Greetings, Elder Meng.” Su Hanxing bowed respectfully, his voice imbued with profound deference.

Chi Qiu, though initially bewildered, followed Su Hanxing’s lead and offered a bow, uttering, “Elder Meng.”

“Hohohoho… Ah, Hanxing, there’s no need for such formality. And this little lass, you must be the rogue cultivator Chi Qiu, correct?” Elder Meng’s face broadened into a radiant smile upon seeing Su Hanxing. He stroked his beard, nodding for Su Hanxing to quickly rise. Then, his gaze fell upon Chi Qiu beside Su Hanxing, and after a brief moment of contemplation, he correctly identified her.

Su Hanxing and Chi Qiu straightened. Chi Qiu offered a gentle nod, confirming Elder Meng’s astute observation.

“I had long heard whispers of your close association, and today’s sight certainly confirms them. Little Hanxing knows who this old man is, but Little Qiu, I presume you are still unaware, correct?” Elder Meng meticulously scrutinized Su Hanxing from head to toe, then turned his head to carefully observe Chi Qiu for a while before introducing himself.

“This old man’s name is Meng Ting. I currently serve the Daqi Imperial Family. If you do not find it beneath you, you may address me as Elder Meng, just as Su Hanxing does.”

“How could this junior ever find it beneath me? Thank you for your kind regard, Elder Meng.” Chi Qiu was momentarily taken aback, then immediately clasped her hands, a hint of pleasant surprise in her tone.

“I recall that during the previous gathering, you were merely a Spirit Nourishing Realm cultivator. Yet, after changing bodies and cultivating for three years, you have astonishingly reached the God Concealing stage. Even the disciples of prominent sects and noble families can scarcely rival your progress.” Elder Meng’s eyes narrowed slightly, directly discerning Chi Qiu’s cultivation level.

As the sole Spirit Nourishing Realm cultivator on the Daqi Heavenly Pride Rankings back then, Meng Ting held a remarkably strong impression of Chi Qiu.

“Elder Meng flatters me. Re-cultivating realms at such a swift pace is hardly anything noteworthy.” Chi Qiu’s expression remained composed, her tone quite humble.

“There’s no need for false humility. I, Meng Ting, have never been mistaken in my judgment of character.” Elder Meng waved a dismissive hand.

“Elder Meng, may I inquire if it was His Royal Highness Prince Wen who summoned us to Qihuang Hall today?” Su Hanxing, perceiving Chi Qiu’s slight discomfort in conversing with Meng Ting, swiftly interjected.

“Since you were summoned to Qihuang Hall, who else but His Royal Highness Prince Wen could possibly command such an event?” Elder Meng cast a peculiar look at Su Hanxing, as if questioning the need for such an obvious inquiry.

“May I ask when His Royal Highness Prince Wen is expected to arrive?” Su Hanxing’s face flushed with slight embarrassment, and he hastily continued his line of questioning.

“Soon, very soon. Once all one hundred and twenty-eight cultivators on the Daqi Heavenly Pride Rankings have fully assembled, His Royal Highness Prince Wen will naturally make his appearance.” Elder Meng chuckled heartily.

“Look, they have all arrived now.” Elder Meng surveyed the grand hall, then suddenly added, “His Royal Highness Prince Wen has also arrived.”

Hearing this, Chi Qiu and Su Hanxing immediately turned their attention to the far end of the grand hall. There, upon a colossal black-gold dragon throne, dozens of zhang in both width and length, a figure clad in black-gold robes slowly began to materialize.