The King’s Gaze and the Golden Tokens

The man appeared, clad in black-gold robes. Beyond Meng Ting and Chi Qiu, none of the cultivators present recognized him. He appeared to be in his early thirties. He wore a black brocade robe, intricately embroidered with golden dragon patterns, and his dark hair cascaded loosely over his shoulders.

Prince Wen turned, settling back into the magnificent, ornate dragon throne. His gaze, cold and indifferent, swept across every cultivator in the hall. When his eyes landed on Meng Ting, he offered a subtle, almost imperceptible nod.

As Prince Wen surveyed the hall, Chi Qiu watched him, her gaze unwavering. The moment Prince Wen’s emotionless, amber eyes swept over Chi Qiu and met hers, an ancient, savage aura instantly pressed down upon her.

A deafening roar erupted in Chi Qiu’s ears, and her vision blurred into a hazy, ochre expanse. She felt as if she had been cast into a primeval wilderness, surrounded by countless colossal beasts lurking in the shadows. An uncontrollable dread surged from the depths of her heart.

Chi Qiu fought to suppress the terror gripping her, striving to circulate the true qi within her spiritual aperture, intending to shatter the illusion before her. Yet, when she turned her perception inward, she found her spiritual aperture utterly barren, devoid of even a wisp of true qi.

Was this not an illusion?

Chi Qiu’s heart plummeted to rock bottom. She desperately tried to calm herself and devise a strategy, but the fear within her slowly devoured her rationality. She closed her eyes, but the unsettling sensation did not diminish; instead, it intensified. She struggled to perceive, pushing down her fear, and extended her spiritual consciousness.

Amidst the boundless darkness and desolation, Chi Qiu finally found a familiar aura—the aura of the Dao. She slowly raised her hand, her slender, pale fingers gently tapping the void. With that subtle gesture, she stirred the Dao of Heaven and Earth, and specks of azure light materialized, illuminating the encroaching darkness.

Chi Qiu opened her eyes. Before her, the ochre world now rippled with faint disturbances, which quickly expanded, ultimately dispelling the entire illusion.

“Little Chi, this is His Royal Highness, Prince Wen. He possesses an incredibly potent eye technique; even without activating it, his gaze carries a soul-shaking power. You absolutely must not meet his eyes.”

Su Hanxing’s soft admonition in her ear made Chi Qiu feel as if she had just returned from another lifetime.

“I understand,” Chi Qiu replied, still shaken and somewhat numb.

Knock. Knock.

Prince Wen lightly tapped the dragon throne with his knuckles. Several clear, resonant metallic sounds echoed swiftly throughout the grand hall, instantly bringing silence.

“Greetings to Prince Wen—”

A cultivator quickly reacted, pulling his companion down with him to kneel in obeisance. With someone leading, the rest of the hall followed suit, kneeling in unison.

Chi Qiu felt a slight confusion, but Su Hanxing gently patted her back, bringing her back to her senses.

“Rise,” a detached yet authoritative male voice commanded.

“We thank His Royal Highness, Prince Wen—”

The crowd shouted in unison, then rose one by one.

Chi Qiu rose, her gaze involuntarily drawn back to the dragon throne. Prince Wen leaned languidly against the throne, one hand propping his chin, the other gently tapping the armrest, his eyes fixed on Chi Qiu with an amused interest.

This is bad.

Chi Qiu’s heart sank with a premonition. She had no desire to be dragged back into that terrifying illusion. To her surprise, no strange phenomena occurred this time. She safely averted her gaze.

“This Heavenly Martial Assembly is of paramount importance to our Daqi. As those who made it onto the previous Heavenly Pride Rankings, you are expected to strive with all your might.”

Within the hall, Chi Qiu was the only one who dared meet Prince Wen’s gaze. Thus, after his initial sweep, Prince Wen’s eyes returned to her.

“Understood—”

“Outside the Imperial City, I have set up one hundred and twenty-eight arenas. For the next year, you are to defend your respective arenas, participating in no fewer than ten matches each month. Do you understand?”

“We understand,” the crowd affirmed.

“As for the remaining details, Meng Ting will elaborate.” Prince Wen waved a hand, nodded towards Meng Ting, and then fell silent.

As soon as the Prince finished speaking, Meng Ting, who stood not far from Chi Qiu, stepped forward. His face once again bore the humble and deferential expression he typically wore in Prince Wen’s presence.

Approaching the Prince’s presence, Meng Ting began, “Next, I, Meng Ting, will call out names. Those whose names are called, please step forward to receive the Daqi Golden Token.” Meng Ting stroked his beard, a cheerful smile on his face, as he produced a scroll.

He then began the roll call: “Cao Family, Cao Yang.”

Immediately, a young man in black robes stepped swiftly from the crowd, approaching Meng Ting.

“This is your Daqi Golden Token. Once this assembly concludes, a designated attendant will escort you to your arena.” Meng Ting conjured a golden token from thin air and handed it to Cao Yang.

“Yes,” Cao Yang acknowledged, bowing with clasped fists. He took the golden token, then bowed again, this time towards Prince Wen, before returning to his original position.

“Yin Family, Yin Chen.”

Meng Ting continued to read the list.

“Chi Qiu.”

Meng Ting seemed to be calling names from the Daqi Heavenly Pride Rankings in ascending order. By the time he called Chi Qiu’s name, he had already announced over a hundred others. Hearing her name, Chi Qiu quickly covered the distance to Meng Ting, her steps a swift blur. Meng Ting, still beaming, likewise produced a golden token and offered it to Chi Qiu.

“Little girl, from what sect or faction do you hail, to dare meet my gaze?”

Just as Chi Qiu finished her bow to Meng Ting, Prince Wen’s voice suddenly resonated beside her ear.

Chi Qiu’s heart leaped. She looked up in surprise, seeing Prince Wen observing her with keen interest. She dared not delay, softly replying, “I belong to no sect or faction; I am a rogue cultivator. Please forgive my transgression, Prince Wen.”

“A rogue cultivator, you say… No wonder, then. I bear you no ill will. You may step down.” Prince Wen gave an almost imperceptible nod, then waved his hand, signaling Chi Qiu to withdraw.

“Thank you, Your Royal Highness.”

Chi Qiu’s heart instantly eased. After bowing deeply, she swiftly retreated to her spot. This minor interlude went unnoticed by all except Chi Qiu, Meng Ting, and Prince Wen. Even Su Hanxing, standing quite close to the three, couldn’t discern their exchange.

“Myriad Sword Villa… Spirit Mountain, Kong Hua.”

This was a name Chi Qiu found quite familiar. Hearing it, Chi Qiu looked up to see Kong Hua, hands clasped, murmuring prayers, accepting the golden token after a respectful bow.

“Gate of Wonders, Tan Xiao.”

This was another old acquaintance of Chi Qiu’s, Tan Xiao, who had fallen in the Yinglong Tomb due to the Great Fiend. Now, his eyes were sharp, and he ascended the steps with a light, agile grace to receive the golden token.

“Tianyan Sect, Su Hanxing,” Meng Ting announced, rolling up the scroll and smiling at Su Hanxing, who stood beside Chi Qiu.

As the champion of the previous gathering, Su Hanxing’s name was naturally placed at the very top of the scroll. Su Hanxing stepped forward with a smile, accepted the golden token after a bow, then, as custom dictated, bowed deeply towards Prince Wen behind Meng Ting, before swiftly returning to Chi Qiu’s side.

“All Golden Tokens have been distributed. You young talents may now follow the officials who escorted you here to your respective arenas. The arenas are located outside the Imperial City, and to prevent inconvenience in travel, ten residences have been provided beside each arena for your accommodation.”

After distributing all the Daqi Golden Tokens, Meng Ting stood with his hands clasped behind his back and continued:

“These Golden Tokens are proof of victory. Losers must surrender their tokens themselves. After one year, those who still possess a Golden Token will be listed on the new Daqi Heavenly Pride Rankings.”

The cultivators nodded in unison, affirming their understanding repeatedly.

“Very well, you may now depart. The arena matches will officially commence tomorrow.” Meng Ting flicked his sleeve, and instantly, a powerful force materialized, enveloping all one hundred and twenty-eight cultivators in the hall, carrying them out of the grand chamber.

Chi Qiu and Su Hanxing were naturally among them. Feeling the gentle yet domineering force from all directions, Chi Qiu’s expression shifted. Upon this force, there was a profound essence of the Dao.

It seems Meng Ting’s comprehension of the Dao was also exceptionally formidable, Chi Qiu mused with admiration.