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"So, you're saying that besides the righteous energy, there are other energies?" Qin Jun asked excitedly in his heart while Chen Miaoyin and Chen Shuli were still arguing with Cheng Jie.
"Indeed, these so-called energies are collectively referred to as sacred energy, which is created by those whose ancestors reached the Daluo realm and subsequently shaped sacred energy, allowing their descendants to autonomously change their bloodline and have a chance to trigger sacred energy."
Sacred energy?
Daluo realm?
Qin Jun's eyes widened, that's a lot of information!
Just as he was about to ask more, the system interrupted him, saying, "Host does not qualify to access this information, so even if you ask, I will not answer. I can only tell you that the chance of sacred energy appearing is extremely low, but if the host subdues Chen Shuli, the chance of the Qianyue Kingdom advancing to an Imperial Dynasty in the future will increase!"
Advancing to an Imperial Dynasty!
A fiery passion lit up in Qin Jun's eyes.
"System, is the Imperial Dynasty above the kingdom?" Qin Jun continued to ask.
"Correct, after advancing to an Imperial Dynasty, the country will possess qi movement which concerns the rise and fall of the nation and can even influence the weather and natural disasters. Above the Imperial Dynasty is the Sacred Dynasty, but those are too distant for the host. Just the conditions for a kingdom to advance to an Imperial Dynasty are incredibly stringent," the system explained patiently.
At this moment, Cheng Jie sneered, "Do you really think the town governor can cover up the sky with one hand? Today, I will take you back, and after the rice is cooked, the town governor might even have to marry you off to me!"
"You!"
"Shut up!"
Chen Miaoyin was so angry she trembled all over, her dirty little face flushed red, and Chen Shuli even swung his fist at Cheng Jie. But he was no match for Cheng Jie.
Cheng Jie didn't even need to dodge, he simply caught Chen Shuli's right fist with one hand and with a casual push, Chen Shuli staggered back several meters. Just as he was about to fall, a strong hand supported him from behind, saving him from an embarrassed fall. He turned his head instinctively and saw Qin Jun's handsome smiling face.
"Thank you."
Chen Shuli murmured softly, and then charged at Cheng Jie once more.
Knowing he couldn't win, yet still daring to charge—this guy was completely different from the scholars Qin Jun had in mind. Could this be the effect of righteous energy?
Qin Jun shook his head; Chen Shuli was still too reckless. However, from Chen Shuli's perspective, he really had no choice but to face the threat head-on. Otherwise, should he just watch his sister get taken away?
"Don't be impulsive!"
Qin Jun stepped forward behind Chen Shuli, his right hand on Chen Shuli's shoulder, preventing him from moving. At this point, Chen Miaoyin and Cheng Jie both turned to look at Qin Jun.
It's him!
The clear eyes of Chen Miaoyin suddenly lit up. The accidental collision at the city gates in the afternoon was the first time she had physical contact with a strange man. Plus, with Qin Jun's impressive demeanor, she remembered him.
Cheng Jie frowned because he recognized the uniform Qin Jun was wearing—the royal guard's attire from the Imperial Palace.
Could this person be from the royal guard?
"Why push people to despair?" Qin Jun looked at Cheng Jie and spoke unhurriedly. Cheng Jie's two servants behind him had only the third layer of energy refining realm cultivation, and Cheng Jie himself possessed the fourth layer. Perhaps he was outstanding among the young generation of Qingtan City, but to Qin Jun, he was no different from cats and dogs.
"Are you a royal guard?" Cheng Jie asked gravely. Although the Emperor was far away, they were currently in the marketplace. Confronting a royal guard could easily give the other clans a handle on him.
Royal guard!
Hiss—
The surrounding commoners all gasped in unison, and the spies from several families also shrank their pupils and withdrew, ready to inform their own clans.
Qingtan City's status within the Qianyue Kingdom is barely medium, and the royal guards are under the control of the royal family. Even the city governor would not dare to neglect meeting them.
"This has nothing to do with my identity. Spare them when you can; let them go!" Qin Jun said flatly. He was currently wearing a crime on his back, and being discovered would not end well for him.
Cheng Jie's expression darkened as he fluctuated between anger and indecision before finally gritting his teeth and saying, "Fine! I'll give face to the royal guard! Let's go!"
True to the bearing of a major clan's scion, he knew whom not to offend.
Watching Cheng Jie and his group leave, Qin Jun shook his head with a smile and turned to look at Chen Shuli, who was then staring blankly at Qin Jun.
As a scholar, he naturally understood the various official ranks within the Qianyue Kingdom.
A royal guard so young?
Royal guards are usually selected from the army where one must be at least sixteen years old to enlist. He found it hard to believe that Qin Jun could have joined the army and been selected for the royal guard so quickly.
The most important fact was that unless personally ordered by the Emperor, royal guards are not allowed to leave the capital!
The last time the Emperor dispatched royal guards seemed to be related to the demotion of the Third Prince...
In an instant, Chen Shuli thought of many possibilities. If Qin Jun knew what he was thinking, he would probably click his tongue—damn, what an intelligent guess; how could he deduce that?
Qingtan City was far from the capital, and many of the capital's recent events were not well-known there. Only the big shots from the various families might be aware, and yet Chen Shuli was informed about the latest movements in the capital, indicating that his ambition had long been set on the Imperial Palace!
"How about it, are you interested in joining me?" Qin Jun raised his eyebrows and asked. He wasn't willing to let go of a potential talent who could become an influential figure in governing the world.
"Join you?" Chen Shuli was stunned. Did he have to put it so bluntly?
Chen Miaoyin sized up Qin Jun, her beautiful eyes filled with curiosity.
"Is this young master really a royal guard?"
"I don't know, I've never left Qingtan City in my life."
"His clothes look quite extraordinary!"
"To make the young master of the Cheng family admit defeat, this person must be extraordinary!"
The surrounding commoners discussed among themselves. After all, not everyone was aware of the royal guard uniforms, or else the soldiers at the entrance wouldn't have dared to charge Qin Jun an entry fee.
The Roaring Sky Dog approached Qin Jun and sized up Chen Shuli with a look of disdain in its eyes. This frail scholar only barely had the first layer of energy refining realm cultivation, hardly any different from an ordinary person.
"No, my ambition is to top the imperial examination, become an official, and contribute to the state!" Chen Shuli declared resolutely.
Chen Miaoyin couldn't help but cover her forehead. She truly didn't understand what her brother was thinking. What's so good about becoming an official?
Cultivating energy refining to live leisurely is the way to go!
Striving for immortality is the Righteous Dao!
"Of course, I hope you do exactly that. Just keep in mind that if you encounter any problems along the way, you can always turn to me!"
Qin Jun patted Chen Shuli's shoulder with a look of encouragement.
With the triennial imperial examination approaching, each one is a battle of wits among the court officials, and even princes and lords will reach out to woo the talents they favor.
If Chen Shuli managed to become the top scholar, he would certainly set off a fierce competition among the bigwigs.
"Who exactly are you?" Chen Shuli asked with a frown, suggesting that Qin Jun's identity must be more than just a simple royal guard!
"Let's find a quiet place to talk!" Qin Jun suggested, glancing at the onlookers and then speaking in a hushed tone.
Chen Shuli nodded; he was now very interested in Qin Jun.
"Miaoyin, you should go back first. Father is anxious to find you," Chen Shuli turned to his sister, who was dressed like a little beggar, and said.
"I'm not going back!" Chen Miaoyin rolled her eyes, "I'm going to cultivate energy refining. I refuse to stay and be used as a marriage tool!"
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