The three Upper Symbol Generals led Ji Xia and his companions not to the city gates but directly over the vast outer city, landing in Xiuyang Inner Palace, the area of Fengfu City where the Da Fu elite, nobles of powerful nations, and mighty cultivators gathered.
This was a city within a city, serving as Fengfu's inner fortress.
The three generals descended slowly at the gates of Xiuyang Inner Palace, setting Ji Xia and his companions down at the entrance.
Calling it a gate almost seemed insufficient—it was more akin to a city gate.
Standing seven or eight zhang tall, the black gate was inscribed with intricate, aesthetically pleasing runes. Occasionally, radiant streams of light flickered across its surface. Atop the gate were embedded more than a dozen colossal beast heads, a striking and chilling sight.
These heads were not sculptures but actual severed heads of beasts slain and mounted here. Lions, peculiar avian monsters, large-antlered stags, and enormous serpents were among them. Despite their diversity, they all shared one characteristic: a menacing aura of overwhelming malice emanating from each head.
Ji Xia could sense that this massive gate also harbored a boundless power within. If anyone attempted to breach it, this latent force would activate, suppressing any intruder.
"Just this gate alone demonstrates the might of Da Fu. The black material—what kind of spiritual metal is this? It's brimming with spiritual energy. With its mystical runes and the monstrous heads above, anyone daring to force their way through would think twice," Ji Xia remarked, awestruck.
Summoning his voice low, Zhao Wu explained, "Brother Qin, you may not know, but this black gate was personally forged by our King of Symbols. It is inscribed with eighty-one runes, forming a grand symbol array. Though the gate itself may appear small, this array ensures the entire Inner Palace's safety."
Hearing Zhao Wu's explanation, Ji Xia chuckled. "This gate is indeed a marvel. My Da Xia knows nothing of the art of symbols, so we've never seen a gate like this."
Nearby, Yue Ze interjected, "Young Qin Ji, you've traveled far and wide. Have you ever encountered a nation as wondrous as Da Fu?"
His tone was tinged with pride, though more rooted in genuine admiration.
Ji Xia's eyes gleamed with a trace of mischief as he responded, "I've crossed countless mountains and rivers, and I have indeed witnessed many marvelous nations. A nation as exceptional as Da Fu? Naturally, I've seen such places."
"Oh?"
This piqued the interest of the others. Even the three generals were intrigued. Sang Yang asked, "What other nations possess wonders to rival the rune techniques of Da Fu?"
Without hesitation, Ji Xia replied, "I once came upon a mysterious nation nestled in a valley—a kingdom entirely composed of women, with no men to be found. It was called the Kingdom of Daughters."
Sang Yang was deeply curious. "No men? How do they sustain their dynasty?"
"The nation is home to a peculiar river called the Mother-Child River. Its waters are so extraordinary that anyone—man or woman—who drinks from it will conceive a daughter," Ji Xia explained.
This revelation left Fan Zhu, Zhao Wu, and even the three Upper Symbol Generals slack-jawed.
Fan Zhu was incredulous. "Such a marvelous nation exists? Drinking from the Mother-Child River truly causes even men to conceive?"
Ji Xia nodded, his expression tinged with a peculiar mirth. He chuckled. "I've also seen a kingdom of tiny peopledwelling among trees and grasses. Its citizens are no different in appearance from us, except that their stature is smaller than the tip of a needle. An entire nation of millions resided on the stump of a single tree felled by a hunter."
"And then there was another nation where its citizens neither toiled, reproduced, nor even ate or drank. They spent their days in slumber. In their dreams, they worked, rested, and bore children. Meanwhile, in reality, crops grew, offspring were conceived, and their physical bodies flourished—utterly baffling."
All five of his listeners were dumbfounded.
After a long silence, Sang Yang finally spoke with a hint of respect. "Whether these nations are real or a flight of fancy, the imagination required to describe them is extraordinary. Young Qin Ji, you are indeed well-traveled and knowledgeable—a fitting heir of a noble lineage."
The haughty air of Yue Ze dissipated as he fell silent, seemingly deep in thought.
Fan Zhu, her eyes gleaming, eagerly asked, "Brother Qin! Do you remember where this Kingdom of Daughters is?"
Ji Xia's expression darkened slightly. "I could understand if Zhao Wu were curious about the Kingdom of Daughters, but you, Fan Zhu—you're already a woman. Why are you so interested?"
Fan Zhu glanced toward the three generals, lowering her voice to a whisper. "I'm not getting any younger, and my clan keeps pressuring me to marry. But none of the youths in Da Fu appeal to me. Marriage is only for the sake of children, right? If the Mother-Child River truly exists, I could have a daughter and appease my clan without needing to wed."
Ji Xia's expression turned even darker. Rolling his eyes, he looked toward the heavens and replied, "You can give up on that idea. The reason I could visit such wondrous nations was due to the protection of an elder. The Kingdom of Daughters is surrounded by a guardian—a monster with the body of a man and the face of a boar, wielding a nine-toothed rake, towering as large as a hundred mountains. Anyone seeking to enter the kingdom must contend with his tusks first."
The three generals exchanged glances. Ji Ning communicated telepathically, "What do you think of this Qin Ji's elder? How powerful must they be to contend with such a guardian?"
Yue Ze mused, "Perhaps he's merely exaggerating."
Sang Yang shook his head, replying, "Whether it's truth or exaggeration, his bloodline is undeniably extraordinary—far superior even to the innate symbolic bloodline of Da Fu. It's best to treat him with respect."
Pausing, the elderly general added, "In my hundred-plus years, I've seen many young braggarts. But when Qin Ji speaks of these wondrous nations and their monstrous guardians, it feels as though he has truly witnessed them."
"All in all, better safe than sorry. Warn the clan's youth not to provoke this enigmatic guest."
Yue Ze and Ji Ning nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile, Fan Zhu, crestfallen by the mention of the monstrous guardian, couldn't hide her disappointment. Ji Xia, unwilling to see the normally helpful and cheerful young woman disheartened, offered a reassurance. "Don't lose hope just yet. When my travels are done and I return to Da Xia, I'll ask my elder to take me back to the Kingdom of Daughters. If possible, I'll retrieve some Mother-Child River water for you."
Fan Zhu's sorrow turned to joy. "Really?"
Ji Xia nodded, thinking to himself, Perhaps the Undying Divine Tree might harbor some of the Mother-Child River's water. If I ever encounter it and the price isn't too steep, acquiring some would do no harm.