C20 Seventh Prince of Gilt Country

"I need to make a trip out of the city," Qin Ming mused before departing from the Ju Hsing Building.

He headed to the marketplace to purchase some essentials for his journey, spent the night at an inn, and set out for the gates of Mobei City the next morning.

Previously, he had managed to acquire fresh meat due to a fortunate encounter with the hunter Zhang Loong and his daughter.

But now, without fresh Demonic Beast Blood Essence, crafting high-quality Beast Blood Pills was out of the question.

Mr. Guo had assured him that fresh Blood Essence would be available in four days, yet the amount he could secure was uncertain, and it was unlikely to be substantial.

Four days was an incredibly short time, after all.

Moreover, Qin Ming required a significant quantity of fresh Blood Essence for his pill refining this time around.

With only eleven days remaining until the Newcomer Large Competition, time was of the essence.

Those four days were too valuable to waste. Qin Ming resolved to venture into the Forest of Mists himself to hunt for Demonic Beast Blood Essence.

Located to the south of Mobei City, the Forest of Mists was a common destination for hunters seeking low-level demonic beasts.

Mobei's hunters were predominantly composed of older warriors who had turned to this lifestyle after losing hope of further martial breakthroughs.

Young hunters like Zhang Loong and his daughter were a rarity.

The southern gate of Mobei City towered over a hundred meters high, its main gate forged from cold iron essence to fend off any demonic beasts that might stray from the Forest of Mists.

Flanking the main gate were two smaller gates designed for the comings and goings of merchant caravans, ensuring orderly passage.

Suddenly, the city's main gate swung wide open, unleashing a biting wind laden with snowflakes that whirled through the streets, blanketing everything in white.

Normally, the main gate would remain firmly shut.

From afar, a procession resembling a fiery serpent snaked its way across the snowy landscape. Despite the intensifying blizzard, the torches remained lit.

Once the caravan had passed through, the city gate closed behind them, and as the fierce winds subsided, clarity returned to the vision of the onlookers.

These torches turned out to be demon beasts. Each beast's neck was shackled with thick steel chains, the size of bowls, and their bodies blazed with fire, resembling living torches. There were eight of them in total.

Red Leopard! Qin Ming was startled.

Though a Red Leopard was a Spirit Founding Stage demon beast, it was typically found in the latter stages of that period, with strength comparable to a warrior between the Seventh and Ninth Phases of the Spirit Founding Stage.

Yet, the eight Red Leopards before him were all at the pinnacle of the Spirit Founding Stage Late Period.

These fierce demon beasts were merely serving as mounts for the carriage, which was nothing short of opulent.

Following the carriage were twelve young men, each radiating arrogance. They didn't wear a uniform, but all bore the fang of a ferocious beast on their chests.

"Who is this VIP making a surprise visit?"

The scene before them left everyone in awe. Many speculated that the person inside must be of noble lineage.

Suddenly, a chilling scream pierced the crowd.

Several onlookers, driven by curiosity and standing too close to the Red Leopards, were viciously attacked. They were left bloodied and wounded.

The bystanders quickly backed away, their faces drained of color, thankful they hadn't approached any closer.

Yet, the city defense forces of Mobei City remained apathetic, watching as the Red Leopards consumed the victims.

Cries of grief ebbed and flowed through the crowd, mourning the innocent lives lost.

"Why are you crying? Keep it up, and you'll be next on the menu."

A young servant stepped out from the carriage, no older than seventeen, his eyes filled with scorn as he surveyed the onlookers.

This mere servant wielded such authority that not only did the city guards fail to intervene, but they also showed him obsequious smiles.

The crowd's weeping ceased immediately. Adults quickly silenced their children, fearful of drawing attention.

Just then, a figure resembling a general rode swiftly on horseback from the distance, arriving at the scene. He knelt before the carriage, shaking with fear.

"My lord, please forgive my oversight for the delay. The City Lord has prepared a banquet in your honor. Allow me to escort you there."

The individual approaching was none other than Liao Tiancheng, the general of Mobei City's defense army and the city's undisputed second-in-command. Even the Chiefs of the eight big families wouldn't dare to show any disrespect in Liao Tiancheng's presence.

Yet here he was, the city's defense general, kneeling in front of the carriage, too terrified to move an inch.

Silence reigned within the carriage. Liao Tiancheng's body shook slightly, and a chill ran down his spine.

After what seemed like an eternity, the voice of a young man emanated from within the carriage, "We'll let it slide this time. But if there's a next time, you'll end up as food for my Red Leopard."

Relief washed over the general's face as he wiped the cold sweat from his brow and said, "My lord, your generosity knows no bounds. Please, allow me to lead the way."

The procession began to move, and the crowd hastily made way, wary of the fiery demonic beasts and their potential for violence.

Inside the carriage, the servant spoke with trepidation, "Prince, we've passed through four County Cities on our journey. Surely, Mobei City is our final destination?"

The true master before him was Jin Chenyu, the Seventh Prince of Gilt Country, known for his unpredictable and enigmatic nature. Despite being an attendant, he had seen many fellow attendants executed; some met with particularly gruesome and unfortunate ends.

Seventeen or eighteen years old, Jin Chenyu was robust and exuded an air of authority. Yet his eyes sparkled with a rebellious and untamed spirit. Dressed in regal attire, he was currently savoring Golden Orchid Tea, a tribute from the Western Regions. He spoke with a detached tone.

"The spies report that the Crown Prince has secured the entry token to the Five Elements Sect. He's set to journey to their mountain gate today."

The servant's voice grew softer, his head bowed, fearing the wrath of his master.

"He's nothing but a waste, relying on bloodline grafting. I'll put him in his place soon enough," Jin Chenyu declared, his face twisted with rage as he crushed the Emerald Glass Cup in his grasp.

"When does the Newcomer Large Competition in Mobei City begin?"

In less than half a month, including the top three from the Newcomer Large Competition in Mobei City, you've managed to assemble quite a team," the servant said with a quick, apologetic smile.

Jin Chenyu glanced at the young disciples in the rear of the carriage, "I merely offered a few words of praise, and these individuals actually believe they're geniuses. But ants will always be ants; at best, they are merely stronger ants."

Each of these twelve young disciples was exceedingly arrogant, having secured their positions as the top three competitors from the previous battles in four County Cities.

"With these individuals paving the way for you, I'm confident you'll secure the Flying Sword Sect's entry token," the servant snickered, his gaze icy.

Jin Chenyu was simply the Seventh Prince of Gilt Country, his cultivated forces paling in comparison to those of the Crown Prince. This time, the Flying Sword Sect had set up an initiation trial across various perilous locations within Gilt Country.

The trial imposed by the Flying Sword Sect came with stringent conditions. The age of the participating disciples could not exceed twenty years, and the Training Land was fraught with danger.

Moreover, this recruitment by the Flying Sword Sect targeted the three great nations of the North, offering even fewer entry tokens.

In previous years, the entrance trials of the Flying Sword Sect were often fatal, with a high mortality rate that claimed the lives of even some royals.

Yet, despite this, countless disciples have eagerly joined the sect's recruitment year after year.

A rumor even circulated suggesting that if one became an official, their associates would rise in power as well.

Once someone joined the sect, even as an outer sect disciple, their status would surpass that of a City Lord, bringing wealth and prestige to their family.

In the Imperial City, the princes were locked in constant rivalry. Aside from the Crown Prince, who had attracted a cadre of young talents, each prince had their own circle of formidable allies.

Except for him. Despite being the Seventh Prince, he wielded no real authority, being the son of the Emperor and a palace maid. His circle of support was limited.

Therefore, he had deliberately orchestrated the County City Newcomer Large Competition. His plan was to select the top three from each County City to serve as scouts for the upcoming trial.

Officials in the Imperial City might have the audacity to challenge Jin Chenyu, but local officials wouldn't dare to cross him so lightly. After all, the Seventh Prince's demands were reasonable. Mobei City had been ready for the Newcomer Large Competition for over a month.

"If you don't join a sect, you'll end up as nothing more than an ant on this continent."

"I'm not sure if I should mention this," the servant murmured, head bowed.

"Speak your mind."

"In Mobei City, there's someone named Qin Xianer whom the Crown Prince has been watching for quite some time." The servant's voice was a hushed whisper in his ear.

"Understood."

Qin Ming selected a steel broadsword from the blacksmith's shop at the city gates. It weighed nearly three hundred kilograms.

Truth be told, with his current strength, a weapon around one thousand kilograms would have been more appropriate. But since the blacksmith didn't have anything of that sort, he settled for what was available.

Leaving the city gates behind, Qin Ming strode purposefully in one direction.

The Forest of Mists was not far from Mobei City. At Qin Ming's swift pace, he reached it in just two hours.