Cultivators Are So Weak in This World

Chapter 360 - 335 Audience Part 1

The space inside the metal carriage was quite spacious.

A soft cot, a small table, a chamber pot, a food box, a bag of water flasks, and so on.

There were even a few books and paintings to pass the time.

Each side had a window that could open and close freely. The table had a candlestick and a small lantern that could be lit with flint.

In the corner, there was even a small wardrobe, and when Zhang Rongfang opened it, he saw several robes that could be changed.

The carriage was clearly a small moving room.

Outside, the four travelers moved at a rapid pace, but the jolts were minimal; only at places that required tilting did they have to be careful not to spill any food.

It could be said that the carriage had everything needed for clothing, food, housing, and transportation, and was quite complete.

Sitting in the carriage, he suddenly felt his body slightly sway, so he opened the window to look outside.

He opened the window on the left side, and as soon as it opened, a cold stream of air rushed in.

It was only then that Zhang Rongfang discovered that the carriage was actually racing through a fog-covered forest.

The four travelers were unfolding their body techniques, continually running steadily; the ground beneath them wasn’t flat but was a soft surface full of tree roots, weeds, and earth.

Yet the four had no trouble stepping on it.

Roar!

A white-headed tiger suddenly pounced on a spotted deer from the side, about to lower its head to feast.

Whoosh!

A black carriage suddenly sped past it, bringing a gust of wind.

The tiger raised its head to pursue, but upon seeing the four travelers, it whimpered a few times, crouched down, and halted.

Soon after, as they passed through the forest, the carriage began to tilt and climb uphill.

Zhang Rongfang initially took an interest in the scenery outside, but soon he grew tired of it.

Without the initial novelty, it was just the same thereafter.

He simply lay down on the soft cot to rest peacefully.

He drifted into a sleep for an uncountable time.

Outside, the temperature gradually turned colder.

Zhang Rongfang awoke from his sleep and glanced outside through the window.

The sky was dimly lit; it seemed to be dawn.

He pushed open the window.

A piercingly cold wind rushed in.

Outside was a vast sea of white clouds.

He was at a high altitude in the mountains, the carriage was racing along a craggy path on the mountainside.

The left side of the carriage was the mountain wall, and the right side was a sheer cliff.

"Lord Zhang has awakened? This is Dragon House Mountain; we’ve already left the Citong region." Zhou Yan’s voice floated from behind.

"Seems I slept for quite a while," Zhang Rongfang exhaled and said.

"Not too long, just three hours." Zhou Yan replied.

"That’s alright then." Zhang Rongfang responded, momentarily uncertain what to talk about.

"Lord Zhang, coming from Great Dao Teaching, should have heard of the Snow Rainbow Pavilion, right?" He remained silent, yet Zhou Yan continued to speak.

"Naturally, I’ve heard of it."

"Then, Lord Zhang, are you interested in coming to my Snow Rainbow Pavilion to choose a suitable partner? In Citong, those two who were beside you have been dismissed and investigated by me. With your current status, you can come to the pavilion and personally select a suitable partner." Zhou Yan suggested.

Clearly, he also knew that Zhang Rongfang had been avoiding the worshippers from the Snow Rainbow Pavilion in Citong.

"No need for now. After all, I am still inexperienced and my skills are limited, not yet to the level where I can select a partner." Zhang Rongfang politely declined.

"Actually, Lord Zhang need not worry, the Snow Rainbow Pavilion is not monolithic. Where there are people, there are factions. Within the Snow Rainbow Pavilion, there are several factions, though I don’t belong to the same faction as your teaching, I am neutral." Zhou Yan seemed to have seen through his concerns and explained.

"Is that so?" Zhang Rongfang felt a slight stir in his heart, "Speaking of which, regarding General Zhou’s position, I have some questions, can the General clarify them for me?"

"Please speak, if I know, I will do my best to answer." Zhou Yan smiled.

"Thank you then, General Zhou." Zhang Rongfang organized the questions he wanted to ask.

"I’ve always wondered, what are the divisions within the Snow Rainbow Pavilion? For instance, the position of Fierce General held by the General, what other position levels are there within the pavilion?"

"Actually, it’s quite simple." Zhou Yan smiled and said, "Within the Snow Rainbow Pavilion, the other positions aren’t very significant; the key is the two main groups: Fierce Generals and Divine Generals."

He paused and continued, "Fierce Generals are those who, once their power reaches the required level, wish to join the Snow Rainbow Pavilion and are loyal to the military; anyone can become a Fierce General. It’s a large group. Among them, the strong are terrifyingly strong, while the weak are just ordinary. The number typically hovers around thirty, not allowing any vacancies.

As for Divine Generals, they are known as National Divine Generals to the common people. Fierce Generals are commissioned by the Emperor, but Divine Generals are different."

He didn’t continue to elaborate on the difference.

"I see...." Zhang Rongfang nodded with understanding, looking at the scenery that kept retreating outside the window.

He couldn’t help but recall some of the sayings about the Spirit Emperor.

The Spirit Emperor specifically sent someone to bring him directly before him, indicating that there must be an intention involved.

Surface-wise, he’s just an ordinary Daoist, clever enough and able to earn some money.

To ordinary people, his status is noble. But to the Spirit Emperor, it’s not particularly significant.

So, aside from this, there must be something else that he’s valued for....

Could it be talent??

Zhang Rongfang sat in the carriage, constantly simulating scenarios he might soon face.

He needed to be thoroughly prepared to avoid saying or doing anything wrong at that critical time.

The silence lingered.

In the next few days, Zhang Rongfang mostly spent his time eating, sleeping, waking to cultivate his Cultivation of Literature, occasionally chatting with Zhou Yan.

Over days and nights without stopping to rest, Zhou Yan always maintained a good state.

Obviously, this person wasn’t an ordinary expert.

Even as a Grandmaster, worshipped Grandmaster, Zhang Rongfang could gauge the limits.

But when facing Zhou Yan, he was clearly like a mountain wall, only able to see in front, unable to see how high or vast this mountain was.

In the blink of an eye, five days passed.

The black sedan chair did not proceed in the direction Zhang Rongfang had previously hurried towards, but took another route.

By noon on the fifth day.

The black sedan chair entered the outer city of the Great Capital.

Indeed, it did not stop, proceeding directly from another direction into the Great Capital.

Likewise, the black sedan chair did not travel on the regular roads.

It entered the city from the special road guarded by the imperial city’s troops.

After entering the Great Capital, the sides of the road were completely devoid of any caravans. Only military couriers continually passed by from time to time.

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Great Capital · Imperial City.

The entire imperial city is divided into inner and outer city.

The outer city is where ordinary people, officials, and nobility live. Many noble and royal families have built residences here.

The inner city, however, is at the center of royal activities and residences.

Further in is the inner court.

The Spirit Emperor and his empress and concubines live here. Daily court sessions and discussions also take place here.

The black sedan chair passed unimpeded, through the outer city, entering the inner city via special passageways, directly into the inner court.

After entering the palace complex surrounded by white jade fences, the speed of the black sedan chair slowly decreased.

Outside the window, children and adults in golden attire could be seen strolling occasionally.

Alongside the road began to appear structures resembling gardens, martial arts arenas, theaters, music buildings, snack streets, and the like.

"This is the inner court’s exclusive recreational area. If you have time, Lord Zhang, you can visit. Everything inside for eating, drinking, and entertainment is free. Just choose a spot and go in," Zhou Yan’s voice came from behind.

"Free? That means everyone who can come here is extraordinary." Zhang Rongfang, having changed into a robe by now, sat upright on a soft couch.

"Primarily it’s His Majesty and direct royal family, as well as a few dignitaries entering and exiting the inner court," Zhou Yan replied. "Additionally, when riding in the black sedan chair, you need not bow to anyone you meet. Lord Zhang need not worry about offending any noble."

"I see." Zhang Rongfang gazed out the window. The more courtesy the Spirit Emperor showed him, the more uneasy he felt inside.

The privilege of meeting nobles without bowing indicated the high status of this sedan chair.

And he considered himself far from deserving such a level of treatment.

So...

"Beyond the Yu Belt River ahead is the Yan Dao Palace. After entering the palace, someone will guide you through bathing and changing clothes, then await the emperor’s summons.

Do not worry or be anxious, it’s a good thing."

Noticing Zhang Rongfang’s tension, Zhou Yan smiled and offered reassurance.

"Thank you, General Zhou," Zhang Rongfang replied.

The two fell silent for a moment.

Soon, after more than ten minutes, the sedan chair finally stopped in front of a uniquely shaped palace.

The palace was more than thirty meters high, its width indiscernible, with high walls blocking the view on both sides.

The main entrance of the entire palace was in the shape of a huge pill furnace.

The four legs of the pill furnace formed the entrance to the palace.

By then, palace maids in white dresses with black sashes, and attendants in white clothes and black hats were already waiting at the door.

The Great Spirit Court revered white as beauty, continuing the tradition from the time before the founding of the Spiritual Teaching.

Hence, there were many who wore white dresses and skirts in the palace.

Zhang Rongfang slowly stepped out of the sedan chair.

Above, the sun shone brightly, against a backdrop of blue sky and white clouds.

The white stone pathway beneath his feet was finely crafted, carved with intricate scenes of mountain and floral designs.

These seemingly white jade-like stones felt extraordinarily hard underfoot, their material a mystery.

Zhang Rongfang took a slight breath, detecting a strong fragrance.

It wasn’t a fleshy smell, but rather an incense pervading the air and ground, visible everywhere.

The incense was so intense that it masked all other scents, making him feel slightly uncomfortable.

"Is this Lord Zhang Ying, whom His Majesty wishes to see? I’m Lin Zhao, the imperial guard of the inner court. Please, enter Yan Dao Palace,"

A robust man, no less imposing than Zhang Rongfang, approached to salute.

This person was clad entirely in silver armor, his head also encased in a heavy metallic mask, standing three meters ahead of Zhang Rongfang.

He wore a silver-white metallic mask on his face, resembling the Golden Wing Pavilion, with only slots for his eyes, the rest all white. There were not even breathing holes around the mouth and nose.

"Then I’ll trouble Guard Lin," Zhang Rongfang cupped his hands in salutation.

Then turning back, he looked to Zhou Yan, cupping his hands.

"Thank you, General Zhou, for escorting me all the way."

"You’re welcome," Zhou Yan returned the gesture. "Here we part ways, until we meet again."

"Until we meet again."

Turning, Zhang Rongfang followed Lin Zhao, stepping up the palace stairs.

Then entered the palace, bathed, and changed clothes.

The whole process took merely half an hour, then he headed straight to Shangde Hall for the audience.