Chapter Eight: The Imperial Capital Arena

Perhaps even Zhou Tian himself did not realize it, but the attitude he displayed was extremely assertive, as though he had already made up his mind and was merely here to inform them—though that was not his intention at all. The scattered memories inherited from his former self still influenced him somewhat. After all, his predecessor had grown up in unrivaled privilege: unable to cultivate, yet surrounded by those who treated him with utmost respect, whose words could determine life and death. These fragments of memory left Zhou Tian subtly affected.

Elder Li frowned slightly, displeased with Zhou Tian’s tone. Yet, sensing the countless powerful divine spirits fluctuating in the void, he sighed inwardly, relaxed his brow, and turned to Tian Ling at his side.

“Ling’er, what do you think?”

“I…” Tian Ling seemed lost in thought, distracted. Hearing Elder Li call her name, she returned to herself, her large eyes filled with confusion—strikingly adorable.

“His Highness is asking whether you’d like to accompany him for a stroll around the imperial capital,” Elder Li repeated Zhou Tian’s intention, emphasizing the word “asking.”

Zhou Tian was taken aback, but quickly understood and shook his head with a smile. The older people get, the more they care about appearances, he mused—but it didn’t bother him.

Tian Ling listened, turned to glance at Zhou Tian, and nodded softly. “Alright, I’d like to see the capital of the Tian Qin Empire myself.”

“Then… very well. Your Highness, please take good care of Ling’er,” Elder Li said, turning to Zhou Tian.

“Rest assured, Elder Li. Tian Ling will not suffer any indignity. In this imperial capital, no one dares to disregard the Qin Royal Mansion,” Zhou Tian replied calmly.

“Then… Your Highness, take care…” Elder Li sighed. It wasn’t only in the imperial capital—throughout the Nine Provinces, no one dared ignore the name of the Prince of Qin.

Zhou Tian and Tian Ling rose and departed.

Outside the door, Zhou Tian called into the air, “Attend me.”

In an instant, a servant in gray appeared at his side, bowing low and speaking softly, “Young master, your orders!”

“Prepare a carriage at the main gate—I wish to leave the mansion,” Zhou Tian said. He had no desire to walk; it was far too tiring.

“As you wish!”

The gray-clad servant answered and vanished.

“Let’s go,” Zhou Tian said to Tian Ling.

“Mm,” Tian Ling responded, walking beside him.

…

“Where do you want to go?” Zhou Tian asked Tian Ling as they walked toward the main gate.

“I don’t know. You’ve lived here since childhood—I'll follow your lead,” Tian Ling’s waist-length hair fluttered, her eyes bright as crystal. Zhou Tian could see only her profile, bathed in sunlight and gilded with a delicate golden sheen.

“What do you usually like?” Zhou Tian asked. Since she didn’t know where she wanted to go, he’d find out her interests to decide.

“Usually… I don’t really have any favorites… I suppose fighting counts,” Tian Ling pondered for a moment and replied.

“Fighting!” Zhou Tian exclaimed, scanning the girl up and down… Hmm, still a bit flat… Wait, that’s beside the point—he hadn’t expected her to have such a wild spirit.

“What is it?” Feeling Zhou Tian’s intense gaze, Tian Ling forced herself to ask, though she felt awkward. In this world, strength was revered; liking combat wasn’t strange, even for a girl.

“Nothing. Then I know just the place,” Zhou Tian said, sifting through scattered memories and finding the perfect destination.

“You’re sure to like it,” Zhou Tian teased, keeping the location a secret.

As they spoke, they arrived at the main gate of the Qin Mansion, where a lavishly crafted carriage awaited.

Two enormous beasts, each three meters tall and resembling horses, stood harnessed to the carriage. Their bodies were covered in blood-red scales, each the size of a palm, inscribed with intricate runes. Their muscles were taut like coiled dragons, and atop their heads grew a single purple horn, occasionally sparking with thunder and fire. They snorted, releasing jets of crimson flame from their nostrils.

They pulled a wine-red carriage, its body adorned with golden cloud patterns, and the right side bore the image of a purple divine dragon.

“Please,” Zhou Tian said, approaching the carriage and inviting Tian Ling aboard.

The carriage was nearly two meters high, and Tian Ling surged with blue runes, stepping through the air as if climbing invisible stairs, ascending gracefully.

Zhou Tian watched with envy. Having cultivation was truly wonderful. He glanced at the gray-clad servant ready to help him up, then at the beautiful girl already inside the carriage.

Without hesitation, he declared, “Come, Tian Ling, pull me up.”

Tian Ling paused for a moment, then extended her jade-like hand.

Without a second thought, Zhou Tian grasped it—so soft and smooth, truly delightful.

With her help, he climbed aboard. Both tacitly avoided mentioning why, as a master of the Trizang Realm, Tian Ling didn’t simply lift him with energy.

“Let’s go,” Zhou Tian said, holding Tian Ling’s hand as they entered the carriage, and addressed the gray-clad servant outside.

“Yes, sir!”

The servant climbed onto the driver’s seat, drew out a golden whip, and cracked it crisply in the air. The two beasts let out a long howl.

The red dragon-patterned sandalwood gate of the Qin Mansion slowly opened. The beasts stepped onto the blue stone tiles, leaving trails of fire in their wake. Yet, as the runes on the stones flashed, the flames vanished without a trace, leaving not even a mark.

Though the Qin Mansion did not hold a special status like the central imperial palace, its uniqueness meant the surrounding area was devoid of people.

Inside, the carriage was far larger than it appeared—a spatial expansion array had been used. There was even a large bed, with a small table in the middle laden with fruit and wine.

Despite moving, the carriage was perfectly smooth; not even the water in the crystal goblets shimmered.

“To the Imperial Capital Arena!”

“Yes, sir!” the gray-clad servant’s deep voice came from outside.

“What is the Imperial Capital Arena?” Tian Ling asked curiously.

“The Imperial Capital Arena is a blood-soaked grinding mill, secretly controlled by the royal family. As long as you survive each battle, the rewards are staggering. It’s also where people of humble origins can rise in a single leap, for many nobles of the capital frequently seek out talents, guards, and even royal family members there,” Zhou Tian explained.