Chapter 138: This Young Master Really Should Have Left

Chapter 138: This Young Master Really Should Have Left

Standing next to Pan Gong made Chen Haoran feel small, and it wasnt just because of his superior cultivation. If there were ever a case to be made about cultivators being greater than normal men, then Pan Gong would be the visual proof of it. Eight feet tall in height with muscles fit for a Greek statue and a voice that boomed as if his words echoed in his chest before leaving his mouth. That his poor uniform wasnt torn to shreds from the obvious strain it was under was surely a miraculous working of qi. Draped across his shoulders was a gray bearskin. The head of the which rested on Pan Gongs shoulder like the worlds angriest-looking pauldron. A large and well-combed beard framed a surprisingly kind and jolly-looking face, given how intimidating the rest of him was. It was like Santa Klaus was crossed with a big game hunter.Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience

Pan Gong fell into step with Chen Haoran on his left. Xie Jin and Bao Si immediately placed themselves on Chen Haorans right and followed a step behind them. Pan Gong didnt glance twice at them. A fact that Chen Haoran was grateful for, although he mentally added a demerit to his impression of Pan Gong for it. People who ignored his people werent his type of people.

May I ask what brings you to the South, Friend Song? Pan Gong asked.

For peace and fortune, Chen Haoran blithely replied.

Those are often mutually exclusive, Pan Gong pointed out.

I aware, Chen Haoran dryly replied. I havent been able to find any peace, so I came to try my hand at fortune instead. How about you, Friend Pan? Ive heard about the prestigious Palace School graduates. Forgive me for saying this, but I cant say I expected to meet someone like you here of all places.

Bao Si softly coughed behind him, but before Chen Haoran could parse her meaning, Pan Gong chuckled. No, thankfully, I am only here for experience before I have to return to the school. If I ended up a petty Garrison officer after working myself to death for so many years, I would save myself the shame and end it early.

Ah, that makes sense, Chen Haoran said. Ive heard that the Palace School only takes the most talented to train into high-level officials for the Empire. Is it true you can get a Heaven-Rank technique from there?

It was a bit nerve-wracking, admittedly, to be speaking with such a high-ranking Liquid Meridian. There was still the threat he would be recognized. That being said, he was curious about the Palace School. His current situation was terrible anyway. A few questions wouldnt make it worse. The worst that could happen is that hed die.

Pan Gong wistfully smiled. You heard correctly. Should you prove yourself worthy, then Heaven-Rank techniques of all sorts are within easy reach. Resources, knowledge, mentors, anything and everything the ambitious would want is there for the taking. However, the Palace School is a place where dragons go to swim. Its not easy to prove yourself when you have the collective talent of the Empire trying to do the same. Pan Gong glanced at Chen Haoran. Are you interested in joining? You would have a bigger advantage than most.

Chen Haoran shook his head. Im just lucky, is all. I have a much more talented. friend who wants to join the Palace School. I was just curious what shed find there. As it turned out, everything she could have hoped for and then some. Best of luck with your studies. Im sure theres a high-up position waiting for a strong cultivator with a Machu River cultivation like you.

Pan Gong smiled helplessly and rubbed his head. Those are auspicious words from a River Blessed, but Im afraid Ill need more than luck. Posts along the Machu River are prestigious, and there are so many Yellow River cultivators competing for them. Id be lucky to be within a hundred miles of the river. He peered at Chen Haoran and reached out with a cursory brush of his sense. The Yellow Dragon grumbled and gently pushed the sense back. Pan Gong blinked. Are you affiliated with the Ministry of Rites at all, Friend Song?

No, Chen Haoran said. If he were, then hed probably get yanked around less. Surely being the Machu Rivers PR person would bring him some respect. It hasnt been long since I got.well, he waved a hand over himself, .this.

They arrived at the base of the pyramid. They didnt have much of a chance to admire it, however, as Pan Gong ascended the steps without pause, and they were forced to hurry up to keep pace. Well Chen Haoran was, at least. He was pretty sure Xie Jin and Bao Si wouldnt have minded an excuse to separate from Pan Gong. Actually, stepping on the pyramid reminded Chen Haoran of the absolute unknown they were walking toward.

Thank you, Friend Pan, Chen Haoran said, bowing his hands.

Pan Gong waved his hand and walked into the crowd without another word. Chen Haoran watched the sea of cultivators part for him. Even with so many people here, it was impossible for Pan Gong to be anything but noticeable.

What did I do wrong? Chen Haoran suddenly asked.

You were too casual, Bao Si immediately replied. He is your superior in cultivation and thus your social superior. You have to speak to him more formally. Being as casual as you were implies either thoughtlessness, arrogance, or background.

Ah. Right. That could be a bit of a problem in the future, especially when he was interacting with strangers. On the other hand, he really didnt want to treat every random cultivator he met like they were his retail customers.

Forget that, Xie Jin, the other person who spoke to stronger cultivators way too casually, interrupted. Have you noticed it?

Bao Si gravely nodded. Theres too many Liquid Meridians.

Chen Haoran was briefly confused. He figured that was largely the point of the trial? It was only when he cast his sense out did he realize what they meant. It wasnt that there were no Qi Realms. There were plenty among the unaffiliated cultivators. There were none among the Garrison. A brief head count brought the total number of cultivators in the room to a thousand, of which the Empire made up six hundred. The ratio of the groups didnt stay consistent either. The Garrisons side grew larger while the unaffiliated side grew smaller as more Liquid Meridians came in and threw out the weaker cultivators to ensure the total number in the room remained a thousand. There was a bit of surprise on their side when Li Mou walked in. He was clutching his chest and wincing, but the fact it wasnt caved in anymore and that he was walking again after accidentally running into Pan Gongs fist was a miracle. The Garrison had some good healers on staff.

Li Mou glared in their direction a bit before stalking off to join the Garrisons side. There were a few rogue cultivators who had some designs on Xie Jin and Bao Si, given they were a part of the quickly shrinking group of Qi Realms, but Chen Haoran only had to fold one Liquid Meridian across his knee for them to take a hint. Not long after Li Mou walked in, there was a sudden upsurge in yelling and commotion outside. From the sound of it, word had spread to the cultivators still outside about the time limit approaching. Just as the noise reached a crescendo, there was a sudden surge of power outside that could be felt even ensconced within the pyramid as they were. All conversation, both Garrison and non, died as a Crystal Transformation Realm flexed their strength.

There is no need for any more participants, an unfamiliar voice spoke, each word a booming thunderclap. Leave now or be left here forever.

Chen Haoran offered a prayer of pity to those poor souls outside. Hed had quite enough of Crystal Transformation Realms himself these days. He felt Phelps tighten his grip around him, and Chen Haoran rubbed his arm through the cloak. In the silence that fell in the wake of higher powers, the rune circle lit up completely with silver. There was a ripple of tense thrill that passed through the gathered crowd. Perhaps they thought about riches or danger. Chen Haoran thought about Pan Gong telling him the rune circle would open a gate in the wall.

So when the circle dimmed and bright silver lines opened up beneath everyones feet, Chen Haoran immediately had a sinking feeling that something was not right.

Brace! Pan Gong roared from the front.

Bao Si shot toward Xie Jin. Xie Jin shot toward Chen Haoran. Phelpss grip became crushing. Chen Haoran tried to gather up all three in his arms.

Silver light bloomed, and Chen Haoran grabbed nothing as he disappeared.