The Spirit Combat Tournament, held once every hundred years, drew the attention of the entire Nine Provinces.
Apart from the Blood Oath Alliance, every other province sent their most outstanding young disciples to participate in the tournament.
As a result, the provincial capital was always packed to the brim whenever the tournament was held.
A single Spirit Combat Tournament, from start to finish, took at least a year.
Feng Qingran and the others had arrived in Fire Spirit Province ten days ago via a teleportation array.
After arriving in Fire Spirit Province, the group from Qingyun Province went their separate ways.
Since Feng Qingran had matters to attend to at Qinghe Tower, she needed to enter the provincial capital early. And naturally, the task of arranging accommodations for everyone fell on her shoulders.
Mo Jinghong and Feng Qingran made their way to the capital together.
From a distance, Feng Qingran could already see several long lines snaking in front of the city gate.
But right in the middle of these lines, a wide, open path had been left clear—straight to the city entrance.
Feng Qingran couldn’t help but feel a little curious. Why weren’t these people just walking straight in?
She glanced at Mo Jinghong beside her, who carried himself with an air of noble aloofness, then rubbed her nose. Better let me do the asking.
Her Seventh Senior Brother’s temperament really wasn’t suited for asking directions.
But before she could take the initiative to ask, a young man walked up to them, sized them up, and spoke: “You two must be from the Middle Three Provinces, am I right?”
Feng Qingran paused for a moment. The Nine Provinces were ranked into the Upper, Middle, and Lower Three Provinces.
Qingyun Province was ranked sixth, so naturally it belonged to the Middle Three.
“What makes you guess we’re from the Middle Three?” Feng Qingran asked, genuinely curious.
The young man chuckled. “The teleportation arrays for the Upper Three Provinces are located inside the capital. So anyone from the Upper Three is already in the city. The arrays for the Middle Three and Lower Three, on the other hand, are set up outside the city walls. That means everyone lining up here has to be from either the Middle or Lower Three. And judging by your outfits—clearly not from the Lower Three—I’d say you two are definitely from the Middle Three.”
“I see. Then why is no one using that wide path in the middle?” Feng Qingran’s voice was as crisp and clear as a lark’s song.
The young man shook his head. “That road isn’t for the likes of us. Only people from the major sects, noble families, and the Upper Three Provinces can use it.”
“Everyone else has to line up and wait their turn to enter the city.”
“With the Spirit Combat Tournament about to take place, the capital is already bursting at the seams. If they let just anyone in, it could cause chaos in the city. So right now, they’re strictly controlling the number of people allowed in.”
“Even cultivators who already live in Fire Spirit Capital have to queue up and pay a thousand low-grade spirit stones to get in.”
“If cultivators from other provinces want to enter, on top of the thousand low-grade spirit stones, they also have to hand over one high-grade spirit stone.”
“May I ask which province you two are from?”
After giving a brief explanation, the young man turned the question back to Feng Qingran.
“Do they treat people differently depending on which province they’re from?” Feng Qingran’s limpid eyes shimmered with a flicker of light.
Charging spirit stones for entry wasn’t unheard of.
But hiking up the fees at a time like this was clearly asking for trouble.
“Not at all—I was just curious, that’s all.” The young man’s shrewd eyes darted toward Mo Jinghong, who had remained silent the whole time.
These two are clearly new to the world. Looks like I might score big this time.
“Actually, miss, if you’re really set on getting into the city, I have a faster way.” The young man pulled out two wooden tokens and continued, “These two identity passes only cost a thousand low-grade spirit stones. With these, you two can enter the city…”
Feng Qingran narrowed her almond-shaped eyes. “And we won’t have to line up with these?”
“Of course! As soon as you show these, they’ll let you right through.” The young man said with absolute certainty.
Feng Qingran turned to Mo Jinghong and exchanged a glance, then asked, “Seventh Senior Brother, do I really look like an easy mark?”
“Not really. You just look very easy to fool.” Mo Jinghong’s lips curved slightly, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes.
Feng Qingran: …
Hearing this, the young man grew anxious. “Fellow cultivators, I’ve always been an honest merchant—old or young, I never cheat anyone! You can’t just slander me like that.”
“If what you’re selling really worked, then why are there still thousands of people waiting in line here?” Feng Qingran’s voice was crisp and pointed.
The young man shot back, “Even if they bought one, it wouldn’t do them any good. They’re not registered tournament participants.”
Feng Qingran’s gaze deepened. “Friend, you came prepared, didn’t you?”
The young man waved his hand dismissively. “These eyes of mine can see through just about anyone. And you two? Your bearing makes you easy to read.”
“Tell you what, miss—I’ll throw in a little extra info for free. Once you get into the city, if you’re having trouble finding an inn, I’d suggest renting a courtyard instead.”
“This year’s tournament budget is tight. The capital isn’t providing lodging for the participants. Right now, even the broom closets in the city are full. You’ve come a little too late…”
The young man finished with a smile plastered on his face.
“Thank you for the tip, friend.” Feng Qingran gave a small bow of gratitude, then tugged at Mo Jinghong’s sleeve, signaling that they should move away from the young man.
Seeing this, the young man called out after them, “Fellow cultivators, if you don’t buy these entry tokens and end up missing the tournament, it won’t be worth it!”
His voice drew the attention of countless onlookers, who all turned to stare at Feng Qingran and Mo Jinghong. Usually, provincial tournament participants came in groups…
“Who’s making all that ruckus over there?” A city guard bellowed.
The captain of the guard, along with several cultivators at the Spirit Transformation stage, strode over to investigate.
