Protect Our Clan Leader

Chapter 810: Chapter 13: Li Yao Arrives in the Capital! A Great Wind Rises

…

The National Capital, Return to Dragon City.

As the capital of the Great Qian Land, Return to Dragon City had a history of over seven thousand years. It was, without question, the foremost city of Da Qian, whose vast scale and grandeur had reached a breath-taking level.

Surrounding Return to Dragon City were thirty-six Guard Cities, which collectively protected this majestic city of ancient times.

It was said that, in the past, the Founding Emperor, Emperor Ziwei Xuandu, had arrived on clouds along with the master of the Sacred Land, True Monarch Lingyun, and had encountered a Demon Emperor entrenched in the Spirit Veins. Joining forces, they had slain the fiend.

Afterward, Emperor Ziwei Xuandu leveled mountains and valleys, opened the spirit channels, and constructed this powerful city under heaven.

Legend had it that deep beneath Return to Dragon City lay an ancient and unparalleled formation capable of protecting the Great Qian Land for a thousand generations, bestowing enduring blessings, though its truth was uncertain.

Of course, regardless of whether the rumors were true, the city’s prosperity was unaffected.

In Return to Dragon City, countless merchants bustled about every day, and these merchants were at the very least from Grade Six Prominent Families. Those below Rank Six did not even have the qualifications to purchase shops within Return to Dragon City.

Walking along the streets, one could occasionally encounter carriages belonging to the Imperial family or the nobility. Those high-ranking families that were rarely seen in other places seemed to be everywhere here. Even a casual passerby might be a collateral relative of a Third-Class Aristocratic Family or a powerful cultivator of the Heavenly Human Realm.

Truly, “there was not a single commoner in sight.”

East of Return to Dragon City stood an extravagant restaurant known as White Cloud Tower.

White Cloud Tower was already famous in Return to Dragon City for the “exquisite taste,” “exceptional music,” and “unparalleled dance” it offered, and was deeply cherished by young nobles, wealthy merchants, and young people of influence.

Decades ago an unintentional “Big Stomach King” competition had made White Cloud Tower even more renowned, leaving behind a legend about a certain foodie and bringing a lasting fervor to the place.

White Cloud Tower seized the opportunity, promoting a “Big Stomach King” competition every three years to attract public interest.

Decades had passed since then.

The business at White Cloud Tower flourished more and more, and the scale of the Big Stomach King competition had grown with each event, offering ever higher rewards.

Lured by fame and profit, not only did the young people from Return to Dragon City eagerly participate, but even those from the thirty-six surrounding Guard Cities flocked to White Cloud Tower at the appointed time to partake in the grand event.

Moreover, the impact continued to spread, with well-informed youths from places like West Sea Prefecture and Qing An Prefecture willing to travel great distances to compete.

Inside White Cloud Tower, the Big Stomach King competition had already begun.

At the center of the first floor, on the Cloud Platform, rows of long tables were neatly arranged, laden with roasted Fierce Beast meat, its rich aroma wafting throughout the entire White Cloud Tower.

The contestants of the Big Stomach King competition had already taken their seats behind the long tables, indulging in gluttony. Servants stood by, tasked with counting and supervising.

Below the Cloud Platform, there was also a bustling area for placing bets on the outcome of the competition.

In the private rooms scattered across the floors like constellations, the patrons who had come for the spectacle had staked out their spots early and were now enjoying the lively contest.

At the top of White Cloud Tower.

Unlike the scattered private rooms in the middle, the private rooms on the top floor were very close to each other. Some were even connected, allowing guests to converse freely by disabling the soundproofing enchantments.

Beneath the top floor was an open-air Sky Garden, where Spirit Flowers and exotic plants grew and Spiritual Butterflies fluttered about; it was an incredibly elegant environment that did not obstruct the view, with a very ingenious design.

Currently, the private rooms at the top were already filled with guests, chatting and enjoying themselves.

At that moment, a figure suddenly appeared in the Sky Garden, taking a leisurely stroll up the stairs.

It was a dignified middle-aged man. He was dressed in a dark purple three-clawed dragon robe, his head adorned with a dragon scale crown exclusively permitted for the Imperial family, walking with an unhurried pace and exuding an extraordinary presence.

Carved cranes on the Fluorescent Stone Spirit Lamps stood on either side of the steps, their hazy haloes casting his already well-defined facial features into sharper relief.

This man was the owner of White Cloud Tower—the noble of the court, Heng Commandery Prince.

“Commandery Prince Heng, good day.”

“Your Highness seems in quite good spirits today~”

“Of course, His Highness is in a good mood. Within just a few decades, White Cloud Tower’s turnover has increased several-fold. He really has struck it rich~”

“This Big Stomach King competition has reached the highest level of enthusiasm ever recorded. After this event, it would be hard for any other restaurant in the National Capital to compare with White Cloud Tower. Commandery Prince Heng, you’ll have to throw a feast~”

Those who dined in the top-tier pavilions were all influential figures of Return to Dragon City, a select group of nobles who liked to join in the excitement and were quite familiar with Commandery Prince Heng. Casual jokes among them were all in good fun.

And Commandery Prince Heng, too, greeted them with a smile, nodding to each one, and if he encountered someone of similar status, he would stop to chat.

Eventually, he took his place in his own private room.

This position was secluded and offered a broad view, allowing someone of the Purple Abode Realm to easily observe the competition with their God Sense and sharp vision.

Soon, the servants of White Cloud Tower brought fruits, dishes, and some Spirit Food and Spiritual Wine specially prepared for Commandery Prince Heng.

The manager of White Cloud Tower quickly received the news and hurried over, standing by respectfully, personally serving wine and setting dishes for Commandery Prince Heng.

Commandery Prince Heng was in an excellent mood, his gestures exuding satisfaction and pride. It was not surprising, after all, anyone who had come into wealth would be in high spirits.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated on N𝘰vgo.co