Silver Dragon Soaring to the Heavens Chapter Six The Imperial Capital! The Selection Begins

Luo Chen could only laugh awkwardly, rubbing his head to ease the discomfort. After all, the Soul Pact was the most intricate of all contract forms, binding the souls of the signatories together. To sign such a contract meant forging a bond above the very essence of the soul, something so complex and defiant of natural order that Luo Chen couldn't imagine anyone else in this world capable of performing it. Even when both parties were willing, a Soul Pact was nearly impossible to complete. Only those of absolute power, using secret arts, could extract a wisp of each other's spirit, fuse them, then divide the fused identity into two and return it to their respective souls. A single misstep could result in irreparable damage to both souls, so few ever dared attempt it.

"Master, you should go check on that sister outside. Shi Ling has seen her grieve for many days now," Shi Ling interrupted Luo Chen's musings once more. As soon as she finished speaking, her figure vanished, and a white light flashed. When Luo Chen opened his eyes again, he found himself in a familiar place.

Recognizing his surroundings, he realized he was lying inside a carriage. As he tried to rise, he felt something pressing on his arm. Turning his head, he saw that Xiao Ya had fallen asleep on his arm.

With a resigned sigh, Luo Chen gently withdrew his arm. Just as he was about to get up, a pair of hands wrapped around his neck, and the soft sounds of crying reached his ears. Luo Chen made no further movement, simply holding Xiao Ya gently in his arms.

"Be good, Xiao Ya. See? Your brother is fine now," he said, loosening her hands from his neck. Seeing how pale she looked, Luo Chen felt a pang of heartache. He gently lifted her and placed her on the small bed, wiping the tears from her cheeks. But Xiao Ya could not hold back the tears streaming from the corners of her eyes. Looking at Luo Chen, she spoke in a low, trembling voice.

"Brother, please don't ever leave me alone again. I'm really scared."

Seeing Xiao Ya clutching his hand so tightly, Luo Chen’s heart could no longer withstand the ache. He felt his own eyes grow damp, but he forced back his tears, managing a gentle smile.

"Silly girl, your brother is truly fine. From now on, I won't ever leave you behind again. Listen to me, get some sleep. I'm going outside to check on Brother Xingyu."

As Luo Chen finished speaking, Xiao Ya, exhausted, slowly closed her heavy eyes. Luo Chen waited until she was sound asleep, then grabbed a jug of wine from the table and stepped outside.

He noticed a strange glint in the eyes of the knights standing guard. Without a word, he leaped onto the back of the horned wolf at the front and settled on Fengqi’s back, sitting back-to-back with Zhao Xingyu. Fengqi, it seemed, did not mind Luo Chen’s presence. Zhao Xingyu merely smiled, already guessing who had arrived, and spoke without turning.

"You’re finally awake. Your little sister hasn't eaten or drunk a drop these five days, keeping vigil day and night. I tried to persuade her, but she wouldn't listen. I feared something might happen to her too. How would I explain that to you?"

Luo Chen glanced at the carriage, then took a sip of wine. Looking at the long line of their convoy, he noticed a mix of surprise and disappointment in everyone’s eyes. In a low voice, he asked,

"Brother Xingyu, how bad were our casualties?"

Zhao Xingyu sighed softly, his reply equally quiet. "Nine dead. Forty-seven wounded. After five days, all have now recovered."

Luo Chen looked again at the knights riding ahead. At the end of the line, nine horned wolves carried no riders, following the convoy in silence.

"And the fallen brothers’ bodies?"

Zhao Xingyu turned slightly, his eyes lingering at the rear of the convoy, before facing forward again.

"A knight's vow is to fall where he dies, and to be buried there. I laid their remains to rest in the desert where they fell. As for their mounts, tomorrow we’ll remove the armor from the horned wolves near the center of the Spirit Beast Mountains, setting them free so they can carry their brothers’ souls to freedom."

Looking at the shadowy, verdant forests on either side of the convoy and the winding trail ahead, Luo Chen could almost see the immortal souls of the nine fallen knights riding upon the backs of their wolves. After all, these men had given their lives to protect him and Xiao Ya. He still could not fathom why the empire had dispatched over a hundred knights to escort two weak students from the remote Luo Yu Village, which was not even the farthest outpost of the empire—despite being on the empire’s edge, the Eastern Gate was the closest coast to the capital. Why would the empire go to such lengths, unless to display its might and grandeur? Yet, the ambush by Black Python and his men, so meticulously planned at the desert’s edge, suggested other motives. Luo Chen sensed a deeper secret, but seeing the somber mood, he could not bring himself to ask Zhao Xingyu.

The next two days passed with Luo Chen cultivating in the carriage, except for yesterday at noon, when Zhao Xingyu ordered the removal of the wolves’ armor. Luo Chen stepped out to witness the moment, continuing to draw in spirit energy to condense his fifth energy vortex, which he finally completed. During this time, he had several conversations with Shi Ling, learning things that astonished him. He had assumed Shi Ling was merely a weapon spirit, but discovered she originally possessed two true forms.

The first was the weapon spirit itself. Now, Shi Ling’s soul had perfectly merged with a spiritual artifact Luo Chen had never seen, becoming one with it. Shi Ling herself was now the artifact, so the original physical form no longer existed—explaining why Luo Chen could see Shi Ling but not the artifact. As for her second true form, it resembled the tiny golden sword that sometimes shimmered on Shi Ling’s brow, residing within Luo Chen’s Celestial Meridian Array. Shi Ling explained that after she awakened, this second form was automatically locked within the array, though she did not know the reason, nor did Luo Chen. Only those at the Celestial Spirit level could activate such an array.

Still, Shi Ling handed Luo Chen a cultivation manual, "Kunlei Sword Art." Unfortunately, it was an Earth-tier technique—and Luo Chen didn’t even have a sword. He considered asking Shi Ling for another manual, but she told him that the worst techniques she possessed were all Earth-tier, and this one was most suitable for him now. Her response nearly made Luo Chen cough up blood. In the Mortal Realm, only the most powerful families or factions had Earth-tier arts; lesser clans were lucky to possess even a single Human-tier manual. That Shi Ling would call Earth-tier techniques trash left Luo Chen speechless.

"Brother Luo, we’ve arrived at the imperial capital," a knight’s voice called from outside the carriage, interrupting Luo Chen’s musings and meal with Shi Ling. He immediately put down his things and looked out the window.

Beneath a clear sky, dense mountain ranges encircled the plain. Fifty meters ahead, a colossal city stood tall among the mountains. A broad road ran through the forest straight to the city gates, bustling with spirit beasts hauling all kinds of cargo in and out.

Before the city gates stood two towering silver knight statues, each a hundred meters high, armed with silver spears and shields, their figures solemn and majestic. Between them, the city gate and walls rose to the same great height, with a massive dragon’s head carved above the gate. The walls stretched off into the forest, vanishing from sight.

Luo Chen glanced behind the convoy. Beyond the merchant carriages, less than a hundred meters away, he saw another convoy identical to his own, nearly a hundred knights escorting a single carriage. Luo Chen wondered if it, too, carried students under knightly protection. Through a gap in the curtains, he thought he glimpsed a veiled woman, but the distance and the passing traffic made it hard to be sure.

Soon, Zhao Xingyu led their convoy through the towering gates. The knights standing guard offered only a salute, not stopping them.

"Brother, is this really the imperial capital Grandpa Qiuye told us about? It’s so… so huge!" Xiao Ya exclaimed, her shock plain on her face, her mouth agape. Luo Chen smiled—it was indeed vast. The endless streams of carriages hinted at the capital’s prosperity. It was worthy of its reputation as the mightiest of empires.

Inside the gates, a hundred-meter-wide avenue linked the entrance to the city. Calling it grand almost seemed an understatement; it was both majestic and magnificent. The avenue teemed with carriages and people, countless in number. Luo Chen watched as their convoy rolled down the avenue.

After about ten minutes, a massive coliseum came into view. The convoy halted before it. Luo Chen watched through the window as Zhao Xingyu dismounted. He quickly led Xiao Ya out of the carriage.

Outside, carriages were stopping all around them, disgorging many young candidates for the selection.

Zhao Xingyu approached Luo Chen and Xiao Ya, handing each a wooden token engraved with the words "Celestial Sky" in lifelike script. "Brother Luo, this is the Imperial Arena, the site of the Celestial Sky Academy’s selection. I can only escort you this far. You’ll need these tokens to enter and participate."

Luo Chen thanked him, putting away the token. Zhao Xingyu nodded, then added, "Oh, I almost forgot—you need to infuse the token with your spirit power to enter the selection platform."

Nodding, Luo Chen pulled Xiao Ya to bow to Zhao Xingyu. "Brother Xingyu, for the escort and protection you and the knights have given us, if ever you need my help, I will surely repay this debt."

Smiling, Zhao Xingyu nodded as Luo Chen led Xiao Ya toward the arena entrance. Before they had gone far, Zhao Xingyu called out, "Brother Luo, wait!"

Luo Chen stopped, turning as Zhao Xingyu hurried over. "Brother, who knows when we’ll drink together again after today. But there are a few words I feel I must give you," he said solemnly.

"Please, Brother Xingyu, speak."

"It’s nothing too important, but since it’s your first time in the capital, you should know: don’t get into conflicts with any of the princes unless you’re sure of your strength. The capital is rife with hidden currents, and the throne is coveted by all. If you’d arrived half a year earlier, I would have advised you to serve under Princess Leng Yue, but she’s gravely ill—some say due to the princes’ schemes. So unless you have enough strength, don’t hastily align with any royal. Better to watch from the mountain than leap into the tiger’s fight. Also, about the Tianlei Pavilion, the foremost of the Eight Pavilions—I know you’re seeking answers, and if you’re truly determined, perhaps only that place on the Celestial Sky Continent can offer hope. But if you bring it up now, you may face the wrath of those old monsters. Be prepared. If you get the chance, don’t forget to visit the Third Army Camp for a drink."

With that, Zhao Xingyu waved and returned to Fengqi. Luo Chen watched his retreating figure, lost in thought—it now seemed the earlier ambush by Black Python might indeed be tied to the royal family. But before he could dwell on it, Xiao Ya tugged him toward the arena.

Inside the coliseum, Luo Chen found another world altogether. The round arena’s stands were packed to the brim. For a moment, Luo Chen didn’t know where to go, wandering about until he spotted a sign near the lowest row: "Candidates’ Area." Face burning with embarrassment, he led Xiao Ya over.

Along the way, he felt many strange glances upon him. At first, he thought they were directed at himself, but realized he wasn’t that remarkable. Then it struck him: it was Xiao Ya, clutching his hand, that drew their eyes—eyes filled with envy, some with murderous intent. A cold chill crept down his spine, but Xiao Ya refused to let go. In the end, Luo Chen could only cover his face in resignation and follow her to a seat in the candidates’ area.

Glancing at Xiao Ya beside him, he could feel the jealous stares from all around. With a sigh, he closed his eyes.

"Brother, look, that sister is so beautiful!"

He had barely closed his eyes when Xiao Ya began shaking his arm excitedly. Luo Chen, remembering the jealous glares he’d just suffered for Xiao Ya’s sake, now had to endure another commotion over a girl. He opened his eyes, intending to scold her, but then saw that everyone’s attention truly was fixed in one direction.

A girl in a pale blue dress had entered the candidates’ area, her waist-length hair adorned with a bird-shaped ornament. A white veil covered her face, and at her brow could be glimpsed the emblem of a strange clan. Her features were delicate, her eyes clear and bright. Despite the commotion and strange looks around her, her gaze never wavered from the center of the arena, calm and unwavering.

"Well, Brother, isn’t she beautiful?" Xiao Ya teased. Luo Chen rolled his eyes at her, but he did find the girl intriguing. Unlike the other candidates, who showed various degrees of anticipation or fear, she alone displayed a subtle but unshakeable resolve. Luo Chen grew curious, but glancing at the students streaming in, he was even more interested in what the selection would entail. Most seemed to be at the Spirit Initiation stage, just as he was. Surely they wouldn’t have everyone fight on stage? Luo Chen had no techniques, just his fists. Suddenly, he thought of Shi Ling.

"Shi Ling, do you know the selection process?"

He expected Shi Ling to answer, but she replied in the faintest whisper, "Master, you’ll know soon enough. Don’t look for me right now. I sense a few terrifying presences in the capital—if they find me out, it’ll be bad for you. They’re coming this way."

With that, Shi Ling fell silent. Luo Chen checked the Celestial Meridian Array within himself, seeing only the little golden sword, no trace of Shi Ling’s presence. Looking up, he noticed nearly ten figures flying through the sky toward them.

"Look, it’s the Emperor of Tianyu!" someone exclaimed behind him.

Luo Chen followed their gaze. Within a few breaths, nine people descended upon the highest tier of the stands. There, two seats stood on a platform; one was occupied by a middle-aged man in resplendent gold and silver dragon robes, who took his place with regal bearing. The other seat, however, was taken by a figure in plain, worn gray clothes and a cloak that remained drawn even after sitting, the only visible feature a glimpse of a white beard.

Of the other seven, six took their places in the second row, while a single man descended onto the center of the arena. Though of medium build, Luo Chen sensed that, like the others, his strength was unfathomable—these must be the ones who frightened Shi Ling. The elder waved his hand, and the entire coliseum fell silent as he spoke in a resonant voice.

"I am Bai Li Mufeng, master of the Tianwei Pavilion of the Academy. After deliberation with the seven great pavilions and His Majesty last night, this year’s selection will forgo combat. There will be two tests: first, a cultivation assessment—anyone at Spirit Initiation third stage or above passes. Second, a soul power test—anyone whose soul force is of purple grade or higher will be deemed qualified."