C12 Essence Opening City Lord Golden Essence Sword Body(1)

Chen Feng and Lu Xueqi arrived at the City Lord Mansion to find Lee Qian already waiting for them at the entrance. Upon seeing Chen Feng approach, Lee Qian eagerly greeted them, "Sect Master Chen, Miss Lu, please come inside. The City Lord has been eagerly awaiting your arrival."

In the main hall, they were greeted by a table laden with an array of dishes, while maids continuously brought forth even more culinary delights. Chen Feng, who had never before witnessed such a lavish dinner, felt his taste buds ignite with anticipation, involuntarily swallowing in excitement.

Beside the table stood a man clad in a black robe adorned with dragon motifs, his willow-leaf eyebrows lending him a remarkably heroic air. Chen Feng sized him up, noting that the man was nearly his equal in presence.

Chen Feng surmised that this man, radiating the power of a Golden Core and seated at the head of the table, must be Lee Tongxuan, the City Lord of Essence Opening City.

Name: Lee Tongxuan (First-rate Talent)

Strength: Golden Core Level Six

Cultivation Method: Pure Fire Refining Technique (Profound Level, Low-grade)

Qualification: Golden Essence Sword Body

Physique: Comprehension 8, Bone Root 8, Predestined Blessing 8, Willpower 8

Note: The Golden Essence Sword Body is one of the Five Element Sword Bodies. However, this cultivator, who should focus on metal, instead cultivates fire and has forsaken the sword for the saber—a foolish move. Fire overcomes metal, and the higher his cultivation, the more severe the damage. Moreover, he has been poisoned, and should he attempt another breakthrough, the poison will rupture all the veins in his body.

Lee Tongxuan was not as straightforward as the rumors suggested, possessing the formidable cultivation of Golden Core Level Six. But what did this hint imply? Poisoned? What a dramatic turn of events...

Upon Chen Feng's entrance, Lee Tongxuan rose to his feet, smiling warmly, "Thank you, Sect Master Chen, and Miss Lu for joining us at the City Lord Mansion's banquet despite your busy schedules. Please, take your seats."

Chen Feng and Lu Xueqi settled into their seats, with Lee Tongxuan sitting beside Chen Feng and Lee Qian standing attentively behind them.

Lee Tongxuan scrutinized Chen Feng intently but couldn't detect a hint of strength in him; Chen Feng seemed like a regular person. Thanks to his system, Chen Feng had long concealed his cultivation level. Even a saint wouldn't be able to sense his true power unless Chen Feng chose to reveal it.

Turning his attention to Lu Xueqi, Lee Tongxuan saw that she lived up to Lee Qian's description. At just sixteen or seventeen, she had already reached the Body Refining Peak, a level of talent that was truly astonishing. She would be considered a first-rate talent even within the prestigious Vast Dynasty.

The Vast Dynasty was the South Domain Overlord, ruling over the poorest region of the Holy Profound Continent. Despite its lack of resources compared to other regions, it was still a powerhouse.

The Karan Dynasty, situated between a Grade Four and a Grade Three Sect, ruled over the South Domain. The Vast Dynasty, one of the Karan Dynasty's ten great dynasties, boasted strength equivalent to a Grade Five Sect, surpassing a typical sect in might.

The four regions of east, west, north, and south all fell under the Central Region's jurisdiction, a testament to the Central Region's formidable strength.

The Purple Chu Kingdom was merely one of the smaller kingdoms under the Vast Dynasty. Such kingdoms were numerous in the South Domain, with many being established and destroyed daily.

Lee Tongxuan greeted Chen Feng with a smile, "Sect Master Chen, you truly are a young talent. To be a Sect Master at such a young age and a genius in comprehending sword force, your potential knows no bounds! Your disciple is no less remarkable. The Profound Heaven Sect harbors no mediocrity."

Chen Feng responded in kind, "The Profound Heaven Sect has but a few disciples, yet we still fail to catch the City Lord Mansion's eye."

Hearing this, Lee Tongxuan burst into hearty laughter. Indeed, as Chen Feng had pointed out, he was a well-known figure in the kingdom, a prince no less, with a natural air of pride and arrogance. Even if Chen Feng and Lu Xueqi were exceptional talents, they wouldn't be considered true geniuses until they had fully matured.

"Sect Master Chen, let's not indulge in mutual flattery. Today, let's speak from the heart and set aside other matters."

With that, he gestured towards the dishes before them and said, "This is the meat of the Fire-Scaled Python, taken from the most succulent section around the seven-inch mark. Sect Master Chen and Miss Lu, please, have a taste. This has been prepared by the kingdom's finest chef, a delicacy rarely afforded to the common folk."

The Fire-Scaled Python was no ordinary Demonic Beast; it was one of the Golden Core Stage. That the City Lord Mansion would serve such a creature was a testament to their wealth and influence.

Chen Feng could hardly contain himself. He served a juicy slice to Lu Xueqi and eagerly took a piece for himself. The meat was tender, rich, yet not overly fatty. As he swallowed, a surge of vitality coursed through him, and he sensed a slight advancement in his cultivation.

It appeared that he should consider acquiring Demonic Beast meat in the future. Not only was it delectable, but it also had the benefit of enhancing one's strength—a win-win. Chen Feng mused that he was inching ever closer to the life of a gourmet.

Lee Tongxuan continued to introduce each dish, and Chen Feng welcomed them all. The evening promised to be a feast for the senses, so much so that even Lu Xueqi seemed slightly overwhelmed by the abundance.

After the meal, Lee Tongxuan had the servants tidy the table before bringing out a tea set and an assortment of sweet fruits. He filled the cups for Chen Feng and Lu Xueqi, and the three of them leisurely savored the aromatic tea.

As Chen Feng sipped his tea and nibbled on the fruits, he reflected, "The City Lord Mansion truly spares no expense; each item here could fetch a fortune."

Lee Tongxuan regarded Chen Feng calmly and inquired, "Sect Master Chen, are you familiar with the Hundred Sect Competition?"

Chen Feng was momentarily taken aback. The Grand Competition? How could he be aware of it, having only recently arrived in this world?

Noticing Chen Feng's confusion, Lee Tongxuan elaborated, "The Hundred Sect Competition is a major event within the Purple Chu Kingdom, occurring every three years. It determines the strongest individuals from each city, who then compete in the County City, and ultimately in the Royal Capital for the final showdown. The top three sects receive a mysterious and coveted prize."

When Chen Feng heard Lee Tongxuan's words, he was momentarily taken aback. He wondered if the reason for being summoned today and treated to fine food and drink was that he was expected to represent Essence Opening City in the Sect Competition. The Profound Heaven Sect was newly established, and aside from Lu Xueqi, sending anyone else would be tantamount to throwing their lives away. However, given enough time, the Profound Heaven Sect would surely nurture a succession of geniuses.

The people gathered here were all astute. Lee Tongxuan continued, "Sect Master Chen, you're undoubtedly aware of the friction between the City Lord Mansion and the Blazing Fire Sect."

Chen Feng nodded in acknowledgment, "I've heard some things."

"Unless something unforeseen occurs, the Blazing Fire Sect will represent Essence Opening City in the County Grand Competition. But I have my reservations about them. This time, Profound Heaven Sect has an opportunity to shine. Though we're few in number, we have the potential to become the strongest sect under the Blazing Fire Sect's umbrella."

Lee Tongxuan paused to sip his tea calmly.

Just as Chen Feng was about to decline the proposition, the system's voice chimed in.

"Ding!"

[Mission Detected!]

[Mission: Secure First Place in the Essence Opening City Grand Competition.]

[Mission Reward: Access to the Artifact Refining Pavilion and a Low-Grade Magic Artifact, the Frost Sword.]

[Failure Punishment: Inability to access the Artifact Refining Pavilion.]

[Mission 3: Achieve First Place in the County Grand Competition.]

[Mission Reward: Access to the Pill Refinement Pavilion and a bottle of Marrow Cleansing Pill.]

[Failure Punishment: Inability to access the Pill Refinement Pavilion.]

[Mission 4: Secure First Place in the Royal Capital Grand Competition.]

[Mission Reward: Access to the Sword Tower and an upgrade for the basic building.]

[Failure Punishment: Inability to access the Sword Tower.]

Chen Feng responded with a determined look, "City Lord, I grasp your intentions. This time, Profound Heaven Sect will take charge of the Grand Competition."

Lee Tongxuan hadn't anticipated Chen Feng's eager acceptance, which conveniently aligned with his own wishes. With Lu Xueqi's prowess at the Body Refining Peak, clinching first place in Essence Opening City's Grand Competition should be effortless. As for the County City and beyond, it was best not to entertain any false hopes.