After their battle with the Bull Demon King, Xu Nian and his companions hastened toward the Imperial Capital through the night.
Along the way, the Bull Demon King no longer dared to suggest sparring with Xu Nian.
To spar with Xu Nian was to seek punishment.
Now, even without utilizing his swordsmanship, Xu Nian could battle a Three-star Saint.
If he were to employ his formidable swordsmanship, not a single Three-star Saint would be a match for him.
And this was merely Xu Nian having broken through at the Battle General Level.
If one day, by some accident, he also broke through to the Body Saint level,
Who knew what terrifying strength he would possess.
Let's not forget, Xu Nian also has a super clone.
This super clone has been continuously cultivating and has likely reached a frightful realm by now.
Moreover, Xu Nian has two Demon Beasts.
These two Demon Beasts have also reached the Nine-star Peak.
It's probable that before long, they would break through to the Demon Saint Realm.
By then, counting the Bull Demon King, there would be five Saints altogether; the thought alone was fearsome.
"We've arrived, right ahead is the Imperial Capital," said Xia Bingling.
Xu Nian looked forward upon hearing her voice.
Before them lay a towering city of unparalleled grandeur.
This city was many times bigger than any Xu Nian had ever seen, perhaps ten or even dozens of times larger.
Surrounding the city was a wall reaching a hundred zhang high, so tall that even an average Battle General Expert could not leap over it.
Above the entire city, there was also a terrifying Formation covering it.
The Formation shrouded the whole city, prohibiting flying for Battle Kings and Battle Saints within the city.
Flying in the Imperial Capital was strictly forbidden, lest one faced an attack from the City Protection Array.
This Great Formation was extremely fearsome.
Even Peak Saint Powerhouses did not dare to clash with it directly.
Once, a Battle Saint Peak Expert scoffed at the might of the Imperial Family and attempted to fly openly above the capital.
He was directly struck down by the Great Formation.
Since then, no one dared to fly over the Imperial Capital.
Xu Nian and his companions descended at the city gates.
It was early morning, and the great gates of the Imperial Capital were already open.
Travelers were gradually entering the city.
"So this is the Imperial Capital? Truly, it possesses the majesty that all other cities look up to," Xu Nian remarked with emotion as he stood at the gate, gazing at the immense city towers.
At this moment, he felt as if what lay before him was not just a city, but a crouching primordial beast.
The majesty that radiated from it would intimidate even Saints who came here.
"It truly is magnificent; it's a hundred times, no, ten thousand times more grand than my Bull Head Mountain," exclaimed the Bull Demon King, astounded as well.
"Let's go, the inside is even more impressive," said Xia Bingling with a slight smile as she led Xu Nian and the Bull Demon King into the city.
As Xu Nian stepped inside, he discovered the Spiritual Energy within the Imperial City was thrice as dense as the outside world.
The streets were incredibly spacious, and most of the shops on either side, aside from a few selling common wares, trafficked goods coveted by Cultivators.
Xu Nian was amazed at this.
In other cities, Cultivators were scarce, but in the Imperial Capital,
Virtually everyone was a Cultivator, even the children playing by the roadside were already at the Warrior Level.
"In the Imperial Capital, aside from the City Protection Array, a Spirit Gathering Array has also been laid down, so nearly all the citizens are Cultivators. With a large number of Cultivators, naturally, the shops sell items that Cultivators need," explained Xia Bingling with a smile upon seeing the surprised expressions on Xu Nian and the Bull Demon King's faces.
Xu Nian nodded in realization.
The Imperial Capital is truly different, with such a dense atmosphere of cultivation.
No wonder there are cultivators everywhere.
As the day grew brighter, more and more people appeared on the streets.
"Where are you going next?" Xia Bingling asked.
"First, we'll find a place to stay, and we'll discuss the rest later," Xu Nian replied.
He had thought it through on the way here—to first learn about the situation in the Imperial Capital before taking action.
Acting rashly would only attract the pursuit of the Ye and Fang Families as well as the Imperial Family.
He was mortal enemies with both the Ye and Fang Families and the Imperial Family.
He did not want to end up being chased around by their experts before he had even accomplished anything.
"Well then, I know a place that would be perfect for you to stay. You'll be absolutely safe there, undisturbed by anyone, unless the Emperor himself comes; no one else would dare to offend," Xia Bingling said with a smile.
"Oh? There's such a place in the Imperial Capital?" Xu Nian asked in surprise.
"Of course, there are many powerful and mysterious forces within the Empire. Few outsiders have heard of their names, but their power is undoubtedly formidable," Xia Bingling said proudly.
Xu Nian remained silent.
He knew he still understood too little about this continent.
He was unaware of some forces hidden in the shadows.
"So what exactly is this place you're talking about?" the Bull Demon King asked impatiently.
He could not understand why humans always liked to beat around the bush.
"Divine River Palace!" Xia Bingling declared.
"Divine River Palace? Hasn't that been extinct?" Xu Nian and the Bull Demon King exchanged glances.
They had heard of this force.
However, this force existed ten thousand years ago and had long become history.
They did not expect it to still exist in this world.
"Divine River Palace has not been wiped out; it has always been located in the Imperial Capital, but it belongs to no faction. Its existence is to break through the taboos of the Tianhen Continent, to research a way to surpass Battle Emperor Shackle. Therefore, it remains detached from worldly affairs, and even the Imperial Family cannot control it. My master is a Saint of the Divine River Palace," Xia Bingling explained.
Xu Nian immediately understood the situation.
On the Tianhen Continent, there was a formidable shackle preventing Battle Emperor experts from breaking through to Battle Emperor.
And the existence of Divine River Palace was to research a way to break this shackle.
They did not partake in conflicts, only pursuing higher realms of cultivation.
This was why they remained so detached from the world.
In that case, Divine River Palace truly seemed like a great place to go.
"Then let's head to Divine River Palace," Xu Nian nodded and said.
Upon hearing this, a hint of joy appeared on Xia Bingling's face.
"My master would be extremely pleased to meet you," Xia Bingling said.
After that, she happily led the way for Xu Nian.
Xu Nian shook his head in resignation.
But soon, his expression turned grave.
The waters of the Imperial Capital were deeper than he had imagined.
The Four Great Families, the Imperial Family, Tianji Pavilion, Star Pavilion—now a detached Divine River Palace had emerged as well.
So many forces converged in the Imperial Capital.
While the surface seemed calm, beneath it was an undercurrent surging with activity.
"Ice Spirit, you're back. Why didn't you give us any notice? If it weren't for this chance encounter, I wouldn't have known you'd returned," a voice suddenly called out.
However, just as Xu Nian and the others had only walked a few steps, they were stopped by a voice that arose suddenly.
Xu Nian turned his head to look and saw three young men approaching from behind.
Xu Nian recognized at once that one of the young men, who was in the middle of the trio from behind, was the Ye Family youth he had encountered at the Heavenly Slash Gang before.
And the Ye Family youth also recognized Xu Nian immediately, his gaze turning sharp.