Chapter 45: Arrival and Reunion
"Young Master! We’re approaching Crimson Lotus City!"
Everyone moved to the windows to look. In the distance, massive walls rose against the skyline.
Crimson Lotus City was several times larger than Xianling City, with defensive walls that stood at least thirty meters high. Guard towers dotted the walls at regular intervals.
The city gates were enormous, capable of allowing multiple carriages through simultaneously. A steady stream of travelers flowed in and out.
"We’ve arrived," Xian Tiandi announced.
Lianhua’s expression became more guarded. "I should wear a disguise. If anyone recognizes me, word might reach those who want me dead."
She pulled out a white veil from her storage ring and wrapped it around her face, covering everything below her eyes.
Then she retrieved a hooded cloak to further conceal her features and royal robes.
"Will that be sufficient?" she asked for his opinion.
"It should keep casual observers from recognizing you," Xian Tiandi agreed. "Just keep your head down and you won’t draw attention."
The convoy approached the city gates. Guards checked their papers and waved them through without incident.
The Xian Clan seal carried some weight even in a city this large.
They entered Crimson Lotus City proper. The streets were wide and well-maintained. Buildings rose three and four stories tall.
Shops of every description lined the main roads. Cultivators of various levels walked openly, their different sect robes creating a colorful display.
This was clearly a major cultivation hub. Multiple sects had branches or representatives here.
The spiritual energy in the air was denser than in Xianling City, making it an ideal place for cultivation.
As their convoy made its way toward the arranged accommodations, a commotion suddenly erupted ahead.
A group of cultivators was trying to exit the city, moving in the opposite direction. Their urgent manner and powerful auras caused other travelers to give them a wide berth.
Lianhua suddenly gasped. "That’s..."
One of the cultivators in the departing group wore the distinctive robes of the Blue Rain Sect. But more importantly, her face was visible and strikingly familiar.
"Minghua!" Lianhua shouted, unable to contain herself. She threw open the carriage door despite Xian Tiandi’s warning gesture.
The departing group immediately halted. The woman in Blue Rain Sect robes spun around, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"Lianhua?!" Princess Yue Minghua’s voice cracked with emotion.
The two sisters rushed toward each other, meeting in the middle of the street. They embraced tightly, both trembling with relief.
"You’re alive," Minghua gasped. "I thought... when we found Elder Wei and that traitor... I thought the worst..."
"I’m alive thanks to someone who saved me," Lianhua replied, pulling back slightly. Tears streamed down both their faces.
The reunion drew attention from passersby, but the powerful cultivators accompanying Minghua quickly established a perimeter to give the sisters privacy.
Elder Wei, still recovering from his injuries but mobile, stood nearby with visible relief on his weathered face. Several Blue Rain Sect disciples formed a protective circle around the princesses.
After the initial emotional release, Minghua pulled herself together and looked at her sister more critically. "Your injuries. The poison. How did you recover so quickly?"
"I had help," Lianhua said. She turned and gestured toward Xian Tiandi, who had exited his carriage and was observing the scene calmly. "That young man saved my life. His name is Xian Tiandi."
Minghua’s eyes focused on Xian Tiandi with intense scrutiny. She quickly assessed his age, his cultivation level, and his bearing.
A sixteen-year-old Qi Condensation cultivator. Yet her sister, a Golden Core expert, claimed he had saved her from assassins.
She approached him directly and performed a formal bow. "Xian Tiandi, I am Yue Minghua, Lianhua’s twin sister. You have my deepest gratitude for saving my sister’s life. The Yue royal family is in your debt."
"There’s no need for such formality," Xian Tiandi replied with his own polite bow. "I simply helped someone in need."
"My sister said you fought off Dark Blade Sect assassins," Minghua said. It wasn’t a question. Elder Wei had provided details before they departed. "Four Golden Core cultivators. How did you manage that?"
"I had some advantages they didn’t expect," Xian Tiandi replied vaguely. "And I was fortunate."
Minghua studied him intently. This young man was clearly much more than he appeared.
But pressing for details in the middle of a street wasn’t appropriate.
"Regardless of how you did it, you saved my sister," she said firmly. "That makes you a benefactor of the royal family. When you visit the capital, come to the palace. We will reward you properly."
Before Xian Tiandi could respond, one of the Blue Rain Sect disciples approached Minghua urgently and whispered something in her ear.
Minghua’s expression shifted to concern. She turned back to Lianhua. "I’m sorry, but we need to leave immediately. Mother received news of your situation and her condition has worsened. The palace physicians are worried. We need to get back as soon as possible."
"Mother?" Lianhua’s face paled. The queen had been in poor health for some time, but this sounded serious.
"Come with us now," Minghua urged. "We have fast horses and can use flying techniques to cut the travel time."
Lianhua nodded quickly, then turned to Xian Tiandi. "I’m sorry. I have to go."
"Of course," Xian Tiandi said. "Your family needs you."
"I’ll find you again," Lianhua promised. "When you come to the capital, or when circumstances allow. I haven’t properly thanked you yet."
"Focus on your mother," Xian Tiandi replied. "We’ll meet again when fate allows."
Minghua interjected, "The Four Symbols Sect disciple selection is in two days. If you’re participating, you’ll almost certainly be accepted with your abilities. The Blue Rain Sect maintains close relations with the Four Symbols Sect. We’ll surely encounter each other at inter-sect gatherings."
"Then I look forward to it," Xian Tiandi said with a slight smile.
The twins departed quickly, mounting spirit horses that could run at incredible speeds. Elder Wei and the other Blue Rain Sect disciples followed. Within moments, they had disappeared down the road leading out of the city.
Xian Tiandi returned to his carriage where Ying Yue was waiting with Xiao Ming and Xian Long. All three had witnessed the reunion.
"That was the princess’s sister?" Xian Long asked with wide eyes. "They look exactly alike!"
"Twins often do," Xian Tiandi replied.
"The princess seemed very grateful to you, Young Master," Ying Yue observed. Her voice carried a complex mix of emotions.
"That’s understandable after all," Xian Tiandi said simply. "I saved her life."