After travelling through the dense forest for almost two days, the group finally reached the outskirts of the Zhenguan Region, where they encountered a mysterious blue barrier.
Wang Jian, being well-equipped, revealed a treasured artifact gifted by his mother that possessed the ability to create a dimensional rift within the barrier.
It took several moments of careful manipulation for the device to activate, and it ultimately succeeded in creating an opening. The carriages cautiously passed through the opened barrier.
As they passed through the barrier, they found themselves amidst a vast crowd of armored soldiers.
Their attire was indicative of them being the Royal Guards of the Everlasting Mystic Empire, specifically members of the prestigious Iron Fist.
Wang Jian, with his knowledge of the empire, quickly identified them.
The Iron Fist was a group of elite warriors who held strict ranks and answered directly to the Royal Family.
Each member possessed an incredible amount of power, with even the weakest among them being at the Origin Realm.
Those below the Lord Realm were merely common guards, while the Lord Rank cultivators held the Major Realm.
The King Realm cultivators, the most powerful of them all, held the General Realm. It was evident that the Iron Fist was a force to be reckoned with.
The gathering of Iron Fist members outside the barrier indicated the presence of someone from the Royal Family.
As Wang Jian surveyed the crowd, he spotted a luxuriously decorated carriage bearing the insignia of the Emperor's concubine.
A wide grin spread across his face, and he turned to his women to news. "It seems like my mother has arrived," he exclaimed. "We should make haste and go meet her!"
Su Xian and Fen Shuying exchanged glances, their faces flushing with embarrassment. They wanted to make a good impression on their potential mother-in-law, the Emperor's concubine.
On the other hand, Kang Huian, Han Xifeng, and Lady Xia appeared troubled and conflicted. They were unsure of how to behave in front of someone of such high stature, and their anxiety was palpable.
Lady Xia, in particular, was tense and apprehensive.
"Let's get out of the carriage," Wang Jian suggested. Well, his suggestion was more like an order.
Very soon, they left the carriage and were standing on the ground.
After they left the carriage, the Iron Fist kneeled in front of Wang Jian as they paid their respects to him.
"Get up," Wang Jian commanded lightly.
His eyes were actually fixated on that luxurious carriage. Very soon, the gate to that carriage opened.
As Bai Liqin stepped out of her elaborately decorated carriage, her long black hair cascaded down her back in loose waves. Her brown eyes were bright and sparkling, and her features were refined and elegant.
She was dressed in an incredibly luxurious royal dress embroidered with gold and silver thread and adorned with precious gems. The dress flowed around her like a river of silk and trailed behind her as she walked towards Wang Jian.
Her appearance exuded regal grace, and it was evident that she had the bearing of a queen.
As she approached, she smiled warmly at Wang Jian, and her eyes twinkled with pride. "My son, it's so good to see you again," she said as she hugged him tightly.
Wang Jian hugged his mother back and smiled widely. "Mother, it's been too long since we've last seen each other."
As Bai Liqin approached Wang Jian's carriage, she couldn't help but admire the other women who were with him. She turned to her son and asked, "Are all of these beautiful women your companions?"
Wang Jian couldn't help but feel amused by his mother's directness. "Yes, Mother. Except for Lady Xia here, who is actually my wife Fen Shuying's mother."
"I see," Bai Liqin replied, taking in Lady Xia's presence. She then turned towards the other women and jokingly said, "Well, you should greet your mother-in-law properly, shouldn't you?"
Su Xian and Fen Shuying blushed with embarrassment but quickly got down from the carriage to bow respectfully to Bai Liqin. Kang Huian and Han Xifeng also followed suit, though their expressions were more troubled and unsure.
Bai Liqin smiled warmly at all of them, taking in their different personalities and appearances. She was impressed by their beauty and poise but also curious about their backgrounds and talents.
"I'm pleased to meet you all," she said graciously. "I hope we can get to know each other better in the days to come."
The women all bowed in respect to Bai Liqin, greeting her with warm and polite words. Bai Liqin smiled at them, pleased with their behavior.
"I'm happy to see that my son has found so many wonderful women," she said, her eyes sparkling with pride. "You are all welcome to the Everlasting Mystic Empire. I hope you enjoy your stay."
Wang Jian grinned at his mother's words, feeling grateful for her warm welcome. "Thank you, mother," he said. "We are honored to be here."
Bai Liqin turned her attention to Lady Xia, who still looked unsure of how to act around her. "And you, Lady Xia," she said. "I'm happy to meet the mother of my daughter-in-law. Please don't feel uneasy around me. We are family now."
Lady Xia nodded her head, feeling a bit more relaxed. "Thank you, your Majesty," she said. "I am grateful for your kindness."
Bai Liqin smiled at her again. "There's no need to be so formal," she said. "Just call me Bai Liqin. We are family, after all."
Her gaze then shifted to Wang Jian, and with a soft voice, she spoke, "I have brought a fleet of twelve majestic Gryphons and a group of seven-Winged Wyverns. The Gryphons will serve as our steeds, while the Winged Wyverns will take charge of carrying the other carriages and cargo."
"That would be a wonderful idea, mother," Wang Jian spoke.
Bai Liqin, Wang Jian, and his women took their designated seats on the majestic griffins, ready for their flight to the Everlasting Mystic Empire.
The griffin under Wang Jian was quite spacious and allowed him to sit comfortably alongside Su Xian, Fen Shuying, Han Xifeng, Kang Huian, and Lady Xia.