The Royal Capital was a gathering place for high officials and nobles. There were many places for entertainment, and two of them were the most famous. One was called the Hundred Fragrances Association. Although the name was ordinary, it was extraordinary.
The Hundred Fragrances Association had a great background and was known to have countless beauties. It was the number one place in the Royal Capital. Many rich people and young people would come here to spend money. At the same time, it was an excellent place to make friends. It was a veritable money-squandering establishment.
The other was called the Dragon Pavilion.
The Dragon Pavilion was different from the Hundred Fragrances Association. Its founder came from the Royal Capital. It was created by a retired emperor in order to attract talents. It had a history of more than a thousand years and had been passed down from generation to generation.
The Dragon Pavilion was ancient and contained a rich aura of history. It stood alone in the Outer City and was surrounded by bustling places. The atmosphere was very rich.
The Dragon Pavilion had a total of five floors. Each floor was nine meters tall. Nine was the extreme number and had a special symbolic meaning, especially for the Royal Capital.
There was another reason why the Retired Emperor, who had founded the Dragon Pavilion, had built a five-story pavilion with each floor being nine meters tall. One must know that the Emperor had always had another title, and that was the Sovereign of the Nine and Five.
The Nine and Five was not a title that anyone could use. If an Emperor did not use this title, it would be an offense and would be punished.
But the retired emperor was different. In addition, the Royal Capital valued talents. Therefore, the Dragon Pavilion was built in the style of the Nine and Five. It symbolized that the geniuses here were all heroes and kings among men. They might even be emperors among martial artists. It was extraordinary.
Walking to the outside of the Dragon Pavilion, Zhang Xuan raised his head to take a look. The antique tall building seemed to have countless dragon carvings surrounding it from all directions, truly like a group of dragons surrounding it. At the very top, there was a round pearl the size of a human head. It was completely transparent, like a flawless gem. Under the sunlight, there seemed to be multicolored light circulating within it.
That was the so-called Dragon Pearl.
Chen Zong was shocked the moment he saw the Dragon Pavilion.
"How is it? It's not in Linshan County, right? Very shocking, isn't it?" Guan Yunxiao laughed as a trace of contempt flashed in his eyes. It wasn't easy for him to bring Chen Zong out. No matter what, he had to let him know that his four-star combat strength was nothing in the capital.
In fact, he couldn't ask Chen Zong to come out because Chen Zong had to seize the time to practice and improve his cultivation and combat strength as much as possible. Especially the practice of the Lonely Mountain Visualization Skill, he had to realize the truth as soon as possible.
After rejecting Guan Yunxiao, Guan Yunxiao directly used the name of Marquis Zheng Yuan, stating that it was Marquis Zheng Yuan's idea to let Chen Zong go to the Dragon Pavilion.
As his master's elder brother, Chen Zong had to show his respect. Chen Zong accepted his suggestion after some consideration.
Although cultivation was important, it was also important to meet other geniuses.
Sometimes, the comprehension gained from exchanging blows with others would surpass dozens of days of cultivation.
Therefore, Chen Zong came.
Even if Guan Yunxiao wanted to deal with him, Chen Zong wasn't afraid, because no matter how he attacked, Chen Zong could handle it.
It was nothing more than experiencing some setbacks. Walking on this path, Chen Zong had long been prepared.
"Go in." Guan Yunxiao said as he strode toward the Dragon Pavilion's door. The door was open as if welcoming anyone, but in fact, those who weren't qualified couldn't enter at all.
Seeing Guan Yunxiao step through the door, Chen Zong took a deep breath and also strode forward.
With a flash, a person appeared in front of Chen Zong, blocking his path. That person stared coldly at Chen Zong.
Guan Yunxiao stood not far away and watched with a smile on his face, as if he was watching a show.
"Do you have a recommendation from a Pavilion member?" The person who stopped Chen Zong was a middle-aged man. His muscles were swollen like steel, and he looked very tough. He was as strong as an iron tower.
Not just anyone could enter the Dragon Pavilion. One had to have enough qualifications.
The so-called qualifications were recommendations. The people of the Dragon Pavilion were called Pavilion members. If a newcomer wanted to enter the Dragon Pavilion, they needed a Pavilion member's recommendation, which was equivalent to an invitation ticket and a stepping stone.
Without a Pavilion member's recommendation, no matter who you were, you couldn't enter the Dragon Pavilion.
Looking at Guan Yunxiao's attitude now, it was obvious that he didn't have any intention of recommending him. He just wanted to watch the show and see him make a fool of himself.
That's right, Guan Yunxiao had such thoughts.
One had to know that the Dragon Pavilion represented the highest level of geniuses in the capital. It was the gathering place of geniuses, and also the gathering place of the highest level of geniuses in the entire dynasty. Who knew how many people longed to enter because it had an extraordinary meaning and a unique symbol.
Becoming famous and stepping into the Dragon Pavilion was also a way.
No matter who it was, as long as they had some understanding of the Dragon Pavilion, they would want to enter and become a Pavilion member.
"Without a Pavilion member's recommendation, you can't enter the Dragon Pavilion," the burly man said again, his eyes sharp as if he wanted to pierce Chen Zong.
As a guard of the Dragon Pavilion, he had seen many people who wanted to sneak into the Dragon Pavilion. Naturally, he also thought that Chen Zong was such a person.
Chen Zong didn't respond. Instead, under Guan Yunxiao's mocking gaze, he turned around without hesitation and walked out of the Dragon Pavilion.
Natural, decisive, without the slightest bit of sloppiness. It was just that simple and direct.
The guard of the Dragon Pavilion was stunned. He had guarded the Dragon Pavilion for several years, but this was the first time he had seen someone who, after being stopped, turned around and left without a word of explanation. Moreover, he didn't look the slightest bit embarrassed. He was so calm, so confident, so much so that he didn't even look back.
Guan Yunxiao was stunned.
He had originally planned to make a fool of Chen Zong, but he didn't expect that Chen Zong didn't care at all.
If he let Chen Zong leave, not only would he not be able to explain to Marquis Zhengyuan, he would also be unable to carry out the next step of his plan.
"Wait." Guan Yunxiao quickly reacted and hurriedly said, "I brought him here. I, Guan Yunxiao, recommend him with the qualifications of a Human-level Pavilion member."
As he spoke, Guan Yunxiao quickly took out a token from his bosom.
The guard took the black iron token and looked at it. On the front was the word "Human-level", and on the bottom were the words "Yunxiao". On the edge were two dragons connected head to tail, forming a circle. On the back, there was a relief sculpture of a dragon's head, and its eyes were inlaid with red gems that seemed to sparkle.
This was the exclusive token of the Dragon Pavilion. Only those recognized by the Dragon Pavilion were qualified to receive it. It was the symbol of every Pavilion member's identity.
Guan Yunxiao was deflated, so Chen Zong naturally didn't leave. Instead, he walked into the Dragon Pavilion again. After all, his purpose in coming here was for the other geniuses.
Guan Yunxiao walked in front with a cold face. He originally wanted to make a fool of Chen Zong, but he didn't expect to have the feeling of shooting himself in the foot.
But thinking of something, Guan Yunxiao's lips curled into a sneer.
It would be best if he could enter the Dragon Pavilion.
At that time, if he couldn't even pass the test of the Dragon Pavilion, that would be the biggest joke in the world. At that time, what face would he have to continue staying in the Guan Residence? He would have to pack up and leave the Imperial City like a stray dog and return to the Mountain Overlook Region.
Guan Yunxiao had already sunk into his own beautiful fantasy.
The first floor was divided into two parts. The front part was very spacious, with only one guard. Following Guan Yunxiao, Chen Zong walked to the back.
The Dragon Pavilion had five floors, and the first floor was the largest. It was estimated that it could accommodate tens of thousands of teams at the same time. In the Imperial City, where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold, it was very shocking to have such a large building.
Pushing open the tightly shut door, he was greeted by an antique yet simple room.
"Pavilion Elder, I recommend someone." Guan Yunxiao walked over, took out his token of the Dragon Pavilion, and handed it to an old man who was resting with his eyes closed.
The old man was originally lying loosely on a dark red sandalwood bench, swaying leisurely, as if he had fallen asleep. Hearing Guan Yunxiao's words, he suddenly opened his eyes. The room that had seemed somewhat dark suddenly became bright.
Chen Zong felt two sharp gazes, as if piercing through him, land on his face. Immediately, there seemed to be some bewilderment, because he could not see Chen Zong's cultivation.
The old man was the Pavilion Elder of the Dragon Pavilion, one of the people sent by the Imperial City to guard here, and also the person in charge of the test.
The old man took Guan Yunxiao's token and looked at it, confirming that it really was the token of the Dragon Pavilion.
"Are you sure you want to be recommended? If you fail the test, your recommendation this year will be revoked," the old man looked at Guan Yunxiao and said sternly.
"I'm sure." Guan Yunxiao said in an incomparably certain tone. It was just a recommendation in exchange for an opportunity to strike Chen Zong. Why not?
The old man did not say anything else. He took out a piece of paper and copied the token, confirming his recommendation.
"Report your name, origin, and cultivation." The old man handed the token back to Guan Yunxiao and asked Chen Zong.
"Chen Zong, disciple of the Marquis of Linshan of the Linshan County, mid-Ninth Transformation Stage of the Qi Refining Stage," Chen Zong quickly and concisely replied.
There were more than 20 Marquises in the dynasty, and the old man remembered every one of them. Especially the Marquis of Linshan, who was one of the two Marquises of the Guan Residence. Chen Zong was his disciple, so the old man could not help but take a second look.
When he heard that Chen Zong's cultivation was at the mid-Ninth Transformation Stage of the Qi Refining Stage, he was a bit surprised, but he did not say anything.
He had seen many geniuses, but not all of them were qualified to pass the test of the Dragon Pavilion. It must be known that the Dragon Pavilion represented the top geniuses, who had the potential of at least a four-star battle strength.
"I'll go arrange the test now. Prepare yourself and wait for the notice," the Pavilion Elder said and turned to leave.
"Prepare well. Don't ruin my uncle's reputation if you can't pass the test." Guan Yunxiao sneered.
"Maybe I'll disappoint you." Chen Zong smiled nonchalantly. He realized that even though Guan Yunxiao was targeting him, he didn't overstep his boundaries. It wasn't like he had any killing intent. It was more like he was trying to intimidate Chen Zong, but he didn't want to do it himself.
Chen Zong was very clear about his enemies. Killing intent was a standard line. If someone wanted to kill him, Chen Zong wouldn't be lenient. Even if he wasn't a match for them now, he would kill them one day. If someone didn't want to kill him, Chen Zong wouldn't kill him. However, if the other party wanted to teach him a lesson, then he could teach them a lesson in return.
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