The projection gradually dissipated, then quickly reformed into a Kai Mai Realm second-level saber user.
Swish!
The long saber slashed down, leaving only an afterimage.
Chen Zheng raised his saber and charged!
"Flowing Cloud Slash!"
After cultivating a Yellow Rank High Grade saber technique, the power of the Flowing Cloud Saber Technique had increased even further through analogy.
Clang!
Two extremely fast saber shadows collided, sending sparks flying.
Feeling a numbing sensation in his arm, Chen Zheng didn't resist directly. He flashed out of the projection room and shut down the projection.
He let out a long breath.
With his current strength, he might not win against a Kai Mai Realm second-level opponent, but he could definitely guarantee his safety.
The journey to the Imperial Capital would still take two or three days. If he was lucky, he might even achieve a Breakthrough to the Kai Mai Realm halfway there.
Chen Zheng's Spiritual Gate had already been opened in advance. The path to the Kai Mai Realm was ninety percent complete. The remaining ten percent just awaited the transformation of his Qi and blood into strength!
Turning to walk out of the secret chamber, he changed into new clothes, closed the gates of the Chen Residence, and headed out of Yan City.
Outside Yan City.
A large crowd had gathered on a flat piece of land.
Some were there to see off their Juniors, while others were simply there to watch the excitement.
Among them, the Tian Family had the grandest display!
The Peng and Shi Families were not present this year as they had no Family members selected.
Only Chen Zheng stood alone in a corner, with no one to see him off and no one coming to greet him, looking somewhat desolate.
Although he was first in the Autumn Hunt, he had offended the Tian Family, so no one dared to get too close to him.
On the other side, Tian Yilin and Zhu Hai were surrounded by people. Compared to Chen Zheng's side, it was like two different worlds.
Seeing this, Tian Yilin felt a surge of satisfaction in his heart!
"What if he was first in the Autumn Hunt! He's still a useless piece of trash, hated by both humans and ghosts!"
He really wanted to go forward and mock him, but remembering Tian Jingyi's parting instructions, he ultimately held back.
Feeling the gazes of pity or schadenfreude, Chen Zheng's heart was as still as water. With no one disturbing him, he was happy to enjoy the peace.
Xu Hanliang had reverted to his indifferent demeanor and didn't deliberately go over to show concern for Chen Zheng.
Suddenly!
A powerful pressure swept over, and everyone couldn't help but look up.
"It's the flying boat!"
"It's time to depart!"
"When I go to the Imperial Capital, I must make a name for myself!"
Above the sky, a majestic flying ship slowly descended, stirring up a storm. This was their mode of transport to the Imperial Capital.
Beside the flying boat, two burly giant boatmen appeared. They slowly lowered a long ladder, reaching the ground.
"Let's go!"
Xu Hanliang was the first to walk towards the ladder. The Yan City Prodigies also bid farewell to their families, following behind Xu Hanliang with excited faces, their eyes full of anticipation.
Chen Zheng, neither contending nor rushing, was the last.
Just as Chen Zheng stepped onto the flying boat for the last time, faint shouts came from the ground.
"Young Marquis! Take care!"
At first, the sound was very soft, but as more and more voices converged, Chen Zheng heard it clearly.
"Young Marquis, if you can't stay in the Imperial Capital, come back! With us around, you won't starve!"
"Young Marquis, be careful! Don't push yourself too hard again!"
Chen Zheng looked back. Those shouting were ordinary people from Yan City who had come to watch the excitement. Their sincere faces were filled with worry.
This was the only thing they could do for Chen Zheng.
Chen Zheng smiled and waved his hand.
"Everyone, take care!"
Boom!
Accompanied by a roar, a terrifying air pressure impacted the ground. The flying ship soared into the sky, passing above the clouds.
But even with such a violent impact, the flying boat remained very stable.
"Gather!"
Xu Hanliang clapped his hands, gathering everyone.
"Listen up! At the speed of the Flying Fish, it will take at least three days to reach the Imperial Capital! I hope you don't slack off!"
After a subtle hint, Xu Hanliang began to explain the rules on the ship.
"The second floor is your accommodation! There are single rooms and shared rooms. As for how you arrange yourselves, you decide!"
"Also, besides us from Yan City, there are also Prodigies from three other Great Cities on the flying boat. Try not to get into conflicts with them, and even if you do, don't cause any deaths!"
"And don't think that just because you passed the Autumn Hunt, you can rest easy. Please remember one thing: Xuanlin Academy does not want trash!"
As Xu Hanliang spoke, a group of young people emerged from the entrance of the flying boat's cabin, most with arrogant expressions. They stood in small groups at the edge of the deck, pointing and gesticulating at the Yan City Prodigies.
"These are this year's top twenty from Yan City? They look pretty weak!"
"Of the thirty-six cities, Yan City is the most remote and smallest, so naturally, it can't produce any Geniuses!"
"It's not that it can't produce Geniuses! A small city has successively produced Marquis Chiye and Marquis Wuji, two pillars of the nation. It's probably exhausted all of the city's martial luck!"
"That's true. I heard from my senior brother at Xuanlin Academy that in recent years, the quality of Prodigies sent from Yan City to Xuanlin Academy has been getting worse and worse. Except for a few figures from the Tian Family, the others are basically at the bottom!"
Waves of discussion came, making the faces of the Yan City Prodigies turn pale with anger.
Who wouldn't feel uncomfortable being pointed at and called "weak" repeatedly, even if it was the truth?
Not to mention, they were the strongest Prodigies in their city, and each had their own pride!
"Am I seeing things? There's even a Houtian Realm seventh-level person among them? In our Mang City, if you're not Houtian Realm eighth-level, you don't even qualify to participate in the Autumn Hunt!"
A Prodigy from Mang City pointed at the Yan City Prodigy with the lowest cultivation among the crowd, his face exaggeratedly surprised, his voice loud as if afraid others wouldn't hear.
Beside him, a companion cooperatively mocked, "You're wrong. Yan City is so small, it's already good if they can gather twenty people. I heard that Houtian eighth-level already qualifies for a waiver! If we used the standards of a Great City like ours to screen them, the number would probably be cut by two-thirds!"
"What do you mean?" The Yan City Prodigy who was mocked flushed, his anger soaring.
How could he tolerate being singled out and mocked?
"Oh! You're not convinced?" The Mang City Prodigy who first mocked him showed a playful expression: "What? Want to spar with me?"
The Yan City Prodigy ignited instantly: "You think I'm afraid of you?"
At this moment.
Xu Hanliang, who had finished stating the precautions, showed no intention of stopping them and simply turned and left.
Some quick-witted individuals already realized something and their hearts sank.
These three days of travel would likely not be peaceful!
"Then come on! My name is Jiang Qin, remember my name!" The Mang City Prodigy stepped forward, a disdainful smile on his face, approaching the Yan City Prodigy.
"I am..."
"I'm not interested in the name of a piece of trash!"
The Yan City Prodigy was about to introduce himself but was interrupted by Jiang Qin.
"You!"
The Yan City Prodigy was furious and was about to make a move, but Jiang Qin was a step ahead, charging like a wild bull!
The Yan City Prodigy only felt a blur before his eyes and had no time to dodge. He spat blood and flew backward, falling several meters away.
"Newcomers! A reminder for you! Killing is not allowed on the flying boat, but it doesn't say you can't cripple someone!"
Jiang Qin's smile was sinister as he walked step by step towards the Yan City Prodigy.
"No! I lost! I surrender!"
The Yan City Prodigy was greatly alarmed. He had barely managed to pass the assessment; how could he be crippled here!
Jiang Qin sneered, his steps unwavering.
"Enough!"
A figure blocked Jiang Qin's path.