EBE Chapter 320 Royal City Celestial Master Pavilion
Chapter 320 Royal City Celestial Master Pavilion
Ning Xiaoxi did not stop, and the two walked past each other.
"Brother Ding, who is that woman?" The men who were following Ding You had only arrived about a month ago. The group he originally led had been dispersed and reassigned, and some of them had even been recruited into the army. Of the officers who had participated in the escort, all but him had been transferred away from their original posts.
Ding You looked at the young man who had asked him the question, his sincere face momentarily stiffening under the young man's gaze. "She's just a girl I've met before, not very familiar with her." At that moment, he knew that it would be best not to greet Ning Xiaoxi again if he saw her in the future.
Ning Xiaoxi's face showed no change, but Sui Lanting could tell she was unhappy. "Xiaoxi, do you know that taxi driver?"
“When we were first exiled, he was a porter on the journey to Zhongzhou.” Ning Xiaoxi didn’t hide anything from Sui Lanting. “I was very grateful for his help back then. I never expected to run into him again so soon after I got back. It really is fate.”
Sui Lanting nodded, "It's rare to find an upright person among the constables, but it's a pity that he's on the official career path."
"Yes, if we could join the Celestial Master Pavilion, we could repay some favors. If we're not on the same path, it's just a pity."
Su Yu leaned closer and said, "I heard that the yamen runners have recently undergone a major reshuffle. Only one-tenth of the original runners are still around. The fact that this person is still here shows that he is quite capable."
"A major overhaul? Why?"
Su Yu lowered his voice, "It's said to be the work of the Third Prince."
Ning Xiaoxi nodded, no longer pursuing the topic, "When will the adults be back?"
Sui Lanting and Ning Xiaoxi walked side by side. "The Ten Thousand Mountains have been cleared twice more. The news came back the day before yesterday that the master is already on his way back."
The main building of the Celestial Master Pavilion was built in the southeast corner of the royal city, connecting the city walls on the south and north sides for ten miles each, forming an independent autonomous region.
Although it lacks the moat surrounding the palace, the Celestial Master Pavilion has no defensive mechanisms whatsoever. It is simply a five-courtyard complex. As soon as Ning Xiaoxi stepped onto the street directly facing the gate of the Celestial Master Pavilion, she turned on her live stream and looked down over the entire courtyard.
As the view unfolds from above, it reveals a classical five-courtyard complex, resembling a meticulously crafted winter scene within the cold and solemn royal city.
The courtyard is nestled among a cluster of trees, where the lingering white snow from yesterday still clings to the rolling forest, resembling a winding jade dragon gently guarding the courtyard. This dedication to creating a wilderness paradise even within the confines of the city truly reflects the architects' unwavering commitment. This undisguised dedication is evident both within the royal city and in the various branch pavilions.
The outline of the courtyard was even clearer under the white snow, its five courtyards layered upon each other, orderly and grand. The square at the front was covered with snow, smooth as a mirror, and the crisscrossing stone paths, reflected in the snow, resembled lines on a chessboard. At this moment, it appeared somewhat empty and desolate.
The tall archways on both sides, their eaves piled high with snow, gleamed with a cool light in the sunlight, their former glory seemingly appearing and disappearing in the snowy shadows.
Upon entering the courtyard, the tree branches, bent low by the weight of snow, resembled blooming white coral, with occasional glimpses of green adding a touch of life to this silvery-white world. The main hall had eight rooms, with five rooms on each side, exuding a majestic and imposing presence, its solemnity carrying an awe-inspiring righteousness.
The second section of the lake, now a vast expanse of emerald water, had transformed into a giant ice mirror, reflecting the cool, clear light of the sky. A thin layer of snow covered the ice, like a soft veil draped over the mirror. On the east side of the lake stood a three-story pavilion, its plaque reading "Zai Dao Ge" (meaning "Pavilion of the Way") hanging dignifiedly, without a hint of ostentation. Opposite was a two-story building, quite elegant, but without a plaque, its purpose unknown.
The two courtyards were quite beautiful, but there wasn't a soul in sight. It was past noon, yet the pavilion was eerily quiet.
The third courtyard leads to a garden. Although the flowers are gone, the withered branches, adorned with snow, form unique patterns. The artificial rockery is also capped with snow, blending seamlessly with the surrounding snowscape, resembling a freehand ink painting. Hidden within the garden are five courtyards, each with its own independent entrance. Finally, here we see the guardian deities, each fulfilling their duties.
In the center of the four courtyards stands an octagonal pavilion. Its vermilion pillars and golden glazed tiles, enveloped in white snow, appear even more vibrant. Beside the pavilion, the artificial hill's waterfall has frozen into an icefall, resembling a solidified white ribbon cascading from its summit into a snow-covered pool. To the left and right are two separate two-courtyard complexes, dignified and solemn, exuding a grand and imposing presence.
The five-courtyard complex contains two rows of ten rooms. Soaring high into the clouds, the snow on the eaves and brackets is thick and neatly arranged, and the carved beams and painted rafters appear even more ancient under the snow's glow. The pavilions echo the snow-capped mountains outside the city walls, together creating a magnificent yet tranquil and beautiful winter scene, making one marvel at how the ancients could construct such a breathtaking architectural masterpiece in this icy and snowy landscape.
Turning their gaze away, the group arrived at the main entrance. Compared to the exquisite and grand interior, this gate was much more understated, a standard entrance with the side door on the left open.
As they stepped onto the steps in front of the door, a Taoist master appeared out of nowhere, carrying a notebook and a pen. Su Yu went up to talk to him and saw him scribbling notes in the notebook.
Soon after, the person finished recording and disappeared; they truly vanished from the spot.
Ning Xiaoxi stared wide-eyed.
Sui Lanting laughed, "It's just that a teleportation array is engraved on the ground. Because people are so skilled at using it, they hardly use any spiritual power, so there's no trace of it. Don't be so surprised!"
Ning Xiaoxi sighed at her own ignorance; it seemed that these celestial masters still had many tips and tricks that she could learn from.
"Sister Sui, is the Lingyuan Dao Academy also located in the pavilion?"
"No, it's outside the city. We Celestial Masters are different from ordinary students. We need to do a lot of practice. The royal city is a sensitive place and not suitable for performing magic."
"May I go take a look?"
"Of course, at your age, studying at the Dao Academy is the right path. Just wait a few days and see how the adults arrange things when they return." Although Sui Lanting said this, she felt that Ning Xiaoxi wouldn't actually be arranged to study at the Dao Academy. She had already realized that she couldn't fathom Ning Xiaoxi's abilities anymore. Although her probing during the Western Trial was also inaccurate, it was still better than not being able to probe at all now.
After entering the gate, they arrived at the square. Sui Lanting led Ning Xiaoxi toward the east wing, while Su Yu and the others left after entering and did not follow.
Just as Ning Xiaoxi followed Sui Lanting up the steps in front of the east wing, a sharp killing intent rushed straight towards Ning Xiaoxi's face.