The Heavenly Dragon's Beginning in the Journey Through the Heavens

Ling Feng traveled at a leisurely pace, stopping frequently along the way, and it took him three full days to finally arrive at the capital of Dali.

Dali was originally a small border country, and it is mainly inhabited by ethnic minorities, with the Bai people being the dominant group.

Upon entering the capital city of Dali, Ling Feng immediately felt as if he were a unique being, like a crane standing among a flock of chicks.

Since most of the residents here are ethnic minorities, their clothing styles differ significantly from those of the Han Chinese.

Ling Feng looked exceptionally handsome in his snow-white Hanfu.

However, this attire seemed out of place and quite jarring in this setting.

Fortunately, under the rule of the Duan family, the people of Dali lived a relatively peaceful and prosperous life.

Therefore, although the people around him were somewhat surprised by his attire, they did not take any drastic action.

Otherwise, Ling Feng would probably be treated as a spy.

Although Dali is just a small border country, its imperial city is still quite grand in scale.

After many inquiries and investigations, Ling Feng finally found Duan Zhengchun's mansion.

Not long after the servants went in to announce his arrival, Duan Zhengchun and Duan Yu came out of the mansion together to greet Ling Feng.

Ling Feng had helped Duan Yu out of trouble many times, which they considered a life-saving favor, hence their enthusiastic attitude.

Duan Zhengchun smiled and cupped his hands in greeting to Ling Feng, saying:

"It's wonderful that Young Master Ling has arrived as promised! We apologize for not being able to welcome you from afar."

Their sudden enthusiasm caught Ling Feng off guard, so he quickly returned the greeting:

"Your Highness is too kind. My visit was abrupt, and I hope Your Highness will not take offense."

Duan Zhengchun smiled and said:

"How could that be? It's our honor that Young Master Ling could come."

Ling Feng smiled modestly:

"You flatter me, Prince Duan."

Then, Ling Feng turned to Duan Yu, cupped his hands in greeting, and said:

"Your Highness, it's been a long time."

Duan Yu quickly returned the greeting:

"Brother Ling, how have you been?"

After exchanging a few pleasantries at the entrance, Duan Zhengchun invited Ling Feng into the Prince's residence.

Ling Feng readily accepted and followed them through the gates of the Prince's Mansion.

Although Dali is a small border country, its royal palace is magnificent and imposing.

Moreover, it is only separated from the Dali Royal Palace by a wall, which shows that the relationship between the Dali royal family members is relatively harmonious.

When Ling Feng stepped into the palace, they were awestruck by the magnificent sight before them.

The palace boasts a unique architectural style, blending elements from the Central Plains and the Western Regions, showcasing a distinctive aesthetic.

The palace's interior is ornately decorated and resplendent, showcasing the royal family's prestigious status.

After the group arrived at the main hall of the Prince's mansion and took their seats as host and guests, Duan Zhengchun thanked them again:

"Young hero, you helped Yu'er escape danger twice before, and last time you even saved my royal family from a major crisis. I haven't had a chance to thank you yet. I wonder if there's anything I can do to help you?"

Duan Zhengchun's voice was filled with gratitude. He knew that without Ling Feng's help, Duan Yu might have met with misfortune, and the last incident had almost plunged the Dali royal family into crisis.

"Haha, Your Highness, there's no need to worry. It was just a coincidence back then."

Ling Feng smiled and replied that he didn't think he had done anything remarkable.

For him, it was just something he did on a whim, and also to get rid of his karmic ties with Duan Yu.

However, Duan Zhengchun insisted on expressing his gratitude and said he was willing to provide Ling Feng with any assistance.

"Young hero, you are too kind. If it weren't for your timely intervention, Yu'er would probably have already met with misfortune. I will never forget your life-saving grace. If you need anything, please just tell me. As long as it is within my power, I will do my best to help."

Duan Zhengchun said sincerely, his eyes shining with gratitude.

Ling Feng smiled and shook his head:

"Your Highness need not worry, I really don't need anything for the time being."

Although Ling Feng said it wasn't a big deal, Duan Zhengchun didn't think so. After all, Ling Feng had genuinely saved Duan Yu twice. He then said:

"Young Master Ling, you don't need to be so polite. It may be a small favor for you, but for us, it is an immense kindness. If you ever need my help in the future, please feel free to ask."

Duan Zhengchun's words were sincere. Firstly, Ling Feng had saved Duan Yu from danger multiple times, and the favor he owed was indeed great.

Secondly, Ling Feng's strength at such a young age clearly indicates he has a powerful background, and he didn't want to miss the opportunity to befriend him.

Ling Feng waved his hand and replied firmly:

"I am simply traveling around the world, so I don't need any help."

Duan Zhengchun nodded, his goodwill towards Ling Feng growing even stronger. He looked at Ling Feng sincerely, his eyes filled with gratitude.

"In that case, if you ever need anything in the future, please let us know, and we will do our best to help you."

Since Ling Feng didn't have any immediate needs, Duan Zhengchun could only offer this promise. Then, feeling somewhat guilty, he added:

"Since you have come to Dali, young master, please stay a few more days so that we can show you some hospitality."

"Then I'll be sorry to bother you."

Ling Feng didn't mince words with this, after all, he had the same plan; he was even thinking of going to Tianlong Temple to watch the play.

Ling Feng then stayed at the Prince's Mansion, and Duan Yu took him to explore the area around the Dali Imperial City every day.

Besides Tianlong Temple and the Imperial Palace, they explored the entire Imperial City and its surrounding areas, and even visited the Taoist temple where his mother, Dao Baifeng, practiced her seclusion.

Ling Feng also met the princess of Dali, who was a beautiful young woman.

However, apart from Duan Yu, she was basically indifferent to everyone else.

Even Ling Feng, Duan Yu's savior, didn't receive a kind look from him.

Ling Feng didn't care much about this, since it wasn't really his concern.

If Duan Yu hadn't brought him here, he probably would never have had any interaction with this person.

Ling Feng had been staying at the Prince's mansion for four days. At noon today, Duan Yu originally planned to take Ling Feng out for another trip.

Just then, a guard from the palace brought news that forced them to abandon their sightseeing plans.

According to the message brought by the guards, news came from Tianlong Temple that they had received a visiting card from the Tibetan National Preceptor Kumārajīva.

He indicated that he would visit Tenryu-ji Temple tomorrow and discuss Buddhism with many of its eminent monks.

The sudden visit of Kumārajīva puzzled both Duan Zhengchun and Duan Yu.

They didn't know why this Tibetan national teacher had suddenly come to Dali, nor did they know the purpose of his visit.

Duan Zhengchun frowned and fell into deep thought.

After a while, he still couldn't come up with a solution.

So he decided to follow the guards to the palace to ask Kumārajīva the purpose of his visit.

After all, he had to figure out the other party's true intentions for coming.

At the same time, Ling Feng and his companion's planned trip had to be temporarily put on hold.

Not long after, Duan Zhengchun returned from the palace.

However, he brought back worrying news.

According to their speculation, the Tibetan national teacher ostensibly came to visit Tianlong Temple, but his real target might be the unparalleled martial art of the Dali royal family—the Six Meridians Divine Sword.

The Six Meridians Divine Sword is a unique martial art of the Dali royal family, created by Duan Siping, the founding emperor of Dali.

After many years, no one has been able to fully master it.

Nowadays, although some people still use this skill, they are basically only proficient in one aspect of it.

As a result, its power is naturally greatly reduced, only slightly better than the One Finger Divine Skill, and it cannot unleash the full power of the Six Meridians Divine Sword.

However, the most powerful aspect of this Six Meridian Divine Sword lies in the fact that all six meridians can be unleashed simultaneously, forming an unparalleled Six Meridian Sword Formation.

Once this sword formation is unleashed, even against higher-level opponents, victory can be easily achieved.

You must know, that Tibetan National Preceptor is no ordinary person! He is a martial artist at the Innate Realm, and his ultimate skill, the Flaming Blade, is an unparalleled and powerful technique.

According to their understanding, although there are many masters in Tianlong Temple, the most skilled among them are only a few senior monks of the Ben generation.

The highest level these eminent monks reached was only first-class, and they only knew one branch of the Six Meridians Divine Sword.

As for Master Kurong, the strongest martial artist in Tianlong Temple, he has not appeared in front of the world for more than ten years because he has been practicing the Kurong Skill in seclusion.

Therefore, many people believe that he may have already passed away.

While the royal family was anxious and uneasy, Tenryu-ji Temple was also in chaos.

After all, Master Kurong had only just broken through to the Innate Realm, and he had only learned two of the Six Meridians Divine Sword techniques.

However, Kumārajīva was a renowned innate expert, and they had no chance of winning against such a powerful opponent.

The only viable solution now is to combine everyone's strength and unleash the Six Meridians Divine Sword simultaneously to form a sword formation; perhaps then there is still a glimmer of hope for victory.

Although it is somewhat dishonorable to do so, Tianlong Temple can be said to represent the entire Dali Kingdom.

Therefore, even resorting to such dishonorable means was worthwhile in order to uphold the dignity and prestige of the Dali Kingdom.

Fortunately, just a few days ago, Duan Yanqing, one of the Four Evils, suddenly put aside his hatred and came to Tianlong Temple to become a monk.

If we can get him to learn one of the six meridians of the Divine Sword, then it might be possible to barely form the Six Meridians Sword Formation.