Chapter 24: Obtaining the Chongming Flower

Not long after, a stunning beauty dressed in purple silk approached them with a graceful gait. When she caught sight of Qin Tian, her beautiful eyes widened in surprise, for his appearance was truly extraordinary. Her eyes lit up again when she looked at An Miaoling; at the very least, she had never seen anyone more beautiful than the woman standing before her.

"Greetings, I am Situ Jing, the manager of this shop. Our business is a chain that spans across the Nine Provinces, so you may purchase with complete confidence."

Qin Tian nodded, surprised to find this was a cross-regional merchant house. "Just bring out the best women's clothing you have here for me to see."

"Very well, please follow me to the fifth floor."

Situ Jing led them to a large room on the fifth floor, where guards stood at the entrance. After she exchanged a few words with the guards, they unlocked the door. The three of them stepped inside, and Qin Tian noticed that the room contained not only clothing but also weapons, magical treasures, and medicinal pills, all protected by intricate mechanisms and formations.

Situ Jing deactivated one of the formations, revealing three gorgeous and exquisite dresses. "These three are our shop's treasures: the Moon-Pleated Dress, the Star-Moon Glazed Dress, and the Phoenix-鸾 Feather Garment."

Qin Tian was immediately drawn to the Phoenix-鸾 Feather Garment. Situ Jing explained from the side, "This is a Heaven-grade mid-tier magic robe made from the feathers of a Phoenix-鸾 bird and five-thousand-year-old ice cicada silk." She went on to list a multitude of its functions, but before she could finish, Qin Tian cut her off, saying, "I'll take this one." He felt it would suit An Miaoling perfectly. An Miaoling, who had been staring at the garment since it was revealed, never looked away.

A smile appeared on Situ Jing's face; she knew she had encountered a wealthy patron. "For magic robes of this level, our shop operates on a barter basis. If you are using weapons or treasures, it depends on their quality. If you are using medicinal pills, it requires three pills of the same rank." She looked at Qin Tian as she spoke, skeptical that such a young man could produce Heaven-grade pills.

"No problem. I also want that Star-Moon Glazed Dress."

In the end, Qin Tian paid with six Heaven-grade mid-tier pills and a handful of Earth-grade pills before taking his leave. Once outside, he handed the undergarments and the Phoenix-鸾 Feather Garment to An Miaoling and said, "Wear them for me when we get home."

"No!" An Miaoling replied, her face blushing crimson.

On the road, Qin Tian sent a telepathic message to Ming Yilian. Consequently, by the time they reached the imperial city gates, Ming Yilian was there to meet them. She was dressed in a magnificent court princess gown, exuding an air of elegance. Seeing Qin Tian, she gave a sweet smile.

"Welcome to the imperial city, Master."

"I have spoken to my father about the Chongming Flower, but he wishes to meet you in person."

"Then let's go," Qin Tian replied.

They hadn't been inside the palace long when a man in a python-patterned robe blocked their path. "Are you going to see Father?" the man asked, his tone arrogant.

Qin Tian felt a flash of annoyance. "Who is this? He has a face that really begs for a beating."

Ming Yilian’s expression turned solemn. "This is my brother, the Second Prince of the Chongming Kingdom. He was born to the Emperor's favorite, Consort Xiao, and his uncle is the Great General of the kingdom. Because he is so doted upon, he has grown up to be this arrogant and overbearing. He acts recklessly, oppresses the commoners, and frequently targets me." Ming Yilian sounded like she was complaining to a parent.

"So this is the one competing with you for the throne? Wait here for a moment."

Qin Tian strode up to the Second Prince and stared at him coldly. The prince’s expression didn't change as he said haughtily, "Who are you to be so rude?"

"I think you're the one being rude." With that, Qin Tian slapped him across the face. *Smack!* The Second Prince was sent stumbling backward by the force of the blow. When he regained his senses, he exploded, "Who the hell are you to hit me?!"

Qin Tian stepped forward and slapped him again. "I hit you, so what?"

Ming Yilian was shocked; she hadn't expected Qin Tian to be so direct. The Second Prince was stunned, cradling his swollen cheek as he asked, aggrieved, "Who are you? Why are you hitting me?" He sensed a terrifyingly powerful aura radiating from Qin Tian, which filled him with dread.

Qin Tian shook out his arm and continued to slap him.

An Miaoling remarked, "Your brother is likely used to running wild in the imperial city. This time, he’s met someone even more arrogant than himself. He’s probably still trying to figure out who would dare strike him in the palace."

Ming Yilian nodded in agreement. If he hadn't been completely dazed, he would have started calling for the guards long ago.

After Qin Tian delivered seven or eight more slaps, he finally stopped. The Second Prince was utterly bewildered, stammering, "Who... who exactly are you?"

Qin Tian smiled. "I am your grandfather."

*Grandfather?* The Second Prince fell into deep thought. *I’ve met my third and second grandfathers... could he be the eldest grandfather who has always been in seclusion?*

"You... are you my eldest grandfather?"

Qin Tian landed another slap. "Get lost! I don't have a grandson as stupid as you."

Terrified, the Second Prince quickly stammered, "G-grandson takes his leave," before fleeing the scene.

Qin Tian turned back and said, "Isn't your brother a bit of a fool?"

Ming Yilian nodded slightly. "Sometimes, yes. He was spoiled from a young age and has never suffered a loss, so his way of thinking is a bit warped."

Qin Tian shook his head, puzzled. "A person like that is qualified to inherit the throne?" Ming Yilian could only offer a helpless sigh.

The group continued to the main palace hall. A man in a dragon robe stood up and looked at them. Ming Yilian introduced Qin Tian and An Miaoling. Upon hearing who they were, the Emperor smiled warmly. "Welcome to you both." He then invited them to sit with great hospitality. While he didn't know much about Qin Tian, An Miaoling was currently considered the strongest person beneath the Saint Realm. Furthermore, the Kunlun Sword Sect possessed two experts in the Saint Realm, one of whom—or rather, one of whose spiritual manifestations—had slain a Golden Dragon Demon Saint.

After they were seated, the Emperor put on a troubled expression. "I understand your purpose here, but the Chongming Flower is our national flower. According to tradition, only the new Emperor may consume it."

Qin Tian could hear the subtext: he was looking for a bribe. Qin Tian pulled out the *Great Brightness Immeasurable Scripture* and tossed it to the Emperor. "Take this in exchange." He had removed the cultivation techniques beyond the Emperor Realm, leaving only the path up to the third level of the Saint Realm, so as to maintain Ming Yilian’s advantage.

Even though it only reached the third level of the Saint Realm, the Emperor’s astonishment upon seeing it was no less than Ming Yilian’s had been. He was currently at the second level of the Semi-Saint Realm and had long since lost hope of breaking through, but this scripture gave him new hope.

"If you don't want to trade, give it back," Qin Tian prompted.

The Emperor quickly clutched the scripture and apologized with a smile. "No, I’ll trade, I’ll trade."

Fearing that Qin Tian might change his mind, the Emperor rushed to retrieve the Chongming Flower. Located in a forbidden area of the palace, the flower was pure white and imbued with an incredibly potent life force. Qin Tian took out a jade box, placed the flower inside, and said, "I’ve met your son, and I think there’s something wrong with his brain, so I don't suggest you pass the throne to him. I want you to pass it to my disciple, Ming Yilian. That is the will of Kunlun."

An Miaoling nodded in agreement from the side.