Chapter 257 — Return to the Imperial Capital

Generally speaking, any creature that could break through to totem-tier was incomparably proud and lofty. With their strength, they could well establish their own divine kingdom and gather faith for themselves. It was actually very rare for multiple totems to gather within a single faction.

Take the eleven great totem domains surrounding the ancient nation of Donghuang—such as the Heavenly Fox Nation and the Divine Tree Nation. Each had only a single totem commanding everything; they were not remotely in the same league as a super-faction like Shenyuan City, where a Totem King commanded numerous totems.

"Wait!!!"

"Did you just say the Ice Dragon will go with you to Fuguang City?" Feng Jin suddenly froze.

"That's right."

"...This." Suddenly, Feng Jin's expression grew ever more expectant.

"Good heavens, now things are getting interesting."

"If the Ice Dragon is going to join Wangjiang City and you travel alongside it, then the intangible benefits are probably considerable."

The Dragon Palace Banquet was a grand gathering held once every five years by the royal clan of Qixia City, inviting the human race and all factions under Shenyuan City's command to attend.

Among them, the human delegations basically went hoping to earn the recognition of high-race pets. But after so many years of cooperation, the extraordinary beings of Shenyuan City were no fools—they would select the most outstanding humans to entrust their offspring to.

When the time came, Shi Jin would certainly not be the only human young talent visiting Shenyuan City; there would be a whole crowd going along with Shi Shuo.

These people were the competitors.

In short, if one wanted a sovereign's cub, one had to demonstrate one's abilities.

While others did their utmost to display their talent, strength, and potential to win the recognition of Shenyuan City's various sovereign factions, presenting congratulatory gifts for the banquet to show their wealth and sincerity, Shi Jin simply called out the Ice Dragon Totem and called it mother, then sent Dragon Mother off to Wangjiang City. How could that wave compare to any talent, potential, or sincerity?

Out in the world, nothing beats having a good background...

The Ice Dragon Totem, plus the token of friendship from the Sea Dragon King...

Normally, each Dragon Palace Banquet was presided over by only one totem. But this time, with a new totem joining, it would likely draw out a whole host of totems—even the Dragon God—and elevate the atmosphere of this Dragon Palace Banquet to its peak. By then, as long as Shi Yan and the Ice Dragon grew a bit closer and he exchanged a few words with the Sea Dragon King, those sovereign heirs would be his to pick at will.

Who knew—it might even be a Totem Son, sent to curry favor with the Ice Dragon Totem!

After all, the resources of the Dragon God Ruins were inexhaustible, and the dragon-type totems were the only beings capable of continuously drawing resources out of them. As members of a vast community of shared interests, it was only natural for them to maintain friendships and exchange resources. The addition of dragon-type totems would not diminish Chenyuan City's resources but increase them—and that was precisely the reason Qixia City had endured so long and gathered so many totems.

"Looks like the new hegemonic race is a sure thing—and one I can pick at will, no less," Feng Jin mused.

Sure enough, no talent of one's own could beat latching onto two thick, sturdy thighs.

"I was thinking the same thing," Shi Zhao said quietly.

The Ice Dragon would join Tingxue City; Chitong was as close to it as mother and daughter, and Chitong was as close to him as father and daughter. Round it all off, and he too was a member of Qixia City—so surely Chenyuan City wouldn't treat him shabbily!

Feng Jin and Shi Jin—one already through the first round, the other still striving to enter it—these two kept-up beast tamers struck up a discussion, leaving everyone around them speechless...

Aren't you two off topic? Weren't we supposed to be discussing the Iron-Eating Beast?

...

Two days later, the Imperial Capital.

After briefly returning to Pingcheng, Shi Jin used some Time Essence to teach the metal-attribute cultivation method to Sister Xiong Qi. She also made a tentative attempt at massaging Shiyi, but just as Chong Xuan had said, it was painstaking work—within a short span of Time Essence, the effect would certainly not be achieved.

Beyond that, the Ice Dragon was still plundering the last of the Ice River Totem's power. Finding nothing else to do, Shi Jin promptly slipped out of Pingcheng and came once more to the Imperial Capital.

Imperial Capital University, the Temple of Prophecy.

Outside hung another sign: "Closed Today. Do Not Disturb. At Your Own Risk."

The Prophetic Owl had again vanished to who knew where...

When Shi Jin arrived and saw the desolate surroundings, he fell somewhat silent. Fortunately, the Gem Cat that had come along with him seemed as familiar with the place as President Ye Hui had been before.

BOOM!!!

The Gem Cat hurled a direct blast of psychic force, blowing the Prophetic Owl—secluded in the temple and fast asleep—clean out of the building!

"Ah! Which bastard—oh, it's you, you rotten cat."

After flying out, the Owl simply stared blankly at Shi Yan and the Gem Cat, unable to fathom why this pair had suddenly come to visit.

"Good afternoon, Lord Owl. Last time, didn't we say we'd come to enter the Ruins of Time so the Ginseng Baby could use the power of Time Essence to mutate and evolve..."

"Well, here we are." Shi Yan smiled and pointed at the Ginseng Baby poking its head out of his pocket.

"Eek!!!" The Ginseng Baby was beside itself with excitement.

"Hmm..." The Owl ruminated. So they were serious.

An unreliable evolution method like this—yes, it was just the sort of thing an unreliable person like Shi Tan would dream up.

"Long time no see!! Last time you tricked me, so this time do me a free prophecy—just predict what that Jiaqi will evolve into. Not too much to ask, is it?" The Gem Cat wanted a spoiler in advance and fixed its gaze hard on the Prophetic Owl.

The Owl, in its witchy voice, looked thoroughly miserable. Why did everyone want to freeload off it?

"Fine, fine, one free reading. But to enter the Ruins of Time, you'll have to inform little Leaf..."

With that, it entered its prophetic state and began a prophecy of the Ginseng Baby's evolution. Moments later, amid the white mist, the Prophetic Owl saw a figure resembling the Ginseng Baby.

Then it silently opened its eyes and looked at the eagerly expectant Ginseng Baby.

By now, the Ginseng Baby had actually come to acknowledge the Owl. Having witnessed the matters of the Undying Dark Phoenix and the Meteor Ox, it figured the Owl's prophecies were, if not 100 percent, at least 80 percent accurate. This Jiaqi might just be able to foresee what it would evolve into!

However...

"My condolences—it seems your mutation failed??? You don't look much different..." the Owl said regretfully. See, it had said evolving here was unreliable...

Ginseng Baby, Shi Jin: ??? Gem Cat: "Don't panic. It's in the bag."

"Eek!!!??" The Ginseng Emperor was furious. Did you even do a proper prophecy?! Why is it that only this time, it has nothing to do with totems!