The capital had been unusually bustling these past few days!

From court nobles to street vendors and porters, everyone was abuzz about the northwestern military campaign!

“With the Grand Marshal leading, victory is assured!”

“This war will surely bring those Dafeng brats to their knees, begging for mercy!”

“Hahaha, let’s march straight into Dafeng’s capital! I hear their Eldest Princess is a stunning beauty—Dafeng’s fairest!”

…

Fervor gripped the entire capital. With the Lamplighters’ covert efforts, confidence in this war ran high among all.

Thus, the people’s spirit was primed!

Yet some high-ranking figures remained far from optimistic, their faces clouded with concern. The world had no shortage of sharp minds, and the higher one’s station, the more one knew—enough to realize this war carried risks.

A single misstep could collapse the northwest’s stability!

Amid this tension, Shen Xueyan’s restaurant—after a month of preparation—was set to open.

Xia Chen placed great importance on this venture. The economic foundation underpins the superstructure.

No matter the endeavor, it required financial backing.

He needed wealth—which was precisely why he’d brought Shen Xueyan into the fold.

“I’ve invited the court’s nobles—everyone above Vice Minister rank—in the Young Master’s name. Invitations were also sent to the Crown Prince, the Third Prince, Princess Pingyang, and Princess Yaoguang!”

Xia Qian reported with clasped fists behind Xia Chen.

Xia Chen set down his teacup after listening. The tea within was crystal-clear, its fragrance wafting through the air.

“Well done! Request a leave of absence for me the day after tomorrow—I’ll attend the opening in person!”

Xia Chen was in high spirits today. He placed immense weight on the opening, aiming to make it an instant sensation—his restaurant would resound across Dawu, becoming the capital’s premier establishment!

He had no intention of hiding his involvement. Too many in the capital had far-reaching influence—concealment was futile. Better to put it in the open, letting all know it was his enterprise, deterring any blind fools from meddling.

“Division Head, isn’t the fanfare for this opening a bit grand? Inviting not just the Senior Officials but also the Crown Prince, Third Prince, Princess Pingyang, and others—will they even show up?”

“They might not come in person, but they’ll likely send family members. That’s enough. As for the Crown Prince and Third Prince attending, that’s their choice—I’ve done my part by inviting them!”

Xia Chen shrugged it off. He’d cast a wide net—if even one or two showed, he’d profit.

“How’s your cultivation progress lately?”

Xia Chen turned to ask. Xia Qian’s face lit up with excitement.

“Young Master, that pill you gave me is miraculous! Lately, I’ve been taking the Body Tempering Pills and practicing the Shouyang Demon-Slaying Blade technique you taught me. My bones, flesh, and blood are tempering at an incredible pace. I only broke through to the Eighth-Rank Realm recently, but I feel I could reach the Seventh-Rank Realm in another month!”

Xia Qian grew more animated as he spoke. This past month had broadened his horizons—those pills from the Young Master were extraordinary.

Originally, reaching the Seventh-Rank Realm would’ve taken him at least a year, even at his fastest.

“Here’s a pill for you—take it when you have time!”

Xia Chen pulled a jade box from his robes, revealing a glossy cyan pill inside.

“Young Master, what’s this one?”

Xia Qian’s curiosity flared—he had a hunch this pill was no ordinary thing either.

“A Lesser Restoration Pill—it’ll save you three months of hard training!”

Xia Chen said calmly.

“Three months of hard training?” Xia Qian was floored by Xia Chen’s words. Such a wondrous pill existed?

“With this, you should break into the Seventh-Rank Realm within a couple of days. Off you go!”

Xia Chen smiled. A sixteen-year-old at the Seventh-Rank Realm would rank among the capital’s geniuses!

For Xia Qian, Xia Chen spared no expense or effort. They’d grown up together, shared the same clan blood—however distant—and that bond set him apart from others.

Xia Chen planned to redeem a Marrow Cleansing Pill later, once he had enough Contention Shards, to reforge Xia Qian’s foundation and transform his fate entirely.

This past month, everyone under Xia Chen had advanced rapidly—especially Zhang Wenliao.

Xia Chen had chosen a refined technique for him, and with Body Tempering Pills and Xia Wen’s hands-on guidance, he’d broken through to the Eighth-Rank Realm just days ago.

…

June 1st!

An auspicious day!

Shen Xueyan’s restaurant sat along Changle Street, adjacent to Central Avenue.

This bustling artery in the inner city was a commercial hub, teeming with thriving eateries—a prime spot for the capital’s elite to shop and stroll.

Today, the street buzzed with activity from dawn.

“What’s happening today? Such a spectacle—the street’s been scrubbed clean! All that’s missing is a red carpet!”

“Am I imagining it, or does the air here smell sweeter?”

“It’s no illusion—an Eighth-Rank sorcerer was hired earlier to purify the street’s air!”

…

From the entrance of Changle Street,servants in green swept the area, tidying every inch of the road. Street vendors weren’t evicted but forbidden from cluttering the path, while Lamplighters patrolled in full gear.

Small merchants with fixed stalls arrived, stunned by the grand preparations.

“You know that restaurant under renovation in the heart of Changle Street?”

A nearby vendor whispered.

“Of course—the oddly designed Heavenly Residence! What a bold name!”

“That’s the one—it’s opening today!”

The fruit seller glanced around, then leaned closer to the tea stall owner, whispering.

“An opening with this much pomp?”

The tea stall owner was floored. Cleaning from the street’s start—this was beyond lavish!

“The Heavenly Residence has a big shot behind it. I hear they’ve invited a slew of major figures today!”

The fruit seller puffed up with a “shocked yet? I’ve got the inside scoop” air as he spoke.

He knew this because his nephew had been lucky enough to land a job as a waiter at the Heavenly Residence.

“Let me tell you, though it was built in just a month, the project was massive—practically a rebuild.

It’s called a building, but it’s more like a small tower—seven stories high! Word is, each floor caters to a different rank of clientele.

No matter how rich a commoner is, the second floor’s their limit. The five floors above? Only true nobles and dignitaries can ascend!”

The fruit seller spilled insider details, his expression wistful—wondering what mysteries lay beyond the second floor and who qualified for the seventh!

“A restaurant with all this flair? What, if someone wants to dine above the second floor, they’ll get turned away?”

The tea stall owner gaped in disbelief.

“Old Zhang, think bigger! It’s not just about eating—it’s about prestige! Among nobles, if I can reach the fourth floor while you’re stuck on the third, I’ve got more status, more face—get it? Hush, quiet now—look at that carriage! A big shot’s here!”

The fruit seller—Old Li—kept his eyes peeled as he spoke. Mid-sentence, he spotted a luxurious carriage rolling slowly down the street!