Unknowingly, the group had already flown five thousand miles.
Previously it had been daylight, but the moment they reached this point, night fell.
A bright moonlit night.
Only, it felt rather bleak and eerie.
Without pausing, Lin Xiao and the others pressed onward.
Led by the Ninth-layer Martial Emperor elder, they followed exactly the same route he had taken before and encountered no danger nor any notable discoveries. They flew tens of thousands of miles until two groups of people appeared in their line of sight ahead.
Each group consisted of six individuals hovering high in the sky, positioned several dozen zhang apart on either side, gazing far into the distance.
On the left stood a youth of about twenty-nine accompanied by five elders.
Even from behind, one elder appeared exceptionally aged. The invisible pressure radiating from him was terrifying, comparable to the Fifth Peak Master.
On the right were two youths, also around twenty-eight or twenty-nine years old, together with four elders.
Lin Xiao recognised the silhouette of one elder instantly. It was none other than Ji Min, the half-step Martial Saint elder of the Ji family.
At the sight of that figure, Lin Xiao’s brows furrowed deeply.
If Ji Min were here and recognised him, the man would surely strike.
Having identified Ji Min, it was obvious that the six people on the right belonged to the Ji family.
The group on the left had to be from the Sacred Heaven Sect.
What puzzled Lin Xiao, however, was why only these few people from both forces had stopped here.
At that moment, sensing the arrival of the large group, all twelve turned their heads and looked towards the Azure Dragon Sect contingent.
So the Azure Dragon Sect has sent the Fifth Peak Master to lead this time! Ji Min spoke to the Fifth Peak Master.
His gaze swept across the crowd. Not spotting Lin Xiao, a trace of disappointment flashed in his eyes.
Lin Xiao secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Ji Min had not recognised him.
Peak Master Fifth, long time no see! The white-browed, white-bearded, extremely aged elder from the Sacred Heaven Sect also greeted.
Elder Jiang Shu, Elder Ji Min. I did not expect both of you to be here already! the Fifth Peak Master replied coolly.
The geniuses the Azure Dragon Sect has brought this time are truly numerous! Ji Min remarked, his tone carrying hidden meaning as he scanned the crowd.
I imagine the Ji family has brought no small number of geniuses either? The Fifth Peak Master glanced at the two Ji family youths, his brows slightly creased.
Not that many! Ji Min gave a cold laugh.
We are now seven thousand miles from the ancient temple. Half-step Martial Saints can advance no further. Ninth-layer Martial Emperors can only proceed another two thousand miles. Peak Master Fifth, you may as well have your Ninth-layer Martial Emperors remain here and wait, Elder Jiang Shu suggested.
He too was a half-step Martial Saint. Although the two sects competed openly and secretly, their overall relationship was decent, at least far better than either had with the Ji family.
If the Ji family ever moved to annihilate one sect, the other would have no choice but to join forces against them.
Though such a scenario was unlikely, the Ji family’s overwhelming dominance nevertheless shaped the dynamics among the three powers.
Ji Min added indifferently, Our Ji family has already sent two teams to scout other locations. If the Azure Dragon Sect does not wish to put all its eggs in one basket, you might consider sending people to explore as well. Who knows, you may find even greater opportunities.
Our Sacred Heaven Sect has also dispatched two teams to investigate other areas, Elder Jiang Shu said.
Hearing their words, Lin Xiao finally understood why these people had halted here.
Half-step Martial Saints could only reach this point. Beyond it, restrictions prevented further advance.
Ninth-layer Martial Emperors could only go another two thousand miles, a distance that offered little advantage. It was better for them to stay near the half-step Martial Saints for protection.
Aside from the teams already sent elsewhere to seek opportunities, the rest from both forces must have continued towards the ancient temple.
What baffled Lin Xiao was why youths still remained among those stationed here.
Could the Sacred Heaven Sect youth and the two Ji family youths all be Ninth-layer Martial Emperors?
If so, that would be utterly terrifying.
Reaching the Ninth-layer Martial Emperor realm before age thirty?
The two elders make a fair point.
The Fifth Peak Master glanced at a Ninth-layer and an Eighth-layer Martial Emperor elder beside him and ordered, There is no need to leave so many people here. Elder Xu, Elder Lian, each of you take a team of about twenty and head to other locations to search for opportunities.
The two elders nodded and selected a balanced mix of stronger and weaker elders and disciples from the nine veins.
Among the second-tier geniuses, only Bi Zhuang and Zhuo Yifan remained. Kong Hongjun and one other were chosen to leave.
Those selected were somewhat reluctant. After all, a confirmed massive opportunity lay right before them, whereas the other locations were completely unexplored and required their own efforts to investigate.
Yet, as the Fifth Peak Master had said, for the Azure Dragon Sect as a whole, their presence here offered little additional value.
The main geniuses had stayed behind, accompanied by a large group of Eighth and Ninth-layer Martial Emperor elders. That was already sufficient for contending over opportunities.
Even if the others remained, they would not secure significantly more.
Sending them to scout elsewhere meant that if they discovered anything, they might claim opportunities for themselves, which would also benefit the sect’s future plans.
As a fallback, if something unexpected happened here, at least some people would survive to carry word back, preventing total annihilation.
In the end, each elder assembled a team of twenty and flew off in different directions.
All except the Ninth-layer Martial Emperors will proceed to the ancient temple with Elder Tai, the Fifth Peak Master commanded next.
An Eighth-layer Martial Emperor elder stepped forward and led the main group surging forward.
Lin Xiao was among them.
After flying a short distance, Lin Xiao could not help glancing back. He discovered that, apart from the Fifth Peak Master and three Ninth-layer Martial Emperor elders, Dugu Li from the Second Vein had also remained behind.
Was Dugu Li a Ninth-layer Martial Emperor?
Lin Xiao was shocked.
Did the Azure Dragon Sect’s first-tier geniuses actually include a Ninth-layer Martial Emperor?
That was simply too frightening.
At this point, Bi Zhuang had moved close to Lin Xiao and transmitted, Surprised about Yangzhou’s absolute top geniuses? Including Dugu Li, four Ninth-layer Martial Emperor geniuses have come this time.
Moreover, among the Eighth-layer Martial Emperors there are geniuses whose combat strength rivals Ninth-layer ones. Add in people from smaller forces, and the true experts who make it inside will be numerous.
Still, this is not like that ever-changing ancient city. Even if competition arises, the three major forces probably won’t engage in overly intense killing. High-rank Martial Emperors won’t fall that easily.
Bi Zhuang continued, Besides, even if the restrictions lift, Ninth-layer Martial Emperors and half-step Martial Saints may not be able to enter the ancient temple itself. We don’t need to worry too much about that.
Of course, you’d better not reveal your identity. Otherwise, both the Ji family and Sacred Heaven Sect will target you, and then things could get troublesome, Bi Zhuang warned again.
Lin Xiao frowned. He wanted to stay hidden, but there were simply too many experts here.
He could not use the Shaking Light Broken Sword, the Nether Heaven Demonic Pillar, demonic essence, thunder power, spiritual force, or spiritual energy. Any of those would instantly expose him.
That left only evil force, the Heaven-Sealing Stone Hand, the three Reverse Chaos forms, and similar techniques.
Without spiritual force enhancement, their power would be limited. Whether he could remain concealed was genuinely uncertain.
He would have to take it one step at a time.
At least Ninth-layer Martial Emperors and half-step Martial Saints could not enter. As long as he was not swarmed, even if exposed, he could protect himself against Eighth-layer Martial Emperors. There was no need for excessive worry.
Try to stay near Luo Qianqiu. She’s extremely strong. Though aloof, she will help fellow sect geniuses in danger. Who knows, you might even develop some feelings, Bi Zhuang added with a sly grin.
Lin Xiao was speechless.
Fellow sect genius? She would save genuine Azure Dragon Sect geniuses, but he was not one.
As for developing feelings, he had no such interest.
He said nothing more and merely nodded.
