Hearing Lin Xiao’s words, Wang Qi’s excited expression immediately stiffened.
He had finally broken through to the Eighth Level Martial Emperor realm, increasing his combat strength. Yet it was only comparable to the opponent’s Third Level Martial Emperor realm?
As the genius young master of the Wang family, Wang Qi suddenly felt a sense of frustration.
At his age, reaching this level of realm and strength was already among the very top.
However, the opponent was about the same age as him, five levels lower in cultivation, yet with similar combat strength.
Moreover, this was purely vital energy combat strength. It did not even account for the opponent’s ability to fight across levels with spiritual power, nor his special petrification ability.
How could the gap between geniuses be so large?
The excited expressions of the other three also darkened.
This was simply a blow to them.
“Brother Lin really knows how to joke…” Wang Qi said somewhat speechlessly.
Afterwards, Wang Qi and the other three led Lin Xiao out of the Nourishing Stream Forest.
After more than ten days, they arrived at the Wang family’s branch in Sacred Province.
The Wang family branch was guarded by a Martial Saint. When Wang Qi and the others reported the beast clan trap, they did not mention Lin Xiao at all, simply passing it off as someone they had met along the way.
The teams from various forces in Flame Province and the spirit controllers had already set off earlier for Spirit Pool Island.
Wang Qi and the others separately brought Lin Xiao to a teleportation array controlled by the Wang family branch, heading to Spirit Pool Island.
After transferring through several teleportation arrays controlled by other forces, Lin Xiao and Wang Qi’s group finally arrived at a city several thousand miles away from Spirit Pool Island.
This journey also took more than ten days.
Only two months remained until the Continental Spirit Controller Grand Competition.
Regarding this, Lin Xiao felt relieved. If he had to find his own way, it would probably have taken much more time.
“There are eight cities around Spirit Pool Island. Powerhouses from each province gather in one city. All the powerhouses from our Flame Province are in this city.”
The half-step Martial Saint elder travelling with Wang Qi looked at the city ahead, called Spirit South City, with a reminiscent expression on his face. He said to Lin Xiao and Wang Qi, “Before the Grand Competition, Spirit Pool Island will not open to outsiders. Therefore, powerhouses from all sides gather in these cities.”
“Of course, this city is open. Powerhouses from other provinces can enter freely as well, especially spirit controllers. During this period, secret competitions and attempts to enslave each other with control techniques will probably be quite frequent.”
Hearing this, Lin Xiao was somewhat surprised.
The eight cities around Spirit Pool Island were probably built for the Grand Competition.
Having powerhouses from each province stay there first was likely a tradition before the Continental Spirit Controller Grand Competition.
After all, the journey was too far. Many forces would arrive early. If Spirit Pool Island had to receive powerhouses from every province one by one, they probably could not manage it.
Moreover, building cities several thousand miles around Spirit Pool Island would, in ordinary times, serve as an early warning for Spirit Pool Island. If any powerhouse truly attacked Spirit Pool Island, they could prepare in advance.
Stationing some troops in the eight cities would also reduce the large flow of visitors to Spirit Pool Island.
“Of course, apart from spirit controllers, when geniuses from each province come to the eight cities around Spirit Pool Island, some interesting events will also occur.” At this point, the Wang family half-step Martial Saint could not help but smile, his face showing anticipation.
“Oh?” Lin Xiao was somewhat curious.
“Let’s go in first. Also, it is best to be wary of spirit controllers from Flame Province. If there are geniuses with exceptionally outstanding talent, they might use enslavement techniques.” The Wang family half-step Martial Saint reminded.
Lin Xiao nodded, and together with Wang Qi’s group, they walked into the city.
There were no guards at the city gate.
The streets were bustling with activity. Shops on both sides of the road displayed various medicinal herbs, weapons, pills, spiritual beast cores, and all sorts of items. Voices hawking and selling assaulted the ears.
Along the way, Lin Xiao and Wang Qi’s group visited several shops, but they did not find anything good.
Both people and items were a mixed bag. Especially those dazzling arrays of goods, most were just fillers. It was not as if one could easily pick up treasures just by browsing anywhere.
In the end, Lin Xiao and the others could only give up.
Lin Xiao and Wang Qi’s group arrived at the most luxurious inn compound on the edge of the city. The entire inn occupied an area spanning more than ten miles.
At the entrance of the inn, four people stood guard. Two were dressed as inn attendants, and their cultivation had actually reached the First Level Martial Emperor realm.
The other two wore robes emblazoned with the Wang family emblem.
Clearly, they were Wang family powerhouses.
Both Wang family powerhouses were middle-aged men, and their cultivation had reached the Eighth Level Martial Emperor realm.
Using Eighth Level Martial Emperors to guard the gate showed that the Wang family’s display was truly impressive. Anyone wanting to cause trouble for the Wang family, or to curry favour, would have to think twice.
Of course, it was also partly to demonstrate the Wang family’s prestige.
Upon seeing Lin Xiao, Wang Qi, and the group arrive, the two Wang family middle-aged men respectfully said to Wang Qi and the others, “We welcome the Fifth Young Master, Elder Wang Xuan, Elder Wang You, and all the elders’ disciples!”
This time, Wang Qi had brought more than just three people. The travelling party numbered more than ten, with varying strengths, and not all from Wang Qi’s branch.
However, since they were all people brought by Wang Qi, the two Eighth Level Martial Emperor middle-aged men guarding the gate were quite polite.
“The two elders have worked hard!” Wang Qi and the group also returned the courtesy.
Then, they were led inside by the inn attendants.
Lin Xiao did not know whether the two Wang family Eighth Level Martial Emperors were unaware that he was not from the Wang family, or whether it was because of Wang Qi, but they had no intention of stopping him and allowed him to enter.
In the end, Lin Xiao and Wang Qi’s group were brought to a courtyard.
The more than ten people led by Wang Qi were arranged in three quadrangle courtyards.
This treatment was not something ordinary people could enjoy.
Wang Qi, the two half-step Martial Saints from his branch, and Lin Xiao shared one building.
“Brother Lin, rest for a while. After we go to meet the Great Elder, we will pass on any news to Brother Lin!” Wang Qi said to Lin Xiao.
Lin Xiao nodded and entered the room assigned to him.
Wang Qi and the others then turned and left to meet the Wang family Great Elder.
Along the way, Lin Xiao had also heard that Flame Province was led by the Wang family Great Elder, and the same was true for other provinces. Generally, the second-in-command of the dominant force would come.
The family head, the top leader, did not participate.
This was a long-standing tradition of the Spirit Controller Grand Competition. There were some reasons for it, but Lin Xiao did not know them.
“Genius of Flame Province, come out and fight!”
However, just at that moment, a booming voice of a youth suddenly came from the horizon. The sound was enormous, resounding through the heavens and earth. It could be heard clearly in any place within several hundred miles of the city.
