Over the past two or three months, the top figures of the Outer Court had largely vanished. Many disciples were in secluded training, pushing their cultivation hard, while others roamed about, sparring and comparing skills to boost their strength.
During this time, several standout talents emerged, with the most dazzling being Ling Hu.
In just three months, he had leapt from the sixth level of the Heavenly Martial Realm to the ninth, his strength astonishing. Within Shengyuan Academy, he challenged dozens of experts in succession, his reputation soaring.
Even the Mo Alliance’s Mo Xuan and Mo Chang fell to him, along with a somewhat notable three-star disciple.
Across the entire Outer Court of Shengyuan Academy, aside from the top three-star disciples in seclusion, almost no one dared provoke him during this period. Heaven Gate’s influence swelled as a result, now boasting over fifty members.
Moreover, these members were all fairly strong. Heaven Gate’s overall power had climbed into the top ten.
Of course, other talents rose within Heaven Gate too. Wang Long broke through to the ninth level of the Heavenly Martial Realm, joining the ranks of three-star disciples.
With Lin Xiao still in seclusion, Heaven Gate now had three three-star disciples, making other factions deeply wary.
Additionally, several disciples made rapid progress. Hu Yue, for instance, jumped from the second level to the sixth level of the Heavenly Martial Realm in three months—a four-level breakthrough at an impressive pace that left Heaven Gate’s disciples speechless.
However, the sixth level was too common in the Outer Court, and since Hu Yue never fought, she remained obscure.
Yet, with Lin Xiao and Ling Hu backing her, plus her “brash” personality and clever tricks, many in Heaven Gate liked her. Her authority rivalled Ling Hu’s.
“Dong!” “Dong!” “Dong!” …
That morning, as sunlight bathed the earth, the long-awaited training finally arrived. The deep tolling of a bell echoed slowly across Shengyuan Academy.
On the vast plaza of the academy’s main peak, figures began flickering into view.
In less than half an incense stick’s time, over a thousand people filled the square.
Most of these thousand-plus were above the Heavenly Martial Realm, all young disciples. Outside the academy, they’d be a formidable force.
“I wonder if any Inner Court disciples will show up for this training?”
“In past events like this, Inner Court disciples sometimes appeared to boost morale, but they’re always so mysterious. Who knows if they’ll come?”
“We’ve never seen these Inner Court disciples. I hear there aren’t many of them, but every single one is at least Martial King level—elusive as dragons. Without a special reason, they’re hard to spot.”
The crowd buzzed with hopeful chatter, but after waiting a while, no trace of Inner Court disciples appeared.
At that moment, as a group of over fifty people approached, a wave of commotion rippled through the crowd.
“That’s Heaven Gate, a faction formed just three months ago!”
“Impressive, growing to this size in only three months.”
“First Lin Xiao, now Ling Hu. Give Heaven Gate a year or two, and they might rank among the Outer Court’s top factions.”
“They could reach the top five, but compared to those Inner Court factions, they’re still lacking.”
“After this training, it’s anyone’s guess if Heaven Gate will even survive. Lin Xiao’s offended a lot of people!”
“Inner Court factions aren’t something ordinary people can mess with. Let’s hope Lin Xiao and Ling Hu don’t run into those monsters during the training, or this rising Outer Court faction might collapse.”
“Hmph, Inner Court factions are beyond their reach. Once the training’s over, Lin Xiao’s as good as dead!”
The chatter grew loud. Some disciples hoped to see Heaven Gate rise, but others wanted it crushed. Heaven Gate’s high profile had made plenty of enemies.
“Here comes the Mo Alliance!”
Just then, the crowd’s tone shifted to one of intrigue.
As Heaven Gate’s disciples watched, the Mo Alliance stormed in from the side, led by none other than Mo Yi.
Mo Yi’s face was twisted with cold fury, his aura noticeably stronger.
It seemed he’d spent these three months honing himself for revenge.
“Hmph, where’s Lin Xiao?” Mo Yi barked at Heaven Gate’s group, a killing intent seeping from him.
“What are you supposed to be?” Ling Hu shot back, exuding dominance as he eyed Mo Yi and the Mo Alliance.
“Gasp!” The nearby crowd fell silent, many sucking in a sharp breath.
Ling Hu was bold indeed, daring to insult Mo Yi outright without a shred of courtesy, instantly overshadowing Mo Yi’s attempt to provoke.
Then again, having defeated Mo Xuan and Mo Chang, and now a three-star disciple himself, it made sense.
“You!” Mo Yi’s face darkened, his killing intent intensifying. Behind him, the Mo Alliance members tensed, cold auras flaring.
At that moment, Ling Hu and Heaven Gate’s fifty-plus members unleashed a ferocious momentum. Dust rose from the ground as their powerful aura, far stronger than the Mo Alliance’s, crushed over them.
Caught off guard by this force, a flicker of shock crossed Mo Yi’s face. Fresh from seclusion, he hadn’t grasped Heaven Gate’s current state. He hadn’t expected their disciples—and Ling Hu in particular—to have grown this strong.
Still, with his own improved strength, he wasn’t afraid. But considering today’s setting and his plans to deal with Lin Xiao later, he held back from lashing out.
“The Outer Court isn’t yours to dominate, Heaven Gate!” a clear voice rang out just then, accompanied by a powerful aura that swept over Heaven Gate’s fifty-plus members.
Their momentum was instantly suppressed.
“The Qing Alliance!” the crowd exclaimed.
The faces of Ling Hu, Hu Yue, and the Heaven Gate crew darkened. The Qing Alliance boasted over eighty members—the largest faction in the Outer Court.
With their leader Ji Qingshan’s personal strength, were it not for a few overwhelmingly powerful Inner Court factions, the Qing Alliance could claim dominion over the Outer Court.
Due to Lin Xiao, the Qing Alliance and Heaven Gate were at odds, and their arrival signalled trouble for Heaven Gate.
“Brother Qingshan!” Mo Yi greeted Ji Qingshan with a cupped-hand salute.
Ji Qingshan nodded back, his icy gaze cutting toward Ling Hu, “Heaven Gate’s been too arrogant lately. I don’t like it!”
The onlookers’ hearts skipped a beat. Heaven Gate was in for it now. Ji Qingshan’s intent was clear: during this training, he aimed to curb Heaven Gate’s swagger.
“I don’t like you either!” Hu Yue retorted sharply.
Ji Qingshan’s expression darkened slightly, “Hmph, just a bunch of clowns. I hope Lin Xiao doesn’t hide like a coward, or this training will be the end of Heaven Gate.”
“If you come after Heaven Gate, the Qing Alliance won’t come out unscathed either!” Ling Hu’s eyes flashed with cold light, locking onto Ji Qingshan as a surge of battle intent radiated from him.
