Lin Xiao’s gaze swept over Grand Era City.
Within the city, there were jade palaces and ornate buildings everywhere, pavilions and towers scattered about. Some structures were simple and dignified, others were resplendent golden palaces, and there were towering buildings piercing the clouds, even uniquely shaped flying structures that seemed to blend into the sky. Various architectural styles intertwined, grand and magnificent, exuding ultimate luxury.
From over ten miles away, he could faintly see figures moving through the streets and alleys, and even from a distance, he could hear the bustling noise emanating from Grand Era City, truly resembling a scene of prosperous glory.
“No wonder it’s called Grand Era City. I’m afraid many factions and powerhouses have already flooded into this city,” Lin Xiao marvelled inwardly.
His gaze then settled on a massive, low-lying structure in the distance, resembling a giant shell crouching on the ground.
The building, neither wood nor iron, was dark and ancient in appearance, exuding an aura of solemn antiquity at first glance.
Pointing at the distant structure in Grand Era City, Lin Xiao couldn’t help but ask, “Is that the Grand Era Temple?”
Purple Emperor nodded, “Indeed. Come, let’s enter the city.”
Lin Xiao and the others nodded, following Purple Emperor and Ling Xiao as they descended to the ground and walked towards the gates of Grand Era City.
The city walls of Grand Era City were ancient, marked with countless scars from swords and beast claws. As they approached, a sense of weathered antiquity washed over them.
“Grand Era City spans a thousand miles in radius, entirely enclosed by walls dozens of feet high. These walls are so sturdy that even Martial Emperors would struggle to destroy them,” Purple Emperor explained as they walked.
“Even Martial Emperors can’t destroy them?” Lin Xiao was astonished. The power of a Martial Emperor could shatter mountains and split the earth. Ordinary stone walls, even weapons, could be easily destroyed.
Unless they were treasures.
But how could walls encircling a thousand miles be made of such treasures?
“These walls are built from a special type of stone, likely crafted by powerhouses beyond the Martial Emperor level. Thus, even a Martial Emperor would find it difficult to destroy them,” Purple Emperor elaborated. “Moreover, there are numerous beacon towers along the walls. When activated, they can trigger an ancient formation that envelops the entire city, capable of withstanding attacks from dozens of Martial Emperors, or even Martial Saints.”
Lin Xiao and the others were stunned again. A city that could resist dozens of Martial Emperors, even Martial Saints? Just how extraordinary was this place?
Could it be that, countless ages ago, some great faction, or even the entire Southeast Region, built it to defend against terrifying enemies?
Or perhaps, in some bygone era, this place had reached a golden age, and countless powerhouses used vast amounts of precious materials to construct such a magnificent city?
“To be precise, Grand Era City is the foundation of the entire Southeast Region. If a calamity strikes, the region’s powerhouses will gather here,” Purple Emperor continued. “Of course, the Sheng family is also quite ancient. The Sheng family patriarch is a fourth-tier Martial Emperor, no less formidable than the leaders of the eight super sects.”
“Moreover, only the Sheng family can activate the city’s formation, so their status in the Southeast Region is extremely high, no lower than that of the eight super sects.”
Lin Xiao was shocked once more. The Sheng family clearly had a profound background.
“As the foundation of the Southeast Region, no one dares to challenge the Sheng family. And with Ling Sword Sect just tens of thousands of miles from Grand Era City, if anyone dared to target the city, Ling Sword Sect wouldn’t stand idly by,” Purple Emperor added.
Lin Xiao nodded. With Grand Era City being the foundation of the Southeast Region, no one would likely dare to truly challenge the Sheng family.
In times of crisis in the Southeast Region, all powerhouses would rely on Grand Era City.
No matter what, they would undoubtedly protect this sanctuary with all their might.
After all, no one could predict when a great crisis might strike the Southeast Region.
Anyone who dared to target Grand Era City would likely face the wrath of all the major factions.
Moreover, with a defensive formation that even dozens of Martial Emperors or Martial Saints couldn’t breach, who could possibly challenge it?
“This Grand Era City is truly extraordinary,” Lin Xiao exclaimed in awe.
Looking at the weathered, scarred walls, a sudden whimsical thought struck him, “If stone that even Martial Emperors can’t destroy could be refined, wouldn’t my Heaven-Sealing Stone Hand…”
The thought alone shocked Lin Xiao. If he could refine even a small piece of such formidable stone, it would likely enhance his petrification powers immensely.
If he could refine an entire wall, or even all the walls…
But as soon as the idea crossed his mind, Lin Xiao inwardly gasped and quickly dismissed it.
Stone that even Martial Emperors couldn’t destroy—how could he refine it?
And even if he could, tampering with the foundation of the entire Southeast Region, even just a corner of it, would likely provoke the major factions to crush him into dust.
By now, Lin Xiao and his group had reached the gates of Grand Era City.
There were numerous patrols atop the city walls, and at the gate, a Half-Step Martial Emperor and over a dozen Martial Lords stood guard, leaving Lin Xiao stunned. “For the Southeast Region Summit, entry is open to all factions. However, to prevent overcrowding, entry has traditionally been restricted by cultivation. Youths under thirty must be at the Venerable Realm or above, while those over thirty must be at the Martial Lord Realm or higher to enter,” Purple Emperor explained.
Lin Xiao and the others were slightly surprised. The cultivation requirements were quite stringent.
But it made sense. Without restrictions, countless people would flood Grand Era City, and no matter how large the city was, it would likely be overwhelmed.
After all, this was the grandest gathering of the Southeast Region’s top talents, attended by numerous Martial Emperors. The scale was unmatched, bound to attract countless spectators.
One could say that every youth in the Southeast Region wanted to witness the event.
They might not have Sky Control Boats and might be far away, but if they set out months or even years in advance?
The entire Southeast Region’s youths, let alone the summit venue, couldn’t possibly fit in the city.
And it wasn’t just the younger generation. Many from the middle and older generations would also come.
Restricting cultivation levels prevented the city from being overwhelmed.
“A Half-Step Martial Emperor guards the gate to prevent any oversights and to welcome the various factions attending the summit,” Purple Emperor added.
Lin Xiao and the others understood. No wonder a Half-Step Martial Emperor was stationed here—it was also to greet the major factions participating in the summit.
Only a Half-Step Martial Emperor would have the status to welcome Martial Emperors.
“Purple Emperor, it’s been a while!” Seeing Purple Emperor’s group approach, the Half-Step Martial Emperor elder clasped his hands and greeted Purple Emperor politely.
“Brother Sheng Yuan, it’s been some time. All well?” Purple Emperor returned the gesture.
The elder named Sheng Yuan nodded, his gaze shifting to Ling Xiao beside him, “I presume this is the new emperor, Ling Emperor?”
