At the edge of the sky, aboard a lightning-fast void ship, Zhong Moyang looked at Lin Xiao and the other two, his face beaming with a delighted smile, “This time, at the Southeast Region Youth Gathering, our Qianglong Sect has truly reaped a great harvest, with one third place, one twelfth place, and even the first place joining our Qianglong Sect.”
“Now, our Qianglong Sect has gained another prodigious disciple. The first place at the Southeast Region Youth Gathering is a rare feat, seen only once in a century. The last time was a hundred years ago when the Sect Leader joined the Qianglong Sect.”
Zhong Moyang was grinning from ear to ear. The Southeast Region Youth Gathering, held every ten years, almost always saw the top spot claimed by disciples of the major sects, rarely by youths from other forces, let alone recruited into the Qianglong Sect.
The last time the Qianglong Sect recruited the first-place winner of the Southeast Region Youth Gathering was a hundred years ago, when Dongfang Kaiyuan joined.
Lin Xiao’s talent was, if anything, even greater than that of the Sect Leader back then.
It was hard to imagine how high Lin Xiao’s achievements would reach in the future.
“Elder Zhong, you’re too kind. I can’t compare to Sect Leader Dongfang,” Lin Xiao responded politely, adding, “Moreover, if it weren’t for the Sect Leader, I might have met with danger back then. Joining the Qianglong Sect is my honour.”
“That’s because the Sect Leader has a keen eye and saw your potential, Junior Brother Lin Xiao,” Lu Chuyou said with a smile, “Junior Brother Lin Xiao isn’t even twenty yet and is a dual cultivator of Yuan and Spirit. His talent far surpasses ours. Even our Qianglong Sect’s top genius, Senior Brother Zhan Lan, one of the eight prodigies of the Southeast Region, might soon have to yield to Junior Brother Lin Xiao.”
His face showed no trace of jealousy, only admiration and joy.
Chen Long also laughed, “Exactly, it won’t be long before Junior Brother Lin Xiao earns a place among the prodigies of the Southeast Region. We’re looking forward to seeing you defeat Jian Wudi in two years.”
“Both Senior Brothers are too generous. Your talents are not weak either,” Lin Xiao replied. Mentioning Jian Wudi, a confident smile appeared on his face, “As for Jian Wudi, rest assured, Senior Brothers, I’ll deal with him sooner or later.”
Both nodded. Before the Southeast Region Youth Gathering, if Lin Xiao had claimed he would defeat Jian Wudi, they wouldn’t have believed it for a second.
Now, they had full confidence in Lin Xiao. In less than two years, he would surely catch up to Jian Wudi.
After all, Lin Xiao was the top prodigy of the Southeast Region Youth Gathering.
“By the way, Elder Zhong, didn’t the other Martial Emperors make a move against us?” Lin Xiao asked, turning to Zhong Moyang.
This void ship, powered by countless spirit stones, had taken several detours, and their current location was countless miles away from Shengshi City.
Even if someone wanted to pursue them now, they likely couldn’t trace their path.
Logically, the Martial Emperors of other sects, especially those from the Ling Jian Sect, would be interested in him and might take action.
Yet, their journey had been uninterrupted.
“They wouldn’t dare,” Zhong Moyang shook his head, replying, “With the appearance of the Holy Emperor Ruins, not only I but also the Great Elder came from the Qianglong Sect, though he didn’t show himself in Shengshi City.”
“To intercept us, they would need at least two Martial Emperors, or even four. If it came to a fight, it would be earth-shattering and have far-reaching consequences. The Ling Jian Sect, without Sikong Jian, wouldn’t dare act so boldly.”
“Moreover,” Zhong Moyang paused before continuing, “it’s highly likely that our Qianglong Sect’s Supreme Elder also came.”
“Supreme Elder?” Lin Xiao was shocked. Did the Qianglong Sect have someone of such stature?
Zhong Moyang nodded, “Our Qianglong Sect’s Supreme Elder is the previous Sect Leader, the only Martial Emperor among the eight major sects to have lived three or four hundred years, and he is the Sect Leader’s master.”
“On the surface, the Sect Leader is the strongest in our Qianglong Sect, but in reality, the Supreme Elder is our most formidable trump card.”
“However, the Supreme Elder is very old, nearing the end of his lifespan, and has been in seclusion in the Qianglong Sect’s secret grounds, rarely appearing unless the sect faces a crisis or an ancient site like the Holy Emperor Ruins emerges.”
Zhong Moyang’s tone grew uncertain as he continued, “Even I haven’t seen him in decades and can’t be sure if the Supreme Elder is still alive.”
“It’s said among the sects that the Supreme Elder is hanging on by a thread, with only one or two strikes left in him, but those one or two strikes are enough to make the major forces wary, including Sikong Jian.”
“Of course, many also suspect that the Supreme Elder has already passed away.”
“But unless it’s a life-or-death feud, and with a powerhouse like our Sect Leader, no one dares to completely fall out with the Qianglong Sect.”
“Similarly, with a place like the Holy Emperor Ruins appearing, even if the Supreme Elder’s presence is unlikely, other Martial Emperors wouldn’t dare act recklessly.”
Hearing Zhong Moyang’s words, Lin Xiao was astonished. The Qianglong Sect had such a figure.
The previous Sect Leader of the Qianglong Sect, Dongfang Kaiyuan’s master, a three-to-four-hundred-year-old monster, even if only clinging to life, was feared even by Sikong Jian, the so-called strongest in the Southeast Region.
The appearance of the Holy Emperor Ruins was undoubtedly the most enticing event for a Martial Emperor nearing the end of his life.
If the Qianglong Sect’s Supreme Elder was still alive, he would surely come.
With the Holy Emperor Ruins closed, they would have to return, and anyone who attacked them might encounter this old monster.
Thus, the other Martial Emperors hadn’t dared to target them.
As for non-Martial Emperor forces, no matter how interested they were in him, they had no strength to oppose a Martial Emperor.
Lin Xiao also admired Zhong Moyang’s openness. He was just a junior who had newly joined the Qianglong Sect, yet Zhong Moyang spoke of the Supreme Elder without any reservations.
“The Qianglong Sect’s foundation is truly beyond my expectations. It seems that even if the Sect Leader doesn’t appear for a while, I’ll be safe for now,” Lin Xiao thought, quietly relieved.
As if sensing Lin Xiao’s thoughts, Zhong Moyang smiled, “Rest assured, if peers or those of the same level come after you, we can’t interfere, but if older, higher-tier powerhouses try to harm you, our Qianglong Sect will never let them succeed.”
“Thank you, Elder Zhong!” Lin Xiao bowed.
Nodding, Zhong Moyang sighed, “I’m a hundred and fifty or sixty years old and still haven’t found a decent disciple. If I could take someone like you as my apprentice, I could rest in peace, leaving a legacy to be proud of.”
“…” Lin Xiao was at a loss for words.
