A range of undulating mountains stretched across the landscape, their majestic peaks towering and jagged, each steep summit piercing the sky like a sharp sword.
Misty spiritual energy swirled around the peaks, enveloping the valleys. As the morning sun cast its rays, the mist glowed, filling the entire region with an ethereal beauty, as if it were a paradise on earth.
This was none other than Ling Jian Sect, one of the eight super sects of the Southeast Region, renowned as the most powerful.
As the sun rose and golden light slanted across the peaks, the void in front of Ling Jian Sect and its countless mountains was already teeming with dense crowds. Voices buzzed incessantly, creating a lively and vibrant atmosphere.
Aside from the Ling Family, all thirty-six major Martial Emperor families had gathered, each occupying their own space. Nearly all the geniuses from the Southeast Region Youth Summit had appeared outside Ling Jian Sect.
The four major chambers of commerce were also present, each represented by their presidents or vice-presidents, a testament to the immense allure of this battle.
At Ling Jian Sect, a large number of people had gathered on the peak where the sect’s gate and grand buildings stood, gazing at the endless stream of arriving crowds.
Among them, three Martial Emperors stood at the forefront, exuding a subtle yet palpable Martial Emperor pressure that instilled awe in countless onlookers.
Jian Wudi, along with numerous geniuses of Ling Jian Sect, stood proudly among them.
“Fellow friends, it’s been a while!” At that moment, a voice carrying a terrifying pressure rang out. Three Sky Boats soared through the air, halting in the void.
Thirty to forty figures dressed in uniform black robes emerged from the Sky Boats. A Martial Emperor’s aura radiated from an elder among them.
“That’s the group from Ming Sect!”
“That’s Ming Tian, the Ming Child of Ming Sect.”
“A Martial Emperor elder from Ming Sect has come, along with thirty to forty youths. Those must all be top geniuses of Ming Sect.”
…
Murmurs of discussion arose from the surroundings. Many recognized Ming Tian and the distinctive attire of Ming Sect at a glance.
“Elder Mingqiu, it’s been a long time,” the eldest elder on Ling Jian Sect’s gate peak spoke, his tone neither warm nor cold.
“Everyone, it’s been a while!” At that moment, several more Sky Boats arrived, and dozens of figures leapt out from them.
“Xie Sect!” Someone recognized this group and exclaimed in surprise.
Not long after, groups from Jue Dao Sect and Jiu Xiao Sect arrived one after another, their numbers relatively larger.
Jiu Xiao Sect was led by none other than their Sect Master, shocking everyone present.
Even the Grand Elder of Ling Jian Sect and the other Martial Emperors had to greet them courteously.
Soon after, Demon Sect and Burial Sect arrived in succession. Burial Sect had the fewest people, only ten.
“Whoosh!” After a short while, ten Sky Boats streaked across the sky like lightning, coming to a stop in the centre of the void.
As over a hundred figures emerged from the Sky Boats, the scene of tens to hundreds of thousands of people practically erupted.
This group was none other than the Gun Dragon Sect, with the challenger, Lin Xiao, prominently among them.
“So many people!” Lin Xiao couldn’t help but marvel inwardly at the sight of the dense crowds and the ceaseless clamour. He hadn’t expected this battle to draw such a massive audience.
“Lin Xiao!” At that moment, two figures flew toward him immediately.
Seeing their faces, Lin Xiao broke into a smile.
It was Zi Ling and Ling Hu. From Ling Hu, he could sense the aura of a Second Level Martial Monarch.
Evidently, in the past three months, Ling Hu had made progress, breaking through one level of the Martial Monarch realm.
“You’ve stepped into the Martial Monarch realm?” Zi Ling asked curiously upon approaching.
Lin Xiao nodded, answering truthfully, “First Level Martial Monarch, peak.”
“Challenging Jian Wudi at just the First Level Martial Monarch?” Zi Ling was momentarily stunned. She had naturally guessed that Lin Xiao had reached the Martial Monarch realm.
However, she had assumed he had surged to the Second or Third Level to challenge Jian Wudi.
She hadn’t expected it to be just the First Level, and she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of worry.
After all, she was the one who had pushed Lin Xiao into this challenge with Jian Wudi. If anything went wrong, she would feel guilty.
Lin Xiao smiled faintly and said, “Don’t worry. I never do anything without confidence.”
“That’s right. Lin Xiao never takes a loss. The one who should be worried is probably Jian Wudi,” Ling Hu chuckled beside him, his face full of trust in Lin Xiao.
“That’s true. I’ve never seen this guy come out on the losing end!” Zi Ling nodded, feeling reassured.
“Lin Xiao has indeed stepped into the Martial Monarch realm!”
Though Lin Xiao’s conversation with the two was quiet, the keen ears of powerful martial artists picked it up. After learning of Lin Xiao’s cultivation, discussions broke out.
“Challenging Jian Wudi at just the First Level Martial Monarch? Isn’t Lin Xiao a bit too full of himself?”
“He’s probably overconfident. Having defeated a half-step Martial Emperor who suppressed their cultivation and being the top at the Southeast Region Youth Summit, he thinks he can beat Jian Wudi now that he’s reached the Martial Monarch realm.”
“Not necessarily. Lin Xiao has seen Jian Wudi in action. He wouldn’t be foolish enough to court death. He’s a dual cultivator of essence and spirit, with astonishing combat power. Perhaps his spiritual power has also broken through, and he’s become a Sixth Grade Junior Spirit Controller.”
“Impossible. Spiritual cultivation is several times harder than essence cultivation. A few months ago, he only advanced to Fifth Grade Senior Spirit Controller. Reaching Sixth Grade Junior Spirit Controller now? Absolutely impossible!”
“Exactly. In three months, he went from Seventh Level Martial Venerable to First Level Martial Monarch. That speed is already incredible. To say he also had the energy to cultivate his spiritual power and break through another level? I won’t believe it!”
“Even if he did break through to Sixth Grade Junior Spirit Controller, he probably still isn’t a match for Jian Wudi.”
“If his spiritual power hasn’t broken through, he’s even less likely to be Jian Wudi’s opponent.”
…
Speculations and discussions rose and fell, with the vast majority favouring Jian Wudi.
Lin Xiao simply ignored them.
“I didn’t expect you’d be challenging Jian Wudi so soon!” At that moment, a familiar voice called out. Lin Xiao saw Zi Jinchen approaching with a dozen members of the Zi Family.
Among them, he spotted familiar faces: Zi Yi, Zi Hui, and Zi An, who possessed the Purple Lamp Bloodline.
“Young man, you’re remarkable!” Meanwhile, Shi Jindou and the group from Wanxiang Pavilion also approached.
“Truly a dragon among men!”
The group from Jiu Xiao Sect also drew near, led by a golden-robed elder who gave Lin Xiao an overwhelming sense of power, as if he were filled with unparalleled strength.
As Yun Jing exchanged pleasantries with them, Lin Xiao learned that this man was none other than the Sect Master of Jiu Xiao Sect!
The Sect Master of Jiu Xiao Sect had personally come!
After conversing with the group, Lin Xiao’s gaze swept over the prodigies of the other sects before turning toward Ling Jian Sect.
At that moment, cold gazes met his from the direction of Ling Jian Sect.
