The Holy City wasn’t like the outside world. Even Dao Wuming, let alone the Holy Son or Mo Wushang, wouldn’t dare act recklessly here.
“You wait, kid. If I meet you in the Martial Arts Festival finals, you’ll learn the cost of insulting me!”
“Exactly. Senior Brother Wuming is now a fully realised Heavenly Vein warrior, with over fifty percent Heavenly Essence. Not just any nobody can beat him.”
“Yuehua Sect kid, kneel and apologise to Senior Brother Wuming now, and maybe when you face him, he’ll let you lose with some dignity.”
“Why would Senior Brother Wuming need to act? I could easily take him down.”
“Hahaha!”
“Ha ha ha ha!”
The Heavenly King Sect disciples were smug.
After all, their sect was the top one on the Tianlong Continent, so their pride was understandable.
Ling Xiao glanced at Dao Wuming with disdain, a playful smile on his face. “Sorry, I didn’t know Heavenly Vein warriors were stronger than Heaven-Human Realm warriors. A few days ago in the True Demon Forbidden Land, I accidentally killed a First Heaven Realm warrior.”
“Uh…”
Ling Xiao’s words left everyone, including the onlookers and Heavenly King Sect warriors, dumbfounded. Their mocking laughter froze, as if struck by paralysis.
Accidentally killed a Heaven-Human Realm warrior?
That was too much of a blow.
“Pfft! Look at those Heavenly King Sect guys, showing off in front of him. Talk about losing face.”
“Did that Yuehua Sect kid really kill a Heaven-Human Realm warrior?”
“He did. I saw it with my own eyes, though he used some special power.”
“Doesn’t that mean he’s on par with the Holy Son?”
“Exactly.”
The crowd of onlookers buzzed with discussion, their voices loud, turning Dao Wuming’s already blood-red face pale in an instant.
His lips twitched, his throat bobbed, clearly struggling to suppress his rage.
“Damn it, I can’t take this! Kid, come out, let’s fight three hundred rounds!”
Dao Wuming didn’t believe Ling Xiao had killed a Heaven-Human Realm warrior. Even if he had, someone must have helped.
So he wasn’t afraid of Ling Xiao.
“Idiot, we’re heading to the auction. No time to waste on your nonsense. Besides, this is the Holy City. If you want to die, I’d rather live a bit longer. Senior Brother Wu, let’s go.”
Ling Xiao gave Dao Wuming a dismissive look and left with Wu Xiang and the others.
“Pfft!”
Dao Wuming was so furious he spat blood.
“Wuming, no need to get so worked up. Just crush him at the Martial Arts Festival!”
Sikong Xuan also disliked Ling Xiao. He hadn’t stopped Dao Wuming from mocking him, hoping to embarrass Ling Xiao.
But in the end, they were the ones humiliated.
What a failed scheme, truly frustrating.
Yet, calming down, Sikong Xuan was astonished. “How does this little beast cultivate? It’s only been a day, and his strength seems much greater. If this continues, who can stop him?”
Because of their dislike for Ling Xiao, the Heavenly King Sect paid close attention to him.
Especially Sikong Xuan, who had lost face in the True Demon Forbidden Land. Seeing Ling Xiao progress so quickly was both shocking and worrying.
“Vice Sect Leader, let’s hurry to the auction house. If we’re late, those Mortal Pills might be sold out.”
“Alright, let’s go!”
The Royal Auction House was always lively, but today was undoubtedly the busiest in a year.
Two reasons: the sheer number of warriors in the Holy City, and the allure of perfect-grade Mortal Pills.
Inside the auction house, the scene was like a festival, with chatter and laughter blending into a sea of people.
As one of the Twelve Sects, Yuehua Sect’s reputation had soared recently, so upon entering, they were led to a VIP room to wait.
The VIP room was much more spacious. Ling Xiao and the other sect leaders sat casually. He had no interest in bidding on the Mortal Pills he’d put up for sale.
He planned to slip away later using an excuse to find Yun Ya, as his main concern was whether the materials for his Heavenly Vein Pill were ready.
Just then, a familiar voice came from the next room.
“Junior Sister, I hear that after the Martial Arts Festival, Tianlong Academy will officially announce recruitment. Are you joining?”
The voice belonged to Jian Wuji.
And his junior sister could only be Chen Meng.
“Of course!”
Jian Wuji’s voice grew excited. “Tianlong Academy’s strength is beyond your imagination!
You know, it was built by the Holy Emperor and the Heavenly King Sect Leader, with the full might of the Holy Dynasty.
Seven major sects, including Heavenly King Sect, Bishui Divine Palace, Xuanhuo Sect, Gu King Sect, Poison King Sect, Tang Sect, and Sword King Sect, plus hundreds of smaller sects, have agreed to join.
But their recruitment is strict. To join, you must reach Mortal Realm before fifty, or you’re not qualified.
Even then, Mortal Realm warriors are only outer disciples at Tianlong Academy.
What’s more, I heard from insiders that to become an instructor there, you need at least Heaven-Human Realm strength.
With such immense power and wealth, once they announce recruitment, how many will go crazy for it?”
“But Senior Brother, why would those sects send their top disciples to Tianlong Academy?”
Chen Meng asked, puzzled.
“Do they dare refuse?”
Jian Wuji sneered. “I won’t go into details, but opposing Tianlong Academy is opposing the entire Holy Dynasty! This Martial Arts Festival is essentially a selection for their disciples. We must perform well!”
After that, perhaps touching on sensitive matters, the two switched to sound transmission, and Ling Xiao could hear no more.
But he could guess some things.
He exchanged a look with Wu Xiang, both seeing the worry in each other’s eyes.
There was a saying in the Mysterious Realm: “Follow me and prosper, oppose me and perish.”
Their greatest fear was that if Yuehua Sect refused to join Tianlong Academy, it might be wiped out instantly.
They needed to prepare in advance!
“Senior Brother Wu, why don’t you return to the sect first? All our experts are in the Holy City. If Tianlong Academy makes a move, we’ll be too far to respond!”
Ling Xiao transmitted.
