Myriad Dragon Divine Sovereign

Liz City was the Jinfeng Ancient Country’s most prosperous city, even more so than the Imperial City. It was a major transportation hub, situated near the Dayan Dynasty—the largest territory under the Celestial Profound Sect’s influence. With routes extending in every direction, it was a popular gathering place for countless Martial Artists.

The streets were bustling with traffic, a picture of prosperity and excitement. The clamor could be heard even from outside the city walls. Upon entering, one could smell the aroma of tea, the fragrance of wine, and the scent of rouge lingering in the air.

At this time, Liz City was a gathering point for the influential, with numerous experts from the surrounding areas already assembled. Wen Qingye, like most of the Martial Artists, followed the crowd toward the city center.

"Did you guys hear? A lot of experts have already gathered. They’re planning to go explore that tomb tomorrow night."

"I know that, but I’m just curious which experts are here. I only know that Lord Li of the Li Mansion went. They say his cultivation has reached the peak of the Yin-Yang Realm and he’s just a hair’s breadth away from the Destruction Realm."

"I heard there’s a Core Disciple from the Celestial Profound Sect, too. I wonder how strong they are."

"This tomb is obviously extraordinary. Who knows what treasures are inside? Add to that the powerful influence of the Jinfeng Ancient Country, and it’s only normal for so many experts to gather."

The surrounding Martial Artists discussed amongst themselves as they walked, and Wen Qingye simply strolled along behind them.

"Benefactor, may I ask where this place is?" Suddenly, a voice sounded from behind Wen Qingye.

Wen Qingye turned his head to see a young man of about seventeen or eighteen. Dressed in a Daoist Robe and holding a yellowed map, he stared at Wen Qingye with bewildered eyes, his cheeks flushed red.

"This is Liz City, in the Jinfeng Ancient Country," Wen Qingye replied, though he frowned inwardly. ’This young Daoist isn’t old, but his cultivation is incredibly high. He’s actually reached the Yin Yang Realm Eighth Layer Heaven.’

"Jinfeng Ancient Country? Where’s the Jinfeng Ancient Country? Let me see." Hearing Wen Qingye’s words, the young Daoist quickly unfolded his map and began searching it frantically.

After a long moment, the young Daoist still couldn’t find it. Breaking out in a sweat, he looked at Wen Qingye anxiously and said, "Benefactor, Benefactor, can you help me look at this map? I can’t find where this Jinfeng Ancient Country is!"

"Alright." Wen Qingye nodded and took the map.

With a single glance, Wen Qingye took in the entire map. ’This map is definitely not simple,’ he thought. It seemed to encompass everything within the whole Eastern Profound Domain; even the Celestial Martial Country was clearly visible.

"It’s right here," Wen Qingye said, pointing to the location of Liz City in the Jinfeng Ancient Country.

The young Daoist leaned in for a closer look, then seemed to search for something else. "What about the Great Wilderness Ancient Country?"

"The Great Wilderness Ancient Country is over here." Wen Qingye sighed inwardly. ’I can’t believe this young Daoist can’t even read such a clear and straightforward map.’

Seeing where Wen Qingye pointed, the young Daoist had a sudden realization. "It’s so far! I think I went the wrong way. I’m supposed to meet my senior brothers in the Great Wilderness Ancient Country and then head to the Glazed Ancient Country! Now I’m lost. This is terrible."

Wen Qingye asked doubtfully, "The Glazed Ancient Country? Are you from the Daoist School of Non-action?"

The young Daoist straightened his posture, placed his left hand over his chest, and said formally, "Fang Yu, disciple of the Daoist School of Non-action. My thanks to you, Benefactor, for your guidance."

Wen Qingye watched the young Daoist’s formal salute and couldn’t help but smile. Looking at the map and then thinking about where Fang Yu needed to go, he came to one conclusion: the kid had completely overshot his destination.

"Don’t mention it," Wen Qingye said with a wave of his hand.

"Benefactor, I can see your footsteps are steady and your strength is profound. Are you planning to go to that tomb?" Fang Yu’s eyes scanned Wen Qingye. Before Wen Qingye could answer, he continued, "Since I’ve already strayed from my path, I might as well check it out. I’m quite interested in this tomb, too. As they say, ’Read ten thousand books and travel ten thousand miles.’ The path of cultivation is the same."

Wen Qingye looked at Fang Yu, who was shaking his head sagely in front of him. ’He’s probably just lost and wants me to guide him,’ Wen Qingye thought. He shrugged and smiled. "Mm."

When Fang Yu heard Wen Qingye’s response, a flicker of joy flashed in his eyes. "Benefactor, I’ll have to trouble you to lead the way, then."

.......

Wen Qingye and Fang Yu arrived at the center of Liz City, only to find the area by the public notice board was a sea of people, completely impossible to squeeze through.

"Brother Wen, there are so many people," Fang Yu said, craning his neck to look and sounding a little disappointed. "I heard the Eldest Princess of the Jinfeng Ancient Country is at the City Lord’s Mansion arranging things for the experts. Let’s go check it out."

Along the way, Fang Yu had been exceedingly friendly, acting as if he and Wen Qingye were already old friends. Moreover, he seemed to follow Wen Qingye’s lead in everything.

Wen Qingye nodded. After a moment of thought, he said, "Mm, if we don’t go, the Jinfeng Ancient Country might seal off the tomb and not let outsiders in."

The two made their way to the City Lord’s Mansion. The entrance was also crowded, with two burly guards standing at the gate, blocking the crowd and seemingly inspecting something.

A man in his thirties strode purposefully toward the City Lord’s Mansion, but he was stopped halfway.

"One moment, sir," one of the guards said, blocking the man’s path directly.

The man’s brow furrowed. He looked at the guard and snorted coldly. "What? A mere guard at the Yin Yang Realm First Layer Heaven is going to stop me?"

"I wouldn’t dare. However, I do not know your cultivation level, sir. For the past two days, entry into the City Lord’s Mansion has been restricted. Aside from miscellaneous staff, there is a cultivation requirement," the guard said, neither servile nor overbearing.

The man’s eyes narrowed. "Oh? My cultivation is at the Fourth Heaven of Yin Yang Realm. Is that still not good enough to enter?" he barked.

The guard shook his head. "Apologies, but no, you really can’t. The minimum cultivation required to enter the City Lord’s Mansion is the Yin Yang Realm Fifth Layer Heaven."

As soon as the guard finished speaking, a murmur went through the surrounding crowd.

No one had expected such a high cultivation requirement just to enter the City Lord’s Mansion. Even in the Jinfeng Ancient Country, a Yin Yang Realm Fifth Layer Heaven was considered a formidable expert.

The man’s expression turned ugly. But he immediately realized that if the entry requirement was the Yin Yang Realm Fifth Layer Heaven, trying to force his way in would be suicide. Helpless, he could only retreat slowly back into the crowd.

Wen Qingye and Fang Yu walked over. The guard on the left was startled when he saw them. ’They’re so young.’

"I just said, to enter the City Lord’s Mansion, your cultivation must be at the Yin-Yang..." The guard’s words trailed off halfway through his sentence, and beads of sweat began to slowly trickle down his forehead.

Wen Qingye’s aura had slowly begun to press down on him. The guard felt as if a mountain was crushing him. He knew instantly that Wen Qingye’s cultivation was by no means ordinary—it far surpassed the Yin Yang Realm Fifth Layer Heaven.

As for Fang Yu, the guard didn’t even bother questioning him.

"Please come in, sirs! Both of you, please come in!" the guard said hastily, wiping away his sweat.

The surrounding crowd stared in a daze as Wen Qingye and Fang Yu went inside. ’Those two look so young. Could their cultivation really have reached the Yin Yang Realm Fifth Layer Heaven?’