Divine Wilderness Dragon Emperor

Liu Ming, Qin Rong, and the others were discussing how to deal with Ling Fei.

They were quite a distance away, their voices low and their words exceedingly cryptic.

But Ling Fei, who cultivated the True Dragon Refining God Technique, still heard every single word.

From this, he was able to guess a thing or two.

At this point, Ling Fei clearly had no path of retreat.

After all, these people were determined to deal with him. Hiding was not an option, unless he holed up and trained in the Cultivation Rooms of Celestial River Academy every single day.

But if he stayed at Celestial River Academy day in and day out, how could he continue to improve?

Besides, what about when he eventually left Celestial River Academy?

These people would find a way to deal with Ling Fei then, too.

Therefore, Ling Fei could only face this situation head-on.

At this moment, he also came to understand the arduousness of the cultivation path.

This path was fraught with countless unknown dangers.

These were unavoidable factors. To become strong, one could only face them and advance step by step.

Having made up his mind, Ling Fei simply sat down cross-legged and waited quietly to enter the ancient ruins.

...

"Brother Fei, can you travel with us tomorrow?" As Ling Fei was waiting quietly, Wu Dapang walked over with a silly grin.

Behind him were Chen Feng and the others.

They all wanted Ling Fei to venture into the ancient ruins with them. That way, they would have someone to look out for them, which would at least save them a lot of trouble.

After all, Ling Fei's strength was plain for all to see.

Although they all had their assigned teams, a genius like Ling Fei was not bound by such restrictions and could choose freely.

That was why Wu Dapang hoped Ling Fei would go with him.

"I can, but I'll probably be heading into the deeper areas." Ling Fei frowned slightly. 'I know Liu Ming and the others want to deal with me, so I don't want Wu Dapang to follow me. But it would be hard to justify refusing him. After all, he was the one who gave up his own chance to improve back then just to be my training partner!'

"That's fine. Once we reach an area that's beyond what we can handle, we naturally won't continue venturing forward," Wu Dapang said with a smile.

"Alright then." Hearing this, Ling Fei nodded slightly. 'If that's the case, then it's feasible.'

Wu Dapang would split off from him in the outer regions.

At that point, Liu Ming and his group probably wouldn't make a move.

After all, even if they were to strike, they would have to find a hidden place to do it without anyone knowing.

Otherwise, openly harming fellow students would result in punishment from the academy.

If the Celestial Emperor found out about such individuals, he would punish them severely as well.

So, these people would have to be very careful when they made their move.

This way, Ling Fei could also look after Wu Dapang for a while.

After all, they had been brothers for many years; he had to help with this small matter.

"Hehe, I knew Brother Fei wouldn't abandon me," Wu Dapang chuckled.

His requirements for this trip to the ancient ruins weren't high. He would be satisfied just by finding some opportunities and stepping into the Innate Realm.

"Ling Fei, when the time comes, shall we explore the depths together?" At this moment, Mu Xue also walked up.

By her side was, of course, Huang Xiaoman.

"Okay!" Ling Fei agreed. As for the matter with Liu Ming, he would just have to play it by ear.

If Ling Fei stayed with these friends, Liu Ming's group naturally wouldn't realize that he already knew their plans.

If he acted alone, it would arouse suspicion instead.

This way, Ling Fei could catch them off guard and settle things once and for all.

"When the time comes, Young Master Ling, you have to protect me," Gu Xiaomi said with a coquettish pout.

"We're all fellow students, so we should naturally help each other," Ling Fei replied with a smile.

Mu Xue and the others all smiled.

'Going on an adventure with Ling Fei would surely become a precious memory in the future, wouldn't it?'

...

The next morning, mist coiled through the mountains. The rising sun cast shimmering rays through the clouds, creating a magnificent and beautiful scene.

On the newly cleared, wide-open mountaintop, the students of the Three Great Academies had already risen and lined up in formation, ready to enter the ancient ruins.

"Everyone, the purpose of this expedition is to hone your wilderness survival skills. Our Three Great Academies are paragons of the Empire. Therefore, even if conflicts arise, you must not harm the harmony between you. Peace is of the utmost importance." At the center of the mountaintop, Marquis Yun's gaze swept over the students of the Three Great Academies as he spoke in a deep voice.

"We will follow Marquis Yun's teachings!" the students of the Three Great Academies shouted in unison.

However, among them were some whose eyes were cold, the corners of their mouths twisting into sinister smiles.

People like Liu Yuan.

'It's normal for a few people to die inside the ancient ruins.'

'As long as it's done without a trace, the outcome will be beyond the control of these big shots.'

"With that, students of Tianyan Academy, you may enter the ancient ruins first!" Marquis Yun announced in a deep voice.

"Yes!" Afterward, the various academies began their preparations.

On the mountain peak ahead, iridescent light blossomed.

The dazzling light was like a sharp blade that had sliced the mountain open.

To enter, one had to first be carried there by flying beasts, then leap into the light screen Seal.

By doing so, one would naturally be drawn into the ancient ruins by the Power of Restriction from the Light Patterns.

To get out, one only needed to step into a Forbidden Pattern vortex inside to be pulled out.

This was all experience summarized by those who had come before.

The people from Tianyan Academy rode Red Simurghs and flew to the location of the light screen.

Then, one by one, the students leaped down into the light screen Seal.

WENG!

The iridescent light there pulsed, pulling everyone in. Ripples spread across the Seal, swallowing the young cultivators one after another like the surface of a lake.

Soon, all three thousand students from Tianyan Academy had entered.

After them, the students of Celestial River Academy began to move.

The first to move were the Basic Level Students.

Ling Fei departed with the first group.

Riding a Profound Eagle, Ling Fei leaped from its back toward the crack in front of him once they reached the iridescent light.

The moment his body touched the Light Patterns, he was pulled by a mysterious force.

Then, Ling Fei disappeared into the light screen Seal.

Along with him were Wu Dapang and the others.

WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

Student after student vanished into the ancient ruins.

Soon, everyone from Celestial River Academy had entered as well.

Next were the people from the Royal Academy.

In just a few moments, all the people from the Royal Academy had also entered.

And so, only the instructors remained on the opposite mountain peak.

"I wonder who will be able to touch upon the secrets within these ancient ruins?" The instructors from the Three Great Academies all had looks of anticipation.

Then, they settled in to wait.

Inside the ancient ruins, Ling Fei appeared on a wide, open plot of land.

As far as the eye could see, the area ahead was boundless, like an endless mountain range.

The towering peaks and majestic mountains were enough to stir one's heart.

If one hadn't entered it personally, it would be hard to imagine that such an ancient ruin existed within the belly of the Xiling Mountain Range.

In the distance, a dazzling, iridescent light shot straight into the sky of the ruins, forming an immense, colorful light screen at the very top.

"Is that the source of the phenomenon?" Ling Fei murmured, gazing at the distant Void.

It was too far away, seemingly a thousand li.

Behind him was an iridescent vortex, the entry and exit point. Students were continuously flashing into existence from it.

At this time, Wu Dapang, Huang Liang, Zhao Fa, Chen Feng, and the others gathered by his side.

They had all signed up for this expedition after hearing that Ling Fei would be participating.

"What a huge ancient ruin!" Wu Dapang couldn't help but exclaim.

WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

Behind them, figures continuously zipped over, and some of the new students proactively moved closer to Ling Fei.

Clearly, they wanted to travel with Ling Fei to bask in his glory.

Other teams, however, did not do so.

In their view, since they were here for an expedition, they should rely on their own strength to forge a path.

Otherwise, how could they ever grow if they were always under someone else's protection?

Subsequently, the Mid Level Students and High Level Students all entered.

The teams finished gathering one by one.

"Have you all finished gathering?" Mu Xue strode toward Ling Fei on her long legs.

By her side were Huang Xiaoman, Gu Xiaomi, and other High Level Students.

Originally, Liu Yuan had wanted to be on the same team as Huang Xiaoman and the others.

However, after considering the purpose of this trip, he formed a separate team.

Liu Ming was also on another team.

"We're all gathered," Ling Fei said with a smile.

"Then is there anyone else you're waiting for?" Mu Xue asked.

Ling Fei's gaze shifted.

"Hee hee, Young Master Ling, I want to go with you." At that moment, Shangguan Yurou approached Ling Fei with graceful, lotus-like steps and a radiant smile.

Beside her were none other than Shangguan Wan'Er and Shangguan Qingmu.

In addition, Liu Rulong was also there.

Apparently, this Liu Rulong was like Shangguan Wan'Er's shadow. Whether she wanted him there or not, he was most likely determined to venture through these ancient ruins with her.

"Of course!" Seeing Shangguan Yurou approach, Ling Fei smiled. He had a rather good impression of this cute and generous girl.

"You want to team up with these people?" Beside them, however, Shangguan Wan'Er's brow furrowed slightly.

Next to Ling Fei was a small team of students at the Nine Layers of Body Tempering.

Traveling with them would definitely slow her down, which would affect her exploration of the area where the phenomenon in the ancient ruins was located.

'You have to understand, the people from Tianyan Academy have already entered the mountain range ahead!'

"It's on the way, so it's no trouble for us to go together," Ling Fei said with a smile.

In his opinion, it was perfectly fine to help out Wu Dapang and the others since they were heading in the same direction.

As for the Supreme Treasure within the ancient ruins, he wasn't too worried.

He knew that many people had come to explore this place before, but few had managed to enter the land of the phenomenon.

Although there were many people this time, there were only three cultivators at the Celestial Spirit Realm.

And while these three were quite talented, Ling Fei didn't believe the Exotic Treasure could be taken so easily.

Otherwise, why would all those who came before have returned in failure?

'It's best to just let things take their natural course.'

"In that case..." Hearing this, Shangguan Wan'Er frowned.

She had come here precisely to investigate the area of the phenomenon as quickly as possible.

Originally, because Ling Fei was her father's benefactor, she had wanted to look after him and ensure he could also reach that area smoothly.

But Ling Fei's current attitude put her in a difficult position.

"Hehe, Miss Wan'Er, why don't we have a little competition? Let's see who can be the first to reach the area of the phenomenon up ahead. What do you say?" Just as Shangguan Wan'Er was looking troubled, a clear laugh rang out. A young man dressed in brocade robes was slowly strolling toward them from the side.

A few people followed by the young man's side.

"Wang Zhongtian!" Shangguan Qingmu's gaze sharpened upon seeing the newcomer.

The one who had spoken was indeed Wang Zhongtian.

'Is he trying to draw Shangguan Wan'Er away?' After seeing this person, Ling Fei's eyebrows arched. He sent out his Heart Spirit Sensing and quickly understood the situation.