Divine Wilderness Dragon Emperor

"The Four Great Sects of the South Wilderness?" Ling Fei's interest was immediately piqued.

"That's right. There are many sects in the Southern Wilderness, but only these four are truly considered major Sects," said Shangguan Qingmu.

"The Lingyun Sect is famous for its Alchemy Dao, the Beiming Sword Sect is renowned for its Sword Dao, the Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers is in a class of its own with the Dao of flowers, and the Great Sun Thunder Sound Temple is a Buddhist Sect lineage, also unfathomably deep. Each of the Four Major Sects has its own strengths. Not only do they have many Primordial Pill Realm powerhouses in their ranks, but they are also overseen by Nascent Soul Realm powerhouses." As he spoke of the Four Major Sects, Shangguan Qingmu's eyes lit up.

"Overseen by Nascent Soul Realm powerhouses!" At these words, Ling Fei's eyes brightened.

In the Empire, a Primordial Pill Realm powerhouse was already a regional champion.

A Nascent Soul Realm powerhouse was practically unheard of.

Perhaps only the Celestial Emperor of the Great Tang had reached this Realm.

"That's right. The great sects of the Southern Wilderness are all overseen by Nascent Soul Realm powerhouses. Such figures possess vast Divine Techniques, far beyond what a Primordial Pill Realm Cultivator could ever compare to," Shangguan Qingmu said, his face full of anticipation.

"I'll be participating in the disciple assessment for the Four Great Sects this time. If I can enter the Beiming Sword Sect, I'll definitely be able to make progress on the Sword Dao in the future."

"What about you, Ling Fei? Have you thought about which Sect you want to join?" He glanced at Ling Fei.

"Me?" Ling Fei's gaze shifted. He didn't know much about the Four Major Sects.

However, after hearing Shangguan Qingmu's introduction just now, he was moved.

"Is the Lingyun Sect's Alchemy Dao very impressive?" Ling Fei inquired.

"Of course. The Lingyun Sect's Alchemy Dao is the strongest in the entire Southern Wilderness. Many people join the Lingyun Sect specifically for it. Of course, the Lingyun Sect has also made some achievements in Martial Arts, but they're overshadowed by the fame of their alchemy, which is why people only know them for their Alchemy Dao. However, no one in the Southern Wilderness dares to underestimate them," Shangguan Qingmu said. "With the Alchemy Dao, the Lingyun Sect has more Primordial Pill Realm powerhouses than the other Sects."

Elixirs could not only heal injuries and cure illnesses, but they could also help one break through bottlenecks.

Breaking through bottlenecks—this was the greatest attraction for any Cultivator!

For this reason, every time the Lingyun Sect accepted disciples, a huge number of people sought to join.

At his words, Ling Fei's eyes lit up, and he thought to himself, 'If I enter the Lingyun Sect and learn the art of the Alchemy Dao, will that lay the foundation for healing my adoptive father in the future?' After all, even if he couldn't cure his adoptive father's injuries now, without a sufficient foundation, he would be helpless even after he became a powerhouse later on.

The Lingyun Sect seemed like a good place to go.

"Can we choose our own Sect?" Ling Fei asked after a moment of contemplation.

"Choose our own Sect?" Shangguan Qingmu was taken aback, then said, "An ordinary person naturally wouldn't have that privilege. But if your talent is astonishing enough to make the major Sects fight over you, then of course you will. Heh, with your abilities, I think it's very likely you'll be noticed by the elders of the great Sects."

If it were before, Shangguan Qingmu wouldn't have dared to say this.

But two months ago, Ling Fei had defeated Li Chengfeng of the Celestial Spirit Realm while only at the Perfect Innate Realm.

Such talent was a rare sight in the entire Empire. Surely the elders of those great Sects wouldn't miss out on a disciple like him, right?

"It seems I'll have to perform well during the assessment," Ling Fei said.

"Of course. The better your demonstrated talent, the more importance will be placed on you, and your cultivation journey will be smoother," Shangguan Qingmu said.

The Martial Arts World was the same everywhere. Only by standing out could you obtain the best resources.

"In that case, let's work hard together," Ling Fei said, filled with anticipation for the Four Major Sects' assessment.

"Alright!" Shangguan Qingmu smiled.

Beside them, Shangguan Wan'Er also looked expectant, but she didn't say much. Her expression remained as cold and elegant as ever.

In fact, the mere fact that she had taken the initiative to come see Ling Fei had already left Shangguan Yurou completely astonished.

Because before, her older sister had never deigned to visit this so-called genius!

Of course, Shangguan Yurou didn't dwell on it too much.

After all, in her view, after what had happened last time, her sister and Ling Fei had more contact, so it was normal for her to come visit him.

"The Four Great Sects of the South Wilderness... if only I could get into one of them!" After this news spread, the students of Celestial River Academy were all filled with anticipation.

Many senior students prepared to sign up, wanting to take part in the Four Major Sects' assessment.

As for some of the new students, like Shangguan Yurou, their Cultivation was ultimately a bit lacking. She planned to wait for the next opportunity to participate.

But Ling Fei was different. He had already reached the Quasi-Celestial Spirit Realm and was considered one of the top-ranking senior students among the Three Great Academies.

He was fully qualified to participate in the assessment of the Four Major Sects.

[...]

「Seven days later.」

Celestial River Academy held a competition to select outstanding disciples to participate in the Four Major Sects' assessment.

Many Cultivators who had reached the Mid Stage of Innate and the Late Stage Realm participated in the assessment.

As for the top ten on the Celestial List, they didn't need to be assessed at all.

The top ten on the Earth List, however, did not participate.

This was because even if they participated in the assessment this time, if they couldn't stand out, they wouldn't receive good treatment in those Sects.

It was better to build up their strength first and strive to distinguish themselves in the next assessment.

These people were proud and ambitious; they sought the best treatment, not just to become an ordinary disciple.

"In three days, we will head to the Imperial Capital. The people from the Four Major Sects will host the assessment there," Dean Han announced after the academy's competition concluded.

"The Imperial Capital!" Many people's faces lit up with excitement.

Even some ordinary students could go and watch.

It would be a good opportunity to broaden their horizons.

Of course, with so many people at Celestial River Academy, not everyone could go to the Imperial Capital.

Only the geniuses earned that privilege.

'To the Imperial Capital in three days?' Ling Fei felt a strange sense of anticipation.

Once he was in the Imperial Capital, he could try to sense the so-called Dragon Vein Qi.

If he could break through to the Celestial Spirit Realm in one fell swoop in the Imperial Capital, it would undoubtedly be a rare opportunity for him.

After all, Dragon Qi was not something one could find easily!

At nightfall, Shangguan Hong found Ling Fei. "You'll be going to the Imperial Capital in three days. The powerhouses of all the various clans will be there, so you must be careful." He had come specifically to remind him that although the storm with the Dongyang Crown Prince had subsided, those great clans were not willing to let the matter rest.

In particular, Elder Ling coughing up blood had made many people restless, believing that Elder Ling was at the end of his rope and that his last display of power was just a desperate, final act.

Furthermore, Elder Ling had also killed Prince Long back then.

A dignified Prince of the Royal Family was killed so unceremoniously.

How could the rest of the Royal Family be willing to accept that?

"I'll be careful." Ling Fei nodded, not thinking too much about it.

Ling Fei had survived a situation far more difficult than this last time. Why would he be afraid of going to the Imperial Capital?

"That's good," Shangguan Hong said. "This assessment by the Four Major Sects is also an opportunity for you. If you can enter any one of these Sects, it will allow you to truly come into contact with the Martial Arts World. With your talent, as long as you cultivate diligently, you can amaze everyone even within those Sects."

Shangguan Hong also held high hopes for Ling Fei's future.

"I will work hard." Ling Fei's face was also full of anticipation.

Only by becoming a powerhouse could he share his adoptive father's burdens.

Likewise, he was full of curiosity about the vast Martial Arts World.

In Martial Arts, the Body Tempering Realm, Innate Realm, and Celestial Spirit Realm were all just the basic realms.

Only by stepping into the Primordial Pill Realm could one be considered to have truly touched upon the profound realms of Martial Arts.

[...]