Divine Wilderness Dragon Emperor

"That's Liu Chen, Li Zheng, and Wang Yuyang," Shangguan Wan'Er said. "They are all quite talented, but you don't need to worry about them."

"The ones you truly need to worry about are the geniuses who have stepped into the Primordial Pill Realm." She then shared what she knew with Ling Fei.

"The ones you really need to be concerned about are Li Yufeng and Li Qinghou. One is from Marquis Yun's line, and the other is Prince Long's son," Shangguan Wan'Er said. "It's said that Li Yufeng has already condensed his Primordial Pill. As for Li Qinghou, he was already an expert at the Profound Pill Realm five years ago. He's a significant figure among the various Sects of the Southern Wilderness."

Besides them, the Empire also has Princes in the major Sects.

However, these Princes are very low-key and rarely make a move.

'Li Yufeng, Li Qinghou!' Ling Fei committed their names to memory.

...

"Everyone, today the Four Great Sects of the South Wilderness will be selecting a group of elites from our Great Tang Empire to take as disciples. If you wish to enter the Sects of the Southern Wilderness, you must distinguish yourselves in this assessment. The assessment is divided into three trials. Only by passing all three will you earn the qualification to enter the Sects," the Celestial Emperor announced.

"At the same time, those who distinguish themselves may also become Divine Guards of our Great Tang!"

Below the stage, the students all wore looks of anticipation.

"The assessment will be held in the Royal Hunting Garden!" the Celestial Emperor said. "Are you all prepared?"

"We are all prepared!" the students below the stage replied.

"Good. In that case, let it begin!" A glint flashed in the Celestial Emperor's eyes.

He then waved his large hand.

WHOOSH!

A field of Light Patterns manifested, unfurling like a giant scroll suspended in the air.

Then, the students of the Three Great Academies were drawn into it one after another by a powerful force.

One by one, the students disappeared into the scroll.

Beside the Celestial Emperor, the Ninth Prince rose and also flew toward the scroll.

In addition, a few Princesses also followed.

They also wished to enter the Sects of the Southern Wilderness.

The Ninth Prince had previously reported to the Celestial Emperor, expressing his desire to go and train among the Sects of the Southern Wilderness, and the Celestial Emperor had approved.

After all, the Celestial Emperor was still in the prime of his life. It was unknown how many years it would be before he abdicated.

Therefore, many Princes did not remain in the Empire, choosing instead to go to the various Sects of the Southern Wilderness.

There, they could not only learn various Martial Arts but also build connections and gather influence, which would be beneficial for their return to compete for the position of Crown Prince in the future.

Of course, some simply wanted to go and gain experience in the Southern Wilderness Martial Arts World.

After everyone had been swept into the Void, the Celestial Emperor waved his hand. The scroll shot out like a rainbow, traversing the Void and appearing in a forest outside the Imperial Capital.

Then, this rainbow from the scroll passed through a restrictive barrier of light and appeared by the shore of a lake.

"This is the first trial!" As the scroll appeared, the Celestial Emperor's voice rang out.

The students then felt their bodies lighten before they drifted gently to the ground.

Before them, the lake water was like jade, and fierce winds stirred from the swirling mist on its surface.

Ling Fei and over two thousand other students appeared out of thin air.

At this moment, the rainbow light that had enveloped them had already dissipated.

"The Dragon Crossing Pillars, this is the first trial!" many students muttered.

By the lakeshore stood a giant Stone Stele, upon which a line of text was boldly carved.

First Trial: Dragon Crossing Pillars. Those who fall into the lake are eliminated!

"Dragon Crossing Pillars?" Ling Fei's gaze sharpened as he looked out over the lake before him.

He saw rows of pillars standing on the lake's surface, connecting directly to the opposite shore.

Only by stepping onto the opposite shore could they participate in the next trial.

"Let's go!" Shangguan Wan'Er and Ling Fei exchanged a glance, then their figures flashed as they shot out over the lake.

They then landed on adjacent pillars.

The moment their bodies landed, Light Patterns on the pillar wriggled to life. A fierce wind erupted beside it, and a Qi Dragon materialized, threatening to devour them.

This was the Dragon-Stepping Pillar.

There were Forbidden Patterns on the pillars. Once stepped upon, they would be triggered, causing the Forbidden Patterns to manifest a Qi Dragon that would try to devour the person standing on it.

If one's reaction was too slow, they would surely be knocked into the lake by the Qi Dragon.

"Go!" Shangguan Wan'Er let out a soft cry and shot forward.

Without a hint of hesitation, Ling Fei also leaped toward the next pillar.

However, as soon as he landed, that pillar also manifested a Qi Dragon to swallow him.

Thus, he could only continue to press forward.

But as he moved forward, the lunging Qi Dragon would not stop. If his reaction was slow, he would still suffer the Qi Dragon's ferocious attack.

"Break for me!" Ling Fei drew his Long Sword. As he leaped, he slashed the sword back at the Qi Dragon behind him.

The Qi Dragon was shattered, allowing him to continue forward.

Now that he had entered the Celestial Spirit Realm, it was quite easy for him to shatter the Qi Dragons' attacks one after another.

Shangguan Wan'Er also handled it with calm and composure.

Shangguan Qingmu and the others also advanced smoothly.

The Cultivators who were only at the Mid Stage of Innate, however, struggled greatly. Many were struck by the Qi Dragons and fell into the lake, whereupon a Light Pattern would transport them to the shore.

In this way, they were eliminated.

As for those who failed the first trial, even if they became Divine Guards, they would only be the most ordinary kind.

As for Ling Fei, he quickly crossed the Dragon Pillars and arrived on the opposite side of the lake.

On the other side was a giant mountain.

"Second Trial: Illusory Mist Mountain!" At the foot of the mountain was another Stone Stele.

"The Illusory Mist Mountain is filled with a dense fog. It's said that there is an Array inside. If an ordinary person's mind is not strong enough, they will become trapped within," said Shangguan Qingmu.

He glanced at Shangguan Wan'Er and Ling Fei beside him.

'With their mental fortitude, passing this trial shouldn't be difficult.'

But for an ordinary person to resist the illusions produced by the Array was extremely difficult.

Therefore, this trial was very hard and would eliminate many with wavering minds.

"Let's go!" Ling Fei and Shangguan Wan'Er exchanged a glance and continued forward.

Shangguan Qingmu also followed them onto the Illusory Mist Mountain.

At the foot of the mountain, the Ninth Prince watched Ling Fei enter the misty mountain with a sinister expression.

"Ninth Prince, should we... take care of this Ling Fei in the Illusory Mist Mountain?" a young man asked.

At this time, many young men had gathered around the Ninth Prince.

"Are you capable of dealing with him?" The Ninth Prince turned his head and glanced at them.

Instantly, they all looked embarrassed.

They had also heard that Li Yunshan had tried to ambush Ling Fei, only to end up dead.

If even a figure like him couldn't take down Ling Fei, what could they possibly do?

"From now on, none of you are to say such things, lest you bring disaster upon yourselves!" the Ninth Prince said.

"Yes!" Those beside him all nodded timidly.

Then, with a flicker of his figure, the Ninth Prince shot into the forest ahead.

'The Illusory Misty Forest can confuse everyone. Generally, many people will be trapped inside for days, unable to find their way out. And the Array that the Thousand-Faced Daoist mentioned is in this very forest. When the time comes, I'll use the Heaven-Encompassing Array Disc to guide the Array, enter my Royal Family's Forbidden Land, and absorb the True Dragon Spirit.' As the Ninth Prince flew into the Illusory Misty Forest, a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. 'After I've absorbed the True Dragon Qi without anyone noticing, I'll re-enter the Illusory Misty Forest.'

That way, no one would know that he had been to the Royal Family's Forbidden Land.

Then, he would join one of the major Sects and secretly cultivate the True Dragon Body.

'Once I have cultivated the True Dragon Body, which of the Princes will be able to contend with me?' A wicked smirk curved the Ninth Prince's lips.

Generally speaking, the Major Sects all choose to establish themselves in auspicious, spiritually-rich lands.

They all contain Dragon Veins and possess Dragon Qi, just like the Lingyun Sect and the Beiming Sword Sect.

In the Cultivation Realm, there is a legend that controlling a Dragon Vein can increase a Sect's fortune.

But this Dragon Qi is not something an ordinary person can absorb.

As for the True Dragon Spirit, that is not something found in every location.

However, according to his information, he had learned that within the Forbidden Land of the Great Tang Empire, there was an Eye of the Dragon Vein, and sealed within it was a True Dragon Spirit.

If he absorbed it, it would help him forge a True Dragon Body, and his Cultivation would advance by leaps and bounds.

This was precisely why he had schemed so meticulously to come here and participate in the assessment.