Divine Wilderness Dragon Emperor

'It seems Senior Sister Lian Shuang has also improved over the past three months.' Ling Fei's gaze sharpened as he thought to himself.

Lian Shuang was already so powerful three months ago. If she improved even further, what Realm would she have reached?

'The Half-step Nascent Soul Realm?'

Although shocked, Ling Fei didn't feel discouraged.

In the last three months, he had stepped into the Celestial Pill Great Success Realm and was nearing the Perfection stage.

Moreover, he had been continuously comprehending various Mysticals of Martial Arts, and his ability to integrate them was becoming more and more proficient.

Especially in these three months, he had been constantly absorbing True Dragon Blood Qi. The Blood Qi in his body had grown even more ferocious, and his Power of Soul had also increased significantly.

Ling Fei even felt that if his Soul Power improved just a little more, he could mobilize a sliver of the Power of the Eye of Destruction!

At that time, not only would he have another trump card, but he could also comprehend the Mystical within the Eye of Destruction.

As Ling Fei greeted her, Lian Shuang turned her head and offered a faint smile.

For some reason, this young man always gave her an inexplicable feeling, making her feel a sense of closeness.

It was as if there was some kind of connection between them.

One by one, geniuses gathered on the high platform.

Besides those who were going to participate in the competition, there were also many spectators.

Of course, only geniuses were permitted to travel to the North Spirit Ancient Land.

After all, opportunities to witness the geniuses of various sects clash were rare!

After five hundred people had gathered, figures flickered in the Void as Sect Leader Yuan and numerous Elders appeared out of thin air.

Grand Alchemist Yuan Chun and Master Yuan Lang were also among them.

"Everyone," Sect Leader Yuan began, his gaze sweeping over the five hundred geniuses from his position in the Void, his voice deep. "In this competition between the sects of the Southern Wilderness, you are representing our Lingyun Sect. You must perform well and not allow anyone to look down upon us."

"We will certainly not tarnish the Sect's prestige," the disciples on the platform declared one after another, their voices shaking the heavens. They all seemed very excited.

After all, this competition was to represent the Sect.

The geniuses participating in the competition, in particular, were all filled with fighting spirit.

"Good. In that case, let us depart!" Sect Leader Yuan said, a look of satisfaction in his eyes.

Ever since Lian Shuang and Ling Fei had displayed their peerless talent, the disciples of the Lingyun Sect had been filled with a will to fight.

Even many Cultivators who were stuck at the Quasi-Nascent Soul Realm, unable to break through, had their former passion rekindled. They were all awaiting Ling Fei's rise.

It could be said that the Lingyun Sect currently had a new atmosphere; all it needed was a single opportunity to soar to the heavens.

One after another, Flying Boats appeared. They carried the disciples in batches to a Teleportation Array.

The Teleportation Array was already active, just waiting for everyone to depart.

"Then, we shall depart," Sect Leader Yuan said to a few of the Elders. "I'll leave the Sect's affairs in your hands."

"Sect Leader, rest assured. With me here, the Sect will be fine," Grand Elder Fang said with a smile.

This time, he was staying behind in the Sect and had no intention of going to the North Spirit Ancient Land.

"Good!" Sect Leader Yuan nodded. Accompanied by three Peak Masters and one Elder, he headed toward the Teleportation Array.

Ling Fei and the others followed, disappearing into the Transmission Vortex.

...

The North Spirit Ancient Land!

This was a region in the far north-eastern part of the Southern Wilderness.

As for the Beiming Sword Sect, it was located in the true north of the Southern Wilderness.

Comparatively, the Beiming Sword Sect was closer to the North Spirit Ancient Land.

However, the North Spirit Ancient Land had been jointly controlled by the various sects of the Southern Wilderness since ancient times. Even if the Beiming Sword Sect wanted to occupy it, they couldn't overcome the combined might of the other sects.

...

The North Spirit Ancient Land was desolate.

The mountains here were continuous and undulating. They were not very high, with most only being over a thousand zhang tall. There were no towering ancient trees among the mountains, only sparse forests.

The Heaven and Earth Essence Qi here was also rather thin. Arriving in this region was like entering a barren world.

It was hard to imagine that the North Spirit Ruins were located here.

It was even harder to imagine that the North Spirit Ruins contained various legacies that could drive all the Martial Arts Cultivators in the Southern Wilderness mad with desire.

Within this barren mountain range, there was an ancient city.

The ancient city was very old, exuding a primordial aura as if from a bygone era. It was surrounded by mountains, like a colossal beast lying dormant among them.

In the center of the ancient city was a three-thousand-zhang-high platform.

This was the North Spirit Platform, said to have been a Commander's Platform in ancient times. On top of it was a wide training ground.

Standing on it, one could get a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains.

One could even see a Mountain Abyss wreathed in clouds and mist among the mountains ahead.

The Mountain Abyss was vast, stretching for a thousand li.

At a glance, it gave off an extremely ethereal feeling.

If one were to sense it carefully, they would discover a vast and ancient aura emanating from within.

That was the entrance to the North Spirit Ruins.

"So this is the North Spirit Ancient Land!" On the outskirts of the mountain range, Light Patterns flickered on a Transmission Array Platform, and a group of Cultivators appeared in the Void.

The person in the lead was none other than Yuan Huaitian of the Lingyun Sect.

He floated in the air with his entourage, gazing at the distant mountain range as he spoke.

Beside him, Ling Fei's gaze focused as he looked ahead.

The first thing that caught his eye was the three-thousand-zhang-high North Spirit Platform.

The North Spirit Platform was like a sharp sword piercing the clouds, creating a powerful visual impact.

"What a tall peak!" a disciple couldn't help but exclaim, clearly awestruck by the sword-like, colossal platform.

"That's the North Spirit Platform. The competition between the sects will be held there," another genius said with a touch of scorn.

"The North Spirit Platform? The competition will be held there?" Hearing this, many disciples were stunned, but also filled with anticipation.

"Let's head to the North Spirit Ancient City first," Yuan Huaitian said, a glint in his eyes. "The people from the Beiming Sword Sect have already entered the city."

In addition, some other sects had already gathered here.

The competition was also an opportunity for exchange between the various sects.

This exchange, of course, was not as simple as merely sparring in Martial Arts. For example, it was a time for forming alliances.

'Have the people from the Beiming Sword Sect already arrived?' Ling Fei's gaze sharpened, and the image of a woman in white appeared in his mind.

The fleeting glimpse of her back at the Falling Star Mountain Range made him sigh inwardly.

'Was she there to see me that time?' Ling Fei wondered.

He and Shangguan Wan'Er had been through life and death together. Although nothing was ever made explicit, they were close to being a couple.

Who would have thought that after entering the Southern Wilderness, the two of them would end up on opposing sides?

"I wonder if Wan'Er will come to the competition," Ling Fei murmured.

WHOOSH!

A Tunneling Light streaked across the Void as the people of the Lingyun Sect flew toward the North Spirit Ancient City ahead.

The city walls were high, reaching a hundred meters. Though somewhat dilapidated, they still exuded an ancient aura.

Sect Leader Yuan led the group as they gracefully landed.

"Heh heh, it is indeed Fellow Daoist Yuan of the Lingyun Sect." Just as Sect Leader Yuan and his group landed, someone immediately came out from inside to welcome them.

The newcomer was an elder, followed by other powerful experts and youths.

After coming to a stop, Ling Fei and the others couldn't help but look at the welcoming party.

"They are from the North Sea Sect. They're in charge of reception in the North Spirit Ancient City this time," Grand Alchemist Yuan Chun said quietly to Ling Fei.

For every competition, one sect was assigned to be in charge of reception and manage all affairs within the city.

"The man before you is the Vice Sect Leader of the North Sea Sect, Jiang Xianhe!" Grand Alchemist Yuan Chun said.

"North Sea Sect!" Ling Fei glanced at the elder before him.

The man had graying temples, and his aura was as deep and unfathomable as the sea. He was clearly an expert at the Nascent Soul Realm.

"Fellow Daoist Jiang, I trust you've been well!" Yuan Huaitian stepped forward and said with a smile.

"Heh heh, with the heroes of every sect gathering for this competition, I see your sect's disciples also have an extraordinary bearing!" Jiang Xianhe smiled, his gaze shifting to Ling Fei and the others beside Yuan Huaitian. "This must be your sect's alchemy genius, Ling Fei, correct?"

Finally, his gaze locked onto Ling Fei.

"That's right," Yuan Huaitian smiled and said. "Ling Fei, this is Vice Sect Leader Jiang of the North Sea Sect."

"Ling Fei greets Vice Sect Leader Jiang," Ling Fei said, offering a slight cupped-fist salute.

"You're too kind. A young hero indeed." Vice Sect Leader Jiang smiled and gestured with his hand. "Your sect's courtyard has been prepared. Please, this way."

"After you!"

Then, Vice Sect Leader Jiang personally led the people of the Lingyun Sect into the city.

Upon entering the ancient city, one could see numerous simple and unadorned buildings. Both the streets and the structures exuded an air of great age.

Along the way, Vice Sect Leader Jiang and Sect Leader Yuan exchanged pleasantries, appearing extremely courteous.

This made Ling Fei and the others extremely curious.

"Is the North Sea Sect an ally of our Lingyun Sect?" Ling Fei couldn't help but ask Grand Alchemist Yuan Chun.

"The North Sea Sect is an ancient sect. It was once the hegemon of the northern Southern Wilderness, but as time passed, it gradually declined, while the Beiming Sword Sect rose to take its place. The North Sea Sect usually keeps a low profile and maintains good relations with all the sects," Grand Alchemist Yuan Chun replied via voice transmission. "Although their relationship with our Lingyun Sect is decent, it's not exceptionally close. For them to send their Vice Sect Leader to personally greet us this time is likely because of what happened at the Falling Star Mountain Range."

"Oh!" Ling Fei fell into thought.

"If they want to escape the suppression of the Beiming Sword Sect, they naturally need to win over our Lingyun Sect. However, the specifics of how this will play out remain to be seen," Grand Alchemist Yuan Chun said. "After all, the slightest misstep in such matters could bring annihilation upon their sect. No one would dare make such a decision lightly."

Ling Fei nodded slightly.

Just like last time, if not for the help of the Great Sun Thunder Sound Temple and the Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers, the Lingyun Sect's situation would have been extremely dire.

For a moment, Ling Fei felt the pressure on his shoulders.

"Now that the Lingyun Sect has you and Lian Shuang, as long as you two mature, we won't have to fear anyone in the Southern Wilderness," Grand Alchemist Yuan Chun said.

He had placed great hopes in Lian Shuang and Ling Fei.

Ling Fei nodded slightly and followed the Elders forward.

The city was large, but there weren't many people from the various sects.

Ling Fei and his group were settled into a spacious courtyard estate.

Inside, there was a small bridge over a flowing stream; it was quite elegant.

After the people from the Lingyun Sect had settled in, representatives from the Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers and the Great Sun Thunder Sound Temple arrived one after another.

As night fell, the Sect Leaders of various sects, along with their respective geniuses, came to visit the Lingyun Sect.

Inside a spacious reception hall, Yuan Huaitian was seated on the floor in the main seat of honor.

Several Elders were by his side.

In addition, genius disciples like Lian Shuang, Ling Fei, and He Tianming were also seated to the side.

As for the rest of the hall, the people from the Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers and the Great Sun Thunder Sound Temple were seated on the left and right sides, respectively.

Vice Sect Leader Jiang of the North Sea Sect also came, bringing a few geniuses with him.

Besides them, there were also three other sects: Thousand Blade Mountain, Dongyun Sect, and Ten Thousand Swords Cliff.