Divine Wilderness Dragon Emperor

Ever since experiencing that Xin Meng in the Falling Star Mountain Range, Ling Fei had come to understand the importance of cherishing everything in the present.

Because the future held far, far too many uncertainties.

Sometimes, you think you have plenty of opportunities, that you can afford to wait... but when the time actually comes, you discover it's already too late.

He didn't want to miss his chance!

That was why Ling Fei had been cultivating relentlessly, pushing himself to become stronger, all so he wouldn't leave himself with any regrets.

"This..." Shangguan Wan'Er froze, her thoughts suddenly a chaotic mess.

"Since you're hesitating, I won't force you." Seeing her reaction, Ling Fei sighed. 'Perhaps Shangguan Wan'Er's love for me isn't strong enough for her to give everything up.' It was just that back in the Beichuan Mountain Range, when she had blocked that sword strike for him, he had believed she was capable of such a sacrifice.

Thinking about it now, Ling Fei could only sigh inwardly.

Seeing Ling Fei's reaction, Shangguan Wan'Er felt a pang of guilt. But the thought of leaving the Beiming Sword Sect right now... she truly didn't want to.

Ever since she was a child, her dream had been to become a powerhouse of the Sword Dao.

Now, she was already well on her way down that path.

Besides, if she betrayed the Beiming Sword Sect, could she bear the endless condemnation that would follow?

This had all happened too suddenly. Shangguan Wan'Er couldn't process it.

"Please, let me think about this carefully. Once I've figured things out, I'll give you an answer. Is that okay?" Shangguan Wan'Er said, looking up at Ling Fei.

She really didn't want things to end with Ling Fei like this.

Vague memories of their time in the Xiling Ruins and the Beichuan Mountain Range surfaced in her mind.

Back then, Liu Rulong and the others had abandoned her, but Ling Fei had saved her.

In her subsequent interactions with Ling Fei, her affection for the young man had grown deeper and deeper.

They had even made a pact to walk the path of the strong together, to venture out and explore the world.

When she heard that Ling Fei was being hunted by people from the Beiming Sword Sect, she had been incredibly worried.

After that distant glance in the Falling Star Mountain Range, she couldn't get the young man out of her mind.

That was why, upon learning that people from the Lingyun Sect had arrived in North Spirit Ancient City, Shangguan Wan'Er had come looking for Ling Fei.

She came to confess her feelings to him and ask him to wait for her!

Unfortunately, she was thinking about the future!

But Ling Fei wanted an answer now.

This became the source of their current conflict.

"Alright." Ling Fei took a deep breath and said no more.

After all, Shangguan Wan'Er had her own thoughts. Forcing her to leave the Beiming Sword Sect was indeed asking too much.

Although he didn't know the details, Shangguan Wan'Er must have gone through a lot in the Beiming Sword Sect.

'If someone asked me to leave the Lingyun Sect,' he mused, 'would I agree?'

It would obviously be very difficult.

Unless...

It was his adoptive father!

Although he had feelings for Shangguan Wan'Er, and she for him...

...they had never taken that final step.

This incident made Ling Fei understand that point deeply.

The two talked for a while longer before Shangguan Wan'Er took her leave.

Ling Fei walked her to the courtyard gate.

'I'll just let fate decide!' Watching the white-robed woman depart, Ling Fei took a deep breath, turned around, and walked back into the courtyard.

As Ling Fei stepped into the courtyard, his Heart Spirit stirred.

Because deep within the courtyard, on a high platform, a blue-haired woman was gazing in his direction.

That woman was actually Lian Shuang.

Beside her stood Fang Yuan.

As if sensing Ling Fei's gaze, Lian Shuang's figure flickered, turning into a streak of light that vanished into the night.

"Senior Sister, wait for me!" Fang Yuan shouted, hurrying after her.

But Lian Shuang's expression remained cold and aloof.

'Is Senior Sister angry?' This baffled Fang Yuan.

She had come to the high platform to keep an eye on Ling Fei.

But she had happened to spot Lian Shuang and asked what she was doing. The other woman claimed she couldn't sleep and had come out to enjoy the moonlight.

'If you really came out to see the moon because you couldn't sleep, would you need to run away the moment you saw Ling the Pill Master?' Fang Yuan muttered to herself.

As Ling Fei approached, the many people who had been secretly watching all scattered.

"Looks like she really is Ling the Pill Master's little lover!"

"She's quite beautiful, but it's a shame she's a disciple of the Beiming Sword Sect. The Beiming Sword Sect sees Ling the Pill Master as a thorn in their side these days!"

"It seems Ling the Pill Master is going to have some trouble winning the beauty's heart!"

Many people discussed in low voices.

Ling Fei overheard these whispers as he walked.

"She's a fine woman," Sect Leader Yuan suddenly appeared in front of Ling Fei and said in a low voice.

"Greetings, Sect Leader." Ling Fei bowed to Sect Leader Yuan.

Sect Leader Yuan waved his hand, gesturing for Ling Fei to dispense with the formalities, then asked, "You like her very much?"

"She and I have been through life and death together," Ling Fei nodded. At the very least, Shangguan Wan'Er was the first woman to make his heart race.

"I won't interfere in your personal affairs. If you have the ability to make her join our Lingyun Sect, we will naturally welcome her. However, your status is special right now. You cannot trust anyone lightly. You must prioritize your own safety above all else. After all, the human heart is the most unpredictable thing. You must keep your guard up. Only then can you walk far on this path of Martial Arts," Yuan Huaitian advised, his eyes flashing as he spoke with sincere gravity.

He was afraid that Shangguan Wan'Er might be manipulated by the Beiming Sword Sect into harming Ling Fei.

After all, Ling Fei's fate was tied to the situation in the Southern Wilderness, so he had to give a word of caution.

"Rest assured, Sect Leader, I will be careful." Ling Fei nodded. In his heart, he still trusted Shangguan Wan'Er.

After all, if Shangguan Wan'Er hadn't saved him back then, he would have died long ago.

Besides, if it really came to that, he would naturally prioritize his own survival.

After all, he wasn't living for himself alone.

He also had his adoptive father to consider.

"In that case, you should go get some rest." Sect Leader Yuan nodded slightly and said no more.

Some things only required a reminder. Saying too much was pointless, as everyone had their own way of thinking.

Ling Fei cupped his fists in a salute and departed.

...

「In a great hall in North Spirit Ancient City.」

Here, the Elders of the Beiming Sword Sect were seated.

"Sect Leader, people from the North Sea Sect, Dongyun Sect, Ten Thousand Swords Cliff... and other sects have all gone to attend the meeting between the Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers, the Great Sun Thunder Sound Temple, and the Lingyun Sect. From the looks of it, they seem to be currying favor with the Lingyun Sect," Beishan Jianxiong said, his gaze darkening as he bowed to Beiming Huahai, who sat upon the high seat in the hall.

"The North Sea Sect... It seems they can't hold back any longer. They want to borrow the Lingyun Sect's power to contend with our Beiming Sword Sect." Beiming Huahai's gaze sharpened, and the corner of his mouth curled into a cold arc. It was as if a great sea was churning within his eyes, and a thick killing intent began to spread.

"These sects are truly tactless," Beichen Xinghe snorted coldly from below.

Beiming Huahai's eyes were glacial as he said coldly, "What a bunch of fools, pinning their hopes on a junior who hasn't even fully matured. It won't be long before you all realize how foolish that idea is. Hmph, for now, let them jump around for a few more days."

"Sect Leader, you're planning to...?" Beishan Jianxiong's eyes held a questioning look.

Judging by the Sect Leader's expression, he seemed to be hinting at something.

Beiming Huahai didn't speak. His gaze shifted, landing on a beautiful woman seated to the left below the dais.

She was a woman dressed in a black Ghost Robe.

"You Ji, it seems your disciple, Shangguan Wan'Er, has a rather good relationship with that Ling Fei?" Beiming Huahai said, his eyes flashing as he spoke with clear implication.

You Ji...

One of the Guardians of the Beiming Sword Sect.

She was a powerhouse at the Divine Wheel Ninth Layer Realm, just one step away from entering the Divine Mansion Realm. Her status was extremely high.

"What are your orders, Sect Leader?" You Ji looked up, revealing a face of cold, stunning beauty. Her icy eyes flickered as she gazed at Beiming Huahai.

She knew Beiming Huahai's question held a hidden meaning.

"Tell her that if she gets the chance, she is to kill this Ling Fei. If she does, I can allow her to comprehend the Beiming Kunpeng Sword Technique. If her comprehension of the Beiming Kunpeng Sword Technique shows results, she can also be rewarded with a drop of Kunpeng Blood. With that, she will be able to master the true Kunpeng Sword Technique," Beiming Huahai said in a low, heavy voice, his eyes flashing.

"Kill Ling Fei!" Hearing this, You Ji, seated below, frowned.

She had a proud and aloof nature and rarely took on disciples. Shangguan Wan'Er was her only one.

She was extremely satisfied with this disciple and had held nothing back in imparting her own insights into the Sword Dao.

At the same time, she had also learned about Shangguan Wan'Er's past and knew of her relationship with Ling Fei.

Asking Shangguan Wan'Er to kill Ling Fei now truly put her in a difficult position.

"You tell her this is an opportunity for her, and also a test from our Beiming Sword Sect. Whether she can seize this chance is up to her," Beiming Huahai said. "If I didn't see her as an exceptionally talented prodigy of the Sword Dao, I would never give such an opportunity to an outsider."

"You Ji understands," You Ji nodded.

As a member of the Beiming Sword Sect, she deeply understood the significance of the Kunpeng Blood.

In the entire history of the Beiming Sword Sect, spanning thousands of years, no more than five people had ever received the reward of Kunpeng Blood.

She herself was a prodigy of the Sword Dao and had comprehended the Beiming Kunpeng Sword Technique.

However, she still had not obtained the Kunpeng Blood, and as a result, she was unable to unleash the full power of the Beiming Kunpeng Sword.

Now that Beiming Huahai was offering this as a reward, the temptation was undeniably immense.

Even those Nascent Soul Realm Powerhouses would likely be willing to shed their blood for it.

Even You Ji herself was tempted.

Below, Beishan Jianxiong and Beichen Xinghe's eyes lit up with a fiery light, their expressions filled with envy.

'If one obtains the Beiming Kunpeng Blood, one can learn the very essence of the Beiming Kunpeng Technique. At that point, it would be enough to dominate the Southern Wilderness.'

All the Elders in the hall were incredibly envious.

It was just that the Kunpeng Blood was extremely rare and incredibly difficult to obtain.

It was related to the very foundation of the Beiming Sword Sect's power.

"Alright, go and deliver the message," Beiming Huahai said coldly.

"Yes!" You Ji acknowledged the order, then rose to take her leave.

"Sect Leader, are you really going to reward that Shangguan Wan'Er with a drop of Kunpeng Blood?" After You Ji had left, Beichen Xinghe couldn't help but stand up and ask.

The Elders in the hall all showed questioning looks.

"This Shangguan Wan'Er possesses a heart of utmost purity for the Sword Dao. She is a natural-born prodigy of the sword. If she obtains the Kunpeng Blood, it's not impossible that she could one day reach my level of achievement. If she is single-mindedly devoted to our Beiming Sword Sect, she may naturally receive this reward. If not... then a person like her is useless to keep around." Beiming Huahai's expression was grim.

Clearly, just as he had said, this was not only an opportunity for Shangguan Wan'Er, but also a test.

"I wonder what that Shangguan Wan'Er will choose," the Elders in the hall murmured upon hearing this.

This was an opportunity they had all dreamed of!

...

[Who do you guys want to be the female lead? You can leave a message in the book review section, haha. And while you're at it, please vote with a monthly ticket!]