(ATTENDANCE)
....
"Master!"
Jiang Chen bowed respectfully.
"Mm." Chu Xun nodded, set aside the book in his hands, and examined Jiang Chen's cultivation. "Not bad. Fourth level of the Venerable Realm."
Jiang Chen's face lit up with joy. He wouldn't show such emotion in public, but being praised by his respected master filled him with genuine happiness.
"Mm."
"That talisman paper over there."
"It contains one of my attacks."
"Use it at a critical moment."
Jiang Chen stared at the talisman paper hanging to the side, stunned. He knew the Jiang family possessed talismans as well, but those were extremely rare, passed down as clan-defining treasures. He hadn't expected his master to have one, much less give it to him.
"Thank you, Master!" he said, deeply moved.
"Go. Be careful on the road. This trip is dangerous, and you may encounter great peril. I hope you gain something from it," Chu Xun said calmly, picking up his scriptures again.
Jiang Chen withdrew respectfully.
A moment later,
a flying boat set sail.
Leaving Donglin Sect behind.
Along the way.
Several Donglin Sect disciples were filled with nervous anticipation, but even more with curiosity. As they neared Yin Ruins, discussions broke out.
"I heard the Yin Dynasty was once the hegemon of the Eastern Region. It vanished overnight, leaving behind countless holy artifacts, secret treasures, even priceless inheritances. If you find one, it's a supreme fortune!"
"I also heard that the six great holy lands and many top geniuses have all gathered there. The situation is turbulent, it's shaken the entire Eastern Region!"
"Don't be careless," Elder Wang He warned. "Battles over secret treasures often come with life-and-death struggles. Treasures may be important, but life is more so. Stick close to Jiang Chen this time. With his protection, you won't suffer losses."
"Yes!"
The young disciples nodded solemnly, their gazes filled with admiration and respect as they looked toward the young man sitting cross-legged at the front of the flying boat. In both character and ability, the senior brother of Donglin Sect was worthy of their reverence.
Soon,
the flying boat approached Yin Ruins.
The sight before them left the youths shaken.
The sky was gray and oppressive. What had once been a vast plain was now split open, revealing an ancient capital from a bygone era.
Gray dust hung in the air like a barrier, isolating the city from the outside world. The city itself was built upon the principles of the Eight Trigrams. Every building played a subtle yet vital role. From afar, the entire city resembled a colossal Eight Trigrams formation.
One could easily imagine how powerful the formation once was.
Yet even more shocking
at the very center of the ancient capital, a gigantic palm print remained, destroying ninety percent of the area.
The city lay in ruins, stones shattered and streets broken. Only parts of the palace complex remained relatively intact. Dust still drifted through the air, and the ancient capital appeared faintly through the haze.
"Donglin Sect has arrived!"
"The people from Donglin Holy Land are here!"
"The six holy lands have gathered again!"
Countless cultivators had already assembled below Yin Ruins. Seeing the Donglin Sect banners fluttering as the flying boat descended, many showed excitement and surprise.
"What's the current situation?" Elder Wang He asked.
A Donglin Sect scout who had arrived earlier stared at the ancient capital and replied, "The leaders of the six holy lands entered first after breaking the barrier to search for opportunities. After that, the barrier healed itself, and no one else entered. However, its strength is weakening little by little. In a few hours, the younger generation should be able to enter."
"Good." Wang He nodded. "Then we're not late."
…
"Yo!"
"Is this really all Donglin Sect has?"
"Is there no one else?"
The strange, mocking voice stunned many of the surrounding cultivators. Even powerhouses from the Nangong family looked over in surprise. The news that the Donglin Sect's saint was nearing death was no longer a secret, but for someone to openly provoke Donglin Sect now?
As they looked,
surprise turned into realization.
"It's him!"
"Ye Chen!"
"Ye Chen from Xiandao Sect!"
Many independent cultivators immediately perked up. Xiandao Sect had arrived early, and Ye Chen had been challenging geniuses from other factions nonstop, defeating them one by one.
"It's him!"
The young disciples of Donglin Holy Land recognized him as well. Back then, Ye Chen had caused quite a stir in Donglin Sect, even flirting with Ye Qingcheng, before being ruthlessly suppressed by Jiang Chen. Now that he had joined Xiandao Sect, was he deliberately provoking them?
Jiang Chen narrowed his eyes slightly. He hadn't expected to encounter Ye Chen again after more than half a year. Judging by Ye Chen's position, he was now a leading figure within Xiandao Sect.
Whoosh!
A figure flashed.
Ye Chen strolled through the air, eyes narrowed as he stared at Jiang Chen. A sneer curled at his lips.
"I've long heard of Jiang Chen's reputation, the saint son of Donglin Sect. Today, I've come to seek guidance. Do you dare to fight?"
"I'm in!"
"I'm in!"
"Here we go!"
The crowd below erupted in excitement. Earlier, Ye Chen had challenged the saint sons and saintesses of other holy lands, defeating them one after another. His fame was just beginning to spread. If he stepped on Jiang Chen now, he would truly rise to prominence across the Eastern Region.
Many battle-hungry cultivators watched with blazing eyes. At this moment, all eyes of the Eastern Region were focused here, this was the perfect stage for fame. Unfortunately, lacking strength, they could only watch.
"Hmph!"
"A clown who scavenges leftovers!"
"My senior brother suppressed you mercilessly back then!"
"And you still dare provoke us now?"
"You're courting death!"
A young Donglin Sect disciple shouted angrily, about to step forward on Jiang Chen's behalf. But Jiang Chen raised a hand to stop him.
"Junior Brother Lu," Jiang Chen said calmly, "since he's challenging me, I'll take care of it myself."
His tone was mild, but his eyes narrowed slightly as he observed Ye Chen. The latter was indeed extraordinary, already at the Venerable Realm. No wonder he dared challenge him publicly.
It seemed,
the protagonist of destiny truly was blessed by fortune.
Even after being suppressed back then, he had risen again.
"It's starting!"
"Who will win?"
"Jiang Chen is the legitimate heir of the Jiang family, the senior brother and saint son of Donglin Sect. He entered the Venerable Realm early, only a handful of youths in the Eastern Region can match him. Ye Chen may be strong, but he might not be his opponent!"
"I don't think so. Didn't we say the same thing when Ye Chen faced other saint sons and saintesses? And what happened? Everyone got slapped in the face. I think Ye Chen will win again."
Whispers spread through the crowd.
Even figures of the older generation lowered their gazes, curiosity flickering in their eyes. Ye Chen had already made a name for himself,
defeating Jiang Chen wasn't impossible.
In the void,
Jiang Chen sat cross-legged, dressed in white, handsome as jade. His bearing and aura alone completely overwhelmed Ye Chen.
By comparison,
Ye Chen looked like a mere rustic outsider.