Chapter 227: Nantian Prefecture City
Coming out of the main hall, Yan Yin swept his gaze over the crowd of disciples: “You all have half a day to handle your own affairs. Gather at the Nine Tablet Spirit Platform after half a day. Those who do not arrive on time need not go.”
“Understood.”
The crowd responded in unison. Yan Yin rode a rainbow away, and Mu Yu on the side also gave everyone a slight nod before flying off.
In the hall just now, not much was said, but it was also explained that if they could help the sect secure a high ranking, there would be additional rewards.
Even Chu Qidao had given such instructions, so this gambling match was likely not too simple.
“Elder Yan Yin is ranked third on the Dragon Ranking and is one of the seeds in our sect with hope of breaking through to the Dharma Aspect Realm. Elder Mu Yu is the same. As expected, their auras are like abysses.”
Xia Wan’er came to Su Yan’s side. Su Yan had just entered the sect not long ago and couldn’t even recognize everyone on the Tiger Ranking, let alone these elusive Dragon Ranking experts.
Most Dragon Ranking disciples had been in the sect for some years and, in seeking breakthroughs, were not necessarily all at the mountain gate.
“Who is first?”
“Dragon Ranking First is Sect Master disciple Elder Hong Wenfeng, not yet a hundred years old, already at the All Stars Heaven cultivation.”
Surprise flashed in Su Yan’s eyes. At the Dan Qiao Realm, All Stars Heaven stage, full lifespan was at least four or five hundred years.
In other words, Hong Wenfeng had at least three hundred years to temper his foundation and seek breakthrough opportunities.
In such a situation, unless something was wrong with him or an accident occurred, it was hard to get stuck at the Dharma Aspect Realm pass.
“Uncle Long is also not yet a hundred years old, ranked eighteenth on the Dragon Ranking, and one of the Dharma Aspect Realm seeds.”
Xia Wan’er first mentioned Long Qiushui’s matters, as if afraid Su Yan would belittle himself.
Su Yan smiled, then asked: “For the trip to Nantian Prefecture City, the Blood Flood Dragon Secret Realm must be the priority. For the Bai Cang Mountain trip, it will probably be hard to spare manpower.”
Matters had priorities. Just the sect benefits involved behind the Blood Flood Dragon Secret Realm alone did not allow them to act carelessly.
“After the Blood Flood Dragon Secret Realm, you may leave on your own. At that time, we can find an opportunity to go to Bai Cang Mountain.”
……
Nine Tablet Spirit Platform
Yan Yin and Mu Yu stood in front of the crowd, their gazes sweeping over the Tiger Ranking stone tablet currently standing on the Nine Tablet Spirit Platform.
“Entered the sect just over a year and already Tiger Ranking First. He is Junior Sister Long’s disciple?”
“The real deal.” Mu Yu nodded with a beaming smile: “Senior Brother was in secluded cultivation that day and did not see him make a move.”
Yan Yin slightly raised his eyes, showing a bit of curiosity: “How so? Half-step Dan Qiao, or has he mastered some technique?”
For them, no matter how fierce the Tiger Ranking fights, it was just building foundation.
Dan Qiao was Dan Qiao. No matter how profound True Intent Realm techniques were, they could not truly compare to Dan Qiao Realm Martial Artists.
However, Yan Yin had to admit that for Su Yan to reach Tiger Ranking First in about a year after entering the sect, even he could not have done it back then.
“Senior Brother underestimates him. Even Innate Martial Body Yuan Yi at half-step Dan Qiao could not force out all his techniques. In this Blood Flood Dragon Secret Realm, the heavy treasures will likely fall on him.”
Yan Yin’s eyes chilled slightly, his expression turning a few degrees colder: “Hmph, the Monster Suppressing Guard wanting to suppress the Beast King Sect is not a day or two. Now it’s just the impatient Nine Peaks Sect and Sword One Sect added.”
Mu Yu sighed softly: “Martial Artists compete. With the Beast King Sect blocking the way, they naturally want to compete. Moreover…”
“Junior Sister, mind your words.”
Yan Yin stopped Mu Yu from speaking. Their cultivations were already the sect’s mainstay, and as head seats or elder disciples of various peaks, they naturally knew plenty of inside information.
“The Beast King Sect has inheritance for thousands of years. The mountain-guarding Beast King is not facing seclusion for the first time. Who dares to easily invade us?”
He paused slightly, then said: “If he is as formidable as you say, in this secret realm, we can indeed be bolder.”
While the two spoke, the crowd had arrived. For some reason, Su Yan keenly noticed that the Yan Yin True Person before him seemed to be observing him intentionally or otherwise.
“The journey to Lingnan Prefecture is thousands of li. You all need not summon your contracted beasts. Just board the sect’s Cloud Beast Boat.”
Yan Yin was quite rigid, not speaking warmly. As soon as his words fell, he waved his hand and released a palm-sized green boat.
He tossed it with a raise of his hand. The small boat flew into the air and immediately grew against the wind, transforming into a massive green boat over two hundred meters long.
The green boat had no sails, forged entirely from thousand-year green cloud bellwood and rare metal, with cloud patterns on both sides and several majestic beast patterns carved on it.
He pointed with a finger, and the beast patterns immediately emerged, coming alive as they spat out layers of clouds and mist, lifting the Cloud Beast Boat like an immortal boat.
“Board the boat.”
Yan Yin and Mu Yu boarded first, followed by the disciples onto the Cloud Beast Boat.
Yan Yin activated the Cloud Beast Boat. Clouds and mist immediately formed into two wingless cloud beasts, each dozens of zhang long, flying ahead of the Cloud Beast Boat. Soon the entire boat moved rapidly, heading straight for Lingnan Prefecture City to the north.
Clouds and mist streaked past behind them. Buildings on the ground flashed by like silhouettes, impossible to see clearly.
Compared to the speed of that Green Horned Giant Eagle when they first entered the mountain gate, this Cloud Beast Boat was truly fast.
‘Even compared to the Six-Winged Blood Centipede, the Cloud Beast Boat probably doesn’t lag far behind.’
The Cloud Beast Boat was clearly more than just a transport tool. With its extreme speed, capacity for two hundred martial artists, and the formation and attack methods in its spirit-infused body, it was an aerial carrier.
It might not defeat Dan Qiao Realm Martial Artists, but used in large-scale warfare, its lethality would not be weak.
After boarding the Cloud Beast Boat, everyone sat cross-legged in cultivation. After two hours like this, they gradually left Beast King Sect territory.
Feral Beasts noticed the Cloud Beast Boat flying over the mountains, and some reckless eagle and falcon beasts attacked. Their forms were cow-sized and quite ferocious.
Yan Yin and Mu Yu had yet to act when those approaching were swallowed by the cloud beasts, so they did not disturb the crowd.
The journey to Lingnan Prefecture City crossed quite a large territory, with more than three or four mountains teeming with feral beast activity alone.
It was precisely because of such territories that the major sects and powers had opportunities for continuous development.
“Arrived.”
The Cloud Beast Boat’s speed gradually slowed, its altitude descending. The crowd awoke from meditation, opened their eyes, and saw a massive city come into view.
The city walls were a hundred meters high like mountain walls, stretching over a hundred li.
Roads crisscrossed within, pavilions densely packed everywhere, tall buildings a hundred chi high, majestic like traveling palaces.
“A prefecture city, yet with such majestic presence. It is indeed a cultivation ground.”
Su Yan’s perception was keen, influenced by fierce insects like the Troop Devouring Ghost Moth and Rock Demon Ant Queen, so he easily judged the situation beneath the giant city.
Three earth veins and one water vein converged in Lingnan Prefecture City, elevating its spiritual energy by several layers.
Especially at the town guard area, where spiritual energy gathered most, it was also the foundation of the Dali Dynasty’s suppression of Lingnan Prefecture.
“The deep courtyard with distinct layered compounds on the left wall is the Monster Suppressing Guard compound, where all the Monster Suppressing Guard soldiers, captains, and even the Prefectural Governor reside.”
Xia Wan’er seemed extremely familiar with Lingnan Prefecture City and pointed to the prefecture city below the Cloud Beast Boat.
“On the inner mountain in the left prefecture city is the Imperial Observatory Academy compound. There’s only one per prefecture, though there are gentlemen traveling the world recruiting disciples. Not many people, but don’t provoke them—their methods are profound.”
Su Yan narrowed his eyes slightly, showing contemplation. The Dali Dynasty had three pillar forces. The first was the entire Dali Army, from mortals to martial artists, with countless experts in the army and no fewer than three or four called soldier saints.
The second was the Monster Suppressing Guard, suppressing demonic path sects and feral beast uprisings in various prefectures—quite an internal knife, maintaining stability everywhere.
The third was the Imperial Observatory Academy: civil officials and talented people observing fortune and guarding the nation, all their disciples.
Though fewest in number, they had the most methods and were the most mysterious.
Left was Monster Suppressing Guard, right was Imperial Observatory Academy; the central prefecture town guard seemed somewhat weaker, specifically managing all affairs of Nantian Prefecture City.
“Greetings to fellow Daoists of the Beast King Sect.”
Before the Cloud Beast Boat entered the city, two people were already standing in the clouds, treading the void, cupping hands in greeting from afar.
The one on the left wore tight black martial robes with black-gold patterns, a bronze beast-pattern belt at the waist, sword-like brows and starry eyes, with an extremely strong aura.
The one on the right had long hair tied up, in white robes, quite free and indifferent like a scholar.
“Qi Nianshuang, Qi Qiubai—is it you two receiving us this time?”
“Indeed.”
Qi Nianshuang’s hands rested on the knife hilt at his waist and nodded: “Brother Yan, the Cloud Beast Boat is huge. Entering the city directly might cause inconvenience. Please follow me.”
“Very well.”
Yan Yin did not refuse, mentally controlling the Cloud Beast Boat to gain altitude, following Qi Nianshuang and the other to several tall buildings beside the Monster Suppressing Guard compound.
Because of the higher altitude and Monster Suppressing Envoy escort, entering the city this time did not draw more attention.
The Cloud Beast Boat gradually stopped beside the tall building, which turned out to be an inn for lodging and entertainment.
Everyone disembarked from the Cloud Beast Boat. Yan Yin stored it away, finally allowing Monster Suppressing Guard’s Qi Nianshuang and Imperial Observatory Academy’s Qi Qiubai to clearly see the arrivals.
Thirty spots, none empty, and clearly all experts in the True Intent Realm.
“Beast King Sect arrived first. Nine Peaks Sect, Sword One Sect, and other sects’ disciples have not yet arrived. Brother Yan may need to wait a day or two.”
“No matter.”
Yan Yin’s expression was as usual. Qi Nianshuang smiled: “Brother Yan need not be so serious. Before the Blood Flood Dragon Secret Realm opens, everyone can stroll Nantian Prefecture City—perhaps there will be gains.”
Nantian Prefecture City relied on the Lingtian River and was also the hub connecting Lingnan Prefecture to other prefectures, a key pass.
With bustling traffic, cultivation materials were indeed plentiful.
Mu Yu smiled brightly: “Many thanks for Fellow Daoist Qi’s kind intentions. After settling in, we will certainly walk around and see.”
After a few words of pleasantries, they parted. Yan Yin and the others needed to arrange lodging for the disciples and had no time to mind Qi Nianshuang and the others.
On the other side, as soon as Qi Nianshuang and Qi Qiubai left, Qi Nianshuang asked: “Mister Qi, did your Cyan Star Ancient Sheep’s gas-viewing reveal anything?”
Qi Qiubai’s figure paused slightly, a cyan sheep beast shadow flashing in his eyes.
He replied: “Your intelligence is accurate. That disciple named Yuan Yi does have an Innate Martial Body. Though only half-step Dan Qiao, if he enters the Blood Flood Dragon Secret Realm, he will be hard to deal with.”
Qi Nianshuang frowned slightly and asked: “What about Su Yan?”
Though only a few major competitions, the Monster Suppressing Guard naturally had means to obtain Tiger Ranking changes, especially for key observed individuals.
Yuan Yi, Suo Yunyi, Lan Yunyue, Zhao Mingcheng, and others were on their watchlist, especially Su Yan.
Such an ordinary-origin martial artist, in just over a year, became known throughout the Beast King Sect as Tiger Ranking First—this talent was too strong.
Qi Nianshuang wanted to know his enemy to win a hundred battles, but Qi Qiubai before him shook his head, voice hoarse: “Cannot see.”
“His physique is especially unique, blocking my gas-viewing technique. Unless probing without restraint, his reality cannot be seen.”
Gas-viewing was one of the Imperial Observatory Academy’s methods, borrowing true intent power, especially with contracted beasts capable of visualizing stars.
The strong could see fortune and life-death; the weaker could sense strength and plan responses.
Right now, the only information Qi Qiubai could see on Su Yan was that his strength was likely top-tier even among half-step Dan Qiao.
Qi Nianshuang exhaled, took a deep breath, then said: “I will report this to the Prefectural Governor. Please be careful, Mister Qi.”
“Understood.” Qi Qiubai paused slightly: “To compete over other competitors, best to leave no traces and not kill.”
Qi Qiubai was just reminding, but hearing “kill” made Qi Nianshuang’s face pale a few degrees.
Speaking so loudly in broad daylight—if something happened, would Nantian Prefecture City take the blame?
Su Yan was Long Qiushui’s disciple, and Long Qiushui was Gu Sanqian’s disciple.
And Gu Sanqian was Poison Dragon Tuo’s junior brother.
Did they not see that after Poison Dragon Daoist broke through to Dharma Aspect True Person back then, he directly rode his poison dragon upriver, seeking to comprehend the lingering upriver aura after Qin Jingtian’s battle with the blood flood dragon.
Two prefectural governors gambled and fought with him, only to be beaten black and blue.
If even Poison Dragon Tuo was so volatile, using off-field tactics on a junior disciple of their line would make conflict un suppressible.
This did not align with the Monster Suppressing Guard’s intentions.
The two parted. Qi Nianshuang strode toward the Monster Suppressing Guard compound.
He went straight to the deepest pavilion, pushed the door open. Several men and women in similar martial robes but with golden beast-pattern belts at their waists sat in their positions.
A total of seven, five men and two women, all prefectural governors in Lingnan Monster Suppressing Guard compound, all at Dharma Aspect Realm cultivation.
“Monster Suppressing Envoy Qi Nianshuang pays respects to the Prefectural Governor.”
Qi Nianshuang saluted. The lead Prefectural Governor waved: “Rise and speak. You went to receive the Beast King Sect disciples—how do you find this batch?”
“Elite among elites.” He paused: “Likely the Beast King Sect deliberately pushing these young talents to cut down the prestige of the major players, especially Nine Peaks Sect and Sword One Sect disciples.”
“Haha.” The lead Prefectural Governor laughed: “Elite among elites? Not easy words from you. Tell me in detail.”
“At least two Innate Martial Bodies, all at half-step Dan Qiao strength. If they enter the Blood Flood Dragon Secret Realm, their combat power will likely be first-tier. Our disciples may not suppress them.”
