Three days passed in the blink of an eye. After making some arrangements, Xu Chuan had been in seclusion to consolidate his cultivation.
After listening to the Grand Elder's words, Xu Chuan understood what the Five Regions Grand Competition represented and the challenges he would face!
Those martial artists who had been trapped at the peak of the Half-Emperor realm for countless years, and some even reaching the end of their lifespan, would definitely use every means possible to contend for the opportunity to break through to the Emperor Venerable realm in the Void Immortal Realm.
Against those below the Half-Emperor realm, Xu Chuan was confident that he would fear no one.
However, if he encountered martial artists at or above the Half-Emperor realm, Xu Chuan would be somewhat powerless.
Even though they couldn't kill him, he couldn't do anything to them.
Even though the Grand Elder had stated that no beings above the Half-Emperor realm could enter the Void Immortal Realm.
But those old beings whose lifespans were nearing their end and who desperately sought a breakthrough would not care so much.
It was even possible that they had special means to enter the Void Immortal Realm.
Therefore, he had to be fully prepared and absolutely must not expose himself to danger.
Although he possessed some strength now, Xu Chuan knew in his heart that arrogance was not advisable.
No one was eternally invincible; one should know that there is always someone better, and heaven beyond heaven!
Be arrogant when it's time to be arrogant, and lie low when it's time to lie low!
It was in this state that three days passed.
On this day, above the Taiyi Holy Land, purple energy bloomed from the east, and divine light flickered.
Warships of all sizes floated in the void, emitting a powerful oppressive aura.
This sudden change instantly drew the attention of all disciples of the Taiyi Holy Land.
They cast their gaze upon the warships and saw rows of martial artists with formidable auras on board.
Each of these martial artists was suffused with a terrifying killing intent, and with every movement, killing energy emanated from them.
They looked like killing machines that had emerged from mountains of corpses and seas of blood, their faces expressionless, unmoved by the numerous gazes directed at them.
These were the Taiyi Dark Guards who would accompany Xu Chuan on the expedition for the Five Regions Grand Competition.
Moreover, they were the core members of the Dark Guards.
Each of them had a cultivation no lower than the fifth level of the Divine Ability Realm.
Any one of them, if taken out, could establish a sect and found a school.
Yet, now they stood uniformly on the warships, like ordinary soldiers of the mortal world.
Because they were all cultivated by the Taiyi Holy Land and were loyal only to the Taiyi Holy Land.
Normally, they were engaged in battles and fighting against the demon race on a battlefield.
Constantly growing stronger through combat and slaughter!
That battlefield was a small world, discovered by an ancient ancestor of the Taiyi Holy Land.
In that small world, it was desolate. Unlike other small worlds, it was connected to the Demon Realm.
Innumerable demons continuously poured out from it, wanting to invade this world and use it as a springboard to enter Xuan Tian.
Upon discovering this small world, the ancestors of the Taiyi Holy Land decided to turn it into a training ground for the Taiyi Holy Land.
Then, they selected individuals with exceptional talent from the mortal world within the Taiyi Holy Land's territory and formed a massive Dark Guard legion.
They were then taught martial arts techniques and combat skills, sent to fight against the demon race, and constantly strengthened through the baptism of blood and fire.
This was also why, although on the surface the Taiyi Holy Land did not seem to have many powerful figures, with even a few Heavenly King realm martial artists openly present, it could consistently maintain its position as the foremost power in the Eastern Region!
Whenever someone dared to provoke the Taiyi Holy Land, the Dark Guard legion would give them a painful lesson.
However, the impending siege of the Taiyi Holy Land by various factions clearly indicated a considerable force being gathered, otherwise, with the Dark Guard legion present, Blood Three Swords would not have died!
Every time he thought of this, an unnamed fire would rise in Xu Chuan's heart, and killing intent would surge uncontrollably.
Let them come at him directly; he would face whatever came his way. Xu Chuan was afraid of nothing.
But these allied factions had actually targeted the Taiyi Holy Land and, using superior numbers, wantonly slaughtered within its domain.
This was unbearable.
"Just wait, I will uproot every single one of these factions!"
Xu Chuan declared internally with murderous intent.
Then, Xu Chuan rose and sped towards the direction of the warships.
...
Meanwhile, throughout the entire Taiyi Holy Land, discussions about these warships were ongoing.
"What's going on? What are they doing?"
"The auras of these people are so powerful, even more so than those during the opening of the Emperor's Tomb!"
"When did our Taiyi Holy Land have so many experts?"
"I heard they are all going to accompany the Holy Son to the Central Region to participate in the Dao Discussion Assembly."
"I'm so envious, I wish I could witness the Holy Son's invincible demeanor!"
Amidst their shock, they couldn't help but murmur amongst themselves.
Some were aware of the Five Regions Grand Competition, and upon hearing about it, the news spread like wildfire.
Soon,
Everyone in the Taiyi Holy Land knew that they would be accompanying Xu Chuan to conquer the Five Regions Grand Competition.
Whoosh!
Just as everyone was discussing animatedly, Xu Chuan, transformed into a streak of crimson light, appeared in the sky above the Holy Land.
"Look quickly, the Holy Son is here!"
"Does the Holy Son seem stronger again? Is it just my imagination?"
"The Holy Son's performance in the Emperor's Tomb before was simply astounding; his strength must have broken through!"
Xu Chuan's appearance once again ignited the emotions of the surrounding disciples.
The focus of their discussions instantly shifted to Xu Chuan.
In response, Xu Chuan could only offer a smile.
"Elder Gu Zhen, I'm not late, am I?"
Xu Chuan first bowed and then asked the middle-aged martial artist on the warship.
"No, Holy Son, you've arrived just in time!"
Gu Zhen replied to Xu Chuan with a smile.
He then added, "Holy Son, please wait a moment. We can set off once Cui Jiang arrives!"
Hearing this, Xu Chuan nodded and stood to the side, waiting.
Xu Chuan had not seen Cui Jiang since that Dao Discussion Assembly.
It was said that he had been taken away and cultivated in secret.
Xu Chuan felt a sense of anticipation, wondering what level Cui Jiang had reached after such a long time.
As he was thinking, a large hammer appeared in the sky, with a person standing on it. It was Cui Jiang!
Xu Chuan's spiritual sense moved, and instantly, Cui Jiang's cultivation was revealed.
Heaven-Piercing Realm eighth level!
It had to be said that Cui Jiang's progress was remarkably fast.
Considering his talent was not particularly outstanding, merely that of an ordinary prodigy.
Yet, in such a short time, his cultivation had reached the eighth level of the Heaven-Piercing Realm!
Furthermore, in Xu Chuan's opinion, his cultivation was extremely solid, clearly not achieved through external means.
"Senior Brother Cui, we've been waiting for you!"
Xu Chuan said with a smile.
"I have kept the Holy Son waiting; I hope Your Highness will forgive my tardiness!"
Cui Jiang said to Xu Chuan with a hint of apology.
At this moment, their status and position were worlds apart, hence Cui Jiang's respectful address.
"It's nothing. Since you're here, let's prepare to depart!"
Xu Chuan nodded, then turned his head towards Gu Zhen beside him.
Gu Zhen understood and immediately flew into the sky, shouting, "Set off!"
With Gu Zhen's order, all the warships moved in unison.
At this moment, they began their expedition for the Five Regions Grand Competition!