"If you truly possess the omnipotent means and unparalleled strength you claim, do you dare to participate!"
"I will formally challenge you at the Wangyue Martial Arts Gathering to avenge the humiliation you have inflicted upon me today!"
Mu Qinxin spoke each word deliberately.
Ling Fan, without turning his head, coldly scoffed, "Ridiculous. Whether I attend or not is my own decision, and it concerns you not."
"Are you perhaps afraid!"
Mu Qinxin pressed further, attempting to provoke him.
"Furthermore, do you know the origin of the Wangyue Martial Arts Gathering? It is said to have been formed from the Nascent Soul of a Golden Core realm Martial Venerable from a thousand years ago, and within it resides a Silver Toad that has lived for an unknown number of years."
"Every year on the fifteenth of August, it breathes towards the moon, exhaling a vast amount of Nascent Soul Qi. However, only the top ten supreme prodigies of the Wangyue Martial Arts Gathering are qualified to absorb this Dan Qi. I heard from my father that your physical body is damaged, and this Dan Qi is precisely what you urgently need!"
"Are you sure you won't go?"
Mu Qinxin gazed intently at Ling Fan's retreating back.
"Formed from the Nascent Soul of a Golden Core realm expert?"
Ling Fan halted his steps.
"That does hold some interest. In that case, I might consider attending. However, there's no need for any competition; all geniuses should voluntarily withdraw from the martial gathering. I shall take all the Dan Qi for myself."
"Ling Fan, you are truly incorrigibly arrogant!"
Mu Qinxin could hardly believe her ears.
"Hmph! I will be waiting for you at the Wangyue Martial Arts Gathering. Let's see how you can stand out from the crowd!"
...
As night fell.
The moon was veiled in a fine mist.
Silver moonlight bathed the boundless land.
Ling Fan, uncharacteristically, was not cultivating nor healing.
These century-old spiritual herbs no longer offered much benefit to his remaining injuries.
His condition had only recovered to about eighty percent.
His gaze swept across this world, looking towards the direction of the Snow King's Palace.
However, it was not yet time to go to the Snow King's Palace.
The safety of Xueyi was paramount, and this matter could not be rushed. Thorough preparation was necessary.
At the very least, he had to wait until his injuries were fully healed.
He counted on his fingers; less than two months remained until the second tribulation of Xueyi's Nine Deaths Spirit Phoenix Body arrived.
Even with his composure, he felt a rare touch of impatience.
Ling Fan's eyes flashed, and he produced a jade talisman.
This was a positioning talisman indicating the location of the Four Symbols Sect. Upon activation, a thin beam of light shot straight in one direction.
Ling Fan's body flickered, and he appeared dozens of meters away. With another flicker, he was even further.
Following the beam of light, he soon vanished from Maplewood City.
...
On the ramparts of Maplewood City.
A graceful figure clad in silver feathered armor appeared incredibly tall and slender, her curves exquisite and well-defined beneath the protective layers.
Her gaze was filled with complexity as she watched the young, gray-haired figure disappear from Maplewood City.
Her emotions were in turmoil.
Even she herself did not understand her own feelings.
After a long while.
A figure appeared behind her.
"Daughter, the night wind is cool. Go back and rest."
It was Mu Qinxin's father, the City Lord of Maplewood City, Mu Renmin.
Mu Qinxin was reluctant to return and slowly shook her head.
Mu Renmin sighed, "I've told you, Young Master Ling is no ordinary person. Why must you contend with him! You all say that the Sect Master of the Four Symbols Sect, Wu Zhi, fears his mysterious identity and background. But in my opinion, he likely fears Young Master Ling's strength purely."
"In the thousands of years of history of the Cang Realm, have you ever seen a Profound Gang Realm cultivator this strong in ancient texts? A Profound Gang Realm cultivator with such a robust physical body? And this is even when Young Master Ling is suffering from extremely severe injuries. I cannot even imagine his power when he is at his peak."
"Young Master Ling is not like us mortals. He is like a divine dragon from the heavens, an exiled immortal of this world."
Recalling everything that had happened in the short time since Ling Fan's arrival, Mu Renmin was filled with emotion.
Mu Qinxin said, "I know he is very strong. I can feel it, but..."
A look of stubbornness flickered in her eyes.
"I, Mu Qinxin, never believe I am inferior to anyone! I joined the Silver Feather Sect ten years ago, and step by step, from the most ordinary disciple, I defeated countless rivals to reach my current position as the Fourth Saintess of the Silver Feather Sect. This was all driven by this very thought of not admitting defeat."
"I will not surrender! I must compete with him and determine a victor!"
"Moreover, I also intend to use the pressure he gives me to attempt a breakthrough to the Giant Spirit Realm!"
"This is my true objective!"
Mu Renmin seemed to see his daughter anew. After a long moment, he praised, "Good child, you have ambition! However, do not push yourself too hard. Some things are achievable through effort, while many things are beyond human control."
"Father, I understand. You don't need to worry about me."
...
Somewhere in the east of the Cang Realm.
Within a majestic mountain range as vast as a celestial dragon.
The Four Symbols Sect was situated here.
The Sect Master of the Four Symbols Sect, Wu Zhi, paced alone in the grand hall, his hands behind his back, appearing deep in thought.
Just then.
Suddenly, a young figure appeared as if a ghost.
"Sect Master Wu."
The young figure called out.
"Ah! You scared me to death!"
Wu Zhi nearly jumped out of his skin and patted his chest, still shaken.
Upon seeing it was Ling Fan, Wu Zhi quickly bowed respectfully to Ling Fan and said, "Senior Ling, please don't be so formal. Don't call me Sect Master Wu. Just call me Xiao Wu! It sounds so much more intimate."
Ling Fan was almost amused by this Wu Zhi.
The Sect Master of the Four Symbols Sect was truly an interesting character.
He was adaptable and knew how to bend.
Consider this: the Sect Master of a sect, who was actually over eighty years old, was humbly asking a young man not yet twenty to call him Xiao Wu.
This was truly a talent!
"Senior Ling, didn't you say you would come in a couple of days? Why are you here tonight! I haven't even prepared properly to welcome you."
"This is our Four Symbols Sect's renowned Cloud Mist Spirit Tea, and it comes from that one unique thousand-year-old mother tree. Only a few dozen grams are produced annually. Please try some!"
Wu Zhi was extremely solicitous.
Ling Fan took a sip.
Instantly, a warm current flowed down his throat and quietly dissipated within his body.
Even Ling Fan's physical injuries showed a slight sign of healing.
This demonstrated the extraordinary nature of this cup of tea.
It was equivalent to some century-old medicinal herbs.
It was a pity that the quantity was too small.
If he had several dozen catties, it might have been possible for Ling Fan's injuries to fully recover.
"Xiao Wu, introduce me to some of the sects in the Cang Realm."
Ling Fan said calmly.
"Ah? Oh! Yes, yes! I will tell you everything I know without reservation."
Sect Master Wu Zhi of the Four Symbols Sect pondered for a moment, then began his introduction.
"Senior Ling, you should have heard of the general sects and powers in the Cang Realm."
"Heavenly Cang Sect, Crimson Dragon Hall, and Snow King's Palace. These are the undisputed top three major sects in the Cang Realm. Within these three major sects, there are Great Accomplishment Kings, and some even have more than one Great Accomplishment King."