Yunmeng Dragon Grotto, Heavenly River Great Waterfall!

When Li Daochen returned to his lodgings, the people from the Yellow Dragon Sect were already in an uproar.

Clearly, they had heard about his wild boast.

The disciples were angry, but none dared speak out, afraid Li Daochen would pummel them too.

Ye Hua frowned at Li Daochen. "Why were you so impulsive?"

"My Dao is to press forward without faltering!" Li Daochen said bluntly. Although he had acted arrogantly this time to achieve certain ends, that was indeed how he cultivated in this life: with him here, none could stand against him!

Ye Hua's frown deepened.

Now that it concerned Li Daochen's convictions about cultivation, he could hardly rebuke him further.

"You... take care of yourself." Ye Hua left with the disciples, far from optimistic about Li Daochen's chances.

There were too many monstrous prodigies this time, and Li Daochen might not be able to beat them even one-on-one. Someone who stuck his neck out and acted arrogant like this was even more likely to get killed.

The four disciples were furious.

"What if his arrogance drags us down with him?" They resolved to stay far away from Li Daochen.

Li Daochen returned to his room, closed his eyes and calmed his mind.

He did not cultivate, but instead nurtured his momentum!

When two met on a narrow path, the brave one prevailed!

So it was in cultivation, and so it was in battle!

The night grew deeper.

Yunmeng Ancient City, however, grew brighter, its clamor ringing out.

This was destined to be a sleepless night!

Outside the city, the roars of unknown beasts sounded from time to time.

Suddenly.

A group of people entered Yunmeng Ancient City.

"After three months of arduous cultivation, this will be the first step in my comeback, the first step toward making my name shake the east!"

A young man raised his head. It was Yang Chen!

This group was none other than the cultivators of the Jade Heaven Sect, who had arrived late.

Leading them was the Jade Heaven Patriarch!

He, too, was full of ambition this time, though not because the disciples his sect had trained were particularly formidable!

Although this generation of disciples was stronger than usual, they still could not compare with those of an Upper Profound Sect.

What truly delighted him was Yang Chen!

In just three months, Yang Chen had shed his old self and been reborn, reaching Divine Bridge Peak in one leap!

He had also awakened a True Dragon Physique even more powerful than the Sacred Dragon Physique, and was close to minor mastery of it!

There were two Sacred Physiques in this Thousand Sect Grand Competition?

Who didn't have one?!

Besides, Yang Chen's True Dragon Physique was bound to be stronger than Zhu Lingye's and Zhao Jiuxiao's!

"Yang Chen, keep a low profile for now. Wait until the final battle, then amaze everyone with a single feat and take first place among the thousand sects when they least expect it!" the Jade Heaven Patriarch urged him again and again.

After Li Daochen had gotten the better of him twice, Yang Chen was noticeably more composed. He nodded in silence.

As he walked down the street, Yang Chen appeared calm, but his heart burned.

This was a grand stage that could never have existed in the Spirit Sect!

He hoped to soar into the heavens in a single flight, then return to the Spirit Sect with overwhelming combat power and crush...

"That Li Daochen really is arrogant! Once he enters the Yunmeng Dragon Grotto, I'll sit back and watch him get smashed to pieces!" a voice bellowed.

Yang Chen: "..."

Damn it!

Why am I hearing that name here too?

My imagination!

It has to be my imagination!

But a while later.

Yang Chen fell silent!

"So that brat came too. Good. You can take your revenge sooner than expected." The Jade Heaven Patriarch smiled, though a flicker of killing intent passed through his eyes. After all, one of his sons had died because of Li Daochen.

"Li Daochen was the one who caused Uncle's death, wasn't he? Good. I'll avenge Uncle this time!" The speaker was the Jade Heaven Patriarch's grandson, Shui Duanliu!

Compared with Yang Chen and his True Dragon Physique, Shui Duanliu was indeed considerably inferior. But before Yang Chen arrived, he had been hailed as the most talented person the Jade Heaven Sect had produced in a hundred years!

As he spoke.

Shui Duanliu looked at Yang Chen. "Focus on fighting for first place. Leave Li Daochen to me."

Yang Chen gave Shui Duanliu an emotionless look.

Having been there for both battles at the Battle Sect and the Supreme Qian Sect, Yang Chen knew all too well how freakishly strong Li Daochen was!

To tell the truth, Yang Chen had been beaten so badly that it had left a shadow over him.

He had come to this Thousand Sect Grand Competition intending to rebuild his confidence!

But hearing that Li Daochen had come too, Yang Chen immediately panicked a little, afraid Li Daochen had come to make trouble for him again...

As for Shui Duanliu going after Li Daochen?

He could beat Shui Duanliu until he called him big brother, so how could Shui Duanliu beat Li Daochen to death?

If Shui Duanliu had that kind of ability, then he was the real big brother.

"Good luck." Yang Chen decided to watch how things unfolded and lie low in secret.

He, Yang Chen, really had grown.

In that regard, Li Daochen had been an undeniably competent villain, forcibly tempering Yang Chen's character.

The next day.

Large numbers of cultivators headed toward the central area of Yunmeng Ancient City.

That was where the entrance to the Yunmeng Dragon Grotto lay.

Walking down the streets today, one could see almost nothing but prodigies in every direction!

Li Daochen moved forward with the crowd.

Even though he had witnessed more spectacular scenes, Li Daochen was swept up in the atmosphere.

The Thousand Sect Grand Competition!

Held once every ten years in the east, it was the grandest clash of the younger generation!

The strong shone with boundless brilliance, while the weak departed in obscurity!

Those who shone at the Thousand Sect Grand Competition would be remembered for the next ten years!

For the young, this was the grandest, most stirring stage of all!

Even if it meant risking life and limb, they were willing to fight!

Only when he reached the entrance to the Yunmeng Dragon Grotto did Li Daochen understand why he was so restless!

So it isn't that the Thousand Sect Grand Competition is so earth-shaking. It's that I'm no longer a supporting character!

Li Daochen clenched his fist.

He had been a foil for others too many times. Though his heart had refused to yield, he had ultimately grown numb and lost his passion.

It was always others who shone, while he remained dim!

But this time.

Li Daochen told himself that he could shine too!

The entrance to the Yunmeng Dragon Grotto opened once every ten years!

The secret realm within was as vast as a kingdom!

What was more, the Yunmeng Dragon Grotto had four layers!

The first three layers would be their battlefield!

On the first layer, one could enter the second by obtaining twenty Yunmeng Spirit Fruits!

On the second layer, one could enter the third by obtaining a piece of Yunmeng Spirit Jade!

The third layer was the final battlefield!

Those who entered would fight one-on-one until no opponents remained!

It was extremely brutal. Over the years, many top prodigies had been targeted and lost their chance at first place.

This year, people like Zhao Jiuxiao and Zhu Lingye would certainly be targeted too, and would most likely find themselves attacked by a crowd.

Of course.

Whoever could suppress everyone else and take first place would shine all the brighter!

Such a person would not fade into the crowd even after going to a Saint Sect.

Unfortunately.

It had been quite a few years since a prodigy capable of crushing the competition like that had appeared!

As for the fourth layer, that was where the powerhouses of the various sects went!

The Yunmeng Dragon Grotto itself held tremendous opportunities. Every time it opened, once every ten years, new opportunities appeared. Although the fourth layer was dangerous, it held more treasures.

However.

Those on the fourth layer could look down and see the third!

When the time came, the powerhouses of the various sects would witness the birth of the champion of the thousand sects with their own eyes!

That was the Thousand Sect Grand Competition: simple and brutal!

There were two portals here, one leading to the first layer of the Dragon Grotto and the other to the fourth!

At this very moment.

The portal to the first layer was gradually opening.

The expressions of the assembled prodigies began to sharpen.

Whether they could make their names known throughout the east would be decided now!

The lord of Yunmeng City... Nangong Meng'er's father, Nangong Qing, walked to the edge of the portal, ready to announce the start of the competition.

As in previous years, a few ceremonial words had to be said.

Creak!

The portal finally opened wide!

Yun Qingshui looked envious. "I really want to go in. I'm so envious of everyone who can. Li Daochen, when you come out, you have to tell me what you did in there..."

Boom!

Like an arrow loosed from a bow, Li Daochen suddenly shot to the front of the portal.

He turned, his black hair flying and his sword-like brows sharp.

"I'll be waiting for you at the Heavenly River Great Waterfall. Come if you've got the guts!"