Jiang Hao set off.
This time, he did not bring Big Tiger.
So many people were descending the mountain under Huangtian Sect's name; bringing Big Tiger along would have been inconvenient.
The entire group chose to ride horses down the mountain.
Martial artists could not fly.
Even Grandmasters, with their terrifying stamina and ability to travel a thousand li in a day, could not fly.
Only after Entering Dao could martial artists fly.
Only then did they truly possess the terrifying ability to soar through the skies and burrow through the earth.
The Huangtian Sect party was led by Elder Wang Deto.
This Elder Wang was said to have great seniority and was himself nearly at the limit of Grandmaster level.
Yet he had never been able to Enter Dao.
This time, he had led the group down the mountain to participate in the Southern Domain Seven Sects Alliance simply to give his remaining strength one last use and join in the excitement.
Still, with Elder Wang leading them, they would be almost entirely safe as long as they did not encounter an Dao Entry Realm expert.
Although there were many people along the way, they were basically all within Huangtian Sect's territory.
Someone had arranged everything in advance at every stop, so no one found the journey tiring at all.
Even after leaving Huangtian Sect's sphere of influence and entering Great Gan, Great Gan's local authorities arranged their food and lodging. There was none of that "sleeping rough and dining on the wind," nor did it feel like wandering the martial world.
Instead, it felt more like sightseeing all the way.
That was the benefit of having a major power at one's back.
After more than half a month, the group finally arrived in Gandu.
People from the Great Gan Imperial Family personally arranged for the Huangtian Sect group to stay in a magnificent courtyard.
Just as everyone had settled in, Xia Hong softly said to Jiang Hao, "Junior Brother, Leng Yue just left."
Jiang Hao had not paid attention to Leng Yue, but Xia Hong was different.
She had kept her eyes on Leng Yue the entire time.
"Senior Sister, there's no need to bother with her. Even though this is Gandu, Leng Yue would not dare use underhanded tricks. At most, she might pull some strings regarding the Seven Sects Alliance Grand Competition's match schedule."
"But even then, I doubt Leng Yue has that kind of influence. If she truly did, why would she have been exiled by the imperial family to Huangtian Sect?"
Xia Hong also agreed with Jiang Hao's words.
The Great Gan Imperial Family itself counted as one of the Seven Sects and was no weaker than Huangtian Sect.
The imperial family could train disciples on its own.
Although Leng Yue had been sent to Huangtian Sect to practice martial arts due to certain considerations of the Great Gan Imperial Family, she surely belonged to the imperial family's fringe. Otherwise, she would never have been sent so far away.
How could Leng Yue possibly have the influence to interfere with the Seven Sects Alliance Grand Competition?
"Junior Brother, do not grow complacent. You still need to be careful."
"How about this? I'll go find out which Hidden Force experts the other six sects have."
"Then I'll trouble you, Senior Sister."
Jiang Hao nodded.
He knew Xia Hong was exceptionally skilled at dealing with people.
If Xia Hong investigated the Hidden Force experts of the other six sects, Jiang Hao would be able to know both himself and his enemies, which would certainly help.
In fact, Xia Hong was not the only one gathering intelligence. Upon seeing Huangtian Sect arrive, the other six sects were likewise asking around about what experts Huangtian Sect had.
This time, Huangtian Sect was clearly a major topic of discussion.
Because Jiang Hao was only thirteen years old.
He looked far too young.
Among the martial artists confirmed to participate in the Seven Sects Alliance Grand Competition, Jiang Hao was the youngest.
Therefore, the six sects focused their inquiries on Jiang Hao.
However, there was not much information about Jiang Hao.
No matter how they investigated, they could only uncover a few scattered pieces of information.
Yet those few pieces of information were already enough to make the other six sects take him seriously.
Seven Peaks Mountain, one of the Southern Domain's Seven Sects.
This sect was somewhat unusual. It was divided into seven branches, equivalent to possessing seven different inheritances.
The branches competed with one another.
However, Seven Peaks Mountain had reached a consensus this time.
Li Qingshan would serve as the chief disciple of Seven Peaks Mountain's Outer Gate.
"Qingshan, I have just gathered some information about Huangtian Sect's Outer Gate."
"This time, eleven people have come from Huangtian Sect's Outer Gate, with Jiang Hao as their leader. This Jiang Hao is said to be an Inner Disciple of Huangtian Sect, but he only possesses Hidden Force cultivation. He passed the Ninth Floor of the Desolate Heaven Tower, which was why he could enter the Inner Gate."
"However, in order to participate in the Seven Sects Alliance Grand Competition, Huangtian Sect temporarily dropped Jiang Hao into the Outer Gate, making him Huangtian Sect Outer Gate's Senior Disciple Brother."
"Jiang Hao entered the sect only a short time ago, yet his strength is formidable. Huangtian Sect's ten greatest Outer Gate disciples are all utterly convinced by him."
Li Qingshan showed no expression upon hearing this.
He merely raised his eyes toward another courtyard and said calmly, "Uncle Mo, there is actually no need for you to investigate the so-called geniuses of the other six sects. It has no great meaning. Even though I failed to compete for the position of Divine Son and was exiled to the Southern Domain, this barbaric wilderness, I am still not someone those Southern Domain native geniuses can compare to."
"From beginning to end, I have had only one target in this Southern Domain Seven Sects Alliance Grand Competition: Yan Beiwu! Like me, she comes from a divine blood family. Like me, she failed in competing for the position of Divine Son. We are fellow frustrated souls. Yet here in the Southern Domain, we are the foremost geniuses among our peers. Once we use our divine blood, it will be difficult for us to lose even if we wish to."
"So there is no meaning in investigating those so-called local geniuses from the other six sects."
Li Qingshan's tone was calm.
Yet the meaning in his words was incomparably arrogant.
Perhaps it was not arrogance, but rather that he had already "seen through" everything.
In his eyes, the Southern Domain had always been a desolate land.
What sort of genius could possibly emerge here?
If he had not failed to compete for Divine Son within the divine blood family, why would he have come to this barbaric Southern Domain?
The man before Li Qingshan frowned slightly upon hearing this.
"Qingshan, do not look down on the Southern Domain's geniuses. Perhaps you are a Divine Descendant with divine blood and invincible among those of the same realm, but once these Southern Domain geniuses Enter Dao, the advantage of divine blood will no longer amount to much."
"Since you came to the Southern Domain, wasn't it because you wanted to turn the impossible into possible and hope to succeed in Entering Dao without relying on bloodline?"
Li Qingshan nodded. "Uncle Mo, I am merely stating facts. I will not look down on the Southern Domain's geniuses. Even though they lack bloodlines, they can still produce Dao Entry Realm experts. But below Dao Entry, among those of the same realm, who could possibly threaten divine blood?"
Li Qingshan had his own pride.
That pride was the divine blood within his body.
He came from a divine blood family!
It was a mark engraved deep into his soul.
Even after being driven from his Lineage and fleeing to the barbaric Southern Domain, he remained proud of the divine blood in his body!
"Qingshan, tell me honestly. Are you setting your sights on Yan Beiwu?"
Uncle Mo asked.
"That's right. Uncle Mo, I have already been driven to the Southern Domain. Wanting to Enter Dao? It is harder than climbing to heaven; I can only rely on a miracle. But if I can unite with Yan Beiwu, the divine blood within our bodies may undergo certain changes. Then, we may not be unable to return to the divine blood family."
"This would benefit us both. It would be a win-win situation, so why is Yan Beiwu so resistant?"
"Among those our age in the Southern Domain, other than me, who else could possibly be worthy of Yan Beiwu?"
"Could it be those Southern Domain martial artists with no bloodline at all?"
Li Qingshan's words made Uncle Mo's frown deepen.
He knew Li Qingshan was proud.
But he had not expected his pride to reach such a degree.
Others were one thing.
Yan Beiwu also possessed divine blood and was also a Divine Descendant.
If Yan Beiwu was unwilling, what could Li Qingshan do?
"Uncle Mo, put your mind at ease. Yan Beiwu will agree."
"As long as I sweep aside the Southern Domain Seven Sects' greatest geniuses this time, Yan Beiwu will naturally understand that in the Southern Domain, only I am worthy of her! No one else is qualified."
Uncle Mo let out a long sigh. "So be it. Do as you please."
He had followed Li Qingshan from the divine blood family to Seven Peaks Mountain in the Southern Domain.
It was effectively exile.
There was almost no hope of returning to the divine blood family in this lifetime.
They could only rely on a miracle.
In any case, the Southern Domain truly had no formidable experts.
So he would let Li Qingshan do as he pleased.
At this moment, Yan Beiwu of Moonlight Sect was also listening to a subordinate's report.
"Miss, Jiang Hao of Huangtian Sect is said to be only thirteen years old, and he even passed the Desolate Heaven Tower. I carefully investigated this Desolate Heaven Tower. Any Huangtian Sect disciple who passes its Ninth Floor, provided they do not die prematurely, basically succeeds in Entering Dao."
"Therefore, this Jiang Hao is practically Huangtian Sect's future Seed of the Dao. His potential is immeasurable."
Yan Beiwu raised her head upon hearing this, revealing a peerlessly elegant and beautiful face.
"Though this is the barbaric Southern Domain, and many martial artists lack powerful bloodlines, once they Enter Dao, even those of us who possess divine blood will no longer hold much advantage."
"Huangtian Sect's Seed of the Dao truly must be treated with caution!"
"However, what Jiang Hao possesses is ultimately only potential. Before Entering Dao, strength is what matters, and without a bloodline, he is at too great a disadvantage. In this Seven Sects Alliance Grand Competition, I fear my only opponent will be Li Qingshan."
Although Yan Beiwu was unlike Li Qingshan and was not so conceited,
she also understood that the advantages she and Li Qingshan possessed from their divine blood were simply too great.
"Miss, that annoying and arrogant fellow? Hmph, without divine blood, he would be a complete and utter piece of trash! And he actually wants a marriage alliance with you? Dream on!"
The maid clearly thought very poorly of Li Qingshan.
"Enough, do not concern yourself with Li Qingshan. We only need to smoothly secure a Blood Transformation Pool slot this time. Even if Li Qingshan competes for one, there are still two slots left. That is enough!"
"Yes, Miss."
Yan Beiwu gazed into the distance.
That was the direction of her Household.
Unfortunately, she could not return home.
Huangtian Sect's residence.
Xia Hong sat before Jiang Hao. She had already gathered information about the other six sects.
"Li Qingshan? Yan Beiwu?"
"You mean everyone outside believes these two will definitely obtain two Blood Transformation Pool slots? So everyone else can only fight for the third slot, the sole remaining slot?"
Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised.
The Seven Sects Alliance Grand Competition had not even begun, yet two Blood Transformation Pool slots had already been taken?
One had to know that for disciples below Transforming Force, there were only three Blood Transformation Pool slots in total.
"Could there be backroom dealings in the Seven Sects Alliance Grand Competition as well? Is it predetermined?"
Jiang Hao asked.
Xia Hong shook her head. "How could it be predetermined? This is jointly overseen by all seven sects. But Li Qingshan and Yan Beiwu are somewhat special. It is said they come from beyond the Southern Domain and possess certain special bloodlines."
"Some call it divine blood!"
"There are even rumors that those who possess divine blood are invincible among those of the same realm!"
Jiang Hao's eyes narrowed.
"Divine blood?"
Speaking of divine blood, did he not possess Great Sun Golden Crow Divine Blood within him?
He had not encountered any other martial artists with divine blood so far.
Now that he had a chance to encounter two martial artists with divine blood, Jiang Hao could not help feeling somewhat expectant.
"However, my Great Sun Golden Crow Bloodline is incomplete divine blood. I wonder whether it can compare to the divine blood of those two?"
Many thoughts flashed through Jiang Hao's mind.
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