Arrival in Jama

Arrival in Jama

After more than an hour of travel by air, Xiao Ling and the others drew ever closer to their destination. According to the map, they would soon reach the border of the Jia Ma Empire...

Time passed amid the tedious flight. When they crossed another majestic mountain along the endless distant road, the outline of an enormous fortress suddenly appeared faintly at the edge of their vision.

The fortress had been built against the mountain, like a fierce tiger guarding the main route leading out of the empire. Anyone wishing to leave the empire had to pass through this massive stronghold. Over the years, this heavily defended fortress had devoured countless souls lost on the battlefield, making many neighboring empires fear it like a tiger.

Thus, this fortress had a rather ominous name.

Town Ghost Pass!

Under Xiao Ling's gaze, the outline of a massive fortress appeared in the distance. Even from far away, it radiated a baleful aura. Clearly, many battles had taken place here, and no one knew how many people had lost their lives within its walls.

As they gradually approached the massive fortress, the soldiers stationed atop it noticed the Griffin Beast.

Although they were at least several hundred meters above the ground, and the soldiers below could only see the silhouette of a flying creature rather than Xiao Ling and Zi Yan standing atop it, Xiao Ling's eyesight allowed him to clearly take in every movement on the ground.

At that moment, the soldiers were already on high alert, as though they would draw their bows and shoot the flying creature from the sky the moment it came closer.

Inside the commander's office of Town Ghost Pass, a middle-aged man was handling official business. He was Mu Tie, the commander of Town Ghost Pass, from the Mu Family, one of the Three Great Families of the Jia Ma Empire. His strength had reached the Dou Ling Peak.

Suddenly, an armored soldier entered. He first gave a military salute, then reported, "Commander, a fourth-tier Flying Magical Beast has appeared in the sky. It seems to be a Griffin Beast from Jia Nan Academy."

Upon hearing the report, Mu Tie frowned and asked in confusion, "There are still more than six months before Jia Nan Academy's recruitment period. Why have they come now? Let's go take a look first." With that, he rose from his seat and headed outside.

By the time Mu Tie and the soldiers reached the fortress walls, the Griffin Beast in the sky had already stopped advancing and was hovering in midair.

Two figures walked onto the Griffin Beast's head. The one in front was a young man who appeared to be around fifteen or sixteen. His blue hair fell over his shoulders, and his features were rather handsome. His fair skin did not diminish his masculine air, while his tall, straight frame and gentle temperament made him seem approachable. Behind him followed a little girl who looked only eleven or twelve. She wore a white dress, and her soft purple hair was tied into twin ponytails, making her look exceptionally adorable.

Under the stunned gazes of Mu Tie and the soldiers, a pair of Dou Qi Wings unfolded behind both the young man and the little girl behind him as they slowly flew toward the fortress.

At the sight, the soldiers atop the fortress all sucked in sharp breaths and began crying out:

"A Dou Wang powerhouse!"

"Two Dou Wang powerhouses have appeared at once. What exactly is happening?"

"That little girl is actually a Dou Wang powerhouse too? How is that possible?"

Even Mu Tie, the strongest person here, was deeply shocked. He muttered to himself, "Such young Dou Wang powerhouses... What kind of force could have nurtured such monsters? And why have they come to the Jia Ma Empire?"

After Xiao Ling and Zi Yan flew down from the Griffin Beast, it flew back in the direction it had come from. Seeing this, Mu Tie became certain that the two had come to Jama Empire. Whether that would be a blessing or a disaster, he did not know. He hurried forward and asked, "I am Mu Tie, chief commander of Town Ghost Pass. Why have you two come here? Are you visiting Jama Empire?"

Seeing that the other party had introduced himself first and asked about his purpose, Xiao Ling did not beat around the bush. He said, "I am Xiao Ling, an elder of Jia Nan Academy in the Black Corner Region, and a member of the Xiao Family from Wutan City in the Jia Ma Empire. The one behind me is my traveling companion. Rest assured, I bear no ill will toward you or Jama Empire."

Upon hearing the name "Xiao Ling," Mu Tie thought for a moment. A name that had spread throughout the Imperial Capital several years ago resurfaced in his mind: "The Jia Ma Empire's greatest genius in a thousand years, Xiao Ling." According to information gathered by the major factions, this man had begun cultivating dou qi at four and a half, broken through to Dou Zhe at eight, then left for Jia Nan Academy to further his studies, with no news of him ever since. At the time, all the major factions and families of the Jia Ma Empire had wanted to invite Xiao Ling into their ranks, but they had long been unable to find any trace of him. Mu Tie had heard from his Clan Leader that even the imperial family's guardian had wanted to marry the imperial family's little Princess to him, drawing him into the imperial family. Once he matured, they would no longer need to worry that, after the guardian's death, no one would be able to suppress the increasingly powerful Misty Cloud Sect. Yet no one had expected that in merely seven years, the little Dou Zhe of that time would become a Dou Wang powerhouse. Such talent truly lived up to the title of "the Jia Ma Empire's greatest genius in a thousand years."

No longer dwelling on such matters, Mu Tie quickly stepped forward and said with a smile, "Hahaha, so you are the renowned genius Xiao Ling of Jama Empire. I have long admired your name. Seeing you today, you truly are an outstanding young hero. You have already become a Dou Wang powerhouse at such a young age, far more accomplished than this old man after cultivating for most of his life."

The two had already landed atop the city wall. Xiao Ling waved his hand and said, "I will not waste time with pleasantries. I need to find someone first. Help me deliver a letter to the Xiao Family in Wutan City. Then have the imperial family escort my family to the Imperial Capital and arrange a place for the Xiao Family to live there. Once this is done, if the imperial family can gather the materials for three Sect Breaking Pills, I can help Elder Jia refine one Sect Breaking Pill. If you handle this matter well, I believe the imperial family will also credit you with a merit." After speaking, Xiao Ling took an Alchemist Badge from his Storage Ring.

As a Sixth-grade Alchemist certified by Jia Nan Academy, Xiao Ling naturally possessed his own Alchemist Badge.

However, Xiao Ling rarely showed off before others. He preferred to keep a low profile and seldom wore it on his person.

Because of Pill Tower's immense influence, Alchemist Badges across the Dou Qi Continent differed somewhat in appearance, but the differences were only in color. In the Northwest Continent, they consisted of a medicinal cauldron with silver ripples.

The number of silver ripples on the cauldron corresponded to the alchemist's grade.

The Alchemist Badge Xiao Ling had just taken from his Storage Ring bore six flowing ripples atop the cauldron, and they seemed rather spirited.

These Alchemist Badges were exceedingly difficult to forge, and those capable of forging them would not bother doing so.

Forging a badge was not only disgraceful, but being exposed could also easily offend an Alchemist. On the Dou Qi Continent, Alchemists were an exceptionally proud group.

After hearing Xiao Ling's words, Mu Tie turned his gaze toward the Alchemist Badge in Xiao Ling's hand and began counting the ripples upon it.

"One, two, three, four, five, six... He really is a Sixth-grade Alchemist."

Mu Tie was utterly shocked. Xiao Ling's cultivation talent being monstrous was one thing, but his alchemy was no less extraordinary. For so many years, Jama Empire had only possessed one Sixth-grade Alchemist: Master Gu He, the Guest Elder of the Misty Cloud Sect. Moreover, from Xiao Ling's tone, he was a Sixth-grade Alchemist capable of refining Sect Breaking Pills. Master Gu He could not even refine an Imperial Extreme Pill, yet Xiao Ling could refine a Sect Breaking Pill, which was even more difficult. Did that not make Xiao Ling's alchemy unmatched within the Jia Ma Empire? In seven years, he had surpassed Master Gu He's efforts over half a lifetime. Hiss... This talent was truly terrifying.

Releasing a trace of the heat from the Golden Emperor Blazing Heaven Flame, Xiao Ling waved his hand and said, "Just luck. I obtained a Heavenly Flame, which allowed my alchemy to improve so quickly."

Xiao Ling had spread the news of his Heavenly Flame because he wanted the Nalan Family to come to him and ask him to remove Nalan Jie's Brand Poison. Only then could he obtain that Seven Illusory Azure Spirit Saliva. Xiao Ling had no intention of eagerly going to their door to offer his help. Besides, no one in Jama Empire could snatch the Heavenly Flame from him. Even if that Jie Jie Monster wanted to capture him, with Rayquaza's speed, leaving would be effortless.

Feeling that heart-palpitating, terrifying heat, Mu Tie was shocked once again. He was actually an Alchemist who possessed a Heavenly Flame. Master Gu He had searched for most of his life without finding even the slightest clue concerning one, yet this man had acquired one at such a young age. Such luck was truly beyond envy.

Mu Tie hurriedly cupped his hands and said in an even more respectful tone, "I was somewhat disrespectful earlier. I did not expect Master Xiao Ling to be a Sixth-grade Alchemist. Please accept my apology."

Waving his hand, Xiao Ling put the Alchemist Badge back into his Storage Ring, took out a letter, and handed it to Mu Tie. He added, "There is no need for that. If you handle this matter properly, when you need a Spirit Dou Pill to break through to Dou Wang in the future, as long as you prepare the ingredients, I can refine one for you whenever I have time."

Hearing this, Mu Tie was overjoyed. He was now only one step away from Dou Wang, and he would certainly need a Spirit Dou Pill after breaking through. Perhaps then he would even earn himself a place among Jama Empire's ten strongest experts. He would have to start gathering several sets of ingredients for Spirit Dou Pills.

Taking the letter, Mu Tie said solemnly, "Mu Tie will certainly not fail your trust. Master Xiao Ling, please go find the person you seek without worry."

Xiao Ling nodded, then took Zi Yan's hand and began flying in the direction of the Tagor Desert. Before long, they disappeared from Mu Tie's sight.

After seeing the two depart, Mu Tie hurriedly handed the letter to his personal guard and ordered him to deliver it to the Xiao Family in Wutan City. He himself immediately set out to report the matter to the imperial family.

As Xiao Ling flew through the sky, he could not help looking forward to meeting the Ice Emperor, Hai Bodong. Back when he had read novels in his previous life, Xiao Ling had quite liked Hai Bodong as a character. Now that he was about to meet him in person, it was truly a strange feeling.