Gathering at Wind Chime Valley

Wind Chime Valley got its name because it resembled a wind chime.

But the truly magical thing about Wind Chime Valley was that while inside, as long as the wind blew, one could hear the pleasant sound of wind chimes.

However, as soon as one left Wind Chime Valley, even by just one step, no matter how strong the wind, not a single chime could be heard.

But Wind Chime Valley was considered a rather dangerous place within the Northern Region.

Wind Chime Valley wasn't large, yet it harbored quite a few Demonic Beasts.

Although the Demonic Beasts in the Northern Region weren't particularly strong, the number of powerful individuals there was also limited. A single fifth-tier Demonic Beast could roam the Northern Region with impunity.

So, the choice of Wind Chime Valley for this event left many people baffled.

Those major families and popular sects had their genius disciples escorted by powerful experts, but what about everyone else?

The Northern Region Grand Competition was said to be open to anyone, but wasn't this location setting up a barrier from the start?

The location itself had already eliminated a large portion of the participants.

"Brother Chen, since you're also going to this Northern Region Grand Competition, how about we travel together?" Omniscient asked with a smile.

"We'll have a companion along the way."

Travel together?

Chen Yunxuan glanced at Omniscient, then nodded.

"We can travel together."

"Since you're called Omniscient, I assume you know quite a lot of information."

"Are there any experts in this Northern Region Grand Competition?" Chen Yunxuan asked.

Chen Yunxuan wasn't concerned about who would win the Northern Region Grand Competition or if they could participate in the Four Regions Martial Arts Gathering.

He didn't need the cultivation of the Four Regions either, as Chen Changan had already left him plenty of resources specifically for aiding his cultivation.

There was only one thing he needed to do: fight, and keep fighting.

Only through combat could his strength rapidly improve!

"Brother Chen, you jest. Even Evil Reaching Heaven was no match for you, so I doubt anyone in this Northern Region Grand Competition would last even a single move against you."

"The title of the number one young expert in the Northern Region is truly deserved," Omniscient said with a smile.

Number one young expert?

Upon hearing this, Chen Yunxuan shook his head. That wasn't his goal. To contend for a spot on the Human Ranking, he first had to become the number one in the Northern Region.

"I'm not talking about the younger generation."

"I'm talking about the older generation of Divine Ability Realm experts. How many will be attending this time? What will their approximate strength be?" Chen Yunxuan asked.

At this question, Omniscient was stunned for a moment before reacting.

Omniscient shook his head with a wry smile. How could he not have thought of it? Chen Yunxuan had already killed Evil Reaching Heaven, so he must be looking to challenge even stronger individuals.

"This time, according to my information, the four great families and five major sects will all be participating."

"However, it seems they will likely be led by elders. As for their strength, I'm not entirely sure, but I can make an educated guess."

"They'll probably be around the fifth or sixth level of the Divine Ability Realm, not exceeding the seventh level."

Fifth to seventh level of the Divine Ability Realm? That should be sufficient for cultivation practice.

"Which direction is Wind Chime Valley?"

"Let's go, I'll lead the way."

"Alright, thank you!"

Wind Chime Valley

Once a place that many people avoided, the outskirts of Wind Chime Valley were now crowded with people.

"Brother, what do we do? Are we really going in?"

Outside Wind Chime Valley, a young girl looked hesitant, her gaze fixed on the valley before her, appearing rather timid.

"The Northern Region Grand Competition is inside. Since we've already come this far, how can we turn back?"

"It's a pity we come from ordinary backgrounds and don't have powerful experts escorting us."

"Sigh, we can only rely on ourselves."

The young man sighed helplessly. He and his sister had been at Wind Chime Valley for three days.

They watched as the influential powers like the four great families and five major sects had their disciples escorted by experts into the valley.

But what about those without influence or background? They could only wait outside and observe, not daring to act rashly.

"They saw us, why didn't they just bring us along?"

"They said the Northern Region Grand Competition was open to everyone."

"Why did they choose a place like this?" the girl said with some displeasure.

"Silly girl, others have no obligation to bring us along."

"You still have to rely on yourself for everything."

The young man gave a wry smile. Although he was only two years older than his sister, he was clearly more mature.

Just as the two were talking, three young people approached them from not far away.

"Are you two also here to participate in the Northern Region Grand Competition?" the leader asked with a smile.

The leader looked to be about twenty years old, dignified and handsome.

The young girl's eyes lit up upon seeing him, and she secretly thought, What a handsome young man.

The young man, however, looked at the three with some wariness and asked with a frown, "Yes, is there something you need?"

"Haha, don't misunderstand, we mean no harm."

"Wind Chime Valley is full of dangers, but our strength isn't enough to go alone."

"The three of us have decided to gather some people to go together, so our chances of success will be greater."

"Would you two be willing to join our team?"

Team up?

Hearing this, a thought stirred in the young man's mind. This might be a way.

He had considered it before, but he didn't know anyone else and it was awkward to approach people directly to form a team.

Now that someone had approached them, he had no reason to refuse.

"That would be good. Let me introduce myself, my name is Zhang Wenyuan, I'm nineteen this year, and my cultivation is at the fifth level of the True Qi Realm."

"This is my sister, Zhang Wenqian, she's seventeen this year, and her cultivation is at the ninth level of the Essence Condensation Realm."

The fifth level of the True Qi Realm is acceptable, but the ninth level of the Essence Condensation Realm? What is she doing here? Trying to get herself killed?

Zhang Wenyuan seemed to notice their confusion and said helplessly, "This is her first time traveling far from home, and she insisted on coming along to see the world. I couldn't talk her out of it, so I brought her."

"Brother Zhang, you're being foolish."

"Wind Chime Valley is full of dangers, and your sister is still young and her strength is lacking. Isn't this just messing around?"

"Exactly, why didn't you try to persuade her?"

It was clear that the other two among the three, while seemingly offering advice, were actually a bit disdainful of Zhang Wenqian's weak cultivation, thinking she would be a burden.

Zhang Wenyuan could tell, but Zhang Wenqian clearly hadn't caught on.

"I'm not afraid, I just want to come and see things."

"Besides, I'm grown up now, I'm already seventeen, you don't need to worry about me," Zhang Wenqian said with a smile.

"This..."

Seeing that the other two still wanted to say something, the leader smiled faintly and said, "It's fine, we have plenty of people, let's bring her along."

"Thank you, kind sir, you're so nice."

Zhang Wenqian looked gratefully at the leader. Clearly, she was very impressed with him, both in appearance and demeanor.

The leader smiled slightly and then said, "My name is Wang Keming, I'm a bit older than you, twenty-two this year, and my cultivation is at the ninth level of the True Qi Realm."

"There isn't much time left until the Northern Region Grand Competition, so let's set off now."

"What do you think?"

"Just the five of us?"

"Yes, too many people would be inconvenient, easily leading to conflict and being difficult to control."

"Five people is just right. If necessary, after we go in, if we see anyone alone, we can invite them."

"Alright, then let's go."

"Let's go, set off for Wind Chime Valley!"