Gathering at Wind Chime Valley

Wind Chime Valley got its name from its resemblance to a wind chime.

But the truly wondrous thing about Wind Chime Valley was that, as long as the wind blew while you were inside, you could hear the pleasant chime of wind bells.

Yet once you left Wind Chime Valley, even by a single step, no matter how strong the wind was, you couldn't hear a single chime.

However, Wind Chime Valley was considered a rather dangerous place in the Northern Domain.

The valley wasn't large, but it was home to quite a few Demonic Beasts.

Although the Demonic Beasts in the Northern Domain weren't particularly strong, the region had only a limited number of powerful cultivators. A single Fifth-tier Demonic Beast could run rampant across the Northern Domain.

That was why many people found it hard to understand why Wind Chime Valley had been chosen this time.

The talented disciples from the great families had powerful experts escorting them. But what about everyone else?

The Northern Domain Grand Competition was said to be open to anyone, but didn't choosing this location create a barrier to entry?

Most people had already been eliminated by the choice of location alone.

"Brother Chen, since you're also going to the Northern Domain Grand Competition, why don't we travel together?"

"We'll have some company along the way." The Know-It-All smiled as he asked.

Travel together?

Chen Yunxuan glanced at the Know-It-All, then nodded.

"That works."

"Since they call you the Know-It-All, I assume you know plenty of things."

"Are there any experts at the Northern Domain Grand Competition?" Chen Yunxuan asked.

Chen Yunxuan didn't care who won the Northern Domain Grand Competition or whether he got to attend the Four Regions Martial Arts Gathering.

He didn't need the Four Regions to nurture him, either. Chen Changan had already left him plenty of resources, all of them intended to help him cultivate.

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

Only through battle could he rapidly increase his strength!

"Brother Chen, you're joking. If even Evil Reaching Heaven was no match for you, then I doubt anyone at the Northern Domain Grand Competition could withstand a single blow from you."

"You've truly earned the title of the number one among the younger generation in the Northern Domain." The Know-It-All smiled.

The number one among the younger generation?

Hearing that, Chen Yunxuan shook his head. That wasn't his goal. To compete for a place on the Human Ranking, he first had to become the strongest in the Northern Domain.

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

"I mean the older generation's Divine Ability Realm experts. How many of them will come this time? And what's their approximate strength?" Chen Yunxuan asked.

At this, the Know-It-All froze for a moment, then understood.

He shook his head with a wry smile. How had he not thought of that? Chen Yunxuan had even killed Evil Reaching Heaven, so of course he wanted to challenge someone stronger.

"According to what I've heard, the Four Great Families and the five major sects will all be taking part."

"But they'll probably be led by a few Elders. I'm not sure about their exact strength, but I can make a rough estimate."

"They should be around the fifth level of the Divine Ability Realm, and none will be above the seventh."

The fifth to seventh levels of the Divine Ability Realm? That should be enough to help him improve through battle.

"Which way is Wind Chime Valley?"

"Come on, I'll lead the way."

"Great. Thanks!"

Wind Chime Valley

It had once been a place that many people wouldn't dare approach. Now, however, quite a few had gathered on its outskirts.

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

Outside Wind Chime Valley, a young girl looked at the valley with hesitation, seeming rather unsure of herself.

"The Northern Domain Grand Competition is inside. We've already come this far. How can we turn back?"

"It's a shame we come from an ordinary background and don't have any powerful experts to escort us."

"Ah, we'll just have to rely on ourselves."

Youth sighed helplessly. He and his sister had been at Wind Chime Valley for three days already.

They had watched as powerful figures from the Four Great Families and five major sects escorted their disciples inside.

But what about people like them, with no faction or connections? All they could do was stay outside and watch, afraid to act rashly.

"They clearly saw us. Why didn't they bring us in with them?"

"They said anyone could take part in the Northern Domain Grand Competition."

"Why choose a place like this?" the girl complained.

"You silly girl, they have no obligation to bring us along."

"We still have to rely on ourselves."

Youth gave a wry smile. He was only two years older than his sister, but he was clearly more mature.

As they were talking, three young men approached from not far away.

"Are you two here to take part in the Northern Domain Grand Competition as well?" The man at the front smiled at them.

He looked to be around twenty, handsome and dignified, a striking young man.

The girl's eyes lit up when she saw him. What a handsome Youth, she thought.

Youth eyed the three with caution and asked with a frown, "That's right. What do you want?"

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

"Wind Chime Valley is full of danger, and we're not strong enough to make our way through alone."

"The three of us have decided to gather a few people and enter together. That should give us a better chance of making it through."

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

Team up?

Youth's heart stirred at the suggestion. It might work.

He'd considered doing the same, but he didn't know anyone else and hadn't felt comfortable approaching strangers to form a group.

Now that someone had come to him, he didn't refuse.

"That sounds good. Let me introduce myself. My name is Zhang Wenyuan. I'm nineteen, and I'm at the fifth level of the True Qi Realm."

"This is my younger sister, Zhang Wenqian. She's seventeen, and she's at the ninth level of the Essence Condensation Realm."

The fifth level of the True Qi Realm was all right, but the ninth level of the Essence Condensation Realm? What was she doing here? Coming to die?

Zhang Wenyuan seemed to notice the others' confusion, so he said helplessly, "It's her first time traveling far from home. She insisted on coming along to see the world. I couldn't talk her out of it, so I brought her."

"Brother Zhang, that was foolish."

"Wind Chime Valley is full of danger. Your sister is still young and weak. Isn't this just fooling around?"

"Exactly. Why didn't you talk her out of it?"

Clearly, the other two of the trio sounded as if they were trying to dissuade him, but they were really just annoyed that Zhang Wenqian was too weak and might hold them back.

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

"I'm not afraid. I just want to see what it's like."

"Besides, I'm all grown up. I'm already seventeen. You don't need to worry about me." Zhang Wenqian smiled.

"This..."

Seeing that the other two were about to say more, the man at the front smiled faintly and said, "It's fine. There are a lot of us. Let them come along."

"Thank you, young master. You're so kind."

Zhang Wenqian looked gratefully at the man at the front. Clearly, she liked his looks and bearing very much.

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

"There isn't much time left before the Northern Domain Grand Competition begins. We should set out now."

"What do you think?"

"Are the five of us going in alone?"

"Mm. Too many people could cause trouble, and they'd be harder to control."

"Five is just right. If we see anyone else alone once we're inside, we can invite them to join us."

"That works. Let's set off, then."

"Come on, let's head into Wind Chime Valley!"