Return to the Southern Region

In a flash, the remaining half an hour passed, and Gu Changge successfully defended the number one arena, winning first place in the Martial Arts Grand Competition.

"I declare the 3,652nd Martial Arts Grand Competition officially concluded!" the divine official present announced loudly.

"The first place winner of the Martial Arts Grand Competition can choose ten Emperor Artifacts, five Emperor Techniques, and thirty thousand Spirit Stones from the Lingxu Divine Dynasty's secret vault."

"The second place winner can choose five Emperor Artifacts, three Emperor Techniques, and ten thousand Spirit Stones."

"The third place winner can choose three Emperor Artifacts, one Emperor Technique, and five thousand Spirit Stones."

"The fourth to tenth place winners can choose one Emperor Artifact and three thousand Spirit Stones."

"The eleventh to one hundredth place winners can choose one thousand Spirit Stones."

"As for those ranked outside the top one hundred, there are no rewards."

The divine official paused before continuing, "In this Martial Arts Grand Competition, the faction rankings are: first, Tianyuan Academy; second, Longevity Huo Family; third, Lingxu Divine Dynasty; fourth, Blazing Flame Sect; fifth, Ice Soul Sect; sixth, Tianxing Hall; seventh, Xuanjing Sect..."

Immediately after, Gu Changge, along with the other winners in the top one hundred, proceeded to the Lingxu Divine Dynasty's secret vault.

Gu Changge casually selected ten Emperor Artifacts, sold them all to the System, and obtained 900 System Points. As for the Emperor Techniques, Gu Changge kept two: one called Light Dust Escape Technique and the other Gentle Light Healing Technique, which perfectly addressed his deficiencies in escape and healing techniques.

The remaining three randomly chosen Emperor Techniques were sold to the System for 270 System Points, as Gu Changge worried about taking on too much.

Light Dust Escape Technique involves mobilizing the surrounding wind spiritual power to quickly flash through several afterimages, evading enemy attacks.

Gentle Light Healing Technique, on the other hand, allows the caster to mobilize the surrounding light spiritual power, transforming it into energy to heal injuries.

After selecting the Emperor Weapons and Emperor Techniques, Gu Changge returned to Tianyuan Academy with a group of core disciples.

Upon returning to Tianyuan Academy, Gu Changge went to the cave dwelling of the Palace Master of Tianyuan Academy on First Peak.

"Disciple Gu Changge requests an audience with Master!" Gu Changge announced.

"Come in, Changge," the Palace Master of Tianyuan Academy's voice transmitted.

"Changge, you did very well in this Northern Region Martial Arts Grand Competition, securing first place in the faction rankings for our Tianyuan Academy," the Palace Master praised as soon as Gu Changge entered the cave dwelling.

"Master flatters me," Gu Changge replied.

"Master, I have come to seek a favor," Gu Changge said.

"What is it?" the Palace Master asked.

"I wish to leave Tianyuan Academy and return to the Southern Region of the Eastern Wasteland for a while." Gu Changge decided to return to the Southern Region of the Eastern Wasteland to complete some world quests.

"I can naturally grant this request. Go, your Dao Child position will not be lost," the Palace Master said, knowing that Gu Changge's backing was the Southern Region's giant, Qianyuan Divine Dynasty.

Thus, Gu Changge packed his belongings and, taking his two subdued maidservants, Ye Muqing and Lin Ni Yu, flew towards the Southern Region of the Eastern Wasteland on a flying sword.

"Master, where are we going?" Ye Muqing asked curiously.

"My home, Qianyuan Divine Dynasty," Gu Changge replied.

"So Master is from a powerful force like Qianyuan Divine Dynasty," Lin Ni Yu said with some surprise.

The two maidservants then fell silent, sitting on the giant sword, while Gu Changge controlled the flying sword and cultivated quietly.

After killing Xiao Yan and Lin Bing, Gu Changge inherited their positions as Sons of Heaven's Mandate. Therefore, Gu Changge could now be considered a Son of Heaven's Mandate.

Since becoming a Son of Heaven's Mandate, Gu Changge clearly felt the favor of the Heavenly Dao of the Tianwu Continent's plane. Both his cultivation speed and his ethereal luck had significantly increased.

Only by killing all other Sons of Heaven's Mandate on the Tianwu Continent could Gu Changge obtain complete Heavenly Dao affinity, then contend with the chosen Sons of Heaven's Mandate from other planes, compete on the Emperor's Road, become the final victor, and gain the recognition of the Heavenly Daos of all Myriad Worlds. He would then forge his own Great Dao and achieve emperorship.

In the Myriad Worlds, there were a total of 36,500 planes, divided into low-grade, mid-grade, high-grade, and super-grade planes.

The Tianwu Continent, where Gu Changge resided, was a super-grade plane. Cultivators in this plane could cultivate to the peak of the Quasi-Emperor Realm at most. High-grade planes restricted cultivators to the peak of the Five Soul Mansion Realms, mid-grade planes to the peak of the Five Dao Palace Realms, and low-grade planes to the peak of the Five Dantian Realms.

When the Emperor's Road opened, it signified that the current Epoch had entered a golden age where one could achieve emperorship. All sorts of heavenly prodigies and monstrous talents would emerge, including the heirs of Holy Sons and Dao Children from various families, as well as the most unfathomable ancient freaks sealed within the Spirit Origin.

"Chirp!"

Just then, a sharp bird cry echoed.

Gu Changge focused his gaze and said, "Not good, it seems we've run into trouble. This is a demonic bird, likely at the Qi Condensation Realm."

"Master, what should we do?"

Lin Ni Yu said.

"We'll just have to brace ourselves and go for it."

Gu Changge said.

Thus, Gu Changge stopped cultivating and focused on controlling his flying sword, dodging the demon bird's repeated attacks.

Ultimately, Gu Changge and the others were still hit by the demon bird and unfortunately fell.

"Flying Feather Spear Technique!"

The moment he fell, Gu Changge took out the Azure Nether Spear and unleashed the Flying Feather Spear Technique, killing the demon bird to vent his anger.

Seeing the two women falling, Gu Changge quickly caught them, and they fell together through the air.

Gu Changge activated his Primordial Supreme Body and used the Light Dust Escape Technique, successfully bringing the two women safely to the ground.

"Phew, that was really close,"

Lin Ni Yu said, her body slick with sweat.

"I wonder where we are."

Ye Muqing also said, having broken out in a sweat.

Gu Changge and the two women landed in a city. They saw many cultivators rushing towards the city gate.

Gu Changge casually grabbed a passerby who was hurrying along and asked, "Excuse me, where is this?"

"This is Pear Blossom City,"

The passerby, who had been grabbed, said, looking a bit confused.

"Then, may I ask why so many people in Pear Blossom City are running towards the city gate?"

Gu Changge asked again.

"You must be from another city. We heard that a rogue cultivator from our Liuli Divine Dynasty who was in the Quasi-Emperor Realm has passed away in Pear Blossom City, Liusha Commandery. Many people want to go and explore the Quasi-Emperor's ruins, hoping to find a treasure or two."

The passerby was quite helpful and patiently explained.