Fruit Mountain, Gathering of Geniuses

Jiang Chen leaped through the air all the way north.

Jiang Chen was doing his best to flee the Southern Borderlands. Since the Southern Borderlands were the Divine Temple's home turf, they had already discovered that Noss had died in the Kelan Mountains. Perhaps they had some secret method that could trace the matter back to him. The Divine Temple had a God King, so it was best not to linger.

Jiang Chen had originally believed his strength surpassed that of a God King, but he now realized there was still a gap between them. At most, he could retreat unscathed from a God King's hands. However, the Divine Temple had many gods, and he feared becoming a target for all.

"Brother, are you heading to Fruit Mountain as well?"

A young man in white flew past Jiang Chen. Despite his youth, he had already reached the Third-Level God realm. He was likely a genius from some faction.

"May I ask, brother, what kind of place is Fruit Mountain?"

Jiang Chen had only just arrived in the God Realm. Other than knowing he was in the Southern Borderlands, he knew nothing.

"My name is Li Jiang, and I'm from the Immortal Crane Sect of the Southern Borderlands. Little brother, I take it you aren't from the Southern Borderlands?"

Jiang Chen nodded in response.

"I've heard that Fruit Mountain opens once every thousand years. There is one month left until its opening. Only gods below the God King realm may enter the sacred mountain, and there are sacred medicines inside that can help one break through to the God King realm. Killing is strictly forbidden within the mountain. Otherwise, the mountain's laws will teleport you out. Geniuses from every major faction will take part."

"I can see that you became a god at such a young age. May I ask which faction's genius you are?"

Jiang Chen shook his head and said calmly, "Brother Li, I do not belong to any faction. I am merely an independent cultivator."

Li Jiang's face filled with shock upon hearing this. Had this young man become a god on his own without anyone's help?

To attain Godhood required exceptionally high talent and comprehension. Most gods inherited the Godhood left behind by their predecessors. Whenever a god who established their own Godhood appeared, they became a prized target sought after by all major factions.

"Since Brother Li is heading north, we are traveling the same way. Would it be possible for me to accompany Brother Li to Fruit Mountain?"

"In that case, Little Brother Jiang Chen, travel with me."

"Thank you, Brother Li."

"No need to be polite."

"..."

The two headed north together, and before long, they arrived at a magnificent city.

"Brother Li, weren't we going north? Why have we stopped here?"

Jiang Chen asked in confusion.

"Little Brother Jiang Chen, Fruit Mountain is extremely far away. If we flew there, it would take who knew how many years. Every major region has ferry ships, which allow us to travel across the various regions in a short time."

Jiang Chen immediately understood. The God Realm was boundless, just like the cultivation world described in the books from his previous life. To cross a major region, one had to take a ferry ship.

"Brother Jiang Chen, do you have any Divine Soul Coins on you?"

Jiang Chen froze at the question. He only had Gold Soul Coins from the mortal realm. Having just arrived in the God Realm, where would he get Divine Soul Coins?

Jiang Chen wore a bitter expression. "Brother Li, to be honest, I do not have a single Divine Soul Coin."

"It seems Brother Jiang Chen has lived a rather impoverished life. Well, meeting is fate. I'll cover the cost for you."

Jiang Chen and Li Jiang had met only by chance, yet Li Jiang was so generous. It seemed Li Jiang truly had a kind heart. Jiang Chen would owe him this favor; if Li Jiang encountered trouble in the future, Jiang Chen would not mind helping him once.

"Then thank you, Brother Li. If I obtain some opportunity, I will share it with you."

Li Jiang smiled. "Opportunities cannot be forced. If it belongs to Brother Jiang Chen, how could you share it with me? Besides, this is only a small matter, hardly worth mentioning."

Jiang Chen did not respond.

The two arrived at a ferry dock. Jiang Chen waited nearby while Li Jiang went to the ticket office and joined a long queue. There were as many people taking the ferry as hairs on an ox, and hundreds stood before Li Jiang, all headed for the Northern Region.

Half an hour later.

Li Jiang came to Jiang Chen with two wooden tokens and handed one to him. "Brother Jiang Chen, sorry to keep you waiting. Let's board quickly. We're about to depart."

The large wooden ship had wings mounted on both sides and a hollow opening at its stern.

Hundreds of people aboard stood in twos and threes, each finding their own spot. They chatted and laughed, though most eyed one another warily.

After all, most of those traveling to the Northern Region were geniuses heading for Fruit Mountain. While killing was forbidden within the sacred mountain, many geniuses in previous years had been secretly murdered before even reaching it. One could never be too cautious around others.

"Attention, everyone. The ferry ship is about to depart."

"Brother Jiang Chen, come here."

Li Jiang called to Jiang Chen from an empty spot.

"Brother Li, why is everyone so wary?"

Li Jiang sighed. "Brother Jiang Chen, you may not know this, but quite a few geniuses have been secretly murdered in previous years. After all, one less person means one less competitor. Doing anything to achieve one's goals has long become commonplace in the God Realm."

"So when traveling outside, you must be careful and guard against others."

Jiang Chen nodded in agreement. Whether in the mortal realm or the God Realm, there were always some deranged people. Looking at Li Jiang, who was admiring the scenery, Jiang Chen could not help thinking, Brother Li truly has such a pure heart.

Suddenly, Jiang Chen felt the deck beneath his feet tremble, and he nearly stumbled.

The ferry ship's wings slowly spread open. Brilliant streams of light burst from the hollow opening at its stern, then the ship gradually rose into the air. With a flap of its wings, it was ten miles away in an instant.

"Ten miles in one step? Interesting..." Jiang Chen muttered.

The ferry ship was not much faster than flying, but unlike people, it did not consume soul power or grow weary. It only needed to be supplied with energy-rich ores and could travel day and night without stopping.

"Hahaha, Little Brother Jiang Chen, is this your first time riding a ferry ship?"

Li Jiang laughed as he looked at Jiang Chen, who had nearly stumbled.

Jiang Chen: ...Was that really so funny?

Jiang Chen nodded. "It is indeed. Brother Li has seen me make a fool of myself."

Li Jiang waved his hand. "I was the same my first time."

"Did you steal my money pouch?!"

"I didn't!"

"Then let me search you!"

"Why should I? I said I didn't, so I didn't!"

"Kid, you don't know what's good for you. Looks like you want to die!"

An argument came from a nearby cabin.

Not long afterward, the sounds of fighting followed.

Bang—

The cabin's wooden door shattered, and a young man flew out backward with blood at the corner of his mouth.

Jiang Chen probed him with his spiritual power. This young man had likely only recently entered the Third-Level God realm and was going to Fruit Mountain to try his luck.

"You brat, hand over my money pouch now, or... I'll throw you off the ship!"

A burly man emerged from the cabin. His aura was clearly much more powerful than the young man's.

The young man clutched his chest, his breathing unsteady. "I... I really didn't steal your money pouch!"

"Oh? You still dare talk back?!"

The burly man grabbed the young man, removed the storage pouch from his waist, and hurled him heavily off the ferry ship.

"Hmph, what a damn poor bastard!"

The burly man spoke with disdain as he stuffed the money pouch into his own bag.

Jiang Chen stepped forward and sternly questioned him, "You already took his storage pouch. Why did you throw him off the ship too? Do you know that he could very well die?!"

The fight between the two had been none of Jiang Chen's business, but it was obvious this burly man had deliberately picked a fight and even intended to take a life. Jiang Chen could not tolerate such scum.

Seeing this, Li Jiang hurriedly grabbed Jiang Chen and whispered, "Brother Jiang, let it go."

"Don't worry, Brother Li. I know what I'm doing."

"Oh? Another one here to give me money?"

"Kid, what kind of hero are you trying to play without any strength?"

The burly man spoke disdainfully.

"Oh? Then let's give it a try!"

One Sword Slays Immortals, gods and demons fear nothing!

Jiang Chen's sword flashed forth like a startled swan. The burly man looked at the strike with contempt. "Wild Bull Soars to Heaven!"

The burly man raised his imposing right fist, intending to knock aside the flying sword rushing toward him and then use the opening to smash Jiang Chen to death. After all, this was not his first time facing a sword martial soul. He had experience.

Boom—

Fist and sword collided, erupting with a piercing roar.

The burly man's smug face instantly turned pale, and sweat soaked his back.

"How... is that possible?!"

The Zhuxian Sword severed the burly man's right fist, then pierced through his body with another strike. A bloody hole pierced straight through his massive frame, glaringly visible.

The burly man who had been acting so arrogantly moments ago fell to the ground and died unwillingly before everyone's eyes. Faced with the shocked gazes of the entire ship, Jiang Chen paid them no mind and returned to sit beside Li Jiang.

"Brother Jiang Chen, I didn't expect you to be so powerful."

Li Jiang said, utterly dumbfounded.

Jiang Chen replied modestly, "Not really, just a little."

The ship fell silent.

Half a month later, the ferry ship stopped at a dock.

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