The curtain fell, and the old master awakened

The rainbow light Golden Palace gradually faded.

Lin Chen felt his feet become solid, and the scenery around him changed. It was no longer that magnificent palace, but the familiar, Spiritual Qi rich, and vast world of Cloud Dream Ancient Land.

At the same time, he sensed a faint sense of rejection, very weak, yet omnipresent, as if the entire world was gently pushing away all outsiders.

The Cloud Dream Ancient Land is about to close.

"This place of such extraordinary opportunity will only be open for seven months this time," Xiao Wangsheng sighed softly.

Not far away, Marquis Xuanyuan also sighed softly and cupped his hands towards Li Tianxing: "Fellow Daoist Li, your strength has improved considerably. This time, it was Marquis Xuanyuan who was outmatched."

She was quite easygoing; defeat was defeat, and she didn't say anything more.

Li Tianxing returned the greeting with clasped hands, his tiger-like eyes gleaming with a sharp light, his demeanor even more composed than before.

Having captured the Radiant Glow Hall and been granted the "Misty Cloud Heavenly Scripture," his future path had become clear.

However, it was Sky Eagle Young Master made the first move.

He did not immediately use the summoning token to leave; instead, his eagle-like eyes locked onto Lin Chen.

Lin Chen.

When Sky Eagle Young Master spoke, his voice was not loud, but it had a quality like metal grinding against stone.

"That battle in the Blood Spirit Hall was the first time I had suffered a crushing defeat against a martial artist of the same realm since I embarked on the path of martial arts."

He paused, then said, "I admit, you are very strong. With your abilities, your future will definitely not be limited to Cloud Province."

"But once I have mastered the Wind-Thunder Twin Wings, when we meet again, I will surely defeat you and wash away this shame!"

These words resonated deeply, revealing the dignity and composure befitting a top genius.

I can accept failure, but I will never accept defeat.

Upon hearing this, Lin Chen smiled slightly. "I'll be waiting anytime."

"However, you and I may be only a hair's breadth apart now, but I won't stand still. Perhaps when we meet again, you will be far behind."

"Snort!"

Sky Eagle Young Master snorted coldly, held the guiding token in his hand, and a rainbow light emerged, instantly sending him outside Cloud Province.

If Otherworldly Martial Artists were not guided by a summons and were rejected by heaven and earth, he would only end up in Cloud Province.

Seeing this, Lin Chen smiled slightly and looked at the people beside him, saying, "Everything here is settled. I will take my leave first. Everyone, Shan..."

"High waters flow, long time no see, until we meet again."

As soon as he finished speaking, he activated his will.

"Buzz"

The Cloud Dream Guiding Token a brilliant azure light, enveloping Lin Chen. The next moment, he transformed into a solid azure stream of light, soaring into the sky and disappearing without a trace.

They left decisively and without hesitation.

Subsequently, Marquis Xuanyuan was also led away, leaving only Li Tianxing and Xiao Wangsheng behind.

Xiao Wangsheng and Li Tianxing exchanged a glance.

Immediately, Xiao Wangsheng nodded slightly, and the Flowing Cloud Sword at his waist hummed softly. A Sword Qi broke through the air, carrying him as a stream of light, and sped towards a certain direction deep within the ancient land.

Thus, only Li Tianxing in this world.

He watched the departing figures silently, his eyes calm as a deep pool, yet flashing with a sharp light.

"Zhu Yan Yue Zhirou, I personally repelled her Radiant Glow Hall."

"Although Xiao Wangsheng was strong, he was defeated by Lin Chen's sword."

Li Tianxing muttered to himself.

His gaze sharpened, as if piercing through the void, and he saw the phantom images of the two swordsmen.

"Currently, there are only two people ahead of me in the rankings: Xiao Wangsheng and Lin Chen."

"Xiao Wangsheng possesses innate swordsmanship and has been taught the ' Azure Nether Sword Scripture,' making him a formidable opponent. But—"

Li Tianxing narrowed his eyes slightly, and an overwhelming confidence rose from his chest.

"Now that I possess the ' Misty Cloud Heavenly Scripture ' and the Nine Heavens Clear Qi solidifying my martial arts foundation, it remains to be seen who is superior!"

"And Lin Chen ----"

A glint of light flashed in his eyes when he thought of that name, which quickly turned into a faint mockery.

"This person is indeed formidable, possessing profound Sword Dao and considerable achievements in physical combat. His ability to defeat Xiao Wangsheng and Tianying makes him arguably the strongest person in this ancient land."

"But----"

He shook his head, as if regretting something.

"Your vision was ultimately too narrow."

What kind of opportunity is the Golden Palace?

"Within the secret pavilion, divine weapons, Pill, cultivation techniques, and rare items—which one couldn't transform a person and dramatically increase their strength? Yet he chose the Soul-Returning Grass, something utterly useless to him!"

"Being burdened by mundane affairs, no matter how strong you are now, will not bring you any future fear."

At this moment, Li Tianxing stood with his hands behind his back, his aura subtly merging with the heavens and earth.

The Nine Heavens Clear Qi he received from the Radiant Glow Hall added a touch of otherworldly grace to him, but the flame of ambition in his eyes burned fiercely, undiminished.

"Once I refine the pure energy and comprehend the ' Misty Cloud Heavenly Scripture,' the title of the number one among the younger generation in Cloud Province —sooner or later, will belong to me, Li Tianxing!"

He didn't linger; his figure transformed into a streak of light, rushing into the depths of the ancient land.

Time slips away quietly.

The repulsive force within the Cloud Dream Ancient Land is growing stronger, urging all outsiders to leave.

One by one, the figures disappeared.

Wasteland, valley, dense forest----

The once bustling battleground has gradually returned to silence, leaving only traces of the battle, the corpses of demonic beasts, and the lingering Spiritual Qi energy in the air.

On the edge of the ancient land, in a secluded cave hidden by a natural formation.

Mu Yunzhou sat cross-legged, the Blood Drinker resting horizontally on his lap.

The dark red patterns on the blade flickered slightly with his breath, indicating a close, almost visceral connection between man and blade.

His aura was profound and deep, and his cultivation at the Profound Martial Tenth Layer was extremely stable. He had even faintly touched the invisible threshold leading to the Earth Martial Realm.

Suddenly, the Azure Light of the Cloud Dream Guiding Token in his bosom surged forth, enveloping him and carrying him away from this world, back to Azure Province.

A moment later, the antique ring on his finger trembled slightly.

An ancient aura, like a dormant volcano slowly awakening, emanated from the depths of the ring.

"Teacher, you're awake!"

Mu Yunzhou was overjoyed.

"Took a short nap."

An aged voice responded, followed by a sweep of soul power that carefully sensed Mu Yunzhou's current state, its tone tinged with surprise.

"This sword—it exudes such a strong aura of killing and warfare, and it has already recognized you as its master. Where did you obtain it?"

Mu Yunzhou then recounted in detail what had happened in the Cloud Dream Ancient Land.

A moment of silence followed inside the cave.

"Lin Chen ----"

The teacher slowly uttered the name, her voice carrying a hint of disbelief.

"Are you sure this person is the same young man from the Vast Mountains back then, the one at the fourth level of the Spirit Martial Realm, whose swordsmanship was mediocre?"

"Absolutely true."

Mu Yunzhou affirmed.

"When we first met, he was only at the fourth level of the Spirit Martial Realm, from a remote place, but now he has leaped to the Earth Martial Realm and reached the pinnacle of the Cloud Dream Ancient Land ----"

This kind of growth is terrifying.

The teacher's voice turned serious.

"Did you notice anything unusual about his character during your interactions with him? Or any signs of him practicing demonic arts or being possessed?"

Mu Yunzhou thought carefully, then firmly shook his head. "No, Brother Lin is an upright and honest person, and his actions are always aboveboard. He has absolutely no trace of malice."

"Is that so—" The teacher pondered for a long time before finally sighing with a complex mix of emotions.

"It seems I misjudged this child back then—his potential far exceeds our expectations."

He paused, then continued, "The path of martial arts is vast and boundless; there are always encounters Fortune opportunities that defy common sense."

"Perhaps he received the complete inheritance of some Ancient powerful being, or perhaps he has a special physique, remaining unnoticed in his youth before suddenly becoming a sensation."

"Or perhaps—he has some unknown destiny that allowed him to make such rapid progress."

Then, the teacher changed the subject.

"However, you don't need to underestimate yourself. Your cultivation speed is already ahead of the vast majority of people."

"His path Fortune with opportunity and good fortune; your path will be anything but ordinary."

Mu Yunzhou's expression turned serious.

"Teacher, rest assured, I am not a petty person. Brother Lin's strength will only inspire me to strive even harder."

"Yes, it's good that you have this ambition."

The teacher said with satisfaction, "Your journey to the Cloud Dream Ancient Land is complete. Your cultivation has reached a bottleneck. With a little time to settle down, breaking through to the Earth Martial will be a natural progression."

"But if you want to go further and aspire to the Heavenly Martial Realm, you still need to be tempered in bloody battles."

"What does the teacher mean?"

Mu Yunzhou asked.

"The Great Qian Dynasty, the Dragon-Slaying Army"

The aged voice slowly uttered a few words.

"This legion has been fighting on all fronts for years, expanding its territory. It has a well-established military merit system and generous resource rewards, making it the best crucible for forging strong individuals."

"Moreover, the methods of killing and conquest contained within this Blood Drinker also require honing in actual combat."

"Joining the Dragon-Slaying Army and honing your skills in the fires of blood is the fastest and most solid path to advancement."

A glint flashed in Mu Yunzhou's eyes as he couldn't help but recall the battlefield exploits of the Blood Drinker's former owner.

"Yunzhou is willing to go!"

"Um."

The aged voice continued, "Next, you should go to the market. Now that you've entered the Earth Martial Realm, I should also teach you the refining techniques for Earth Spirit Pill."

"This Pill has a mild effect and can increase cultivation, making it most suitable for martial artists below the fourth level of the Earth Martial Realm to refine."

"You've had many fortuitous encounters in the Cloud Dream Ancient Land; that should be enough to support you in refining Earth Spirit Pill for the next few years—"