Deep within the city's earth veins, a bronze-cast dome hangs high like an inverted giant cauldron.
Three hundred and sixty starlight lamps rotate along an enigmatic trajectory, casting dappled light and shadow onto the rows of flying eaves and pavilions.
The water clock in the surface city pointed to midnight, yet the abyss still echoed with the sounds of clashing swords.
This secret place, shrouded in ancient Array Formation, is now filled with the sounds of conversation and bright lights, all concealed by numerous Array Formation.
The reason is quite simple.
All the prodigies from various regions who participated in the [Five Continents War] are temporarily residing in this underground stronghold under the control of the Royal City's Heavenly Supervision Department.
Yes, it wasn't just those Central Continent prodigies trying to investigate.
Under the joint instruction of the Ziwei Hall and the Central Continent Director of the Celestial Observatory, the Royal City Heavenly Supervision Department detained the prodigies who participated in the battle under various pretexts.
Although this style of behavior does seem somewhat unscrupulous compared to the past.
However, given the top-secret nature of the Ye Li file, this action was still quite necessary.
The young prodigies from the five regions were bound by chains that bound their destiny plates, trapping them within this small space.
In order to confirm that none of the prodigies participating in this battle are potential threats from outsiders.
The Nine-Bend Star Array, once personally set up by the Ziwei Hall, isolated the Heavenly Secrets, and even the slightest fluctuations in true essence would be directly fed back to the guardian elder of the Heavenly Supervision Department.
After a series of inspections and verifications by the Heavenly Supervision Department.
The identities of these geniuses from the five continents were accurate, and even their Martial Dao levels were largely as rumored.
The Imperial Heavenly Supervision Department also directly lifted its control over them.
In any case, it's been confirmed that there's no threat to that person.
Let these geniuses do whatever they want.
Under this laissez-faire approach, the geniuses of the Five Continents naturally split into two factions.
The Central Continent Faction and the Four Continents Faction.
Although there was no conflict between the two sides, neither side intended to get to know each other on the eve of the battle.
After all, compared to the unfamiliar geniuses from other continents, they still felt that their fellow countrymen were more trustworthy.
At this moment, in the largest courtyard in this area.
The prodigies of the Central Continent Sect gathered here, their figures bustling about.
They had noticed the terrifying commotion that had come from the ground, but they didn't know exactly what had happened.
Moreover, nothing is more important than tomorrow's Five Continents War.
Amidst the clinking of glasses and lively conversation, the atmosphere in the courtyard was quite enthusiastic.
"Brother Yang! I've long heard that your Bone-Melting Divine Needles technique is so masterful that even a Venerable of the Heaven and Earth Realm couldn't detect anything amiss. You are the most sought-after prodigy in the Central Continent! I'll drink this first as a sign of my respect!"
"Brother Murong, what are you saying! Your Cloud Wandering Trace-less Method is known to everyone among the younger generation in our Central Continent! This cup is on my behalf to toast you!"
"Brother Yang, you are truly a man of forthright manner!" Murong Linfeng smiled, cupped his hands in greeting, and drank the wine in his cup in one gulp before bidding farewell to the other party.
Then, he turned to the next prodigy from Central Continent and feigned surprise, saying:
"Isn't this the renowned Blood Hand Butcher Senior Mu Xu?! You are the most sought-after prodigy in the Central Continent! Let me offer you a toast first!"
"..."
In such a rare social setting, it's inevitable that some people will want to use it to expand their network.
For example, this Murong Linfeng.
He absolutely loved these drinking parties; just a few drinks of spirit wine were enough for him to establish connections with the Central Continent's most promising talents, whom he rarely saw before.
Most of these prodigies will underestimate his importance because of this, and they won't even be able to react to his betrayal.
As for those truly shrewd and influential figures, they wouldn't ignore his existence because of this; on the contrary, they would be more wary of him.
Both sides understood each other implicitly, and Murong Linfeng wouldn't want to make a fool of himself.
He has always been very perceptive.
Based on his own style of doing things, he was quite confident of achieving good results in this battle.
However, compared to these arrogant and complacent geniuses of the Central Continent who have achieved some success...
Murong Linfeng was still more concerned about the jade-crowned young man sitting in a high position in the hall, silently drinking.
A few doubts inevitably arose in my mind:
"I've heard that Cao Yang of Northern Underworld Immortal Mountain is known for his flamboyant behavior, even at ordinary drinking parties, he likes to steal the spotlight. Why is it that after seeing him in person today, he is completely different from the rumors?"
"Could those rumors just be a smokescreen he's throwing out? That doesn't seem likely..."
He wasn't the only one with this doubt.
Many of the Central Continent's prodigies who had some dealings with Cao Yang were somewhat puzzled after seeing the person in question's attitude.
Their eyes met, trying to glean some useful information, but to no avail.
One of the Confucian scholars, unable to remain seated any longer, rose and bowed:
"Brother Cao, is it perhaps the fermented rice wine isn't to your liking? I noticed you haven't made any, so..."
After speaking, he couldn't help but swallow, feeling somewhat nervous.
"I'm in a bad mood and don't want to drink."
Cao Yang glanced at him indifferently at first, then looked away and said nothing more.
The room fell silent instantly.
After a short while, it began to flow again.
Seeing Cao Yang's slightly agitated expression, some people couldn't help but have some guesses in their hearts while respectfully taking their leave.
I heard that the other party was inquiring about the current situation of the prodigies of the Eastern Continent Heavenly Supervision Department, and that they had tricked the Heavenly Supervision Department into keeping secrets, which is why I was brought here to stay temporarily.
I initially thought it was because that prodigy from the Eastern Continent had exceptional talent.
However, judging from the current situation where everyone has been brought here, this move is merely the Heavenly Supervision Department's attempt to reduce the trouble caused by the young prodigies in the royal city on the eve of the start of the war.
It probably has little to do with the so-called celestial Heavenly Supervision Department.
But Cao Yang was clearly determined to compete with that prodigy from the Eastern Continent.
However, this prodigy from the Eastern Continent truly possesses genuine talent; otherwise, he wouldn't have attracted so much discussion throughout the royal city, causing many to hesitate to take sides.
Cao Yang has the behemoth that is the Northern Underworld Immortal Mountain behind him. Even if he were to fight the other side to the death, he would not be in any danger due to the prestige of the immortal mountain.
They are different.
Without a top-tier power like the Northern Underworld Immortal Mountain behind them, who would dare to challenge official institutions like the Ziwei Hall and the Heavenly Supervision Department?
They probably won't even know how they died.
But people have different ideas.
If some people don't dare to gamble, then naturally some people will.
"Brother Cao, rest assured! If the Eastern Continent Heavenly Supervision Department becomes too arrogant and domineering, we will not hesitate to use our true energy!"
They were all the top talents from Zhongzhou who had been drinking with Cao Yang at Drunken Immortal Tower that day. They believed they had a certain understanding of Ye Li's strength, and their words revealed a sense of pride.
"..."
Cao Yang nodded slightly, then glanced coldly at the many Central Continent prodigies still drinking and chatting in the courtyard, and couldn't help but sneer inwardly.
A bunch of idiots.
Mediocre people who only know how to change their tune with the wind, and dare not even bet on a sure-win situation, will hardly achieve anything great in the future.
Cao Yang's great achievements are already well-known throughout the Central Plains and can be verified at any time.
Until now, Ye Li of the Eastern Continent was still an unknown figure. Isn't the difference in their abilities obvious?
When I have defeated my opponent and become famous throughout the Central Continent.
Neither the Ziwei Hall nor the Heavenly Supervision Department would dare to make things difficult for this once-in-a-millennium prodigy.
Cao Yang suppressed his anger, having already devised a plan to thwart the renowned forces of the Five Continents with absolute force.
However, what he didn't know was that the broadcast of this battle had already been decided to be cut off by the Ziwei Hall.
Therefore, his plan to gain public fame was simply impossible.
He wasn't the only one whose plans were affected.
There's also the Four Continents Faction, who think they're in complete control.