The Sunset Dynasty!
Its standing in the Northern Region could be described as that of an overlord.
Even the Hidden Dao Academy fell somewhat short.
Of course, this was also because the Hidden Dao Academy had no wish to compete.
After all, the Hidden Dao Academy's headquarters was a colossal behemoth.
Everyone looked up at the ship drawn by two golden-armored flood dragons, unable to help marveling.
"Has some important figure from the Sunset Dynasty arrived?"
"But who could make the dean personally give up his seat-and two seats at that?"
No one thought the ruler of the Sunset Dynasty would come in person.
After all, this was merely an exchange between academies. To the ruler of the Sunset Dynasty, it was no major affair.
In other words.
A competition of this scale did not warrant the ruler of the Sunset Dynasty attending in person.
"Then who exactly has come?"
Ye Qiubai also looked up, his gaze narrowing slightly.
Flood dragons pulling a ship-the depth of their resources was plain to see.
But why did it feel as though these two flood dragons were inferior to the little bird his master kept?
Just then, the ship slowly came to a stop overhead.
Toward the rear of the ship, countless figures clad in heavy armor, holding spears and riding warhorses, stood arrayed around it!
Every one of them possessed Purple Mansion Realm cultivation.
Merely standing there, these figures sent towering killing intent sweeping outward!
They were like asuras from hell!
And the man leading them was none other than the general!
Someone cried out, "It's the Asura Iron Cavalry!"
The Asura Iron Cavalry, the Sunset Dynasty's strongest army!
"Who exactly is it?"
Soon, beneath everyone's curious and awed gazes, two figures slowly descended from the ship.
The man wore luxurious brocade robes and looked exceedingly distinguished.
The woman wore a plain, snow-white silk dress and looked elegant and noble.
At the sight of them, everyone exclaimed, "It's the eldest prince!"
"Why has His Highness the eldest prince come in person?"
"You must understand, the eldest prince is the Sunset Dynasty's next ruler!"
"The woman beside him must be the future empress. I've long heard her beauty could make fish sink and geese fall. Seeing her today, it's indeed true."
Everyone from the Southern Region turned to look at Ye Qiubai.
After all, they had heard a few things.
As Ye Qiubai looked at the man and woman above, there was neither longing nor nostalgia in his eyes.
There was only cold indifference.
Cold indifference taken to the extreme.
And those who knew Ye Qiubai understood that, at this moment, he already harbored murderous intent!
Indeed, the woman above was Jiang Chan.
As far as Ye Qiubai was concerned.
The Jiang Chan of today was no longer the childhood sweetheart who followed him everywhere, calling him "Big Brother Qiubai," no matter what he did.
Now, Jiang Chan was merely a passerby to him.
In midair, Jiang Chan seemed to sense something and likewise looked toward Ye Qiubai.
Delighted surprise appeared in her eyes, but when she saw the calm and indifference in his, her gaze dimmed again.
Huang Tian Ming seemed to sense Jiang Chan's mood and took her hand.
Naturally, he had already noticed where Ye Qiubai was.
Below, Xin Hongyi looked at Ye Qiubai and consoled him, "Ye Qiubai, with your current talent and strength, she'll regret the choice she made back then."
Hearing this, Ye Qiubai smiled and shrugged.
He no longer cared about this matter.
As he was now.
He merely had a life-and-death feud with the Sunset Dynasty.
Nothing more.
Back then, Ye Qiubai had said it.
One day, sword in hand, he would set foot upon the Sunset Dynasty!
Seeing this, Huo Qingming and Lin Ce could not help breathing sighs of relief.
Their side now had only three participants left. If Ye Qiubai lost his spirit, they truly would be finished.
Just then, Huang Tian Ming led Jiang Chan to the seats and cupped his hands toward Wu Deshi. "Greetings, Dean."
Wu Deshi was, after all, a senior, as well as someone ranked near the top of the Four Regions Martial Ranking. Moreover, he was the dean of the Hidden Dao Academy, which enjoyed the support of countless factions.
Naturally, Huang Tian Ming had to observe the courtesies of a junior on the surface.
Wu Deshi smiled and nodded. "Tian Ming, have a seat."
Hearing this, Huang Tian Ming sat down with Jiang Chan.
Once everyone had arrived, the elder received Wu Deshi's authorization and announced loudly, "Now, the second round of the exchange begins. Each side will send one person to compete!"
This match was between the Southern Region and the Eastern Region.
On the Eastern Region's side, a man who was not particularly well known stepped forward.
However, the strength he revealed had also reached the late Purple Mansion Realm.
Huang Yuan looked at Xin Hongyi and Ye Qiubai and said, "Ye Qiubai, rest for a while first. Let Xin Hongyi go."
Clearly, Huang Yuan was concerned about whether Ye Qiubai's emotions had been affected.
Ye Qiubai did not mind this.
Nor did he object.
Seeing this, Xin Hongyi took the stage with her sword.
At this, her male opponent sneered. "As expected of the land of southern barbarians. It's only the second round, and you have just three people left."
By contrast, the Eastern Region still had four people remaining.
"Why not just surrender? You rank last in every exchange between the four regions' academies anyway, so it wouldn't be embarrassing."
Holding her sword in one hand, Xin Hongyi looked coldly at the man. "You talk too much."
As her words fell, flames coiled around her sword!
Her opponent also snorted coldly and took out a double-headed axe, then charged toward Xin Hongyi.
Without the slightest fear, Xin Hongyi likewise rushed to meet him!
On the Eastern Region's side, someone looked at Tian Cheng and said, "Senior Brother Shi, we're lucky. We ran into the last-place Southern Region in the first round."
"Heh, these southern barbarians only have three people left. Sending any three of us should probably be enough, right?"
Yet Tian Cheng did not relax in the slightest upon hearing this. Instead, his eyes were filled with gravity as he said, "When you go up later, don't get careless. This time, the Southern Region probably won't be such an easy bone to gnaw through..."
At this point, Tian Cheng recalled the scene of Ye Qiubai slaying the Yin Dragon all by himself.
He thought, This time, the Southern Region will probably give everyone quite a shock...
Meanwhile, Huo Qingming asked from below, "Do you think Xin Hongyi can win?"
Lin Ce shook his head. "Their cultivation realms are equal. They probably won't be able to decide the winner for a while."
Huang Yuan thought the same.
Just then, Zhong Wu looked at Ye Qiubai and asked, "Brother Ye, what do you think?"
Ye Qiubai shook his head and offered a different view.
"Xin Hongyi is certain to win."
Huo Qingming said in surprise, "They're both in the same realm, and their strength looks about equal too. How can she be certain to win?"
Huang Yuan was also rather puzzled and looked at Ye Qiubai, waiting for his explanation.
But Ye Qiubai said no more.
If Xin Hongyi had reached the late Purple Mansion Realm through an ordinary breakthrough, it really would have been hard to say.
However, Xin Hongyi had previously used the Yin Dragon's blood to temper her body.
Naturally, her strength was considerably greater than that of an ordinary late Purple Mansion Realm cultivator.
Soon.
The scene before them confirmed Ye Qiubai's words.
The outcome was decided in fewer than twenty exchanges!
Xin Hongyi defeated her opponent with overwhelming force!
Huo Qingming could not help exclaiming, "Is Xin Hongyi really this strong?"
Huang Yuan, however, glanced at Ye Qiubai, his gaze deep...