Ionia is a country, or more accurately, a region, that is very different from Noxus.
This place is known as the First Lands of the Valoran Continent, with a long history and the presence of Native Magic.
There was no specific national structure or standing army; instead, there were various sects, monasteries, and martial arts schools with different ideologies.
Because of the presence of Native Magic, technological development here is virtually nonexistent, and most people in Ionia choose to learn and use Native Magic or the power of the Spirit Realm.
Unlike Demacia, which rejects magic, and completely different from Noxus, which is violent and barbaric, their attitude towards magic is one of coexistence, going with the flow and not interfering.
But don't underestimate them. Even Noxus's proud and powerful army, aided by alchemical weapons of mass destruction, was still routed by the people of this place.
The infamous Grand Commander Swain was Irelia here by Irelia, who chopped off his hand and broke his leg, leaving him disabled.
It was precisely because of Ionia's backwardness and strength that the Noxus chose to infiltrate them deeply.
The spy Darla has been lurking in a large island province in Ionia for a long time, where a long-established sect called the Wuji Sect is located.
Darla was hiding in a small town in Baru'e, a province in central Ionia, and it was there that he learned about Sun Wukong.
"About three months ago, the swordsman who was said to be the last successor of the Wuji Sect announced that he had formally accepted a Vastayan named ' Sun Wukong ' Vastaya."
"Because the Wuji Sect once fought against the Empire, the locals take these kinds of things very seriously, and I also noted down this information."
"It wasn't until I received the message from the Empire that I guessed it might be the person you, Master Mage, are looking for."
In the island room where Darla was hiding, Darla told Xu Xiao everything he knew.
After listening to Darla's report, Xu Xiao nodded secretly.
'That does match the story background I remember, but the monkey should be named Kong.'
'Now, suddenly transforming from emptiness into Sun Wukong, perhaps...'
A glint of light appeared in Xu Xiao's eyes; this might be good news.
Pushing open the door, Xu Xiao stepped out, gazing upon the beautiful natural scenery of the island.
"Take me to see him. If he's the person I'm looking for, you'll be well rewarded."
"Yes, Master." Darla stepped forward with a delighted expression and led the way.
As a reclusive Wuji Sect does not live in a remote and desolate place. Instead, it is located on a high mountain behind a small village called Wuji, and occasionally they will come down to the village below to buy daily necessities.
However, when Darla led Xu Xiao to the original Wuji Village, they found that there were hardly any people left there.
There are scattered ruins of houses and traces of war, and also a strong stench of alchemical magic.
Vast vines, corrupted by alchemical magic, covered the land. When they sensed any approaching creatures, they swarmed around them as if they were alive.
"Um?"
Xu Xiao snorted coldly, and in an instant, the vines retreated as if they had encountered a natural enemy.
In retaliation for the Wuji Sect disciples' rebellion, the Noxus army used a large number of alchemical weapons to bombard several villages that provided resources for the Wuji Sect.
Most of the locals died in the aftermath of the alchemical weapon, and the few who survived fled the land that was no longer suitable for living.
Seeing that the troublesome alchemical vines had all moved away from the archmage, Darla began to explain with even greater respect:
"The ruins of the Wuji Sect are located on the mountaintop behind these sites; they were originally uninhabited."
"Then life returned with the return of the Wuji Sect swordsman known as Yi, but now very few people are willing to send their children to study there."
"That swordsman lived in the ruins of the former Wuji Sect, and there was also that Vastaya named Sun Wukong."
Darla recounted that his main job was to oversee the collection of information about the area surrounding the Wuji Sect.
After all, this sword faction had contributed significantly to Noxus's invasion and caused Noxus considerable trouble, so they must be kept in constant vigilance.
"Okay, let's go up and take a look."
Xu Xiao nodded, and then a Qingfeng lifted the two of them up, heading towards the high mountain behind them.
Guided by Darla, they soon found a secluded group of buildings amidst the vast mountains, which must be the location of the so-called Wuji Sect.
Xu Xiao had just landed when a cold voice came from inside the buildings.
"Unfamiliar mage, what brings you here?"
As the voice rang out, a swordsman dressed in emerald green armor and wearing a multi-eyed helmet emerged from the building.
A longsword with a ring hanging at his waist, one hand resting on it, looked at Xu Xiao with great vigilance.
Master Yi could sense a strong threat emanating from the mage before him. Although he believed that his Wuju Style had reached the level described by his predecessors, he still felt afraid.
'This is a formidable rival! A terrifying enemy!'
The most primal fear of a living being that comes from a pure Mind Stone — Master Yi hadn't felt this fear for a long time, except during his youth.
Even back on the Noxus front, facing the overwhelming Noxus army, he wasn't this panicked.
"So you're the Master Yi, Master Yi? You look quite energetic."
Xu Xiao smiled and spoke, showing no malice towards the Sword Saint.
"I am Yi, Master, and who are you?" Master Yi was not surprised that Xu Xiao recognized him; since the other party had come to his door, he had obviously come specifically for this purpose.
However, he clearly had no idea who the other party was.
Xu Xiao was emanating a magical power far more powerful than Native Magic, which greatly intrigued Yi.
Such magic is something that belongs to the legendary God of Ionia, or even to those ancient beings who are worshipped.
"My Xu Xiao, and I am the Archmage of Noxus."
Noxus!!
Yi's eyes turned cold, and he instantly drew the long sword from his waist.
" Noxus! What are you doing here? Get out!!"
Yi, no longer as calm as before, drew his sword directly at Xu Xiao.
As a swordsman who had witnessed Noxus invasions, Yi harbored no goodwill towards these Noxus.
"Don't rush to draw your sword. I'm not here for you, but for him."
Xu Xiao's gaze passed over Yi and landed on a figure that had quietly appeared behind the building.