Arrival at Heavenly Splendor
The following morning, as the first rays of sunlight pierced the clouds, Dongfang Yueming finally stopped in a secluded mountain hollow. He cautiously observed the area for a long time, making sure there was no sign of pursuers behind him, before letting out a long sigh of relief. "Looks like those guys didn't catch up."
He took out two jade slips from his robes, which he had looted from the Inner Force expert within the Heaven-Surging Alliance, and immersed his divine sense into them.
A moment later, a look of understanding appeared in his eyes. "One is Internal Force Realm cultivation technique called ' The Heaven-Overwhelming Force Condensation Method,' and the other is the ' Heaven-Overwhelming Palm ' that he had used before."
[Character: Dongfang Yueming]
[Realm: Qi Refining Realm (Perfection - Top-Grade Phenomenon) (Gain 200 points daily)]
[Techniques: Extreme Body Tempering Method (Perfection), Water-Fire Yin-Yang Art (Perfection), Nine-Turn Qi Refining Method (0/300, Not Yet Entry), Heaven-Overwhelming Force Condensation Method (0/500, Not Yet Entry)]
[Martial Arts: Gale Swift Saber (Perfection), Swift Swimming Movement Technique (Perfection), Venomous Snake Dagger Technique (0/1, Not Yet Entry), Fierce Tiger Fist Technique (Perfection), Blood Burning Secret Method (Perfection), Crimson Flame Fist Technique (0/2000, Major Accomplishment), Surging Waves Fist Technique (0/9, Not Yet Entry- Level), Surging Waves Movement Technique (0/9, Not Yet Entry), Cloud-Treading Steps (Perfection), Shadow Shadow-Chasing Movement Technique (0/10, Not Yet Entry- Level), Heaven-Overwhelming Palm (0/180, Not Yet Entry)]
[Points:696]
"I do have a water-attribute Inner Force energy cultivation technique, but my main focus is still fire. To unleash the full power of the Water-Fire Yin-Yang Art, I'll need a high-quality fire-attribute Inner Force cultivation technique," Dongfang Yueming pondered. "Where should I look for one in the future? The Scarlet Flame Sect? Or... should I try to return to the Earth Spirit Sect?"
He shook his head, temporarily setting aside these distracting thoughts, and continued his journey towards the Heavenly Splendor Dynasty.
Another fifteen days and nights of arduous travel.
On this day, a colossal city, far surpassing any city in the Cloud Water Dynasty, finally appeared at the edge of Dongfang Yueming's sight! The city walls soared into the clouds, banners fluttered atop them, and an ancient and powerful aura swept over him! This was the formidable border pass of the superior dynasty— the Heavenly Splendor Dynasty!
Outside the city gate, a long queue had already formed, and as far as the eye could see, they were all Qi Refining Qi Refining Realm artists with considerable aura!
"So many people? Could it be... they're all heading to the Trial Valley?" Dongfang Yueming wondered to himself.
At the city gate, several heavily armored guards with imposing presence were rigorously checking those entering the city.
"Entry fee: ten white crystal coins per person!" a guard shouted, his voice tinged with impatience.
Although the Qi Refining Qi Refining artists in line looked reluctant, they still obediently paid the fees.
One of them couldn't help but mutter under his breath, "This is way too expensive! Ten white crystal coins are enough for me to cultivate for several days!"
Upon hearing this, a cold glint One Flash in the guard's eyes, and a powerful aura belonging to the Internal Force Realm suddenly emanated from him!
"Hiss--!" The Qi Refining martial artists around them immediately changed their expressions and fell silent, not daring to utter a single complaint.
The guard sneered, thinking to himself, "A bunch of delusional fools! Do they really think the Battle of the Flood Dragon Gate is so easy to participate in?" He glanced at the silent Qi Refining cultivators, his tone full of disdain. "Don't think you're so great just because you've reached the Qi Refining Realm! Let me tell you, in a high-level dynasty like the Heavenly Splendor Dynasty, Qi Refining Realm... are everywhere! It's nothing special!"
Upon hearing this, the previously somewhat restless queue instantly became more orderly, with everyone obediently waiting in line.
Dongfang Yueming followed the crowd and joined the end of the line.
Just then, a young man dressed in simple martial arts attire with a resolute expression walked straight past the group and headed directly into the city gate without being stopped at all!
The young man walked with steady steps and sharp eyes, thinking to himself, "This fierce battle with that red-spotted tiger king, though dangerous, has deepened my understanding of the Martial Dao True Intent. My bottleneck has loosened, and once I return, I can try to break through to the Internal Force Realm!"
When the city gate guards saw this person, they not only did not stop him, but instead showed him respect.
"Huh? He... isn't he in the Qi Refining Realm? How come he doesn't have to queue or pay?" someone in the queue whispered.
Upon hearing this, the guard's face showed a hint of disdain, as if he were looking at a group of uncultured bumpkins.
Just then, a commotion arose from inside the city gate. Several martial artists were seen dragging a massive, Ferocious Beast's corpse out of the city! The Ferocious Beast exuded a fierce aura and was clearly a Vicious Beast comparable to an Internal Force Realm martial artist!
Everyone who saw this was horrified!
The guard then explained smugly, "See? The one who just went in was indeed in the Qi Refining Realm! But he was at the Qi Refining Perfection, condensed a high-grade Qi Swirl Phenomenon, and comprehended the Martial Dao True Intent— a prodigy! Wei Yun of the Wei Clan, have you heard of him? This red-spotted tiger king must be Young Wei Yun's prey!"
"What?! Qi Refining Realm... slaying Vicious Beast comparable to the Internal Force Realm cultivator?!"
A gasp of disbelief erupted from the crowd!
Dongfang Yueming's gaze fell upon the dragged-out Vicious Beast's corpse, carefully examining its wounds. He silently judged, "The wounds are smooth, the force concentrated, a single blow fatal. Wei Yun's Grandmaster- level martial arts have likely reached the Minor Accomplishment completion stage, or even higher. To cultivate Grandmaster- level martial art to such a degree at the Qi Refining Perfection stage truly earns him the title of a prodigy; he's incredibly powerful."
He followed the flow of people, paid ten white crystal coins, and successfully entered the border fortress of the Heavenly Splendor Dynasty.
As soon as they entered the city, a pretty young girl with a delicate face and a slender figure, dressed in a pale yellow silk dress, walked towards them. Her bright, lively eyes blinked, filled with curiosity and enthusiasm.
"Young master, please wait!" The young woman moved gracefully to Dongfang Yueming's side and gave him a polite bow. "My name is Wei Meng. I see you are also heading to the Trial Valley, are you? How about we travel together? My family has some wealth and can rent a few Crimson Wind Horses, which will save us a lot of travel time."
Upon hearing this, Dongfang Yueming's mind raced. "The Heavenly Splendor Dynasty, as a high-level dynasty, possesses a vast territory far exceeding that of the Cloud Water Dynasty. The Trial Valley is located in the heart of the dynasty, and the journey there is likely quite long. The Crimson Wind Horse is renowned for its speed, making it an excellent steed for ordinary martial artists. However..."
Before Dongfang Yueming could answer, a tall, thin, arrogant young man beside Wei Meng spoke disdainfully, "Mengmei, why bother with someone like him? Look at his poor appearance, he probably can't even afford to rent a Red Wind Horse. Taking him along will only be a burden!"
"Brother Hou Liang! How can you talk like that!" Wei Meng glared at the young man reproachfully, then said somewhat apologetically to Dongfang Yueming, "Young master, I'm sorry, my Brother Hou Liang..."
"It's alright." Dongfang Yueming waved his hand, his tone calm. "Thank you for your kindness, Miss Wei, but I'm used to traveling alone, so I won't trouble myself."
After saying that, he turned and walked into the city.
"Hmph! Ungrateful!" The young man named Hou Liang sneered as he watched Dongfang Yueming's retreating figure. He then adopted a gentle expression and said to Wei Meng with conviction, "Don't worry, Mengmei! With me here, I'll protect you every step of the way!"
Upon hearing this, Wei Meng smiled sweetly. But in her heart, she felt a pang of regret. "That man just now, facing the corpse of that Vicious Beast comparable to the Internal Force Realm, remained calm and composed. His strength must be extraordinary. If I could travel with him, perhaps..." She shook her head, no longer thinking about it.