Snow Dynasty

Following the flow of people, through several bustling streets, a huge square suddenly appeared. In the center of the square stood a huge stone tablet, entirely crimson and over ten zhang tall, which was the legendary "Crimson Flame Stele"!

As soon as you get close, a scorching and powerful aura washes over you, as if you were in a raging inferno, making your mind tremble and your blood surge. The surface of the stone tablet is not smooth, but covered with strange patterns that twist and turn like dancing flames. Just one glance is enough to make your eyes sting and your mind feel as if it is being sucked into it.

The plaza was densely packed with people, forming concentric circles around the Crimson Flame Stele. The closer one got to the monument, the stronger and more refined the aura of the seated individuals became, clearly indicating higher cultivation levels. The outermost circle consisted mostly of martial artists at the Bone Tempering and Tendon Transformation Realm, while those further in were at the Blood Replacement Realm. The circles closest to the monument, however, were filled with the Qi Refining Realm experts whose auras were unfathomable!

Seeing this scene, Yue Tao and the others were once again shocked.

"You have all come from afar, presumably to study the Crimson Flame Stele," several disciples dressed in the robes of the Earth Spirit Sect stepped forward to maintain order and announced, "To avoid disturbing each other, please take your seats in order of your cultivation level, from the inside out."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xijing's eyes One Flash a sharp light. He smiled slightly and took the lead, heading straight for the area belonging to the Marrow Cleansing Realm warriors, attracting many astonished glances from those around him—such a young Marrow Cleansing Realm was truly rare!

Xi Feng glanced at Dongfang Yueming, a smug smile playing on his lips. He strode forward and followed, sitting down in the spot where he had achieved the Great Tendon Transformation Greater Completion, deliberately choosing a conspicuous location.

Dongfang Yueming and Shi Qing walked side by side, naturally heading towards the circle of martial artists who had Tendon Transformation Lesser Completion.

The two found empty seats and sat down almost simultaneously, then subconsciously glanced at each other, both seeing just the right amount of surprise in each other's eyes.

"Huh?" Yue Tao, Wang Bufan, and the others behind them were stunned when they saw this.

"Brother Dongfang, Miss Shi, aren't you...?" Yue Tao couldn't help but ask, "I remember you were at the Tendon Transformation Initial Stage, right? How come you're sitting in the Minor Accomplishment positions?"

Upon hearing this, Dongfang Yueming smiled nonchalantly, "I was lucky; I broke through not long ago."

Shi Qing nodded slightly and said in a clear voice, "Me too."

The two looked at each other again, a knowing glint and... barely perceptible smile flashing in their Central Capital?

"What?! They've all broken through?!" Wang Bufan's eyes widened in disbelief. Yue Tao was equally astonished.

Xi Feng stiffened, and his smugness vanished instantly, replaced by an indescribable sense of frustration and jealousy.

How could the opponent upgrade so quickly!

Even Qin Rushuang, sitting behind them, couldn't help but feel a ripple of emotion. She quietly watched the two sitting side-by-side and sighed inwardly: 'These two children's Martial Dao talent is truly astonishing! Especially Yueming... It's a pity that Shi Qing, after all, bears the surname Shi...'

Some long-forgotten secrets flashed through her mind: the Shi Family, once a prominent family in the Central Continent, unfortunately offended a behemoth sect and was cursed with a vicious bloodline curse, which led to their decline and eventual exile to this remote place...

Thinking of this, a hint of pity crept into her gaze as she looked at Shi Qing.

Just as everyone was lost in their own thoughts, another group of people stepped into the square, causing a stir. This group was dressed in peculiar clothing, mainly white with subtle snowflake patterns, and their demeanor carried a chilling aura; they were none other than the Snow Dynasty's army.

Leading the group was a tall, imposing young man with a cold, stern face and sharp, hawk-like eyes. He scanned the martial artists seated in the plaza, and when he saw the Bone Forging Realm figures on the outermost edge, an undisguised sneer curled his lips, "Heh, even Bone Forging Realm brats are here to join the fun? What a laughingstock!"

The words were not spoken loudly, but they were clearly heard by many people nearby.

Wang Bufan was already in a bad mood because of Dongfang Yueming and Shi Qing's breakthroughs. Hearing this mockery, his face darkened even more, and he cursed inwardly: Damn it! This guy is too arrogant!

The young man from the Snow Dynasty paid no attention to the gazes of others and strode forward, passing through the areas of the Tendon Transformation Realm and the Blood Replacement Realm, finally stopping at the location belonging to the Marrow Cleansing Realm, even a few inches further in than where Wang Xijing was sitting!

Wang Xijing's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. Wang Bufan's eyelids twitched uncontrollably, his heart filled with shock: 'Another Marrow Cleansing Realm! And he looks even stronger than Wang Xijing? How is this possible?!'

What put even more pressure on them was that the other man and two women following behind the young man also walked towards the area where the Tendon Transformation Greater Completion had reached its peak and sat down alongside Xi Feng and the others! The overall strength of the Snow Dynasty team was truly formidable!

A strong sense of frustration welled up in Wang Bufan's heart: 'I'm a genius with Radiant Golden Bones! How... how can the gap be so huge?!'

Just then, Qin Rushuang's clear, cold voice rang out, seemingly speaking to herself, yet also to everyone. "A weak foundation and unconsolidated strength indicate that you've followed a shortcut to success, failing to pursue the Ultimate Perfection of each minor realm, and merely seeking rapid breakthroughs."

Everyone was taken aback upon hearing this.

Upon hearing this, the instructor leading the Snow Dynasty turned around, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, and exclaimed loudly, "This instructor has a good eye!"

Everyone was even more confused.

The Snow Dynasty's instructor seemed to sense everyone's confusion and said proudly, "Our Snow Dynasty's cultivation philosophy is to pursue the fastest possible advancement! Rather than wasting time on a single realm, stuck and unable to reach that elusive Perfection, wouldn't it be more efficient to break through to a higher level as soon as possible? Once the realm is stable, we can then slowly refine it later."

These remarks shocked and moved many in the audience, and perhaps... there was some truth to them?

Qin Rushuang said calmly, "If the only goal is to accelerate one's cultivation level, this is indeed one method."

Instructor Snow Dynasty raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Judging from your tone, you seem to have other insights?"