Chapter 53: Starry Splendor

By the time he came back to his senses, Lin Dongming and the others had already arrived at the Ancient Kingdom of Jiangnan under the night sky.

“Ha~ It was so cramped I could barely breathe.”

Han Xiangjun leaped off the back of the Silver Flood Dragon and stretched out lazily.

“It’s not like you didn’t insist on squeezing over here.”

Bai Zhiqing rolled her eyes.

“Senior Brother Lin, let’s go this way.”

She even deliberately grabbed Lin Dongming’s hand and pulled him aside.

Han Xiangjun’s expression twisted with frustration, but that was exactly the effect Bai Zhiqing wanted.

—She only acts like this in front of Han Xiangjun. Why, though?

Lin Dongming had never asked Bai Zhiqing the reason for this, even now. In the past, it would have been presumptuous, but thinking about how familiar they’d become, he figured it would be okay to ask.

“…Such sharp sword intent.”

Lin Dongming looked to the side.

As expected, a large crowd had already gathered not far away.

Judging from their clothes and weapons, they should be from the Bihai Blade Sect.

“That person is staring over here.”

Bai Zhiqing said calmly.

“To be precise, he’s staring at Senior Brother Yuan Jianyi.”

Lin Dongming followed her gaze.

Sure enough, it was Qin Feng from the Bihai Blade Sect.

—The only genius in the younger generation across the entire Eastern Region who could rival Senior Brother Yuan Jianyi?

This wasn’t Lin Dongming’s first time seeing him.

He’d seen him before during a competition between the two sects.

So this fierce sword intent was also familiar.

Unlike Yuan Jianyi and Lin Dongming, Qin Feng’s face was sharp and angular like chiseled stone—he looked like someone you wouldn’t want to mess with.

Next to him stood a cultivator who resembled him, probably his brother or something.

When Yuan Jianyi walked down, Qin Feng immediately stepped out from the Bihai Blade Sect crowd.

“It’s been a while. Looks like your cultivation has improved.”

Yuan Jianyi gave him a cold glance.

“You don’t seem to have improved much yourself.”

Qin Feng was stunned for a moment.

“…Hmph, your mouth is as foul as ever. No matter, once we’re in the secret realm, let’s have a good fight and see who’s stronger.”

Yuan Jianyi didn’t take him seriously.

“Then you’d better improve a bit, or I won’t be interested in fighting the same opponent again. It’s a waste of time.”

Qin Feng: “…Just you wait.”

There were times when Lin Dongming really admired Yuan Jianyi.

Unlike someone like him, who kept his head down and developed cautiously, Yuan Jianyi’s default expression was always [I’m not targeting you, I’m just saying everyone present is trash].

That included Qin Feng, whose talent and cultivation were only a little below his, and even some seniors at the Yuanying or Spirit Severing stage.

In this world where fighting across cultivation levels was as hard as ascending to heaven, Yuan Jianyi was one of the rare, peerless geniuses who could do it.

No wonder he was so proud.

Lin Dongming thought that if he were Yuan Jianyi, he might be even more arrogant.

But he also understood that most people found it hard to empathize.

Those who called the rich arrogant and the talented conceited—if given the chance to become rich or a genius themselves—might become even more arrogant and conceited.

It’s like the youth who slays dragons ultimately becomes a dragon himself.

—Forget it, thinking about it won’t change anything.

Lin Dongming looked around.

The flying ships and spirit beasts of the major sects were also arriving one after another.

Xuankong Temple and Wenxin Tianzong had come too.

Some smaller sects were present as well, though with fewer members.

Just among the ones Lin Dongming could name were Tianyin Sect, Shenji Sect, Yushou Sect, and others.

Every sect had their own prodigies, many of them at the late Jiedan stage, but Lin Dongming wasn’t particularly interested.

Although the struggle between righteous sects was fierce, most of the time, they cared about appearances and wouldn’t monopolize all the resources and treasures for themselves—they’d share at least a little.

Lin Dongming suspected that the most important reason for this was that there were four major sects in the Eastern Region, not just one.

“Junior Brother Lin!”

A familiar figure flew toward Lin Dongming.

“Mo Shijie?”

Sure enough, it was Mo Qingxue.

Lin Dongming greeted her warmly.

After all, it was Bai Zhiqing’s service time right now, and he was earning double the money, so of course Bai Zhiqing took priority.

Anyway, since Bai Zhiqing wanted to irritate Han Xiangjun, not Mo Qingxue, there shouldn’t be any problem.

“Fate really brings us together.”

Mo Qingxue beamed.

“The Yuling Pill I mentioned before—I brought it for you. Here.”

A white jade bottle flew from Mo Qingxue’s Storage Ring and landed in Lin Dongming’s hand.

Without even looking, Lin Dongming stored it in his Storage Ring.

“Thank you for the gift, Mo Shijie.”

Then Lin Dongming took out a small black bottle from his Storage Ring.

“This is the Bu Xin Pill. It can strengthen the soul power most needed by Wenxin Tianzong disciples. I hope it will be useful to Mo Shijie.”

Bai Zhiqing’s eyes widened slightly.

“This stuff isn’t cheap. Where did you get it?”

“Just a lucky encounter.”

Lin Dongming replied vaguely.

After all, he couldn’t exactly say it was given by a rich lady.

But unexpectedly, Mo Qingxue waved her hand.

“Bu Xin Pill is precious, but I didn’t help Junior Brother Lin for this. No need to mind it so much. If you need something in the future, just help Shijie with a small favor.”

“…Alright.”

Lin Dongming replied stiffly.

After all, favors were the hardest to repay.

Even if she called it a small favor, it might not be that simple.

“You’re pretty popular, aren’t you? I didn’t expect it.”

Bai Zhiqing jabbed Lin Dongming in the stomach with her elbow.

“Thanks so much.”

Lin Dongming retorted.

“Though I can’t really tell if you’re complimenting me.”

Bai Zhiqing also took the chance to bow slightly to Mo Qingxue.

“Thank you, Mo Shijie, for the medicine. If our cat successfully forms its foundation, we’ll be sure to bring you the good news.”

She emphasized “our cat” again.

Lin Dongming and Mo Qingxue both twitched at her words, though for different reasons.

—This little fox is truly a green tea when she wants to be.

As for Han Xiangjun, watching this scene from the side made her feel even stranger.

Were Mo Qingxue and Lin Dongming’s interactions a little too natural?

Their relationship seemed… maybe a bit too good?

Even a little… too much.

She felt a bit uneasy, almost thinking she shouldn’t have asked Mo Qingxue for help.

But then Mo Qingxue naturally moved to her side and earnestly gave her advice, and Han Xiangjun thought maybe it wasn’t a big deal after all.

Lin Dongming looked around and noticed something odd.

Not just the Heavenly Extreme Sword Sect, but even the elders sent by the Bihai Blade Sect, Xuankong Temple, and Wenxin Tianzong were all at the Conjunction Stage.

—Not right. This is as wrong as wrong can be.

He’d participated in the Forbidden Land Trial before, but there had never been so many at the Conjunction Stage.

Lin Dongming was certain this Forbidden Land Trial was more complicated than he’d thought. There had to be other information he didn’t know.

“Enough! Quiet!”

Tuoba Wanyu’s voice echoed through the Heavenly Extreme Sword Sect’s ranks.

“Prepare to enter the Forbidden Land!”