Chapter 563: Chapter 561: Ancient Dragon Mountain
"Celestial Humans cannot enter with their true bodies?"
This was the first time Xu Yang had heard such a secret; he was astounded: "Then none of the four Celestial Humans from the first Spirit Realm went in?"
"It seems so. My father didn’t explain in detail. Apparently, the Ancient Immortal-Fallen Land can fully withstand Celestial Human-level powers, but the life force of Celestial Human Realm Martial Artists suffers tremendous catastrophe in that place!"
Shi Hu knew little about this as well.
The casual words from Shi Feng gave him no way to uncover the real truth.
Xu Yang nodded thoughtfully, wanting to know more, but it was clear there was no way to get answers from Shi Hu.
He could only go ask Shi Feng.
"How exactly are the quotas being fought over?"
"No idea."
Shi Hu helplessly spread his hands: "It hasn’t been announced yet."
Xu Yang shook his head slightly, deciding not to think further.
He would simply wait and see.
Still, it was difficult to stay calm.
The Seven Great Factions, Daqian, nine top-tier powers.
Three thousand participants!
Truly daunting.
"The Ancient Immortal-Fallen Land—perhaps there I can unravel the origins of these opportunities that cling to me."
"Senior, did you ever visit the Ancient Immortal-Fallen Land?"
Xu Yang asked the Blood Ming Divine Sparrow in his heart.
"Never!"
"When the Ancient Immortal-Fallen Land was first discovered, only some experts from the Seven Great Factions entered; that’s already centuries ago. The rest only learned of it in recent years."
"According to what those people say, the Ancient Immortal-Fallen Land should be a fragment from an Immortal battlefield, vast and boundless, shrouded in terrifying forbidden power."
"But there is something strange."
"Strange?"
Xu Yang’s heart stirred.
"In theory, an Immortal battlefield should hold astounding opportunities; yet, in these hundreds of years, among the Seven Great Factions, it seems no terrifying figures have emerged."
"Moreover, wouldn’t it be better if only the Seven Great Factions went? Why alert the other factions? After all, the four strongest Celestial Humans all belong to the Seven Great Factions themselves."
Hearing this, Xu Yang was taken aback. The Divine Sparrow’s sense of strangeness seemed to hold merit.
"Unless..."
"Unless their first expedition gained nothing, or was even extremely dangerous; of course, it could be something far beyond my imagination."
"But with a place like this, most who learn of it can hardly turn a blind eye!"
Xu Yang nodded deeply in agreement.
Knowing that the Spirit Realm is bound for decline in years to come, there is now one last chance to fight for survival—even if pitfalls are inevitable, one must go!
Xu Yang’s thoughts churned endlessly, but he had no clue what more to speculate, so he gathered his scattered mind and closed his eyes, pretending to rest.
...
Far in the westernmost lands, Ancient Dragon Mountain.
From afar, it seemed like a winding ancient dragon, bridging heaven and earth, soaring on wind, anchoring the world’s order!
Drawing closer, one realized the true immensity and weight of the ancient peak—towering and thick.
Its mere width was a thousand zhang in magnitude.
Steep to the extreme, radiating a primordial, intimidating aura that awed all beneath heaven.
"Such a divine mountain is indeed rare in this world!"
Xu Yang gazed at Ancient Dragon Mountain from aboard Ink Cloud Boat, marveling aloud.
Soon, he spotted a broad platform at the peak, nearly blending into the void.
At this moment, many Martial Artists were already gathered atop the mountain.
Whoosh!
The Ink Cloud Boat emerged from the void; Xu Yang and Shi Hu stepped out, descending from the skies.
Countless gazes swept toward them.
Xu Yang looked around, and on one side, saw the squad from Ten Thousand Swords Island.
The Grand Elder Qingxu and Sect Leader Ming Yun were there, with Ning Wuyang and his disciples beside them.
"Eh? Why is he here too?"
A familiar figure caught his eye, and Xu Yang couldn’t help but raise his brows in surprise.
"Xu Yang, over here," Shi Hu called in a low voice.
Xu Yang turned, seeing the enormous group from the Battle King Family.
"You head over; I’ve spotted someone I know," Xu Yang replied in a low voice.
"Alright."
Shi Hu nodded slightly, heading down first.
Then, Xu Yang strode toward the Ten Thousand Swords Island group.
"Is that man truly the legendary Xu Yang?"
"Brother Ning, do you know him?"
"Of course—both are from Daqian."
The Martial Artists of Ten Thousand Swords Island saw this scene and started discussing among themselves.
When Xu Yang visited Ten Thousand Swords Island last time, he changed his appearance; only a select few knew his name, and a gag order was imposed afterward so the incident wouldn’t be spread. Thus, not everyone knew of Xu Yang.
"Mr. Xu."
"Of late, the name of Mr. Xu has truly shaken the Spirit Realm."
Ming Yun and Qingxu both wore warm smiles, greeting him with enthusiasm.
"I greet Senior Qingxu and Sect Leader Ming Yun."
Xu Yang cupped his fists in salute.
After a round of pleasantries, Xu Yang learned that Guanglong Island and Three Gods Island were now but empty names—their strong had died or fled.
The Star Dome Sea now belonged wholly to Ten Thousand Swords Island.
Ning Wuyang and Jian Chuan, after settling in Ten Thousand Swords Island, had made swift progress these days.
Jian Chuan had reached True Monarch Perfection.
Ning Wuyang was at high-tier True Monarch!
"Senior, what brings you here? Are you going as well?" Xu Yang finally asked the black-robed elder with a cheerful squint.
The black-robed elder was none other than the Funeral Death Grand Monarch!
The Funeral Death Grand Monarch grinned: "Heh! If you, kiddo, can go, why couldn’t I?"
Xu Yang teased: "Senior, if memory serves, you’re quite fond of staying alive. This journey isn’t exactly safe."
"If you can’t say anything nice, then don’t speak, brat! Pah, I’ve got luck to spare."
The Funeral Death Grand Monarch glared at Xu Yang with a scowl.
Xu Yang couldn’t help but chuckle.
The Funeral Death Grand Monarch suddenly rubbed his hands together and muttered in a low voice: "But listen, kid, when we get into the Ancient Immortal-Fallen Land, if you get a chance, lend me a hand, will you?"
A Grand Monarch of Divine Heaven, saying this unexpectedly, was truly startling.
But Xu Yang’s status was anything but ordinary.
Crown Prince of Daqian, first genius of the Battle King Family!
The Funeral Death Grand Monarch would never dare look down on him the slightest.
Who knows—he might really have to rely on Xu Yang.
"I’m just at True Monarch level—how could I help senior?"
"Don’t try to play dumb, boy; I’ve helped you before, have I not?"
"Hahahaha."
"If there’s a chance, I’ll do my best."
"Glad to hear it."
The Funeral Death Grand Monarch visibly relaxed.
"What’s this? Old Funeral Death, are you looking down on Ten Thousand Swords Island?" Ming Yun’s playful voice drifted in from the side.
The Funeral Death Grand Monarch’s face darkened, muscles twitching twice, but when he turned, he had a bright smile plastered on.
"Mr. Ming Yun, how could you say that?"
"I just have a friendship with the kid Xu—what’s a few words between old friends?"
"Hmph!"
...
Watching this, Xu Yang shook his head and laughed, his mood brightening all at once.
"Xu Yang, Ten Thousand Swords Island’s team will go with Daqian," Ning Wuyang approached and said in a low voice.
Xu Yang’s gaze flickered, scanning a corner of the mountaintop, where the Daqian team stood—it was all familiar faces.
But there was no sign of Can Sutian!
"Be careful. If anything happens, contact me immediately!" Xu Yang said.
Since the appearance of ’Gu Hong’ last time, he could guess there had to be cooperation between Daqian and Ten Thousand Swords Island.
Joining with Daqian—obviously!
"Don’t worry."
Ning Wuyang nodded lightly.
Then, Xu Yang turned and walked toward the Battle King Family.
"Mr. Xu, long time no see! I hope you’ve been well."
Xu Yang paused, glancing to the side. A lovely figure gazed at him with a bright, smiling stare.
Men Long!
Xu Yang’s face stayed cold. He said curtly, "What do you want?"
