Chapter 427: Chapter 425: Desert Ancient City, Here I Come
DONG...
As a melodious bell chime echoed, Tian Ao and the Grand Elder descended from mid-air. The disciples selected for the expedition to the Desert Ancient City then emerged from the crowd, stepping onto the Martial Arts Arena in the center of the plaza and becoming the focus of everyone’s attention.
"Xue Shitian! Xue Shitian!"
"Xu Lin! Xu Lin!"
"Shen Haoran! Shen Haoran!"
Screams erupted from below the Martial Arts Arena. The ten people on the stage were all the cream of the crop among the Celestial Spirit Sect’s younger generation and the objects of the other disciples’ admiration. Shen Haoran had risen like a dark horse over the past few days. On the strength of his one-punch knockout of Lin Feng and his earth-shattering roar during the qualification battles, he had transformed from a new disciple into an idol for the majority. Rumor had it that someone had even dug up the story of him defeating the Fourth Elder. One had to admit, when these disciples gossiped, their information network was truly impressive.
"You must be Shen Haoran. I’m Xu Lin. It’s a pleasure to meet you." On the Martial Arts Arena, Xu Lin, a man with delicate features, approached Shen Haoran and extended his hand with a smile.
Shen Haoran was taken aback for a moment by the smiling Xu Lin. However, he quickly gave a polite nod and a smile, extending his own hand to shake Xu Lin’s. "Likewise," he said.
"To think you’ve gained the approval of the Sect Leader and the Elder Council so soon after joining the Sect. You’re a truly rare talent," Xu Lin said with a smile. "I was wondering if you’d be interested in joining us? That way, we can look out for each other in the Desert Ancient City. What do you think?"
Shen Haoran shook his head. "Thank you for the kind offer," he said, "but I’m used to acting alone. Besides, I tend to stir up trouble, and it wouldn’t be good if I ended up causing problems for all of you. Don’t you agree?"
"Oh, so that’s how it is. My apologies for being presumptuous, Junior Shen. Please don’t take offense." After saying this, Xu Lin gave Shen Haoran a meaningful look and turned to walk back to Xue Shitian’s side.
Watching Xu Lin’s retreating back, Shen Haoran’s eyes narrowed, a sharp glint flashing within them as a cold sneer touched his lips.
"Brother Haoran," a puzzled Murong Wanqing asked from his side as she watched Xu Lin walk away. "I heard that the Desert Ancient City is fraught with danger. I saw Xu Lin’s strength during the qualification battles—he’s very powerful, and I get the feeling he was still holding back. If we could team up with him, it might be more convenient for us to operate in the Desert Ancient City. Why did you refuse?"
"Team up?" Shen Haoran said calmly, looking at Murong Wanqing. "That Xu Lin isn’t as simple as you think. He puts on a good front, but no matter how he tries to hide it, he can’t conceal the bloodthirsty killing intent in his eyes. He says he wants to team up, but who knows what schemes he’s plotting? It’s better to stay far away from people like him."
"Oh." Murong Wanqing nodded, only half-understanding. ’In any case,’ she thought, ’whatever Shen Haoran says must be right. There’s no mistake in following him.’
"Everyone! You are all genius disciples of my Celestial Spirit Sect. This expedition to the Desert Ancient City is a great opportunity for you, but it is also a great trial. We believe in you, because you are disciples of the Celestial Spirit Sect! I want you to use your full strength and prove to the other powers that here in the Northern Domain, our Celestial Spirit Sect is the true King, the true overlord!" Tian Ao declared passionately, looking down from the sky at the ten on the Martial Arts Arena. His words ignited the passion in the hearts of the disciples below. Where before they had been shouting for their own idols, now they all roared in unison:
"King of the Northern Domain, only Celestial Spirit reigns! King of the Northern Domain, only Celestial Spirit reigns!"
The shouts of several thousand disciples were exceptionally loud, their deafening voices soaring to the heavens. Even the ten on the stage couldn’t help but pump their fists and shout along. The atmosphere was charged with an unprecedented, fervent energy.
Watching the passionate disciples below, Tian Ao nodded in satisfaction. "Alright," he said to those on the Martial Arts Arena, "the time has come. Disciples heading to the Desert Ancient City, prepare yourselves. We depart!"
Then, Tian Ao waved a hand toward the sky. A moment later, a pair of enormous wings appeared abruptly, obscuring the heavens. Everyone couldn’t help but look up. A monstrously large bird was slowly descending from mid-air, finally coming to a stop below the Martial Arts Arena.
Even though the massive bird had landed below the Martial Arts Arena, its body still stood several stories tall. The two tall, protruding humps on its back were especially eye-catching.
"A Camel Peak Bird! It’s actually a Tier Four Spirit Beast, a Camel Peak Bird!" the crowd exclaimed in amazement. "That’s a type of Spirit Beast found only in the Northern Domain!"
Information about the Camel Peak Bird surfaced in Shen Haoran’s mind. It was said to be a unique Spirit Beast that had mutated within the Northern Desert Land. While this creature didn’t possess much combat power, it could freely enter the Desert Land. Even the inner regions, a forbidden zone for human Martial Artists, were places the Camel Peak Bird could come and go from as it pleased. Furthermore, the two humps on its back could store water, making it easy for them to survive several months in the desert without food or drink.
However, these birds were notoriously difficult to breed, making them extremely scarce. Only Overlord Tier Sects or factions could afford to own one. As one of the most powerful Sects in the Northern Domain, the Celestial Spirit Sect naturally had one.
The Celestial Spirit Sect rarely deployed its Camel Peak Bird. This time, however, their destination lay in the innermost region of the Desert Land. Moreover, Shen Haoran and the other nine lacked the ability to perform the Sky-Soaring Void Step, so they needed the bird for transportation. Otherwise, given the harsh environment of the Desert Land, they would likely die on the way long before reaching the Desert Ancient City.
Seeing they had a ride, Shen Haoran and the others didn’t hesitate. Besides, the Camel Peak Bird was an extremely rare flying Spirit Beast. The ride was so exceptionally stable that one couldn’t even feel the buffeting high-altitude air currents. It would be a waste not to take it.
Once all ten disciples were on the Camel Peak Bird’s back, Tian Ao’s expression grew solemn. He spoke in a low voice, "The Grand Elder will lead this expedition to the Desert Ancient City. Someone will inform you of the specific rules before you arrive. But I want to stress this: you are all the future of our Celestial Spirit Sect. Therefore, you must be careful. Your lives are the top priority!"
Hearing this, Shen Haoran and the others nodded gravely. Then, under the expectant gazes of all the disciples, the Camel Peak Bird took flight, vanishing over the horizon a moment later.
Standing on the Camel Peak Bird’s back, Shen Haoran watched the forests and mountains rapidly recede below, a thrill of excitement running through his heart.
’Desert Ancient City, here I come!’
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