Chapter 204: Chapter 203: The Thousand Rivers Secret Land Opens
Ling Qi watched the departing crowd, a sense of deep frustration welling up inside him.
Ling Qi’s expression was grim as he said in a hoarse voice, "Not only did that Wen Qingye make the two academies leave, but he’s also somehow connected to those arrogant and unruly Pill Masters. I never would have expected it."
A pang of regret hit him. ’If I had known this would happen,’ he thought, ’I wouldn’t have wasted so much effort humiliating Wen Qingye and trying to win over Wen Tongyu.’
Liu Ying’s brow tightened. He took a slow breath. "We wait. Wait for Wen Tongyu to return from the Thousand Rivers Secret Land. His power will have advanced by leaps and bounds. If we endure for a few more years, with his help, the position of Crown Prince of the Celestial Martial Country will be yours and yours alone."
"I suppose that’s the only way," Ling Qi sighed. "This time, I’ve inadvertently given my Third Brother an opportunity. He’ll definitely do everything he can to recruit Wen Qingye."
Liu Ying said calmly, "It doesn’t matter. It’s just one Wen Qingye. I’ve already spoken with Gao Yuanhao, an Eighth-Grade Alchemist I’m on good terms with. He’ll mediate the situation. Pill Masters, you see, don’t concern themselves with struggles for the crown."
Ling Qi nodded. "Mm, I suppose that’s all we can do for now. Tomorrow, I’ll have to explain the situation at the Spring Garden banquet to my Royal Father. If I let Third Brother get to him and complain first, I’ll be at a disadvantage."
......
In the days that followed, Wen Qingye split his time between his own cultivation and guiding Xiaxia and Jie Jiachun in the Alchemy Dao. Time flew by.
During this period, Wan Yu, Zhou Long, and a few other Pill Masters also came to visit. At first, they only offered a few casual suggestions, but they were soon astonished to find that Wen Qingye’s offhand replies cut straight to the heart of their problems, unraveling issues that had plagued them for years. Their shock quickly turned to elation.
From then on, Pill Masters—beings normally seen as mysterious and inscrutable by the common person—became a frequent sight at the entrance of Yiyun Pavilion.
The Third Prince also came to visit several times, but Wen Qingye tactfully declined his invitations each time.
In the blink of an eye, the day for the opening of the Thousand Rivers Secret Land was nearly upon them.
Nie Qinglan looked at Wen Qingye, Yann Chuxue, Yann Xiangyang, Shen Yanxing, Wang Jie, and the few others before her and spoke slowly. "It’s time I told you a little about the Thousand Rivers Secret Land."
"You all know that the Thousand Rivers Secret Land is exceptionally dangerous. There are not only natural hazards but also contests between people and between nations. You are all the chosen prodigies of my Qig Mountain Academy. I don’t expect you to conquer the Thousand Rivers Secret Land, but I do hope that every single one of you comes back alive."
Nie Qinglan paused here, her tone tinged with a hint of helplessness. "It has been decades since anyone from our Celestial Martial Country has successfully passed through the Thousand Rivers Secret Land. This won’t necessarily be your last chance."
Chen Feng, standing to the side, smiled faintly. "Indeed, the Thousand Rivers Secret Land is perilous, but it is also filled with great opportunities. There are countless Heavenly and Earthly Treasures, rare Exotic Beasts, and all sorts of other valuables. If fortune is on your side, a period of cultivation within the Secret Land could lead to a great leap in your strength."
Nie Qinglan nodded. "Mm, while the Thousand Rivers Secret Land is dangerous, it is indeed a great opportunity. But you must remember to be careful. Surviving is what truly matters."
A bright glint flashed through Yann Chuxue’s cool eyes. She had long been anticipating this journey to the Thousand Rivers Secret Land.
Nie Qinglan took one last, deep look at the group before slowly leading them to the gathering point for the three academies in the Imperial City.
The brilliant sunlight shone down, seeming to pour from the heavens themselves, bathing the entire Imperial City in a glittering golden light.
In the heart of the Imperial City, several giant red birds circled in the sky—the very same Demon Beasts that had carried Ling Wei away. The city center was packed with a massive crowd, a veritable sea of people stretching as far as the eye could see.
The atmosphere in the Imperial City was electric, as if a feeling that had been brewing for days had suddenly erupted. A feverish anticipation shone in everyone’s eyes.
The contest of geniuses between the Sixteen Countries, held every eight years, was finally about to begin. They were all prodigies from their respective lands, and this cruel struggle would prove who was the true champion among the Sixteen Countries.
This was a battle for national honor, a struggle between geniuses.
"Look, it’s Wen Tongyu!"
"I wonder if anyone from our Celestial Martial Country will make it through the Thousand Rivers Secret Land this year."
"These people are the hope of our Celestial Martial Country! I’m betting on Wen Tongyu."
"Me too, but I feel like Wen Qingye is no slouch either. I heard he defeated Ling Quan with a single sword strike!"
.....
Liu Ying and the contingent from the Purple Sun Prefecture were already seated atop several of the giant birds. Wen Shibei caught Wen Qingye’s eye and nodded, and Wen Qingye nodded back. Just then, Ling Xiao walked over to Nie Qinglan and said, "Get ready. It’s time to go."
Nie Qinglan nodded and instructed her group to board the giant birds one by one.
Ling Wei stood a short distance away, watching Wen Qingye. Her brow would smooth out one moment, then furrow again the next, her thoughts impossible to guess.
Wen Qingye looked at Xiaxia and said sternly, "Go back and study more of the Alchemy Dao. Read the pill formula collection I gave you. And that Spiritual Mist Pill—remember to take one if your headaches return, understand?"
The Spiritual Mist Pill was the pill needed for Xiaxia’s fourth tribulation. Wen Qingye had begun preparing it as soon as he received the Spirit Dew from Nie Qinglan.
Xiaxia nodded obediently. "Mm, I know, Master. You can go without worrying. I’ll be fine."
Wen Qingye nodded, then turned his gaze to Jie Jiachun.
Jie Jiachun quickly stepped forward and said, "I will be sure to escort Lady Xiaxia safely to Feiyun City, and then I will return to Phoenix City on schedule."
Hearing Jie Jiachun’s words, Wen Qingye said no more.
The people from Celestial Academy arrived just then. Shu Jiuyi led his group onto one of the giant birds.
Once everyone was seated, Ling Xiao stood on the back of one of the giant birds and let out a piercing whistle. With a powerful beat of their wings, the giant birds shot into the air, kicking up a massive cloud of dust with the turbulent rush of air.
But no one in the crowd backed away. Countless pairs of eyes, filled with anticipation, watched as the giant birds flew away from them, shrinking into black dots before vanishing from sight completely.
