Xuanwu War Sovereign

Chapter 378: Chapter 377: Ancient City Fief

RUMBLE!

As Luan Xiaochuan, Xu Jie, Zhao Yuan, and the others waited anxiously, on the eve of the Star Martial Arts Assembly’s opening.

The long-sealed doors of the Bishui Cave finally opened, just as everyone had been hoping.

Clad in a gentle black robe that contrasted his cool yet fiercely aggressive aura, Qin Feng’s gaze swept over the group of subordinates at the cave’s entrance, finally landing on the graceful, fiery-red figure.

「An hour later.」

Strolling onto a stone platform before the Sea of Clouds, his eyes taking in the boundless vista, Qin Feng suddenly turned to glance at his worried subordinates.

"...So, many people are eager to challenge me, coveting my position as Elder Cyan Dragon!"

A peculiar glint appeared in Qin Feng’s eyes.

’Actually, I already successfully cultivated the Chaos Fire Divine Technique half a month ago.’

’The reason I remained in seclusion was to cultivate another Ancient Great Divine Power.’

’Half a month has passed, and I’ve finally achieved initial mastery of this Great Divine Ability.’

Only after he had cultivated this Divine Ability did the surging Void True Power within his body finally calm down.

A brilliant light flashed through Qin Feng’s eyes as he thought of that Divine Ability.

Yu Yao didn’t notice anything unusual about Qin Feng and continued speaking on her own. "Many people in the Cyan Dragon Academy have grown much stronger this time. The strongest among them, like Yuan Daozhen, Long Jianyi, Liu Canyang, and Xiao Yuchan, have all made incredible leaps, like a carp jumping over the Dragon Gate! Every one of them has reached the Condensing Vein Realm, advancing from the Martial Arts Thirteen Celestial Realms!"

As she spoke, Yu Yao sighed in admiration. "It’s said that they all took the opportunity to cultivate some extremely powerful Divine Abilities!"

"Is that all?"

Qin Feng chuckled.

"They aren’t the scariest ones. The truly terrifying ones are the peerless geniuses who were already exceptional, like Lu Qingxue, Ji Huang’Er, Chi Ling’Er, Zhangsun Wu Ya, and Celestial Monarch Lu. For some unknown reason, their cultivation has become unfathomably deep. Rumor has it they can even fight a Sea Reincarnation Strongman directly!"

An unconcealable sigh was reflected in Yu Yao’s eyes.

To fight a Sea Reincarnation Strongman at the Condensing Vein Realm—such strength couldn’t be described by the word ’terrifying’ alone.

Only those who have truly fought someone in the Sea of Reincarnation Realm would know just how despairing the gap of a Great Realm could be.

Qin Feng said, "And that’s just the changes among the new students’ geniuses. I imagine even more of the previous years’ top talents have seen their strength surge!"

"Peak Master is wise. According to incomplete statistics, no fewer than a dozen geniuses from previous years have used this great opportunity to advance to the Sea of Reincarnation Realm!"

A trace of envy flickered in Yu Yao’s eyes.

During the Starlight Spiritual Tide, the stronger you were, the more benefits you received.

"When does the competition officially begin?"

"Tomorrow!"

Yu Yao glanced at the black-robed young man and said, "The first round is the academy tournament for each grade level. The Four Great Academies—Cyan Dragon Academy, Vermilion Bird Academy, White Tiger Academy, and Xuanwu Academy—will each determine their top ten. Then, the top ten from each of the four grade levels will compete in the grade tournament to determine the strongest ten of their year!"

"Finally, there’s the All Stars final, where the top ten experts from each grade level, plus the Outer Disciples from the Twenty-eight Peaks of the Star Sect, will have their ultimate showdown!"

"Outer Disciples from the Twenty-eight Peaks?" Qin Feng’s gaze flickered.

"Yes. Not only will there be elite disciples from All Stars Academy, but also Outer Disciples from the Twenty-eight Peaks. Each of the Twenty-eight Peaks will send between three and nine people to participate in the Star Martial Arts Assembly!"

Yu Yao’s eyes filled with envy.

Being able to enter the Star Sect was the dream of every student at All Stars Academy.

Even as an Outer Disciple, once you were in, it would bring immense glory to both you and your family.

Composing herself slightly, Yu Yao said, "However, according to the rules of All Stars Academy, the Elders don’t need to participate in the academy tournament. They can directly enter the grade tournament!"

"There’s a benefit like that?" Qin Feng was slightly surprised.

"According to past conventions, the academy tournament typically lasts for three days. The top nine contestants will be determined within that time, and together with the Elder, they will advance to the grade tournament."

"Which means my first match is in four days!"

Qin Feng smiled faintly.

Then, Qin Feng casually asked, "Has All Stars Academy posted the specific rewards? I imagine the quadrennial Star Martial Arts Assembly won’t be disappointing!"

"Peak Master’s insight is as sharp as a torch. The rewards for this year’s Star Martial Arts Assembly far exceed those of previous years. It’s rumored that several senior brothers in the Outer Sect who were on the verge of entering the Inner Sect have deliberately given up their chance, just to participate in this event!"

"Oh, is that so?" Qin Feng’s interest was piqued.

"I’m quite curious what rewards could attract so many geniuses!"

Yu Yao’s body trembled slightly, and she spoke with animated excitement. "Peak Master, you may not know just how generous the rewards from All Stars Academy are this time!"

"The rewards are divided into three tiers this time. For the top ten in the academy tournament, the reward is a Third-grade Divine Power Pill and a High-Tier Spirit Martial Level Technique!"

When she mentioned the High-Tier Spirit Martial Level Technique, a hint of envy flashed in Yu Yao’s eyes.

Back in the day, the heirloom technique of her Yu Family in Xiahe Town was merely a Mid-level Spirit Martial Level Technique.

It was because of that technique that the Yu Family was able to endure for several hundred years and remain a pillar in Xiahe Town.

"If you can pass the academy tournament and make it into the top ten of the grade tournament, you can truly obtain the status of a Star Sect Outer Disciple!"

"The status of a Star Sect Outer Disciple?" Qin Feng’s eyes flickered.

Yu Yao’s expression grew excited. She took a deep breath and said, "And that’s not all! You also get the right to cultivate for three months at the Dragon Spring in Dragon Valley, a low-level True Martial Level cultivation method, and you get to choose an ancient town in the City of Many Stars as your fief!"

Dragon Valley’s Dragon Spring. Qin Feng knew of this place. It was rumored to be an Innate Blessed Land within the Star Sect, filled with Innate Dao Rhyme. Cultivating there for a single day was equivalent to half a month of practice elsewhere.

The most miraculous thing was a peculiar power in that place that made it very easy to enter a state of epiphany while cultivating.

Therefore, Dragon Valley was also known as Epiphany Valley, making it extremely attractive.

Cultivation in a Spiritual Spring, a True Martial Level Secret Technique, an ancient town as a fief, and finally, the ultimate prize of becoming a Star Sect Outer Disciple... This year’s Star Martial Arts Assembly was sure to be a fierce battle among dragons.

"But the most enticing rewards are for the top ten of the grade tournament: a High-level True Martial Level Technique, the status of an Inner Sect Disciple, an ancient city as a fief, and the chance to choose a treasure from the All Stars Treasury!"

Yu Yao forcibly suppressed the tremor in her voice. "It’s rumored that the top three can even be granted the title of Sealed Marquis!"

Qin Feng’s eyes lit up.

Sealed Marquis was a special, honorable title. It was not just an affirmation of one’s own power, but also represented the backing of the sect.

A Sealed Marquis powerhouse represented a certain caliber of strength in and of itself.

It was also a demonstration of a first-rate Major Sect’s power.

It was well known that only first-rate Major Sects had the ability to bestow the title of Sealed Marquis.

According to the customary treatment that every first-rate Major Sect gave their Sealed Marquis Geniuses...

A Sealed Marquis powerhouse could not only have their own Dao Field but also possess a vast fiefdom.

Sealed Marquis... what was a Sealed Marquis? It was to be a duke among countless geniuses. A duke stood above all other talents, capable of turning tides and summoning storms. With a single command, ten thousand would follow their lead.