Chen Xuanji surrendered without hesitation.

It was both unexpected and to be expected.

Even though everyone was concealing their strength, and perhaps the gap wasn’t vast, under today’s circumstances and rules, conceding was nothing disgraceful!

And with Chen Xuanji forfeiting in the first match, all the remaining nine matches ended with their opponents surrendering as well.

Star Nebula Infinite Sea—nine Spirit Talismans!

Finally, it was Xiao Ming’s turn!

When it came to Xiao Ming, there was not the slightest suspense!

No one could stand as his opponent.

Watching Xiao Ming motionless as each challenger conceded one after another, Xu Yang silently wondered in his heart, "Senior, just how strong do you think Xiao Ming is?"

Just now during the contest, although his spirit mark was somewhat inferior to Xiao Ming’s, it had already gained substance, yet was torn apart in an instant.

Simply terrifying!

"Very strong!"

"Xiao Ming—I heard that old Chi Xue mention him before. It seems he has fused with the Five Elements Spirit God. Judging by his move just now, he hasn’t fully unleashed the Five Elements Spirit God’s mighty power, but he’s at least a tier above you!"

"I even suspect that, if he faced a newly advanced Shenxiao Realm cultivator, he could still struggle against them!"

Xu Yang’s heart tightened!

Capable of dueling someone at Shenxiao Realm?

Xiao Ming, oh Xiao Ming, you’re truly a monster.

Xu Yang could only submit!

Such a foe was, without a doubt, exceedingly frightening!

Far beyond the likes of Huangfu Qing, Song Yuanhao, and the others from Daqian.

"But you’re no slouch yourself, kid. Your physique is unrivaled, especially your spirit mark. It hasn’t yet transformed—once it does, I believe you will be astonishing!"

"Compared to others, you lack a stroke of fate that allows you to forcibly tap into the power of a precious treasure far beyond your current level!"

Hearing this, Xu Yang’s mind stirred.

He needed not say more about Heaven-Locking Intent!

At this moment, if something matched what the Blood Ming Divine Sparrow had spoken of, it would only be the ancient Evil Qi in the inner world of the cauldron and the Heaven-Locking Divine Chain swirling on the surface of the world’s barrier!

So long as he absorbed enough, it would be no less than an incredible opportunity!

"With Senior around, it’s as if I have another treasure at my side!" Xu Yang sighed.

In the past, there was Gu Jun!

Now, he had a Blood Ming Divine Sparrow.

"Hehe."

The Blood Ming Divine Sparrow let out a laugh, then fell silent once more.

Xu Yang looked to Gu Jun at the back of the crowd.

Teacher and apprentice locked eyes across the distance, exchanging a smile.

Gu Jun’s gaze brimmed with admiration and praise.

To have such a disciple was the honor of his lifetime!

This journey to the Ancient Land of Celestial Fall—Gu Jun would be going for certain.

As a Tier Eight Alchemist, his role was self-evident!

Aside from him, one of the other four top-tier Tier Eight Alchemists would also be accompanying the group.

To Gu Jun, though his own cultivation wasn’t strong, the Ancient Land of Celestial Fall was a place of endless allure and challenge!

"And there is Daqian, too."

All familiar faces.

But this trip would be fraught with deadly peril!

"Ancient Land of Celestial Fall!"

Xu Yang’s blood gradually began to boil.

It was the longing to confront the unknown and the legends of the Path of Immortals!

"The quota contest is concluded. Everyone may now choose your team members according to the spots you have earned!"

"Three days from now, we gather here for the departure to the Ancient Land of Celestial Fall!"

Old Yun Zheng’s voice echoed atop the mountain, pulling Xu Yang from deep thought.

He looked up; Old Yun Zheng and the five Celestial Human Realm beings appeared to be muttering in low voices. Then they shared a glance and vanished into thin air one after another.

"Four hundred twenty people—Xu Yang, this time you’ve done us proud."

Shi Feng excitedly laughed and clapped Xu Yang on the shoulder.

Now, he felt his decision to recruit Xu Yang back then had been exceptionally wise.

If not for Xu Yang, relying on Shi Hu alone, the War King Family wouldn’t hold much advantage.

Especially with precedents like Zuo Guangchen and Lan Yue, without Xu Yang to draw attention, Shi Hu might not have come out safe himself.

Xu Yang said with a smile, "It’s only right. The War King Family has not treated me unfairly."

Hearing this, Shi Feng was all the more satisfied.

"Patriarch, how are we going to reach the Ancient Land of Celestial Fall?"

The surrounding crowd surged over.

This was not only Xu Yang’s curiosity—their own as well.

Shi Feng smiled proudly, "By relying on a supreme treasure!"

"A supreme treasure?"

Everyone exchanged puzzled glances.

What sort of supreme treasure could carry them across the source of the Spirit River?

And in the end, still have to cross the forbidden boundary at the end of the Spirit River to reach the Ancient Land of Celestial Fall—that was truly staggering.

"Our War King Family’s treasure is the largest stone ever shed by the Stone Spirit in ancient times, tempered thousands of years by both the Spirit River and the Stone Spirit itself—a top-tier supreme treasure!"

"It can carry everyone across the Spirit River and reach the Ancient Land of Celestial Fall!"

"Each great power has done the same, relying on their own supreme treasures. Only the top Shenxiao Realm cultivators can barely protect others, but with too many people, only supreme treasures will do!"

"Of course, just supreme treasures are not enough—the crucial point are the five Celestial Humans. Once you reach the end of the Spirit River, it is endless nothingness: no coordinates, no anchoring points, and far more terrifying than the emptiness within the Spirit Realm. Only Celestial Human-level power can resist its pull and locate the Ancient Land of Celestial Fall!"

Everyone came to sudden understanding and breathed a collective sigh of relief.

It sounded as if, with thorough preparation, crossing the Spirit River and arriving at the Ancient Land of Celestial Fall would pose no excessive danger.

If they lost too many people en route, it would simply be unbearable.

Shi Feng lifted his gaze, scanning the teams gathered from all factions, then lowered his voice to Xu Yang and said, "Among the nine top-tier powers, Daluo Vajra Sect will travel alongside my War King Family."

"Additionally, I’ve spoken privately with Mr. Zuo. In times of need, we can rely on each other!"

"Ten Thousand Swords Island is with Daqian. Daqian, though their prodigies are somewhat mediocre, their other experts have made great leaps and are not weak. If need be, they too can be contacted!"

Alliance!

Xu Yang was not the least surprised by this.

None of the great powers were fools.

There were existing conflicts—only not yet torn into the open.

Especially Dongyang Profound Sect and Bright Mirror Grotto Heaven!

The top genius nearly lost their life; that grudge won’t be so easily let go.

Even if revenge couldn’t be taken now, those powers would never again trust some factions!

When Xu Yang first joined the War King Family, Shi Feng’s conjectures from then lingered in his mind.

Old Yun Zheng himself once sought the path of the first Emperor of Daqian, aiming for immortality!

Beneath all this lay turbulent currents!

Everyone is scheming, unwilling to become the stepping stone for someone else!

The War King Family can ally with Dongyang Profound Sect; other powers can do the same behind the scenes.

"Patriarch, what about Bright Mirror Grotto Heaven?" Xu Yang asked in a low voice.

Shi Feng replied with a sigh, "Bright Mirror Grotto Heaven is guarded by a Celestial Human."

"Moreover, as for the culprit who attacked Lan Yue, it’s not as simple as you imagine!"

Hmm?

Xu Yang’s heart gave a jolt.

Shi Feng’s words set his thoughts racing!

The waters between the great sects were truly terrifyingly deep!

Even a force as strong as the War King Family was only a big fish in the pond, liable to be swallowed up by a greater power at the slightest misstep!

Xu Yang took a deep breath and stopped overthinking.

What he needed to do was only what was within his current level.

Idle musings were pointless!

Shi Feng clapped Xu Yang’s shoulder and went off to confer with the other War King experts.

Xu Yang glanced at Shi Hu and Stone Jade. "Are you both heading out, brother and sister?"

"Of course!"

Stone Jade’s lips curved upward as she frowned: "Mr. Xu doesn’t look down on a weak girl like me, does he?"

"Weak girl? Hmph!" Shi Haoting couldn’t help but mutter.

Xu Yang’s mouth twitched. "I wouldn’t dare."

He could guess what was on everyone’s minds. Though dangerous, though they might not come back, they couldn’t bear to just wait at home in vain.

"Let’s wait then; in three days, we set off."

Xu Yang gave a faint smile, sat cross-legged on the ground, and closed his eyes to rest.

He prepared to refine that drop of Blood Ming Divine Sparrow’s blood essence.