The Prodigies War

This was the unique Windspeaker Clan. If there was anything you wanted to know, finding them was never a wrong choice.

Likewise, if there was any news to spread, the Windspeaker Clan could easily be trusted with the task. After all, their big mouths were famous in the Ancient Wasteland Domain.

Of course, the Windspeaker Clan was only responsible for collecting information and spreading news. The authenticity was something they didn’t bother to check.

At times, the false rumors they spread would draw curses from many cultivators who would scold them for spreading misinformation and confusing the public.

Most of the time, however, the news they spread was reliable.

"Strange, wasn’t there an amazing match in the Silver Pheasant Martial Arena just yesterday? I heard a mysterious youngster suddenly appeared out of nowhere, defeated Cheng Lixue, and broke his record, creating a huge sensation. How did the Silver Pheasant Martial Arena suddenly catch fire last night?"

Many cultivators were astonished by the news.

"Heh heh, the Silver Pheasant Martial Arena’s competitors might be behind this incident. After all, those in the same business are also rivals. With how many martial arenas there are in the Flame Capital, conflict and competition are unavoidable."

Someone gave a possible explanation as he gloated over their misfortune.

Lin Xun’s expression remained unchanged as he listened to the chatter although he did feel a little strange inside. Who could have expected the other martial arenas would end up taking the blame for his crime?

However, it was good news for him. At the very least, the Silver Pheasant Martial Arena would not publicize the truth behind this ‘shameful affair’ no matter how much they hated him.

If they did, it would be no different from slapping themselves in the face and they would only be disgracing themselves.

"Ha, the heavens work in mysterious ways. The Silver Pheasant Martial Arena coincidentally had a fire when we decided not to go there today."

Xia Xiaochong let out a half-snort-half-giggle. The simple young lady was completely unaware that the fire was actually the handiwork of the person beside her.

"It is indeed providential.” Lin Xun let out a thought-provoking chuckle as he placed his hands on the back of his head and leisurely strolled through the busy street.

……

Thousand Crane Martial Arena.

With his experience from the Silver Pheasant Martial Arena, Lin Xun quickly completed the participating procedures and proceeded to the dueling stage.

Polishing and refining his martial dao was vastly different from killing enemies. It required facing an opponent who could at least put up a decent fight and consisted of drawing out the true essence of one’s martial dao through battle.

This was also commonly known as ‘technique feeding.’

In some ancient sects, there were even special teaching elders who would duel with the disciples to guide them and instruct them on the finer details of certain techniques, allowing them to master the essence of the techniques in the shortest possible time.

Obviously, this was unattainable for Lin Xun.

Although there were many martial arenas in the Flame Capital and no shortage of first-class experts, there were far too few who could hope to match Lin Xun.

In his desperation, Lin Xun could only suppress his strength in order to polish his martial dao.

Moreover, after learning a lesson from the Silver Pheasant Martial Arena incident, he kept a low profile this time and would rest after winning each match.

After winning twenty matches, he would then collect the reward and leave for another martial arena to repeat the process.

Sure enough, he received significantly less attention and wasn’t given a hard time when he collected his rewards.

Lin Xun spent the next few days at the many martial arenas of the Flame Capital.

He didn’t encounter any opponents that could pressure him, but he did get experience a variety of combat techniques.

He was also treated to the eye-opening experience of witnessing various specialized fighting styles from experts of different clans. It was a genuinely beneficial experience.

For example, Magma Clan experts would turn into magma in battle, sending out waves of fire that could cover the sky and land and incinerate even space itself. It was an extremely violent and domineering style.

Then there were the Dream Weaver Clan experts who excelled in spirit attacks. Their secret arts could weave realistic illusion attacks, mixing illusion and reality to catch the opponent off-guard.

There were also the Heavenly Vine Clan experts who were the most difficult to deal with. They possessed peerless regenerative ability and could even recreate themselves from a single drop of blood!

In other words, as long as there was a single drop of blood left, a Heavenly Vine Clan expert would be able to regenerate his entire body if given the chance!

Besides them, there was also the Azure Flower-Monster Clan which specialized in poisons, the Mist Shadow Clan which specialized in stealth and concealment, the Yunmeng Clan which was born with the ability to control wild beasts......and many others.

The duels against them widened Lin Xun’s horizons, allowing him to learn many things.

It also made Lin Xun sigh in amazement. The Ancient Wasteland Domain was indeed a vast land with more than ten thousand clans. Every clan had its own unique talents which allowed them to survive amidst the cruel competition until the present.

……

In the inn, Fang Linhan grinned and asked, "Brother Lin, are you really not going to play with me?"

For the past few days, he would come to pester Lin Xun the moment he returned from the Flame Capital Martial Arena. His stubbornness in insisting on a duel gave Lin Xun a headache.

Fang Linhan seemed to know that Lin Xun would never agree so easily and suddenly changed the topic, "By the way, there was some shocking news today. It said that an earth-shaking duel occurred at the Fallen Star Peak deep in the Ziniu Mountain. Old Monster Withered Vine was nearly killed and fled with heavy injuries."

At this point, a strange light appeared in his eyes, "Do you know who did it?"

Lin Xun was taken aback, "Who?"

Fang Linhan’s expression grew increasingly strange, tinged with an indescribable look that seemed to be a mix between admiration and yearning.

After a long time, he answered, "The Unsolved Mystery Sword Alms saintess, Ji Xingyao."

Lin Xun's heart shook. "Her?"

He was unable to remain composed. The Unsolved Mystery Sword Alms was known as the number one sect in the West Infinity World. As such, it was easy to imagine how extraordinary the current saintess Ji Xingyao was.

In fact, she was already beginning to become a leading figure of the West Infinity World’s younger generation.

However, Lin Xun never imagined that despite also being from the younger generation, she was already capable of defeating a Half-Step King expert!

He had personally witnessed the might of Old Monster Withered Vine and knew that he was a powerhouse even among Half-Step King stage.

In spite of this, he nearly perished in a duel with Ji Xingyao and was ultimately forced to flee!

Lin Xun could not help but ask, "What level has her cultivation reached?"

Fang Linhan sighed and said, "I only know that a year ago, she was rumored to have defeated a Cyclic Derivation stage true disciple of the Unsolved Mystery Sword Alms with only Heaven Ascension stage cultivation, shocking the entire sect."

"That Cyclic Derivation stage true disciple wasn’t an ordinary individual either. He’s named Ying Yunchong, hails from the Yinglong clan, possesses superb talent, and is quite famous in the West Infinity World. Despite this, Ji Xingyao defeated him while at an entire greater cultivation stage lower. You can imagine how terrifying her foundations are."

Lin Xun’s expression could not help but change. He deeply understood just how strong of a foundation was required because he himself was someone who possessed the capability to kill an opponent who was an entire greater cultivation stage higher.

"I never thought that there would be such a person in this world...”

Lin Xun inwardly sighed, “The South Wonder World Longevity Land’s saint, Yu Lingkong, is likely no weaker than Ji Xingyao as well."

Fang Linhan added, "However, I heard that although Ji Xingyao’s strong foundations played a part in being able to defeat Old Monster Withered Vine, the main reason for her victory was an inherited damaged Saint treasure she used."

"I see."

Lin Xun immediately relaxed.

It wouldn’t be too shocking if she had relied on a similar treasure to win, like how he had been able to kill Half-Step King experts with the No-Nonsense Bow and the Biluo Arrow.

Of course, it still gave Lin Xun a wake-up call and made him realize that he wasn’t the only person with such trump cards in the Ancient Wasteland Domain.

Other supreme heaven prides like Ji Xingyao and Yu Lingkong were likely also in possession of equally powerful hidden weapons.

Lin Xun asked, "Why would someone like Ji Xingyao suddenly appear in the Fire Spirit Province? Could she also be here for the opportunity on Fallen Star Peak?"

Fang Linhan shrugged and said, "How would I know? I’m not from the Windspeaker Clan. But I do know that despite defeating Old Monster Withered Vine, Ji Xingyao ultimately returned empty-handed."

He paused for a moment before he continued, "Moreover, a big change occurred on Fallen Star Peak. The entire peak suddenly disappeared without a trace as if it was transported away by someone. It is extremely bizarre."

Lin Xun was stunned but soon realized that it was probably related to Shao Hao, who was hibernating in the Constellation Egg!

At the thought of Shao Hao, Lin Xun had an unexplainable feeling that when Shao Hao of the Astral Imperial Clan emerged in the world, he would be no less dazzling than the other supreme heaven prides like Ji Xingyao and Yu Lingkong!

……

"There’s only one day left until the appointed time. If your master doesn’t come, I will be leaving."

Early in the morning, Lin Xun left the inn with Xia Xiaochong as usual and headed to the martial arenas in the city.

Xia Xiaochong confidently replied, "Relax, my master absolutely abhors missing an appointment. She will never do so."

"That's good."

Lin Xun nodded. Over the past few days, he had almost visited every martial arena in the city besides the Flame Capital Martial Arena.

At present, there was only a small handful of martial arenas left where he had yet to leave his mark.

Regretfully, Lin Xun had yet to meet an opponent who could pressure him.

Lin Xun did not intend to stay any longer than necessary in the Flame Capital. One of the main reasons why he had come to the Ancient Wasteland Domain was to visit the East Victory World to learn more about the Omega Sword Sect successor, Yun Qingbai, and make preparations for his revenge!

Due to this, he had little interest in staying in the Fire Spirit Province which was a long distance from the East Victory World.

Pine Smoke Martial Arena.

Lin Xun and Xia Xiaochong walked inside.

"Eh!"

Just as their figures disappeared, a young man on the other side of the street suddenly gasped in surprise, “It’s him!"