Chapter 480 - 477: Enemies on a Narrow Path
Hearing the voice that came from beyond the nine heavens, the cultivators throughout Lingxiao City were stunned, followed immediately by a buzz of commotion throughout the city!
No one had expected the trial to begin so soon.
It seemed that the negotiations among the ancestors of the various sects were very swift, and there had not been much conflict.
Of course, the most likely reason was that the suggestions made by figures like the Grandmaster Ancestor Taixuan had won the approval of all the sect leaders, so there were few dissenters.
No matter the reason, since the instructions had come down from the ancestors, the elders began to lead the disciples from their various sects who were to participate in the trial to gather at Lingxiao Palace.
And those disciples from the various sects who had been enjoying themselves near Lingxiao City also received messages from their elders, instructing them to return quickly so as not to miss the trial!
For a time, countless streaks of escape light rose in Lingxiao City, and numerous magical treasures and spiritual beasts took flight, bearing many cultivators towards Lingxiao Palace.
There were countless cultivators from the Biluo Sect, but it was not only the Beast Taming Sect who rode spiritual beasts; there were also many from other sects who had spiritual beasts as mounts, albeit they did not rely on spiritual beasts as much as the Beast Taming Sect did.
Other cultivators simply saw spiritual beasts as mounts or as aids in battle, but the Beast Taming Sect was different; they would even treat spiritual beasts as a part of themselves, which is what made the Beast Taming Sect so unique.
After hearing the transmission, Qin Feng and the others immediately sprang into action.
Ning Wuxu and Zhong Duanshan led several Great Elders themselves, personally protecting Qin Feng, the true disciples, Ma Xingkong, and the others who were to participate in the trial as they headed to Lingxiao Palace.
As for Tang Sanyuan, Fang Chengqian, and other disciples from various sects who were guests on the side of the Beast Taming Sect, they were also taken by the two Supreme Elders to join them, planning to meet up with their own sects once they got there.
In mid-air, people like Fang Chengqian watched as all the disciples of the Beast Taming Sect released their own flying mounts and stylishly moved forward, immediately filled with envy.
These spiritual beasts were not simply mounts; every one of them was a spiritual beast in the Demon Core Realm, each possessing tremendous combat power, which could be a great help to them in the trial.
Moreover, if you looked closely at these Beast Taming Sect disciples, you could see that each one of them carried more than one or two Spiritual Beast Bags, suggesting they all had multiple powerful helpers.
Especially Qin Feng and the other true disciples, who were extraordinarily gifted and unique in their own cultivation combat power, it would be impossible for their spiritual beasts to be weak.
Even a disciple not of the true inheritance like Ma Xingkong had a spiritual beast in the Purple Mansion Realm to assist him; surely the true disciples would not be without one?
Thinking this way, many cultivators from various sects and academies felt envious.
Although currently, only Qin Feng and Lianxing had released spiritual mounts of the Purple Mansion Realm, while Li MiaoZhen and Gu Wumou were still riding Demon Core Realm mounts, those who had witnessed Li Miaozhen’s capabilities did not believe for a second that she didn’t have a higher realm spiritual beast!
They simply thought that Li Miaozhen and the other true disciples were holding back their skills, waiting to give it their all during the trial.
Tang Qiyun looked at the majestic Heavenly Horse ridden by Ma Xingkong with a hint of admiration in her eyes.
She remembered that Ma Xingkong had not merged with his lifebound spiritual beast during their battle.
If Ma Xingkong had merged with his lifebound spiritual beast earlier, his strength would have skyrocketed even more considering that the Heavenly Horse’s cultivation was not only on par with Ma Xingkong but also seemed to possess a thicker reserve of True Yuan.
Seeing that Tang Qiyun could not take her eyes off the horse he was riding, Ma Xingkong hurriedly said, “Sister Qiyun, would you like to ride together?”
“No, thank you.”
Tang Qiyun quickly shook her head.
After all, she was a disciple of the Spring and Autumn Academy, well-educated and courteous, and would not do anything overly familiar.
Tang Sanyuan beside her rolled his eyes directly, wishing he could just kick Ma Xingkong off the horse.
This guy actually wanted to share a horse with his sister?
Dream on.
As long as I’m around, you better not harbor such crooked thoughts!
In fact, he had already pulled his sister to his other side, trying to separate Ma Xingkong from his sister, but that thick-skinned Ma Xingkong followed them right to the other side on his Heavenly Horse, infuriating him to no end.
The elders from the Beast Taming Sect all watched the commotion with amused smiles.
Everyone could see Ma Xingkong’s intentions, so how could these seasoned elders not know this fellow’s thoughts.
But they did not concern themselves with such matters.
Although Ma Xingkong appeared somewhat shameless, shamelessly cozying up to the girls and acting without decency every day.
But pursuing the girl of his dreams was not something frowned upon, nor was it something that would tarnish the sect, so they let it be.
Besides, if this young man really succeeded in taking one of the Chief Disciples of the Spring and Autumn Academy back to the sect as a Daoist companion, not only would the sect not be at a disadvantage, but it would also gain quite a lot.
With Tang Qiyun’s talent and abilities, she would at least be able to attain longevity and succeed in the Immortal Dao in the future, giving the Beast Taming Sect an additional Supreme Elder, which was certainly a lucrative outcome.
Moreover, it would strengthen cooperation with the Spring and Autumn Academy!
In the past, the Beast Taming Sect was able to cooperate across realms with the Ghost Controlling Sect, so why couldn’t it work with the Spring and Autumn Academy in the future?
As the strongest academy in the Central Region, the Spring and Autumn Academy’s power was far greater than that of the Beast Taming Sect. If both sides cooperated, the Beast Taming Sect would certainly receive many benefits.
Just as earlier, when invading the Red Flame Demon Realm, those small and medium sects that chose to ally with the Beast Taming Sect and joined in the invasion had all developed quite a lot over the years!
Ma Xingkong did not care at all about the looks coming from Tang Sanyuan; he was a rather unique individual who could unconsciously block out some external attention that was of no use to him.
He approached Tang Qiyun with a playful grin, “It would indeed be improper for us to ride a horse together. I was too presumptuous earlier, please accept my apology.”
As he spoke, he waved his hand and released the unicorn, “Sister Qiyun, why not ride this unicorn instead? It’ll save you the trouble of consuming your True Yuan to fly.”
Tang Qiyun looked at the holy unicorn before her and really fancied it. After hesitating for a moment and seeing Ma Xingkong’s sincere expression—and that the unicorn was also not resistant to her riding, even proactively flying to her side and nuzzling her hand—Tang Qiyun’s heart filled with joy.
“Okay then, thank you, Brother Ma.”
A smile appeared at the corner of Tang Qiyun’s mouth, and with the unicorn’s cooperation, she gracefully mounted its back.
“No need to thank me! I’m just glad that you like it!” Ma Xingkong said hurriedly.
However, a sour feeling rose in his heart.
Although the unicorn recognized him as its master, it had always refused to let him ride, which had been a great source of frustration for Ma Xingkong.
Yet today, in front of Tang Qiyun, its former pride was completely gone, even going so far as to invite Tang Qiyun to ride.
If it had been anyone else, he would have likely been utterly jealous.
But since it was the much-thought-of Sister Qiyun, then it was all good.
Well, perhaps this unicorn could even be the means to trick… no no no, perhaps it could win Sister Qiyun’s heart, binding our fates for three lives and dwelling together from now on…
So, the two of them rode the handsome horse, soaring through the skies, leaving the eager Tang Sanyuan behind.
The unicorn was pure white, with wings sprouting from its back, looking somewhat similar to his Lifebound Spiritual Beast, the Heavenly Horse, yet their Power Attributes were completely different.
The Heavenly Horse excels in Wind Control; its Innate Divine Ability, White Colt Passes, even involves Space Divine Power!
Meanwhile, the unicorn was exceptionally holy, skilled in light and thunder-based spells. So, with a bit of discernment, one could see the difference between the two.
However, since the Heavenly Horse had not yet advanced to the Purple Mansion Realm, it seemed quite inferior to the unicorn.
Ma Xingkong didn’t care about these things. He was busy telling jokes, making Tang Qiyun giggle, which made Tang Sanyuan, who was following closely, feel disheartened.
Could it be that his dearly beloved younger sister had really fallen for this guy’s persistent badgering?
…
Countless Light Escapes illuminated the Void, accompanied by the roar of Spiritual Beasts and the cries of Spiritual Birds among the myriad of magical treasures.
Besides the disciples from various Sects participating in the trial, many Cultivators who had come to watch the fun also ascended into the sky, following the crowd towards Lingxiao Palace.
Outside Lingxiao Palace was a vast plaza laid with neatly arranged White Jade Stones, each one smooth and radiant. Many Cultivators who were there for the first time gasped in amazement at the grandeur of Lingxioa Palace.
One should know these were not ordinary jade stones circulating among noble families but genuine Spirit Jade. Standing on them, one could feel the abundant and gentle Spiritual Energy within. If one could pry a piece away, it could be directly used for Artifact Refining!
Some Elders from Lingxiao Palace were in the sky above the plaza, directing where the Cultivators from various Sects should land, while also preventing other Cultivators who came for excitement from entering the plaza, only allowing them to watch from the periphery.
Otherwise, if everyone rushed in, it would be too chaotic and could easily lead to disputes. If someone with a hot temper was involved, a fight might erupt.
Fortunately, those who had come were Cultivators, with the weakest amongst them having attained the Golden Core Dao, ensuring high efficiency.
Ordinary Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment Small Cultivators dared not come close to this excitement, as there were too many powerful Cultivators present today. Accidental contact with the Light Escape of a Great Cultivator could result in a Severe Injury!
The plaza was roughly divided into five areas, just like the arrangements when the Sects first arrived in Lingxiao City, with Cultivators from the Four Regions placed in the east, south, west, and north, and the middle reserved for Confucian Cultivators from various academies of the Central Region.
Although the plaza was large, when the Cultivators landed, it was inevitable that it seemed a bit crowded.
At the same time, it also brought together Sects that did not get along well with one another.
Like Beast Taming Sect and Taiyi Mountain!
Although both sides were very reluctant to see each other, space was limited. Once the Cultivators from Beast Taming Sect descended on the plaza riding their gigantic Spiritual Beasts, they directly covered a large area.
Only after Ning Wuxu instructed his followers to put away their Spiritual Beasts and land did they realize that fatefully, right beside them were a group of Sword Cultivators from Taiyi Mountain!
The two sides made eye contact, both somewhat restrained, avoiding conflict, but the atmosphere was not exactly pleasant.
Nevertheless, the Beast Taming Sect had the upper hand in terms of presence. All their disciples looked down on the Taiyi Mountain Cultivators from their lofty positions, smirking with contempt.
Knowing they had two Ancestors supporting them, their hearts brimmed with confidence, and combined with the Sect’s recent ambitious actions—from conquering a Medium World to planning the encirclement of Demon Cultivators—all of this made the disciples of Beast Taming Sect shine with pride.
Not to mention the presence of Qin Feng, who had taken the Red Lotus Lineage’s treasured inheritance from Taiyi Mountain.
As long as Taiyi Mountain had not taken the Red Lotus Sword back from Qin Feng, its momentum would be suppressed by Beast Taming Sect!
So, even though Zhuo Feifan and the other True Disciples were visibly irate, when they saw Qin Feng, they lacked confidence, which made their expressions quite unnatural.
After all the disciples from various Sects had gathered, a humongous breath suddenly descended from the nine heavens, suppressing the scene, preventing any Cultivator from making noise!