Chapter 649: Supreme Sky Province
After Nuan Muyun and Wang Meng left, the crowd’s discussion started to heat up. When they spoke, they no longer held back.
As for the main topic of discussion, Xiao Chen, he stood on a warship. He knew nothing of what just happened.
Xiao Chen could only vaguely feel that many people had challenged his lantern. However, none of them succeeded; he was still on the Proud Son of Heaven Ranking.
At this moment, Xiao Chen was no longer concerned about this matter. He placed all his focus on the Supreme Sky Sect he was going to. He was interested in what the Supreme Sky Sect looked like.
White clouds drifted past as a gentle wind blew. The faint mists in the sky had small amounts of Spiritual Energy. When one opened their mouth and took a deep breath, they felt refreshed and comfortable.
With such dense Spiritual Energy, it would be hard for Kunlun Realm cultivators to be weaker than lower-realm cultivators.
“Right in front is the Supreme Sky Province where the Supreme Sky Sect is.”
After the warship passed a broad river, Old Feng stood on the bow and pointed to the front.
The Supreme Sky Province was one of the rare large provinces in the Tianwu Domain. It was much larger than the Great Jin Nation of the Tianwu Continent. There were several cities of extensive size, all managed by the Supreme Sky Sect.
This was not all of it. The Supreme Sky Sect’s influence stretched beyond the boundaries of the Supreme Sky Province. Some of the smaller provinces around would pay tribute to the Supreme Sky Sect every year.
In exchange, the Supreme Sky Sect would provide protection for these provinces from strong Demonic Beasts, the attacks of loose cultivators, or high-ranked Demons coming from spatial cracks to the Demonic World, preventing these provinces’ destruction.
At first, when Xiao Chen and the others heard Old Feng tell them about this, they felt it was odd. They had not expected the heavenly Tianwu Domain to contain so much danger.
After hearing Old Feng’s explanation, they finally understood. Some strong Demonic Beasts were even stronger than a Superior Grade Martial Sage. Provinces without a high-ranked sect protecting them would find it difficult to defend against such beasts, even if they used their full force.
Occasionally, a ferocious beast might pass through the Tianwu Domain, killing the population of entire provinces.
As for loose cultivators, they were even more of a danger. These loose cultivators were independent cultivators without any restraint. They only thought about how to increase their strength. So when they did things, they did not care about the consequences.
Their hearts and minds had become twisted long ago. The things they did were even crueler than what Demonic Beasts did; they were worse than beasts.
As for spatial cracks to the Demonic World, they were rare. However, whenever they appeared, it would be a disaster. A province that a Rank 8 sect protected would be in trouble.
The warship moved very fast. After passing many cities, they arrived at a place deep in the mountains.
The silhouettes of the mountains rose up and down, soaring into the clouds. Lush greenery blanketed the mountains. Mist surrounded the summits of these mountains, which emanated dense Spiritual Energy that made everyone feel more alert. It swept away everyone’s fatigue, invigorating them.
“There are so many Spirit Veins! There are at least twenty Rank 3 Spirit Veins and countless Rank 2 and Rank 1 Spirit Veins. There seems to be a few Peak Grade Spirit Veins as well.”
Spirit Veins were the foundation of a sect. A Spirit Vein was a fountain of resource that allowed a sect to stand without falling, representing the basic strength of a sect.
Xiao Chen once listened to a detailed explanation by Ao Jiao about Spirit Veins. A Rank 1 Spirit Vein did not produce Spirit Stones; a Rank 2 Spirit Vein could only produce Inferior Grade Spirit Stones; a Rank 3 Spirit Vein could only produce Medial Grade Spirit Stones.
When Xiao Chen made a rough survey of the endless chain of mountains, he could feel many Spirit Veins within them.
The Spirit Veins intertwined, and Spiritual Energy surged without end. It made him feel like he was immersed in a sea of Spiritual Energy.
As the warship flew on, a vast and magnificent city appeared in the middle of the mountains.
The mountains ahead were like tall gates opening up one by one and revealing the city. This was like the unveiling of a breathtaking vista after the mist had scattered.
The city was immense. Logically speaking, there should not be such a large space in these densely packed mountains.
It looked like a supreme being playing in a sandbox had gently pinched off the several mountains that should be there and placed them elsewhere.
As Old Feng looked at the vast city, his eyes evinced extreme sorrow. He had not returned here for one hundred years, ever since he went to the Sky Dome Realm.
“Later, someone will bring you to gather with the other people from the other branch sects. After I report your arrival, I will have to rush back to the Sky Dome Realm.”
Old Feng seemed heavy-hearted, especially when he looked at Yue Chenxi.
“Chenxi, let me remind you of some things. If nothing unexpected happens, you and Gong Yangyu will not be placed in the inner sect.”
Yue Chenxi and Gong Yangyu nodded slightly. Along the way, they had already guessed it. After their arrival in the Tianwu Domain, their past glory now seemed comparatively insignificant.
Yue Chenxi said earnestly, “Don’t worry. Even if I’m placed in the outer sect, I will persevere. I will definitely not embarrass you.”
Old Feng smiled and nodded. Then, he focused his gaze on Xiao Chen. “Xiao Chen, you will definitely be placed in the inner sect. The people there look down on the geniuses of the Sky Dome Realm.
“Nevertheless, I believe that in less than three years, you will be able to become a true inheritor.
“However, you are too brilliant and sharp. In these three years, you had best keep a low profile. Although a man of character has no need for revenge, for a gentleman to take revenge, ten years is not too long.”
When Xiao Chen heard this, he could not help but smile bitterly. He had never thought of stirring up trouble on purpose. Furthermore, he had never considered himself to be a gentleman.
A person was deemed a gentleman by others. However, Xiao Chen simply obeyed his own rule. He did not care what others thought about him.
However, it would be hard to see Old Feng again after parting with him. So Xiao Chen did not rebut him in front of everyone; he only nodded his head to indicate he understood.
“Xiu!”
Two young men flew over from above the city gates. They wore the sky-blue uniform of the Supreme Sky Sect, radiating strong pride.
Although these two were not old, their cultivations were very deep. Even Xiao Chen could not discern their cultivation, which stirred some fear in his heart.
When these two landed on the bow, they said to the four, “Are the few of you from the Sky Dome Realm?”
Old Feng stepped up and clarified their identities; then he left with one of them, quickly disappearing from everyone’s vision.
The remaining person introduced himself: “I am Chen Xiao. You can address me as Senior Brother Chen. This time, I am in charge of welcoming all the newcomers. Let me bring you to your abodes first.”
After this person finished speaking, he turned around and moved forward, gesturing for Yue Chenxi and Xiao Chen to follow him.
Projecting her voice over to Xiao Chen, Yue Chenxi whispered, “There are three golden lines embroidered on the chest of his uniform. That is the mark of a true inheritor.”
No wonder his cultivation is so deep. It turns out that he is a true inheritor, Xiao Chen thought.
After they entered the city, the three felt the majesty of the city in full force. It was much larger and livelier than the Dragon Sealing City of the Tianwu Continent.
The strangest thing was what seemed to be a small sky city floating above the city. Eighteen upside-down mountain peaks surrounded that sky city.
Chen Xiao pointed to the front and said, “That city in the center is the Supreme Sky Sect’s inner city. Inner disciples can go there once a month. The eighteen mountain peaks around it are the residences of the true inheritors.
“There is a Rank 3 Spirit Vein in each mountain peak. The true inheritors have absolute control over those Rank 3 Spirit Veins.”
After Chen Xiao spoke, Xiao Chen and the others could not help being shocked. In the lower realm, a great sect might not even be able to control a Rank 3 Spirit Vein. Unexpectedly, in this place, a true inheritor could do so.
On further thought, if one could use a Rank 3 Spirit Vein to cultivate, their cultivation speed would be very fast.
Chen Xiao had expected the expressions that appeared on the three’s faces. He revealed some pride in his eyes as he smiled faintly. “As of today, half of the eighteen mountain peaks are empty. All of you have a chance to get one.”
Gong Yangyu immediately asked doubtfully, “Why are half of them empty? There are such great resources there, but they are not being put to use.”
Chen Xiao said indifferently, “It is better to have nothing than to have a substandard choice. Since no one can meet the standards, it is better to leave them empty.”
“What kind of standard is that? It is so strict,” Gong Yangyu muttered in a low voice.
However, Chen Xiao did not explain further. He led the three and continued to move around the city. There was the pill refinement hall, the merchant street, the auction house…he gave a simple introduction of everything to the three.
“The west of the city is where the outer disciples hang out, and the east is where the inner disciples hang out. It is best that the outer disciples don’t go to where the inner disciples hang out.”
Gong Yangyu asked curiously, “Why is that?”
Chen Xiao said calmly, “There are crooks mixed in with the honest there. There are also numerous factions. For the sake of meeting the standards of a true inheritor, several of the people at the peak there are embroiled in a great competition over resources.
“Several underhanded methods have slowly appeared. If you went there, your treasures might end up being snatched away by others.”
Xiao Chen thought carefully about Chen Xiao’s words. From what Chen Xiao said, Xiao Chen deduced the strictness of the true inheritor’s standard. Even after using all sorts of methods, half of these eighteen peaks were still empty.
If one tried to explain it as the Supreme Sky Sect lacking geniuses, that was impossible. This was obvious from the size of the Supreme Sky Province and the number of cultivators.
After showing the three around the city, Chen Xiao led the three to a large courtyard. He said, “Go in first. There are still people from the branch sects that have not yet arrived. When everyone is here, we will determine if you will be going to the inner or outer sect.”
Xiao Chen took the lead and entered. When he looked around, he noticed that many people had already arrived. All combined, there were at least a hundred people.
The weakest person around was much stronger than Gong Yangyu. There were even a few strong auras that made Xiao Chen wary of them; he did not dare to be careless.
There were no chairs in the courtyard, only several bare stone stools. Xiao Chen casually found a stone stool and sat down.
As Xiao Chen assessed the rest, several people in the courtyard opened their eyes and took the measure of Xiao Chen and his group.
When these people saw the words “Sky Dome” on the identity medallions of the three, they withdrew their gazes. They revealed expressions of disdain and no longer paid them any attention.
Xiao Chen suddenly looked towards a tall, feminine, and thin man. In that instant, that man seemed to have sent out a strand of hidden energy.
That man’s technique was exquisite, barely raising any fluctuation in the air. However, as it was not headed for Xiao Chen, Xiao Chen did not bother about it.
“Bang!”
Just at this moment, an explosion sounded. So, Xiao Chen looked over.
It turned out that when Gong Yangyu stepped forward and pulled a stool over, it exploded the moment he touched it. Without any preparation, he was caught off-guard. As he had used quite a bit of force, he ended up falling over.
“Ha ha ha! The Sky Dome Realm lives up to its reputation as the last-ranked great realm. The people that came from there do not even know how to sit.” When the thin man saw the situation, he started laughing.