Chapter Eighty-Four: Soul-Breaking Mountain, Desolate Valley Ruins

  Lè Tíng Yún knitted her brow and said, " Envoy, after the trial ended today, I have sent people to collect information on the top six. The most interesting one is Xǔ Yáng."

  "Huh?" Hai Yue looked at Le Tingyun.

  "Xu Yang was just a mid-term Xuantu three months ago, but in just a few short months, he soared all the way to early-stage Xuan Shi! Today's trial has also been witnessed by the special envoy, and many late-stage Xuan Shi youths are no match for him."

  Haiyue fell into deep thought.

  Leticia Yun continued, "As can be seen, Xu Yang is a prodigy who has made rapid progress. If he can fight evenly with Yun Yang now, then three months later, he will almost certainly defeat Yun Yang!"

  "Your meaning is that we can recruit Xu Yang?"

  Leticia nodded and said, "The final selection will take place next spring when the flowers bloom, which is still three months from now. In these three months, perhaps Xuyang will make even greater breakthroughs! Leticia thinks that in selecting talented youngsters, we should not only look at their current abilities but also see their potential!"

  Hai Yue frowned and said, "However, Yun Yang is also one of the top four extreme light mystic veins, with equally impressive potential. If I were to favor Xu Yang, it would be unfair to Yun Yang when compared to Yu Huang or Li Wang."

  Letyingyun wanted to speak, but Haiyue waved his hand and said: "It's decided then. Let Xuyang compete against Yunyang, the strong one wins! Remember our principle, eliminate the weak and keep the strong! What we're doing now is to try our best to preserve the strong ones and avoid losses from strong clashes, not to favor Xuyang!"

  Late at night, in the study of Li Bo's mansion in Lin Yuan City.

  Li Boyan sat in the main seat, and there were three others present, namely Li Zhongxuan, Li Yurong and Li Wang. Several of the Li family's guards stood respectfully to one side.

  "Three months ago, I received a report that in the Duanhun Mountain on the north side of the Giant Python Mountains, there is a desolate valley," said Li Bo Yan. "In this valley, there are some unusual Xuanqi vibrations, suspected to be the remains of an ancient sage."

  Several people in the study were shocked, and even Li Zhongxuan showed a look of interest.

  The remains of a sage are generally places where the sage cultivated in secret, possibly leaving behind extraordinary skills and treasures, worthy of being called a treasure land.

  "Has Father sent someone over to investigate?" asked Li Wang.

  Li Bo Yan nodded and said: "Li Feng, you say it."

  Lifeng, dressed in a cyan robe, bowed his head to accept the order. He immediately opened his mouth and said: "Just a month ago, I was ordered by the master of the house to lead a few people to search for the Desolate Valley of Duanhun Mountain. After killing several fierce beasts and giant pythons, we discovered a secret realm."

  "Secret realm? Have you ever been inside?" asked Li Zhongxuan.

  "No," said Lei Feng with a hint of helplessness, "that secret realm is guarded by a powerful seal array. I couldn't even budge it. But strangely, the seal array in that secret realm doesn't repel cultivators below the Xuan Master level. So, I ordered Lei Yue and Lei Shou to go explore the secret realm."

  Ley Feng's face showed a look of distress as he spoke up to this point.

  Li Bo Yan replied, "Li Yue, Li Shou and a few others, once they left, never returned. Until now, the Li family guards stationed at the secret realm's entrance have not received any news of their appearance, it's ominous."

  Li Wang nodded and said, "The Forbidden Array does not reject Xuan Shi. That child can try to enter. I'm just worried that in the ruins of the former sages, there are dangers that Xuan Shi cannot withstand."

  Li Bo Yan said, "If there's no absolute guarantee, as your father, I naturally wouldn't let you go in and take risks. I've already obtained a 'Dun Di Fu' from your grandfather, if you encounter danger, just use Xuan Li to activate the talisman, and you'll naturally be moved out."

  After a pause, Li Bo Yan continued: "In order to explore the secret realm as much as possible, after the end of this Haiyun preliminary round, I will let those outstanding young Xuan Shi who have shown excellent performance participate. If they are utilized properly, they will be a great help."

  Li Zhongxuan raised an eyebrow and said, "Are these young genius Xuan scholars including Xu Yang?"

  Li Wang smiled and said, "Second Uncle has also heard of Xu Yang? He is physically strong, his magical techniques are ingenious, and he has a broad perspective. As his nephew's relationship with him is not bad, it's natural to invite him."

  "Big brother, how many more Escape Talismans do we have?" asked Li Zhongxuan. "I don't object to Ah Wang inviting Xu Yang and the others to explore the secret realm, but at least we must ensure that Xu Yang can also escape successfully!"

  "I only asked for one, but this token can be used by three people," Li Bo Yan said to his straightforward second brother, "If we encounter danger, let Ah Wang take Xu Yang and escape together."

  The next morning was clear.

  The area around the northern city drum tower was already packed with people. Many spectators who didn't have a good spot yesterday arrived at the drum tower before dawn, braving the cold.

  "In the fifth round of the competition, who will be the first to win the championship among Xiao Junhou, Yu Jia's young lady, Hei Ma Xuyang, and the elegant swordsman Yun Yang?"

  "I think highly of Little Jun Hou, his profound power is too heavy, and his cultivation is unmatched! Cultivation is the foundation of a Xuanzhe."

  "The young lady of the noble family is extremely talented and has a natural affinity for the mysterious and subtle. The bronze halberd is a divine treasure that can ward off evil spirits with ease. I bet she will win the top prize."

  There were many speculations, but most guessed Li Wang or Yu Xuan Yu, only a few people looked more favorably on Xu Yang and Yun Yang.

  "He's here! It's Yun Yang from the Cloud family!"

  The crowd erupted in a flurry of noise. Not far away, a white-clad swordsman rode a pure white steed onto the arena.

  Yun Yang's face wore a warm and gentle smile, his white clothes were as clean as snow, with a long sword hanging from his waist, he looked exceptionally handsome.

  Not long after, the horse-drawn carriage of the young lady of the Honorable House, Honorable Genyu, came rumbling along. Sitting in front of the carriage was none other than Honorable Genmu, another youthful master who had also entered the top six.

  Ge Weilong's performance was much worse, it seems that the Ge family's morale plummeted after Ge Weifeng's defeat, and they clearly didn't think highly of Ge Weilong's chances of standing out.

  "Look! It's Li Wang, he and Hei Ma Xu Yang have appeared together!" Someone with sharp eyes spotted the two riders turning out from the street corner.

  Xu Yang rode a green horse, with Xu Yu sitting in his arms, moving slowly forward while chatting with Xiao Junhou Li Wang.

  "Alright then, Xu Yang. Once Hai Yun's preliminary selection is over, we'll set off together to the Giant Python Mountains." said Li Wang with a smile.

  "Good." Xǔ Yáng replied. He was also very curious about this ancient relic.

  Xu Yang's mind was not lacking in extraordinary skills and methods, but the relics of his predecessors still had a great deal of attraction for him. To say nothing of other things, just one treasure that an ancient wise man cherished was enough to move people's hearts.

  When all six contestants are seated in their seats, a drumbeat sounds, and the preliminary round of Haiyun continues, with the fifth round underway!

  Haiyue teacher walked onto the high platform, lifted up a square lottery box. He exchanged a glance with Le Tingyun and began to draw lots immediately.

  With a slight shake, a bronze plaque with a mysterious turtle pattern fell to the ground.

  Yu Xuanwu immediately stood up tensely, thinking to himself: "If I draw Ge Weilong, I can still fight, it's a top draw; if I draw Xu Yang or Yun Yang, the chances of winning are very low, a medium draw; if I draw Li Wang or Little Sister Xuan Yu, then there's no need to compare, a bottom draw."

  Haiyue glanced at everyone, smiled and took out another copper plate.

  "The bronze plaque of the Xun Xun, is the Yu Xuanyu! The two geniuses of the Yu family have met ahead of time!" someone shouted loudly.

  Yu Xu Wu's face looked extremely unpleasant. Yu Xu Yu, on the other hand, seemed completely carefree, and with a slight tap of his toe, he leaped up into the air.

  "I give up." The Oni Kuroko muttered this from between his teeth, hanging his head in defeat.