The Prodigies War

During these past days, Lin Xun had benefited quite a lot from discussing the dao with the core disciples of Xuanji Dao Sect.

Since the other party consisted of young cultivators who were able to shine and step into the Supreme Saint-King Stage so early, they were certainly no ordinary talents.

They sought different dao paths, so the Great Dao Fields they condensed varied vastly and were an eye-opening experience for Lin Xun.

Moreover, he had also learned some information on the Dao Debate of Cloud State during the more casual conversations.

This time, the debate would be open to experts at the True Saint, Big Saint, and Saint-King Stages.

As supreme Saint-Kings, what the core disciples were most concerned about was naturally the competition of their category.

When talking about this, each and every one of them would, without fail, mention the most dazzling figures in Cloud State today.

One of those was Lu Dubu, a disciple of Great Void Sect. His sect was the number one sect in the state while he was recognized as the number one Supreme Saint-King in Cloud State.

Another example was Xie Yuhua of Cloud Star Sect, the number two sect in Cloud State. She was a supreme genius who had only risen to prominence in recent years, and her current prestige was as brilliant as a comet.

There were many more of those, and the core disciples of Xuanji Dao Sect all talked about them with a variety of emotions ranging from apprehension, hostility, to a burning desire to fight.

Other than that, it was mentioned that everyone, regardless of their status, could participate as long as their cultivation level met the requirements.

Due to this, many characters of the older generations also rubbed their hands eagerly. Even some elders of the major forces who had lived for who-knew-how-long decided to take part as well.

As such, the Dao Debate of Cloud State would only become more and more heated.

Those of the older generations who were able to live through the turbulence of time to this day were definitely not to be underestimated.

Similarly, the younger generations’ top heaven prides who were ranked on the All Heavens Saint-King Rankings also needed to be taken seriously.

During this topic, Lin Xun only listened without showing any emotions.

In a competition of the same stage, it didn’t matter if one was a famous supreme genius or a ruthless old monster as what was compared was not the size of their fame or how long they had lived. The only thing that mattered was combat strength!

In this regard, Lin Xun feared no one.

“Young friend.” Heng Xiao came up to Lin Xun and greeted him with a smile.

The group of core disciples as well as Jintian Xuanyue tactfully excused themselves.

Lin Xun got up. “Is there something you need from me, Fellow Daoist?”

Heng Xiao hurriedly said, “There are two things. Firstly, Ancestor Bo Yazi said that he already got some clues on the matter you’ve entrusted to him.”

Lin Xun immediately became focused, knowing that it concerned his wish to visit the Imperial Jiang Clan.

Heng Xiao said, “However, he also said that this matter is of great importance and requires the help of a friend. It will take him at least one month and at most three months to get a clear answer from that friend, so he hopes that you will be patient.”

Lin Xun nodded and asked, “What about the other matter?”

“It has to do with the Dao Debate of Cloud State.” Heng Xiao handed him a jade slip. “It will start in half a month. All the related information is recorded in this.”

“Thank you, Fellow Daoist.” Lin Xun cupped his fist before accepting the jade slip.

“I will personally bring our sect’s disciples to the contest, and we’ll set off in ten days.” Speaking of this, Heng Xiao suggested, “Won’t you really consider taking part in it as a core disciple of ours?”

There was a hint of anticipation in his eyes.

Still, Lin Xun shook his head as he had already made up his mind about going alone.

If he took the identity of one of Xuanji Dao Sect’s disciples, he would surely be given all sorts of preferential treatment.

However, he knew that no matter how well he concealed himself, the cat was bound to get out of the bag one day. At that time, Xuanji Dao Sect would definitely be implicated seeing how much they had helped him.

He said, “Just have Xuanyue attend as a disciple of Xuanji Dao Sect.”

From Lin Xun’s firm attitude, Heng Xiao knew that he couldn’t force it, so he nodded. “Alright, but promise me that you will tell me if you ever encounter any trouble during the contest.”

Lin Xun gave him a smile and nodded.

After the two exchanged some more pleasantries, Heng Xiao left.

Lin Xun took the jade slip back to his cave and started reading through it.

……

Ten days later.

Heng Xiao led a group of disciples who would participate in the Dao Debate Contest to Great Void Mountain.

This divine mountain was the stronghold of Great Void Sect, the number one sect of Cloud State.

Lin Xun also left quietly on the same day.

This time, the Dao Debate would have three rounds of selections.

The first round would be hosted in the affiliated cities of the seven major lineages. Everyone who met the conditions could sign up.

After a series of screening battles, the winners would be able to proceed to the second round of selections, which would be held at Great Void Mountain.

Participants who came from the seven major lineages would skip the first round and directly enter the second round.

This was why Heng Xiao would head straight to Great Void Mountain with his sect’s disciples.

Ranked third among the seven major lineages, Xuanji Dao Sect was expected to receive the same preferential treatment.

Lin Xun, on the other hand, had to start from the first selection round.

In other words, he had to stand out in the Dao Debate Contest of Cloud State and make it to the top ten in order to participate in the Dao Debate Assembly organized by the Great Six Courts.

And the Dao Debate Contest of Cloud State had three rounds of screening…

It could be imagined that those who would be able to remain after so many layers of elimination were destined to be peak experts.

Fierce Wind City, as the closest city to Xuanji Dao Sect, was much bigger and more prosperous than Lin’an City, the first city in this world that Lin Xun had arrived in.

In five days, the first round of selections for the Dao Debate would kick off in different cities in Cloud State, and Fierce Wind City was one of them.

The conductors of these contests were seven quasi-Emperor experts from the seven major lineages respectively. In doing so, they could also prevent anyone from cheating.

Recently, Fierce Wind City had been incredibly lively with many experts flocking over from all directions.

Many of them were here to participate in the first selection round, but the majority had come to be in the audience.

After all, the scale of this Dao Debate could be described as unprecedented, resulting in it attracting the attention of countless cultivators.

After Lin Xun entered Fierce Wind City, the first thing he perceived was the hustle and bustle on the streets and in the alleys. Every corner was filled with talks about the first round of selections.

“Although the seven major lineages won’t be involved in the first round, the other participants can’t let their guard down. From what I know, some powerful experts from ancient organizations have already signed up.”

“I wonder how many dark horses we’ll have after the first round and who will be able to make it into the Dao Debate Assembly in the end.”

“Let’s just wait and see. The first selection round will last three days. We’ll get to see the list of the second round afterward.”

The streets were abuzz with discussions.

Cloud State was only one of the forty-nine states in the Primordial Chaos World, but it was so incomparably vast that it could qualify as a big world.

Distributed throughout this vast territory were not only the seven major lineages, but also many other ethnic groups, clans, and sects.

These various organizations had no shortage of stunning characters who would certainly appear in the first round as long as they decided to attend the Dao Debate!

Having known all of this already, Lin Xun didn’t need to spend any more time probing around and just went straight to his destination.

At Fierce Wind City’s central area.

The front side of a magnificent palace had long been packed by a sea of people.

This was the registration area for the first selection round, making it the most bustling and most watched place in the city today.

Lin Xun had only arrived here when he heard a cry of amazement.

“Chu Qiu of Heavenly Tip Sect! After five hundred years of cultivation, he is now a renowned supreme Saint-King whose physical body can withstand the bombardment of a Saint Treasure!”

Lin Xun instantly saw a man attired in a silver robe appear out of thin air. The latter had long silver-colored hair and a pair of eyes that zapped with electricity. When he walked, he strode like a dragon with majestic might.

Apparently, this man was Chu Qiu.

“I didn’t expect you to be here as well, Chu Qiu. I’m looking forward to playing with you in the first selection round,” rang a cold voice.

Accompanying the voice was a pure green streak that pierced the air as it arrived at the area. It turned into a green-robed man with sharp brows and bright eyes, who was riding a red flying sword. His aura was intimidatingly sharp.

“That’s Gu Jianxing, the Young Master of Dark World Clan! He’s also here?”

Many people clicked their tongues and clamored.

Gu Jianxing was a wayward sword dao genius. Rumor had it that very early in his life, his aptitude had been recognized by an expert of Great Void Sect, who then had wanted to take him in as their final disciple. However, Gu Jianxing had flatly rejected the offer!

That expert had lamented over this for a long time and said, “Top-quality sword geniuses are extremely rare, and Gu Jianxing is destined to be one of them. It’s a pity that my Great Void Sect is not fated to have him!”

This comment had quickly spread and spread Gu Jianxing’s name to the world.

“Hmph, then we shall see during the contest,” snorted Chu Qiu of Heavenly Tip Sect before he went straight toward the magnificent palace, not sparing Gu Jianxing another glance.

Gu Jianxing’s eyes gleamed with a sharp sword light, and it was only a good while later that he chuckled softly and shook his head. Then, he also walked toward the palace.

This was only the beginning.

In the following time, one dazzling, famous figure appeared after another. There were young masters of noble lineages, heaven prides of ancient clans, and geniuses of various sects…

Some were arrogant and unrestrained, while others were quiet and aloof. There were also absolute beauties with city-toppling splendor.

Whenever such a character arrived, the area would be restless with gasps and exclamations, which kept adding to the lively atmosphere.

Fierce Wind City had certainly never been as full of life as it was today.

From beginning to end, Lin Xun watched all of this as he stood among the crowd with his hands behind his back, the emotions in his gaze ever unperturbed.

Whether it was Chu Qiu, Gu Jianxing, or any of the other dazzling geniuses, they were indeed above the rest of their peers. Their auras differed but without exception were extraordinary.

Unfortunately, none of them had been able to catch Lin Xun’s attention so far.