Chapter 965 - Everyone Gathered

Liu Wuxie could see numerous cultivators gathered around the mysterious sea region from a distance. Their strength varied greatly, and those at the True Profound Realm could only watch from afar, not daring to get too close.

"Master, the lightning energy is too powerful for us to get close," Ruan Ying said with a frown, gazing at the mysterious sea region enveloped in lightning.

"There's no need to hurry," Liu Wuxie replied calmly. "There's a pattern to everything in the world. There should be a down period for the lightning."

He executed Ghost Eye when they landed, peering into the lightning region's core. He noticed the lightning followed a set pattern, though it hadn't revealed itself yet.

At its core, a hovering pearl roughly the size of an adult's head absorbed the lightning from the surroundings.

"The Thunder Saint Pearl!" Ruan Ying gasped.

"Have you contacted Jiang Nan?" Liu Wuxie asked.

Jiang Nan had arrived ahead of them and had surely gathered some intelligence during his time here.

"I have already contacted him," Ruan Ying replied. "He will be rushing over."

Roughly fifteen minutes later, a man approached rapidly from a distance. It was Jiang Nan.

"Greetings, Master," Jiang Nan said, bowing at the sight of Liu Wuxie.

Jiang Nan had been waiting for days. Despite sending messages through Ruan Ying, he had not received a reply.

"Report the situation here," Liu Wuxie ordered.

"The mysterious sea region was discovered half a month ago," Jiang Nan began. "Since then, the number of cultivators has surged. Over three thousand have gathered, and there are some we need to be cautious of."

"Those who stayed behind in this world have also arrived?" Liu Wuxie asked. He believed Jiang Nan knew who he was referring to.

"Yes," Jiang Nan confirmed. "Based on my investigation, at least three of them are at the Earth Profound Realm."

They stood little chance against cultivators at the Earth Profound Realm.

"What about the other experts?" Liu Wuxie asked again.

Those who had stayed behind over the past five years weren't the only ones they had to be wary of. New experts had entered the world this time.

"Experts from the Dragon Emperor Academy and elites from various sects have already gathered here. They're all strong contenders for the Thunder Saint Pearl," Jiang Nan reported, handing over a list of names he had compiled.

Liu Wuxie naturally wouldn't be willing to leave now. The Thunder Saint Pearl was a key for him to reach the Spirit Profound Realm, and who knew when the next opportunity would come if he missed this one?

Half of the six-month window for this world's opening had already slipped away. Tradition held that the chances of finding treasures dwindled sharply in the latter half. Yet, despite the odds, word had already spread—Liu Wuxie had secured not just the five seasonal treasures but the Dragon Pearl as well.

He knew those who had stayed in this world for five years would try to hunt him for the treasures. If he wanted to survive, he would need the strength to protect himself, which meant he had to reach the Spirit Profound Realm.

"You've done well," Liu Wuxie praised.

Although Jiang Nan and the others had become his devotees and guaranteed their loyalty, they still retained their independent thoughts.

"It's my duty," Jiang Nan replied, flattered by the praise.

When Liu Wuxie praised Jiang Nan, a hint of jealousy flashed across Ruan Ying's eyes. Being praised by the former was an immense honor to them.

"Master, there's something else you must be wary of," Jiang Nan suddenly added.

"Go on."

"Liao Changhong has also arrived," Jiang Nan said in a grave tone, "and he has given the word that he'll kill you at all costs."

Over the past few days, Liao Changhong had gathered several experts from the Liao Clan and disciples of the Heavenly Spirit Celestial Academy. They had formed a team to hunt Liu Wuxie.

The Heavenly Spirit Celestial Academy's disciples primarily consisted of those from the White Dragon Peak and Treasure Institution, who harbored a deep-seated hatred for Liu Wuxie. This was due to Liao Changhong's immense influence as a disciple of the three courts.

"A mere Liao Clan dares to speak so arrogantly?" Liu Wuxie snorted.

If Liao Changhong dared to come for him, Liu Wuxie would cut them all down. Now that he had grasped the Great Dragon Aspect Art and strengthened the Heavenly Dragon Seal, even a lower-level Earth Profound Realm opponent wouldn't be a threat.

In the worst scenario, he could unleash the Annihilation Fist. He didn't need to worry about his safety during the backlash with Ruan Ying and Jiang Nan by his side.

The group of three roamed around the mysterious sea region, studying the pattern.

"Master, the lightning has weakened over the past few days," Jiang Nan added. "It must be the tides waning as the month comes to an end."

Jiang Nan had spent days gathering information here.

The ancestral tree stirred, warning Liu Wuxie of the nearby divinekin.

He narrowed his eyes as he directed his gaze toward the source of the reaction.

"The twelve fiends are also here!" he muttered grimly.

The twelve fiends swaggered openly, making no effort to conceal themselves. They gave off an immense aura from their robust bodies, keeping everyone at bay.

"Master, do you know them?" Jiang Nan asked after observing Liu Wuxie's expression.

"I do," Liu Wuxie nodded. He didn't hide anything from them.

"It's best not to provoke them," Jiang Nan suggested. "They're powerful and can even slay someone at the Earth Profound Realm if they join forces. They have already killed numerous cultivators in the past few days."

Jiang Nan was unaware of the divine race; he only knew they were powerful.

The twelve fiends hailed from the Ye'lo Tribe, the fiercest warriors under Ye'lo's command.

The ancestral tree stirred even more violently at the twelve fiends, wanting to devour them. If Liu Wuxie could kill them all and convert them into Divine Fruits, he was confident he could open the second Divine Gate in his soul sea.

If he could accomplish that, the power of the Great Five Elemental Palm and the Great Dragon Aspect Art would soar. But he knew it was unwise to clash with the twelve fiends with his current strength.

He would pay a great price if they fought, even if he could kill them all.

The twelve fiends halted in their footsteps. They seemed to have detected the ancestral tree's aura and turned their attention over.

However, Liu Wuxie had already slipped around a winding path, disappearing from their sight.

"It's the ancestral tree's aura. He's nearby! Spread out and search for him!" growled one of the twelve fiends.

They had entered this world to hunt down Liu Wuxie.

More than ten disciples from the Dragon Emperor Academy had gathered in another region, each with formidable strength.

"Senior Brother Qiao, how confident are you in seizing the Thunder Saint Pearl?" asked one of the Dragon Emperor Academy disciples.

Qiao Bian was a chosen one, and he had already acquired numerous treasures from this world, including thousands of supreme-grade spirit stones.

"It won't be easy," Qiao Bian replied, retaining his carefree nature as he chewed on a stalk of grass and lounged on the shore, gazing at the thunderous sea.

"Doesn't that mean it'll be even harder for us?" The other disciples looked disappointed after hearing what Qiao Bian said.

Though Qiao Bian was only at the pinnacle of the Spirit Profound Realm, his actual combat strength had long surpassed those at the lower levels of the Earth Profound Realm. There were only a handful of individuals capable of rivaling him throughout the entire sea region.

"Senior Brother Qiao, I have heard that the Heavenly Spirit Celestial Academy's chosen one has also entered this world, " commented another disciple.

The news of a chosen one appearing in the Heavenly Spirit Celestial Academy had reached the Dragon Emperor Academy.

"Could it be that Ji Yuzhen has come?" said another disciple.

Everyone from the Dragon Emperor Academy rose to their feet. The Dragon Emperor Academy and the Heavenly Spirit Celestial Academy represented the pinnacle of the True Martial Continent, and they frequently interacted with each other.

Unlike sects, they were academies that sought to gather the world's finest prodigies.

"Ji Zhenyu isn't the chosen one," Qiao Bian said indifferently.

Ji Zhenyu was the most talented disciple among the younger generation of the Heavenly Spirit Celestial Academy. It was rumored that he had joined the academy at fifteen, and ten years had passed since then.

Over the past ten years, they had occasionally heard about Ji Zhenyu and each of his shocking deeds. It was rumored that he had once intruded an underground abyssal realm, killing countless abyssal devils.

There were also stories of him entering forbidden zones and achieving unbelievable feats equivalent to miracles.

Ten years had passed since Ji Zhenyu had joined the academy, and he had already reached the Earth Profound Realm. So, how could he possibly come to the sacred ground?

"I heard that Ji Zhenyu has the highest chance of opening the Astral Domain Path," another disciple said.

They could only chat among themselves since they could do nothing else but wait for the lightning to subside.

"I've also heard rumors that he is the reincarnation of an ancient deity," said another.

Gossip was part of human nature.

Yet for Qiao Bian, a different figure surfaced in his mind. If there were someone among the younger generation who could make him feel pressured, it wouldn't be Ji Zhenyu but that youth who had ventured into the starry skies. The same person had repaired the profound talisman by himself and could maintain his composure even in the face of danger.

He wasn't confident to have survived that situation if he were in Liu Wuxie's place.

When Jiang Nan mentioned the Dragon Emperor Academy, a figure also surfaced in Liu Wuxie's mind: someone with a carefree nature, untamed spirit, and unmatched pride.

Despite his carefree demeanor, Liu Wuxie could sense the pride that was deeply rooted within his bones.

Meanwhile, Liu Wuxie and his companions stopped at a secluded vantage point overlooking the vast sea region. Though it was far from the Thunder Saint Pearl's location, the view here was unparalleled.

"The laws of heaven and earth are changing," Liu Wuxie muttered.

He noticed a subtle change in the laws. The distorted laws gradually smoothed out.

If the world's laws were truly shifting, did that not mean cultivation would soon be possible here? The suppression might weaken, paving the way for breakthroughs into the Earth Profound Realm.

"Master, I can also feel it. The suppression from the distorted laws isn't that strong anymore," Ruan Ying agreed.

"Master, look!" Jiang Nan cried out, pointing at the sea region.