Chapter 524 - Grand Sect Conference Begins

Time went by quickly, and a month passed.

Chen Fan arrived at the council hall where nearly a dozen holy disciples, including Gongsun Long, Lei Wushuang, and Yue Zhongtian, were already present.

They greeted Chen Fan warmly, and Chen Fan nodded in response, returning their greetings.

“Morning, Brother Chen!”

“Brother Chen Fan.”

“Brother Chen Fan, given your outstanding talent, please give us some guidance in the future.”

Chen Fan had become a new legend within the entire Spring Autumn Sect. Countless disciples idolized him, including holy disciples like Lei Wushuang.

His rise to prominence had been meteoric, and their entire sect would have been destroyed if not for Chen Fan overturning the sect's recent dire situation.

Though not all holy disciples worshiped him, they held a deep respect for him.

The Grand Sect Conference was before them. Despite the sect's recent ordeal, the atmosphere within was now spirited and passionate.

After experiencing the baptism of fire and blood, many disciples had made great progress.

Gongsun Long, Lei Wushuang, and the others, genius among geniuses, had further advanced thanks to their experiences in the recent battle. Supported by the sect, their progress had been rapid during this period.

The Grand Sect Conference influenced the future of a sect. Therefore, every sect viewed it with great importance and would spend an enormous amount of resources to nurture the geniuses within the sect.

Gongsun Long, Lei Wushuang, and the others present were the ones chosen by the sect to represent it.

Soon, the sect leader, the high elder, and others arrived. They said a few simple words and led Chen Fan and the others to the imperial city to participate in this Grand Sect Conference.

“Alright, let’s go. To the imperial city,” said Feng Baiyu after looking around.

Everyone took to the skies and left the Spring Autumn Sect, flying in the imperial city’s direction.

About a dozen figures flew above the sea of clouds, tearing the layers of clouds apart quickly.

“Chen Fan, if all goes well, you are sure to obtain a spot,” Feng Baiyu said to Chen Fan as they flew.

Chen Fan said, “Sect Leader, securing a spot won't be difficult for me. I want to know more about the Grand Sect Conference.”

Although the Great Chu Empire only had thirty slots for the Grand Sect Conference, Chen Fan was very confident in his strength.

“Then allow me to explain,” Feng Baiyu said, “The Grand Sect Conference is a grand event for the major forces across the entire Hong Domain. It takes place once every ten years. As you may know, it's an opportunity for disciples from various sects to strive towards entering the Divine Nascent realm.

“The conference's origins trace back to the blood calamity that shook the Tianwu Continent three thousand years ago. I'm sure you've heard some tales about it.

“Back then, the Hong Domain was one of the strong forces in the eastern continent. However, the blood calamity resulted in the demise of many top forces and experts, greatly weakening us.

“Therefore, some stronger forces in the Hong Domain kickstarted the Grand Sect Conference in hopes of improving the situation. After selecting the most outstanding geniuses in the Hong Domain, they would send them into an ancient ruin to train, compete for opportunities, and raise their strengths.”

“Sect Leader, which ancient ruin will the selected disciples visit this time?” Chen Fan asked.

“I heard it’s the Hidden Dragon Island.” Feng Baiyu continued, “This Hidden Dragon Island was a top-tier force in the Hong Domain three thousand years ago, with a Heavenly Star realm powerhouse in the sect. Unfortunately, he fell in that great battle, and the whole island was sealed away with a formation. A while ago, the Great Li Imperial Court’s Emperor Li tore an opening in the Hidden Dragon Island’s formation, allowing those below the Divine Nascent realm to enter.”

“Emperor Li?” Chen Fan’s eyes flickered.

Low-ranked empire, high-ranked imperial court, and such referred to the strength of a nation.

The Hong Domain was made up of a total of thirty-six nations, with only one imperial court. That was the Great Li Imperial Court, and the other nations were all empires.

In a manner of speaking, the Great Li Imperial Court was the ruler of the entire Hong Domain. If they so wanted, they could easily annihilate the Spring Autumn Sect.

Feng Baiyu said, “Great Li Imperial Court is the Hong Domain’s strongest force, bar none. Emperor Li is the only known Heavenly Star realm powerhouse across the entire Hong Domain. As for whether there are any other Heavenly Star realm powerhouses in hiding, that is anyone’s guess.”

Chen Fan’s irises shrunk.

Above the Divine Nascent realm was the Heavenly Star realm. With their comprehension of the path of martial arts, the power they wield could easily destroy cities. In front of a Heavenly Star realm powerhouse, a Divine Nascent realm was like a child.

“The ancient ruin this time... It will be a great opportunity for you. After all, it’s opened for the first time in three thousand years. Who knows how many treasures are inside?

“Moreover, it is said that the Hidden Dragon Island is called that because a divine dragon once bled over the island. The natural treasures on the island absorbed the dragon’s blood and mutated, greatly increasing their powers.

“If you can obtain enough treasures, advancing into the Divine Nascent realm wouldn’t be a difficult task. So, you must seize this opportunity and not waste it,” Feng Baiyu said solemnly.

It was a newly opened ancient ruin, not to mention it being the remains of a top-tier force from three thousand years ago. If it wasn’t for the opening allowing only those below the Divine Nascent realm to enter, the Great Li Imperial Court would have sent Divine Nascent realm powerhouses in there to hunt for treasures. They would never have a chance now.

Chen Fan nodded fiercely. The Grand Sect Conference was indeed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him.

The imperial city was only fifty thousand kilometers away from the Spring Autumn Sect. Chen Fan and the others were all top experts, so it only took them less than half a day to arrive at the imperial city.

They had all visited the imperial city before, so the marvelous structures held no power over them.

The Selection Platform was crowded since early morning. The imperial city had mobilized a ten-thousand-strong army to maintain order, sealing off the area.

Anyone who came to watch had to maintain a certain distance from the Selection Platform and couldn’t disturb the conference.

Currently, ten fighting arenas stood on the Selection Platform. Each of them was very wide, sufficient for Core Formation realm experts to do battle on them.

Every fighting arena was enveloped in powerful formations, personally laid down by Divine Nascent realm powerhouses.

After all, the destructive powers wielded by Core Formation realm experts were too great. Ordinary arenas would collapse after a few matches.

Although the Grand Sect Conference was a grand event for the sects, the participants were not limited to the sects. The top prestigious clans in the imperial city were also qualified to take part as well.

Some prestigious clans of the imperial city were already here, in the viewing gallery, and the Chen Clan was among them.