As soon as he finished speaking, as if fearing he would be ridiculed, he hurriedly urged Xu Zhouling, who was staring blankly at the horizon:
“Sect Master Xu!”
“It is getting late. Please announce the main business quickly so we can set off early!”
“Hmm? Oh...”
Xu Zhouling seemed to only just snap out of his thoughts, replying offhandedly:
“Elder Feng, please wait a moment. Let's wait a bit longer; there is still one more fellow cultivator who has not yet arrived...”
Having said that, he looked back into the distance, an imperceptible trace of anxiety flashing between his brows. Clearly, his mind was far from calm.
Just now, Wen Qingye and Feng Buting had almost drawn their swords against each other. Xu Zhouling had barely paid attention, and it was only because Dong Fu stepped in that the two were persuaded to stop.
This state of mind-wandering was truly somewhat unusual.
Dong Fu followed his gaze and could not help but frown, saying,
“Sect Master Xu, who are you waiting for...”
Before he could finish his sentence,
Xu Zhouling's eyes suddenly flashed. The worry on his face melted away like ice and snow, replaced by a trace of delight:
“He's here!”
Hearing this, everyone turned their gazes in the direction he was looking.
On the distant horizon, a golden streak of light was piercing through the air.
At first, the streak of light was just a tiny, bright speck, but in the blink of an eye, it stretched into a dazzling golden rainbow.
It seemed to split the sky in two, its momentum incredibly imposing.
“Boom!”
Only when it drew near did the ear-piercing howl of the wind finally arrive. A cloud of water vapor exploded violently above the martial arts field. Amidst the surging white mist, a figure leaped out and landed steadily in front of the small courtyard.
The newcomer was dressed in tight-fitting practice robes, with dust still clinging to his clothes. He was none other than the guard of the Prefectural Governor of Nanxiang, who hailed from the Guanhua Sect of Cangzhou—Gongsun Bei!
As soon as he landed, he bowed to everyone and said apologetically:
“Everyone, because I had to arrange matters regarding the safety of the Prefectural Governor, I was delayed. I have arrived a step late, and I hope you will forgive me.”
“No matter!”
Dong Fu strode forward with a hearty laugh, extending his hand in a welcoming gesture as he smiled.
“So that was who Sect Master Xu was waiting for—it turns out to be Brother Gongsun. With you joining us, our chances of success this time are even greater!”
Feng Buting also softened his expression and nodded.
“The safety of the Prefectural Governor is of paramount importance. Brother Gongsun has arrived at just the right time. Why speak of being late?”
Gongsun Bei let out a sigh of relief and exchanged greetings with everyone one by one.
When it was Wen Qingye's turn, Gongsun Bei paused, subtly nodding to Xu Zhouling as they exchanged a look.
Seeing this, Xu Zhouling finally exhaled the breath that had been trapped in his chest.
It was as if a heavy burden of a thousand pounds had been lifted from his shoulders, making him feel much lighter.
Xu Zhouling took a deep breath and raised his hand slightly. The several Gangjin Rank experts immediately fell silent.
The Sect Master of the Star-Plucking Sect took a step forward, standing with his hands behind his back as he spoke:
“Disciples.”
His voice was not loud, yet like a spring breeze brushing across a lake, it clearly reached the ears of every single disciple.
On the martial arts field, the bodies of the dozens of disciples who had been waiting for a long time shook in unison. They raised their eyes, staring intently at the high platform with burning gazes.
Xu Zhouling swept his gaze across the faces below the platform, his expression gradually turning solemn.
“Over the past few days, the various academies have urgently recalled all of you from outer counties, from the Southern Sea, and from Guangwu Prefecture. You have traveled far and worked hard.”
He paused, his voice deepening slightly.
“We recalled you for only one major matter!”
“And that is, in two days, a Blessed Land will emerge within the borders of Nanxiang Prefecture.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire field fell into a sudden silence.
Immediately afterward, an uproar erupted like a crashing tide!
“A Blessed Land?! Did I hear that right?!”
“That's right! The Sect Master said it is indeed a Blessed Land!”
“Hiss—I originally thought such a grand gathering was meant to seek trouble with the Yinsha Sect. I never expected it to be such a massive opportunity!”
“For the Sect Master, the Marquis of Zhenhai, and the various Academy Heads to take this so seriously... this Blessed Land is probably not just the ordinary legacy of a rogue cultivator. It is likely the place where an ancient mighty figure passed away!”
“Indeed. With our meager cultivation, once we enter... will we still have our lives to return?”
“What is there to fear! The timid starve, while the bold feast! I'm nearly thirty this year and have barely reached the Great Accomplishment of the Anjin Rank. If I don't take this opportunity to gamble, I'll have no hope of reaching the Huajin Rank in this lifetime! If I can't even enjoy a lifespan of a hundred and twenty years, wouldn't my martial arts training have been for nothing?”
“Well said! Better to go out with a bang than to die a pathetic death in bed! Usually, we can't even find such opportunities, but now that one has delivered itself to our doorstep, how could we retreat? If you don't even have this much courage, what kind of martial path are you cultivating? You might as well go home and farm!”
...
On the martial arts field, the crowd was boiling with noise.
Some disciples had flushed faces, trembling all over with excitement; others clenched their fists tightly, their eyes flashing with sharp light; some even laughed heartily toward the sky on the spot, wishing they could charge into the Blessed Land this very second.
Even the chief disciples like Yi Suxin and Zhang Jiuyang found their breathing turning slightly heavy.
A Blessed Land!
That was a treasure land left behind by an ancient mighty figure!
Hidden within were opportunities sufficient to defy heaven and change one's fate.
Techniques, medicinal pills, spiritual artifacts, divine abilities...
As long as one could walk out alive, who among them would not undergo a complete transformation and soar to the heavens?
If they missed such an opportunity, they would truly regret it for the rest of their lives!
On the high platform, Xu Zhouling took in the commotion below the platform. He did not stop it, allowing the excitement to surge and ferment in the field.
Only when the noise subsided slightly did Xu Zhouling raise his hand and press it down in a calming gesture.
The noisy field fell silent instantly, as if cut off by a blade.
“This Blessed Land is named the Diaohai Blessed Land. It is the legacy left behind by the ancient Daoist Master Fengye. It is heavily restricted with formations, yet it also contains immense opportunities!”
He swept his gaze across everyone's expressions, and then his tone shifted:
“But!”
“I must also state some things upfront.”
“Unsurprisingly, there will not only be disciples of our Star-Plucking Sect inside the Blessed Land, but other forces will most likely intervene as well!”
“It will be a place of fierce struggle between dragons and tigers. Once you enter, your life and death will depend entirely on your own capabilities. No one can protect you!”
“Those who fear death can withdraw right now. No one will mock you. To stay alive is better than anything else.”
At this point, the expressions of the disciples below the platform grew solemn, a layer of gravity replacing their prior excitement.
But... the entire field remained silent; not a single person wavered!
Looking at those faces, an imperceptible flash of gratification crossed Xu Zhouling's eyes.
“Good!”
“Upon entering this time, you may band together for warmth and seek protection from your fellow disciples, or you may venture into danger alone to find your own opportunities.”
“But remember one thing above all else: you must absolutely not slaughter your fellow disciples. If anyone violates this, they will be dealt with by sect rules without leniency!”
“This journey to the Blessed Land concerns your future prospects, and it also concerns the hundred-year destiny of our Star-Plucking Sect.”
“I do not expect every single one of you to return with pockets full of treasures, but I only ask that you...”
He paused. The following words fell with heavy weight, smashing into everyone's hearts:
“Come back alive.”
The entire field was silent, with only heavy breathing rising and falling in succession.
Meeting dozens of burning gazes, Xu Zhouling took a deep breath and spoke word by word:
“In two days, the Blessed Land will open!”
“May the disciples of my Star-Plucking Sect who enter it each become a dragon, soaring straight upward!”
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