Xiao Chen looked carefully. Although he could not make out this person's cultivation, he could still sense the aura of rock and flame.
This person should be an older-generation Emperor Wu with a high cultivation in the Rock Rock Castle. He was more knowledgeable and recognized the complete Dragon Subduing Platform.
Since that was the case, Xiao Chen stopped thinking about it.
When the hemp-robed old man saw Xiao Chen, he looked like he had lost something, so he asked with a smile, "Young man, what's wrong? You seem to be out of it after sobering up."
Xiao Chen was not willing to elaborate. He asked, "Does Senior know how long I slept for?"
"Not that long, just about half a month. Unfortunately, I missed the Outstanding Talent Summit Meeting. It started today."
Outstanding Talent Summit Meeting?
No wonder the people in the castle were not around. They must have gone to the Outstanding Talent Summit Meeting to support the Flame Rock Castle's Ba Yan.
"Strange, why are you not reacting at all? Isn't it a pity to miss the Outstanding Talent Summit Meeting?" the hemp-robed old man asked.
As Xiao Chen walked around the Dragon Subduing Platform, he discovered that Yue Bingyun had indeed finished repairing it. All he needed to do was leave a Spiritual Mark, and he would be able to use it.
After hearing the old man's words, Xiao Chen answered, "Naturally, it is a pity. However, it is already too late. Even if it is a pity, it is useless. I will take this Dragon Subduing Platform and leave."
"You are rather indifferent. I heard that you can drink a lot. Are you interested in having a drink or two with me?"
The hemp-robed old man took out a bottle of wine. He did not put on any airs as he invited Xiao Chen with a smile.
Xiao Chen did not know what Ao Jiao was doing. She had not returned yet, so he could not leave for now. There was no harm in drinking a few cups. After receiving the wine cups, the two, one old and one young, casually sat on the steps and clinked their cups.
After a few cups, Xiao Chen's mood slowly improved, and he spoke more with the old man.
Their topics ranged from Martial Techniques to wine tasting, to geomancy, to ancient secrets. They talked about everything.
The hemp-robed old man's horizons startled Xiao Chen slightly. As the old man spoke, he inadvertently revealed many things that Xiao Chen had not heard of.
There were also some insights on the Martial Way that were even more direct, pointing out the flaws in the Martial Way.
Xiao Chen did not seem like an ordinary Martial Emperor at all. Even if he were a Martial Emperor, his knowledge would not be as broad as Xiao Chen's. If he had not been there personally, he would not have been able to explain the secrets of several forbidden lands so clearly.
He even knew the great forbidden lands like the back of his hand. For example, the hemp-robed old man knew the Mirage Immortal Palace, which Xiao Chen was very interested in.
"The timing of this Mirage Immortal Palace's appearance is uncertain. Its location is also unknown. Even in the forbidden lands, it is considered rather mysterious. Unless it appears on its own, there is no way of knowing where it is."
The hemp-robed old man took a sip of wine and continued, "Unlike the Heart of the Ocean, where one can enter the Immortal Graveyard and the Distant Sea Dragon Grave at any time."
"There are many good things in there. However, there is danger at every step. If one is not careful, even a Sovereign Martial Emperor might fall in there. Not just anyone dares to enter."
Xiao Chen felt curious. He asked, "What are the secrets behind the eight great forbidden lands? After so many years, has no one figured them out?"
When the hemp-robed old man heard this, he could not help smiling. "It is not that no one has figured them out. It is just that no one dares to be sure. For example, this Mirage Immortal Palace. If I were to guess, it would be the temporary residence of a powerhouse from the Ancient Era.
"It is very possible that this powerhouse eventually advanced to Martial God and left this abandoned land of ours."
Xiao Chen's expression changed. "Is there really a Martial God?"
"Martial God is just a title. I am not sure if there is one or not. However, there are definitely existences higher than Prime. Every Sovereign Martial Emperor is very clear on this. It is just that we sadly live in this abandoned land. Every powerhouse of the Martial Way that left erased all traces of their existence. "
At this point, the hemp-robed old man revealed a clear trace of sadness and sorrow in his eyes.
This trace of sadness and sorrow was something Xiao Chen had seen in the Haotian Martial Emperor's eyes before. It was very similar, both expressing a kind of helpless rage.
"You definitely do not want to reach my level in the future and face the same sadness and helplessness, right?!" the hemp-robed old man suddenly asked seriously.
Xiao Chen did not understand. Then, the hemp-robed old man pulled him up and tossed him a medallion.
"So, muster up your fighting spirit. Don't look so dejected. Don't give up on the path that you have been persevering on. Wine is not used to numb your fighting spirit. It is used to ignite it. You still have to participate in the Outstanding Talent Summit Meeting! "
"Pa!"
The hemp-robed old man smashed the wine cup in his hand. Then, an irresistible tyrannical aura appeared from his body, making breathing difficult.
The hemp-robed old man picked up Xiao Chen and tossed him into the air. A spatial tear opened. Just as Xiao Chen was about to resist, the power of space sucked him in. Then, the spatial tear quickly closed.
"Flame Rock Sovereign, you old fellow! Where did you toss my Xiao Chen to?! "
Ao Jiao, who rushed back from outside, happened to see this scene. Her expression changed drastically as she exclaimed.
When the hemp-robed old man saw Ao Jiao, his insufferably tyrannical aura immediately vanished. He smiled with narrowed eyes and said, "Big Sister Ao, don't be angry. I just tossed him to where he belongs."
"Don't call me Big Sister, you old man!"
The sound of a fist rang out. The livid Ao Jiao sent the hemp-robed old man flying with a punch.
Dark City's Outstanding Talent Summit Meeting was held once every five years. Every time it was held, it would be incredibly grand.
This was especially so for this Outstanding Talent Summit Meeting. There was the strong return of the Blood Shark Sovereign's descendant, Huang Yun; the rising popularity of the new expert, Sima Lingxuan; and the sudden emergence of the three great experts of the Outer Star Sea.
The intense battles were confusing, with climaxes rising one after another. Until the end, the victor would remain a mystery.
This was because the peak experts of this Outstanding Talent Summit Meeting were too close in strength. No one could make a judgment beforehand.
Everyone thought that with Huang Yun's strong return, he would continue his dominance from back then, sweeping through everyone and becoming the champion in one go.
Who could have imagined that Sima Lingxuan's rise would surpass everyone's expectations? Since the start of the Outstanding Talent Summit Meeting, he had never been defeated. His momentum flourished, and his popularity soared.
The Human-Demon Sea's Mo Ran, the Ice Sea's Leng Xin, and the Storm Sea's Ouyang Feng also made everyone's eyes light up. They defeated Liu Yun, Zhao Feng, and the other popular outstanding youths of Dark City one after another.
The only thing that the crowd found unfortunate was that the famous White Robed Bladesman, who had beaten up the crowd in a drunken manner, did not come to participate.
According to the rules of the Outstanding Talent Summit Meeting, if a cultivator with the Outstanding Talent Token did not participate, it would be equivalent to forfeiting.
Given this, everyone was disappointed. This was especially so for the cultivators who had seen Xiao Chen compete in drinking with the crowd at the Conflagration Restaurant. They all felt very disappointed.
These people had rushed over to watch Xiao Chen compete, wanting to witness the White Robed Bladesman's glory again.
Who could have imagined that the White Robed Bladesman would actually forfeit? If not for the Outstanding Talent Summit Meeting being very eye-catching, he would have left long ago.
Round after round of the Outstanding Talent Summit Meeting continued. Soon, the strongest four appeared.
Huang Yun expended a lot of effort to defeat Ba Yan, obtaining a spot in the top four. Next was Sima Lingxuan. He defeated the popular Liu Yun, who also used the sword.
The third spot went to the Human-Demon Sea's Mo Ran. His opponent was Zhao Feng. This was a very dangerous match.
After Mo Ran completely demonized, he nearly lost. This was because Zhao Feng had learned a Medial Grade Profound Martial Technique. If Mo Ran had not grasped it well, he might have been the one to lose. This was a very dangerous match.
The fourth spot went to the two young experts of the Storm Sea and the Ice Sea.
This internal conflict was probably because the organizers did not want the experts of the outer seas to obtain too many spots in the top four, so they made them fight amongst themselves.
Leng Xin's and Ouyang Feng's battle was exceptionally marvelous. It allowed the tens of thousands of spectators to experience the different performances of the will of ice and the will of storm, broadening their horizons.
Ba Yan, who had already lost his right to continue fighting, watched very seriously, nodding his head repeatedly.
Ba Yan glanced over and saw Huang Yun, who was resting with his eyes closed. Huang Yun seemed to sense Ba Yan's gaze, so he opened his eyes and smiled in disdain.
This immediately enraged Ba Yan. If not for the rules, he would have gone up to fight again.
"Damn! Damn it! If not for the Dragonscale Armor I obtained outside, this old man would not have lost to you so easily," Ba Yan said, unconvinced.
Ba Tu, who was at the side, also said depressedly, "Brother Xiao Chen did not come. If he had come, he might have been able to help you vent your frustrations."
"It is really unfortunate that this fellow did not come. With his strength, he would not have any problems getting into the top three. He would definitely obtain a Medial Grade Profound Martial Technique," Ba Yan said with a nod.
Ba Yan nodded. Even now, he still could not see through Xiao Chen's strength.
After all, Xiao Chen had gotten drunk that day. Many outstanding talents had gotten drunk as well. Under such unusual circumstances, it was very difficult to judge a person's strength.
However, Ba Yan was confident that Xiao Chen would not have any problems getting into the top three. It might even be possible for Xiao Chen to defeat this insufferably arrogant Huang Yun.
The crucial thing was that this fellow had gotten drunk and slept for half a month. No matter how Ba Yan called out to him, he would not wake up. When Ba Lingxuan thought about it, he found it both funny and infuriating.
Sima Lingxuan, who obtained a spot in the top four, also felt it was unfortunate that Xiao Chen did not come.
Trampling on Xiao Chen in public had always been Sima Lingxuan's dream. How could he be satisfied with missing out on such a great opportunity?
"Hu chi!"
A cold light flashed in the storm. Then, a sword light forced Ouyang Feng out of the arena. Finally, the final top four was decided. The Ice Sea's Leng Xin was more skilled, defeating Ouyang Feng.
After the top four were determined, they all recovered and drew lots to determine their opponents. Then, they returned to the arenas.
The arenas of the Outstanding Talent Summit Meeting would merge with each other after every round.
After several rounds of battles, there were only two arenas left. When the final battle came, they would merge again, leaving only one arena.
This Outstanding Talent Summit Meeting slowly entered its climax. After the top four, it would start with the most anticipated fight for the championship.
Just as Sima Lingxuan and the other three finished drawing their lots and walked up to the arenas, they bowed and prepared to fight, something strange happened.
Suddenly, a crack appeared in the sky above the arena. This crack passed through several spatial formations and forced its way in.
This sudden scene caused everyone to turn their gazes to the crack in the sky. They had no idea what was going on.
Just as the experts in charge of the City Lord's Residence were preparing to make a move, they received a piece of news. Their expressions changed for some reason, finding this inconceivable.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
