Martial Conquest of the Nine Desolates
Chapter 195 - 193: A New Journey

Chapter 195: Chapter 193: A New Journey

Long Chen was very clear that once Xiao Ye’s Innate True Qi became Perfect, his strength would definitely surpass his own.

Long Chen, as the current Crown Prince and the foremost among the young generation of Black Dragon Country, thirsted for worthy opponents. However, he was not willing to be surpassed by anyone unless he could make his name in the Xuanwu Realm.

But the deeper one got into Martial Arts True Intent, the harder it became to comprehend.

If relying solely on his own comprehension, Long Chen had no idea how long it would take to grasp the final ten percent. Thus, the Bodhi Leaf became an imperative treasure for him to contend for.

At this moment, the Imperial Palace was silent, the gazes of countless Young Martial Artists were fixed upon those two figures, their faces filled with respect.

After witnessing the strength of Xiao Ye and Long Chen, they realized just how vast the gap was between themselves and these two individuals.

It was expected that Long Chen would be strong, but that Xiao Ye was not the slightest bit weaker came as a massive psychological shock.

"Alas, if my Divine Fist Sect could have such a disciple, we could surely stand tall in Black Dragon Country forever, and it wouldn’t be a dream to someday become the second most powerful force right after the Royal Family," a Xuanwu Realm expert sighed.

"That Vice Sect Leader from Chongyang Sect, is he brain-dead?"

"How could he expel such an excellent Disciple? If it were me, even if my sect were to be annihilated, I would still ensure this youngster’s survival," declared the Divine Fist Sect Master loudly, earning the agreement of a host of Xuanwu Realm experts.

For the sake of a promising successor, what was sacrificing the entire world? As long as the flame of legacy is not extinguished, sooner or later, it can ignite a widespread blaze.

"Heh, I bet that guy regrets it so much that his guts are green now. He won’t have the face to show himself in the future," someone said with a sneer.

At this moment, the King, towering in the Heaven above, approached Xiao Ye and Long Chen.

"I have already seen the future hope of Black Dragon Country," declared the King, his gaze resting on Xiao Ye, with a smile emerging on his face.

Despite having no access to Cultivation Resources, Xiao Ye possessed strength equivalent to a First-class Innate Limit, standing shoulder to shoulder with the heirs of the Royal Family, even the King himself was amazed.

In his eyes, Xiao Ye was like a piece of Rough Jade; if well-carved, his future achievements would be boundless.

Hearing the King’s words, everyone’s heart skipped a beat, and they became silent and attentive. Was the King about to announce the owner of the title Young Supreme?

With the two peak strong contenders drawing a tie, how would they be judged? And with Long Chen as the heir of the Royal Family, would the King show favoritism?

"The King announces..." the King’s gaze was deep as he surveyed the crowd, "Xiao Ye and Long Chen both rank first, jointly as the top Young Supremes of this Heavenly Pride Battle!"

Joint first place!

The crowd was first stunned, then cheers erupted, and the Imperial Palace was thrown into an uproar.

Since the two peak contenders battled to a draw, no one doubted the King’s decision; it was the fairest outcome.

Undoubtedly, this news would spread throughout the entire Black Dragon Country at an astonishing speed, it was bound to be a shocking day!

From the start of the Heavenly Pride Battle, it was the first time ever there were two Young Supremes standing abreast, this day would certainly be recorded in the annals of history!

"Young Supreme," Xiao Ye murmured to himself, his eyes shining with excitement as he looked back at the past as if it were all a dream.

Who would have thought that the boy from the hills of those days could ascend to the Absolute Peak of glory and overlook all his peers in Black Dragon Country? Now, his efforts and perseverance had finally paid off.

If the members of the Xiao Alliance heard this news, they would surely be overjoyed.

"Sister Apprentice, you really are dazzling now," Bing Ya, who was still in the Imperial Palace, gazed at Xiao Ye’s figure, a tender smile emerging on her lips.

"Sharing first place with Prince Long Chen?" In a guest house, upon hearing this news, the Vice Sect Leader of Chongyang Sect’s face grew exceedingly grim.

The greater Xiao Ye’s achievements, the more Chongyang Sect was unable to lift its head and would become a complete joke.

Wentian and the others who had come along were also dumbstruck.

The youngster who once shared the same Sect with them had now become so powerful.

"How is this possible?" Liu Yiyi’s gaze trembled, her body filled with a sense of powerlessness, sharing the same sentiment as the Vice Sect Leader.

"Let’s return to Chongyang Sect," the Vice Sect Leader abruptly stood up, urging his followers.

The Sect’s Direct Disciples had no choice but to quickly pack their belongings, taking the unconscious Zhao Qian with them, leaving the Imperial City as they no longer had the face to stay.

...

After the excitement subsided, the King took the five Young Supremes to a majestic palace.

Xiao Ye’s face was full of anticipation; even a fool could guess at this point that the King was about to tell them about the Empress’s Hard Cultivation Land.

Wasn’t that the very reason he came to participate in the Heavenly Pride Battle?

"I have something to tell you," said the King, standing with his hands behind his back, falling silent for a moment before speaking slowly.

The five Young Supremes held their breath, waiting for the King to continue speaking.

"The rumor that the Empress’s Hard Cultivation Land is in our Black Dragon Country is incorrect; to be precise, our Royal Family only discovered an entrance to the Empress’s Cultivation Site several decades ago," the King explained.

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the five Young Supremes varied.

Long Chen and He Wudao showed little change in expression; Xue Zhan and Jiang Yun looked surprised, while Xiao Ye seemed thoughtful, a speculation taking shape in his mind.

"Surely some of you know that in addition to our land, there are twelve other countries shoulder to shoulder with Black Dragon Country. In those twelve countries, there are also entrances to the Empress’s Hard Cultivation Land," the King stated solemnly.

What!

Xue Zhan and Jiang Yunfan were shocked to hear this—were there also entrances to the Empress’s Hard Cultivation Land in the other twelve countries?

"As expected." Xiao Ye’s eyes gleamed as his speculation was confirmed.

Long ago, he had seen from the last page of the Black Dragon Country Chronicles that there were twelve countries parallel to Black Dragon Country. At that time, he was puzzled—if the Empress’s Hard Cultivation Land were in Black Dragon Country, why would those twelve countries remain inactive?

The treasures within the Empress’s Hard Cultivation Land, even Mystic Martial Realm experts would be envious.

Now that he heard the King’s words, the doubts in his heart dissipated.

"It seems that the Young Supremes from those twelve countries will also enter the Empress’s Hard Cultivation Land!" Xiao Ye clenched his fists, a towering War Intent rising within him.

The Empress’s Hard Cultivation Land had evolved into a battlefield for the Young Supremes from thirteen countries.

If Black Dragon Country had a powerful Young Supreme like Long Chen, what about the other twelve countries?

With his potential, Black Dragon Country could no longer confine him; sooner or later, he would step onto the vast expanse of the True Spirit Continent.

Obviously, Xue Zhan and Jiang Yunfan also realized this point and couldn’t help but show wry smiles; with their abilities, entering the Empress’s Hard Cultivation Land was simply asking for a setback.

"It seems you’ve all thought of it," the King said with a sharp gaze, "Indeed! Every time the Empress’s Hard Cultivation Land is opened, it’s time for the Young Supremes from the thirteen countries to compete."

"In the past occasions, our Black Dragon Country has always been at a disadvantage, so I hope that with Chen’er and Xiao Ye here this time, we will surely be able to elevate our nation’s prestige!"

"As for the three of you, you need not worry. In the Empress’s Hard Cultivation Land, obtaining treasures mostly relies on luck, so there’s no need for concern," the King added.

Hearing this, Xue Zhan, Jiang Yunfan, and He Wudao relaxed, their expressions varied as they looked towards Xiao Ye.

Rumors had it that once the Four Tripod Heavenly Technique was cultivated to the stage of Four Cauldrons Emerge, one could establish cause and effect with the Empress. Thus, Xiao Ye would have a tremendous advantage in the Empress’s Hard Cultivation Land, incomparable to others.

Xiao Ye did not heed the looks from the crowd. After pondering for a moment, he asked, "King, I have a doubt. The True Spirit Continent is vast and boundless; are there really only a mere thirteen countries?"

Hearing Xiao Ye’s question, Xue Zhan and Jiang Yunfan couldn’t help but laugh out.

"Humph, what a country bumpkin," He Wudao mocked coldly.

"Brother Xiao, you really are uninformed. Didn’t you read the Sect’s classics while in Chongyang Sect? Our Black Dragon Country, along with the other twelve countries, are actually not even on the true True Spirit Continent," Xue Zhan couldn’t help but say.

Xiao Ye’s face turned embarrassed. While he was at Chongyang Sect, he had been focused on intense cultivation; where would he have found the time to browse the Sect’s classics? His understanding of Black Dragon Country was gleaned from the Black Dragon Country Chronicles.

"Brother Xue, please enlighten me," Xiao Ye asked, his eyes flickering as he pressed on.

Xue Zhan solemnly replied, "Our land is called Yulan Domain, which is but a small island in an endless ocean, not even one percent of the True Spirit Continent."

"What? We’re on a small island right now?" Xiao Ye widened his eyes, filled with shock.

"When I first learned of this, my reaction was the same as yours. The Martial Arts of our Yulan Domain fall far short compared to the True Spirit Continent," Xue Zhan said with a smile.

"Correct," the King nodded, "Martial Arts are vast; the Mystic Martial Realm is the endpoint in our Yulan Domain, whereas on the True Spirit Continent, there have emerged Human Race Four Emperors, and Void Martial, King Martial, Emperor Realm Experts are countless."

"Therefore, the True Spirit Continent is the place all Martial Artists aspire to, and any Yulan Domain expert with the qualifications, once their Cultivation reaches a certain level, will head to the True Spirit Continent. For instance, the Chongyang Sect Master has already gone to the True Spirit Continent," the King looked towards Xiao Ye.

A storm surged within Xiao Ye’s heart, this news was too astonishing; only now did he realize how narrow his horizons had been.

"The True Spirit Continent, one day I, Xiao Ye, will surely set foot on it!" Xiao Ye’s mood became tumultuous, his heart brimming with a strong desire to explore.

However, his main goal now was still to obtain the Empress Inheritance and reach the pinnacle of the Mystic Martial Realm; otherwise, what qualifications would he have to venture to the True Spirit Continent abound with strong people?

"I hope you can elevate our Black Dragon Country’s national prestige in the Empress’s Hard Cultivation Land, and not lose to the Young Supremes from the twelve countries," the King spoke, and then looked at Xiao Ye again.

"Xiao Ye, once the news of your Great Success with the Empress Technique leaks, you could become a public enemy, so you must be extremely cautious," the King warned him specially.

Xiao Ye nodded, anyway such things cannot be hidden, and would eventually be exposed; he didn’t need to be too concerned.

However, Xiao Ye did not notice the cold smirk that appeared on He Wudao’s face, filled with scheming.

"Hmph, Xiao Ye, what does it matter if you are stronger than me? In the Empress’s Hard Cultivation Land, I will definitely seek revenge!"