Chapter 73

After leaving the Origin Mountains, Jiang Chen clearly felt that the primordial energy in the heavens and earth had become much more concentrated, at least twice as much as in Chicheng. Moreover, this was just the edge of Qizhou. The deeper into Qizhou, the more concentrated the primordial energy would be.

Furthermore, the areas occupied by the four major sects were definitely where the primordial energy was the most concentrated. Powerful experts could also use the terrain and formations to gather the primordial energy, making the sects the best places for cultivation, which everyone aspired to, ensuring their prosperity and longevity.

Outside the Origin Mountains, there was no bustling scene as imagined. In front was a vast, endless grassland. The gentle breeze blew, and the green grass swayed continuously. There were people and caravans moving on the grassland, but they were very few.

"Outside the mountains is such a vast grassland."

Yan Chenyu was slightly surprised.

"The Origin Mountains are too remote. Even people from the interior of Qizhou rarely appear here. Only a few caravans come to the Origin Mountains to seek opportunities. This grassland is at least five thousand miles in diameter. Beyond this grassland, there is a large area of desolate mountains and hills, another eight thousand miles in diameter. After passing through the desolate mountains and hills, it is truly considered Qizhou."

The big yellow dog said.

"No wonder the four major sects haven't developed to Chicheng."

Jiang Chen suddenly understood. This area was too desolate. The ten-thousand-mile-long Origin Mountains were already a huge barrier. There were also the grassland and desolate mountains ahead, so it was very normal for it to be ignored.

"Let's go. It's already late. If we can cross the grassland and desolate mountains before dawn tomorrow, that would be great."

The big yellow dog said.

Jiang Chen and Yan Chenyu nodded. The two people and the dog sped across the vast grassland. All three were extremely fast. The big yellow dog, being a descendant of the Dragon Horse, was the king of speed. Jiang Chen had a superb body technique and had refined the Blood-Winged Mystic Eagle's demon spirit, making his speed unparalleled.

Yan Chenyu had a divine body by nature. After fusing with the ten-thousand-year-old Cold Crystal, she reached the middle stage of the Human Dan realm. Although she couldn't match Jiang Chen and the big yellow dog, she was still extremely fast.

The wind whistled past their ears, and Yan Chenyu's face was filled with excitement. The thrill of speeding across the grassland made her extremely happy. Such a scene was something she had never imagined before.

Yan Chenyu glanced at Jiang Chen, who looked relaxed and comfortable, and a smile involuntarily appeared on her lips. Following this man, her future life would surely be very exciting.

They sped along the way, and by the next morning, the two people and the dog had crossed the grassland and the desolate mountains, completely leaving the desolate area. This was only possible for the three of them; ordinary people would never be able to do it.

Even Human Dan realm experts couldn't maintain high-speed travel for a long time. After a while, their primordial energy would run out. But these three were not ordinary. Jiang Chen, who practiced the Dragon Transformation Technique, had abundant primordial energy that never ran out. The big yellow dog, a descendant of the Dragon Horse, and Yan Chenyu, with the Nine Yin Mystic Vein, had extremely abundant primordial energy.

After leaving the desolate mountains, the number of people clearly increased. People were coming and going, and some were even fighting because they didn't like each other. Yan Chenyu was very curious, looking around. Jiang Chen and the big yellow dog were clearly already used to it. In the cultivation world, it was common for people to fight if they didn't like each other.

"If I'm not mistaken, after crossing this hill and walking for a dozen miles, there will be a city. I forget the name, and I've never been inside."

The big yellow dog wagged its tail and said.

"Let's go. We'll go into the city and find out about the recent situation in Qizhou."

Jiang Chen said. The two people and the dog slowed down and soon crossed the last hill, where they could see a city in the distance.

"Sure enough, there's a city. It looks similar to Chicheng."

Yan Chenyu said.

"This is the smallest city in Qizhou. It can't compare to the larger cities."

The big yellow dog said.

Soon, the two people and the dog arrived at the city gate, which was three zhang high and looked extremely majestic. Three silver characters hung above it: "Silver Moon City."

There were many cultivators coming and going in Silver Moon City, and Yan Chenyu's beauty attracted many gazes.

"This girl is so beautiful, like a fairy descended from heaven."

"Yes, she exudes a charm that I've never seen before. I've never seen such a beautiful woman."

"I wonder where she's from. She's truly stunning."

Countless gazes and compliments made Jiang Chen sigh. A woman like Yan Chenyu would always be the center of attention wherever she went. Even the holy maidens of the major sects on the Divine Continent a hundred years ago didn't have the natural beauty of Yan Chenyu.

"Kid, bringing her out is just asking for trouble."

The big yellow dog said.

"You're the trouble."

Yan Chenyu glared at the big yellow dog.

"Let's go into the city."

Jiang Chen said and walked towards the city gate.

"Stop, three Human Yuan Pills per person to enter the city."

Four or five guards stood at the city gate, and one of them said arrogantly. These five were all Qi Sea realm experts, and the leader had reached the late Qi Sea realm.

A late Qi Sea realm expert was already a dominant figure in Tianxiang City. Even in Chicheng, they were respected. But in this small Silver Moon City, they could only guard the city gate. That was the difference.

"Damn, you need Human Yuan Pills to enter the city?"

The big yellow dog immediately objected.

"Where did this dog come from, talking so much? This is a rule set by the city lord. Who dares to disobey?"

A guard said rudely.

"Damn, a gatekeeper is so arrogant. Watch me bite you to death."

The big yellow dog bared its fangs. Jiang Chen quickly stopped it. He knew the big yellow dog too well. This guy had even caused a commotion at the Heavenly Sword Sect. If he was a bit slower, the big yellow dog would have really bitten the guard to death.

Jiang Chen didn't care about a few Human Yuan Pills. He didn't want to start a fight as soon as they arrived in Qizhou. Offending the Heavenly Sword Sect once was already enough trouble.

Jiang Chen casually took nine Human Yuan Pills from his storage bag and threw them to the guard, then walked into the city with a swagger.

"This kid has never been seen before. He must be from outside and looks very wealthy. I should have asked for more."

The guard's voice came from behind Jiang Chen and the others.

"That beauty is really hot. If she could spend a night with me, that would be true happiness."

Another guard had a lecherous look on his face, his eyes fixed on Yan Chenyu's back, almost drooling.

However, as soon as the guard finished speaking, his body suddenly trembled, and his smile froze. Then, his body made a cracking sound, and in the blink of an eye, he was covered in a layer of transparent ice, turning into a statue.

"Hey, Old Wang, what's wrong with you?"

"Why are you frozen? It's over. He's not breathing."

"Old Wang is dead. What happened? Who did this?"

The guards were suddenly panicked, their faces filled with shock. A living person, who was just fine a moment ago, had turned into an ice sculpture and died, which was like seeing a ghost in broad daylight.

"It was that young man."

The guard leader said. They looked up, but there was no sign of Jiang Chen and the others.

Inside Silver Moon City, the big yellow dog grinned widely. "Hehe, Xiao Yu, you've really learned to be ruthless. Killing without a trace."

"He spoke disrespectfully. I just wanted to teach him a lesson. I didn't expect him to be so weak and die from the cold."

Yan Chenyu said with a pout.

"Cough, cough..."

Jiang Chen coughed violently. "Sister, with the Nine Yin Mystic Vein and the cold energy from the ten-thousand-year-old Cold Crystal, can you blame a mid-Qi Sea realm expert for being weak?"

Jiang Chen and the big yellow dog were speechless. Even Human Dan realm experts couldn't withstand Yan Chenyu, let alone Qi Sea realm experts. The guard had brought it upon himself. Sometimes, you can eat anything, but you can't say anything recklessly. Today's Yan Chenyu was no longer the naive girl from Chicheng. She had long adapted to the killings with Jiang Chen and the big yellow dog.

"Have you heard? The four major sects of Qizhou have already decided the winner of the inner sect competition."

"Really? Who won? I heard that Liang Xiao of the Heavenly Sword Sect, Bai Huadie of the Bliss Valley, and Guan Yiyun of the Mystic One Sect are all late-stage Human Dan realm experts. The inner sect competition will definitely be decided among these three."

"That's right. These three are geniuses, each with powerful abilities. Even if they have to decide the winner, it will likely result in a mutual loss."

"You're all wrong. The winner of this Qizhou inner sect competition is not one of these three, but Nanbeichao of the Burning Heaven Pavilion."

...

On the way, there were discussions about the Qizhou competition everywhere. It was hard for Jiang Chen and the others not to hear.

"What is the Qizhou competition?"

Jiang Chen asked.

"It's a joint event held by the four major sects of Qizhou every year, divided into the inner sect and outer sect competitions. It's called the Qizhou competition because all the geniuses of Qizhou can participate, giving everyone a chance. However, in reality, it's still a competition between the four major sects. Most of Qizhou's geniuses are gathered by the four major sects. Ordinary people participating in the Qizhou competition can hardly compete with the geniuses of the four major sects."

The big yellow dog said, clearly very familiar with the Qizhou competition.

"Nanbeichao? I haven't heard of him before. I only know that the Burning Heaven Pavilion has a Wu Sheng, but he lost to Guan Yiyun of the Mystic One Sect two months ago. I thought the Burning Heaven Pavilion would definitely lose this competition. Who is this Nanbeichao?"

"You might not know, but Nanbeichao has emerged this year. He is only eighteen years old and has already reached the middle stage of the Human Dan realm. His talent is monstrous. With his middle-stage Human Dan realm, he defeated Guan Yiyun and the others, leading the competition and winning first place in the inner sect. He is truly remarkable."