Chapter 296

Chapter 296: The Legend of Li

The Grand Sect Assembly was almost here, and the Sword Sect was already busy.

This time, the sect tournament would be hosted by the Cangyuan Sect. They spent a fortune to open the sect’s Teleportation Array.

For several days now, Disciples from the participating sects could step into an array and go straight to the Cangyuan Sect. The hosts acted richly generous: besides offering extra rewards for winners, they also covered food, clothing, and lodging for many Disciples. It was the very picture of deep pockets.

Just after Li Shuang ended seclusion, a voice transmission arrived from Lin Qing Ling: “Come to my cave residence.” Li Shuang hurried over.

As soon as she stepped inside, Lin Qing Ling, out of habit, probed her cultivation. Her expression turned odd: soul cultivation, Peak Divine Transformation; spiritual power, Peak Divine Transformation. In barely a year, Li Shuang had advanced as frightfully as ever.

Lin Qing Ling asked, a little baffled: “With a soul this strong, why haven’t you broken through to the Integration Stage?” Li Shuang answered honestly: “If I want to break through to the Integration Stage, I can do it anytime. But I want to aim for a more perfect advancement.” Lin Qing Ling blinked in confusion. [Anytime? What kind of thing is that to say?] No one knew how long she herself had been stuck at the Divine Transformation Stage back then. How old was Li Shuang now? And she could break through whenever she wanted?

After a brief silence, Lin Qing Ling chuckled, a bit gloating: “Do you know Yan Fan?” Li Shuang nodded: “I have a faint impression.” Lin Qing Ling shot her a subtle look. [Only a faint impression?] She smiled with her eyes and asked: “Did you run into Yan Fan in Myriad Arts City?” Li Shuang paused, then shook her head: “In Myriad Arts City, none of us use our real names or true faces. Even if I met Yan Fan, I wouldn’t recognize him.”

She stopped, then suddenly realized and asked: “Wait, does Yan Fan also have a Wanfa Eye?” Lin Qing Ling nodded: “He seems to have signed his contract only a few months ago. Lately the Cangyuan Sect has been spreading the news on purpose, saying Yan Fan gained a huge chance in the Wanfa Eye. In just a few months he gathered enough points to buy an entry-level Soul Method.” Even the lowest Soul Method counted as a fine opportunity on the Nanlan Continent.

Yan Fan’s contract with the Wanfa Eye had already excited the whole Cangyuan Sect, though they forced themselves to keep calm at first. But when he soon gained fortune and even bought a Secret Soul Method in one go, they could no longer hold back. Their sect had produced such a peerless talent; of course they had to use the Grand Sect Assembly to sing his praises. Yan Fan was very likely their next Sect Master, and this tournament was the perfect time to raise his prestige.

So these days, every sect knew that the Cangyuan Sect had brought forth a prodigy who had not only contracted the legendary Wanfa Eye, but had also seized a chance in Myriad Arts City and risen in one leap.

Lin Qing Ling said with a grin: “Cangyuan is full of confidence in Yan Fan. For the arena of Disciples under a hundred years old, they added an extra treasure as a side prize for the Champion. It’s a fine item.” She glanced at Li Shuang with meaning: “They believe Yan Fan will surely win, so they dare to throw in something like that. Little Shuang, you should be able to take it, right?” Although she did not know what it was, Li Shuang still nodded steadily: “Yan Fan is not my match.” Her voice was calm, as if stating the most obvious fact.

Lin Qing Ling laughed: “Good, good, I like your confidence. I have an archrival who is a Hall Master of the Cangyuan Sect. She bragged to me in private and let slip a few things. According to her, Yan Fan’s opportunity is tied to the Golden Soul Altar.” Li Shuang was a bit surprised and asked: “Yan Fan also entered the Golden Soul Altar?” Lin Qing Ling shook her head: “No. He seems to have bet on an underdog during a gambling game and unexpectedly won a batch of Merit Points. They say a dark horse came out of the Golden Soul Altar named Li. This person was supposedly named by the City Lord of Myriad Arts City herself. She not only cleared the Golden Soul Altar, she even shot straight to the top of the Genius Ranking.”

As Lin Qing Ling spoke, her voice trailed off. A trace of regret flashed in her eyes. [Why am I saying this?] Little Shuang had also entered the Golden Soul Altar; she must know more than she did. Little Shuang was always proud. She had probably stayed in seclusion so long because that person named Li had hit her hard.

Lin Qing Ling hurried to comfort her: “Little Shuang, chances like the Golden Soul Altar are rare. Just being able to join is already great. How many floors we reach and how many benefits we get are things we can improve step by step. Someone like Li might not appear again in ten thousand years. She also had the City Lord of Myriad Arts City personally guiding her. You don’t need to compare yourself to her. We only need to do our best.” Li Shuang stayed quiet, her expression a little strange. Thinking she had misspoken again, Lin Qing Ling rushed to add: “I’m not saying you can’t measure up to Li. In my heart, you are always the best,” she said, patting Li Shuang’s shoulder firmly to show she meant it.

Li Shuang said softly: “I’m not comparing myself to Li, and I’m not discouraged.” Lin Qing Ling echoed at once: “Right, right, we won’t compare.” Li Shuang blinked: “Master, did I forget to tell you my codename in Myriad Arts City?” Lin Qing Ling looked puzzled: “You haven’t, true. But it doesn’t matter. I can’t enter Myriad Arts City anyway.”

The shorter one has cultivated, the easier it is to match with a Wanfa Eye. In the Central Continent, sects prepare a Wanfa Eye early for their talents so they can find a match as soon as possible. She was already at the Integration Stage. At this point, finding a Wanfa Eye that could match her was nearly impossible. Li Shuang blinked again: “My codename in Myriad Arts City is Li.”

Lin Qing Ling stood as if frozen by a spell, not moving for a long time. Li—the second peerless genius of the Human Race to clear the Golden Soul Altar since the Soul Prison appeared; the very one who burst out of nowhere and reached first place on the Genius Ranking within just a few years?

Lin Qing Ling’s head buzzed; it took a long while to process. Then she suddenly slapped her own forehead: “No, that can’t be right. Li is said to be the City Lord’s Disciple.” Li Shuang said: “The City Lord said that to shield me.” Lin Qing Ling became dazed. [Really? Is it truly like this?] Her lips curled into an uncontrollable smile. Li Shuang called a few times: “Master? Master?” Only then did Lin Qing Ling snap back to herself and grab Li Shuang’s hand.