**Chapter 135: The Bustling Cangzhou City**
Successfully conquering the 35th floor of the Myriad Path Divine Tower? Now that’s something to write home about! The onlookers, all those cultivators with their eyes wide and jaws dropped, collectively thought, “Wow, that’s pretty dang impressive!”
But compared to the earth-shattering ruckus that nearly brought the tower down during the mid-challenge, the achievement of the 35th floor suddenly felt a bit…meh.
Everyone’s minds were still reeling with keywords like “legend” and “Xia Wudi.”
Sure, some more Foundation Establishment contenders might breeze through the levels above, but could they shake the divine tower like that? Was there even a third person who could pull a stunt like that?
At this moment, a peculiar silence engulfed the scene. Not a peep came from the crowd, which was a stark contrast to the wild celebration everyone had pictured.
Even the big shots up on the high platform looked tense, their eyes glued to the entrance of the tower.
They were all on the edge of their seats, waiting for the three to make their grand entrance and unveil the truth for the world.
…
Who could have guessed that this tiny, non-descript Cangzhou City—barely a blip on even the grandest maps of major powers—would spring forth such jaw-dropping news?
Although the announcement hadn’t been made yet, rumors were zinging through various channels, racing across the five continents and four seas.
Almost simultaneously, countless transmission jade pendants began vibrating like electronic beans at a rave.
【What? It’s not just shaking the tower? They drained the tower’s resources?】
【This must be Xia Wudi’s handiwork! Classic Xia Wudi move!】
【We need to grab these people! Rally everyone! Let’s meet up in Cangzhou City!】
What started as a mere trial was shaping up to stir a storm in the cultivation realm.
…
At the same time, in a dark place of unknown origins, a woman encased in a maze of formations suddenly sensed something and cracked a smile.
“Hehe, good! Someone has inherited my legendary skills! I knew this day would come; my hundred years of waiting have not been in vain!”
She mumbled to herself, her eyes gleaming with a wild excitement.
Oh, my dear disciple, how I miss you~
…
Back in Cangzhou City, Master Qin suddenly felt a wave of dread wash over him.
As a sect master, he was well aware that such a colossal event must have caught the attention of numerous powers. If measures weren’t taken soon, he feared the trio could be kidnapped at any moment.
Master Li and Master Youyue also sensed the looming danger; it felt like a powerful, oppressive force was approaching from far beyond the horizon.
“d*mn it, these sensitive old foxes are fast on the uptake!” Master Qin cursed.
“Darling, should we send a rescue?” Master Li asked.
“Rescue?” Master Qin exchanged glances with Master Li and shook his head. “I don’t think so; leaving now might just make things worse. Even if our Xuantian Sect jumped in, dealing with the various powerful entities that are bound to show up… that would be a real headache.”
Let’s just say that the uproar caused by the trio inside the tower was just too much. After emulating Xia Wudi’s legendary move, they’d drawn a spotlight that no one could ignore. Everyone would want a piece of the action, to snatch them away or to win them over.
Who wouldn’t want the next great legend under their wing?
Master Qin narrowed his eyes, “No shouting for our sect members. Not a single peep! If we want to ensure the trio gets out safely, we’ll have to go about it differently.”
Those three are disciples of my Xuantian Sect; no one is taking them away, period!
After a moment of consideration, Master Qin formulated a plan and whispered it to Master Li, who immediately nodded and dashed off to execute it.
“Master Qin… my son…” Yun Zhongtian chimed in awkwardly, sensing the thick tension in the air.
After all, he was the head of a powerful family and often found himself in dangerous situations, so he knew just how precarious things could get.
He was at the pinnacle of the Golden Core stage in Cangzhou City, but in the grand scheme of the cultivation realm, he felt like a beginner—and that made him nervous.
Master Qin smiled reassuringly, “Don’t worry, Brother. I’m here. Your son will be safe.”
Yun Zhongtian let out a relieved breath and clasped his fists, “Then I will leave it to you, Brother.”
“Of course! Your son is just like my son; I’ll take good care of him.”
Now, that sounded perfectly normal, but to Yun Zhongtian’s ears, it felt a tad off.
Your son is my son? Did we just make some sort of weird family connection?
Just as they finished their exchange, the sky suddenly darkened as massive storm clouds gathered. A bolt of black lightning ripped through the sky, and with a boom, a black figure appeared atop the Myriad Path Divine Tower.
“Wu Tian!”
“Northern Continent’s Thunderbolt Daoist! A formidable elder at the Soul Transformation stage! With a rare mutated lightning attribute spiritual root!”
“Whoa! This old coot is still alive?!”
Among the crowd, someone recognized the old man in the black robe with white hair.
He looked old and weary, but his spirit was invigorated. His cultivation level was nothing short of terrifying—he’d reached the Soul Transformation stage, making him one of the pinnacle powers in the cultivation realm today.
Floating effortlessly in mid-air with his hands behind his back, he radiated an air of unparalleled dominance.
This Thunderbolt Daoist was something of a relic in the cultivation realm; his reputation had echoed through the ages—over seven or eight hundred years ago, people were already talking about him.
Though he had never aligned with any power and remained a lone wolf, his frightening strength meant no one dared mess with him.
Upon witnessing the scene, Master Qin couldn’t help but twitch his lips.
Who would have guessed that the first to show up would be someone so intimidating?
So, he quickly soared into the sky.
“Greetings, Elder Wu. I’m Qin Wushuang, the current sect master of Xuantian Sect. I’ve long admired your reputation.”
The Thunderbolt Daoist merely cast a fleeting glance at Master Qin, barely acknowledging him. He simply pointed below and said, “I want to take one of those trial participants.”
Master Qin chuckled nervously, “I’m not sure why you suddenly want one, Elder, but all three participants in this trial are disciples of my Xuantian Sect. If they have offended you, I’m willing to offer an apology on their behalf.”
The Thunderbolt Daoist shot Master Qin a dismissive look, “Kid, back when I reached Soul Transformation, you were probably still in kindergarten. Enough with the chit-chat; when they come out, I’ll take one. I won’t make it difficult for anyone.”
This old coot gave no one an ounce of respect.
Regardless, the Thunderbolt Daoist didn’t barge into the tower or forcibly take anyone, as this tower belonged to the Immortal Alliance. Even this brazen old man knew better than to slap the Immortal Alliance in the face.
After all, when the Immortal Alliance was established, they meticulously rearranged the entire cultivation realm. Any troublemakers were long gone, and those ancient relics still standing were all well-tamed, after all.
Suddenly, the Thunderbolt Daoist stretched out a gnarled hand from under his robe, “I don’t care if they are your Xuantian Sect’s disciples. Today, I want one, and nobody better try to stop me!”
“Hehe, oh dear brother, you really haven’t changed a bit, have you? Is this how you go around snatching people?”
In the next second, laughter echoed in from far away.
“The Five Tigers Dragging the Coffin! It’s the ancestor of Tiger Gate, the Tiger Emperor!”
“Holy moly! Another powerhouse at the Soul Transformation stage!”
“Hang on, another one is coming… that’s one gigantic Spirit Boat; it looks like a battleship!”
“That must be the Spirit Boat of the Huangji family from Northern Continent! The scale of this… Could it be the ancestor of the Huangji family… Huangji Ba?!”
“What?! Did you say his name is what?”
The crowd in Cangzhou City collectively craned their necks towards the sky. Just moments later, more and more super strong cultivators began appearing, one after another.
There was no doubt about it; these folks were all drawn by Yun Zhonghe’s scent, all ready to fight for the prize.
Cangzhou City had never been this lively before.
Watching the increasing throng of cultivators, the black lines on Master Qin’s forehead deepened.
Not to mention half the cultivation realm; it seemed like thirty percent of the top powers had sent people over. The rest were either on their way or decided it wasn’t worth the hassle.
But for those who made it this fast, you could bet they weren’t holding back.
