Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

Chapter 502 An Unexpected Encounter with an Old Acquaintance

Shen Mo's gaze lingered a little longer on the "New Projects" and "Team Battles." The setup of these projects—divination, demon suppression, and exploration of secret realms—was indeed unusual.

Team battles are placed after individual battles and last for thirty days, clearly indicating their extremely high importance.

"It seems that team battles are the key to determining the final rankings." Zhao Qingyan also noticed this and whispered, "Individual battles and special competitions are more like showcasing individual abilities and accumulating points. The real competition for resources will probably be in the 'Little Universe Realm' and the final comprehensive evaluation."

"That's right." Shen Mo nodded. "Therefore, the cooperation of Shi Tie and the others, and your formation, are crucial."

The three were talking in hushed tones when the murmurs of the crowd around them caught their attention again. This time, the topic was focused on the prodigies of various factions.

"...Have you heard? The Daoist Xuan Chen of the Supreme Dao manifested his divine power at the 'Asking the Dao Cliff' three days ago, expounding the 'Treatise on the Response of the Supreme Being.' It is said that three people achieved enlightenment and broke through to higher realms on the spot! With this level of cultivation, he is probably only one step away from the Nascent Soul stage!"

"Lingxiao Sword Master of the Nine Heavens Sword Pavilion is truly formidable! Yesterday at the Sword Testing Ground outside the city, he shattered the 'Three Talents Sword Formation' jointly set up by three late-stage Golden Core elders with a single sword strike. The sword energy soared three hundred miles into the sky and lingered for a long time! That sharpness, tsk tsk, I don't think anyone within the Golden Core realm can withstand its edge!"

"The Holy Son of the Wild Mountain Temple is no less impressive! It's said that yesterday he wrestled with a 'Mountain Moving Ape' at the peak of the Golden Core stage, throwing the beast more than ten miles away without sustaining a scratch! This physical body is probably capable of withstanding even magical treasures!"

"The three holy lands have profound foundations, so it's not surprising that they have produced such geniuses. However, some emerging forces have also sent formidable figures this time. The young island master of 'Star Luo Island' in the East Sea has reached the pinnacle of his 'Mirage Technique,' and few among his peers can break his illusions."

"The young clan leader of the Western Wilderness Golden Wolf Tribe, 'Azure Wolf,' is said to possess the bloodline of an ancient wolf god. After going berserk, his combat power is close to that of a Golden Core cultivator at the peak. He's a tough opponent."

"And then there's the newly emerged Qingyun Sect in the Southern Region. Its sect leader, Shen Mo, is a Nascent Soul cultivator at the age of thirty. Although his foundation may not be stable, there must be something strange about how he's reached this point. His disciples seem to have also shown their skills in Wanfa City, so they shouldn't be underestimated."

"Qingyun Sect? Ha, they're just lucky. What kind of true dragons can emerge from that Southern Region? In my opinion, it's nothing but a publicity stunt. Once they're on the stage, their true colors will be revealed."

Amid the discussions, there were expressions of amazement, envy, apprehension, and undisguised skepticism and contempt.

The names of Qingyun Sect and Shen Mo are frequently mentioned, but they are mostly associated with words such as "mysterious," "luck," "unstable foundation," and "attention-seeking."

Zhao Qingyan frowned slightly, while Su Xiao's eyes grew even colder.

Shen Mo remained calm, as if he hadn't heard the discussions. He simply paid closer attention to the names that were repeatedly mentioned.

Xuan Chen, Ling Xiao, Man Shan, the young master of Xingluo Island, Cang Lang of the Golden Wolf Tribe... these are all formidable enemies mentioned in the intelligence reports. Now that their strength has been confirmed by others, it is even more evident.

Just as they were about to leave the square to look around, a slightly aloof yet somewhat familiar female voice came from behind them:

"Sect Leader Shen? It's been a long time. How have you been?"

Shen Mo turned around and saw two female cultivators walking towards him from another path.

The leader was dressed in a moon-white palace gown with a light blue gauze overlay. She had a slender figure and an exceptionally beautiful face, but her brows were shrouded in a thin layer of frost. Her temperament was as cold and aloof as a lotus on a snow-capped mountain. She was none other than Fairy Ling Shuang of the Xuanbing Pavilion.

Her cultivation seemed to have advanced further than when she was in the Northern Desert, reaching the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm, and her aura was more refined.

This is where dreams begin, and where dreams come true.

Beside her stood a female cultivator who looked to be in her early thirties, still charming, and dressed in a pale yellow dress; she was none other than Elder Leng Yue of the Xuanbing Pavilion.

Elder Leng Yue wore a warm smile, her gaze sweeping over Shen Mo before passing over Zhao Qingyan and Su Xiao. A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, as if she were somewhat taken aback by the two women's cultivation levels and demeanor.

"Fairy Ling Shuang, Elder Leng Yue." Shen Mo returned the greeting with a cupped hand, a faint smile on his face. "I didn't expect to meet you here. I hope you are both well."

"Thanks to Sect Leader Shen, everything is still alright." Fairy Ling Shuang nodded slightly, her cool gaze lingering on Shen Mo for a moment, as if trying to discern something, but Shen Mo's aura was as calm as an abyss, and she naturally gained nothing.

"I heard that Sect Leader Shen has reached the Nascent Soul stage. Congratulations." She said this casually, but there was no falsehood in it; it was just her nature.

"It was just a coincidence, Fairy Ling Shuang is too kind," Shen Mo said.

"Sect Leader Shen, there's no need for such modesty," Elder Leng Yue replied with a smile, her voice gentle and pleasant. "A Nascent Soul cultivator at thirty years old—not to mention the Southern Region, even in the Central Region, he would be a once-in-a-century genius. In the battle of the Northern Desert, Sect Leader Shen turned the tide and saved me from danger. My entire Xuanbing Pavilion will forever remember this kindness. It is truly fate that we meet again here in Tianyuan."

Her words were polite, but they also highlighted the camaraderie they shared while fighting side-by-side in the Northern Desert. In Tianyuan, a place where people and people were unfamiliar and surrounded by powerful enemies, forces from the same region naturally had a need to band together for mutual support.

"Elder Lengyue, you flatter me. My actions in the Northern Desert were merely self-preservation; I shouldn't be treated like this," Shen Mo said politely. He then asked, "Where are the two fairies staying? Are they settled in?"

"The 'Ice Condensation Courtyard' is not far away." Fairy Ling Shuang pointed to a path shrouded in a thin mist on the other side of the square. "It's in the same area as Sect Leader Shen's 'Cloud Dwelling Garden,' and it's quite peaceful."

Shen Mo understood. It seemed that the organizers of the conference had indeed taken geographical factors into account when arranging the venues, placing the forces from the Southern Region relatively close together.

Judging from its name, Ningbing Courtyard is more suitable for Xuanbing Pavilion than Yunxi Garden, and its conditions should be better as well.

"That's good." Shen Mo nodded. "I wonder if Fairy Ling Shuang is leading the Xuanbing Pavilion's delegation to this event?"

"Indeed," said Fairy Ling Shuang. "I brought four junior sisters with me, with Martial Aunt Leng Yue bringing up the rear. Sect Leader Shen's disciples must be full of talented individuals." She then looked at Zhao Qingyan and Su Xiao.

Zhao Qingyan and Su Xiao stepped forward to pay their respects. Fairy Ling Shuang nodded slightly to Zhao Qingyan, her gaze lingering for a moment on the clearly extraordinary defensive robe she wore and her calm demeanor.

When she looked at Su Xiao, a faint hint of doubt flashed in her clear, cold eyes, as if she couldn't quite see through this woman whose aura was elusive and who was like a shadow.

"They're just a bunch of good-for-nothing disciples, brought here just to broaden their horizons," Shen Mo said. "I'm afraid we'll have to ask Fairy Ling Shuang and Elder Leng Yue for their guidance at the upcoming conference."

"Sect Leader Shen, you're too kind," Elder Leng Yue said with a smile. "Since we're all from the Southern Region, we should naturally look out for each other. There will undoubtedly be many open and covert attacks during the conference, so we should work together to ensure that outsiders don't look down on the cultivators of the Southern Region."

"If Sect Leader Shen has some free time, you are welcome to visit Ningbing Courtyard and sample our Xuanbing Pavilion's specialty, 'Cold Pool Mist Sprouts,' so we can exchange what we have."

"Definitely," Shen Mo replied. He knew this was a signal of goodwill and alliance from the other party.

Xuanbing Pavilion is a long-established Nascent Soul sect in the Southern Region with a deep foundation. While it may not be as formidable as the three holy lands, it is still a force to be reckoned with among the many participating forces. Establishing a good relationship with it would be beneficial to Qingyun Sect.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the two sides agreed to stay in touch during the conference and help each other if necessary, before parting ways.