Along the way, undulating mountains were covered with trees towering over a hundred meters tall. From time to time, fierce beasts roared and ferocious birds soared overhead.
The road, although wide, was uneven. This had no effect on the Black-Shelled Snail, however, which moved as effortlessly as if on flat ground, its speed far exceeding galloping horses.
Granduncle Three, leading dozens of youths, including Shi Hao, rode on the snail’s back heading toward the county town.
“Roar…”
A black-scaled tiger appeared, bearing a qilin’s body and tiger’s head, ferociously fierce, entirely covered in black scales. It glanced at them, then turned and walked away, choosing not to attack.
This was not the first time. Indeed, several powerful beasts had already been encountered along the way that deemed the group too formidable and withdrew without conflict.
“Granduncle Three, have you ever heard of the Yun Clan?” Shi Hao asked. Having arrived in the upper realms through the Yun Clan’s teleportation formation, he believed he couldn’t be far from their lands.
“Faintly,” Granduncle Three nodded.
“Where are they? Is it far from here?” Shi Hao inquired.
“When I was young and traveling, I heard tales of them,” Granduncle Three replied. “That clan is extremely powerful, located extremely far away—far beyond our Lei Prefecture.”
The Yun Clan, an ancient and mighty family, held an extraordinary Dao lineage in the upper realms. The territory they resided in was named Yun Prefecture in their honor.
“So impressive,” Shi Hao murmured thoughtfully. He suspected the explosion through the void passage had thrown him off course, depositing him in Lei Prefecture rather than Yun.
Suddenly, powerful gales shrieked through the air. A shadow, like a dark cloud, swept overhead—the figure of a ferocious bird. Its wings shimmered with light, its eyes sharp and intense, wingspan stretching over a hundred zhang.
“Ha ha… Granduncle, are your villagers here for the Warrior Selection too? These kids are too weak—they won’t last, probably all wiped out!” laughed figures riding on the bird’s back, clearly another village’s warriors making a harmless jest toward the youths.
“We’ll see what you think when the time comes,” Zhu Village’s youths retorted indignantly.
The giant bird flew on, a clear sign of another capable village’s strength evident from their impressive mounts.
After traveling hundreds of li, the terrain gradually opened, the forest receded, and a city emerged faintly on the horizon—nearing their destination.
Huai City, with a population of several tens of thousands, was neither particularly large nor small.
Before the city gates stood an ancient tree, its branches twisted and vigorous, leaves lush and green, and blossoms snow-white across its crown. This ancient locust tree, standing over a hundred zhang tall, was the city’s sacred soul.
Its name, Huai City, was derived from this very tree.
The city gates came into view, already bustling with people, animals waiting in lines to enter. Today was lively, drawing many tribes’ young champions.
“Make way!”
Before they neared the gate, a distant cry erupted as a massive silver serpent slithered forward, over a hundred zhang long, carrying many people with an arrogant advance.
“Crack!”
The silver serpent lashed its tail, striking hard against the black snail, sending it staggering dangerously. Its youths on its back tumbled off like fallen leaves.
“What do you mean by this? Bullying us!” the angered youths shouted, rising to confront their attackers.
“Bullying?” scoffed the group on the serpent. “A snail blocking the road, moving so slowly—it should have moved aside!”
Young warriors from Zhu Village bristled with anger, ready to confront them. Granduncle Three held them tightly back, warning them against rash actions.
“What? Want to fight? You’re welcome to try!” a youth atop the silver serpent called, sneering down at those from Zhu Village.
“You’re too arrogant!” a Zhu youth shouted, attempting to break free.
“Hold still!” Granduncle Three restrained the youth, knowing their village’s young were no match.
“These are from Man Village, a powerful tribe with many gifted youths. Long ago, conflicts arose between our clans. Ignore their provocations,” Granduncle Three cautioned, fearing for their safety.
Shi Hao made no move, silently watching. Although he could subdue them, he thought about the aftermath and potential consequences once he left—better to not act rashly.
“You’d better watch your backs!” the Man Village youths jeered before departing.
“Granduncle!” the youths of Zhu Village fumed, fists clenched tight.
“Stay calm. I have heard Man Village associates with dangerous individuals. We must exercise restraint while traveling abroad,” Granduncle Three advised, hoping to prevent any trouble.
People from other villages also arrived, riding beasts and birds, steadily entering the city.
The locust tree stood tall and still, embedded before the city. Had it not been for its immense height, it would have seemed an ordinary aged tree.
Inside the city, accommodations awaited, guided by attendants.
Suddenly, a thunderous rumble shook the crowd. The earth trembled slightly, breaking the ancient city’s quiet.
Dozens of riders approached from the gates, all astride monstrous beasts, immense and terrifying, hooves thudding heavily against the earth.
“Mo Qilin Beasts—partially descended from true Qilin—formidable mounts. They are from the Prefecture City.”
The riders wore gleaming black-gold armor, emanating powerful auras. At their center sat a girl garbed entirely in silver, exquisitely beautiful.
“The Prefecture City people have come to oversee the competition,” murmured the crowd, astonished.
“Make way!” someone cried.
The crowd hastily retreated, unwilling to block their passage.
Thankfully, the riders had reined in their mounts, not charging recklessly, maintaining disciplined order as they escorted the silver-robed girl toward the city governor’s mansion.
“Stop staring, rest early. Tomorrow the selection match begins,” Granduncle Three reminded the youths, directing them to prepare.
The next morning, everyone rose early, led to a vast training ground in the city center for the trials.
Yet, before the match began, the riders reappeared, accompanied by the old ruler of Huai City, arriving alongside the silver-robed girl from yesterday.
“Esteemed leaders, you have brought forth your clans’ finest youths, likely the most informed among us,” the aged city ruler addressed the assembly.
All exchanged puzzled glances. These words seemed unrelated to the Warrior Selection.
Soon, the crowd understood—he feared the armored riders and sought intelligence.
“These envoys from the Prefecture City have come to oversee the regional selections, but they also carry another urgent task,” the ruler introduced.
Stepping forward, the silver-robed girl ascended the platform, scanning the crowd coldly.
She unrolled a glowing scroll in the air, its energy mystically infused. Within it appeared a woman—tall, silver-haired, eyes clear and radiant, beautiful as a dream.
Though young, perhaps no older than eighteen or nineteen, she radiated transcendence. Her calm gaze exuded a daunting pressure, making hearts race.
This was only a painting—yet the aura was overwhelming. All fell silent, stunned.
“Has anyone seen this woman?” the girl demanded.
“May I ask, who is she?” someone murmured nervously. None understood—this was the Warrior Selection, not this.
“Hmph!” came a sharp scoff. The speaker reeled as if struck by lightning.
All faces paled. This envoy from the Prefecture was terrifyingly strong—her cold hum nearly incapacitating someone. And she appeared no older than the youths themselves, igniting many with feelings of inferiority.
The city ruler coughed, reminding them, “Silence. Has anyone seen this silver-haired woman? It’s extremely important.”
Many shook their heads, claiming no knowledge. Such a woman, so distinct, would not be forgotten should she have been seen.
“She fled into this region. Report her immediately. Great rewards await,” the envoy announced, scanning the crowd.
All were shocked. The scroll’s woman seemed even more formidable than this envoy, whose might was undeniable.
Who injured her, forcing her to flee here?
“The Xian Hall (Xian Hall) young master struck her. After many fierce battles, he wounded her gravely. She is vital. The Xian Hall master is determined to find her. It won’t be easy,” the girl murmured faintly.
Shi Hao listened, stunned. The silver-haired woman opposed the terrifying Xian Hall? She had battled their formidable young god before escaping wounded.
Even in the lower world, he understood the dread inspired by the Xian Hall. That she dared challenge them was shocking.
He had heard the Xian Hall’s young master was a towering figure, crushing all rivals. None of his generation could rival him.
Yet this woman had clashed repeatedly with him, surviving grave injuries. Truly remarkable!
“Will I cross paths with the Xian Hall’s young master so quickly? Could a confrontation await?” Shi Hao pondered.
Without doubt, the so-called Xian Hall young master was here, hunting the silver-haired woman. This region would soon grow turbulent.
“Report any signs immediately!” the silver-robed girl turned, departing toward the city governor’s mansion.
Suddenly, Shi Hao’s eyes flared. He thought he saw a flash of silver nearby—an indistinct flicker sending his heart pounding.
Had she arrived, ready to strike here?
If so, the Xian Hall’s “young master” was likely close behind.
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