Chapter 207: Xuan Star Ruins

The Three Saints and Four Peerless occupied prime positions near the entrance, while smaller factions scattered across peripheral zones.

Luo Feng descended with his group into the Three Saints and Four Peerless’ territory, drawing all eyes.

“Apologies for the delay.”

Luo Feng smiled, nodding at the gathered experts.

“Better late than never,” boomed a voice radiating divine might, its owner encircled by glowing halos. “We’re debating whether to allocate quotas to minor sects.”

Luo Feng surveyed the area. Lou Ri City’s contingent numbered merely 120 – the smallest among the major factions – while the other six forces totaled over three thousand.

“We’ve no objections. Your decision stands.”

Exchanging a glance with Mu Bai, Luo Feng joined the council of leaders. Mu Bai gestured for Lou Ri disciples to withdraw as the major factions convened.

The ancient ruin expedition held great importance for the Three Saints and Four Peerless, each deploying Spirit Masters despite the leaked news disturbing the empire.

Luo Feng, representing Lou Ri City without prior knowledge of the ruins, listened intently. Within Tianyang Empire, the Three Saints held slightly higher status than Four Peerless, with Jiu Yang Sacred Palace reigning supreme.

Leading Jiu Yang’s delegation stood Red Feather Spirit Master – Fifth Stage of Spirit Martial in the Abyss Realm, a cultivation level few in the empire achieved. Crossing this threshold meant sainthood, though countless had stalled here throughout history.

Tian Sacred Hall’s Miaoshu Spirit Master (Fourth Stage of Spirit Martial, Heavenly Realm) matched Luo Feng’s cultivation. Tianlei Sacred Church’s Angry Thunder Spirit Master, also Fourth Stage, crackled with lightning – eyes sparking, voice thunderous.

Divine Martial Sect’s Tianye Spirit Master glared hostility at Luo Feng, still smarting from his expulsion from Lou Ri City. Shanhua Alliance’s Changhe Spirit Master, a prominent figure like Luo Feng in his domain, handled major affairs.

Heavenly Fire Sect’s Binghuo Spirit Master stood out as a rare female expert, renowned for beauty despite her age, still courted by many. Both she and Changhe operated at Fourth Stage, underscoring their factions’ investment.

While Red Feather held highest cultivation, other leaders all dwelled in Heavenly Realm. As discussions continued, Luo Feng noted strange energy fluctuations at the ruin’s entrance, contradicting Shanhua Alliance’s prior reports.

Scanning the crowd, he noticed most disciples from six major forces hovered at Blood Martial Realm – suspicious given the context.

“Have we traced the ruin’s origins?” Luo Feng inquired.

Binghuo responded, “Our analysis suggests this is Xuan Star Saint’s legacy site – possibly containing his eternal inheritance.”

Luo Feng started. “The Xuan Star Saint? Legendary expert from Brilliant Star Continent who reached Saint Martial Third Level’s Supreme Realm? Vanished mysteriously after three millennia of dominance?”

Changhe nodded. “His final fate remains unknown. We stumbled upon this space-pocket small world while tracking Lanling Holy Palace. Its restrictions bar Spirit Masters – forced entry triggers deadly backlash.”

Miaoshu added, “The small world’s restrictions split into zones: outer limits suppress all above Soul Martial Realm to that level; inner zone caps at Blood Martial Realm. Hence we dispatched disciples from both realms.”

Luo Feng’s gaze lingered on Changhe.

On that day, when the Shanhua Alliance sent the message, they deliberately omitted this detail.

Changhe Spirit Master glanced around, pretending ignorance—since he wasn’t responsible for delivering the news, he could easily feign innocence.

Red Feather Spirit Master from Jiu Yang Sacred Palace declared, “Our Three Saints and Four Peerless sects have over two thousand disciples participating, with Lou Ri City sending the fewest. I propose doubling the investigation quota for the ancient ruin and allocating the remaining two thousand slots to other factions. Any objections?”

Miaoshu Spirit Master spoke first.

“I agree.”

Angry Thunder Spirit Master grunted, “No objections.”

Binghuo Spirit Master of Heavenly Fire Sect nodded, while Changhe Spirit Master from Shanhua Alliance remained silent.

Tianye Spirit Master of Divine Martial Sect shot Luo Feng Spirit Master a sharp look before agreeing.

Luo Feng Spirit Master offered no resistance—his opinion wouldn’t alter the outcome anyway.

Deep down, Luo Feng understood Red Feather Spirit Master’s true motive for increasing participation.

Any legacy left by Xuan Star Saint in that ancient ruin would be deadly. By inviting outsiders, they were merely being used as expendable scouts.

This unspoken truth hung in the air, met with universal acceptance.

Smaller factions recognized the danger but still clamored for slots, desperate for any opportunity.

When Red Feather Spirit Master announced the two-thousand-slot allocation, excited murmurs swept through the crowd.

Luo Feng Spirit Master regrouped with Mu Bai and briefed Lou Ri City’s disciples:

“Shanhua Alliance deceived us into sending only a hundred disciples—our weakest contingent yet. Expect bloodshed when four thousand enter those ruins. Survive first, hope second.”

His blunt warning doused their enthusiasm like icy water.

Three Saints and Four Peerless had two thousand participants, Lou Ri City merely a hundred. Other major forces averaged three hundred each. Their small group risked annihilation in conflicts, especially with two thousand outsiders adding chaos.

Cheng Lingyu’s handsome face tightened, recalling Yunyang City’s deadly underground palace—trivial compared to this.

Mu Bai advised, “Make allies inside. Dead men claim no legacies.”

Disciples nodded soberly, grasping the gravity.

Luo Feng Spirit Master added, “Lou Ri City stands apart, with few allies. Overcome this isolation and return with honor.”

His words sounded more like a death sentence than encouragement. Though weakest among major powers, they still outclassed minor factions.

As disciples prepared mentally, Cheng Lingyu studied the entrance with bitter recognition.

Mu Hua noticed. “What’s wrong?”

“Just spotted some familiar faces.”

“Introduce them!”

Cheng Lingyu stared. “Truly?”

Mu Hua shrugged. “We’re Lou Ri disciples—who’d dare trouble us?”

“You’ll regret this. See the Tianhua Ji family members?”

Mu Hua blinked. “The famed Tianyang Empire clan? Why do Ji Yaozu and Ji Yaozu glare at you like murderers?”

“Old enemies. They’ll hunt me inside.”

“Acquaintances? More like death warrants!” Mu Hua paled.

Wan Fang analyzed the brothers. “Blood Martial Third Level and Soul Martial Sixth Realm. Formidable.”

Cheng Lingyu ignored them, pointing elsewhere. “Luo Binghe of Zhan Wumen—another acquaintance.”

Mu Hua snorted. “Blood Martial First Level? Weak compared to the Jis.”

“Don’t underestimate Zhan Wumen,” Wan Fang cautioned.

Cheng Lingyu continued listing names: “Yu Feilong, Hua Yuehong, Azure Sky Dragon, Bai Ruomei, Dongfang Hong, Yan Fei, Xiang San Shao, Shi Busi—all elites from major sects.”

Mu Hua gaped. “Please tell me they’re not all your enemies?”