Chapter 113: One Hand, Suppressing All

The Hidden Dragon Realm opened, allowing Pang Bo and others to enter and gain some opportunities.

Yet they did not forget Lu Qingshan waiting outside; after all, without him, they would never have dared to display such astonishing power during the Hidden Dragon Rankings competition.

Inside the chat group.

【Xiao Yan: Group Master, there are many special opportunities inside the Hidden Dragon Realm—would you like to come down and take a look?】

【Pang Bo: Yes, Group Master! I just acquired an excellent fist technique; though not as profound as the Ancient Emperor’s Scripture, it still looks impressive—why don’t you come down too? You might find an even better opportunity!】

【Yue Buqun: I also obtained a decent sword technique—it’s far more subtle than my Hua Shan Sword Art!】

【Cao Cao: Envious.JPG!】

【Lu Qingshan: No need. Everything within the Hidden Dragon Realm is already within my sight. You only need to seek the opportunities best suited to you!】

With Lu Qingshan’s current strength, even the rules of the Hidden Dragon Ancient City could be altered, let alone the opportunities within the Hidden Dragon Realm.

Those special cultivation sites that aid rapid comprehension of various realms of understanding had no effect whatsoever on the group members, who could not cultivate after crossing over.

As for the cultivation techniques acquired by the Hidden Dragon Rankings prodigies, they were undoubtedly shallow to Lu Qingshan.

“The few Heavenly-grade techniques and arcane martial arts are passable!”

Lu Qingshan sensed several opportunity sites within the Hidden Dragon Realm and thought to himself: “Though these techniques and martial arts have no effect on me, they possess some novelty—I can draw inspiration from them when creating my own secret arts!”

…

Time passed steadily, and before long, seven more days had gone by.

From the abyss surrounding the arena, a mighty dragon’s roar echoed, followed by a colossal dragon qi that spiraled twice before opening its maw once more, forming a vortex.

The prodigies on the Hidden Dragon Rankings were then teleported out of the Hidden Dragon Realm.

Most spectators had not yet left, for the opening of the Hidden Dragon Realm was an event that might occur only once every few centuries—they naturally wished to learn what kind of opportunities the younger generation had gained within.

At this moment, each young prodigy’s aura had grown significantly stronger, clearly having benefited greatly from the realm.

Luo Jiacheng, the chief judge of this year’s Hidden Dragon Rankings, seeing everyone emerge one by one, let out a long breath and loudly announced: “This year’s Hidden Dragon Rankings competition is now complete. Let us begin announcing the rankings!”

All the judges had been busy since the prodigies entered the Hidden Dragon Realm, quickly finalizing the rankings.

The top ten are: Ye Chen, Xiao Yan, Pang Bo, Han Li, Meng Huan, Sikong Sheng, Yan Chihuo, Murong Qingcheng, Tuoba Ku, Lin Yun!

Li Daoxuan is eleventh, Bing Ling is twelfth, Mo Yan is thirteenth… Yue Buqun ranks forty-third!

After the chief judge finished announcing the rankings, this year’s Hidden Dragon Rankings competition was finally fully concluded.

…

On the other side, several sects of Tianfeng Country quickly approached Liuyun Sect to offer congratulations—some sincerely, others insincerely…

Some sects had even begun plotting against Liuyun Sect and Ye Chen’s group, such as Zi Yang Sect, which bore a deep grudge against Liuyun Sect!

Of course, Ye Chen and the others paid no attention to these matters, leaving all responses to Liuyun Sect’s Sect Master, Luo Xinglie.

Soon after, Long Biyun, the Sect Master of Nanluo Sect, walked over.

“Sect Master Luo, and all you young friends!”

Long Biyun approached with her Nanluo Sect disciples and smiled: “I’ve come here specifically to congratulate you all!”

“Thank you, Sect Master Long!”

The Liuyun Sect members, unaware of Long Biyun’s formidable background, politely replied.

But the group members who knew Long Biyun was actually a Spirit Sea cultivator were already speculating about her intentions.

【Pang Bo: Brothers, do you think Long Biyun came to congratulate us because she wants to learn about the ancient inheritance site we mentioned?】

【Xiao Yan: Probably not! I remember in the original plot, Ye Brother faced danger several times, and Long Biyun always came to his aid—I doubt this time will be any different!】

【Ye Chen: I think so too!】

【Yue Buqun: Honestly, regardless of Long Biyun’s true intent, we need only remain still. After all, with the Group Master here, no accident can occur!】

【Pang Bo: Old Yue is absolutely right!】

After chatting with Long Biyun, the Liuyun Sect members met up with Tian Leisannren, a Star Level cultivator sent to escort them, outside the Hidden Dragon Ancient City, then boarded flying beasts and set off on their return journey.

Due to Ye Chen and the others, the group members rode on one flying beast alone, while the Liuyun Sect members rode another.

Of course, to help Ye Chen, Pang Bo and the others invited Xu Jing—who had originally planned to ride with Liuyun Sect—onto their own flying beast.

Once the flying beasts left the Hidden Dragon Ancient City, they swiftly headed toward Tianfeng Country.

In half an hour, with no ambush encountered, Pang Bo complained: “Why hasn’t anyone ambushed us? Did they see through our fishing plan? That shouldn’t be possible!”

“Don’t rush.”

Lu Qingshan, already aware of the surroundings, smiled and looked up at the sky: “Isn’t that them coming?”

Hearing this, Pang Bo and the others immediately looked up at the sky above.

Even the usually lazy Tianmeng Bingcan did so—though indifferent to ambushes, she loved watching spectacles.

At this moment, Ye Chen quickly called out to the Liuyun Sect members ahead.

“Ye Chen, what’s wrong?”

Luo Xinglie, on the other flying beast, immediately asked.

“Sect Master, we’re being ambushed!”

Ye Chen replied, then looked up at the sky.

Hearing this, the Liuyun Sect members immediately went on guard. Luo Xinglie, as if realizing something, said directly: “Could it be Zi Yang Sect?”

“Hahaha! Truly worthy of being the number one prodigy on the Hidden Dragon Rankings—you spotted us so quickly!”

No sooner had the words ended than the first layer of the Stunning Sky shattered, lightning blazed across the heavens, and over a dozen figures appeared before Lu Qingshan’s group—all Star Level cultivators.

Seeing over a dozen Star Level cultivators appear, Luo Xinglie, already prepared by the actions of Pang Bo and the others, showed no panic, but shouted loudly: “Who are you? Why block our path?”

“Hahaha!”

The leader among the Star Level cultivators said: “Who we are doesn’t matter. We’ve come only to ask you young friends to share the opportunities from the ancient inheritance site!”

“If you hand over what you gained from the ancient inheritance site and reveal its location, we’ll let you leave unharmed!”

“Otherwise, not one of you will leave this place alive!”

As soon as the words ended, the thirteen Star Level cultivators unleashed terrifying auras.

“Ye Chen, what should we do?” Luo Xinglie quickly looked toward Lu Qingshan’s group.

“Sect Master, don’t worry!”

Ye Chen first calmed Luo Xinglie, then quickly asked in the group chat.

【Ye Chen: Group Master, brothers, what should we do now?】

【Pang Bo: Are you kidding? The strongest among them is barely equal to the chief judge! I spent so much effort setting this trap—could this really be all the catch?】

Hearing this, Lu Qingshan smiled.

The cultivators from the sixth-rank sects had been following them closely all along, believing themselves unseen—but everything had long been within Lu Qingshan’s sight.

Even Long Biyun, who trailed behind Sikong Ba and others, and behind her, the Dragon King and the Mystic Empress, had not escaped his notice.

These people before them were merely pawns sent by them to probe Lu Qingshan’s group!

He had merely found Pang Bo’s fishing plan amusing, so he had kept silent.

【Lu Qingshan: Hahaha, don’t worry—your fishing plan succeeded perfectly. The sixth-rank sects are still trailing behind. These Star Level cultivators are merely their pawns!】

【Han Li: So that’s how it is!】

【Pang Bo: Hahaha! I knew there’d be big fish! Group Master, what should we do now?】

【Lu Qingshan: Rest easy. The rest is up to me.】

【Pang Bo: Finally, I get to see the Group Master unleash his power! Excited.JPG!】

【Han Li: Finally, I get to see the Group Master unleash his power! Excited.JPG!】

【Xiao Yan: Finally, I get to see the Group Master unleash his power! Excited.JPG!】

…

Looking at the group chat logs, Lu Qingshan spoke calmly: “It’s time to end this.”

No sooner had the words left his lips than he slowly rose, hovering midair.

Then, a terrifying aura swept across the eight directions, spreading rapidly in all directions.

“Worse! A Spirit Sea Great Expert!”

Feeling the terrifying aura radiating from Lu Qingshan, the seven Star Level cultivators preparing to ambush Liuyun Sect froze in place, unable to move a muscle.

…

“Worse! A Life-Death Realm Sovereign!”

Nearby, sensing Lu Qingshan’s terrifying aura, Sikong Ba and the sixth-rank sect leaders were startled, then secretly relieved.

“I didn’t expect these people were backed by a Life-Death Realm Sovereign!”

The Sect Master of Tianyun Sect added, relieved: “Good thing we didn’t act directly—we sent a few Star Level cultivators ahead first!”

“Indeed! Who would have thought we’d actually encounter a Life-Death Realm Sovereign!”

The Lord of Huoling Palace also whispered: “But I’ve never heard of this Life-Death Realm Sovereign—where did he come from?”

“We should leave here immediately,” said the Sect Master of Wuqing Sect: “If this Life-Death Realm Sovereign grows angry, we’ll bear his wrath!”

“Correct! Quick, go!”

But as they tried to flee, their bodies froze—unable to move an inch.

At that moment, Lu Qingshan’s voice echoed in their minds: “Since you’ve come, why rush to leave?”

…

Not far behind Sikong Ba and the others, Long Biyun of Nanluo Sect had been secretly following them.

She had originally planned to intervene only when Ye Chen’s group faced mortal danger, to draw them onto the Dragon Heaven Palace’s side.

But she never expected Lu Qingshan, whom she had assumed to be merely a Star Level cultivator, would be so terrifying—his aura surpassed even that of her master, the Dragon King!

“How is this possible?”

Long Biyun stared in disbelief toward the direction where Ye Chen and the others stood: “How could there possibly be a terrifying Life-Death Realm sovereign behind Ye Chen and his group?”

At that moment, Long Biyun’s mind suddenly echoed Lu Qingshan’s voice: “Young friend, since you’ve come, why not join us for a chat?”

…

On another front, the Dragon King and the Mystic Empress, both Life-Death Realm sovereigns, had originally feared Long Biyun alone could not stop the greedy Sikong Ba and others, and they also wished to observe how Xiao Yan and his group would react when faced with danger, so they had trailed Lu Qingshan’s party from afar.

But after Lu Qingshan released his aura, both of them froze slightly.

“This aura is likely even stronger than the Void Emperor’s!”

After sensing the terrifying aura radiating from Lu Qingshan, the Mystic Empress could not help but whisper in surprise: “When did such a powerful cultivator appear on the True Spirit Continent? Dragon King, you’ve seen much—do you know this sovereign’s identity?”

Hearing this, the Dragon King quickly shook his head and replied in thought: “I don’t know who he is. Perhaps he’s a Life-Death Realm sovereign who has secluded himself for cultivation.”

“Should we reveal ourselves and meet him?” the Mystic Empress asked again in thought.

“This…”

After a moment’s hesitation, the Dragon King whispered: “His strength is immense, but we still don’t know if he’s friend or foe. If we clash with him, the two of us may not be his match!”

At that moment, Lu Qingshan’s voice echoed in their minds as well: “Both of you young friends, rest assured—I mean no harm. Since you’ve come, why not appear and speak with me?”

Upon hearing Lu Qingshan’s voice, the Dragon King and the Mystic Empress both showed expressions of shock.

They were currently hidden within the void; logically, unless they chose to reveal themselves, they should have been undetectable.

Moreover, they had just communicated via mental transmission—logically, he should have had no way of knowing.

Yet now…

Realizing this, the Dragon King and the Mystic Empress immediately flew toward Lu Qingshan’s party.

…

On another front, after sensing the terrifying aura radiating from Lu Qingshan, the members of Flowing Cloud Sect all froze.

Although Lu Qingshan’s aura deliberately avoided them, they still trembled involuntarily.

Especially Tianlei Sanren, who had already entered the Star Level Realm—his strength was the greatest, so he felt Lu Qingshan’s terror most acutely!

During his travels across the True Spirit Continent, he had encountered several Spirit Sea Realm experts, yet their auras were far inferior to Lu Qingshan’s at this moment.

At that moment, Lu Qingshan shifted his thoughts and instantly teleported Sikong Ba and his group to his front.

The several Star Level Realm experts who had prepared to ambush Lu Qingshan’s party became wildly excited upon seeing Sikong Ba’s group appear—they assumed Sikong Ba had come to rescue them.

But they did not know that Sikong Ba’s group was in no better a position than they were!

At that moment, the master of Xuan Kong Mountain bowed deeply and asked: “Elder, why have you brought us here?”

Seeing the man’s innocent expression, Lu Qingshan couldn’t help but smile.

At that moment, Pang Bo spoke up: “Old man, you sent people to ambush us, yet you still act innocent? You’re wasting your talent not being an actor!”

Hearing this, Sikong Ba immediately said: “Elder, this is all a misunderstanding! These men are from our sects, but their actions were entirely unauthorized—they have nothing to do with us!”

“Yes, Elder!” The other five sect masters also chimed in unison.

Upon hearing this, the dozen or so Star Level Realm experts were momentarily stunned, yet ultimately said nothing in their defense.

After all, those sent to carry out such tasks were all die-hard loyalists of their sects—even if betrayed by their own masters, they would remain loyal!

Seeing this, Lu Qingshan casually waved his hand, and a scene appeared midair: Sikong Ba and his group ordering the dozen Star Level Realm experts to ambush Lu Qingshan’s party.

Seeing this, Sikong Ba no longer denied it, but continued: “Elder, my sect has old ties with the Prison King. I humbly beg you to spare us, out of respect for the Prison King’s name.”

Hearing this, the other sect masters quickly invoked their own powerful patrons.

Though not as mighty as the Prison King, they were all Life-Death Realm sovereigns.

At that moment, three streaks of light flew in from afar—it was Long Biyun, the Dragon King, and the Mystic Empress!

The Dragon King and the Mystic Empress were both renowned Life-Death Realm sovereigns of the True Spirit Continent; Sikong Ba and the others had seen their portraits before.

Now seeing them both appear, they were startled.

After all, the Dragon King and the Mystic Empress were both strong enough to rival the Prison King!

“Hmph!”

Lu Qingshan let out a cold snort; an invisible force instantly penetrated the bodies of the six Spirit Sea Realm experts, shattering their Spirit Seas and reducing their auras back to the Star Level Realm.

“This is merely a minor punishment and a stern warning.”

Lu Qingshan said calmly: “You sought to seize the cultivation art I hold—each of you has ten days to deliver three top-grade Earth-class martial arts to Flowing Cloud Sect.”

“Of course, you may bring your patrons along to Flowing Cloud Sect—but then the punishment won’t be this mild.”

Feeling their Spirit Seas shattered, Sikong Ba and the others were filled with rage and fury; upon hearing Lu Qingshan’s words, their hearts burned with bitter despair.

But now Lu Qingshan had already begun conversing with the Dragon King and the Mystic Empress, and paid them no further attention.

(End of Chapter)