Chapter 122: with translation of chapter title

Ahead is the border city of the Li You Empire—Shuofang City; there are Fighting Sect experts stationed here, and from now on we will travel on foot, as flying is prohibited here.

Gazing at the vast city ahead, Xiao Li's eyes flashed with light; indeed worthy of a Fighting Venerable‑level empire, this border city is so majestic that even if the Jia Ma Empire exerted all its strength, it would hardly be able to capture it.

"Brother Xiao, this Shuofang City is extraordinary; its space wormhole is something even our Golden Elephant Empire lacks," said the Second Prince with a smile.

"Oh? There's a space wormhole here?" Xiao Li raised his eyebrows, showing some interest.

Seeing that Xiao Li was not surprised by this Fighting Sect‑level knowledge, the Second Prince slightly nodded, further confirming that Xiao Li had a considerable force behind him.

"Exactly, this space wormhole seems to lead straight to Zhongzhou, but I'm not sure exactly where," the Second Prince chuckled, then changed the subject without showing any emotion.

"The Li You Empire has a sect ranking list; only a hundred sects can make the list, and our goal on this trip is to join those sects—I wonder, Brother Xiao, do you have a preferred target?"

Xiao Li had heard the Li You Empire's sect ranking list several times along the way, gaining a rough understanding.

"I haven't decided which sect to join yet; Your Highness Second Prince, do you have a preferred target?"

Xiao Li did not answer directly, instead turning his question to the Second Prince, Jin Hua.

"As a prince, I naturally want to join the top‑ranked Mysterious Splendor Sect; that would aid my development," Jin Hua said without hesitation, stating his goal outright.

The Mysterious Splendor Sect has a high‑rank Fighting Sect overseeing it, its strength far surpassing that of the Golden Elephant imperial family; for Jin Hua to make better progress, joining here is indeed the best choice.

"Your Highness has great ambition; I have no particular goal—joining a top‑fifty sect would satisfy me." Xiao Li clasped his hands; his currently displayed strength was that of a six‑star Great Fighter, which in the Li You Empire counts as talent but not top‑tier.

In the Li You Empire, the top‑tier young experts are all Fighting Spirit experts.

"Better to be a chicken's head than a phoenix's tail; with your talent, Brother Xiao, even joining a lower‑ranked sect would yield more resources," Jin Hua smiled slightly, not looking down on Xiao Li but rather offering advice to ease his pressure.

The group gradually ventured deeper into the Li You Empire, eventually splitting; the Golden Elephant escorts returned to the Golden Elephant Empire, while Xiao Li's twenty people scattered like stars, each seeking their preferred sect.

As for Xiao Li, the first thing he inquired about was news of the Thunderstorm Canyon.

The Thunderstorm Canyon is quite famous; many in the Li You Empire know of it, and even several sects are located nearby, training by relying on the Thunderstorm Canyon.

Xiao Li possesses the lightning attribute, currently only a six‑star Fighting King in strength; joining a sect would not only help him gather information about the Thunderstorm Canyon but also aid his cultivation.

After more than ten days of travel, Xiao Li successfully arrived near the Thunderstorm Canyon.

It's worth noting that Xiao Li truly doesn't understand why Xiao Yan always stirs up trouble wherever he goes, when this journey has been calm and smooth.

(Actually the author can't pad…) In the purple‑black lightning canyon, a mysterious aura spread, making people involuntarily feel a chill.

Inside the canyon, lightning continually flashed with purple‑black light, as if recounting some unknown secret.

At the canyon's center stood a towering peak, atop which loomed a grand palace whose walls and summit were inlaid with gems, radiating brilliant light; at the palace gate stood a massive bronze lion, mighty and solemn, as if guarding something important.

At the canyon's end lay an ancient stone bridge, its surface covered with a thick layer of moss, appearing weathered and old.

Beyond the stone bridge lies the true forbidden zone of the Thunderstorm Canyon; the purple‑black lightning Xiao Li now sees is merely some energy leaking from within the forbidden zone.

"Purple Cloud Sect……"

Xiao Li read the name inscribed on the palace, recalling the information he had gathered: ranked eleventh on the sect list, the Purple Cloud Sect, whose sect leader is a low‑rank Fighting Sect, backed by the Thunderclap Canyon, has cultivated countless lightning‑attribute experts.

Few people venture inside the Thunderstorm Canyon; the lightning attribute is inherently rare, and without great strength and courage, none dare approach this Thunderstorm Canyon.

"Yo, someone's come." A disciple guarding the sect gate nudged his companion's arm, signaling him to look ahead.

Another's eyes lit up: "Our sect hasn't seen a newcomer in ages—what a rare guest! Quick, quick, quick, go ask if they've come to pay respects to the sect."

"Cough cough, kid, pay the tuition."

"Tuition?"

Xiao Li startled, "What tuition?"

Seeing Xiao Li's clueless expression, the mountain‑guard disciple curled his lip: "To join our Purple Cloud Sect, of course you have to pay tuition."

"Um…… I'm here to apply for an elder position."

From the start Xiao Li understood that, being unfamiliar here, there was no need to hide his strength; displaying greater power to attain a higher post would make entering the Thunderstorm Canyon's forbidden zone easier.

Xiao Li had learned that behind the Thunderstorm Canyon's forbidden zone lies a place for lightning‑attracting body tempering, but because absorbing lightning causes energy loss, entry is conditional—only a hundred slots per year.

The several sects inside the Thunderstorm Canyon share eighty of those slots, leaving twenty for other sects or the imperial family that need them.

As the strongest sect within the Thunderstorm Canyon, the Purple Cloud Sect possesses a full forty slots, which is also why Xiao Li came here first.

"Applying for an elder position?"

The two mountain‑guard disciples exchanged glances: "Brother, you're joking, you……"

Feeling Xiao Li's pure Fighting King aura, the two stopped mid‑sentence and immediately changed their tone.

"Please, senior, wait a moment in the side hall; I'll go consult the sect's higher‑ups."

In the Purple Cloud Sect's side hall, Xiao Li sipped the tea poured by the mountain‑guard disciple, surveying the surroundings.

"I've traveled this far and seem to have seen few Purple Cloud Sect disciples," Xiao Li asked without changing his expression.

The mountain‑guard disciple gave a wry smile: "Senior, you may not know, but our sect's recent intake…… hasn't been good."

Seeing the mountain‑guard disciple's hesitation, Xiao Li didn't press further, merely nodding; after all, he only wanted to enter the Thunderstorm Canyon's forbidden zone to inquire about the anomalous lightning, not to bolster the Purple Cloud Sect—so it didn't matter.

On the contrary, the mountain‑guard disciple looked bewildered: "What, you're not asking? I was about to pour out my grievances, and you're not asking?" He forced a smile: "Senior, please wait a moment; the sect's higher‑ups will arrive shortly."

"I've already arrived."

Before Xiao Li could respond, a vigorous voice from outside the side hall had already come in.

(End of chapter)