Chapter 918

"That's right, it's the 'Spirit Affinity Cave Heaven'."

Li Li Jingzhe nodded and said, "This cave heaven is highly extraordinary—it was likely crafted by some ancient sect as a cultivation Mi Jing specifically designed to enhance Affinity Rank. This is exceedingly rare; when this cave heaven was first discovered, it sparked a massive war across Outer Shenzhou, with every faction coveting it, including our own Li Tianwang-level powers."

"At the time, the factions fought fiercely, even our Wang-level experts intervened. Eventually, the 'Spirit Affinity Cave Heaven' began to show signs of instability, so all sides gradually restrained themselves. After prolonged negotiations, it was decided that several top factions would jointly seal it, sharing its development and preventing any single group from monopolizing it."

Li Luo silently whistled; the fact that Wang-level experts had to be deployed showed just how seriously every faction took this so-called 'Spirit Affinity Cave Heaven.'

"Every so often, the Spirit Affinity Cave Heaven naturally forms numerous Fu Yin. These Fu Yin serve as keys and credentials to enter the cave heaven. Most of these keys are intercepted by the strongholds stationed there by major factions. But according to custom, no faction completely hoards them—they leave some scattered, allowing lucky hermetic cultivators to obtain them, thus avoiding resentment over monopolizing opportunities."

Li Li Jingzhe continued, "These Fu Yin also have different ranks."

He flicked his sleeve, and three runes slowly rose, glowing in gold, silver, and copper. The golden rune was the most striking and profound, its pattern far more obscure and intricate.

"We call them 'Affinity Marks,' with three tiers: gold, silver, and copper. Gold Affinity Marks are the highest rank—the higher the tier, the greater the benefits within the Spirit Affinity Cave Heaven. Certain core areas require a Gold Affinity Mark to enter and claim the opportunities within."

"Generally speaking, those among you who perform outstandingly in the Dragon Head Contest will be granted Gold Affinity Marks to give you better chances within the Spirit Affinity Cave Heaven."

Li Luo nodded—it was another advantage for top students.

"But it's not just you top performers from the Dragon Head Contest who receive Gold Affinity Marks. Another group will also be granted this privilege," Li Li Jingzhe said.

Li Luo froze, surprised: "There are others?"

"The Spirit Affinity Cave Heaven has two layers. What you're participating in is the outer layer, which has a Qi restriction—only those below Tian Xiang Jing may enter."

"In other words, within the Spirit Affinity Cave Heaven, those with Tian Zhu Jing strength are the true competitors," Li Li Jingzhe said.

Li Luo frowned slightly. If Tian Zhu Jing was truly the benchmark for competitiveness, then among his generation, only Li Li Qingfeng and Lu Lu Qingmei were genuine Tian Zhu Jing cultivators. As for himself, strictly speaking, he only possessed the combat power of a Two-Star Tian Zhu.

Yet even a Two-Star Tian Zhu was still merely at the early stage within Tian Zhu Jing.

So would there be higher-star Tian Zhu Jing cultivators participating? Even those above Seven-Star?

Looking across the Five Dragon Clans, those who fit this caliber... were only...

"The Five Dragon Guards?" Li Luo asked.

Li Li Jingzhe nodded. "Correct. The Five Dragon Guards will each send elite cultivators with Tian Zhu Jing strength to participate in this Spirit Affinity Cave Heaven."

"Other major factions will also send their top Tian Zhu Jing warriors to seize the opportunities within the Spirit Affinity Cave Heaven."

Li Luo sighed helplessly. "I thought we were the main characters. Turns out we're just supporting players."

With these top-tier Tian Zhu Jing warriors present, their Two-Star Tian Zhu combat power hardly stood out.

But this also revealed just how grand the 'Spirit Affinity Cave Heaven' truly was—likely every Tian Zhu Jing prodigy in Outer Shenzhou capable of obtaining an Affinity Mark would come to join the fray.

Enhancing Affinity Rank held immense allure for everyone.

After all, those who could infinitely evolve their Affinity with Spirit Water Radiance, like Li Luo, were exceedingly rare.

Thus, the opening of the Spirit Affinity Cave Heaven was truly a major event in Outer Shenzhou. Whoever shone brightly here could quickly gain fame across the land.

"Don't undervalue yourselves. Not all opportunities in the Spirit Affinity Cave Heaven depend solely on strength—luck matters too," Li Li Jingzhe reassured them. "Besides, granting you these treasure artifacts now is precisely to enhance your combat power."

Li Luo nodded. He wasn't afraid—in fact, this pressure-filled competition was the best way to brutally squeeze out his potential and propel his strength forward rapidly.

Those prodigies were excellent whetstones for honing oneself.

And since the Spirit Affinity Cave Heaven's opening was still some time away, he could still use this period to further strengthen himself.

"This truly is a major event in Outer Shenzhou," Li Luo said, now feeling a flicker of anticipation.

Within the Spirit Affinity Cave Heaven, he would finally get to witness the true brilliance of Outer Shenzhou's young prodigies.

"By the way, Grandpa, will anyone from the 'Tian Yuan Ancient Academy' come to participate in this Spirit Affinity Cave Heaven?" Li Luo suddenly asked.

"The Tian Yuan Ancient Academy? They're located in the western region of Outer Shenzhou and rarely appear in the central territories, since this area is dominated by Li Tianwang-level factions—they prefer not to get involved."

"Still, the Tian Yuan Ancient Academy is ancient and deeply rooted, and one of the founders of the Academy Alliance. All Li Tianwang-level factions respect them greatly, so naturally, they are allocated their share of opportunities in the Spirit Affinity Cave Heaven," Li Li Jingzhe said.

"So the Tian Yuan Ancient Academy will send people too?"

Li Li Jingzhe nodded. "Why? Do you know them?"

Li Luo quickly shook his head and smiled. "Back in Great Xia, I trained at a Sacred Academy, so I've always paid close attention to higher-level Ancient Academies."

"These Ancient Academies truly have unique methods for nurturing prodigies. The Academy Alliance was founded since ancient times, specifically to deal with non-human entities. For our human race, they are all Zhi De Jing Zhong," Li Li Jingzhe said.

Li Luo nodded, already planning—if he got the chance—he should try to establish ties with the Tian Yuan Ancient Academy. After all, he still carried the request from Vice Dean Su Xin, and to deliver the 'Nine-Stripe Holy Heart Lotus' to Jiang Jiang Qinge, he'd need the Tian Yuan Ancient Academy's help.

Thinking this, his anticipation for the 'Spirit Affinity Cave Heaven' grew even stronger.

"The Spirit Affinity Cave Heaven is full of dangers—be cautious when you enter. The fighting there isn't like the Dragon Pool or Dragon Head Contest. Every opening of the cave heaven sees the deaths of Li Tianwang-level faction prodigies. Our Li Li Tianwang clan has many enemies too—if you encounter them, don't hold back."

The three of them immediately responded in unison.

Li Li Jingzhe said no more, gestured for them to finish their meals, then waved his hand: "You're all tired today—rest early."

"Oh."

He looked at Li Luo as he rose and added, "In three days, Niu Niu Biaobiao should be nearly recovered. At that time, Qingming Academy will need arrangements—you must attend."

He paused, his tone laden with meaning: "Qingming Academy has been without a master for years. It's time you took up some of your father's responsibilities."

Hearing this, Li Luo's eyes lit up with delight.

Was Biao Shu finally going to recover?