Jinzhou.
It was much larger than Dingzhou.
Its comprehensive strength far surpassed that of a remote small state like Dingzhou.
Ling Fan traveled through it.
He could sense powerful auras everywhere.
Some of these auras made him, whose strength was comparable to a fifth-tier Xuan Emperor, feel a sense of alarm.
They were at least sixth-tier Xuan Emperors, or even more powerful beings.
However, he did not encounter any seventh-tier Heavenly Emperors.
After all, Heavenly Emperor powerhouses were considered top-tier combat forces within a state, and they were not found everywhere.
Those who managed to cultivate to the Heavenly Emperor realm were either seeking opportunities in distant ancient ruins or cultivating in blessed lands with innate spiritual veins, striving to break through to even higher realms.
They were usually elusive, like dragons that show their heads but not their tails.
They wouldn't be out and about casually.
...
A few days later.
A prosperous and magnificent great city appeared before Ling Fan.
This was one of the most renowned and grand cities in all of Jinzhou.
Qingxuan City.
Deep within Qingxuan City.
There was a passage leading to the Qingxuan Sect.
Ling Fan entered Qingxuan City.
He found a large restaurant situated at the intersection of bustling streets.
"With the Qingxuan Sect recruiting disciples this time, I suppose countless geniuses will emerge, won't they?"
"That's for sure!"
"The Qingxuan Sect is one of the five major royal sects in all of Jinzhou, and its foundation is incredibly deep, second only to the Tianyi Sect. Every time the Qingxuan Sect recruits disciples, it attracts countless geniuses from across Jinzhou to participate."
"It's a pity, though. The Qingxuan Sect's disciple recruitment standards are too high. Even third-tier Yuan Emperors are only fit to be outer disciples. Only peerless geniuses above the fourth-tier Xuan Emperor realm have a chance to compete for an inner disciple position."
"And to become a true disciple of the Qingxuan Sect, one must have at least the strength of a fifth-tier Xuan Emperor! Fifth-tier Xuan Emperor, what does that even mean? In some smaller states, they could become overlords dominating a region."
"That's nothing. The seed disciples of the Qingxuan Sect are even more formidable than true disciples. You must know that seed disciples have cultivation bases above the sixth-tier Xuan Emperor! Top-tier sixth-tier Xuan Emperors, is that a joke? It's even rumored that some veteran seed disciples in the Qingxuan Sect have already stepped into the realm of half-step seventh-tier Heavenly Emperors. These are astonishing prodigies!"
"Hiss, half-step seventh-tier Heavenly Emperors can only become seed disciples and compete for the future position of sect leader. Just how many geniuses and how many powerhouses are there in the Qingxuan Sect!"
"See that? The restaurant is so lively today because of the geniuses who have come to participate in the Qingxuan Sect's disciple recruitment!"
"My goodness, there are so many! I only now realize what it means when geniuses are as numerous as carp crossing a river!"
"Heh, this is just a very small portion. Don't you think about how vast our Jinzhou is! It's a major state among the thirty thousand states of the Central Heavenly Realm, with boundless territories and billions of people. Even if you pick one in ten million, no, one in a million, geniuses would be in the hundreds of millions!"
"That's an astronomical number."
"Geniuses like clouds, powerhouses like a forest, what a brilliant era!"
Many powerhouses sighed with emotion.
Ling Fan listened to these conversations silently.
He toyed with his wine cup, pouring and drinking by himself.
It seemed the Qingxuan Sect had been doing quite well these past few years.
He had been worrying for nothing.
He had thought the Qingxuan Sect might be implicated by him and suffer destruction and the demise of its people.
Thinking of this.
Ling Fan couldn't help but shake his head.
The top Heavenly Emperor from the Zhou family, Zhou Yunchang, was hunted by the Heavenly Demon Realm to the point of having nowhere to turn, simply because he was his registered disciple. If Ling Fan hadn't coincidentally encountered him after his rebirth, the last bloodline of the Zhou family would have been completely wiped out.
And the Qingxuan Sect, in the actions taken by the Ten Heavenly Realms against him, chose to stand on his side. This was undoubtedly an extremely risky move.
After all, at the level of Heavenly Venerates.
Sects like the Qingxuan Sect, whose strongest were only Emperor Venerates, were as insignificant as dust. They could extinguish the Qingxuan Sect countless times with a single breath.
Regardless of what happened.
The fact that the Qingxuan Sect was still alive and well was good news.
Ling Fan no longer carried such a heavy psychological burden.
Ling Fan tilted his head back and downed the cup of wine.
Just as he was about to leave.
A stout, chubby fellow suddenly approached his table and said familiarly, "Brother, you're also here to participate in the Qingxuan Sect's disciple recruitment, right? I am too! I'm from the Guo family in Luoyun City, Jinzhou. Guo Gui, just a small family, not worth mentioning. You can just call me Fatty Guo. I have a few companions, and they are also here to participate in the Qingxuan Sect's recruitment. Why don't you sit down with us for a few drinks?"
"No need."
Ling Fan said calmly.
"Don't be like that. It's always good to have more friends when you're out and about. Among my companions, one of the beauties has a sister who is a true disciple of the Qingxuan Sect. You must have heard how amazing the true disciples of the Qingxuan Sect are, right? Her sister is a true disciple, so she has a lot of insider information. Don't you want to hear it? It will only benefit you!"
The fatty said with a smile.
Insider information about the Qingxuan Sect?
Just as Ling Fan was about to turn and leave.
Upon hearing this, he stopped.
"Let's go, I'll listen."
"Refreshing!"
Fatty Guo Gui eagerly led the way.
"May I ask your name, brother?"
The fatty asked.
Ling Fan thought for a moment. His surname, Ling, was too conspicuous.
It had likely become a taboo in the Heavenly Court.
It was better not to be too high-profile for now.
He casually said, "My surname is Fan, Fan Lin."
"So it's Young Master Fan, my apologies."
They entered an adjacent private room.
The room was elegantly decorated.
Several handsome young men and beautiful young women were chatting and laughing while eating expensive dishes.
Among them, a young man who was subtly the leader of the group saw Fatty Guo Gui bringing a stranger over. His gaze was scrutinizing as he looked down at Ling Fan.
"Fatty Guo, who is this person?"
"This is Fan Lin, Young Master Fan! He's also preparing to participate in the Qingxuan Sect's selection. I specifically invited him to join us."
Fatty Guo said.
"Do you know his background? Are you aware of his strength? Is he qualified to enter our circle! Don't bring just any cat or dog into our circle!"
The young man's tone was very harsh and filled with arrogance.
Clearly, he did not welcome Ling Fan.
The fatty's face turned somewhat awkward.
His smile froze on his face.
The young man was very impatient. Without waiting for Guo Gui to speak, he directly said to Ling Fan, "I'm sorry, our private room is full. Please leave. This is a gathering of our friends."
"Isn't that an empty seat..."
Fatty Guo also became a little angry.
He pointed to an empty seat.
"It's gone now."
The young man sneered.
With a wave of his hand.
Bang!
The empty chair immediately turned into dust and scattered away.
"Chen Tao, you!"
Fatty Guo's eyes widened, and his anger intensified. However, he clearly feared Chen Tao's strength and suppressed his urge to retaliate.
"Young Master Ling, let's go. The two of us will have a drink alone. Fatty here can't stand this humiliation!"
Fatty Guo got up to leave.
"Hmph, Fatty Guo, you can leave, but don't expect to enter our circle again from now on."
Chen Tao sneered.
He was extremely overbearing.
With the demeanor of someone in charge.