341: Chapter 340: Invitation from Xue Jianke 341: Chapter 340: Invitation from Xue Jianke Xue Jianke and the others spent close to half an hour tending to their injuries before they were prepared enough to venture towards the Land of Sealing.
Seeing that everyone was reasonably recovered, Sha Tongtian coldly stated, “We’re about to reach the Land of Sealing.
Everyone must stay focused.
As long as we can affix the Sea Suppressing Jade Talisman, our task will be complete.”
“If we encounter an attack from a Demon Beast, Xue Jianke, Xiang Tian, Lin Bai, and Jin Qiu, you will join me in holding it off.
Meanwhile, Hua Wanqing, Long Feihai, Qiu Biao, and Sun Jiacheng, you will provide protection to Sha Tongtian so he can affix the Sea Suppressing Jade Talisman,” said Poison Dragon Island Master, his expression grim.
We had faced so many perils on this journey, and we were almost at our destination.
No one wanted to mess up even in the slightest.
Sha Tongtian’s face turned serious.
He gave a nuanced nod to Hua Wanqing, saying, “Let’s go.
We move onward.”
The group then traveled along the seafloor, illuminating their surroundings with a unique light distribution device from the Frenzied Shark Sect.
Lin Bai silently moved behind Sha Tongtian, a sense of doubt creeping into his mind as he observed him.
“Poison Dragon Senior, don’t you think something is strange?” Lin Bai whispered.
“What’s strange?
Lin Bai, have you found any traces of a Demon Beast?” Poison Dragon Island Master asked nervously.
Poison Dragon Island Master’s words startled Xue Jianke, Xiang Tian, and Jin Qiu, prompting them to heighten their vigilance.
Lin Bai shook his head, “No, it’s just that Sha Tongtian, Hua Wanqing, Long Feihai, Qiu Biao, and Sun Jiacheng seem too familiar with this place.”
“Hua Qinghai mentioned earlier that only the leaders of the Eight Great Clans knew the location of the Land of Sealing, even if they had told Sha Tongtian and the others where it was before we set out.”
“But they seem overly familiar with it.
Taking us directly through this dark world towards the Land of Sealing.”
Lin Bai continued with a tone of indifference.
Among Xue Jianke and Poison Dragon Island Master’s party, Lin Bai was the only one who received a map from Hua Wanqing, but even with the map in his hands and knowing the location of the Land of Sealing, he was still unsure.
The bottom of the sea was shrouded in darkness, even the emitted light could hardly penetrate it.
It was so dark one could not even see their fingers when stretched out in front of them.
Even though Lin Bai knew that the Land of Sealing was not far, he was still clueless in the boundless dark sea without any markers or structures.
If Lin Bai were left alone to find the Land of Sealing, it would probably take him several days.
One misstep could potentially lead him further away from the Land of Sealing.
However, Sha Tongtian, Hua Wanqing, and others clearly knew this place well, with no signs of unfamiliarity.
They led Lin Bai and the Poison Dragon Island Master onwards without any hesitation.
It felt as if they knew that by heading in this direction and reaching the end, they would arrive at the Land of Sealing.
Poison Dragon Island Master consoled, “Perhaps the leaders of the Eight Great Clans gave them some pointers before we set out.
Let’s move, Lin Bai.
Stop worrying; we’re almost there.”
Jin Qiu also said, “That’s right, we’re almost there.
Once we get back, we ought to celebrate with a pot of liquor, and no one is allowed to leave until drunk.
Lin Bai, Poison Dragon Island Master, you must attend.”
Xiang Tian laughed, “I agree.
I know a place that serves the best liquor in the East Sea.”
Jin Qiu and Xiang Tian glanced at each other and laughed knowingly, “I know!
The brothels in City of Thousand Islands, ha ha ha ha…..”
Lin Bai and the Poison Dragon Island Master responded with a small smile.
Xue Jianke asked, “Lin Bai, after the situation in the Lost Sea wraps up, will you go to the Famous Sword Manor in the Heavenly Sword Dynasty to participate in the Martial Arts Competition with sword cultivators from Lingdong’s 700 States?”
Lin Bai was taken aback, looked at Xue Jianke, and asked, “You know about this?”
Xue Jianke replied, “Every year, the Famous Sword Manor sends out invitations to all cities within Lingdong’s 700 States, inviting all sword cultivators to gather at the Manor for a Martial Arts Debate.
It’s an annual grand event for sword cultivators, how could I not know about it?”
“So, are you going?
We can travel together if you are.”
Lin Bai laughed, “I don’t know.
I still have a lot to do in the territory of the Shenwu Kingdom.
Suppose I have spare time, I will consider going.
After all, it could greatly benefit my growth in Sword Art to debate with sword cultivators from Lingdong’s 700 States.”
Poison Dragon Island Master laughed, “Lin Bai, given your Sword Skill, you would at least rank among the top ten in the Famous Sword Manor.
You should give it a shot.
The Manor’s reputation is decent.
Sword cultivators who rank in the top ten in the Manor will essentially be known across Lingdong’s 700 States.”
“Most importantly, if you make it to the top ten in the Famous Sword Manor, the Miracle Ridge will probably send you an invitation directly, inviting you to join them.”
Lin Bai asked curiously, “Does the Miracle Ridge send experts to participate in the Sword Discourse Conference?”
Poison Dragon Island Master chuckled, “Indeed, every year at the Sword Discourse Conference, top talents from the Miracle Ridge watch from the sidelines.
If your talent and Sword Art are truly remarkable, you will receive a direct invitation from Miracle Ridge.”
“Otherwise, if you want to join the Miracle Ridge on your own initiative, the trial to enter the Miracle Ridge, also known as the Three Stages and Five Obstacles, is no joke.”
“What are the three stages and five obstacles?” Lin Bai asked, intrigued.
Poison Dragon Island Master laughed, “It’s the Miracle Ridge’s screening standard.
Only warriors who manage to pass the Three Stages and Five Obstacles can enter the Miracle Ridge and become a warrior of Miracle Ridge.”
“Each year, up to several million warriors come to take the examination at Miracle Ridge.
Most of them possess the strength of the Heaven Martial Realm Ninth Layer, but less than a thousand of these warriors pass the Three Stages and Five Obstacles.”
“You can imagine how difficult these Three Stages and Five Obstacles must be.”
“But if you’re invited by Miracle Ridge, you don’t have to take the exam and can enter the Ridge directly and become a warrior of Miracle Ridge.”
Poison Dragon Island Master patiently explained the whole matter to Lin Bai.
“I see,” Lin Bai said, finally understanding, “It’s quite interesting.
My interest in the Sword Discourse Conference at the Famous Sword Manor has grown even more now.
If I have the time, I’ll plan to go this year.”
Lin Bai smiled at Xue Jianke.
Xue Jianke said, “Alright, once I’ve taken care of my affairs in the East Sea, I’ll come and find you at the Spirit Sword Sect of the Shenwu Kingdom.
Then we can go to the Heavenly Sword Dynasty together.”
“Sure,” Lin Bai nodded.
Anyway, when Lin Bai returned, he would have essentially nothing too urgent after participating in the Core Disciples competition of the Spirit Sword Sect.
What would be most important next was to find Earth and Wood Attribute spirit materials.
And the Wood Attribute spirit material was conveniently available in the Heavenly Sword Dynasty.
Moreover, if he distinguished himself in the Sword Discourse Conference, it would help Lin Bai gain entry to Miracle Ridge.
As for Miracle Ridge, Lin Bai was determined to go.
If Lin Bai wanted to leave Lingdong’s 700 States, he would need to pass through Miracle Ridge; there was no other option.