127: Chapter 127 The Hidden Dragon Emerges, the Envoy Arrives from the West

News of the Hidden Dragon Grand Ceremony spread through the South like the wind.

The bulletin board at the gates of Luoxia City was crowded with Cultivators and Mortals from all over.

The announcement was written in special spiritual ink, the characters shimmering with a pale gold luster in the sunlight, making them clearly visible even from a distance:

[City Lord's Decree: To resist the Spirit Devourer disaster and strengthen the Foundation of our South, the 'Hidden Dragon Academy' is hereby established to select and devotedly Cultivate talented individuals.]

[Selection Criteria: Under thirty years of age, cultivation at the fourth level of Qi Refining or above, clean background, and resilient Heart-Nature.]

[Rewards: The top ten will receive one foundation establishment pill and enjoy Core Disciple treatment at the Hidden Dragon Academy; the top fifty will enjoy Inner Sect Disciple treatment; the top hundred will enjoy Outer Sect Disciple treatment.]

[Note: We are also recruiting Alchemists, Artifact Refiners, Formation Masters, Spiritual Plant Masters, and other talents. Terms are negotiable, and merit will be rewarded.]

Below the announcement were the official Seal of the City Lord's Mansion and Lin Yue's personal signature.

"A foundation establishment pill... for the top ten?!"

A young Loose Cultivator's eyes widened, his voice trembling.

foundation establishment pills were rare on the market; usually, only Sect Disciples or direct descendants of great Families had a chance to obtain them. But now, Luoxia City was offering them directly as rewards!

"That's not all."

An old man nearby stroked his beard. "My nephew works at the City Lord's Mansion. I heard that the cultivation resources at the Hidden Dragon Academy are supplied according to the standards of Qinglan Sect's Inner Sect Disciples. spirit fields, alchemy rooms, Artifact Refining Workshops, trial towers... they have everything."

"Qinglan Sect's Inner Sect standards?!"

Another wave of commotion swept through the crowd.

Qinglan Sect was the only Nascent Soul Stage Sect in the South; the treatment of its Inner Sect Disciples was something they wouldn't have dared to dream of in the past.

"This Luoxia City... is truly about to rise."

Someone remarked with emotion.

"Isn't it? I heard that during the battle at Corrupt Dragon Pool a few days ago, City Lord Lin took only a hundred men and wiped out the Black Lotus Cult's Spirit Summoning Grand Ritual, even slaying a Nascent Soul Stage Spirit Devouring Sacrificer!"

"I heard that too! Three Golden Core Elders from the Qinglan Sect personally assisted, and the Star Gazing Emissary from the Star Track Pavilion stayed in Luoxia City as a Guest Elder!"

Amidst the discussions, more and more people began to feel tempted.

Loose Cultivators saw a chance to change their fate.

Children of small Families saw the possibility of surpassing their peers.

Even some young people who had originally intended to join the Qinglan Sect began to hesitate—while the Qinglan Sect was good, the competition was fierce and the rules were strict. Luoxia City was in its rising phase, offering more opportunities and fewer constraints.

In just three short days, the number of people registered for the Hidden Dragon Grand Ceremony had exceeded three thousand!

...City Lord's Mansion, side hall of the Council Hall.

Lin Yue, Star Radiance, and three Elders of the Lin Family sat around a table, on which thick registration ledgers were spread out.

"Three thousand one hundred and twenty-seven people."

Elder Lin Shi had a look of excitement on his face. "Among them, over eight hundred are in the Late Stage Qi Refining, over two thousand are in the Middle Stage Qi Refining, and a dozen or so Early Stage Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivators have also registered—though they are over the age limit, they are willing to join the Hidden Dragon Academy as 'Instructors'."

"Good."

Lin Yue nodded. "How is the screening process progressing?"

"The first round, the 'Heart-Nature Test', has been completed. Over seven hundred people were eliminated, mostly those with impure hearts or weak wills."

Elder Lin De took over the conversation. "The remaining two thousand four hundred will begin the second round, the 'Aptitude Assessment', tomorrow. According to the City Lord's instructions, we are not only testing Spiritual Roots but also Comprehension Ability, perseverance, and special talents."

"Special talents?" Star Radiance asked curiously.

"Yes."

Lin Yue explained, "Some people have ordinary Spiritual Roots but possess special talents in Alchemy, Artifact Refining, or Formations. Such people are equally worth cultivating."

A flash of admiration crossed Star Radiance's eyes.

This selection method was more reasonable and humane than the practice in most Sects of the Middle Realm, which only valued Spiritual Roots.

"And the third round?"

"The third round is a practical combat trial."

Lin Hu said in a deep voice, "It will be held in the newly opened 'Trial Canyon' north of the city, simulating various combat environments to test practical combat and adaptability. This round will eliminate most of the participants, leaving only three hundred."

Three hundred people... Star Radiance calculated in her mind.

If all three hundred elites were cultivated, in ten years, there would be at least thirty Foundation Establishment Cultivators, and perhaps even Golden Core Seeds.

Such a force would be considered significant even in the Middle Realm.

"Are the cultivation resources sufficient?" she asked the crucial question.

"For now, yes, but in the long run..."

Lin Yue looked at Star Radiance. "Therefore, we need the help of the Star Track Pavilion."

"The Star Track Pavilion?"

"To be precise, the Star Track Pavilion's 'Astral Body Tempering Technique' and 'Star Gazing Deduction Method'."

Lin Yue said seriously, "The Body Tempering technique can solidify the Foundation, and the deduction method can enhance Comprehension Ability. With the assistance of these two secret techniques, the cultivation efficiency of the Hidden Dragon Academy will increase by at least thirty percent."

Star Radiance pondered for a moment.

The Astral Body Tempering Technique and Star Gazing Deduction Method were indeed core Legacies of the Star Track Pavilion, usually only taught to Inner Sect Disciples.

However, Lin Yue's request was reasonable, and Luoxia City's resistance against the Spirit Devouring Clan was for the greater good of the Human Race.

"I can teach the basic chapters, but the higher-level parts require the Pavilion Master's approval."

"The basic chapters are enough."

Lin Yue smiled. "In addition, I hope the Star Track Pavilion can dispatch a few Disciples proficient in Formations to assist Luoxia City in setting up 'Spirit Gathering Formations' and 'Trial Illusion Formations'. In return, Luoxia City will open part of the mining rights for the dragon pattern jade and thunder pattern crystal ore veins to the Star Track Pavilion."

Opening mining rights... Star Radiance's eyes lit up.

dragon pattern jade and thunder pattern crystals were scarce resources, greatly beneficial for the Star Track Pavilion's Formations and Magical Artifact Refining.

This condition was enough for her to secure more support from her Sect.

"Deal."

...The next day, Trial Canyon.

Two thousand four hundred Cultivators who had passed the preliminary screening gathered at the canyon entrance, everyone's expression a mix of nervousness and expectation.

At the entrance of the canyon stood a three-zhang-tall stone tablet, with four powerful characters carved upon it:

Hidden Dragon Trial

Lin Yue stood by the stone tablet, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.

"Today's trial consists of three stages."

His voice, bolstered by spiritual power, reached everyone's ears clearly.

"The first stage is the 'Miasma Forest'. You must cross a three-li miasma zone within a hundred breaths. No defensive Magical Artifacts may be used; you must rely solely on your own spiritual power to resist."

"The second stage is the 'Falling Rock Formation'. You must navigate through a one-li stretch of moving giant rocks. Those hit by a rock will be eliminated."

"The third stage is the 'Illusion Bridge'. The bridge is thirty zhang long, and various illusions will appear to disturb your mind. Those who fall will be eliminated."

"Those who pass all three stages will be ranked by time, and the top three hundred will be admitted to the Hidden Dragon Academy."

As his voice fell, a commotion broke out among the crowd.

None of these three stages sounded simple, especially the first one—resisting miasma without using artifacts was a massive test for Qi Refining Cultivators.

"Begin!"

Lin Yue gave the command.

Two thousand four hundred people poured into the canyon like a tide.

In the Miasma Forest, pale green poisonous fog drifted; the pungent smell could be detected even from afar.

Many Cultivators turned pale as soon as they entered, forced to slow down and exert their full spiritual power for protection.

But a few individuals performed brilliantly.

A youth in green didn't stop, a pale green spiritual light appearing on his body that automatically pushed away the approaching miasma—this was a sign of subtle control over spiritual power.

A girl in purple formed hand Seals, fine electric arcs appearing around her. Wherever the arcs passed, the miasma dissipated—this was the rare Lightning Spiritual Root talent.

There was also a burly man who didn't defend at all, charging through the miasma. Pale gold patterns appeared on his skin, directly absorbing and refining the miasma—this was a special Body Refining technique.

"There are quite a few good prospects."

On the viewing platform, Star Radiance nodded slightly.

Lin Yue also showed a satisfied expression.

These Cultivators with special talents or techniques were exactly what the Hidden Dragon Academy needed most.

Half a day later.

The trial concluded.

In the end, only two hundred and eighty-seven people passed all three stages, slightly fewer than the intended three hundred.

But Lin Yue was not disappointed—better to have fewer but better. The Hidden Dragon Academy wanted elites, not mediocre fillers.

"Congratulations to all of you for passing the selection."

He stood on the high platform, looking at the two hundred and eighty-seven people below, who were breathless but had bright eyes.

"From today onwards, you are the first batch of Disciples of the Hidden Dragon Academy. I hope you will Cultivate diligently, become talented soon, and join me in guarding the South and resisting the Spirit Devourers."

"We shall follow the City Lord's teachings!"

Everyone shouted in unison, their eyes filled with longing.

The Hidden Dragon Academy was officially established... Seven days later.

Luoxia City welcomed new guests.

Three giant flying boats, each a hundred zhang long, hovered in the air thirty li north of the city.

The flying boats were silvery-white, their surfaces covered in complex Formation runes. The flag of the Seven Star Alliance—seven stars surrounding a longsword—hung from the bows.

"They're here."

On the city wall, Lin Yue and Star Radiance stood side by side.

"They are standard flying boats of the Seven Star Alliance's 'Tianshu Department'."

Star Radiance said in a low voice, "The Tianshu Department is in charge of external affairs and crisis response. It seems the Seven Star Alliance truly takes the situation in the South seriously."

The flying boats slowly descended.

The hatch opened, and the first to step out was an old man in purple robes with white hair and a youthful face.

The old man's aura was as deep as the abyss and as vast as the sea. Although it was restrained, the pressure of the Nascent Soul Stage still made everyone on the city wall catch their breath.

"Mid Nascent Soul Stage..."

Lin Yue's eyes narrowed slightly.

Behind the old man followed over ten people, both men and women. Their cultivation levels were at least Early Golden Core Stage, and the highest among them, a middle-aged man, had even reached the Early Nascent Soul Stage.

Such a lineup was more than enough to wipe out any power in the South.

"Lin Yue of Luoxia City welcomes the envoys of the Seven Star Alliance."

Lin Yue stepped forward and cupped his hands neither humbly nor arrogantly.

The purple-robed old man's gaze landed on Lin Yue, a flash of surprise in his eyes.

"Late Stage Golden Core... and less than forty years of age. City Lord Lin, you truly live up to your reputation."

He nodded slightly. "I am an Elder of the Seven Star Alliance's Tianshu Department, known as 'Mysterious Yang Master'. I have come by order of the Alliance Leader to investigate the matters of the Black Lotus Cult and the Spirit Devouring Clan."

"Envoys, please enter the city."

Lin Yue stepped aside to make way.

Mysterious Yang Master did not refuse and led the group into the city.

Along the way, his gaze frequently swept over the streets, buildings, and passing Cultivators.

The more he saw, the greater his internal surprise grew.

The prosperity of Luoxia City far exceeded his expectations—the streets were clean and wide, shops were lined up, Cultivators came and went in a constant stream, and everyone had a vibrant look on their face.

More importantly, the Spiritual Qi concentration of the city was at least thirty percent higher than recorded in the intelligence!

"City Lord Lin governs well."

Mysterious Yang Master praised, "To develop a frontier town to such a scale in just two years is rare even in the Middle Realm."

"The envoy overpraises me."

Lin Yue said modestly, "It is merely a stroke of luck to have gained some Opportunities, and with the help of the Qinglan Sect and the Star Track Pavilion."

During the conversation, the group arrived at the City Lord's Mansion.

Inside the Council Hall, the hosts and guests took their seats.

Mysterious Yang Master did not waste words and went straight to the point.

"City Lord Lin, in the battle at Corrupt Dragon Pool, you killed a Nascent Soul Stage Spirit Devouring Sacrificer. This matter has alarmed the Middle Realm. The Alliance Leader has ordered: we must clarify the connection between the Black Lotus Cult and the Spirit Devouring Clan, as well as... the true situation of the South's Seal."

He took out a Jade Slip and pushed it toward Lin Yue.

"This is a personal letter from the Alliance Leader. The Alliance Leader hopes that Luoxia City can fully cooperate with the investigation and... join the Seven Star Alliance as the South Branch."

Join the Seven Star Alliance?

Lin Yue's heart stirred.

This was recruitment, but also a test.

If he agreed, Luoxia City would gain the resource support of the Seven Star Alliance, but it also meant being subject to its constraints.

If he didn't agree... the force behind Mysterious Yang Master was enough to make Luoxia City pay a heavy price.

"This is a significant matter; I need time to consider it."

Lin Yue did not respond immediately.

"Very well."

Mysterious Yang Master nodded. "However, while the City Lord considers, the investigation team will need to be stationed in Luoxia City, review relevant records, and question those involved. Additionally..."

He paused, his gaze sharp.

"We need to enter the Burial Dragon Abyss to conduct an on-site inspection of the Seal's condition."

Finally, he had reached the main point.

Lin Yue and Star Radiance exchanged a glance.

What was bound to come had finally arrived.