502: I heard that your Imperial Son is in the Inland Sea...

Shenxiao Sect, located in Yunzhou, has countless Cultivators under its command. In the Yunzhou territory, anyone who mentions the name Shenxiao Sect will steer clear.

This is simply because the name Shenxiao Sect represents everything in Yunzhou. Even the governor who manages Yunzhou is a Disciple of this Sect. As long as one is in this territory, no one can escape the control of this Sect.

The power of Shenxiao Sect is not only famous in Yunzhou but also well-known throughout the entire Eastern Continent, being recognized as one of the Five Immortal Great Sects!

It stands alongside Eastern Extreme Divine Cult, Iron Mountain Divine Sect, Feiliu Palace, and Illusion God Sect.

The Eastern Continent is vast, with numerous Sects. Besides these five Immortal Great Sects, other forces may not reach their level, but their strength should not be underestimated. Many Sects' power is almost comparable to Immortal Great Sects; what they lack is an Immortal Realm expert!

The essence of an Immortal Great Sect is to have an Immortal Realm expert overseeing it, capable of suppressing the fate of One Sect and deterring Cultivators from other Sects.

Yunzhou, Fenglin City.

Many Cultivators come to this city. Fenglin City is one of the rare large cities in Yunzhou because it is under the direct control of Shenxiao Sect, and there is a direct way to Shenxiao Sect from here.

Therefore, many Cultivators come to this large city, hoping to try their luck.

Besides trying their luck, every three years, on the third day of the third month, Shenxiao Sect also holds a Disciple recruitment convention in Fenglin City. As long as one's talent is good enough, there is a significant chance of being selected.

"The triennial Shenxiao Sect recruitment day! Don't miss it! Past exam questions are here, guaranteeing your smooth entry into Shenxiao Sect! Only three thousand jin of divine marrow!"

"Selling a hundred-year-old Clear Lotus Dew! It can guarantee a one-level advancement, allowing you to go further on the path of recruitment! A rare Opportunity, only one bottle left! Miss it and it's gone!"

"Selling a high-quality Earth Rank Divine Weapon! A Legacy from a Golden Body Realm Peak expert from twenty thousand years ago! There's a chance to comprehend a Divine Ability from ten thousand years ago! Come and see!"

The streets were filled with hawkers' cries, and people came and went. The passersby were all Cultivators, and the items sold by these hawkers were naturally a mix of genuine and fake.

Those with keen eyesight might even find a bargain, but most were there to fleece the gullible. Transactions between Cultivators also followed the principle of voluntary buying and selling; whether one profited or lost depended on their own ability.

In a restaurant on one side of the street, several young figures sat on the second floor, looking indifferently at the Cultivators passing by outside, their expressions quite disdainful.

"Shenxiao Sect recruits Disciples, yet they allow these Jianghu swindlers to gather here. Aren't they afraid of losing face for Shenxiao Sect?"

The speaker was a young man, appearing to be around thirty years old, exuding the aura of the Heavenly Phenomenon Realm. Even among this group, he stood out.

Another young man at the same table frowned upon hearing this and said calmly, "Our Shenxiao Sect has always been tolerant. Cultivators in the Eastern Continent already have it tough. Everyone acts according to their own fate; what's wrong with that?"

This young man was Li Yun, a Genius Disciple of Shenxiao Sect.

The young man who spoke earlier smiled faintly, not feeling that anything was wrong, nor did he take Li Yun's words to heart. Instead, he continued unhurriedly.

"Can swindling and deceiving be described so grandiosely? This is truly the first time I've heard such a thing."

"Within the scope of our Eastern Extreme Divine Cult, such things have never happened, and we disdain to rely on such methods to attract people."

"Such methods have already fallen to a lower standard. If one truly has ability, why would they need to cheat people on their own territory? It's better to go out and cheat others."

There was nothing wrong with these words; they sounded crude but were quite reasonable.

As one of the five Immortal Great Sects of the Eastern Continent, the Eastern Extreme Divine Cult's style of action was completely different from other Sects. They rarely flaunted their power in the Eastern Continent, preferring to act in other regions.

The Southern Region, Western Ridge, and Northern Wilderness—their traces were left in almost every place.

"Brother Ye speaks well, but unfortunately, going out also carries risks. One careless mistake and you might perish!"

"I heard that your Emperor's Companion is in the Inner Sea..."

Li Yun spoke with Yin and Yang, but before he could finish, Ye Lin interrupted him.

"Enough!"

Ye Lin's originally complacent expression vanished, and a hint of ferocity appeared on his calm face.

Nangong Shang of the Eastern Extreme Divine Cult was the only Emperor's Companion in a thousand years. His cultivation was astonishing, and most importantly, he was very young. At his age, he had every chance to gain something in the upcoming Contest of the Imperial Son.

However, no one expected that this Opportunity, which was clearly meant for gaining benefits, would lead to Nangong Shang's demise in the Inner Sea. When this news spread, the Eastern Extreme Divine Cult was greatly shaken!

No one dared to easily discuss this topic; if they did, it was only in private.

Now, being told to his face by Li Yun, Ye Lin's anger instantly erupted, and he almost couldn't resist making a move.

"Brother Li, Brother Ye, please calm down. We've been friends for many years. We're gathered here today not to discuss the past. Please cool your tempers."

At this moment, a young man with a portly figure and chubby face stood up, acting as a peacemaker.

This fatty looked harmless, but his background was not to be underestimated. He was a Disciple of Illusion God Sect, one of the five Immortal Great Sects of the Eastern Continent, and he was about to become one of the Sect's Saints.

His name was Qian Fugui, a rather common-sounding name, but he lived up to it; he was indeed very wealthy!

Not only did his physique and appearance look prosperous, but more importantly, his Family's wealth was famously rich in the Eastern Continent. His business spread across the Four Domains; besides Myriad Treasures Pavilion, his Qian Family was the most famous.

As soon as Qian Fugui spoke, the other several accompanying Sect Disciples also began to persuade them.

After a long while, Qian Fugui said, "Brother Li Yun, why did your Shenxiao Sect suddenly open the Thunder Cloud Grotto-Heaven? And you're grandly inviting Disciples from various Sects to enter the Grotto-Heaven? Could it be that there's some special discovery?"

Thunder Cloud Grotto-Heaven is a Secret Realm Grotto-Heaven controlled by Shenxiao Sect. Such Secret Realm Grotto-Heavens exist in every Sect; it's just a matter of which Sect's output is richer and which has higher value.

It's essentially the same principle as the various Forbidden Grounds in the Inner Sea.

The difference is that these Grotto-Heavens are not formed from the deaths of demons, but appear due to various reasons, such as the ruins of an ancient Sect or a newly formed Secret Realm.

And Shenxiao Sect's Thunder Cloud Grotto-Heaven is one of the ancient Sect ruins!

This Grotto-Heaven was originally only accessible to their internal Shenxiao Sect Disciples, with only one Opportunity each year for Disciples from other Sects to enter and seek Opportunity.

The scheduled opening time for this year had not yet arrived, but they suddenly began inviting Disciples from various Sects to enter, clearly indicating some unknown secret within.