132: Gather at the Nine Star Mountains!

However, despite that, Lu Sheng firmly kept this information in mind.

Once he reached the Nine Stars Secret Realm, Lu Sheng was determined to test it out.

If it didn't work, there would be no loss for Lu Sheng.

But if it really could... then this trip to the Nine Stars Secret Realm would be interesting!

Even though he already possessed two red Rank Talents, for Lu Sheng, it was far from enough!

Currently, he was merely at the Viscera Refining Realm, facing the constant threat of the alien demons hanging over the Great Xia Human Clan.

This much strength was far from enough!

Let alone his small Viscera Refining Realm, even figures like the Ten Saints of Great Xia still faced risks!

To survive this overarching trend, he had to improve his strength.

One or two red Talents were nowhere near enough; perhaps... he still needed the blessing of a golden Talent!

Lu Sheng thought silently to himself.

"Aside from the Secret Realm creatures, there's the most important assessment!"

Nightingale's voice rang in Lu Sheng's ears at this moment.

Lu Sheng's eyebrows twitched slightly as he listened to Nightingale's explanation.

"To put it simply, the Nine Stars Secret Realm is where Old Man Nine Stars chooses his successor; only by meeting Old Man Nine Stars' requirements can one naturally obtain Old Man Nine Stars' Legacy, and even the method for the Immaculate Golden Body!"

"And the key point lies in this Legacy assessment!"

"Everyone who reaches Old Man Nine Stars' Burial Ground will enter the assessment together. Of course, if you miss the start time of the assessment, even if you arrive here, you won't be able to enter. So, after you enter the Nine Stars Secret Realm, you must rush to the Burial Ground immediately. As for the map of the Nine Stars Secret Realm, it's here!"

Saying this, Nightingale took out a Jade Slip.

The Jade Slip glowed with a white jade luster, and a profound fluctuation subtly emanated from it.

"Place the Jade Slip on your forehead, and the map of the Nine Stars Secret Realm will naturally appear in your mind. Use this after you enter the Nine Stars Secret Realm!"

Nightingale handed it to Lu Sheng. Lu Sheng took it, played with it for a while, and then continued to listen to Nightingale's instructions.

"The assessment is actually quite simple, divided into three parts: potential, strength, and Comprehension Ability!"

"You don't need to mention potential; you broke the Qi and Blood Limit. No one in Great Xia has greater potential than you!"

At this point, Nightingale couldn't help but glance at Lu Sheng, a hint of complexity in her eyes.

She knew that Xu Changqing was able to break the Qi and Blood Limit and overcome his Heart Demon because of Lu Sheng.

This guy was the real ruthless one who broke the Qi and Blood Limit by relying on himself!

"As for strength... the strongest is only Bone Forging Fifth Layer. Even if you're not their opponent, you can still achieve good results!"

"And finally, this point of Comprehension Ability!"

"This is a bit hard to say. Generally speaking, Comprehension Ability targets the understanding of Martial Arts, but according to those who have entered the assessment, Old Man Nine Stars' method of assessing Comprehension Ability seems very different; everyone's experience is unique."

"So, for this point, you'll need to judge for yourself when you enter the assessment!"

"Alright, that's all I have to say about the Nine Stars Secret Realm. Do you have any other questions?"

Nightingale looked at Lu Sheng.

Lu Sheng pondered for a moment, then asked some more questions about the Nine Stars Secret Realm.

As the two conversed, the Spiritual Qi warship was also rapidly soaring towards the Nine Stars Mountain Range... Nine Stars Mountain Range!

Located in the eastern part of Great Xia.

Famous for the existence of the Nine Stars Secret Realm.

Decades ago, numerous Vicious Beasts were hidden within the Nine Stars Mountain Range, including even Golden Body Realm Vicious Beasts.

In the past, Great Xia was constantly struggling when facing the alien demons.

Naturally, they were too busy to deal with the Vicious Beasts in the Nine Stars Mountain Range. As long as they didn't easily enter the Nine Stars Mountain Range, these Vicious Beasts and the Great Xia Human Clan coexisted peacefully.

However, with the opening of the Nine Stars Secret Realm, Great Xia had no choice but to focus its attention on the Nine Stars Mountain Range. To ensure the safety of the Secret Realm, many Golden Body Realm powerhouses, and even Nirvana Realm powerhouses, were dispatched.

They cleared the entire mountain range of Vicious Beasts, creating a good and safe environment for the opening of the Nine Stars Secret Realm.

And on the summit of the Nine Stars Mountain Range, there was a huge open space.

On the open space, figures stood quietly.

There were old and young.

"Three years have passed. This last opening of the Nine Stars Secret Realm, if no one obtains the method for the Immaculate Golden Body, I'm afraid it will take at least a hundred years for Great Xia to produce another Old Man Nine Stars!"

An old man, dressed in a Zhongshan suit and leaning on a walking stick, looked at an open space on the mountain peak and spoke as if to himself.

"Indeed, the Nine Stars Secret Realm has opened eight times, and this is the last time. If no one can obtain Old Man Nine Stars' Legacy, Great Xia will have to take who knows how many detours to cultivate an Immaculate Golden Body powerhouse!"

Beside the old man was a burly man. One of the man's eyes was covered by a hideous saber scar, and his body was filled with a strong scent of blood.

"For this time, our Tianling Academy has brought out all of our top Prodigies. I hope this final opening will bring some gains for our Great Xia!"

A thin middle-aged man said with a smile.

Behind the three, stood young people who looked no older than twenty.

The opening of the Nine Stars Secret Realm not only had cultivation restrictions but also age restrictions.

Those whose cultivation did not exceed Bone Forging Fifth Layer and whose age did not exceed twenty could enter the Nine Stars Secret Realm.

But even with such seemingly strict requirements, the Martial Arts Academies of Great Xia always had Prodigies to put forward.

"This time... I'm afraid it will be difficult. I heard that Profound Sword Academy has dispatched an S-Rank Prodigy!"

The old man leaning on his walking stick said faintly.

As soon as these words were spoken, both the burly man and the thin middle-aged man's eyes showed a hint of solemnity.

Although it was a good thing for Great Xia if anyone could obtain Old Man Nine Stars' Legacy, there was still competition between the Martial Arts Academies.

In the eastern part of Great Xia, Profound Sword Academy was the top Martial Arts Academy.

Below Profound Sword Academy, many other good Martial Arts Academies also wanted to challenge Profound Sword Academy's position.

However, facing Profound Sword Academy's profound heritage, they still couldn't compare.

As a result, the quality of their recruits was far inferior to that of Profound Sword Academy.

Therefore, when they heard the old man say that Profound Sword Academy had dispatched an S-Rank Prodigy, their expressions became slightly gloomy.

Although they had some confidence in their own students, they also understood that there was a certain gap between their students and Profound Sword Academy's S-Rank Prodigy.

"What if it's an S-Rank Prodigy? The third stage of Old Man Nine Stars' assessment isn't just about potential. If their luck isn't good, they might still not get Old Man Nine Stars' Legacy!"

The thin middle-aged man said calmly.

But even as he said this, he still felt a bit uneasy.

Although they weren't sure what the final stage truly tested, they could confirm that the better the talent, the better the results in the third stage.

Profound Sword Academy dispatching an S-Rank Prodigy this time clearly showed their determination to obtain Old Man Nine Stars' Legacy!

For a moment, the three exchanged glances, and a hint of helplessness appeared in their eyes.

Some words could only be self-deceiving.

Just as the three were in silence, a hearty laugh suddenly echoed between heaven and earth.

"Haha, gentlemen, I didn't expect you to arrive so quickly. It's quite a surprise to me, Li!"

Hearing this voice, the three looked towards the direction from which it came.

They saw a middle-aged man in casual clothes, carrying a black heavy sword on his back.

And behind the middle-aged man was a stern-faced young man, whose eyes were indifferent, as if no one could cause him any emotional fluctuations.

The young man, like the middle-aged man, also carried a black heavy sword on his back.

"Profound Sword Academy, Li Ran!"

The three narrowed their eyes slightly, a hint of apprehension in their gaze, but it quickly faded.

The three men chuckled and cupped their hands at Li Ran, saying with a smile.

“We've only just arrived here ourselves. But Brother Li Ran, is Profound Sword Academy only sending one student this time?”

The old man with the cane spoke indifferently.

Li Ran’s smile remained unchanged as he said with a laugh, “One is enough!”

Within those short four words, there was an intense self-confidence.

And when the three men heard Li Ran’s words, their expressions became a little unnatural.

They looked back at the handful of students from their own Academies, then at the young man standing quietly behind Li Ran from Profound Sword Academy.

The disparity was clear.

It was, after all, Profound Sword Academy. Even though this opening of the Nine Stars Secret Realm was its last, it still possessed such confidence.

Only one student dispatched!

However, the three men would not underestimate him because of this. After all, they had received news that this student from Profound Sword Academy had obtained an S-Rank contract, a true Prodigy!

Martial Arts Academies, when recruiting students, besides those who met the admission requirements and automatically enrolled.

They would also offer some benefits to recruit a few top-tier Prodigies.

To put it plainly, it was a scholarship.

Only, in the Martial Arts Academy’s terminology, it was referred to as a contract.

And contracts were divided into S-Rank, A-Rank, and B-Rank.

Even the lowest B-Rank contract far surpassed that of generally admitted students, indicating a certain level of talent.

But an S-Rank contract was different; that was a contract that only the truly top-tier Prodigies of Great Xia could obtain!

Of course, the requirements for contracts varied among different Academies.

Take Profound Sword Academy, for example.

Basically, a Prodigy who could obtain an S-Rank contract had the potential to at least reach Nirvana, or even Creation Realm, in the future!

It showed how difficult it was to obtain an S-Rank contract.

And this time, for the Legacy of Old Man Nine Stars, Profound Sword Academy actually sent a true S-Rank contract holder!

“It seems Brother Li Ran is full of confidence this time!”

The gaunt middle-aged man said with a bitter smile.

Li Ran smiled faintly, a hint of arrogance on his Face.

As a teacher of Profound Sword Academy, it was naturally a matter of Face to travel with a Prodigy from his own Academy.

“Since Brother Li Ran has arrived, shall we begin? Summon the Secret Realm?”

The burly man spoke indifferently, his voice filled with an aura of iron and blood.

Li Ran shook his head and said indifferently, “No rush, someone else is coming!”

As soon as these words were spoken, the three men were stunned.

The qualifications for the Nine Stars Secret Realm were basically monopolized by the eastern part of Great Xia, and only Academies recognized by the Martial Alliance were eligible to allow students to enter.

And their three Academies were only qualified to enter because they were second only to Profound Sword Academy in eastern Great Xia.

This Nine Stars Secret Realm had always been divided among their four families, and no one else had ever entered.

When… did other people appear?

The three men frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, “Aren’t the slots for the Nine Stars Secret Realm already finalized? Why are there other people coming in? This… isn’t it against the rules?”

A trace of unnaturalness flashed across Li Ran’s Face, then he snorted coldly: “Who can reason with that group of bandits!”

“To get this slot, they even dared to approach our principal!”

“Huh?”

The three men were immediately stunned by Li Ran’s words.

Goodness?

To get a slot, they went directly to the principal of Profound Sword Academy?

In Great Xia, who didn’t know that the principal of Profound Sword Academy was famously short-tempered and gave no one Face?

The group of bandits Li Ran spoke of actually dared to approach the principal of Profound Sword Academy?

That brave?

For a moment, the three men’s gossipy hearts were immediately stirred. However, seeing Li Ran’s slightly displeased expression, the three men still chose to keep quiet.

After all, the three of them were no match for Li Ran.

If Li Ran got angry, they might not have a very good time.

The three men exchanged glances, coughed, and then lowered their heads.

“They’re here!”

Suddenly, Li Ran’s cold voice rang out.

Accompanying Li Ran’s words, the three men immediately looked up. They also wanted to see who the bandits Li Ran spoke of truly were.

They dared to directly approach the principal of Profound Sword Academy!

Even the indifferent young man behind Li Ran, at this moment, also looked up, following Li Ran’s gaze.

And in that direction, a Spiritual Qi warship, mighty and majestic, soared through the clouds, rushing towards the Nine Stars Mountain Range at an extremely fast speed.

And upon seeing that Spiritual Qi warship, the old man with the cane and the other two instantly twitched their mouths slightly.

They finally understood why Li Ran would refer to them as bandits.

The people from that place… they were all shameless fellows!

The Spiritual Qi warship, shuttling through the clouds, had star patterns engraved on its sails.

And in all of Great Xia, the power marked with such a pattern.

It could only be Star Academy!

Although an Academy, it was not governed by the Great Xia military or the Martial Alliance. It was a special force independent of the Great Xia government.

In the eyes of other Martial Arts Academies, Star Academy was less a Martial Arts Academy and more a special talent training institution.

Its actions were extremely overbearing.

The resources it enjoyed far exceeded those of the Five Great Academies.

“Hmph!”

Li Ran looked at Star Academy’s warship, his expression becoming even more unnatural. He snorted coldly and looked at the young man behind him, saying in a deep voice.

“Han Bing, in the Nine Stars Secret Realm, if you have the chance, give the people from Star Academy a good lesson. As far as I know, the student from Star Academy this time is just a freshman. With your strength, teaching him a lesson shouldn’t be difficult, right!”

Han Bing, the indifferent young man, upon hearing Li Ran’s words, his gaze fell upon the warship constantly shuttling through the clouds, and a faint curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.

“I can!”

After receiving Han Bing’s reply, Li Ran nodded with satisfaction.

Although Han Bing was also a freshman, he was considered a Prodigy on par with a sophomore at Star Academy.

Teaching a freshman from Star Academy a lesson shouldn’t be too difficult!

Thinking of Star Academy’s principal, who acted without restraint, boldly barging into Profound Sword Academy and “borrowing” a slot from them.

Li Ran felt a surge of indignation.

However, they couldn’t afford to provoke Star Academy’s principal, but could it be that they couldn’t even provoke Star Academy’s students?

However, Li Ran didn’t tell Han Bing to kill him, just to teach him a slight lesson and vent some anger.

Just as Li Ran was feeling a surge of suppressed anger, the warship with the star patterns slowly landed on the peak of the Nine Stars Mountain Range.

Everyone’s gaze immediately fell upon the warship.

Especially the old man with the cane and the other two.

Star Academy was independent of the Great Xia official government. Their students, except for graduates, rarely traveled within Great Xia.

This time, they also wanted to see what kind of Prodigies the students of Star Academy were.

After all… in terms of heritage and reputation, Star Academy was on par with the Five Great Academies.

It even subtly overshadowed the Five Great Academies.

On the warship, figures slowly appeared.

The leader was dressed in a black robe, with an owl pattern engraved on it.

And among this group, there was a young man in a white combat suit.

“Star Academy, [Night Owl] Squad, greetings, Seniors!”

Nightingale’s voice slowly drifted down from the warship.

Li Ran and the other three raised their eyebrows slightly.

They were not unfamiliar with the [Night Owl] Squad. Star Academy’s combat squad frequently operated in major front-line cities, and their strength was extremely powerful.

They were even no weaker than, and perhaps even slightly stronger than, these teachers from Martial Arts Academies!

And as these words fell, the young man in the white combat suit also smiled slightly.

“Lu Sheng, 45th-term student of Star Academy, greetings, Seniors!”