19: A grand celestial event!

Three days passed in a flash.

In front of the Lin Family mansion gate, a "Cloud-Piercing Shuttle" (Earth Rank High Grade flying Magical Artifact) that Lin Dao had exchanged from the Intermediate treasure vault was already suspended in the air.

The shuttle body was streamlined, with runes faintly visible. Although it wasn't as ferocious as the Cloud Sky Heavenly Sect's warship that day, it possessed an inherent nimble and extraordinary Aura.

Lin Hao, Ye Chen, and Lin Yun stood before the shuttle, all having changed into brand new Lin Family attire—blue base with cloud patterns, small star-pine needle insignias embroidered on the cuffs. They were full of heroic spirit, their eyes sharp, their Auras composed, having already adjusted their states to their Peak.

Lin Dao's figure appeared silently at the head of the Cloud-Piercing Shuttle. Dressed in white, he was still spotless, but his Aura had returned to its original simplicity. Had one not known his true background, they would have simply taken him for an ordinary person with no Cultivation.

"Let's go."

He lightly flicked his sleeve, and a gentle force lifted Lin Hao and the other two into the shuttle.

The Cloud-Piercing Shuttle vibrated slightly, transforming into a streak of azure light, instantly tearing through the clouds and speeding towards the Myriad Manifestations Academy. Its speed far surpassed that of an ordinary Tongtian Realm Cultivator's aerial flight.

The shuttle's journey was smooth, and its interior space was much more spacious than it appeared from the outside.

Lin Hao closed his eyes to rest, his fingertips unconsciously tracing sword moves on his lap;

Ye Chen quietly circulated the Archaic Savage Bull Art, his blood Qi pulsating like a tide;

Lin Yun, meanwhile, sat by the window, occasionally a starlight glimmering in his eyes, curiously looking down at the rapidly passing mountains and rivers below.

Lin Dao stood with his hands behind his back at the head of the shuttle, his Divine Thought already spread out like an invisible, vast net.

The Soul Power of a Heavenly Soul Realm Third Layer allowed him to clearly perceive everything within the vast territory below while traveling.

Cities, villages, Sects, Loose Cultivators... the lights of countless homes, the myriad states of sentient beings, all reflected in his mind.

He could even vaguely perceive the waxing and waning of Luck in some places, and the direction of Spiritual Veins.

This was an unprecedented experience, as if holding the Yin and Yang in his grasp, looking down upon the mortal world.

The journey was not entirely smooth.

Once, some ignorant flying demonic birds, sensing the Aura of the Cloud-Piercing Shuttle, attempted to attack. Before they could even get close, Lin Dao's gaze alone shattered them into a bloody mist from a distance.

They also encountered flying shuttles from other forces heading to Myriad Manifestations Academy. Some were arrogant, attempting to intimidate, or curiously approached to investigate. All were deterred by a slight hint of Lin Dao's Heavenly Soul Realm Aura, not daring to act presumptuously.

The closer they got to the "Myriad Manifestations Mountain Range" where Myriad Manifestations Academy was located, the more flying shuttles and Cultivators they encountered, and their Auras grew stronger.

Spirit Sea Realm Cultivators were as numerous as cattle, Tongtian Realm Cultivators were not uncommon, and occasionally, even the subtle Aura fluctuations of Life Soul Realm Cultivators could be felt.

The vastness of Qingzhou and the multitude of its powerful individuals were clearly evident.

On this day, the Cloud-Piercing Shuttle was flying above a boundless sea of clouds.

Suddenly, violent energy fluctuations and shouts came from the front-side.

A clearly marked merchant shuttle was being besieged by three black flying shuttles flying skull banners!

The merchant shuttle's protective barrier was flickering precariously, and the Cultivators on board were resisting desperately, but they were already in grave danger.

The marauders were ruthless in their methods, and their Cultivation was surprisingly strong. The one leading them, a One-Eyed Burly Man, even possessed the Cultivation of a Tongtian Realm Peak!

"It's the Black Skull Bandits! These damned hyenas!" an old man on the merchant shuttle roared in grief and rage, seeing that the ship and its crew were about to be destroyed.

The arrival of the Lin Family's Cloud-Piercing Shuttle obviously attracted the attention of both sides.

The One-Eyed Burly Man, while directing the attack, sneered and shouted from a distance:

"Front flying shuttle, if you know what's good for you, get lost! Don't meddle in others' affairs and bring trouble upon yourselves!"

The people on the merchant shuttle cast gazes of despair mixed with a glimmer of hope.

Lin Hao and the other two opened their eyes and looked at Lin Dao.

Lin Dao's expression was calm, as if he hadn't seen the battle ahead. The Cloud-Piercing Shuttle's speed did not decrease, heading directly towards the battlefield.

"Hmph! Seeking death!"

Seeing that the other party ignored his warning, the One-Eyed Burly Man's eyes flashed with fierce light. He actually dispatched one of the bandit flying shuttles, turned its cannon, and a black energy beam directly blasted towards the Lin Family's Cloud-Piercing Shuttle!

Upon seeing this, the old man on the merchant shuttle's glimmer of hope instantly shattered, turning into despair.

Having been targeted by the Black Skull Bandits, this passing flying shuttle would likely be unable to protect itself.

However, facing the energy beam capable of severely injuring a Tongtian Realm Cultivator, Lin Dao didn't even turn his head.

Just as the beam was about to hit the Cloud-Piercing Shuttle—

Buzz!

The seemingly decorative runes on the Cloud-Piercing Shuttle's surface suddenly lit up, and a barrier, thin as a cicada's wing yet flowing with profound starlight, instantly appeared.

The black energy beam struck the starlight barrier, yet failed to even stir a ripple, disappearing silently as if a mud ox had entered the sea!

"What?!" The One-Eyed Burly Man's pupils contracted sharply, his sneer frozen on his face.

The next moment, he saw the white-robed figure at the head of the azure flying shuttle seemingly... gently lift a finger and casually make a slicing motion towards his main ship.

The movement was understated, like swatting a fly.

Screech—!

A subtle, almost invisible spatial rift, like a black thread, appeared out of thin air, instantly sweeping across the largest black bandit flying shuttle.

Time seemed to stand still for a moment.

Immediately after, to the terrified gazes of the One-Eyed Burly Man and all the survivors, the massive flying shuttle, along with all the bandits on it, was split perfectly in half as if by an invisible heavenly blade! The cut was smooth as a mirror!

Rumble!!

The two halves of the ship collapsed inward, then erupted in an earth-shattering explosion, turning into two massive fireballs that plunged into the sea of clouds!

The Cultivators on the remaining two bandit flying shuttles were all scared silly, standing dumbfounded.

The Cultivators on the merchant shuttle were equally dumbfounded, as if they had seen a ghost.

Lin Dao, however, didn't even glance at the result of his attack. The Cloud-Piercing Shuttle's speed remained undiminished, passing leisurely between the two frozen bandit flying shuttles as if through insignificant dust, and in a blink of an eye, disappeared into the clouds in the sky.

It wasn't until long after the Cloud-Piercing Shuttle had vanished that the remaining Black Skull Bandits let out a cry, scattering and fleeing like stray dogs.

The people on the merchant shuttle, having narrowly escaped death, knelt down facing the direction the Lin Family's flying shuttle had departed, kowtowing repeatedly, overwhelmed with gratitude.

Inside the Cloud-Piercing Shuttle, Lin Hao and the other two exchanged glances. Although they already knew Old Ancestor was powerful, every time they saw him act, they were still incredibly shocked. It was a power beyond their level of comprehension.

Ye Chen smacked his lips: "Old Ancestor, that move you just made... what Realm was it?"

Lin Dao did not turn back, only his faint voice came: "The subtlety of power's application lies in one's heart. Realm is important, but not absolute. Your path is still long."

Upon hearing this, the three were all deeply moved, gaining some enlightenment, and once again fell into contemplation and Cultivation.

After another half a day, the Cloud-Piercing Shuttle slowly decelerated.

Ahead, the scenery suddenly opened up.

Before them lay an endlessly majestic mountain range, as if connecting heaven and earth.

The mountains were grand and imposing, Spiritual Qi permeated into mist, transforming into colorful auspicious glow that encircled the mountains.

Countless pavilions, towers, and palace complexes were built along the mountains, densely packed, shining with various spiritual lights, their Aura magnificent and grand, far beyond what cities like Black Rock or Tianhuang could compare to.

At the highest point of the mountain range, amidst swirling clouds and mist, several gigantic floating Peaks were faintly visible, like immortal palaces, with thousands of flowing Dao patterns cascading down. That was the core of Myriad Manifestations Academy!

In the sky, various flying shuttles, Magical Artifacts, and even Cultivators riding exotic beasts converged from all directions like rivers flowing into the sea, landing on specially designated parking platforms and reception areas throughout the mountain range.

The clamor of voices was deafening, Auras were mixed, and the powerful were countless.

The grand event of Qingzhou, the Heavenly Vault Grand Gathering, had finally arrived!

The Cloud-Piercing Shuttle, following the guidance, landed on a rather spacious platform.

As Lin Dao, Lin Hao, Ye Chen, and Lin Yun stepped off the flying shuttle, they immediately felt countless gazes sweeping over them.

There was curiosity, scrutiny, disdain, and also... undisguised malice.

"Oh, aren't these the ones from the Lin Family of Qingfeng County? You really dared to come?" A sarcastic voice rang out.

Not far away, the Young City Lord of Liuyun City was walking over with a group of people, a mocking sneer on his face.

Beside him were several young men and women with composed Auras and sharp eyes, clearly his helpers or rather... accomplices.

One of them, a Youth surnamed Chen, had an Aura that had reached Spirit Sea Realm Ninth Layer. His eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, and he was scrutinizing Lin Hao and the other two from head to toe with a hint of disdain.

"What? You think just because you got lucky and gained a bit of an advantage at your own doorstep, you can come to this Heavenly Vault Grand Gathering and flaunt your power?"

The Young City Lord of Liuyun City fanned himself, his tone harsh,

"Don't get eliminated in the first round later; that would be a disgrace to the entire Qingzhou!"

Ye Chen's brows furrowed, about to retort, but Lin Hao gently held him back.

Lin Hao stepped forward, his gaze calmly meeting that of the Spirit Sea Realm Ninth Layer Youth, and said indifferently: "Whether it's a disgrace or not, we'll only know after competing. If Your Excellency has any pointers, I await you on the arena at any time."

The Youth's eyes narrowed slightly, and he snorted coldly: "Sharp-tongued. I hope your sword is as hard as your mouth."

The Young City Lord of Liuyun City wanted to say more, but suddenly felt an inexplicable chill, as if he had been glanced at by something extremely terrifying. He instantly stiffened, his words caught in his throat, unable to utter a single sound.

He looked around suspiciously, but found nothing.

Lin Dao had not looked at them once throughout, as if they were just a few buzzing flies. He stepped forward, his voice calmly stating: "Let's go, first to report."

Lin Hao and the other two coldly swept their gazes over the people from Liuyun City, then followed Lin Dao.

Only after they had walked far away did the Young City Lord of Liuyun City let out a long breath, his back already soaked with cold sweat.

"Brother Chen, just now..." He looked at the Spirit Sea Realm Ninth Layer Youth with lingering fear.

The Youth surnamed Chen's expression was also slightly solemn. He looked at Lin Dao's departing back, his brows tightly furrowed:

"That white-robed man... is unfathomable. You, Liuyun City, might have truly provoked someone you shouldn't have this time."

"What?" The Young City Lord of Liuyun City's face changed.

"However, there's no need to worry too much." The Youth surnamed Chen then sneered again,

"At the Grand Gathering, strength speaks. No matter how strong he is, he's of the older generation and cannot interfere with the juniors' competition. As long as we openly cripple those three boys on the arena, he'll have nothing to say!"

On the other side, Lin Dao and the three had already merged into the crowd, heading towards the registration point.

The surrounding area was bustling with people, various Geniuses and powerful individuals gathered, their Auras mixed, full of opportunities, and also full of challenges.

Lin Hao's hand rested on his sword hilt, Ye Chen stretched his neck, and Lin Yun's eyes flickered with starlight.

In the eyes of the three, there was only surging Battle Intent.