182: Chapter 182 Gathering of Prodigies

Over the past three years, she had watched Ye Fan advance step by step from the Dragon Transformation First Change to the Ninth Change, watched him spar with Ji Zi time and again, and watched him grow stronger and stronger in battle.

In her heart, besides pride, there was also an indescribable emotion.

On this day, a guest suddenly arrived at the Ji Family.

It was the Saint of the Yaoguang Holy Land.

He brought a message—the Saints and Saintesses of several Great Holy Lands in the Eastern Wasteland were to gather at the Yaochi Holy Land to spar, discuss the Dao, and exchange insights from their three years of cultivation. He had specifically come to invite Ye Fan and Ji Zi to attend.

“An invitation from the Holy Maiden of Yaochi,” the Holy Son of Shaking Light said. “She said that when you visited the Yaochi Holy Land three years ago, she wasn't able to host you properly. This time, she would like to invite you to visit again.”

Ye Fan and Ji Zi looked at each other, both seeing interest in the other's eyes.

“When?” Ye Fan asked.

“In one month.”

“Good. We will go.”

The Holy Son of Shaking Light nodded, turned, and departed.

One month later, at the Yaochi Holy Land.

The Yaochi Holy Land was situated among spiritual mountains and elegant waters in the northern part of the Eastern Wasteland, shrouded in mist year-round with immortal cranes flying about. On this day, the Yaochi Holy Land was exceptionally lively.

The Saints and Saintesses of several Great Holy Lands in the Eastern Wasteland gathered together, and even some Prodigies from the Central State, Southern Ridge, and Western Desert rushed over upon hearing the news. The Holy Maiden of Yaochi personally welcomed every guest; her temperament remained cool and aloof, but there was an extra hint of warmth in her eyes.

When Ye Fan and Ji Zi arrived, many people had already gathered at the Yaochi Holy Land. The Holy Son of Shaking Light, Jiang Yifei, and others were all there, along with some faces they didn't recognize. The cultivation levels of those people were not low; the weakest among them was at the Seventh Change of Dragon Transformation or higher.

“Ye Fan, Ji Zi, you've arrived.” The Holy Son of Shaking Light came forward to greet them.

Ye Fan nodded. “We're late.”

“Not late, it has just begun.” The Holy Son of Shaking Light led them toward the crowd.

In the crowd, someone recognized Ye Fan and Ji Zi.

“Are those the Imperial Son of the Ji Family and that Ancient Desolate Saint Body?”

“I heard they visited the various Great Holy Lands three years ago and fought to a draw with the Holy Son of Shaking Light, the Holy Maiden of Yaochi, and Jiang Yifei.”

“A draw three years ago doesn't mean it's still a draw three years later. Everyone has been progressing during these three years.”

“True. But being able to fight them to a draw already proves their strength.”

Amidst the discussions, Ye Fan and Ji Zi walked into the center of the crowd. The Holy Maiden of Yaochi stood at the very front; seeing them, she gave a slight nod of acknowledgment.

“Welcome.” Her voice was cool, yet it carried a hint of sincerity.

Ye Fan cupped his fists. “Pardon the intrusion.”

The Holy Maiden of Yaochi shook her head, then turned to face everyone. “I have invited everyone here today to spar and discuss the Dao, to exchange insights from these three years of cultivation. I hope everyone can set aside sectarian prejudices and communicate with sincerity.”

The crowd nodded one after another.

The sparring and Dao discussion soon began. The first to take the stage were the Holy Son of Shaking Light and Jiang Yifei.

Both were at the Peak of the Ninth Change of Dragon Transformation, only one step away from being a Half-step Great Power. Their battle was intense and magnificent, the light produced by the collision of Divine Abilities illuminating the entire Yaochi Holy Land.

Ye Fan and Ji Zi stood in the crowd, watching quietly. Their gaze did not linger on the Holy Son of Shaking Light and Jiang Yifei, but instead looked toward those few unfamiliar faces in the crowd.

Those people emitted auras completely different from the Cultivators of the Eastern Wasteland—there was the aura of the Central State Imperial Dynasty, the aura of the Southern Ridge Yao Race, and the aura of the Western Desert Buddhism.

“People from the Central State, Southern Ridge, and Western Desert have all come,” Ji Zi said in a low voice.

Ye Fan nodded. “In the Golden Age, the Prodigies of every region are looking for opponents. This gathering at the Yaochi Holy Land just happened to give them an opportunity.”

“What do you think of their strength?”

“Very strong. At least the Ninth Change of Dragon Transformation, and a few might already be Half-step Great Powers.”

Ji Zi was silent for a moment, then smiled. “Interesting.”

Ye Fan also smiled. “Yes, interesting.”

The gazes of the two collided with several equally sharp gazes from the crowd. Those were Prodigies from the Central State, Southern Ridge, and Western Desert, and they were also sizing up Ye Fan and Ji Zi.

At this moment, everyone knew that the true confrontation had not yet begun.

The sparring and Dao discussion lasted for three days and three nights.

Every day, new battles were staged, and every day, new insights were shared. Ye Fan and Ji Zi did not take the stage; they simply watched and listened quietly, committing every battle and every Dao discussion to heart.

On the evening of the third day, the gathering ended. The crowd departed one after another, and the Holy Maiden of Yaochi stood before the mountain gate, seeing off every guest.

“Ye Fan, Ji Zi.” She called out to the two.

The two stopped and turned back to look at her.

The Holy Maiden of Yaochi was silent for a moment, then spoke. “In the Golden Age, the Prodigies of every region are contending for supremacy. You are very strong, but your opponents are also very strong. I hope you can go further.”

Ye Fan nodded. “We will.”

Ji Zi also nodded. “Thank you.”

The two turned and disappeared into the twilight.

The Holy Maiden of Yaochi stood before the mountain gate, watching their retreating figures, not moving for a long time.

In the distance, the sun was setting in the west, and the golden afterglow spilled onto the Peaks of the Yaochi Holy Land, dyeing everything in gold.

Three years.

It had been three years since the arrival of the Golden Age.

During these three years, countless Prodigies had risen, countless battles had been staged, and countless legends had been born. Ye Fan, Ji Zi, the Holy Son of Shaking Light, the Holy Maiden of Yaochi, Jiang Yifei... these names had already become the most dazzling stars of this era. But everyone knew that this was only a beginning. The true contention was still to come.

Ji Family.

When Ye Fan and Ji Zi returned to the Ji Family, it was already late at night. The two did not return to their respective quarters, but instead came to the Martial Arts Arena. Under the moonlight, the arena appeared exceptionally empty.

“Ye Fan,” Ji Zi spoke.

“Hmm?”

“In this gathering, what did you see?”

Ye Fan was silent for a moment, then spoke. “I saw many opponents.”

Ji Zi nodded. “Me too.”

The two looked at each other, both seeing Battle Intent in the other's eyes.

“Starting tomorrow, continue to Cultivate,” Ye Fan said.

“Good.” Ji Zi nodded.

The two turned and went their separate ways. Under the moonlight, their two silhouettes were stretched very, very long.

Far away, within the Undying Mountain.

Chu Tianjiao sat beneath the ancient tea tree of enlightenment, watching the scenes in the Water Mirror, a hint of a smile appearing at the corners of his mouth.

“Three years. These children have all grown up.”

Xiao Nannan leaned against his side, watching that golden figure in the Water Mirror, her eyes full of tenderness. “Big brother, he is getting stronger and stronger.”

Chu Tianjiao nodded. “Mm. He will become even stronger.”

Willow Deity sat quietly to one side, her gaze falling on the Water Mirror, a faint smile also on her lips.

The Ancient Kirin Emperor held his teacup, watching the figures of those Prodigies in the Water Mirror, clicking his tongue twice. “The Prodigies of this generation are much stronger than those of our generation. The Golden Age truly lives up to its reputation.”

Chu Tianjiao smiled. “Yes. This generation will be very exciting.”