Chapter 123: The Ancient Battleground
Deep within the imperial palace stood a towering giant mountain. This mountain, thousands of feet high, piercing the clouds, was known as Holy War Peak, a forbidden land in the Great Yan Empire. This was because it housed a teleportation array leading to the ancient battleground.
Today was the day Xiao Tian and the others would head to the ancient battleground. They gathered at the peak. Not far in front of them lay a massive stone array, inscribed with mystical runes emitting powerful energy waves that caused the surrounding energy of heaven and earth to tremble.
Mo Jingtian addressed the group, "All of you are top geniuses in the Great Yan Empire, but in the Hundred Empire War, you are just ordinary. If your strength has not reached the Nirvana stage, you must remain low-key. Even if you reach the Nirvana stage, do not be too arrogant. There are many Nirvana stage geniuses from the super empires. Of course, danger and opportunity go hand in hand. Although the ancient battleground is fraught with peril, it is also filled with countless treasures and ancient legacies. If you can obtain them, your cultivation will advance rapidly."
Afterward, the array activated, and the five of them vanished from the spot.
...
A huge barren stone peak stood on the ground, radiating a scorching aura under the sunlight. Suddenly, the space above twisted, and a beam of light tore through the space, descending on the peak's summit. As the light faded, Xiao Tian and the others' figures emerged.
"Is this the ancient battleground?" Lin Dong curiously observed the desolate and ancient atmosphere of the stone peak area.
"What abundant heavenly energy!" Mo Ling exclaimed. Even the most significant cultivation sites in their royal family couldn't compare to the energy richness here.
"This is Nirvana energy?" Man Shan rotated his palm, condensing a ball of energy that contained a trace of faint red power.
"Everyone," Mo Ling calmed his excitement and addressed the group, "We are now on the ancient battleground. If we head north for a while, we'll reach a gathering point. Our goal is to get there before dark; the night here is dangerous for us."
Xiao Tian nodded, "Alright, let's head to the gathering point."
With that, the group set off towards their destination. Xiao Tian had already dealt with Mu Shi, so Lin Langtian and Lin Dong were now on par in strength. Lin Langtian was no longer an immediate threat, so Xiao Tian decided not to intervene and let Lin Dong handle him when the time was right.
About half an hour later, they finally saw the outline of a city on the plains.
"Everyone, the threats in the ancient battleground come not only from the wild beasts but also from the people at the gathering points," Mo Ling warned. "So, be cautious once we enter the city."
Everyone nodded in agreement and proceeded toward the city. As they got closer, they noticed a dozen or so figures blocking the black iron city gate. Behind these figures was a banner emblazoned with a golden sun.
A burly man shouted at the crowd, "This city is occupied by the Holy Light Empire. If you want to enter, you must each pay ten Nirvana Pills!"
"That's outrageous! This is a public gathering point; how can you charge a fee?" someone scoffed. The pride of these geniuses from various empires did not allow them to submit so easily.
"Thud!" At that moment, the burly man waved his hand, and three corpses were thrown from the city walls.
"They were from the so-called Great Xi Empire. They resisted the Holy Light Empire, so we killed them," the man sneered. "You can choose not to enter the city or try to resist and end up like them. There's no ban on killing here."
Many faces turned pale upon hearing this. They could sense that the three corpses belonged to cultivation warriors at the Minor Creation stage, a strength many of them shared. Resisting would mean certain death.
Mo Ling asked, "Brother Xiao, Brother Lin, what do you think?"
"I don't plan to pay anyone a toll," Xiao Tian said calmly. With his current strength, he could sweep through the forces of any empire.
"In that case, we will stand with Brother Xiao," Mo Ling smiled. He could sense that there were no Nirvana stage beings in the city, making Xiao Tian an invincible presence here.
Xiao Tian turned to Lin Dong, "Take care of that man. Use him for practice."
"Alright," Lin Dong agreed, stepping forward to face the burly man.
"Someone's got a death wish!" the man sneered and charged at Lin Dong. Though they were both at the Major Creation stage, Lin Dong was confident he could quickly dispatch the man.
With his right hand clenched into a fist, Lin Dong swiftly moved beside the man and punched. The man's hastily raised fist met Lin Dong's, but with a "crack," the man's fist shattered.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!" A series of hidden forces erupted within the man's body. After spitting out blood, he collapsed, dead. A Major Creation stage warrior had been taken down with one move, showcasing Lin Dong's strength.
"What a powerful body!"
"The technique he used was remarkable, containing both overt and hidden forces. No wonder the opponent was caught off guard."
"It looks like the Holy Light Empire picked the wrong opponent this time."
The spectators were thrilled, clearly fed up with the Holy Light Empire's toll.
"How dare you kill someone from the Holy Light Empire! You're courting death!" A thunderous voice, mixed with immense energy, echoed from the city, resonating at the gate. A figure exuding a powerful aura appeared.
"A peak Creation stage warrior!" The terrifying aura made everyone but the Great Yan Empire's representatives look grim, knowing they couldn't resist such power. Many felt sorry for Lin Dong, thinking this strong youth might die.
(End of Chapter)
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