Within Zhangzhou of the Spiritual Realm, the Seven Stars Sect was certainly one of the most powerful sects.
In the whole of Zhangzhou, very few sects could be compared to it.
The Seven Stars Sect had a vast territory, and most of the places were full of spiritual power and were good places for cultivation.
Once Ou Yangming advanced to become an Advanced Spiritualist, he immediately met Ling Yue and the others. He had not seriously cultivated to consolidate his boundary but during these 3 days, he had somewhat settled down. The young fellow worked hard to cultivate and stabilize his foundation. Even his Solitary Thought Skill had reached the initial success stage.
After 3 days, Ling Yue found Ou Yangming and said with a serious face, “Brother Yu, my master has already come out of isolated cultivation. I’ve reported your matter to him, and he wants to invite you over for a chat.”
Ou Yangming’s eyes lit up, and he smiled. “Okay, please refer me to him then, Brother Ling.”
As Ling Yue walked slowly toward the Ultimate Sword Peak, Ou Yangming looked at the scenery around him and asked casually, “Brother Ling, what do you need to exchange for a chance to enter the Big Ruins?”
Ling Yue was slightly startled. He stopped and asked in surprise, “Brother Yu, how did you know?”
Ou Yangming could not help but laugh. “Entering the Big Ruins should be something that every master wants to do so many people must want to compete for a slot.”
Although he did not know much about the Big Ruins, after all these years of experience, he understood a principle very well. If one wanted something, one had to give something first.
If one wanted to stand out, one must be able to do what others could not. Either one had a special ability that no one else could replace, or one had to choose a better background when one reincarnated. For example, there was surely competition within the Seven Stars Sect for the slots to enter the Big Ruins, but the intensity was definitely incomparable to the slots.
Given that the slots were so tight, Ou Yangming did not believe that he would be able to obtain one without putting in any effort.
A hint of admiration flashed across Ling Yue’s eyes as he said, “Brother Yu, I originally wanted to wait for you to meet Master first before mentioning this matter to you.”
The meaning behind his words was clear. If Ou Yangming could not even pass the master’s test, he could forget about the matter.
After all, the slots to enter the Big Ruins were extremely precious. Even though Ling Yue’s master—Wen Zhou—had a slot, he would not abuse it. The master would use the slot to its fullest.
As expected, Ling Yue lowered his voice slightly and noted, “Brother Yu, there are indeed many people who coveted Master’s slot, but Master has never been interested in their rare treasures; what he values are actually talents from all walks of life.” He paused before he continued, “If you can gain master’s approval, Brother Yu, even if you offer lesser items, Master will still give you the slot.”
When Ling Yue said this, he appeared to be full of confidence.
He had personally witnessed Ou Yangming’s strength, and he was full of admiration for this person who was much younger than him.
As the most favored disciple of Wen Zhou’s sect, he understood his master’s personality very well.
Wen Zhou’s favorite thing to do was to invest in young people who seemed to have bright futures. This was the real reason Ling Yue was confident.
Even if Ou Yangming’s identity and background were slightly inferior, as long as he displayed enough potential, it would be enough.
Ou Yangming nodded slightly and responded, “Alright, please help me to put in a good word or two then, Brother Ling.”
Ling Yue said seriously, “Brother Yu, don’t worry. As long as there’s a chance, I’ll do my best.”
The 2 of them walked one after another and arrived at a huge courtyard in just a moment. Before entering, Ou Yangming suddenly furrowed his eyebrows because he sensed someone that he did not want to see.
Nonetheless, since he had already arrived, he would not back down.
Ling Yue stepped into the courtyard and heard a familiar and hateful voice. “Junior Brother, you came so late. Didn’t you make Master wait for a long time?”
Ou Yangming looked over. In the courtyard, apart from Jian Chengzhe, there was also a white-clothed man whom he had met by the river.
At this moment, this white-clothed man turned his head and looked over. There was a faint smile in his eyes, but there was no warmth at all. One would feel a penetrating chill by looking at him.
A strong sense of danger surged into their hearts. While the person did not display his strength, he made Ou Yangming fearful.
All of a sudden, an intense and almost terrifying aura rose in the courtyard once again.
Ou Yangming frowned slightly and turned his head to look.
In the courtyard, other than them, there were actually 2 other people. Even so, Ou Yangming was completely attracted to the white-robed man, so he did not have time to pay attention to the others.
At this moment, when the aura spread throughout the courtyard, he realized that there was a top-grade Spiritualist here.
It was a white-haired old man. He sat upright on a stone chair in the courtyard, and there was a faint look of arrogance on his face as if he did not care about others. Even so, each time the old man looked at the white-robed man, a grave look could be seen in the depths of his eyes.
Evidently, the top-grade Spiritualist had already treated the people in the courtyard differently.
Other than the white-haired old man, there was also a slightly plump man. The man was also an Advanced Spiritualist, but it was obvious that he was far inferior to the white-robed man. After sensing the aura of a top-grade Spiritualist, he immediately took 3 steps back and kept his mouth shut, clearly not wanting to participate in this.
In fact, a fight between top-grade Spiritualists was not something that ordinary Advanced Spiritualists could interfere in.
Even if there was only a difference of one rank, the gap between the ranks could often reach an inconceivable level.
Ou Yangming’s eyes flickered, and he smiled. “Brother Ling, who are these people? Aren’t you going to introduce them?”
Ling Yue responded seriously, “Brother Yu, this is my good senior brother, Jian Chengzhe.” When he spoke, he slightly emphasized his tone.
Jian Chengzhe sneered. With his hands behind his back, he looked arrogantly at Ou Yangming with a look of ridicule on his face.
‘This brat must be dreaming to want to obtain a spot to enter the Big Ruins.’
Ling Yue continued, “This is Young Master Gu Gengren from the Tianxuan Sect.” His expression changed as he added solemnly, “Young Master Gu is well-known for his martial arts. Brother Yu, you have to… Get closer to him.”
Ou Yangming nodded. He immediately understood what Ling Yue meant.
Gu Gengren would probably be his biggest opponent in obtaining a spot this time.
“Greetings, Brother Yu.” Gu Gengren grinned.
Ou Yangming chuckled and returned the greeting, “Brother Gu, you’re too polite.”
It was the first time the 2 of them met. When they exchanged a glance in mid-air, it was like 2 peerless blades meeting, releasing their own lights. They gave each other tit for tat and expressed their attitudes without any fear. ‘I’m taking the slot!’
Ling Yue cleared his throat and turned around. “Brother Yu, these are Senior Zuo Fengyu and Brother Deng Pan.” He paused for a moment and added with a smile, “They’re powerhouses among rogue cultivators, and they’re here to request a slot to enter the Big Ruins.”
Ou Yangming nodded. He guessed that the 2 men were somewhat related to Wen Zhou.
Nevertheless, judging from Ling Yue’s nonchalant attitude, he knew this was all there was to their relationship with the master.
The forceful aura on Zuo Fengyu’s body suddenly disappeared. He nodded at Ou Yangming and Gu Gengren and expressed, “Both of you, the Big Ruins is full of danger. There are many good things inside, but you’ll have to risk your lives to get them.” His eyes were bright as he suggested, “Since you’re so young, why don’t you wait for your cultivation to advance to the next level and become top-grade Spiritualists before you take the risk?”
In actuality, while Gu Gengren looked young on the outside, his actual age was about twice that of Ou Yangming.
Despite that, for formidable cultivators, such an age difference was nothing. Especially to Zuo Fengyu’s eyes, there was practically no difference.
Ou Yangming smiled indifferently and replied to him, “Thank you for your concern, Your Excellency, but I won’t refuse any opportunity to enter the Big Ruins to take a look.”
Gu Gengren sneered and flicked his finger.
There was clearly nothing in his hand, but the strange sound of a musical instrument could be heard in the air.
When the others heard it, their hearts beat loudly at the same time. Moreover, when it entered their ears, they subconsciously understood its meaning.
‘Noisy!’
Gu Gengren actually did not hide his contempt toward Zuo Fengyu.
Zuo Fengyu’s face instantly turned ashen, and a cold killing intent flashed in his eyes. If they were not at the Seven Stars Sect, he would have attacked and beheaded the Advanced Spiritualist already.
Even if he had the courage, he would not dare to be presumptuous in this place.
The corner of Ou Yangming’s mouth twitched slightly, and he looked at Gu Gengren with an odd look. He did not expect the man to be more daring than him.
Given that an Advanced Spiritualist dared to ridicule a top-grade Spiritualist like that, if he did not have absolute strength, he was probably someone who did not know the immensity of Heaven and Earth. Having said that, when Ou Yangming noticed Gu Gengren’s indifference and thought about the inexplicable pressure the man gave, he knew that the person must not be underestimated.
“Heh, everyone, there’s no need to argue.” Deng Pan suddenly laughed. “We haven’t met Elder Wen yet. Isn’t it a little too early to talk about this now?”
Zuo Fengyu slowly withdrew his malicious gaze. He sneered and said, “Someone thinks that he’s the best in the world just because he has some fame. Heh, if I get a chance in the future, I’ll let him know how to behave.”
After saying that, he turned around and no longer paid attention to Ou Yangming and the others. Instead, he sat under the shade of the tree like an old monk meditating and did not say anything else.
Ou Yangming laughed internally. Zuo Fengyu was a top-grade Spiritualist, but he was a rogue cultivator and did not give Ou Yangming too much pressure.
On the contrary, Gu Gengren made him somewhat fearful.
If these 2 really met, it would be hard to say what the outcome would be.
At the spur of the moment, a voice sounded in the inner courtyard, “All of you have come from afar, and yet I wasn’t here to welcome you. Please invite them in…”
