However, that was only a fleeting moment. Afterward, no matter how much he scanned, he could no longer sense it. Liu Wuyai and the other sect leaders couldn't be completely certain either. But even so, it was enough to show that Lin Xuan's combat power had surged dramatically. Once they snapped back to reality, their hearts were filled with joy. They now looked forward even more to the upcoming competition among the eight major powers of the Red Sun Domain. Perhaps this time, the Flowing Cloud Sect wouldn't just secure one spot. They might even break into the top three, or higher. The sect could use this to gain fame, grow, and rise. Naturally, they were overjoyed.
"Greetings, Sect Leader, Grand Elder, and all Elders!" At that moment, Lin Xuan's calm voice rang out. He walked before the group, neither humble nor arrogant. Only then did the higher-ups fully come to their senses, their hearts filled with endless emotion.
"He's already at the eighth level of the Opening Spirit Realm. Excellent, excellent. Lin Xuan, in this Red Sun Domain competition, the Flowing Cloud Sect relies on you!" Liu Wuyai praised him, then his expression turned serious as he spoke.
As his words fell, the crowd erupted into another wave of murmurs and commotion. The disciples stared at Lin Xuan in disbelief. Had they heard correctly? The Sect Leader said Lin Xuan had reached the eighth level of the Opening Spirit Realm?! They all remembered that when they returned from the Puppet Secret Realm, Lin Xuan was only at the fourth level. Now, just ten days later, he was at the eighth level? Wasn't this cultivation speed too fast? So fast it defied their imagination and understanding! And during this time, Lin Xuan had also spent several days alchemy, right? Too powerful! The core disciples were utterly stunned, unable to contain themselves.
Hearing this, Lin Xuan nodded and said calmly: "Sect Leader, rest assured! This disciple will not disappoint the sect's expectations!" "Mm." Liu Wuyai nodded slightly. Then he announced loudly: "Since everyone is here, let's set off." With that, he walked to the other side of the square. He took off a small gray pouch from his waist and opened it. Whoosh! A golden light shot out. It landed on the square, transforming into a massive eagle dozens of meters in size.
"Beast: Golden Feather Sky-Rending Eagle." "Grade: Seventh-tier lower." "Talents: Spirit-grade bloodline talent, supreme speed talent, peak strength talent, supreme gale attribute talent, supreme sharp metal attribute talent." Lin Xuan's gaze swept over it, and the beast's attribute panel appeared before him. "A Golden Feather Sky-Rending Eagle equivalent to the early Spirit Origin Realm—this should be the Flowing Cloud Sect's strongest beast." Lin Xuan's eyes flickered, shifting to the small gray pouch in Liu Wuyai's hand. "Is this a beast-taming pouch, specifically for storing beasts?" This was his first time seeing such a pouch, and it felt novel. If he didn't lack a controllable beast at the moment, he would have wanted to replicate it.
"Let's go." At that moment, Liu Wuyai's voice came. Then, under the guidance of the elders, the disciples walked over. The Golden Feather Sky-Rending Eagle tilted slightly. The disciples and three elders climbed onto its back. As for the Grand Elder, also at the sixth level of the Spirit Origin Realm, and the other elders, they stayed behind to guard the sect. They had only come to see them off. In the end, only Sect Leader Liu Wuyai led the team, accompanied by three elders and all the core disciples—over twenty people—heading to the Yang Yuan Sect.
"Golden Feather, let's go." Liu Wuyai patted the Golden Feather Sky-Rending Eagle's back. The eagle soared into the sky. It turned into a streak of black light, speeding away. On the core square, the Grand Elder and the other elders watched the eagle disappear into the distance until it was out of sight, then dispersed.
High in the sky. The Golden Feather Sky-Rending Eagle spread its wings, a full hundred meters wide. Sect Leader Liu Wuyai, the three elders, and over twenty core disciples—more than thirty people in total—were spread across its back, leaving plenty of space. The eagle flew steadily. The disciples enjoyed the rare, beautiful scenery, all quite delighted. At the very front sat Sect Leader Liu Wuyai. The three elders were positioned on the sides and at the back, just in case. Behind Liu Wuyai was Lin Xuan. Further back were the core disciples like Liu Qianyu. The hierarchy was clear.
Up ahead, Liu Wuyai turned around and looked at Lin Xuan, saying: "Lin Xuan, you'll soon face the top disciples from other major powers. You've only risen recently, so you might not know much. Let me fill you in." "Thank you for the trouble, Sect Leader." Lin Xuan replied. Though this competition was almost a sure thing, listening wouldn't hurt. Know yourself and know your enemy, after all. The other disciples nearby also shifted their attention, listening intently. At the same time, they were inwardly shocked. The Sect Leader personally explaining—this had never happened before. Truly worthy of Lin Xuan, the sect's greatest genius in history!
"In our Red Sun Domain, the strongest among the younger generation are the Four Young Masters. They'll be your biggest rivals in this competition. The Four Young Masters are: the Yang Yuan Sect's top two core disciples, Zhang Yuchen and Wu Xin. The Red Flame Kingdom's crown prince, Zhou Wenhao. And the Wind Flame Valley's senior disciple, Chen Feng. All four have broken through to the Spirit Origin Realm. Among them, the leader of the Four Young Masters—and the only prodigy in our Red Sun Domain—Zhang Yuchen, is at the second level of the Spirit Origin Realm. ..." Liu Wuyai spoke earnestly. The disciples listened attentively.
Time flowed like water. Unknowingly, over half an hour passed. The Golden Feather Sky-Rending Eagle, as a seventh-tier flying beast, had a speed that even late-stage Spirit Origin Realm martial artists using full movement techniques couldn't match. In less than an hour, they arrived within the Yang Yuan Sect's territory. Looking down from above, they saw an endless expanse of luxurious buildings spread across vast mountain ranges. This alone far surpassed the Flowing Cloud Sect. And the dense spiritual energy, carrying a hint of warmth, was incomparable to the Flowing Cloud Sect's. This was the strongest power in the Red Sun Domain, its nominal ruler. Lin Xuan sighed inwardly.
The Golden Feather Sky-Rending Eagle slowly descended onto a wide square outside the Yang Yuan Sect. Everyone jumped off. This square was the Yang Yuan Sect's reception area. People from other major powers were also present. As one of the eight major powers of the Red Sun Domain, though the Flowing Cloud Sect couldn't compare to the three great powers of the Red Flame Kingdom, it was still top-tier among the domain's various factions. The arrival of the Flowing Cloud Sect naturally drew attention from all sides, sparking a buzz.
"That's the Flowing Cloud Sect's guardian beast, the Golden Feather Sky-Rending Eagle—they're here." "In past competitions, the Flowing Cloud Sect just went through the motions, barely securing a spot." "This year might be different. Haven't you heard? The Flowing Cloud Sect has produced a top genius, Lin Xuan, who even killed the Wind Flame Valley's fourth core disciple, Ye Li, in one move. Their second disciple, Duan Feichen, was too scared to fight!" "So strong? That makes him another Young Master-level genius?!" "Yeah, he's already been hailed as the Red Sun Domain's fifth Young Master. You didn't know? Your info is way too outdated!" "Looks like this competition will be interesting." "..."