Ling Tian Sword God

"Young Hero, I admire you!"

Zaji sheathed his short dagger, his gaze towards Ling Chen somewhat peculiar. He must be a disciple from some major Sect, Zaji guessed. Otherwise, it would be impossible for him to possess such terrifying power at such a young age.

"May I ask your name, Young Hero? Are you perhaps a disciple from the Sky Void Palace?" Zaji asked.

"I am Wuchen, a disciple of the Divine Intent Sect."

Ling Chen did not reveal his real name. The name 'Ling Chen' likely carries some weight in the Martial World, and my current situation is precarious, with many people after me. I can't reveal my true name.

The fact that Ling Chen was also Wuchen had not yet spread widely in the Jianghu; very few people knew.

"So, it's Young Hero Wuchen! Thank you for saving our lives."

Zaji cupped his fists towards Ling Chen and, at the same time, glanced at Zhuo Feng. "What Zhuo Feng just did was disrespectful. Please forgive him, Young Hero."

"It's nothing."

Ling Chen waved his hand, not particularly bothered by such a minor detail. "Actually, you don't need to thank me. This North Wind Wolf King was drawn here because of me. If I hadn't killed those North Wind Mane Wolves earlier, I wouldn't have attracted the Wolf King."

"Even so, the act of saving our lives is a great kindness. How could we not show our gratitude?" Zaji shook his head, insisting on repaying Ling Chen.

"Brother Wuchen, why don't you come to our village for a visit? Please let us show you some hospitality," Tana, who was beside Ling Chen, gently tugged his sleeve and whispered.

"Alright. Since your invitation is so sincere, it would be rude of me to decline."

Seeing that he couldn't refuse their earnest Pleading, Ling Chen relented and agreed.

"Our village is about fifty miles from here. If we set off now on horseback, we should arrive in about one hour."

Zaji led a horse over and smiled at Ling Chen.

After witnessing Ling Chen's strength, Zaji's way of addressing him had also changed. Ling Chen couldn't do much about it; in this Martial World, strength reigned supreme. Indeed, if not for his remarkably young age, Zaji and the others would likely be calling him 'Great Hero' already.

Ling Chen nodded. This grassland is enormous. If I wander aimlessly, I'll waste a lot of time trying to get out. With a local as a guide, I should be able to leave this desolate place much sooner.

"Young Hero Ling Chen," Zaji began, as if suddenly remembering something while riding his horse, "you must have come to the Northwind Prairie for the Golden Sand Ancient City, right?"

"The Golden Sand Ancient City? What's that?" Hearing this, Ling Chen was genuinely surprised and asked.

"You don't know about it?"

Hearing Ling Chen's reply, not only Zaji but also Zhuo Feng, Tana, and the others stared at him in astonishment. They clearly couldn't believe he had never even heard of the Golden Sand Ancient City.

"Ahem... I'm just out gaining experience," Ling Chen said, feeling a bit awkward under their stares. He gave a dry laugh. "Brother Zaji, could you tell me more about this Golden Sand Ancient City?"

Zaji chuckled. "The Golden Sand Ancient City is practically the most famous legend of the Northwind Prairie. It's said to have been an ancient civilized kingdom that existed long before any of our major tribes were even formed. Rumor has it that countless treasures of gold, silver, and jewels are hidden there."

"Just gold, silver, and jewels?" The interest on Ling Chen's face diminished considerably. Gold, silver, and jewels hold little attraction for me.

"Of course not," Zaji shook his head. "It's not just gold, silver, and jewels. The Martial Arts civilization of the Golden Sand Ancient City was also highly advanced. Although Golden Sand City was only a small kingdom, its king was a formidable Top Sky Apex Strong. Inside, there are innumerable Martial Arts Secret Manuals, Treasures, and Elixirs. Throughout history, many people from the Martial World have come to the grasslands searching for the Golden Sand Ancient City."

"Since it's just a legend, how can you be sure it's not entirely fabricated?"

Ling Chen stroked his chin. I'm actually quite interested in this Golden Sand Ancient City. However, if it's only a legend and no one has ever been inside, its actual existence is still questionable.

"Someone once saw this ancient city," Zaji said. "By a stroke of luck, he accidentally wandered into the outskirts of the ancient city and barely managed to get out. Even just from the outskirts, he obtained a Lower-grade Heaven Level cultivation technique. After cultivating it to completion, he became a prominent figure in his own right."

Ling Chen paused, then grew thoughtful. If that's the case, the existence of this ancient city might not be mere fantasy after all.

The purpose of my current journey is to increase my strength. If I could find some fortuitous encounter in that Golden Sand Ancient City, I would have more confidence when facing those peerless geniuses at the Martial World Conference.

"If this Golden Sand Ancient City is so valuable, and its existence has supposedly been confirmed, why haven't the nearby Sects and powers made plans to find it?" Ling Chen asked, puzzled.

Zaji chuckled. "Of course, they've tried. But the Golden Sand Ancient City is too enigmatic. Many so-called Treasure Maps are circulating out there, making it hard to tell the real ones from fakes. To this day, none of the three major powers in this region have managed to find the ancient city's exact location."

Ling Chen smiled. "Hehe, Brother Zaji, what are these three major powers near the Northwind Prairie? As a newcomer, I suppose I should be a bit careful."

"With your strength, navigating the Jianghu is certainly manageable enough," Zaji said, giving Ling Chen a thoughtful look before continuing. "Around the Northwind Prairie, there are countless powers, big and small—too many to enumerate. The three largest are the Black Dragon Gang, the North Wind City Lord's Mansion, and the Baiyue Trade Association."

"The power of the City Lord's Mansion is self-evident. Their status is equivalent to that of a Marquis of the Aqua Country, and they command the entire Northwind Prairie. They hold significant autonomy, far beyond what an ordinary City Lord can match. The City Lord of North Wind City, Tu Xiaofeng, is a Great Master Level Powerhouse of the Second Realm. He possesses immense personal strength and wields considerable influence in this region."

Ling Chen nodded. A Great Master Level Powerhouse of the Second Realm would be considered an Elder even in the major Sects. For such an individual to come to a remote place like this and act as a local hegemon is quite a step down.

"The Baiyue Trade Association is a commercial power involved in border trade between the Wind Country and the Aqua Country. On the surface, they appear to be ordinary merchants. But, of course, they are no pushovers. The Baiyue Trade Association has many Experts, and their backing is the Black Market, so no one dares to cross them."

Ling Chen nodded. One is backed by the Imperial Court, the other by the Black Market. Both are indeed formidable.

"The last one, the Black Dragon Gang, is the local Dark Force in this area. They secretly levy taxes, extort the herders, and oppress the region. They are truly detestable. However, the Black Dragon Gang is backed by the Shocking Death Sect, so even the City Lord's Mansion doesn't dare to move against them."

At the mention of the Black Dragon Gang, a look of profound loathing crossed Zaji's face; he clearly harbored a deep-seated resentment towards them.