Ling Tian Sword God

The time for the Martial World Conference drew nearer, and the entire Five Kingdoms' Martial World was in upheaval.

Apart from the hundreds of large and small sects in the Five Kingdoms, and twice as many aristocratic families, thousands of Jianghu martial artists rushed towards the City of Thunder. The lowest cultivation among them was at the Martial Master Realm; none were below it. The reason was simple: only sects and aristocratic families recorded by the Myriad Dao Sect could bring disciples with cultivation lower than the Martial Master Realm to observe the Martial World Conference. Those not in this category had to possess cultivation at the Martial Master Realm or above, and there were quota restrictions. If the venue's capacity was exceeded, one could not enter unless they were a Great Master Level Powerhouse.

Under this rule, Jianghu martial artists at the Martial Master Realm set off months in advance. If they could not witness the Martial World Conference, they would regret it for three years. Moreover, this year's Martial World Conference was recognized as a golden age, a sight rarely seen in a century. To miss it would likely mean a lifetime of regret.

As the entire Martial World began to seethe with excitement, some powerful sects also made their own preparations. This Martial World Conference could be described as the most prosperous in a hundred years, with countless geniuses, like carp crossing a river, all gathering for this grand event.

The Martial Arts Monument was a famous marvel within the Five Kingdoms. The monument itself was rumored to suppress the Dragon Vein of the entire Cloud Outland. If one could inscribe their name upon the Martial Arts Monument, they could trigger a blessing of Dragon Vein Qi, thereafter enjoying enhanced fortune and a meteoric rise.

It could be said that rankings directly affected the fortune of both individuals and their sects. This was no mere fabrication; it genuinely existed. The young generation who had shone in past Martial World Conferences generally all achieved great things. The higher the ranking, the greater the achievement, with only a few exceptions.

Everyone wished to soar to prominence at this Martial World Conference and make a name for themselves.

The competition was not just for rankings, but also for one's destiny.

「Fire Country, Chiyu Mountain Manor.」

Against the backdrop of a vast expanse of blood-red maples, the entire Chiyu Mountain Manor seemed to be engulfed in a sea of fire. In the center of this fiery sea stood a crimson hall.

Within the crimson hall, two figures stood.

"Master, I am already twenty-nine years old this year. This is my last Martial World Conference. This time, I will definitely take first place and leave my name, Huo Yu, on the Martial Arts Monument."

The speaker was a young man in a red robe. His aura was as restless as a volcano, yet simultaneously stable and condensed. He stood straight, like a mountain of flames, exuding a wild and overbearing aura.

Huo Yu, third on the Heavenly List in the previous conference, had now advanced to the Young Master List, ranking sixty-fourth.

However, in the last Martial World Conference, he had been defeated by Young Master Ye in the semi-finals, ultimately failing to reach the top three, so his name was not inscribed on the Martial Arts Monument.

The Young Master List differed from the Heavenly List, comprising a total of seventy-two ranks. Those who could enter the Young Master List were essentially the young talents of the Five Kingdoms, most of them over thirty, some even approaching forty. Thus, the caliber of the Young Master List was far superior to that of the Heavenly List.

Fortunately, most experts on the Young Master List had already exceeded the age limit, so they were ineligible for this Martial World Conference.

"Don't underestimate those young geniuses on the Heavenly List. Their strength has been advancing by leaps and bounds, changing day by day. I'm afraid they will be formidable adversaries for you." The red-robed elder opposite shook his head. His disciple's talent is good; he's just too arrogant.

If he could not get his name on the Martial Arts Monument this time, he would have no further opportunities.

"My only true adversary is Young Master Ye! Apart from him, no one else can stop me!"

Huo Yu clenched his fists. He lost last time, but he absolutely will not lose a second time.

「Thunder Country, Myriad Dao Sect.」

A mountain peak of incredible height stretched into the sky, disappearing into the thick clouds. At its summit stood a majestic and imposing palace. Outside, a Great Formation of Myriad Dao was arrayed, shrouded in clouds and mist, a sight mortals dared not gaze upon directly.

"Xuan'er, your Myriad Dao Art has reached the eighth layer, and your Myriad Dao Phantom is gradually approaching Great Accomplishment. You are a rare genius for the Myriad Dao Sect, one not seen in a hundred years. In this Martial World Conference, you must enter the top three and claim supreme fortune for yourself." On a cliff edge a thousand ren high, Myriad Dao Sect Master Lu Youzhen stood with his hands clasped behind him, his clothes fluttering, his body seeming as if it might vanish at any moment, exuding an ethereal, illusory aura.

The one he called Xuan'er was none other than the Young Master of Myriad Dao, ranked second on the Heavenly List.

"Rest assured, Master, I will definitely not disappoint you!" the Young Master of Myriad Dao declared resolutely, cupping his fists towards Lu Youzhen.

"My Senior Brother's direct disciple, Fu Tian Jue, will also participate in this Martial World Conference. If you encounter him, I hope you can defeat him!" Lu Youzhen glanced at the Young Master of Myriad Dao and then stated indifferently.

The Young Master of Myriad Dao was taken aback. Fu Tian Jue! Raging Fire Mad Saber Fu Tian Jue! A super expert ranked fifty-sixth on the Young Master List! His Master's Senior Brother, the Master of Myriad Dao, had always been at odds with his Master, Lu Youzhen. The two had once contended for the position of Sect Leader of the Myriad Dao Sect. In the end, Lu Youzhen had won, and the Master of Myriad Dao had left the Myriad Dao Sect, no longer interfering in its affairs and focusing instead on cultivation and teaching his disciples. Unexpectedly, the Master of Myriad Dao had produced a disciple like Fu Tian Jue, who had made a name for himself in the Martial World. This time, if he, the Young Master of Myriad Dao, wanted to get his name on the Martial Arts Monument, Fu Tian Jue would undoubtedly be a huge stumbling block! And Lu Youzhen probably also wanted to prove that his disciple was definitely superior to the Master of Myriad Dao's disciple.

"Disciple will do his utmost to defeat Fu Tian Jue!" the Young Master of Myriad Dao said seriously, gritting his teeth.

"Good! Since you have this confidence, then I am relieved."

Lu Youzhen nodded, then abruptly vanished from the spot. The afterimage he left behind lingered for a long moment before finally dissipating.

「Southeast region of Thunder Country.」

Here stood a remote, seemingly insignificant small town. However, beneath this town lay an enormous underground city.

This was the renowned Black Market Headquarters.

"Wuxin, Wuyou, although Chikong is the strongest among you, he is over thirty and thus ineligible for this Martial World Conference. The Black Market's bid for a ranking this time depends on you two."

The speaker was the rarely seen Black Market Master of Jianghu.

These words were primarily aimed at Wuxin. Compared to Worry-free Young Master Lin Ya, Heartless Young Master Wuxin was older and stronger, having already reached the Second Realm Grandmaster level, making her considerably more powerful than Lin Ya.

"Rest assured, Master. Wuxin will do her utmost to enter the top three and claim a place for our Black Market on the Martial Arts Monument."

Heartless Young Master Wuxin was a woman dressed in black, an icy beauty. Her eyes, sharp as daggers, deterred anyone from meeting her gaze directly.

"Alright, this Martial World Conference is a rare opportunity. I hope you both cherish it and achieve considerable gains."

The Black Market Master nodded. He understood full well the difficulty of reaching the top three. Even for Wuxin, it would be incredibly challenging, as there were too many competitors, each possessing extraordinary and uncommon strength.

The Black Market's forces might not be the strongest in the Martial World, but their information network was definitely the most well-informed. Therefore, the Black Market Master was keenly aware of how many powerful young experts would be participating in this Martial World Conference.

Hence, he was not demanding that the two reach a specific rank; rather, he was more interested in what they could gain from this Martial World Conference.

「Green Cloud Mountain.」

This was a small, obscure mountain in the Martial World. However, the force that had recently taken up residence here was anything but ordinary. It was the Cyan Robe Association, a mysterious organization that had recently risen to prominence in Jianghu.

Atop a mountain peak, several figures stood facing each other, all clad in uniform cyan robes. Before them, at the edge of a cliff, stood a middle-aged man in cyan attire, wearing a green jade mask. With his hands clasped behind his back, he exuded an air of mystery.

"Fei Yue, have the candidates for the Martial World Conference been determined?" the Cyan-robed Guest asked indifferently, his gaze fixed ahead.

"Reporting to Master, they have been determined."

Liu Feiyue stood up and gestured towards a young man in cyan beside her. "The leader is our Junior Brother Xue Wu Ya, Eldest Young Master of the Beixue Family, also known as Northern Snow Divine Sword."

Xue Wu Ya was a young man in his late twenties with an imposing bearing, emanating Sword Intent from head to toe.

"Xue Wu Ya, how long have you been in the Cyan Robe Association?" the Cyan-robed Guest asked indifferently.

"Reporting to the Sect Leader, it has been fifteen years."

Xue Wu Ya bowed respectfully to the Cyan-robed Guest. Although he himself was the noble young master of the Beixue Family—a renowned martial arts aristocratic family in the Martial World—he knew that if he had not joined the Cyan Robe Association and received guidance from the Cyan-robed Guest, he would never have reached his current level, nor would he have earned the title "Northern Snow Divine Sword" in Jianghu.

"Fifteen years. You are one of the earliest disciples of the Cyan Robe Association."

A flicker of sharpness appeared in the Cyan-robed Guest's eyes. "Xue Wu Ya, I want you to seize first place in the Martial World Conference and secure the blessing of Dragon Vein Qi for the Cyan Robe Association. Can you do it?"

"Your disciple will not fail you!"

Xue Wu Ya cupped his fists. He had honed his skills for years, all for this moment to erupt with full force! This Martial World Conference was his opportunity to dominate the younger generation of the Martial World and make the name "Northern Snow Divine Sword" renowned throughout the lands!

「Earth Country.」

In the extreme east, there was a place called Magic Fog Mountain, perpetually shrouded in a strange black fog that confused the minds of ordinary people. Ordinary folk who approached this place would soon see visions of ghosts and monsters, so no one dared to venture near it recklessly.

Originally, the Saint Witch Religion did not belong to the Five Kingdoms; it had come from the outside world. It was said that the Saint Witch Religion had been established here for several hundred years.

In the center of Magic Fog Mountain stood a Demon Palace. This was the location of the Saint Witch Religion, a Grand Sect of the Demon Way.

"Every Martial World Conference, the Righteous Martial World attempts to exclude our Holy Church and hoard the Dragon Vein Qi for themselves. Little do they know, we have already laid our secret plans. Just like the previous Martial World Conference, the biggest benefactor will still be us."

More than ten silhouettes stood before the Demon Palace. Prominent among them were Sikong Yi, Liu Xiling, and the Demon Elder—three titans of the Saint Witch Religion.

The speaker was Sikong Yi, the founding Sect Master of the Saint Witch Religion.