"Qiongyu Clan, Hanling greets Fellow Daoist Feng!"
Standing before Feng Bingwen was a tall woman dressed in a black silk robe with dark patterns resembling ice. Underneath, she wore a tight-fitting leather armor that accentuated her curvaceous figure, revealing it subtly.
From Feng Bingwen's perspective, the woman had broad shoulders and long legs, and her height was comparable to that of Ji Changqing standing next to her.
A small, round shield hung from her left waist, while a crescent-shaped scimitar adorned her right, its simple, unadorned design exuding a wild and primitive aura.
"Um!"
Feng Bingwen nodded indifferently, thus getting by. He was already used to being greeted by others, and although the woman's tone and expression were a bit cold, judging from her demeanor, it wasn't intentional.
"I……"
Han Ling hesitated, her oval face, as if carved from mutton-fat jade and seemingly emanating a chill, flushed slightly, revealing a distinctly conflicted expression.
Is there anything else?
Feng Bingwen frowned, clearly getting impatient. He was already preparing to seek his opportunity, but this woman was still being coy and wasting his time.
Because Ji Changqing had come looking for them, some of the many human prodigies who had stayed behind with him stepped forward to pay their respects. After exchanging names with him, they considered themselves acquainted and then left gracefully.
Even though he has now displayed extremely strong talent and combat power, it only makes these human prodigies want to befriend him, but not to curry favor with him.
"Ahem, Fellow Daoist Feng, the Sky Clan is not human!"
Seeing the impatience on Feng Bingwen's face, Ji Changqing, who was standing to the side, guessed that his brother-in-law didn't understand many things, so he quickly reminded him telepathically.
"Not human?"
Feng Bingwen was taken aback, then looked the woman in front of him up and down, noticing the slight difference in her aura, before nodding as if he suddenly understood.
"I see."
At first, he didn't recognize him and thought he was also a prodigy among the human race. But after careful examination and comparison, he discovered the differences.
“Fellow Daoist Feng, I have learned about this member of the Sky Clan before. Her bloodline is quite extraordinary, which is why she has been targeted by many people. Since entering the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, no fewer than three fellow Daoists have attacked her, but none of them have been able to defeat her. However, I did not expect her to come and watch the battle and choose you.”
"You chose me? What do you mean?"
Feng Bingwen seemed to have some understanding or a vague sense of something, but he still wanted to confirm it to avoid any misunderstanding.
"Literally, this Sky Clan member wants to follow you."
"Then she can just say it directly. What's the point of just giving her name?"
"Perhaps they are shy. They are of noble status in their respective clans and live a life of luxury. So when they enter the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, if they encounter someone they want to follow, they will take the initiative to tell them their name. They don't need to say it too clearly; this is to show that they want to follow. Otherwise, they will avoid humans."
Ji Changqing earnestly explained the unspoken rules of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths to Feng Bingwen.
Humans who defeat the elites sent by vassal races that have entered the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths will automatically become their masters, unless the vassal races voluntarily relinquish their power. However, some alien races, unwilling to be passively chosen, will actively seek out humans who suit their tastes.
As for that candidate for king from Longbo Kingdom, a stubborn fool who wanted to break through the heavens and earth by himself, he was a rare sight, one in a hundred years—such a guy basically never had a good ending.
"Fellow Daoist, do you find my strength beneath you?"
Seeing that Feng Bingwen remained silent, Han Ling, who had been somewhat hesitant, became anxious.
She came from a branch of the Sky Clan, which was one of the better-treated non-human races among the many vassal races of the human race, because they were very similar to humans, except that they had a pair of wings on their backs.
Because of their extremely similar appearance, they are easily accepted by humans. However, even so, they cannot escape their status as an alien race; an alien is an alien, at most they can be categorized into the broader category of the "Outcast Race."
She was entrusted with high hopes by the clan elders and was granted the qualification to travel to the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths. Her goal was to gain the recognition of either the Netherworld Path or the Heavenly Sword Path and become one of their followers. If the Blood Qin Empire also sent an imperial prince, it would be best if she could gain their approval.
She always harbored immense pride, but faced with reality, she had to bow her head. The Sky Clan was a vassal of the human race, and a vassal should act like a vassal.
Every hundred years, the Longbo Kingdom sends out a candidate for ruler to stir up trouble across the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths—they are the only ones like them.
The main reason why humans tolerated them so much was that the giants were exceptionally strong and never held back in important matters. They were willing to fulfill any request from humans, no matter how heavy the cost, as long as it was not excessive.
"I wouldn't say I dislike you, but are you sure you want to choose me?"
Feng Bingwen wasn't being self-deprecating, but his background was problematic. He was currently a rogue cultivator, the kind who only needed to feed himself.
It would be a bit difficult for him to support followers, as he knew that he, as the one being followed, was expected to provide for them. This included, but was not limited to, cultivation resources, cultivation techniques, and protection—provided that the followers fulfilled their duties.
"Sure."
Han Ling nodded with absolute certainty. Although she hadn't witnessed the battle between the Netherworld Path and the Heavenly Sword Path, she had seen this rogue cultivator defeat the Heavenly Sword Daoist. He was a rogue cultivator now, but that didn't mean he would be in the future.
Golden carp are no ordinary fish in a pond; they transform into dragons when they encounter wind and rain.
As long as he can gain this person's approval, the life of his branch of the Sky Clan will definitely improve, and the problems he faces will be easily solved.
"Okay, then you'll come with me!"
Feng Bingwen was quick and decisive, agreeing in just a few words.
"Aren't you going to test my strength?"
Han Ling asked with some surprise. Although he had agreed to her so easily, it was too easy and made her feel uneasy.
"There's no need. The fact that you dare to stand here speaks volumes about your strength!"
There were at least twenty human prodigies gathered here just now, and the fact that the Sky Clan hadn't been caught was enough to prove their strength. They could easily handle ordinary human prodigies, and even someone like Ji Changqing could probably fight them. Even if they lost, they could run away without being caught.
I'm so envious of you!
Ji Changqing, who witnessed this scene, was filled with envy. He didn't care at all about his image as a humble gentleman and an elegant person in front of Feng Bingwen.
"Once the outcome of this battle becomes known, more and more alien races should come to you."
People cannot be generalized. Some human prodigies try every means to capture a mount, and may even be disliked, while others don't need to do anything. They just sit there and other races will rush to ride them.
"Such a good thing?"
"Of course there are. In the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, as long as you can demonstrate unparalleled talent and potential, other races will naturally come to you. Not to mention other races, even humans will want to follow you."
"Like you?"
Feng Bingwen stared at Ji Changqing. This guy could talk to him about his physique in almost every sentence. He had heard it when he was fighting Qin Tianque. This guy kept praising him, which made him feel secretly pleased, but also a little embarrassed.
It feels like they overdid it a bit; it's a bit weak!
"If you agree to marry my sister, I can be your brother-in-law."
Upon hearing this, Ji Changqing was not angry. After thinking for a moment, he put forward his conditions.
Given his status, if he were to follow someone without a special relationship, it would undoubtedly tarnish the reputation of the Ji family and the sect behind him, making him a laughingstock. But if it's his brother-in-law, then there's no problem.
"Let's discuss this after we've met your sister!"
Feng Bingwen continued to employ delaying tactics, suggesting that there was no need to definitively state the facts.
"By the way, you haven't lost your virginity, have you?"
Ji Changqing suddenly remembered.
Why are you asking this?
"I'm not doing anything, I just want to remind you that some of the inheritances in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths require one to be a virgin, so it's best not to give your primordial yang to others casually."
Feng Bingwen watched the guy in front of him rambling on. He wasn't oblivious to what the guy was thinking, but he was no frivolous or reckless person.
"I'll let you wield your sword, but I won't serve you in bed!"
Han Ling, who had been silently listening to the exchange between the two human prodigies, suddenly spoke up.
So the person she acknowledged appeared to be extremely upright, but who knows what he was like in private?
...
High in the sky, the wind howled, and a golden light stretched across the heavens, spreading out, scattering white clouds, and shimmering with light, a golden road traversing heaven and earth.
In the blink of an eye, a young man in white robes strode onto the golden road. With a casual step, he traversed thousands of miles, and the world seemed to shrink beneath his feet.
"Father's Golden Rainbow Bridge is truly useful, but unfortunately it must be returned after use!"
The young man sighed, then cast his gaze down from the sky to a vast continent teeming with life and spirit, where a faint aura of immortality seemed to emanate.
Nanzhanzhou, Qianlongyuan
This is his goal for this trip. The geniuses who enter the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths Secret Realm will eventually come out from here and gather in the Hidden Dragon Abyss. Those who were unable to meet in the secret realm will have the opportunity to fight and determine the strongest one.
Of course, he didn't come here to attend this grand gathering of geniuses from the three continents of the human race. He came to find his disciple, who, although only a nominal disciple, was the first disciple he had ever taken in.
He left behind the Taoist scriptures, not to abandon them, but to test their character and understanding. If they passed any test, he would guide them back to the mountain gate.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com