Chu Fengmian had made his way to the upper dock where more than a dozen Inner Sect Disciples had already gathered, talking amongst themselves and waiting for something.
Upon seeing Chu Fengmian arrive, many eyes turned toward him.
"Is that Chu Fengmian?"
"This freak, he’s also entering the Holy Land this time?"
"A newcomer and he gets to enter the Holy Land? This guy really hit the jackpot by becoming a disciple of Saint Xuanbei."
The Inner Sect Disciples eyed Chu Fengmian with great envy.
Most of them, having practiced in the Inner Sect of Wusheng Academy for more than a decade, had only just managed to secure a chance to enter the Holy Land; and yet, Chu Fengmian, a newcomer, had also made it. How could they not be envious?
Faced with these envious gazes, the corners of Chu Fengmian’s mouth curled into a cold sneer.
Chu Fengmian’s apprenticeship under Saint Xuanbei depended solely on his own strength.
He naturally did not bother with the opinions of these disciples. As long as the Inner Sect Disciples did not provoke Chu Fengmian, he had no interest in dealing with them.
However, if they were looking for trouble, Chu Fengmian would not be lenient.
’Do not provoke others, and others will not provoke you’ has always been Chu Fengmian’s creed.
Finally, at noon, an Inner Sect elder arrived driving a shuttle, which docked, and many Martial Artists leaped aboard quickly.
Chu Fengmian also moved, leaping onto the shuttle in one bound.
"Elder Yang, is this Holy Land trial still attended by our Wusheng Academy along with people from the four major Sects?"
One Inner Sect Disciple, evidently familiar with Elder Yang, inquired.
"Junior has heard that this edition of the Holy Land trial seems somewhat different?"
"You seem to know quite a bit, youngster."
Elder Yang nodded his head.
"This trial in the Holy Land is indeed different from previous ones."
"In past editions, the trial was undertaken by the disciples of our Wusheng Academy and the four major Sects, but this edition has an additional participant, the Black Market."
"The Black Market’s disciples will also be entering the Holy Land to participate in the trial."
"What? The Black Market?"
"I’ve heard that the Black Market has always wanted to send disciples to train in the Holy Land, but they never succeeded. Apparently, a new Saint sprung up in the Black Market, and under pressure, the Academy and the four major Sects finally stepped back and allowed the Black Market disciples to participate."
On hearing the name ’Black Market,’ numerous disciples began to discuss loudly.
The existence of the Black Market in the Wusheng Nation is quite specialized. If the Wusheng Academy and the four major Sects represent the bright side of the Wusheng Academy, then the Black Market represents its dark side.
In the Wusheng Nation, naturally, there are many deeds that cannot bear the light of day, thus giving rise to another significant power, the Black Market.
But unlike other powers, the Black Market itself is split into countless smaller factions and is quite fragmented; however, when the power of the entire Black Market is combined, even the Wusheng Academy does not dare to underestimate it.
This time, a Saint emerged from the Black Market, ultimately pushing the Wusheng Academy and the people of the four major Sects to step back and allow the Black Market disciples to participate in the Holy Land trial.
"So what if they are Black Market disciples? Just a bunch of shady people."
An Inner Sect Disciple disdainfully remarked.
The Black Market, in the eyes of some, is an entity that prefers to stay hidden, hence, as a disciple of the Wusheng Academy, he naturally looked down upon the Black Market with great contempt.
"Don’t underestimate the Black Market Disciples," said the elderly man, his voice revealing what he knew. "This batch of Black Market Disciples consists of extremely monstrous beings, several of whom are strong enough to rival our Core Disciples from the Martial Victory Academy."
"Be careful when you encounter them."
Elder Yang spoke indifferently, issuing a reminder with his words.
"Rival Core Disciples!"
Hearing these six words, the Inner Sect Disciple, who had previously looked disdainful, suddenly changed his expression.
Core Disciples — they were beings that all Inner Sect Disciples had to look up to because advancing to Core Disciple status required the fundamental and most crucial criterion:
Possessing the realm of Riding the Wind or power that could rival it.
Only those who possessed the power of the Riding the Wind realm could be promoted to Inner Sect Disciples, which was the implication in Elder Yang’s words.
This meant that among the Black Market Disciples participating in the Holy Land’s trial this time, there were indeed those who could rival the Riding the Wind realm.
Strength was the real deal; even if they were Black Market Disciples, having the power of the Riding the Wind realm was not something to be looked down upon.
"Having power that could rival the Riding the Wind realm... The Black Market’s influence seems much stronger than I imagined."
Chu Fengmian thought to himself.
As for Martial Artists at the Sea of Gods realm, Chu Fengmian did not care much, but Martial Artists at the Riding the Wind realm already posed a significant threat to him.
This also served as a warning to Chu Fengmian; despite being a small kingdom, the Martial Victory Kingdom was teeming with talented individuals, and one should never underestimate anyone.
The Ark traveled instantly, covering hundreds of miles in an hour and crossing countless mountain ranges to arrive at a massive mountain range.
This massive mountain range was the Holy Land.
Chu Fengmian could vaguely see a massive Array covering the mountain range completely.
The Array, ancient as it was, contained remnants of power that were terrifying to the extreme.
It was an Array that only a Martial Artist who had surpassed the Divine Power realm could set up.
"This Holy Land indeed contains great treasures,"
Chu Fengmian thought to himself.
An entity capable of setting up such an Array definitely left behind astonishing treasures.
Chu Fengmian, standing on the Ark, looked at the mountains of the Holy Land, feeling oddly familiar with them.
The massive Ark descended to an open area at the entrance of the Holy Land, slowly settling down.
Including Chu Fengmian, fifteen Inner Sect Disciples disembarked and stood at the entrance, curiously observing the various aspects of the Holy Land.
This Holy Land, steeped in mystery as per the tales of countless disciples from the Martial Victory Academy, seemed quiet beyond its quietness, with nothing else unusual.
"Haha, Elder Yang, are these the disciples of this batch from the Martial Victory Academy? It seems quite a few geniuses have emerged."
No sooner had they landed than a red-haired elder came over, laughing heartily.
Behind this red-haired elder followed a young man with the same red hair and a very special fiery red pattern on his forehead.
"Brother Yan arrived pretty quickly, too, even faster than our Ark from the Martial Victory Academy,"
Elder Yang laughed aloud when he saw the red-haired elder.
"Who doesn’t know that your Candle Flame Sect has recently produced many geniuses? And who might this be?"
Elder Yang’s eyes suddenly fixed on the young man behind the red-haired elder, particularly the fiery red pattern on his forehead, and his gaze subtly changed.