Chapter 384 Azure Dragon Ranking

After escaping the palace hall that had trapped the Clear Sky Sect disciples for several months, Jiang Zhaoxia led the disciples forward at high speed. After passing through a pitch-black tunnel, their vision suddenly brightened.

Ahead of them lay an underground world. The terrain was vast, and a great river poured forth along the nearby mountain wall, surging forward with violent currents like a mighty rushing river.

The ceiling above was several hundred zhang away from the ground beneath Jiang Zhaoxia and the others. The terrain ahead rose and fell unevenly, while broken cliffs clung to the mountain walls like the fangs of a gigantic earth beast.

The Clear Sky Sect disciples each rode upon flying swords as they rapidly advanced. Jiang Zhaoxia never slowed down, and none of them dared ask questions. All focused intently, afraid of falling behind.

Boom——

A mountain wall ahead exploded apart. A figure shot out like a stone projectile, tracing a perfect arc before crashing onto the barren land several hundred zhang away. Even after both feet landed, the figure still slid backward for a distance.

It was a white-haired man clad in golden armor. His appearance was handsome, and in his hand he held a Fangtian Halberd over a zhang long, its blade reflecting chilling light.

“Chao Lingxiao, today the karma between you and me must come to an end.”

A deep and domineering voice rang out like heavenly thunder, causing the blood and qi within Jiang Zhaoxia and the others to tremble after hearing it.

Jiang Zhaoxia frowned inwardly in shock.

Two more great cultivators of the Heaven-Reaching Sunlight Realm?

Even someone as proud as him felt unlucky. How had they become entangled in such a dangerous place?

He had no choice but to slow down. Soon, he saw a black-robed giant as burly as a brown bear charging out from the mountain wall opening where Chao Lingxiao had emerged.

The black-robed giant wielded two long iron maces wrapped in green flames. He landed upon a cliffside, kicked off violently, and shattered the cliff beneath him. Raising both maces high overhead, he smashed downward with such overwhelming force that even the earth trembled.

Even Jiang Zhaoxia and the others, who were over ten li away, could not help but feel their hearts jump upon witnessing this scene.

Jiang Zhaoxia slowed further, not daring to approach too closely as he searched for another route around them.

“That’s Chao Lingxiao of the Supreme Immortal Sect and the Black Fiend Demon Lord of the Crimson Blood Demon Sect! They actually came too? Could this truly be the legendary War God Underground Palace?”

An astonished cry sounded from behind.

It came from a short and fat old man riding upon a gigantic fan. His eyes were wide open, and his face was filled with terror.

Behind him, cultivators continuously fled out from the darkness.

Jiang Zhaoxia had no time to marvel at the battle between those major figures. All he wanted was to lead the disciples out safely.

The disciples following him were all elites of the sect. Quite a few even held important positions. If any of them perished, he would feel he had failed Senior Brother.

Among the dozens of Clear Sky Sect disciples, the only one appearing relaxed was Bai Ning’er, who was watching the battle with great interest.

Back in the Clear Sky Sect, he had felt the sect was enormous and powerful. But ever since arriving in the western lands, he realized how small the Clear Sky Sect truly was. Now, he had become extremely interested in the outside immortal cultivation world.

Of course, he was merely curious. He had no desire to leave the Clear Sky Sect.

The Clear Sky Sect might be small, but it was developing rapidly. Sooner or later, it would stand shoulder to shoulder with those great sects—at least, that was what Bai Ning’er believed.

Watching the fierce battle between the Black Fiend Demon Lord and Chao Lingxiao from afar, feeling that overwhelming pressure and terrifying spectacle, Bai Ning’er was secretly shocked.

He wondered who would win if compared to the Sect Master.

At that moment, the world before Bai Ning’er suddenly transformed. This underground space dimmed, while thick fog surged across the ground.

Before he could think further, the world instantly returned to normal.

“You can actually break my Dharma Form Domain!”

The Black Fiend Demon Lord’s voice rang out, filled with both shock and fury.

Dharma Form Domain?

Bai Ning’er silently memorized the term, guessing it was a unique ability of the Heaven-Reaching Sunlight Realm.

“This way!”

Jiang Zhaoxia suddenly shouted.

All the Clear Sky Sect disciples immediately changed direction and flew toward a distant mountain wall. Looking carefully, there was a crack in the wall. From afar it looked thin, but in reality it was over two zhang wide.

After flying into the crack, Jiang Zhaoxia used his Spiritual Sense to scout ahead. Fortunately, the crack already pierced through and could be used as an escape route.

After flying roughly two li, they arrived in another underground space.

However, battles were taking place here as well.

Though it was not a clash between Heaven-Reaching Sunlight Realm experts, two sects numbering over five hundred cultivators were slaughtering one another in an intense battle.

“Have these people gone mad? Why is there fighting everywhere?”

One Clear Sky Sect disciple could not help but say, his face full of nervousness.

Even if they were not Heaven-Reaching Sunlight Realm cultivators, hundreds of Spirit Perception Realm cultivators hurling spells everywhere was still a terrifying sight.

Xue Jin spoke up.

“Master, perhaps it would be better for us to find a place to hide. If we continue fleeing like this, casualties are inevitable.”

Jiang Zhaoxia felt his words made sense. He slightly nodded and began searching for a place to hide.

Meanwhile—

Within another underground space, Zhou Linghuan and Fang Shuang advanced through the air atop clouds. Beneath them surged a boundless underground river that stretched endlessly like a vast sea.

“As expected, things have become chaotic. Those people don’t truly care about the illusory Human Emperor Bell. They only want fame and the settling of grudges.”

Zhou Linghuan remarked, a playful smile appearing on her face.

Fang Shuang looked ahead and said,

“Don’t celebrate too early. Perhaps our enemies will come as well.”

Zhou Linghuan replied indifferently,

“It doesn’t matter. Jiang Hongming is definitely following us secretly under my father’s orders.”

Fang Shuang continued,

“I heard Chao Lingxiao has arrived. He ranks third on the Azure Dragon Ranking, while Jiang Hongming ranks fourth. I’m afraid he’ll become distracted because of this.”

“He cares that much about empty reputation?”

“Don’t forget—he finally endured past those two people, only to be surpassed again by later generations. As the number one genius of the Heavenly Clear Immortal Sect, the pressure he bears is beyond what you and I can imagine.”

“That’s true. Someone as serious as him must be extremely gloomy in private.”

Hearing this, Fang Shuang could not help rolling her eyes at Zhou Linghuan, feeling her words were completely unrestrained.

Zhou Linghuan smiled.

She had deliberately said it for Jiang Hongming to hear.

Since childhood, she had cultivated alongside Jiang Hongming and constantly endured his lectures. She had long grown sick of them.

“If Li Bai comes, then forget the third and fourth ranks of the Azure Dragon Ranking—even if the top two arrived, he would still shine brilliantly among them.”

Zhou Linghuan proudly laughed while waving her sleeve.

Fang Shuang truly could not endure it anymore and mocked her instead.

“I wonder who it was that once claimed she would never pursue love in this lifetime and would devote herself wholeheartedly to cultivation. Yet after going out for several years, she returned transformed into a lovestruck woman.”

Zhou Linghuan sighed emotionally.

“I truly did force myself to think that way before. But the more I suppressed my longing, the more painful it became. I finally understood that love is also a tribulation every person must experience in life. Since it cannot be avoided, why not taste its flavor?”

“I’m just afraid you want to taste it, while the other person refuses to let you.”

Fang Shuang’s words instantly froze the smile upon Zhou Linghuan’s face.

……

Inside a dim palace hall, tiny floating light stars illuminated the surroundings.

Dozens of Clear Sky Sect disciples sat meditating within the hall, making the palace feel crowded. Yan Daozong stood before a wall, staring at the ancient text carved upon it while pondering deeply.

Jiang Zhaoxia sat meditating before the hall’s only stone gate, his gaze directed toward Yan Daozong as his brows furrowed slightly.

He still remembered Senior Brother’s evaluation of Yan Daozong—that once Yan Daozong cultivated immortality, he would shock everyone.

But Yan Daozong was far too stubborn. No matter what, he refused to cultivate immortality, leaving others both admiring and regretful.

Ever since arriving here, Yan Daozong often entered such trance-like states. Jiang Zhaoxia suspected he might have encountered some opportunity.

If this journey could allow Yan Daozong to transform, it would truly be an unexpected delight.

Thinking this, a smile appeared on Jiang Zhaoxia’s face.

The sect possessed more and more geniuses now. He even felt his own talent could barely remain within the top ten. Yet he still carried his own pride. Even if he nurtured a future rival, he felt no fear.

After all, he was the Deputy Sect Master!

Rumble——

The palace shook violently as dust continuously fell.

A female disciple could not help saying,

“It’s already been several days. Why are such massive battles still happening? What kind of conflict have we become involved in?”

The other disciples also opened their eyes and began discussing the matter.

Though they had not encountered danger these past few days, the constant disturbances left them terrified.

Jiang Zhaoxia remained silent. He knew the disciples’ minds were tightly strained, and they needed conversation to ease their emotions.

Yang Jueding also joined the discussion. He too was deeply curious about this place.

The moment someone began speaking, Bai Ning’er became lively again. His voice was the loudest among them, but precisely because of him, the tense atmosphere eased considerably.

After chatting for a while, Yang Jueding suddenly sensed something. He immediately retrieved the Clear Sky Token from his Storage Pouch.

“Quiet!”

Yang Jueding suddenly shouted.

Everyone instantly fell silent and turned toward him, including Jiang Zhaoxia and Xue Jin.

They saw Yang Jueding’s hand trembling while holding the Clear Sky Token. The disciples could sense fluctuations of Spiritual Sense coming from within it.

The Clear Sky Token had regained contact?

All the disciples became excited, their breathing quickening, yet none dared make a sound, afraid this might all be an illusion.

They had been trapped here for far too long.

Though they never spoke of it aloud, a thought had gradually emerged within their hearts.

Perhaps… they would never get out.

Yang Jueding infused Vital Energy into the Clear Sky Token. The token could respond to both Vital Energy and Spiritual Sense. Either force could activate it.

“Hello, is this Elder Yang?”

The moment they heard that voice, the disciples could no longer restrain their emotions.

Even Jiang Zhaoxia widened his eyes.

It was the Sect Master’s voice!

Yang Jueding’s eyes reddened.

That brat really was reliable.

“It’s me, Sect Master. We’re trapped inside a—”

“There’s no need to explain. I’ve already entered, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to contact you. Find a place to hide. I’ll come find you.”

Li Qingqiu’s voice came from within the Clear Sky Token.

His tone sounded extremely casual, as though he were merely speaking of some trivial matter, yet it instantly filled the disciples with boundless confidence.