Chapter 821 - 38: Caged Bird

Chapter 821: Chapter 38: Caged Bird

After a match, there was an intermission. The clinking of glasses and mingling filled the air. The losers had no mood to stay any longer; it hurt more to see the victors enjoying themselves. For the winners, though, it was a time of celebration, with congratulations pouring in from the audience and other cultivators.

"What’s so great about a glass of wine? It’s all hype," Xiao Yan said, raising his glass.

Li Xin clinked his glass, "One glass of wine, five victors, how do you even tell them apart?"

"By voting from the whole crowd, to see who has more supporters. Jiuxiao Building has grown into an Earth-level Sect by relying on these unconventional methods, all just charm and allure. The Taiyin School seems like Earth-level but is actually on the lower side of Dark-level," Xiao Yan laughed.

Li Xin admired the opulent Jiuxiao Building, thinking to himself that this was true business acumen.

"Brother Ren, it seems like you appreciate what Jiuxiao Building does?" Xiao Yan asked with a slight frown.

"Yeah, Brother Xiao, don’t you think they’re smart? Making money is not wrong, it’s a win-win situation for everyone." Li Xin replied.

"As cultivators, we should encourage ourselves to break the seal and revive the Dragon Race; how can we indulge in such trivial pursuits all day?" Xiao Yan said proudly.

"What seal?" Li Xin asked.

"The Secret Law’s seal on Divine Land prevents us from leaving the Divine Land. That shackle that has bound us for so long, restricting our freedom, confining us here. When we break free, that’s when the dragons will truly soar, and that’s our dream!" Xiao Yan’s voice was powerful and resonant.

Li Xin gave a thumbs up, "Impressive, Brother Xiao. I’ve been here for a while, but when I arrived, I didn’t consider it enough. I never thought we’d truly be unable to leave. I’ve always been curious, without the identity and permission of the Celestial Destiny Sect, what would happen if you tried to leave Divine Land on your own?"

"Incineration!" Xiao Yan’s brow furrowed tightly, as if recalling something terrifying.

"Incineration?"

"Yes, engulfed in heavenly fire. No matter how strong your cultivation is, you’d be reduced to ashes, your divine soul obliterated, a painful end, with no chance of reincarnation," Xiao Yan said with a bitter smile. "Do you think the people of Divine Land are afraid of death? So many have tried over the years, yet without exception, without a heavenly fate, leaving Divine Land results in complete annihilation under the sunlight, the divine soul extinguished."

Seeing how earnestly Xiao Yan spoke, actually, such things weren’t a secret; Li Xin had always been half-believing, half-doubting.

"Not at night?" Li Xin asked instinctively.

Xiao Yan chuckled, "It’s the same at night; it’s not about fearing the sunlight."

"Does the same apply to people like me who inadvertently stumbled into Divine Land?" Li Xin asked. Truthfully, he’s always thought he could leave whenever he wanted.

"As long as you’re a Beijing person, it’s all the same. It’s as if staying in Divine Land for a certain time subjects you to the law’s constraints. Hence, Divine Land allows Beijing people to stay because we share the same origin; we are all descendants of the Ancient Dragon," Xiao Yan explained. "Gaining identity with the Celestial Destiny Sect is the only way to leave. Unfortunately, the conditions to become part of it are extremely stringent, with only a handful managing to succeed."

"I see Brother Xiao has an impressive demeanor; you probably come from a good family, surely there’s a chance for you!"

"Getting into the candidate list isn’t hard, but I’ve already failed twice," Xiao Yan felt a bit downcast. "There’s one last chance. If I fail again, I won’t ever see the world outside Divine Land in this life."

"Brother Xiao, no need to be so fixated; it’s just like a besieged city, those inside want to come out, those outside want to get in. The outside isn’t necessarily as good; the state of Divine Land is top-notch even on the Dao Yuan Eastern Continent," Li Xin consoled.

"I understand," Xiao Yan said. "We as Divine Land are one of the Five Great Sanctuaries. But do you know the feeling of being trapped in a cage? Though there’s no worry, it separates us from the vast world, and what’s most laughable is that those longing for freedom are deemed as odd; even my own family thinks I’m crazy, creating trouble for myself despite good days."

In Xiao Yan’s eyes were yearnings for freedom.

"Those who can’t hear the music, think those dancing are insane," Li Xin said. "Yearning for freedom is never wrong; some people just aren’t born to be caged birds. Living is about more than just being alive."

Xiao Yan stared at Li Xin, mumbling and repeating Li Xin’s words. Those who can’t hear the music, think those dancing are insane.

Xiao Yan displayed a refreshing smile, his eyes glinting with delight, "Brother Ren, a kindred spirit, I salute you. Do you know? I’ve been observing you for a while; you exude an unrestrainable aura. We are of the same kind."

"As long as you’re treating, everything you say is correct."

Li Xin laughed as he clinked glasses with Xiao Yan once more. Xiao Yan chuckled; having money, he wasn’t lacking in people who flatter him, but such direct honesty was a first. The relationship between the two unknowingly grew closer.

Round Four: Gang Refining Hall’s Qi Chou against Yin Yang Sect’s Dongfang Ruyu

Qi Chou of Gang Refining Hall was burly and somewhat fierce-looking, while Dongfang Ruyu of Yin Yang Sect, true to the name, was exceedingly beautiful.

"Gang Refining Hall focuses on Alchemy and Artifact Refining, leveraging this advantage. They have quite a few gifted disciples, leaning towards Body Cultivation—though their body cultivation is rough, they train their bodies into weapons, and gradually it seems more or less the same," Xiao Yan commented.

Li Xin couldn’t help but laugh, "In that case, I’ll pass. Although I’m not overly concerned about appearance, it’s still important to differentiate. The ladies of Yin Yang Sect are quite beautiful; I wonder if they can take a hit."

"That’s a man," Xiao Yan laughed.

"What?" Li Xin looked at the Yin Yang Sect disciple, who appeared completely like a woman—so big, he couldn’t handle it with one hand.

"The cultivation technique of the Yin Yang Sect is from the Taiyin School—a rare ancient evil skill left behind. Their main sect is in White Tiger City. The one in front of you isn’t the authentic Yin Yang Sect, just a branch disciple. The technique inverts Yin and Yang, and practicing it leads to men becoming women and women becoming men." Xiao Yan’s eyes flickered with a hint of disdain.

Li Xin’s mouth hung wide open, "So impressive? Men turning into women, I can somehow imagine, but women turning into men... how do they grow?"

Li Xin glanced at Xiao Yan, who bemusedly replied, "How would I know? I’m not a disciple of Yin Yang Sect." Xiao Yan scoffed, "To gain power, there are numerous evil paths within Divine Land. It’s uncertain why the State Lord doesn’t eradicate these sects—they’re all black sheep."

In the Martial Arts Arena, the battle between Qi Chou and Dongfang Bubai, oh, Dongfang Ruyu, commenced. Dongfang Ruyu wielded a whip, while Qi Chou, a body cultivator, used no weapon. A battle of whips and counter-whips unfolded.

Qi Chou kept advancing, while Dongfang Ruyu relied on movement techniques to keep distance, using the whip to control the range. The whip, in his hand, seemed like a viper. If it weren’t for Qi Chou’s iron body training, an average cultivator would have been shattered by such lashes.

Li Xin wasn’t actually prejudiced. Though the Yin Yang Sect’s technique was a bit strange, the martial skill was truly formidable; the whip technique was elusive and hard to guard against. Qi Chou appeared ferocious but was actually getting beaten like a top, and soon found himself repeatedly whipped; any evasions he made were ineffective.

In the end, Qi Chou was whipped into the air, and Dongfang Ruyu easily claimed victory.

The cheers and applause were surprisingly loud—he actually had quite a few supporters. Looking at that figure and face... not bad at all.