Usually, those from small cities who wished to make a name for themselves would have to rely on their efforts to rise to prominence. However, if a young powerhouse with great innate talent appeared, it was only natural that the strong factions from big kingdoms, or the Imperial family, would vie for these young geniuses to join them. In any case, such geniuses would only appear once in a blue moon.

The Soaring Dragon Celestial Kingdom was a high-rank Celestial Kingdom. There was an order for those in its territories to look for young talent who were younger than 100 years old. It might seem like the kingdom was just looking for talent, but to Duan Ling Tian, something seemed fishy. If the kingdom only wanted to scout for talents, they would not have an age restriction. After all, there were many highly talented people who were just slightly above 100 years of age. Most importantly, he did not think it was a coincidence that King Qin’s Mansion from the Cloudy Rock Celestial Kingdom was also looking for powerhouses younger than 100 years old. He thought to himself, ‘Is it possible that the Martial Competition of the 16 Counties in King Qin’s Mansion was only a selection for a bigger competition?’

As Duan Ling Tian continued listening to the conversation, he discovered that a competition would be held in the capital of the Soaring Dragon Celestial Kingdom in one month. All the territories under the Soaring Dragon Celestial Kingdom would bring ten of their strongest young powerhouses to compete in the Imperial palace to determine the 50 strongest young powerhouses in the Soaring Dragon Celestial Kingdom.

“Hm?” A conversation caught Duan Ling Tian’s attention, and he listened attentively to the conversation.

“It’s not only the Soaring Dragon Celestial Kingdom that will select 50 if its strongest young powerhouses who are younger than 100 years old, but intermediate-rank Celestial Kingdoms also have to select 30 of its strongest young powerhouses. Apart from that, even low-rank Celestial Kingdoms have to select 20 young powerhouses to participate in a competition.

“How did you find out about this? Why are all the kingdoms holding a competition?”

“Intermediate and low-rank Celestial Kingdoms have to send their young powerhouses to participate in a competition as well? I thought it’s just our kingdom.”

“Why are they allowed to send a lower number of young powerhouses?

“Didn’t you hear? There will be a martial competition held in a year. It’s organized by the Three Major Celestial Sects of the Wasteland. The participants are the young powerhouses who are younger than 100 years old from the Celestial Kingdoms surrounding the wasteland. It’s said that outstanding participants will be given a chance to join one of the three major Celestial Sects,” the man who had spoken first said.

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire place fell silent.

Duan Ling Tian discovered his speculation was not wrong. ‘Wasteland? The Three Major Celestial Sects of the Wasteland?’ A map appeared in his mind at this moment. This was the map he had obtained from the Lyu clan in Qi Lyu City. Since the map was in a Memory Celestial Talisman, it was imprinted in his mind.

‘The map covers a vast area… On the southern side of the map are many barren mountains. The wasteland is located to the north of the barren mountains. There are 373 Celestial Kingdoms around the wasteland; there are 39 high-rank Celestial Kingdoms, 125 intermediate-rank Celestial Kingdoms, and 209 low-rank Celestial Kingdoms. The wasteland is vast, and it doesn’t belong to any Celestial Kingdom despite being surrounded by many kingdoms. The Martial Dragon Celestial Sect, the Tai Yi Celestial Sect, and the Thousand Spiders Celestial Sect that are marked on the map must be the three major Celestial Sects those people mentioned.’

The Martial Dragon Celestial Sect, the Tai Yi Celestial Sect, and the Thousand Spiders Celestial Sect were the Three Major Celestial Sects of the Wasteland. They organized a martial competition that would be held in a year in the wasteland. Invitations had been issued to all 373 Celestial Kingdoms so the kingdoms would have to bring their strongest young powerhouses who were younger than 100 years old to participate in the competition. Failing to show up would probably not bode well for the kingdoms. After all, it would be a slight against the Three Major Celestial Sects of the Wasteland, and it could result in their kingdoms being annihilated. Many kingdoms were annihilated in the history of the Three Major Celestial Sects of the Wasteland. It was only natural since the three Celestial Sects were far mightier than high-rank Celestial Kingdoms.

In the Devata Realms, a Celestial Sect was far superior to ordinary sects. Sects that were weaker than the Imperial family of a high-rank Celestial Kingdom were not qualified to be given the status of a Celestial Sect.

‘The Three Major Celestial Sects of the Wasteland are far superior to any powerful sects in high-rank Celestial Kingdoms… I wonder if the three Celestial Sects are more powerful than the Compassionate Celestial Traveler Sect?’ A beautiful figure appeared in Duan Ling Tian’s mind at this moment. The reason he had to leave King Qin’s Mansion in such a hurry was due to the Sect Leader of the Compassionate Celestial Traveler Sect ordering her subordinate to kill him. A plan slowly formed in his mind as he thought to himself, ‘I should be able to find more information about the Compassionate Celestial Traveler Sect and the Three Major Celestial Sects of the Wasteland in the capital of the Soaring Dragon Celestial Kingdom…’

Meanwhile, the people in the main hall of the restaurant were still heatedly discussing the martial competition that would be held in the wasteland. However, Duan Ling Tian was no longer interested in the discussion. He shifted his attention to Huan’er and said, “Huan’er, slow down… We can order more if it’s not enough.”

Huan’er was devouring the food as though she was a ravenous beast. The empty plates, when stacked up, were almost the height of an eight-year-old child. The dishes on the table were disappearing at an alarming rate.

“Mm-hm…” Huan’er said incoherently with her mouth full. She continued enjoying her food and ignored Duan Ling Tian.

“It seems like you really love good food. ” Duan Ling Tian shook his head as he chuckled.

It did not take long before all the dishes on the table were eaten. Duan Ling Tian ordered the waiter to serve another two dishes. It did not take long before the two dishes disappeared as well.

After Huan’er finished eating, she wiped the grease off her mouth and rubbed her belly without a care for her image. “All right, I’m 60% full… That’s enough for now. We’ll continue at night.”

“60% full?” The corner of Duan Ling Tian’s mouth twitched. If he did not know Huan’er was a Celestial Beast, he would have thought she was a monster with an endless appetite.

They put on their veils and hats before paying for the bill. When they left the restaurant, Duan Ling Tian noticed the waiter looking at them as though they were monsters. He was overcome with the urge to explain to the waiter that Huan’er was the one who had devoured all the food. In fact, he did not eat much at all.

As they were walking around, looking for an inn to settle in for the night, a loud howling noise rang from the other end of the street.

A mighty and strange Celestial Beast with nine heads could be seen pulling a roofless carriage at a high speed. Its speed was comparable to King Qin’s carriage that Duan Ling Tian had seen back in King Qin’s Mansion.

‘This nine-headed Celestial Beast has a cultivation base comparable to a Violet Sun Golden Celestial,’ Duan Ling Tian thought to himself. He saw an orange-clad lady in the carriage. Although she was a beauty, she paled in comparison to Huan’er. It was not difficult to tell that the woman came from a wealthy family. In fact, based on her aura, it seemed like she was a typical spoiled rich man’s daughter.

When the lady looked at and met Duan Ling Tian’s eyes, her eyes lit up immediately. She looked like a hungry wolf that had met its prey. However, since the nine-headed Celestial Beast was moving at high speed, the carriage shot past Duan Ling Tian and Huan’er in just a blink of an eye.

Duan Ling Tian who noticed the lady’s gaze frowned when he heard the howling noise from the nine-headed Celestial Beast again.