46- Arrived At Central Area

Eighteen days of flight, battle stories, and light-hearted banter passed before the vast silhouette of the Central Area rose on the horizon.

Feng Xuan and Mu Lingyao soared beside me, eyes wide.

"Look!" Feng Xuan pointed ahead. "That must be it!"

A towering structure loomed at the heart of a sprawling complex. Buildings of varying styles and sizes clustered around it—sect halls, merchant shops, and residential quarters.

Mu Lingyao gasped. "It's beautiful…"

Yang Kai nodded beside me. "I've never seen anything like this."

As we descended toward the Central Area Gate, two armored guards stepped forward, weapons crossed.

"Stop. Identify yourselves. Which sect do you belong to and what is your purpose here?"

I stepped forward. "Zhen Huan, disciple of the High Heaven Sect. I've come to participate in the All-Sect Competition."

Feng Xuan spoke next, "Feng Xuan, disciple of the Blade Sect."

Mu Lingyao followed, "Mu Lingyao, from the Flower Valley Sect. We're all here for the competition."

The guards studied us for a moment before stepping aside. "You may enter."

Inside, the city buzzed with life—disciples training in open courtyards, spiritual beasts being led by handlers, vendors selling rare elixirs and artifacts.

"Let's find our sects," Mu Lingyao said, scanning the crowd. "Oh! There's Flower Valley!"

She turned to me. "If you see Yun'er, tell her I'm looking for her, alright?"

"Will do," I smiled.

"Bye! We'll travel together again after the competition," she said, waving as she ran off.

Moments later, Feng Xuan stopped too. "That's my Blade Sect. I'll see you later, Brother Zhen!"

I nodded. "Take care."

Only Yang Kai remained at my side now.

"Let's find the High Heaven Sect," I said.

"Yes, Master!"

As we made our way through the crowd, a sudden scuffle caught our attention.

A lone High Heaven disciple was being beaten by four robed cultivators—disciples of the Heaven Core Sect.

I didn't hesitate. I dashed in, knocking them away with a sweeping kick empowered by spiritual force.

One of them snarled, "Hey! Who the hell are you? Leave now or we'll beat you to death!"

I ignored him, kneeling beside my injured sect member. "Are you alright? Where are the others?"

"They're further inside, that way…" he coughed, pointing weakly.

The Heaven Core disciple moved again, but I didn't let him finish. With a blur of motion, I struck him square in the chest, sending him flying.

"You're ants," I said coldly. "Go get your sect leader if you want revenge."

Without waiting, I lifted my injured fellow disciple, gesturing to Yang Kai. "Come."

We found the rest of the High Heaven Sect gathered in a large open courtyard.

Sect Leader Shen Hong looked up and grinned. "Zhen Huan! You've returned."

His smile faded when he saw the injured disciple. "What happened?"

"He was being bullied by Heaven Core disciples. I stepped in."

Shen Hong's expression darkened. "Old Zon's brats again…"

I nodded. "Told them to bring their sect leader if they have a problem with me."

Shen Hong clapped my shoulder. "Good. You've done well."

Then a familiar voice chimed in—Shen Hua, my friend from earlier.

"Brother Zhen! You're back! Huh? Who's this little guy? Don't tell me—your son?!"

Whack!

I slapped him on the head. "You bastard. He's my disciple."

Yang Kai stepped forward and bowed. "Yang Kai. Disciple of Master Zhen Huan."

Shen Hua's jaw dropped. "He's already at Foundation Establishment – 8th Layer?!"

I smiled proudly. "He's more talented than I was at his age."

Shen Hong laughed heartily. "A monster raising a little monster! Hahaha!"

Shen Hua narrowed his eyes and tried to sense my cultivation… and failed.

"Wait… what's your realm now? I can't sense it."

I smirked. "Nascent Soul – 5th Layer."

He stared blankly. "Nascent Soul… wait—fifth layer?!"

"Got lucky," I shrugged.

With that, we found rooms at a nearby inn and began to settle in.

The competition would start soon—and I could feel it. The real battle hadn't even begun.