Chapter 83: The Ancient Forbidden Land

Lin Yun could break through to the Sky-Soaring Realm in just over three months?

Jiang Zhengqing didn't think he had it in him. The timeline was simply too tight.

Lin Yun, however, merely smiled calmly. The Flowing Cloud Sect wanted to kill him? While he still couldn't figure out what wire was crossed in Gu Xiande's head, he had no intention of surrendering without a fight.

"Rest assured, Sect Master. I will have no problem," he said. "However, there is a matter right now that I need the Sect Master's help with."

Seeing Lin Yun brimming with such confidence, Jiang Zhengqing nodded. "If you need anything, just say the word. The Beast Taming Sect will pour all of its resources into you to help you win the Grand Tournament."

This was the Beast Taming Sect's chance. Jiang Zhengqing could see it now; this boy, Lin Yun, could very well be the trump card that allowed them to finally turn the tables. On paper, he was a disciple in the Origin Sea Realm, but in reality, he possessed the strength of the Sky-Soaring Realm. With him, their sect would have three disciples at or above that level. Compared to the other sects, this gave them a decisive advantage. Perhaps they could seize this opportunity to take first place in the Grand Tournament.

"In my recent cultivation, I feel that I need a catalyst. There may still be room for my cultivation level to rise."

Now it was Jiang Zhengqing's turn to be astonished. Was this kid really so terrifying? It had only been a few months since he was in the lowly Body Tempering Realm. That growth rate was already monstrous enough. And now, Lin Yun wanted to advance again? How was anyone else supposed to compete?

"What do you need?" Jiang Zhengqing asked, his concern evident.

"I was wondering if there is a place suitable for me to fight in my current state. Ideally, a place where I can experience life and death—though not the kind where it's a guaranteed suicide mission." Lin Yun smiled.

This was the decision he had made after arriving here. Before the Grand Tournament began, he had to at least reach the ninth stage of the Origin Sea Realm. That would give him a much better fighting chance.

Jiang Zhengqing thought for a moment. "The Beast Taming Sect… does indeed have such a place. However, opening it is a rather complicated affair. You should return for now. I need to discuss this with the other elders."

After Lin Yun left, Jiang Zhengqing sat alone in the Great Hall, lost in thought for a long time. Finally, he sent a disciple to summon the elders.

"Sect Master, what is it that you called us here for in such a hurry?"

"Yes, my Carved Dragon is about to give birth!"

Ning Changkong and Cao Yuke entered the hall one after the other, with the remaining elders following suit.

Jiang Zhengqing looked at them and said, "Elders, I have called you here today to discuss a certain matter. I wish to open… the Ancient Forbidden Land!"

At these words, the hall fell silent. Every sect had its own special places, and for the Beast Taming Sect, it was the Ancient Forbidden Land. Legend had it that it was a shattered corner of an ancient battlefield, discovered by a mighty figure of the sect long ago and carved out into a small, separate dimension with immense power.

In the sect's early years, they would often open the Forbidden Land to send disciples in for training. But as the sect declined, this practice was slowly abandoned. After all, the cost of opening the Ancient Forbidden Land was enormous.

"Sect Master, is that Lin Yun truly worth such a massive investment from our sect?" Fang Yan asked, his brow furrowed and his fists clenched.

Lin Yun had only been here for a few days, yet Zhao Fa was already in seclusion and Wu Boyan was locked in the Disciplinary Hall, his fate unknown. Their sect was already in decline; if this continued, how could they possibly contend with the Flowing Cloud Sect?

Ning Changkong spoke up. "Has the Fourth Elder already forgotten that the Chongqing Bird acknowledged him as its master?"

"Indeed. I also agree to open the Ancient Forbidden Land," Duan Wuya added, sharing Ning Changkong's opinion. "If that boy's cultivation can reach the ninth stage of the Origin Sea Realm, we might actually be able to win a decisive victory in the Spirit Realm."

Lin Yun had, after all, only just joined the sect. His talent was undeniable, but he was still only in the Origin Sea Realm. If he couldn't improve, it wouldn't be right to let him leech off the sect's resources. Although opening the Forbidden Land was costly, if it was just for Lin Yun alone, they could still afford it.

"However, the Ancient Forbidden Land is fraught with danger. Is it appropriate for Lin Yun to enter all by himself?" Ning Changkong voiced his concern. What if Lin Yun went in and just croaked? That would be a huge loss.

"I have considered this problem," Jiang Zhengqing replied. "As long as Lin Yun does not stray from the demarcated area, he will not be in danger. There are no records of the exotic beasts from the other regions ever appearing there."

After Jiang Zhengqing finished, Cao Yuke chimed in, "If that is the case, then I have no objection."

Fang Yan glanced at Cao Yuke, a strange look on his face.

Not long after returning to his courtyard, Lin Yun received a message from Jiang Zhengqing. In two days, the elders would join forces to open the Ancient Forbidden Land for him. The message, however, repeatedly emphasized that the place was extremely dangerous.

But Lin Yun's mind was made up. Even if he cultivated diligently for three full months in the sect, he would never reach the heights he was aiming for. He didn't know about other cultivation paths, but as a sword cultivator, he knew that sitting still and meditating was far inferior to a life-and-death battle.

"No wonder sword cultivators in the old days were known for being fearless and unafraid of trouble," he mused to himself as he began his preparations. "After all, to get stronger, you have to constantly fight. It's no surprise that the most famous sword cultivators are all so powerful—their strength was hacked out one sword strike at a time."

News that the Ancient Forbidden Land was being reopened soon spread throughout the sect. There were naysayers and voices of discontent. For so many years, not a single disciple had been granted such a privilege. How could they be happy that Lin Yun was receiving this treatment?

Zhang Hongze stood amongst the crowd. Once upon a time, he, like these other greenhorns, had been filled with resentment for Lin Yun.

Until that last time. Until he had been thoroughly beaten.

Zhang Hongze now understood. He and Lin Yun were as different as clouds and mud. If Lin Yun was already this strong in the Origin Sea Realm, what would he be like at a higher realm? He could already imagine that the future Lin Yun would inevitably become a renowned figure in the cultivation world.

Of course, that was all contingent on him making it back from the Ancient Forbidden Land alive.

Cloud Pavilion

Gu Xiande had the situation at the Beast Taming Sect completely under his control. It was a pity that he hadn't managed to obtain the survey map, but what he truly hadn't expected was that Jiang Zhengqing would let bygones be bygones and invest so heavily in Lin Yun's development. His repeated warnings had been utterly useless.

"It seems the Beast Taming Sect intends to oppose me to the very end," Gu Xiande said, his fists clenched tightly. "Pingtian, if you were to face Lin Yun again, are you confident you could defeat him?"

The Xiao Pingtian of today was completely different from before. His handsome face had gained a sinister gloom; his repeated failures had dealt a heavy blow to his psyche.

"Rest assured, Master. At the Grand Tournament of the Spirit Realm, I will personally kill Lin Yun. And… all the other disobedient scum from the Beast Taming Sect."

Gu Xiande looked at him, then smiled. "Excellent. However, your master would still prefer it if he died in the Ancient Forbidden Land."